Twelfth Sunday of the Year: A: June 21, 2026

 A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP: BEING FEARLESS AND COURAGEOUS

Introduction: Today's liturgy speaks about witnessing to Christ in difficult and challenging situations. Jesus wants us to proclaim His message not in secret but from the house tops. He assures us that if the heavenly Father cares for insignificant sparrows of this world, how much more He cares for His children. We need not be afraid of any evil forces that try to prevent us from breaking His Word in the world around us. In the first reading too Prophet Jeremiah laments about the persecutions he has to suffer. People are seeking to take his life but he is not afraid to speak for the Lord because the Lord God is with him to protect and guide him. 

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10 to 13

Second Reading: Romans 5: 12 to 15

Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 26 to 33

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah expresses his anguish and pain to the Lord God. When surrounded by enemies and faced with terror from every side, he places his total trust in the Lord God. He is convinced that the Lord God is always on his side. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul explains to the Christian community at Rome that sin and death came through Adam the first man. However, freedom and life came through Jesus the second Adam. 

Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus encourages His disciples to be fearless and courageous when faced with rejection and opposition. He assures His divine protection to us. Jesus instructs the following: 1. The message of Jesus is not to be hidden but to be proclaimed openly: 'On the house tops.' 2. The disciples are not to be afraid of those who kill the body but rather be cautious of those who kill the soul. 3. Even a tiny sparrow is under the protection of God. We are of more value than many sparrows. We should realise that God is in control of our lives and nothing happens to us without His knowledge. 4. Those who openly acknowledge Jesus and His message will be duly acknowledged and rewarded by the heavenly Father. Fearless witnessing to Christ and His message make us worthy of eternal reward. We need great faith and confidence in the Lord in order to respond to Jesus' invitation. In this context St. John Henry Newman says: "I really fear that most of those who call themselves Christians would go on as they do, if they believed Christianity to be nothing more than a fable." And St. Oscar Romero says: "My job seems to be to go around picking up insults and corpses." 

Conclusion: Jesus' invitation to be fearless witnesses to His message is for all times and for all peoples. In order to accept this challenge, we need faith, courage and radical commitment. Jesus does not want His disciples to be members of a cowardly Church or a faithless community. He wants each one of His followers to stand up and be counted for our faith in Him. We have to make this radical choice at some stage of our lives to live in truthfulness and to take the Gospel more seriously. 

May the Lord Jesus, who challenges us to be faithful to His message and proclaim it boldly and faithfully, bless you and give you the strength to do it openly. Amen. 

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Eleventh Sunday of the Year: A: June 14, 2026

     JESUS, THE COMPASSIONATE AND KIND

Introduction: During His public life, wherever Jesus went, He was surrounded by large crowds. At times, He hardly had time to eat. Today's Gospel presents such a scene. He is surrounded by many people. They are a typical crowd, pushy and demanding attention. Yet Jesus shows no sign of annoyance. He sees their yearnings. He takes pity on them. He is truly concerned about their well-being. He sees that they are dejected and harrowed, like sheep without a shepherd. He immediately gives Himself to them. Yes, that is the Jesus we meet in the Gospel. 

First Reading: Exodus 19: 2 to 6

Second Reading: Romans 5: 6 to 11

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 36 to 10: 8

   *First reading is from the book of Exodus. Moses meets the Lord God on a mountain. The Lord God reminds the people of Israel how He protected them from the Egyptians and freed them from the slavery of Egypt. He asks them to keep the Covenant and obey the voice of the Lord God at all times to live as a people pleasing to the Lord. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul explains to the Christian community at Rome that the death of Jesus is a sign of God's great love for us. God's love manifests itself in power in order to overcome human weakness, sin and godlessness. All of us are reconciled to God by the death of His beloved Son Jesus Christ and are saved by Him. 

