SUNDAY REFLECTIONS with Fr.Joy Joseph: 2025

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Advent: A: December 21, 2025

THE MYSTERY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

Introduction: We are in the fourth and final Sunday of Advent. Today's liturgy speaks to us about Emmanuel: 'God with us'. First reading from the book of prophet Isaiah speaks about the birth of Emmanuel, born of a young virgin. In the second reading, St. Paul in his letter to Romans speaks about the divine and human nature of Christ. He is born a human, but at the same time, He is the Son of God. In the Gospel, we hear Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will bear a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary had her own doubts but finally she accepts the invitation of the Angel and unconditionally says 'yes' to God's will. That 'yes' changed the life of Mary for ever and she became the mother of God. As we prepare for Christmas, let our preparations be more spiritual than mere external preparations.

First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10 to 14

Second Reading: Romans 1: 1 to 7

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1: 18 to 24

*First reading is from the book of prophet Isaiah. Isaiah foretells the birth of a very special child. He will 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 he invites Ahaz to ask for a sign from the Lord God. Ahaz is reluctant and refuses to ask for a sign. However, Isaiah tells Ahaz that a sign will be given 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 at Rome are 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 prophecies of the past.

Emmanuel: God with us Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah is described. 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 it's fulfilment as narrated in Matthew are brought up for a very 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. In this context, former US President Calvin Coolidge said: "Christmas is not a time nor season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have a real spirit of Christmas." C. M. Schulz says: "Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone."

Conclusion: Many gifts and presents will be exchanged during this Christmas. But the greatest and the best gifts are not chocolates or expensive and glittering presents but the gift of Jesus Himself. Let us prepare our hearts to welcome Him.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May Emmanuel, born of a virgin, bless you with His heavenly blessings during this Christmas. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, December 21, 2025." Thanks.)

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Third Sunday of Advent: A: December 14,2025

PREPARE FOR THE IMMINENT COMING OF THE LORD

Introduction: We are in the third week of Advent, intensively preparing for the coming of the Lord. In the first reading prophet Isaiah assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will come to their rescue. He speaks of a time, when Messiah comes, the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf shall hear and the lame will be able to walk. In the second reading St. James in his letter urges us to be patient with regard to the second coming of the Lord. In the Gospel, John the Baptist sends messengers to enquire whether Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah. Jesus invites them to observe: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear and the dead are raised. John invites all of us to have a change of heart and to repent. Advent is the time to clear our doubts and welcome the Lord earnestly.

First Reading: Isaiah 35: 1 to 6

Second Reading: James 5: 7 to 10

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11: 1 to 11

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

*Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle invites us to be patient: The quality which all of us find it hard to possess. He urges all of us to be loving and patient with one another and to be patient regarding the Lord's final coming. He gives us the great 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. John the Baptist's doubts and predicaments regarding Jesus and His mission are narrated. All of us have some unfulfilled hopes and unanswered prayers. 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 to Jesus through his messengers. The hopes of John the Baptist regarding Jesus as the promised Messiah are not entirely fulfilled. John is imprisoned by Herod. In the prison, he is confused about Jesus and His mission. The question put by John is raised by people down the centuries and many raise this question even today. Jesus' answer to the messengers of John is to observe the happenings around them: Have a reality check. 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 and His mission? Today Jesus asks us to look around and see the presence of God and His benevolent power among us. Look around the world and observe the universe and experience the mighty manifestations of His love and care and the great power over the world, the stars and the galaxies in the ever expanding 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. In this context Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "A prison cell, in 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." Steve Maraboli says: "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."

Conclusion: The question John puts as we heard in the Gospel is our question too. Is Jesus the Messiah: The only redeemer for us? Is His Gospel enough for us? Do we find in Jesus, the answer to our deepest longings? Advent is the time to address these questions. The ancient Romans had a God called Janus. January comes from the name of that God. He is depicted with having a head with two faces. One face looks backward and the other looks forward. The season of Advent is something similar. It looks backward to the first coming of Jesus which happened more than two thousand years ago. It also looks towards the future of Jesus' coming at the end of times. We are in between these two events. Our work is not to sit and watch but rather to continue the Mission of Jesus that He entrusted to us at His first coming.

May the Lord Jesus bless you during this Advent that you may firmly believe that He is indeed the Messiah and dispel all doubts from your heart. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph. December 14, 2025." Thanks.)

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Second Sunday of Advent: A: December 7, 2025

ADVENT PREPARATIONS : A CALL TO REPENTANCE

Introduction: We are in the second week of Advent. In the coming weeks we are encouraged to prepare intensively for the coming of Lord Jesus. In the first reading, prophet Isaiah speaks about the future messianic kingdom and the qualities of the Messiah. He says that the Messiah will be an ideal king who will bring justice and peace to the world. In the second reading, St. Paul says that Jesus is the hope of all humans. In the Gospel, we have John the Baptist inviting everyone to prepare for the way of the Lord. He invites us to have a change of heart and to reform our sinful ways.

First Reading: Isaiah 11: 1 to 10

Second Reading: Romans 15: 4 to 9

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3: 1 to 12

*First reading is from the book of prophet Isaiah. Isaiah says that when the Messiah comes He will be an ideal king. He will bring two great gifts to the world: The two gifts the world is in great need of - justice and peace. The signs of the messianic kingdom will be seen in nature too: The wolf dwelling with the lamb; the leopard lies down with the kid; the calf and the lion live together. There will not be anymore hurt or destruction in nature. Advent is the appropriate time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah: The king of peace and justice.

*Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. Paul elaborates about the importance of hope. He says that Jesus Christ is the hope of all humans. In Him we find hope, harmony and peace. Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to share the joys of His kingdom, we must welcome one another in body and mind to offer glory to God.

John the Baptist's call to repentance Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. John the Baptist invites everyone to repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. John's appearance in the wilderness is rather eccentric. He wears a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt. He eats locust and honey. John calls people from all walks of life to repent and be baptized. Hence, John's invitation for the people is to have a change of heart. John warns that those who do not have a change of heart will face punishment from God. John recalls the infidelity of Israel. He speaks of the promised Messiah who will come soon. He will be greater than John himself and He will exercise His authority and judgement. We are invited to have a look into the areas in which we need to change. Thus, we need to be transformed and to be touched by the forgiving love of God. John makes it amply clear that unless we accept our sins and failures and correct our wrong ways, we cannot truly prepare for the coming of the Lord. In this context E.T. Benson says: " Repentance means change and it takes a humble person to change." Thomas Carlyle, an English writer, says: "Of all acts of man, repentance is the most divine." Oscar Wilde says: "How else but through a broken heart may the Lord Jesus Christ enter in?"

Conclusion: During the second week of Advent, we are again and again reminded to repent and to be reconciled. Leonardo Da Vinci was a great painter and artist. His world famous painting of the Last Supper adorns the Sistine Chapel in Vatican. While working on this immortal painting of the Last Supper, Da Vinci had a heated argument with one of his colleagues. Bitter words were exchanged and threatening gestures made. When the arguments were over and things cooled down, Da Vinci went back to his canvas, where he was working on the face of Jesus. In spite of much concentration and efforts, he could not make a single stroke. He felt as if he was paralyzed. After some time, he realized where the real trouble was. He went back to his colleague and apologized for his rude behaviour. Then he returned to his studio and calmly continued to paint the face of Jesus. During these days of Advent, we are not merely painting the face of Jesus, but rather, we are preparing ourselves and our hearts for the coming of the Lord. So we must do something in our lives too, similar to what Da Vinci did.

May the Lord Jesus bless you during this season of Advent and give you the grace to experience true repentance and God's forgiving love. Amen.

