Fourth Sunday of the Year: A: February 1, 2026

            THE BLESSED IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Introduction: Today's liturgy speaks to us about the beatitudes: The eightfold blessings that God gives to those who walk in His ways. Jesus tells us who are the really 'Blessed' in the sight of God: The poor, the gentle, those who mourn, the hungry, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace makers and those who are persecuted. Jesus is instructing His followers what is expected of us if we follow Him. 

First Reading: Zephaniah 2: 3 and 3: 12 to 13

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 26 to 31

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 1 to 12

   *First reading is from the book of prophet Zephaniah. Zephaniah appeals to the people of Israel to seek the Lord God with a sincere and humble heart. He promises them that the Lord God favours the humble and punishes the proud. He tells them that those who walk in His ways are few and they are the poor and the lowly in the eyes of the world. However, the Prophet assures them that they are fortunate because hey will enjoy the protection of the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul reminds the Christian community at Corinth and all of us that it is through the grace of God that we are what we are today. God does not pick people who are wise and powerful and of noble birth but rather He selects those who are poor, the weak and the lowly. Hence. no one can boast in the presence of the Lord. We have to accept that we are totally dependant on God. 

The Blessed in the eyes of the Lord                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The beatitudes are narrated and explained by Jesus on a mountain. We are presented with the values that Jesus preached and lived and what He expects from His followers. The beatitudes are in fact the sum total of Jesus' preaching during His public life.  He tells us who are the people blessed in the eyes of God: They are the poor, the gentle, those who mourn, the hungry, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace makers and the persecuted. Those who are called 'Blessed' or 'Happy' by Jesus' standards can hardly be described as fortunate or lucky in the eyes of the world. Jesus is not offering us an unusual programme for happiness. Rather, He is describing what happens to the Christian discipleship when the kingdom of God breaks forth in this broken and fragile world. The beatitudes describe a variety of experiences that the disciples have to undergo as a result of their involvement in living the Gospel values. The result of their involvement can be suffering, persecutions and even death - as happened to the Master Himself, to many saints and believers in the past. Jesus heaps blessings on those who struggle daily to live the truth of the Gospel. Now it is our turn to look at our lives and see how far we measure up to Jesus' standards as opposed to the standards of the world. Be assured that all of us, without exception, are called to be 'BLESSED' in His kingdom. 

Conclusion: The beatitudes may seem like an impossible dream for many. Well, they are a dream, but not an impossible one for they represent the values of Jesus. He invites each one of us to help Him make the dream come true in our lives. In today's second reading, St. Paul tells us, "God it is who has given you life in Christ Jesus." God has given us Jesus' dream. May all of us work together to make it come true. 

May the Lord Jesus, who openly called out the poor and the lowly 'BLESSED' , bless you with His heavenly blessings so that you are counted among the 'Blessed' in His kingdom. 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, February 1, 2026)

Third Sunday of the Year: A: January 25, 2026

            JESUS' CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

Introduction: 'The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light'. St. Matthew describes the impact of Jesus' ministry in the above sentence. The light of Jesus frees us from the slavery of sin and darkness and lights up the road to heaven for us, in the midst of the drudgery of this life. Jesus' light brings healing not wounds; freedom not oppression; life not death. We are invited to become the source of light to others, a lamp for their paths. 

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1 to 4

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 10 to 13 and 17

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4: 12 to 23

   *First reading is from the book of prophet Isaiah. Isaiah foresees the future glory of an oppressed and suppressed people of Israel. Three-fold changes are mentioned: Darkness will be replaced by light; sorrow will be replaced with joy, and oppression will be replaced by freedom. The prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus the Son of God who comes as the light and liberator of the world. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul speaks about various polarizations taking place in the Christian community at Corinth. He denounces this situation in very strong terms and pleads with them to be united in mind and heart to be healed of their divisions. The Apostle reminds them that all Christians are united in the Lord and hence they should live in unity and peace without giving room for divisions and dissensions. 

I will make you fishers of men                                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Two vibrant themes are mentioned in the Gospel. In the first part, the inauguration of Jesus' public ministry in a land of gloom and darkness is narrated. Jesus begins His Mission with the simple invitation to 'REPENT'. The repentance demanded by Jesus from His followers implies willingness to sacrifice and make radical changes in their value systems. In the second part, the call of the first disciples is narrated. The setting is the sea of Galilee: In the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. Jesus calls Simon Peter, his brother Andrew and two others: James and his brother John. Walking along the shore, Jesus calls them to leave their fishing nets and to follow Him. There is no hint about where they are going. There are no details or road maps of what discipleship would lead them to. All that is promised by the Lord is that they will be made fishers of men. Immediately, they leave their boats and their nets (the sum total of their possessions) and follow the Lord. We too are called by the Lord to follow Him and to be His witnesses and to be fishers of men and women. We fulfil this mission of Jesus whenever we reach out in love to others. To heal them and to comfort them in their sorrows and downfalls. To be fishers of men and women is not a metaphor. It is a mission from, through and in Christ. Every follower of the Lord is called to continue the mission of Jesus. In this context the great theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "Discipleship is not limited to what you comprehend, it must transcend all comprehensions." Further he adds: "Discipleship is not hero worship but intimacy with Christ." 

Conclusion: As we are reminded of the call of the first disciples, we need to do the following: First of all, we need to appreciate our call to be disciples of Jesus. Everyone of us is called by the Lord. This call is both a privilege and a responsibility. The mission of preaching, teaching and healing which Jesus started in Galilee is now the responsibility of each of us. Secondly we need to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. Each of us has received the unique call to preach the good news of God's love, mercy, forgiveness and salvation. Let us continue the mission of Jesus in all situations of life. 