The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few                                                       Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus sees the great crowds following Him. He has great compassion for them. He observes that they are helpless and they lack purpose in life -'like sheep without a shepherd.' He realises the need for labourers to reap the plentiful harvest - bringing the least and the lost to the fold. In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus summons the twelve Apostles and gives them authority over unclean spirits, to cure every disease and every sickness. The names of the twelve Apostles are mentioned. He instructs them and sends them out to preach, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cleanse lepers and to cast out demons. For now, their ministry is limited to the lost sheep of Israel. A time will come when they can go to others. Jesus makes it amply clear that their mission of preaching, teaching and healing is not for any profit motives or any personal gains: 'You received without pay, give without pay.' Hence all of us, without exception are called to be part of the great mission of Jesus without looking for any material gains and other favours in return. 

Conclusion: Jean Vanier says: "A person in misery does not need a look that judges and criticises but a comforting presence that brings peace, hope and life. In other words, what he or she needs is compassion. Compassion means: sharing the same passion, sharing the same suffering, sharing the same agony, accepting into my heart the misery of yours." That is what Jesus does to everyone who meets Him. That is what Jesus wants from His followers.

May the Lord Jesus, who sends out His Apostles to preach, to teach and to heal, bless you and inspire you to continue His mission in your daily lives. 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, June 14, 2026.)

The Feast of Corpus Christi: A : June 7, 2026

 JESUS, THE LIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi: The Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is an act of common worship. Here we become conscious of our unity: Unity with Christ the Lord and unity between one another. The Eucharist becomes meaningful when that unity becomes visible. St. Paul continually reminds us that we are the Body of Christ. When we celebrate this feast, we recall to mind the self-giving love of Jesus to His disciples to remain with them (us) till the end of time. 

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8: 2 to 3 and 14 to 16

Second Reading: 1Corinthians 10: 16 to 17

Gospel Reading: John 6: 51 to 58

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses reminds the people of Israel to acknowledge the Lord God's saving power which accompanied them throughout their journey to the promised land. He exhorts them to remember that they are Lord God's own people and they ought to nourish themselves on His word. However, the Lord God tests them in the wilderness: They long for food, and they realize that the Word of God is more important and nourishing than mere perishable food.  

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Corinth how the participation in Eucharistic celebration becomes a source of strength to the Christian solidarity and oneness. As food and drink nourish our physical bodies, so the body and blood of Christ nourish us spiritually. By receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy communion, we become intimately united with Christ the Lord. 

Life-giving Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist                                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. John, Chapter 6. An elaborate teaching on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is given. Jesus explains to His disciples and followers that to be part of Him, it is necessary that they eat His body and drink His blood. He affirms that He is the living bread that has come down from heaven, which gives the recipient eternal life. Listening to this strange teaching of Jesus, many of the Jews who followed Him take offence and leave Him. For a Jew, to eat the body and drink the blood of another person is totally unacceptable and unthinkable. Yet, Jesus affirms this teaching on Eucharist. At the Last Supper, Jesus ratifies this teaching on Eucharist by offering His body and blood as food and drink to His disciples. In this context, St. Francis of Assisi says:       "And just as He appeared before the Holy Apostles in true flesh, so now he has us see Him in sacred bread." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "In each of our lives, Jesus comes as the bread of life to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us."

Conclusion: The feast of Corpus Christi recalls to our mind all that Jesus did to give His own life for us, especially by sharing His body and blood. It signifies the totality of His self-gift to all believers. The Eucharistic celebration implies serious challenges and obligations for us Christians. More than mere participation, it demands a Christ-like life from His followers. 

May the Lord Jesus, who shares His body and blood in the Eucharist, bless you and give you life eternal. Amen. 

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The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity: A: May 31, 2026

 THE THREE PERSONS AND ONE GOD:                                                 God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity: A very important doctrine of the Church, where we are told that there are three distinct persons in one God, sharing the same divine nature. We are made aware of the Triune God within us: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This mystery of our faith teaches us the following: There are three divine persons sharing the same divine nature in one God. We have the Father, who is the creator, the Son, the redeemer and the Holy Spirit, the sanctifier and the counselor. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity underlies all major feasts in the Church: Christmas, Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter and Pentecost. All official prayers of the Church  and the sacraments administered begin with an address to the Holy Trinity. Every time we bless ourselves, we do it in the name of the Holy Trinity. 