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

First Sunday of Advent: A: November 30, 2025

ADVENT PREPARATIONS

Introduction: We are in the first week of Advent. The coming four weeks are a time to prepare for the coming of Lord Jesus at Christmas. The readings of Advent plunge us back into the times when the people of Israel eagerly wait for the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. It is as if, at the start of Advent, we enter a time machine and are transported back into the times of John the Baptist and further back into the times of the great prophets of Old Testament. Those prophets spoke of the coming of the Messiah, thus keeping alive the hopes and aspirations of the people. All of us are aware of the coming of the Messiah and year after year we have Advent preparations. The question today is: Does it make a difference in our lives and in the world around us?

First Reading: Isaiah 2: 1 to 5

Second Reading: Romans 13: 11 to 14

Gospel Reading: Matthew 24: 37 to 44

*First reading is from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah gives a vision of universal peace with the coming of the Messiah. At that time, people of Israel experience great distress, pain and sufferings. Isaiah speaks of a future Messianic kingdom where all the people will be united and will experience great peace and harmony in their lives. We are challenged by Isaiah to work for a new world order which is inaugurated by the coming of the Messiah: Christ the Lord.

*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul reminds us that it is time to wake up since our salvation is close at hand. We need to turn away from the darkness of evil and walk in the light of Christ to be true witnesses of that light.

The coming of Jesus the Messiah Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. We are urged to stay awake because we do not know the day or the hour when Christ the Lord comes again. To express this message effectively, Jesus uses an unusual imagery of a thief coming at night. He warns us not to be engrossed in the matters of the world, so as to forget what is utmost important: Doing God's will. We need to be alert and watchful at all times. Through this metaphor of a thief coming unexpectedly, Jesus gives us the following messages: 1. We are warned to be vigilant and watchful. 2. The time of the Lord's coming cannot be predicted or calculated. 3. Disciples of the Lord are to be engrossed with their assigned mission but not to spend time in speculations. We know from past experiences that thieves often break-in and steal when we least expect them to do. Secrecy is their preferred weapon. Similarly, the day and the hour of Christ's coming is unknown to us. That necessarily implies that our lives must be a constant preparation for His coming. Hence, the first Sunday of Advent sets our sights on life's horizon when Christ comes to us again. Unfortunately, for many people today, the presence of Christ means very little. It is our duty to make Christ's presence real for the unbelievers and the doubters. Hence, the firm message of Advent is: "Stay awake... watch because Christ the Lord is coming into our lives." In this context Henry. David. Thoreau says: "Only that day dawns to which we are awake."

Conclusion: In today's second reading St. Paul tells us: "Night is almost over, it will be daylight soon." An ancient Rabbi once asked his students: "How could one say, the night has passed and it is day-break?" One of the students suggested, when you see an animal at a distance and say whether it is a sheep or a goat. Another said, when you can see a tree at a distance and you can say whether it is a mango tree or a neem tree. The Rabbi was not impressed. His own answer was: "When you can look at the face of any human being and see the face of a brother or a sister, then you can say it is day-break. So also, this Advent should lead us to see the presence of Jesus in every human being, no matter what their colour, caste or nationality that he or she belongs to.

May the Lord Jesus bless you during this holy season of Advent and give you the grace to welcome Him into your heart when He comes. Amen.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Thirty-fourth Sunday of the Year: C: November 23, 2025: The Feast of Christ the King.

JESUS THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. To be a king in this world would mean immense wealth, unlimited power over his subjects and having a very comfortable life. He sits on a throne, and men and women under him obey his orders. But today, the Church puts Christ before us not on a throne, but on the cross hanging between two thieves. Jesus our Saviour and Lord has come into the world not to lord over us but to lead us to the Kingdom of God: A kingdom of love and service. He is not a king who has come to conquer the world through power but through His forgiving and unconditional love.

First Reading: 2Samuel 5: 1 to 3

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 11 to 20

Gospel Reading: Luke 23: 35 to 43

*First reading is from the second book of Samuel. The process and anointing of David as king of Judea is described. The elders of Israel come to Hebron and anoint David as king over Judea. Later, northern tribes too accept him as their king. Thus the Lord God chooses David as the king of Israel and the people accept him with respect and esteem. David's kingship becomes a pre-figuration of the universal kingship of Christ the Lord.

*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul gives thanks to God for having delivered humankind from the dominion of darkness and has brought them to the kingdom of His beloved Son Jesus. Christ is the image of the invisible God and head of the Church. He is also the Lord of all creation. All things in heaven and on earth are created in Him and through Him. Paul affirms the pre-eminence of Christ in the whole of creation. In Him the fullness of God dwells. Hence, Paul gives us a teaching on the kingship of Jesus through His pre-eminent heavenly nature.

The true identity of Jesus the King Today's Gospel reading is from St. L uke. An inscription placed above the cross of Jesus reads: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." This proclaims the true identity of Jesus. Jesus is the Messiah (the anointed one) and the King. Even as He dies on the cross, He gives consolation and forgiveness to all those around Him. There are many people standing below the cross of Christ: Soldiers, Pharisees and many bystanders who mock and challenge Him saying: "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Again, when the thief on His right pleads saying: "Jesus, remember me when you are in your kingdom," Jesus immediately assures Him a place in paradise. As He is dying on the cross, He calls His beloved mother and the beloved disciple and entrusts His mother to the disciple and tells His mother: "This is your son," pointing to the disciple. Hence, Jesus' final gift to every believer is His Mother to be our heavenly mother. Hence, Christ's Kingdom is a very special Kingdom. He has come not to conquer but to love. He has come not to have possessions but to give them away (even His own beloved mother) to us. Thus Jesus is truly the King of our hearts and of our minds. In this context St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "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?" David Guzik says: "Rome is gone, Napoleon is gone, Hitler is gone, but the kingdom of Jesus marches on."

Conclusion: We celebrate the feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of the liturgical year. We have traveled a long road since the first Sunday of Advent. Christ has been on that road with us as the invisible companion on our journey. Jesus invites us to His Kingdom. He has come not to conquer but to love. He has come not to rule but to serve. He has come not to have possessions but to give them away. Let us ask the Lord to accompany us and help us to walk in His path of love and service. Amen.

May the Lord Jesus, the King of the Universe, bless you with His heavenly blessings that you may walk in His path of love and service. Amen.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Thirty-third Sunday of the Year: C: November 16, 2025

THE END OF THE WORLD

Introduction: The theme of today's liturgy is the end of the present world and the coming of a new world order. First reading from the book of prophet Malachi speaks about the end of the world as a time of judgement for the evil doers and a day of salvation for the upright. In the Gospel Jesus warns about the end of the world: A time of destruction, terror and persecutions. He assures us His protection and promises us a new world order.

First Reading: Malachi 3: 19 to 20

Second Reading: 2Thessalonians 3: 7to 12

Gospel Reading: Luke 21: 5 to 19

*First Reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. A vivid description about the end of the world is given. Malachi severely warns the arrogant and those who disobey the Lord God. He gives a message of comfort and consolation to those who fear the Lord God and live upright lives. Hence, for the evil doers, it will be a day of judgement. But for the upright, it will be a day of salvation.

*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul admonishes all those who live idle lives and are a burden to the community. He gives his own example to be imitated and urges those who idle their lives to work and earn their living.

