Third Sunday of Easter: C: May 4, 2025

 A QUESTION OF LOYALTY AND LOVE : (Peter declares his loyalty and love to the Lord)

Introduction: Peter denied his Master and Lord three times on the night of the Lord's passion. Yet the risen Lord calls him aside and then Peter  reaffirms his love for Him three times. Christ restores him to where he was before and confirms him as chief-shepherd of His flock. 

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

Second Reading: Apocalypse 5: 12 to 14

Gospel Reading: John 21: 1 to 19

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles are imprisoned and put on trial because of their preaching and witnessing to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yet they are determined to continue their mission. In fact, they are glad to suffer for Christ. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear that Peter and other Apostles are cautioned by the Jewish authorities. They are ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus. But the Apostles continue to preach boldly and fearlessly and tell the people: "We must obey God rather than men." It is a very appropriate message for us too. We too must adhere to it in our challenging and difficult situations in life. The Apostles proclaim that they are witnesses to the life and death of Jesus on the cross but God has raised Him and glorified Him. 

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

Do you love me more than these?                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The risen Lord appears to seven of the Apostles on the shore of the sea of Tiberius. During their meeting, the risen Lord asks Peter one and the same question three times: "Do you love me?" Before His crucifixion and death on the cross, Peter denied Him three times. Now Peter is asked by the Lord to profess his love for Him three times in public. After Peter expresses his deep love for the Lord, the risen Lord instructs Peter that he would be the foundation, the source of strength and the unity in the new community of the faithful. Peter's story is one of calling, falling and recalling. Peter certainly fails when Jesus needed him most. But Jesus' call does not exclude failures. Peter learned more about loyalty, life and about his own weaknesses during that terrible night when he denied His Master, than in all his previous years with Him. The risen Lord encourages Peter to move forward in faith. He asks him to declare his love for Him. Then Peter is entrusted with the care of the community of the faithful with the words: "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." Often we too are like Peter. We too have our many failures and falls. We too need someone who understands our weaknesses and failures. We too need someone who encourages us to overcome our failures. The risen Lord is always there to help us to go forward in times of crises and failures. We in turn should extend the same understanding and love towards others, especially those who fail us. May the Lord Jesus, who encouraged Peter and strengthened him to walk in the promises of the Lord, bless you and help you to overcome your many failures and falls in life's journey. 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, May 4, 2025." Thanks.)

Second Sunday of Easter: C: Divine Mercy Sunday: April 27, 2025

 CLEARING OF DOUBTS: THE RISEN LORD MEETS THE DOUBTING THOMAS

First Reading: Acts 5: 12 to 16

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

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19 to 31

Introduction: To believe that someone is risen from the dead is unimaginable. Thomas faced the same problem. Like doubting Thomas, we all experience moments of doubts and uncertainty in our lives. By hiding our doubts or running away from them, we are not able to clear them. But as Thomas did, we all need to clarify our doubts and experience the life-giving presence of the risen Lord. Then we too will be able to profess our faith: "My Lord and my God."

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

   *Second reading is from the book of Apocalypse. The risen Lord encourages Apostle John in a vision. He reveals Himself as the Alpha and the Omega: The beginning and the end of everything. He is the one who lives forever. John is instructed to write encouraging and inspiring letters to the seven Churches so that the members will be enlightened and strengthened in their faith.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe                                                       Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The risen Lord appears to all the eleven disciples when they are together in a closed room. In His first appearance, Thomas was not present and He expresses his unhappiness and unbelief. On the second occasion, when Thomas is present as Lord Jesus appears before them, Jesus asks Thomas to insert his finger into His wounds. Thus the risen Lord gently and lovingly guides the unbelieving Thomas to faith and convinces him that He is indeed risen from the dead. Thomas readily admits his lack of faith and emphatically makes an act of faith in the Lord Jesus. The risen Lord commends all future believers by uttering: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." All of us have doubts and fears, especially about life after death. We could learn from the example of Thomas. What a refreshing honesty he has! He does not pretend that everything is just okay. Through his questioning and unbelieving attitude, Thomas becomes a key link between the age of the Apostles who saw the risen Lord with their own eyes and all those future disciples who will never see Him physically and yet believe in Him. The risen Lord invites us too to draw close to Him in faith and to look at the same wounds of His, which Thomas the Apostle saw with his physical eyes. The risen Lord helps us to make contact with Him and with one another. By experiencing His loving and reassuring 'touch' , He sends us forth to 'touch' others who do not yet believe in Him. People can come to faith in the risen Lord only when they can 'see' Him and 'touch'  Him in His followers. We have to ask the Lord to give us the gift of being able to 'touch' people in such a manner that like Him, we can bring faith, hope and life eternal to them. Doubts can lead us to deeper faith and conviction. In this context, Lord Tennyson says: "There lies more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds." P. Abelard says: "It is by doubting that we come to investigate and by investigating that we recognize the truth." May the risen Lord, who appeared to St. Thomas and cleared his doubts and unbelief, bless you, strengthen you and help you to overcome all your doubts and unbelief and lead you to totally trust in the Lord. 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, April 27, 2025." Thanks.)