First Reading: Exodus 34: 4 to 6 and 8 to 9

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13: 11 to 13

Gospel Reading: John 3: 16 to 18 

   *First reading is from the book of Exodus. Moses goes to Mount Sinai and meets the Lord God. The Lord God forgives the people of Israel their sins of idolatry. He reveals Himself to Moses on the mountain. He shows Himself as a God of kindness and compassion. He is always faithful to the covenant that He made with the chosen people. Moses accepts the Lord God's covenant and implores forgiveness and mercy for the many sins of the people of Israel. 

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul, in his concluding message, exhorts the Christian community at Corinth to live in peace, harmony and in love. He gives a trinitarian blessing for the people. This blessing of Paul is often used in the liturgy. Paul emphasizes the importance of the Holy Trinity in our day-to-day lives. 

The great mystery of the Most Holy Trinity                                                     Today's gospel reading is from St. John. God's unending love for humankind and His promise of eternal life to everyone who believes in His Son Jesus is mentioned. Before His Ascension, Jesus promises His disciples that Holy Spirit - the Spirit of truth - will come to guide them to all truth. God the Father speaks to us through His Son. He continues to speak to us through the Holy Spirit. The trinitarian God points to a community of love. The Most Holy Trinity actualizes as the creative love of the Father, the redemptive love of the Son and the sanctifying love of the Holy Spirit. Hence, the Most Holy Trinity is not a puzzle but a relationship of love. In God the Father we recognize the one in whom we live and move and have our very being. In God the Son we recognize the one who is the way, the truth and the life. In God the Holy Spirit we recognize the one who helps us to pray and the one who guides us in our life journey. 

Conclusion: To comprehend the depth of the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity - one God and three persons- is not easy for the human mind. We need the divine grace and inspiration to understand this great mystery. The feast of the Most Holy Trinity teaches us the following: 1. The Most Holy Trinity is a divine mystery revealed by Lord Jesus. 2. God's unending love for humankind is expressed through this mystery. 

May the Most Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit- bless you and guide you through the challenging days in this world and lead you to eternal life. Amen. 

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The Feast of Pentecost: A: May 24, 2026

THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDS ON THE APOSTLES

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Pentecost means 50th day. It is a feast celebrated on the 50th day after the Passover feast by the Jews and a feast on the 50th day after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus by Christians worldwide. On Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles who were gathered in Jerusalem. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the frightened Apostles become fiery preachers and zealous evangelizers.  Apostles preached in various languages unknown to them till that day. More than 3000 people believed in the Lord Jesus and received baptism. In fact, it is the birthday of the Church. 

First Reading: Acts 2: 1 to 11

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3 to 7 and 12 to 13

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19 to 23

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A narration about the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles on Pentecost day is given. The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit is manifested by the mighty wind, thunderous sound and tongues as of fire. As a result of the descending of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles who were timid and frightened after the death of Jesus on the cross, become bold and courageous. They openly preach in Jerusalem in various languages because many Jews from different parts of world had come to Jerusalem for the feast. The Holy Spirit thus overcomes barriers erected by humans: Barriers of language, nationality, race and beliefs. The Holy Spirit reaches out to all people on Pentecost day. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains the various gifts of the Holy Spirit to believers. Different gifts are given to various people by the Holy Spirit for the service of the community. Paul reminds us that all of us are members of the one body of Christ and we are baptized in the same Spirit. 

Disciples are empowered by the Holy Spirit                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A vivid account of how the risen Lord appears to the frightened and disheartened Apostles is given. He assures them joy and peace as gifts. He encourages them and strengthens their weak faith by appearing to them in His risen and glorified form. He instructs them about their mission and sends them to all corners of the world. The risen Lord breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit who empowers them. Jesus gives them authority and power to proclaim the word of God. On Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit empowers them so that they are able to witness to the risen Lord fearlessly and powerfully. The feast of Pentecost invites us to become aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, peace, joy and forgiveness and a sense of divine mission are showered on us. On the feast of Pentecost let us too pray with St. Augustine:

                       "Breathe on me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may be all holy.                                                                 Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work too may be holy.                                                                           Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love what is holy.                                                                              Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.                                                                              Guard me, O Holy Spirit, that I always be holy." 