By your endurance you will gain your lives. Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. A detailed description about the end of the world is given. Jesus speaks of the total destruction of the city of Jerusalem and predicts disaster for the rest of the world. In future, there will be nothing left in Jerusalem to admire. He gives us some definite warnings and timelines about the events to unfold: 1. At the end of times, there will be proliferation of pretenders - those who try to deceive people and lead them astray. Jesus warns us not to go after them. 2. There will be wars, and nations fighting each other. The possibility of a third world war and total destruction of the world is always on the horizon. 3. Jesus speaks about earthquakes, plagues and famines in various places. We are well aware of the many natural disasters and man-made destructions taking place in different parts of the world. 4. Jesus warns us that His followers will face many persecutions for their faith in the Lord. 5. Finally, Jesus speaks of betrayals - betrayals by friends, family and community. But He assures us that His followers need not worry because "not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives." We are asked to take these warnings very seriously in our lives so that we can face the end of the world courageously as and when it takes place. In this context St. Theresa of Avila says: "Anyone who truly loves God travels securely." Richard Bach says: "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly." G. K. Chesterton says: "The end of every episode is the end of the world."

Conclusion: Jesus warns us about the end of the world. Unlike many false prophets, we have to admit that we do not know when it will happen. The kind of world that Jesus describes regarding the end times sounds very familiar: wars, revolutions, persecutions of the followers of the Lord. It is indeed comforting that Jesus foresaw all this. We should not be dismayed or surprised. But in all these challenging situations, let us not forget that we are His disciples. Of all the tragedies that take place, betrayal of the Lord and His values would be the most tragic. At the end of times, the greatest threat is not that we might become victims of evil, but rather, that we might lose our identity and lose our sense of mission as Christians.

May the Lord Jesus, who warns us about the end of the world, bless you and give you the strength to face the many trials and struggles and come out victorious to reach the new world. Amen.

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Thirty-second Sunday of the Year: C: November 9, 2025

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to reflect on our life after death and its implications. The month of November is specially dedicated to all the faithful departed. The Church urges us to pray for them. All of us are anxious to know what happens to us in our next life. Today's readings give some glimpse to some of those questions regarding our life after death. The first reading from the book of Maccabees, narrates the story of a Jewish mother and her seven sons who accepted martyrdom rather than violate the Lord God's commandments. In the second reading, Apostle Paul prays for God's grace so that Christians in Thessalonica may remain steadfast in faith and receive eternal reward. In the Gospel Jesus rebukes the Sadducees who question Him about the resurrection of the dead. He tells them that God is not a God of the dead but of the living.

First Reading: 2Maccabees 7: 1 to 2 and 9 to 14

Second Reading: 2Thessalonians 2: 6 to 3: 5

Gospel Reading: Luke 20: 27 to 38

*First reading is from the second book of Maccabees. It gives an assurance that our faith in the Lord God dispels all fears in us. We become strong and courageous: Even ready to die for Him, only to be raised to an everlasting life with the Lord God. The readiness of the seven Jewish brothers and their mother to die rather than violate the laws of the Lord God is a source of great inspiration for everyone who has faith in eternal life.

*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul prays for God's grace so that the Christians in Thessalonica (we too) may be able to remain steadfast in faith. God is the ultimate source of all comfort and strength in our lives. We who follow Jesus will do well in living and proclaiming His Word when we are united with the Lord in faith.

Life after death Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. We have a very enlightening and comprehensive discussion between Jesus and the Sadducees regarding the resurrection of the dead. For them, the consequences of life after death are rather ridiculous and meaningless. Some questions like: Where would one accommodate in the next world all those tens of thousands of people who die daily? How could anyone rectify all those messed up human relationships which take place in this life? So, they cleverly craft this question about a widow who is married to seven brothers (one after another, according to the Mosaic law) and finally she too dies without bearing children from any of those marriages. The question is: At resurrection, whose wife will she be (since all the seven brothers were married to her)? Jesus simply and decisively overlooks their silly question and tells them that their understanding of the resurrection of the dead is totally absurd. He mentions about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses: All of them command great respect and reverence in the Jewish community. These men of God did not die for nothing. God is not a God of the dead but of the living. Hence, Jesus unequivocally affirms the resurrection of the dead. During this month of November, we specially remember our dear departed and pray for them because we believe that there is life after death. 1Corinthians 15:42 says: " What is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable." It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. In this context Victor Hugo says: "Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of light is the same as the survival of the soul." St. Augustine says: "I don't care to inquire why they cannot believe that an earthly body can be in heaven, while the whole earth is suspended on nothing." An unknown writer says: "Who would believe that the caterpillar becomes a butterfly unless he has seen it? If we can accept that, how can we deny that death can be transformed into life."

Conclusion: Our belief in an afterlife should spur us on to live a better and more meaningful life here on earth. Let us not forget that we do not make the pilgrimage to the promised land of eternal life all alone. We make it with others: With the members of God's people. With faith in the words of Jesus, let us go forward together in joyful hope. As someone said: "Sunset is a promise of the dawn to come." Let us not be afraid of the darkness after sunset but walk towards that dawn of eternal life.

May the Lord Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, bless you with a faith that leads to the risen life in the Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Thirty-first Sunday of the Year: C: All Souls' Day: November 2, 2025

REMEMBERING THE DEAR DEPARTED

Introduction: Today we celebrate the memory of all the faithful who have been called to the presence of our heavenly Father. We bless God for the many ways they have enriched our families, our communities and our life of faith. We pray that as we remember their names before God this day, they will remember us. The faith and the love that bound us together with them in this life still bind us in their new and eternal life.

First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6 to 7

Second Reading: Revelations 21: 1 to 7

Gospel Reading: John 6: 37 to 40

*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah assures the people of Israel of a time where the Lord God will destroy death forever. He will wipe away the tears from everyone. There will be great gladness and rejoicing when the salvation of the Lord comes.

*Second reading is from the book of Revelations. St. John, in his vision, sees the passing away of the first heaven and the first earth. In his vision, he sees the new Jerusalem where there is neither sadness, nor pain, nor death. Christ is the Alpha and the Omega (the beginning and the end), who has made all things. He will make everything new.

Eternal life through faith in Jesus Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus promises the following: 1. He promises His disciples and us that those who believe in Him will have eternal life. 2. He promises that those who died in Christ will rise again on the last day. The celebration of All Souls' Day by the universal Church is based on our faith in Jesus and our faith in the resurrection of the dead. We pray for our dear departed, especially for those who are not in full communion with God, as due to the sins committed by them during their life on earth, they are in need of remission. The physical harms they might have done are still being present in the world. Today we pray for them and our prayers make sense to the extent that we are able to forgive their failures and shortcomings. We earnestly ask God to do the same. All Souls' Day is a day of mercy, of universal mercy, a day of forgiveness. We pray for our dear departed souls and remember them during the Holy Mass, the perfect sacrifice. We do believe that death is not the end, but a way that leads to eternal life as promised by the Lord. The celebration of All Souls' Day should remind us also of our own death which is inevitable. It must help us to be ever ready to meet the Lord when He calls us out of this earthly life. The book of Maccabeus says: "It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." (2Mac. 12:46)

"May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace."

Conclusion: Death is not a door into the dark but it is a dark door to the light. Those we have loved and all the faithful departed have passed through that door. Today during the Eucharistic celebration we remember all of them. We pray that their prayers will support our own hope as we continue our journey in faith. Our journey is the road that will take us to eternal joy in heaven. St. Alphonse Ligouri says: "This earth is for us a battlefield where we have to fight and conquer in order to be saved. But when we reach heaven our state is changed. There will be no more toil, but rest, no more fear, but security, no more sadness or weariness, but gladness and Joy Eternal." Praised be Jesus!

May the Lord Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, bless you and grant eternal life to the faithful departed. Amen.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year: C: October 26, 2025

THE HUMBLE SHALL BE EXALTED

Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to reflect on the virtues of humility and honesty in our prayers and in our lives. The first reading from the book of Sirach tells us that God shows no partiality in the case of the poor and the underprivileged. In the Gospel today, we have a very thought provoking parable: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax-collector. Both of them go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee is self-righteous and thinks that he is better placed than all others including the tax-collector. Whereas, the tax-collector, remains at a distance and acknowledges his sinfulness and unworthiness. Jesus commends the tax-collector for his honesty and humility. Whereas the Pharisee is condemned for his self-righteousness and pride.