May the Lord Jesus, who invited the first disciples to follow Him, bless you with conviction and courage to follow Him every day 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, January 25, 2026)

Second Sunday of the Year: A: January 18, 2026

               BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

Introduction: In today's liturgy, John the Baptist presents Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In the first reading prophet Isaiah describes the Servant of the Lord God who glorifies the Lord God by being faithful and restores peace and freedom to the people of God. A light to the nations and an agent of universal salvation. In the second reading Paul reminds us that we are sanctified and made holy by calling on the name of Jesus. Gospel presents Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. 

First Reading: Isaiah 49: 3 and 5 to 6

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 1 to 3

Gospel Reading: John 1: 29 to 34

   *First reading is from the book of prophet Isaiah. The Prophet looks forward to the coming of Messiah: Lord God's servant, the chosen one who will bring Israel back to the Lord God and eventually bring all people to the Lord God. He brings harmony and justice to the people. The prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus who brings all people to the presence of God the Father. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul greets the people of Corinth with great affection and love. He wishes them grace and peace in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us of our call to be holy, to be saints, as he greets the people of Corinth. 

Jesus the Lamb of God                                                                               Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. John the Baptist tells the people who Jesus is and what His mission is. Jesus is God's chosen one who will take away the sins of the world. He is the 'Servant of the Lord' that Isaiah speaks about in the first reading. He gathers the scattered tribes of Israel and brings them back to God. John testifies that Jesus ranks ahead of him because He was before him. John baptises with water but Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit. John testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. True, John says Jesus has come to take away our sins. He came to heal our wounds. But what happens in the world? Jesus does take away our sins but the effects of our past sins and the sins of the humanity cannot be just removed or wiped away. It goes much deeper. We are born in a sinful world and we are part of it. We are in a state of brokenness and alienation from oneself, from others and from God. All of us are broken in some way. We have eyes that cannot see. Ears that cannot hear. Tongues that cannot speak. Wills that cannot decide. And above all, we have hearts that cannot love. So we need to repair our brokenness and heal our wounds. This healing can be done only by one person: Jesus. 

Conclusion: In one of the churches in Germany, there is a carved figure of a lamb near the top of the church tower. When asked why it is there, the Parish Priest explained that when the church was being built a worker fell down from a high scaffold. His co-workers rushed to the spot expecting him to be dead. But to everyone's surprise and joy, he was alive and was only slightly injured. How did he survive the fall? At that time a flock of sheep was passing beneath that tower and this man landed on top of a lamb. The lamb was crushed to death but the man survived. To commemorate this miraculous incident, someone carved a lamb on the tower at the exact height from which the worker had fallen. This incident in some way expresses what John the Baptist says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." Prophet Isaiah's prophecy too indicates the same view of 'Servant of the Lord God' who brings salvation to everyone. Let us make earnest efforts to listen to the Lamb of God in our lives. John the Baptist witnessed to Jesus many centuries ago. Today we are urged to witness to the Lord in our lives. 

May the Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God, bless you and heal you from all sinfulness and brokenness and lead you to the fullness of life in heaven. 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, January 18, 2026. Thanks.)

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus: January 11, 2026

 JESUS THE BELOVED SON OF THE FATHER

Introduction: Today we commemorate the great event in the life of Jesus: The baptism of Jesus at Jordan. It is a great turning point in the life of Jesus. For Him, it is a moment of identification with us sinners. Although Jesus was sinless, He identifies Himself with the whole humanity who are under the power of sin. It is a moment of conviction about His identity and Mission: That He is the Son of God and His Mission is to bring salvation to the fallen world. At His baptism Holy Spirit descends on Him and equips Him for the future Mission. The feast of Baptism of the Lord reminds us of our own baptism.

First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1 to 4 and 6 to 7

Second Reading: Acts 10: 34 to 38

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3: 13 to 17

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the servant of the Lord God who will be an instrument of justice and peace to the people of God. This prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfilment in Jesus who opens the eyes of the blind and liberates all those who are in prison and in darkness. 

   *Second reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter testifies that Jesus was sent by God to preach the good news of peace to the people of Galilee and of Judea. After being baptised by John the Baptist, Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit to do works of healing and to set free those oppressed by the power of evil. 

Baptism of Jesus at river Jordan                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. An account of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist is given. John initially shows unwillingness to baptise Jesus, saying: "I need to be baptised by you." Later, he agrees to baptise Jesus. During the baptism, Holy Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove and alights on Him. The heavens are opened and a voice from heaven proclaims: "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Hence, the voice from heaven affirms that Jesus is the Son sent by God the Father. He does what is pleasing to the heavenly Father. The baptism of Jesus gives us the following messages: 1. Jesus identifies Himself with the sinful humanity although He is sinless. 2. He submits Himself to the will of the Father. 3. God the Father approves the ministry of Jesus by empowering Him with the power of the Holy Spirit. Our baptism is very much related to the baptism of Jesus. For us, baptism is a door and once we enter through that door, our lives are never the same. By our baptism we become members of God's family. Hence by baptism, we are choosing a life like that of Jesus. We too become sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. At our baptism, we too were anointed by the Holy Spirit and are empowered.  

Conclusion: The baptism of Jesus should remind us the following: Our true identity; who we are and what we are.  By baptism we become sons and daughters of God the Father, brothers and sisters of Jesus. It should remind us of our own mission to experience the presence of God within us and transmit that experience to other humans and the world around us. It is a day to thank God for the graces we have received in baptism, to renew our baptismal promises and to bring God's love and mercy to others in search of the divine. 

May God, our heavenly Father, bless you with His heavenly blessings and announce that "This is my beloved son/ beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased." 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, January 11, 2026." Thanks.)