Easter Sunday : C: April 20, 2025

         CHRIST IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!

First Reading: Acts 10: 34 and 37 to 43

Second Reading: Colossians 3: 1 to 4

Gospel Reading: John 20: 1 to 9

Introduction: Today we celebrate the Feast of Easter: The resurrection of Lord Jesus. It is indeed a very joyful event for all of us believers in Christ. He has broken the chains of death and risen in triumph from the grave: A symbol of all evil forces. He wants each one of us to share in His great victory over forces of evil and death. For all Christians this is a victory day: A day of victory over sin and death. With the resurrection of Christ, we know that the darkness will not have the last word. As St. John says: "Christ was a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could never overcome." Easter is not only a celebration of Christ's rising from the dead, but is also an anticipation of our own rising from the dead. Because we already share in the risen life of Christ through baptism. 

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter and other Apostles give a powerful and convincing testimony regarding the life of Jesus, His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead. The Apostles express their unique privilege of meeting the risen Lord, sharing meals with Him and experiencing His inspiring and reassuring presence. They are instructed by the risen Lord that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins and life eternal. 

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

The empty tomb and the Easter proclamation                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed and inspiring account of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is narrated. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus is Mary Magdalene, who finds that the tomb of Jesus is empty. She thinks that Jesus' body is taken away by someone. She hurriedly goes and reports the strange matter to the Apostles. Peter and John immediately go to the tomb and find it empty. The truth of what the Sacred Scriptures foretold gradually dawns upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But rather, it is an indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. In our case too, although we have the testimony of the Apostles and others that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead and He appeared to them on various occasions, we too need to be strengthened in our faith through a personal and deep experience of the risen Lord in our lives. In this context C. W. Hall says: "The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison but a passage into God's presence. Easter says you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." S. Morris says: "The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it does not contain." C. Wesley says: "Christ the Lord is risen today. Sons of men and angels say, Raise your joys and triumph high, Sing ye heavens and earth reply." May the risen Lord who underwent passion and death on the cross and has risen from the dead bless you abundantly with His love and peace. Amen. HAPPY EASTER!

(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, April 20, 2025. Thanks.)  

Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) April 13, 2025

        HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID

Gospel Reading (Procession): Luke 19: 28 to 40

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4 to 7

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6 to 11

Gospel Reading: Luke 22: 14 to 23: 56

Introduction: Today we begin the week known as 'Holy week'. The week in which Jesus died and rose. He died because of sin. The sins of humankind brought death to the sinless  Son of God and it continues to bring sufferings and death to children of God. The Gospel according to St. Luke (for procession) gives an account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem: As King, as Messiah and as Prophet. When He enters the city, the people of Jerusalem enthusiastically welcome Him by singing Hosanna and praises to God. He comes riding on a colt: A symbol of peace. Jesus enters Jerusalem to receive a kingdom - not an earthly kingdom, but the kingdom of God. Today as we acclaim Jesus as our King and Lord, let us make a firm resolve to serve Him faithfully to the end. Jesus' entry as the messianic King is a sign of God's reign of peace and salvation decreed by Him.

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah's sufferings and rejection are graphically described. He serves the Lord God by faithfully carrying out the mission entrusted to Him by the Lord God. He is fully convinced that the Lord God will ultimately save him from shame and rejection. The sufferings and rejection of Isaiah are a pre-figuration of the sufferings and rejection and the eventual death of Jesus the Messiah.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Philippi and us the fact that Jesus takes upon Himself our human conditions and He accepts death on a cross. The heavenly Father accepts His humiliations and sufferings and makes Him Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus teaches us that humiliations, sufferings and death are necessary to enter into glory. 