First Reading: Sirach 35: 15 to 17 and 20 to 22

Second Reading: 2Timothy 4: 6 to 8 and 16 to 18

Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 9 to 14

*First reading is from the book of Sirach. The focus of the passage is on the justice of God. It tells us that the Lord God is not a respecter of persons. He shows no partiality to the rich and the powerful. He listens to the humble prayers of the just and the lowly. The Lord God hears the cry of the poor, the orphan and the widow.

*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul is a prisoner in Rome. He feels that his death is drawing near. But he is very confident about the crowning glory that awaits him in heaven. Paul writes to Timothy that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and now awaits his final reward.

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-collector St. Luke's Gospel has several narratives involving tax-collectors and Pharisees. The Pharisees are often depicted as grumbling, arrogant and suspicious about Jesus' teachings. Tax-collectors are often depicted as receptive and looking for redemption. In the parable, Jesus contrasts the behaviour of two persons: A Pharisee, who is conscious of his own righteousness and a tax-collector, who is conscious of his own sinfulness and pleads for divine mercy. The Pharisee and the tax-collector represent two types of persons: How they consider themselves before God. The way they pray illustrates two manners of prayer. The tax-collector truly prays for divine mercy, while the Pharisee does not, since the gratitude he expresses to God is nothing but self-glorification and self-assurance before God, whose grace he does not seem to need. The tax-collector represents a sinner who truly repents and is humble. The tax-collector stands far off. He has no annual returns to boast of: His percentage is stolen from the people. He tells the simple truth about himself: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." He does not beat about the bush but beats his breast instead. He has nothing to offer God but his own wrong-doings and brokenness. Jesus comments on the parable: "But I tell you, this man (tax-collector) went down to his home justified rather than the other (Pharisee)". With those words, Jesus is challenging the world order of that time. He declares that the tax-collector goes home justified while the Pharisee does not. The tax-collector prayed for mercy but he is now justified. In the eyes of Jesus, values of the world are turned upside down. The tax-collector's prayer "pierced the clouds" whereas the Pharisee's prayer reached its destination: himself (Seasons of the Word).

Conclusion: Today's parable challenges our attitude towards our fellow humans and our attitude towards God. Sometimes we are found in the company of the Pharisee: self-righteous and proud. It is no secret that many of us have a little Pharisee lurking in us. We often parade our good deeds before God and others. We may not do so in so many words but we think it. It is time to have a change of attitudes. Remember the words of Jesus about the tax-collector: "This man went home justified rather than the other."

May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us today the need to be honest and humble in our prayers and life, bless you with His manifold blessings, and may you be a blessing to others. Amen.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year: C: October 19, 2025 Mission Sunday

PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER

Introduction: Church celebrates Mission Sunday today. We remember all missionaries all over world. All the members are encouraged to support various missionary activities of the Church and contribute to the welfare of missions at large. More than material contributions, we have to constantly pray for the mission of the Church. Many of us have doubts about the effectiveness of our prayers. Today's liturgy invites us to pray incessantly. The Israelites trust in the prayer of Moses, not as an excuse for doing nothing but as a spur to action. Jesus urges us not to grow weary but to keep on praying. We may not always get what we want from God but then do we always know what we want or even what is good for us? St. James says: "When you pray and don't get what you ask for, it is because you haven't prayed properly, you have prayed for something to indulge in your own desires." (4:3) We should then pray, not for what we want, but for what we need. Our prayer will sustain our faith. It will help us to persevere in our struggles. Prayer puts us in touch with the Holy Spirit who directs our attention to the needs of others instead of our own.

First Reading: Exodus 17: 8 to 13

Second Reading: 2Timothy 3: 14 to 14: 2

Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 1 to 8

*First reading is from the book of Exodus. It is a description about the first battle fought by the Israelites after their deliverance from Egypt. Joshua and the men of Israel are at war with Amalek. During the time of war, Moses, Aron and Hur pray for the victory of Israel. Moses prays to the Lord God with outstretched hands. Aron and Hur support Moses to pray with persistence and eventually Joshua wins the war. Hence, the persistent prayer of Moses plays a key role in the victory of Israel.

*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul instructs Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God and to be used profitably for teaching, reproof, for correction and for training. He urges Timothy to preach the Word of God in season and out of season and to be always zealous in preaching the message of Jesus.

The persistence of a widow Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus explains to His disciples and to us the need to be persevering in our prayers. He teaches us through a parable: The parable of the unjust Judge and a poor widow. This woman approaches the Judge on several occasions for justice against her adversary. The Judge refused to listen to her and to do anything about her complaints. But due to her persistence, the Judge finally decides to give her justice. Using this parable, Jesus teaches us that we are not to lose heart when we pray to God and do not receive what we ask for. We have to be persistent in our plea to God. He assures us that God will certainly give justice to His elect who cry to Him day and night. We should try to conclude all our prayers with the perfect prayer: Let thy will be done. Let us continue to pray but leave the result to God. In this context, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "Prayer is the oil that keeps the lamp of faith burning brightly." Fr. Walter Ciszek SJ (a priest who spent 23 years in a concentration camp in Siberia) says: "Prayer helped me through every crisis. But I had to purify my prayer and remove from it all elements of self-seeking. I learned even to pray for my interrogators."

Conclusion: Jesus makes it clear that in all circumstances in life, we have to pray continuously with total faith in God as He Himself taught the perfect prayer to His disciples. Prayer is not working on God to manipulate him into granting a request as if He is some kind of Aladdin's lamp. Rather, it is a surrender to God in faith, to experience His presence even without His 'presents'. We have to persist in prayer, not to persuade God to give us some gift, but to prepare our hearts to receive Him who is the giver of all gifts. We need to persevere in prayer, not because God is hard to reach, but because we are. Probably, we have to 'raise' our hands high enough and long enough, praying for justice, peace, unity and love.

May the Lord Jesus, who taught His disciples and us to pray persistently for all our needs, bless you with His heavenly blessings that we may never be found wanting in trusting in the providence of God. Amen.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year: C: October 12, 2025

THE GREAT VIRTUE OF GRATITUDE

Introduction: Gratitude is the theme of today's liturgy. In the first reading from the second book of Kings, we meet the Syrian commander Naaman, who comes to prophet Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. After being healed, he comes back with gifts to thank prophet Elisha and the Lord God. In the Gospel, Jesus cures ten lepers. But only one of the ten returns to thank and praise Him, and this man was a Samaritan. Jesus commends the faith of the one who came back to thank. The Interpreter's Bible remarks that gratitude is an instinctive human response. Humans give thanks for the same reason that birds sing. Children are taught to say 'Thank you'. Even nations dedicate special day/s for giving thanks. The Israelites instituted the feast of Pentecost to thank the Lord God for the blessings of a good harvest. Showing gratitude provides occasions not only to recognize our gifts from others, but also to appreciate and value these gifts in a deeper sense as signs of their love for us.

First Reading: 2Kings 5: 14 to 17

Second Reading: 2Timothy 2: 8 to 13

Gospel Reading: Luke 17: 11 to 19

*First reading is from the second book of Kings. We have the story of Naaman the commander of the Syrian Army who was a leper. He comes to know from his servant girl that there is a great prophet in Israel who can heal him from his leprosy. He comes to prophet Elisha to be healed from his ailment. Elisha instructs Naaman to wash himself seven times in the river Jordan. After some hesitation and much persuasion from his servants, he washes himself in Jordan and he is healed from his leprosy by the mighty power of the Lord God of Israel. Naaman expresses his deep faith in the Lord God. He is full of gratitude to prophet Elisha and the Lord God. Through this miracle, the Lord God extends His healing touch to the people of other religious traditions.

*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul exhorts Timothy to carry on the mission entrusted to him for the sake of the Gospel and for Jesus Christ. Timothy is warned that preaching the Gospel will not be easy. It will bring much hardships, opposition and manifold persecutions.

Gratitude of the Samaritan leper Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus healing ten lepers is narrated in detail. Ten lepers approach the Lord to be healed of their leprosy. Jesus heals all of them. After being healed by the Lord, only one man, a Samaritan returns to thank Jesus. Jesus is surprised by their response. So He enquires of the one who came back: "Were not ten healed? Where are the other nine?" In fact, all the ten are healed. But except this Samaritan, none of the others returns to thank Him. We do not know the reason why the other nine failed to show their gratitude to the Lord. This incident, which happened during the public life of Jesus, should help us to look into our own lives and ask why we are often found wanting to thank the Lord for the many blessings we have received from Him. We should also reflect over our numerous failures to thank someone who did a favour to us in the past. Expressing gratitude and being thankful is a great virtue and should be practised consciously. Whatever may be the reasons for our lack of gratitude, it diminishes us and those who help us. As someone said: "Ingratitude makes the bill for helping people hard to pick up." THANK YOU LORD, FOR ALL YOUR BOUNDLESS BLESSINGS. In this context G.K. Chesterton says: "When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." M.T. Cicero says: "Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all virtues." Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."

Conclusion: A prayer of thanks: "Thank you Lord that I can see, so many are blind. Thank you Lord that I can hear, so many are deaf. Thank you Lord that I can walk, so many are crippled. Thank you Lord that I have food, so many are hungry. Thank you Lord that I have shelter, so many are homeless. Thank you Lord for the friendship, so many are lonely. Help me Lord always to be grateful." (Fr. F. McCarthy)

May the Lord Jesus, who healed the ten lepers and brought new life to them, bless you and help you to be always grateful for all the blessings you receive from God and fellow humans. Amen.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year: C: October 5, 2025

PRAYING FOR FAITH

Introduction: In today's liturgy, we listen to various details about the necessity of having faith in our relationship with God, in our relationship with our neighbour, and in our relationship with nature. When the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, the Lord seems to say: "I'm glad you asked for an increase of faith. Because, if you had faith even the size of a tiny mustard seed, you would have power to command trees to be uprooted and transplanted into the sea." The Jerome Biblical commentary explains our Lord's words as an acknowledgement that faith is indeed a key factor in our lives, but also as a caution that it is the quality rather than the quantity of faith that needs to be increased.

First Reading: Habakkuk 1: 2 to 3 and 2: 2 to 4

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 6 to 8 and 12 to 14

Gospel Reading: Luke 17: 5 to 10

*First reading is from the book of prophet Habakkuk. Habakkuk begins with a protest about human violence and misery. He is desperate and pleads with the Lord God. He is faced with political insecurity on the one hand and widespread idolatry on the other hand. The Lord God responds by promising him that He will save those who trust in Him. He gives him courage and strength to face the imminent trials. The Lord God assures him that the righteous person will live by his faith.

*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul urges Timothy to continue to preach and persevere in the faith that he received from God. Timothy is asked to accept his share of sufferings for the Gospel. Paul instructs Timothy and us that we should never be afraid or be ashamed of bearing witness to Christ who has strengthened us by His Holy Spirit.

'Lord, increase our faith' Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The Apostles realize their own lack of faith. Consequently, they request Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus gives two teachings in this context. In the first part, Jesus explains to them about faith as small as a mustard seed. Such a faith, He says, is powerful enough to uproot even a sycamore tree and plant it in the sea. Transplanting a tree in the ocean is nothing short of a spectacular miracle and in human terms practically impossible. In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that to have faith in God is to carry out our responsibilities in life quietly and with total dedication. In His own life, Jesus puts His faith into His daily activities. As a result, He feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two small fish. He heals many who were affected by dreaded diseases and evil powers. He cures the blind and the deaf and even raises the dead to life. By His own examples, Jesus makes the Apostles realize what faith can accomplish in their lives. Today, Jesus is inviting all of us to have faith in God in all challenging situations in life. Then, we too will be able to do many mighty works in our lives and in the lives of others. Like the Apostles, we too need to pray for and increase in faith. In this context St. Augustine says: "Faith is to believe what you do not see, the reward of faith is to see what you believe." St. Thomas Aquinas says: "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible."

Conclusion: Jesus Himself never defined 'faith' in the Gospels. But from all He said about it, we might define it as an unconditional acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God. If we have faith, then we believe in the words Jesus spoke, and in the power He possesses. It does not always follow that faith will give us power to literally move trees. But faith will give us power to cope with difficulties, overcome obstacles and attempt great things for the Lord.

May the Lord Jesus bless you and grant you a living faith, so that even though it be like a tiny mustard seed, its power will penetrate your whole being and through you permeate the whole world. Amen.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year: C: September 28, 2025

THE PERILS OF NEGLECTING THE POOR

Introduction: In today's Gospel we have an interesting story of two people: A rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus is a very poor man. He is dressed in rags, full of sores, and hadn't even a crumb of bread to eat. He has no friends except the street dogs. He is in utter misery, with nothing to depend on. The rich man, on the other hand, is very well off. He lives in a mansion, wears the most expensive clothes and eats and drinks and enjoys life to the full. Yet, in the eyes of God, the rich man is the poorer of the two. Jesus invites us to have a look at ourselves and see our poverty before the Almighty. Ask His forgiveness for our numerous and persistent refusals to share our possessions, our refusal to forgive and our refusal to share our love with the lonely and the unloved.

First Reading: Amos 6: 1 and 4 to 7

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6: 11 to 16

Gospel Reading: Luke 16: 19 to 31

*First Reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. Amos speaks harshly to the wealthy and powerful people of Judah and Israel. He sternly warns the complacent who live luxuriously and neglect the poor and the needy. They do not care for the plight of the poor. Besides, their conduct will bring disaster to whole nation.

*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul praises Timothy and encourages him in his pastoral care. He gives the example of Jesus who was always faithful to His call in the face of hostility and even death. He exhorts that Christians should lead a life of righteousness, love and kindness. They should be always be faithful to God's call.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is narrated in great detail. The rich man(who is not named in the parable) lives a lavish life: Expensive clothing, sumptuous meals and palatial houses are at his disposal. Whereas Lazarus the poor man - sick, sores all over the body and starving - is lying at the gate of the rich man. During his earthly life, the rich man enjoys life to the brim. Whereas Lazarus suffers much and finally dies. After his death, Lazarus finds comfort in Abraham's bosom. The sin of the rich man, as narrated in the parable, consists not in what he did but rather what he did not do for this poor Lazarus, who was in dire need and in total misery. Finally, the rich man too dies. Death is a great leveler of all inequalities. The reversal of fortunes of these two is the central theme of the parable. With death, the roles of the rich man and Lazarus are dramatically and irrevocably changed. Now, it is the turn of the rich man to get some attention from Abraham and the pity of Lazarus who is enjoying the comfort of the next life. But it is too late. An abyss separates them and it is an abyss for which the rich man himself is responsible. The parable graphically explains what happens when we enjoy our wealth selfishly, showing little or no concern for the poor and the downtrodden of the society. The central point of the parable is the outlook we have on happiness. Happiness consists in experiencing God present in our own lives - in good times and in bad times; amidst plenty and amidst poverty. Happiness is in helping the poor lying at our 'gate': By showing compassion and love, by caring for the aged and physically challenged, comforting the depressed and the oppressed. Hence, Jesus' parable invites us to live more simply, to share more readily, and to live more fully so that we can be true followers of the Lord. As a Rabbinical saying goes: "A person's wealth consists not in what he keeps but in what he gives away." In this context St. Cyril of Jerusalem says: "The parable declares that they who abound in earthly riches, unless they will relieve the necessities of the poor, shall meet with a heavy condemnation." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "The biggest disease in the world today is the feeling of being unwanted [like Lazarus at the gate of the rich man]. And the greatest evil in the world today is the lack of love."