The passion of  Lord Jesus                                                                              Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Luke gives a vivid account of the Passover meal and the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Even when  death is imminent for Jesus, His disciples are disputing among themselves as to who is the greatest among them. Jesus makes it absolutely clear to them that to be His disciples, they are to renounce themselves and they are to be at the service of one another. Jesus warns Peter of his impending denial. Judas, under the cover of darkness, betrays Him with a kiss. Jesus is arrested by the soldiers. When taken to the authorities, Jesus is accused of calling Himself a king. Finally, under severe pressure from the Jewish authorities, Pilate the Roman Governor condemns Him to death on a cross. Even on His final journey to Calvary where he is eventually crucified, Jesus shows Himself to be merciful and compassionate. Even though surrounded by darkness, the lamp of His love burns brightly. He prays for His executioners. He welcomes the good thief to paradise. He requests John to take care of His beloved mother. With one look of compassion, He brings tears of repentance to the eyes of Peter. He even elicits an act of faith from the Roman Centurion who had conducted His execution. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. After His death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea who was a secret disciple of Jesus, takes His lifeless body and buries Him in a tomb. With the passion reading, we too are invited to be not merely spectators but to be participants in the passion story especially during the Holy week. Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) is not the last word of Jesus' story. Rather it is only a prelude to the Holy week that will reach its climax on Easter Sunday. Let the celebrations of Palm Sunday bring us hope and encouragement in times of pain and sufferings in our lives. In this context Pope Benedict XVI says: "Palm Sunday tells us that...it is the cross that is the true tree of life." Henry H Milman says: "Ride on, ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, thy triumphs now begin o'er captive death and conquered sin." May the Lord Jesus, our King and Lord who comes to us humbly riding on a donkey, bless you and give you the courage and the faith to face all challenges, sufferings and pain in your life and come out victorious like Him. 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, April 13, 2025." Thanks.)

  

Fifth Sunday of Lent: C: April 6, 2025

                    GO AND SIN NO MORE

First Reading: Isaiah 43: 16 to 21

Second Reading: Philippians 3: 8 to 14

Gospel Reading: John 8: 1 to 11

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah assures the people of Israel who were exiled in Babylon that there will be a new exodus and the Lord God will bring deliverance for them. He encourages them to concentrate on the present and trust in the promises of the Lord God who is always with them and cares for them. This message of hope should inspire us too to trust in the Lord. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Philippi that holiness is not something that we can achieve by our own efforts. Instead, we should try to see holiness as something that comes through faith in Jesus and in the power of His resurrection. Paul realizes that although he led a zealous life as a Jew, it had no apparent effect with regard to his eternal life. 

'Go and do not sin again'.                                                                     Last Sunday we listened to the parable of the prodigal son which graphically expresses the immense love and mercy of God for the repentant sinner. In today's Gospel, we have the real-life story of the prodigal daughter - a woman caught in the act of adultery. On that day at daybreak, some people brought this sinful woman to Jesus. Practically everyone present at the scene wants this woman condemned to death by stoning, according to the law of Moses. But Jesus shows her mercy and forgives her and saves her from certain death and gives her a new life. Jesus grants her forgiveness not because what she did was not against the commandment of God but because He loves her in spite of her sinful past. Jesus forgives her and tells her to go in peace and from now on, she shall not be enslaved by sin. Hence, Jesus the Son of God dispenses the generosity of God's forgiveness. The woman's many sins, which the public condemned and others wanted to kill her for, are totally and dramatically forgiven by the Lord. Jesus' generosity might upset some of us. But Jesus tells not only to the sinful woman but to each one of us to go in peace and not to sin again. Jesus teaches us that the greatest law is the law of love and every other law should be complementary to it. The incident in today's Gospel is rather dark and messy, reeking of moral squalor - sin. On the surface there appears to be only one sin involved - the sin of the woman caught in adultery. But there are also other sins, subtle and hidden, which is obvious from the fact that there was not a single person in the crowd without sin, as none of them dared to stone this woman.  In fact the vindictiveness of the scene, its malice and moral squalor are disheartening and painful. We all are part of the stone-throwers. We seldom measure the faith of others with the same rule or weigh them on the same scales as our own. It is time to have a look at ourselves during the Lent. Let this be our prayer: Lord Jesus, you looked with compassion on the woman caught in adultery and even though you knew she was a sinner, you did not condemn her; instead you sent her away in peace. Help us to be merciful and forgiving towards all those who sin against us, so that we too may receive your peace and forgiveness. During these days of Lent, let us too respond to the forgiving love of the heavenly Father positively and decisively. In this context St. Augustine says: "In the end only two persons remained representing misery and mercy, and mercy won that day." Leo Tolstoy says: "There is no more important thing in life than compassion for a fellow human being." May the Lord Jesus who forgave the sinful woman and brought her back from certain death and condemnation forgive you and make you an instrument of the forgiving love of the heavenly Father. 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, April 6, 2025." Thanks.)