Conclusion: Some may think that this parable is not addressed to us: We are not rich, just enough to make both ends meet. Even though we may not be immensely rich like the rich man in the parable, we have many things that we can share with someone in need. The question is: "Who is sitting outside our 'gate'?- begging not necessarily for bread, but maybe for a word of recognition, or companionship, or love or forgiveness." And the time to share is now. If not, it may be too late as in the case of the rich man in the parable.

May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us the necessity of sharing our resources with the poor and the needy, bless you and give you a generous heart and eternal happiness in the world to come. Amen.

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year: C: September 21, 2025

YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS!

Introduction: Today, Jesus gives us three separate statements about money and material things. In the first statement Jesus says: "Use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity." On the one hand, Jesus warns us about the temporary nature of wealth; on the other hand, Jesus is suggesting how to use our wealth wisely. In the second statement Jesus says: "The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great." While earthly things have their own intrinsic value, they are not as great as eternal life. Yet, the use of those little things of this world will eventually determine our rewards in heaven. In His third statement Jesus says: "You cannot serve God and wealth." We cannot be totally committed to the cause of God if we are excessively concerned about making money.

First Reading: Amos 8: 4 to 7

Second Reading: 1Timothy 2: 1 to 8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16: 1 to 13

*First reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. Amos was a great champion of social justice during his time. He severely criticizes the exploitative structures of the society of that time. He announces the Lord God's wrath on those who oppress and persecute the poor. He strongly condemns and deprecates the so called 'religious' people waiting impatiently for the Sabbath to end so that they can get on with their dishonest and nefarious activities.

*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul urges Timothy to lead his community in offering prayers, intercession, adoration and thanksgiving to God especially for those who hold public office. Because God wants everyone to be saved.

Faithfulness in little = Faithfulness in much Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus narrates the parable of the dishonest manager. When the manager is about to be dismissed from his job by his master, he cleverly makes friendship with his master's debtors by reducing their debt which they owe to the master. Deals are made and his future is secured. Jesus does not commend the dishonesty of the man but praises him for his resourcefulness and cleverness to deal with a crisis situation, making use of his master's wealth, which is temporary. Jesus urges us and warns us to be more enterprising in using worldly things for gaining eternal life. In the second part of today's Gospel, Jesus warns us that no one can serve two masters: God and Mammon. These two do not go together. If we are too much attached to worldly possessions, God takes a back seat in our lives and slowly and surely God is soon forgotten. We cannot be faithful and devoted to two masters. So also with God and Mammon (in Aramaic Mammon means riches/treasure). Hence, Jesus' message for us is that the only way we can be trusted with possession or wealth is if they do not 'possess' us. In this context L.P. Smith says: "Those who set out to serve both God and Mammon soon discover that there is no God." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "God does not create poverty. We do because we do not share what we have."

Conclusion: In today's parable of the dishonest servant, we have a strange character whom Jesus holds up as a model for us! In simple language, he is a scoundrel. Yet, Jesus says we could learn something from him. Here is a man totally dedicated to achieving a smart way of life based on money and what it could buy. In the society today, we meet many such persons. How money talks! How many doors open to it? In reality it is the only god worshipped by many. To some extent, we are all bitten by this bug. Jesus invites us to show the commitment and hard work in pursuit of goodness, compassion and love for the neighbour especially the lost and the least.

May the Lord Jesus, who warns us about the dangers of worldly possessions, bless you and give you the strength to trust in God more than anything that the world offers. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, September 21, 2025." Thanks.)

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year: C: September 14, 2025

OUR LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD :The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Introduction: Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the triumph of the Holy Cross. Jesus was crucified in AD 33 and the original cross was lost for many years. By the efforts of St. Helena for many years, Holy Cross was re-discovered from the ruins in AD 326. Until the year 614, the main portion of the Cross was kept in Jerusalem. The city was invaded by Persians in that year and the Holy Cross was taken to Persia. However, in AD 629, Heraclius of the Byzantine empire brought back the Holy Cross to Jerusalem, where it is venerated. This feast was instituted by the Church to commemorate the return of the Holy Cross to Jerusalem. As we celebrate this feast, we are reminded of the words of St. Paul that Jesus, being obedient unto death on a cross, brought salvation to the whole world. Thus Cross symbolizes our own redemption and the great sacrifice of the Lord for all of us.

First Reading: Exodus 32: 7 to 11 and 13 to 14

Second Reading: 1Timothy 1: 12 to 17

Gospel Reading: Luke 15: 1 to 10

*First reading is from the book of Exodus. The chosen people of God disobey the Lord God and go away from the love of the Lord God. They turn their back on their Lord and saviour who brought them out of the slavery of Egypt. They go after other gods and worship idols made with human hands. The Lord God wants to destroy the rebellious and disobedient people. But Moses pleads with the Lord God for the people of Israel who committed sins and became idolaters. The Lord God listens to the plea of Moses and spares them from destruction and punishment.

*Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul recalls his sinful past and expresses his gratefulness and thanks to God and for the infinite mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. He affirms that Christ came into the world to save sinners. Through his own conversion Paul experiences the love and mercy of God.

The Good Shepherd Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus graphically illustrates for us the love and mercy of God for the least and the lost ones through two parables: The parable of the Good Shepherd and the parable of the lost coin. The Pharisees complain that Jesus is socializing with sinners and outcasts of the society. In this context, Jesus narrates the two parables. In the first parable, Jesus portrays God as a shepherd who has 100 sheep. When one of them is lost, he leaves the other 99 and goes in search of the lost one. The shepherd goes after the lost one because of two reasons: First of all, the lost sheep by itself cannot find its way back. Secondly, the shepherd loves everyone of his sheep and he is greatly disturbed when one of them is lost. Similarly, the heavenly Father, when we His children go astray and get lost, is in great pain. The Good Shepherd searches for the lost one till He finds it. The second parable is about the lost coin. A woman has 10 coins in her possession. When one of them is lost, she searches diligently for the lost one till she finds it. The lost coin might be part of her ancestral possessions representing the most precious possession and her future security. (As suggested by some of the biblical scholars) She relentlessly searches for it until she finds the lost coin. When she finally finds it, she is filled with great joy. Hence, no matter how deep we fall or how far we wander from the loving and merciful God, He never ever gives up. He searches for us until He finds us. Everyone -the least and the lost- is very very important and precious in the sight of God. In this context, St. Augustine says: "There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future."

Conclusion: All of us have had some experiences of being 'lost'. To be in sin is to be lost, to be away from the love of the Father. But we also have had some experiences of being 'found' by the Lord, the Good Shepherd. In our world today, there are many 'lost' ones - lost morally, spiritually, in many and various ways of the world. Many of them are lost because there is no one to take interest in them, to love them and to guide them. We who have experienced the love and mercy of the Good Shepherd are expected to share that love and mercy with the least and to the lost.

May the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, bless you and may you experience His love and mercy everyday of your life. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/ Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, September 14, 2025." Thanks.)

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Twenty-third Sunday of the Year: C: September 7, 2025

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

Introduction: The challenges of becoming a disciple of Jesus are amply explained in today's Gospel. Discipleship is a serious commitment that requires much thought and careful deliberation. It is a venture that demands total dedication. Everything else become secondary if Jesus is to be the Lord of our life. When Jesus says that we must hate our family members, He is using a semitic expression meaning that we must give the first preference to Him and to nothing else.

First Reading: Wisdom 9: 13 to 18

Second Reading: Philemon 9 to 10 and 12 to 17

Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 25 to 33

*First reading is from the book of Wisdom. Faced with the great mysteries of the universe, we are ignorant of the meaning, history and the mind of the Lord God. But the Lord God has bestowed us with the gift of wisdom. The Lord God sends His Holy Spirit so that we may always walk in the right path so as to conduct our affairs prudently.

*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon. Philemon was a Colossian brought to faith in Jesus by Paul. Paul advises Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus who had run away and somehow reached Paul who was in prison. Listening to Paul, Onesimus becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus. Paul urges Philemon to take back Onesimus not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.

Renunciation: An important requirement for discipleship Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus explains the cost of becoming a disciple to His followers. These instructions are given in the context of the fact that many wanted to become His disciples. Jesus tells them the following: 1. They should evaluate and count the cost of being His disciples. 2. Jesus demands that he/she should hate one's family and even one's own very self. 3. A disciple of Jesus has to take up his/her crosses daily and follow Him. Hence, Jesus makes it clear that one must be ready to sacrifice one's dearest things in life: Family ties and one's own very life. In certain situations in life, a disciple may have to choose between Jesus and what is very dear to him/her. Jesus elaborates this message of renunciation through two parables. 1. One who intends to build a tower needs to sit down and estimate the cost of completing it. Later if he/she is unable to finish the work, he/she will become a laughing stock for others. 2. A king who goes to war against another king has to first sit down and evaluate the possibility of winning the war with his current resources. It not, he looks for terms of peace to settle the conflict. Jesus makes it very clear that discipleship has to be taken seriously. It could mean that a disciple has to undergo many sufferings, persecutions and even death. The history of the Church constantly reminds us that discipleship had cost much suffering and bloodshed throughout the centuries. As in any sphere of life, one has to weigh the pros and cons before taking a final decision. Hence, one must calculate the cost before venturing to become a disciple of Jesus. Accepting the crosses gives us immense graces that will lead us to eternal life. Blessed Mother Mary is the perfect example of true discipleship. In this context, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "The first call which every Christian experiences is the call to abandon the attachment to this world." D. M. Bickerstaff says: "The key (to discipleship) is not to ignore life's demands but simply to integrate them to your life of faith. That is why Jesus teaches that we are to seek the kingdom first and then all else will be provided." Again, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more self."

Conclusion: We have to count the cost before we commit ourselves to accompany Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem, where He will die and rise. If we are unwilling to give up our sinful inclinations, or change a lifestyle opposed to the Gospel values, or do not want to make some sacrifices to lend a helping hand to our neighbour, we can't call ourselves true disciples of Jesus. Whatever may be our losses in this life due to our commitment to the Lord, we can be confident that it is nothing compared to the heavenly glory that we will experience at the resurrection.

May the Lord Jesus, who gave His life for our salvation, bless you and grant you the grace to follow Him with total commitment. Amen.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Twenty-second Sunday of the Year: C: August 31, 2025

HUMILITY: THE MOTHER OF ALL VIRTUES

Introduction: Humility is a mark of all truly great people. Sirach states: "Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favour with God."(Sirach 3:18) Humility is a quality Jesus Himself has. He says: "Learn of me, for I am gentle and humble of heart." (Mt. 11:29) Unfortunately the virtue of humility has fallen on hard times in today's world. Books, articles, videos and social media abound promoting aggressive behaviour, assertive training and affirmative action. Humility is not what we call the 'in-thing' today. And yet, humility remains at the root of our Christian life.

First Reading: Sirach 3: 17 to 20 and 28 to 29

Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 18 to 19 and 22 to 24

Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 1 and 7 to 14

*First reading is from the book of Sirach. A description about the great virtue of humility is given. It tells us that a humble person is always open to the promptings of the Lord God. He/she never rejects wisdom, no matter where it comes from. Humility is the real test of true greatness. The greater a person is, the more humble he/she should be. The message is: Be humble and you will find favour with the Lord God. Sirach advises us to carry out day to day business- in the office, family and in every situation in life- gently. That is, taking into account the weak, the poor and the insignificant. We will be loved the better for it.

*Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. A comparison between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion is given. It elaborates that, Sinai is a place where the old Covenant was made whereas, Zion stands for the heavenly city where many angels, saints and Jesus Himself is present.

Whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. On a particular occasion, Jesus and His disciples are invited to a Pharisee's house for dinner. Many prominent persons from the town are invited too. Most them are eager to take the best available seats because each of them considers himself to be more important than all the others. Observing this, Jesus gives a lesson on humility to His disciples. He instructs them as follows: When you are invited to a function, do not occupy places of honour. Because, in case a person more worthy than you is invited, the host may come and request you to give the honourable place to that person. Consequently, you will be put in an embarrassing and humiliating situation. However, if you are occupying a less honourable place and the host requests you to occupy a more honourable place, you will be honoured in the presence of everyone there. Hence, the virtue of humility is of great importance in the life of a follower of the Lord. It ranks right up there with the great reversal of values in the Gospels (as told by Jesus): To lose one's life is to find it; the last shall be the first; the humble shall be exalted. In this context St. Augustine says: "Do you wish to raise yourself? Begin by humbling yourself. Are you dreaming of building an edifice that will tower to the skies? Begin by laying the foundation of humility." The great poet Rabindranath Tagore says: "We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent."

Conclusion: The humble people can look at both the heights and the depths of their personalities without becoming proud over the one, or discouraged by the other. Such are the truly great people. Their humility empowers them to take on difficult challenges, explore the unknown and attempt what is seemingly impossible because they are aware of their own inner resources and strength. Thus humility helps them to accept mistakes, admit limitations and smile at failures.

May the Lord Jesus, who humbled Himself to become human and taught us that by humbling ourselves, we become truly great, bless you and give you the grace to be a sign of humility and graciousness in all situations in life. Amen.

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Twenty-first Sunday of the Year: C: August 24, 2025

A QUESTION OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION

Introduction: Jesus warns the people of His time not to pin their hopes of salvation on the mere fact that they are members of the chosen people of God. He urges them to make their way in to heaven 'by the narrow gate.' They have to make strenuous effort to achieve this goal. Jesus offers the kingdom of God not just to the Jews but to all people from the four corners of the world. However, He makes it clear that only those who follow the path of Jesus will gain access to it.

First Reading: Isaiah 66: 18 to 21

Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 5 to 7 and 11 to 13

Gospel Reading: Luke 13: 22 to 30

*First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about a time of universal salvation. He elaborates that the Lord God is going to gather all nations and language groups into one fold. The Lord God in His goodness, mercy and love wants to gather the dispersed people and bring reconciliation to everyone. Further, Isaiah assures us that people will come to Jerusalem from all nations and they will bring offerings to the Lord God. For priestly duties too, persons from every nation will be selected.

Second reading is from the letter to Hebrews. It is a known fact that every father disciplines his son/daughter. If we are disciplined and chastised by God, it is a sure sign that God treats us as His own children. God trains us, His children, through many sufferings, so that we may grow to maturity and reach our goal. Hence discipline, training and perseverance are essential pre-requisites for the final glory that we will experience in future.

Men will come from east and west Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. One of the listeners asks Jesus regarding the number of people who will be eventually saved. He is obviously anxious to know about his own salvation and the salvation of others. In His reply: 1. Jesus exhorts everyone to enter through the narrow door. The door is open, but it is narrow. We have to struggle strenuously to enter through it. 2. The time is short. The door is open but soon it will be closed. None of us will live forever. The door is already being closed to today's opportunities. 3. There is no favouritism in the kingdom. People will enter from east and west, from north and south; rich and poor, black, brown and white. 4. Some reversals and surprises will occur. The first may be last and the last may be first. The poor may step ahead of the rich; the simple may surpass the clever and the learned. Jesus then narrates the parable of a house-owner (God) who closes the door at night and many want to enter through that door. They give many reasons so that they can gain admittance: Eating and drinking with Him, living in His neighbourhood, etc. But the master of that house is not convinced and dismisses them from his presence. Further, Jesus adds that many people from east and west, north and south (universal salvation), will enter the kingdom of God. It is our personal choice whether to enter through the narrow door (challenging life) which leads to eternal life or to enter through the wide door (easy life) which leads to eternal damnation. Hence, through the parable, Jesus tells us that entering the kingdom of God is not restricted to just a few people but open to people from every nationality , ethnic groups and various communities. The path of Jesus (the narrow door) gives access to the kingdom of God. In this context James Baldwin says: "The concept of God should make us larger, freer and more loving." St. John Paul II (Pope) says: "Jesus came to bring integral salvation, one which embraces the whole person and all mankind."

Conclusion: Jesus tells us that there are two roads that we can follow. The first is wide and easy to travel. That does not lead to eternal life. The second road is narrow and difficult. We will often have to go it alone. It is uphill most of the way. It is the way of service to God and neighbour. Few take this road. They are the chosen ones. Eventually they enter the promised land with joy and happiness. All of us are invited by the Lord to take the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

May the Lord Jesus who wants everyone to enter through the narrow door and reach eternal life bless you and lead you to heavenly glory. Amen.

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, August 24, 2025." Thanks.)

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Twentieth Sunday of the Year: C: August 17, 2025

THE CHALLENGES OF CHRIST'S MISSION

Introduction: 'I came to cast fire on earth.. I came, not to bring peace, but the sword.' Fire and sword - strange words to hear coming from Jesus. Traditional weapons of torture, which were widely used in the past to subdue enemies. But we don't expect Jesus to use them. When James and John wanted to bring down fire on the people of a Samaritan village, who did not want the presence of Jesus and His disciples, He flatly forbids them to do so. And when Peter drew his sword in the garden, Jesus tells him to put it away. Hence, these words are not to be taken literally but metaphorically. Yet they stand for something very real and strong in Jesus. Not only do the terms 'fire' and 'sword' stand for something in Himself, they also stand for something about His message. It causes disruption. It brings division. There is no greater disrupter of 'peace' than the one who preaches justice and truth. In the first reading today, we do have a great example in Prophet Jeremiah.

First Reading: Jeremiah 38: 4 to 6 and 8 to 10

Second Reading: Hebrews 12: 1 to 4

Gospel Reading: Luke 12: 49 to 53

*First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. A detailed account of the various persecutions and innumerable sufferings faced by Jeremiah is given. He is accused of treason by his bitter enemies. They try to destroy him. They put him in a well deep down covered in mud and water up to his knees. They torture him because he speaks against injustice, evil and many sins committed by the chosen people of God. However, the Lord God protects him from all harm and saves him.

*Second reading is from the letter to Hebrews. All who follow Christ are exhorted to persevere in their faith regardless of the cost. They are urged to resist all temptations to sin till the last drop of their blood. They are to model themselves on Christ, their saviour and Master.

'I came to cast fire on earth.' Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus warns His disciples and all of us that following Him is a very challenging and difficult task. It brings division in the life of believers. So they are asked to declare their loyalties and get their priorities right. Discipleship brings division within the family and in the community. Jesus speaks about a divided house: Three against two and two against three. There will be divisions between father and son, mother and daughter and so on. When we stand for the values of Christ, family ties may get broken and relationships may get strained. Hence, a true follower of the Lord is a threat: A source of division, a light that shows up in the darkness. Such a person will face opposition from those who want to remain in darkness. Through today's Gospel, Jesus exhorts us that as Christians, we have to stand up against all evil: All that leads us away from genuine love of God and love of our neighbour. Jesus demands such prophetic commitments from everyone of us. In this context, Helder Camara says: "When I give bread to the poor, they call me a saint. But when I ask why the poor have no bread, they call me a communist." Blessed Oscar Romero, the martyred Arch Bishop of El Salvador says: "If they kill all your priests and Bishops, each one of you should become God's microphones, each of you should become a prophet; I do not believe in death without resurrection."

Conclusion: Jesus comes to set people's hearts on fire. He brings the warmth of the Father's love to those who live in the coldness of rejection and pain. He brings the sword of division wherever falsity reigns. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to come out of the shadows and live in the sunshine of His Kingdom. Let us have the courage and the perseverance to do it.

May the Lord Jesus, who urges us to continue His prophetic mission in the world by standing against all forms of injustice and oppressions, bless you and give you the courage to be His true disciple. Amen.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Nineteenth Sunday of the Year: C: August 10, 2025

THE VIRTUES OF FAITHFULNESS AND READINESS

Introduction: Today in the liturgy of the Word, we are reminded that death often comes in sudden and unexpected ways. Jesus says to His disciples: "You must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." According to William Barclay, Jesus' words can be interpreted in two ways. In the narrower sense, they refer to His Second Coming at the end of times. In the broader sense, they refer to the time of our death when Jesus will summon us from this life. Whatever be the case, we are warned to be always ready - to have our belts fastened and our lamps burning ready - like servants awaiting their master's return.

First Reading: Wisdom 18: 6 to 9

Second Reading: Hebrews 11: 1 to 2 and 8 to 19

Gospel Reading: Luke 12: 32 to 48

*First Reading is from the book of Wisdom. The people of Israel are reminded of how the Lord God rescued their ancestors from the slavery of Egypt. The message is one of hope. It promises that those who put their trust in the Lord God will not be disappointed. The chosen people of God are encouraged to persevere in their faith. An assurance is given that just as the Lord God rescued the people of Israel in the past, He will certainly save those who put their trust in Him.

*Second reading is from the letter to the Hebrews. People of God are reminded about the great and unshakable faith of Abraham. Because of his deep faith in God, Abraham is rightly called the father of faith. The faith of Abraham leads him to set out without knowing where he was heading to. He totally trusts in the providence of God and looks forward to a city built by Him. Hence, in the life of Abraham, we have a marvelous and shinning example of living faith and total faithfulness to God.

Many blessings to the faithful servant Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the first part, Jesus tells His disciples about the heavenly treasure which cannot be stolen or destroyed. We are urged to look for that treasure in our lives. In the second part, Jesus narrates the parable of the faithful servant who is always ready and watchful whatever may be the time of his master's return. The master, unexpectedly and without warning, comes like a thief who comes at any time of the night. The element of surprise is his weapon. So also, the (second) coming of the Lord will happen at a time we least expect. We must be prepared to welcome Him whenever He chooses to come. Such a faithful servant will be greatly rewarded by the master. The master in turn will put him in-charge of all His possessions. But if the servant is found wanting and unfaithful in his duties, he will receive a very severe punishment. Jesus thus exhorts all of us to take our life seriously and to do our duties faithfully at all times. In this context, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "It is more important to be faithful than to be successful." A well known educationalist Erich Fromm says: "Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others." Joyce Meyer says: "Faithfulness is not doing something right once but doing something right over and over and over and over."

Conclusion: Today's Gospel contains the warning that Jesus gives to His disciples and us. He urges us to be like good and faithful servants ever watchful for the return of their master. If we take this warning in the context of death, for most people it is just not possible to be ready for death in the sense of having all the loose ends neatly tied up and well prepared. Death frequently comes as the great intruder and disrupter of a person's life and plans. It comes when least expected. What matters at that moment is our faithfulness to the Word of God and our readiness to meet our Lord and creator.

May the Lord Jesus, who wants us to be faithful to His teachings, bless you with His abundant blessings and give the due reward for your faithful service to the Lord and to humanity. Amen.