Conclusion: The feast of Pentecost gives us the following messages: 1. The Apostles experience the power of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. 2. The risen Lord is the source of this empowerment. 3. We are able to accomplish great and wonderful things and witness to the Lord fearlessly. 4. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit and by His gifts, we become effective bearers of the good news to all peoples, breaking man-made barriers of language, nationality, race and religious beliefs.  

May the Holy Spirit, who descended on the Apostles on Pentecost, bless you and grant you the gifts, that you too may become effective witness to the Word of God. Amen. 

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The Feast of Ascension: A: May 17, 2026

               JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of Ascension: The day Jesus returned to the heavenly Father after His death and resurrection. For the disciples, the ascension of Jesus marked the beginning of a new and challenging chapter in their life. From now on, they are without the physical presence of Jesus amidst them. For three years, Jesus led them from the front, taught them by example, trained them to be fishers of men, gave them a thirst for heavenly things. This separation, though painful, is for the good of the disciples. Jesus knew that it was a time for Him to entrust the helm in the hands of His disciples. He assures them: 'It is for your benefit that I leave you, for after I leave, I will send you the Holy Spirit, who will guide and teach you." Jn. 16: 6.

First Reading: Acts 1: 1 to 11

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17 to 23

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16 to 20 

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke gives us a brief description of Jesus' meeting with His disciples after His resurrection. Jesus instructs them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit and to witness to Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. As they talk, Jesus is lifted up to heaven. A cloud takes Him out of their sight. The ascension of Jesus, narrated by St. Luke, strengthens our faith in the risen Lord and encourages us to go forward in faith.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul tells the Ephesian Christian community the meaning and the significance of the ascension of Jesus. He explains that God by raising Jesus from the dead has given Him authority and power to rule over the whole world. With His ascension, Jesus is the head of the Church and of the whole world. Those who believe in Him will accomplish great things. 

All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus.                                                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The ascension of the Lord Jesus to heaven is narrated. After the resurrection of Jesus, on a (particular) mountain in Galilee, Jesus gives instructions to His disciples who are gathered there. He tells them that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Him by God the Father. He commands them to go to the whole world and to make disciples. They are to baptize believers: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." He promises them that He will be with them till the end of the world. Thus the ascension of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus will be with His disciples to guide them at all times. 

Conclusion: The feast of Ascension gives us the following messages: 1. The risen Lord is now in His heavenly glory seated at the right hand of God the Father. 2. Jesus assures us that after His ascension, He will send the Holy Spirit to guide us. 3. He promises us that even after being ascended into heaven, he will continue to be with us till the end of the world: By the Word of God, through Sacraments and by His presence in the Holy Eucharist. 4. Jesus' ascension gives us that firm hope that one day, those who believe in Him will participate in His heavenly glory. 

May the Lord Jesus, who ascended into heaven, bless you and strengthen your faith in Him and lead you to eternal glory in heaven. Amen.

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Sixth Sunday of the Year: A: May 10, 2026

          JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT

Introduction: The sixth and final Sunday of Easter comes with a very encouraging and consoling message. Jesus is going to the Father but He promises His abiding presence with His disciples through the Holy Spirit. He does not leave us depressed and gloomy because with the presence of the Holy Spirit we are in constant touch with Him. The Holy Spirit is the source of all transformations: To understand what Jesus taught us, to be strengthened, comforted, guided and inspired. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to love and to live the commandments of Jesus. 

First Reading: Acts 8: 5 to 8 and 14 to 17

Second Reading: 1Peter 3: 15 to 18

Gospel Reading: John 14: 15 to 21

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. The mission journey of Apostle Philip to Samaria is narrated. Philip proclaims the Word of God and the Samaritans receive the good news with great joy and enthusiasm. Many signs and wonders are manifested among the believers. Peter and John too go to Samaria and pray for the new converts. The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit with great fervor. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Peter. Peter urges the Christian community to defend their faith with gentleness and reverence. He exhorts them to suffer for doing right in the eyes of God and not to indulge in any wrongdoings. He gives the great example of Christ Himself who died for the sins of all humankind. They too should be ready and willing to accept all sufferings for the sake of Christ the Lord.

The Father will give you another Counsellor                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This is a part of the farewell discourse of Jesus to His disciples before His passion and death on the cross. During the discourse, Jesus explains to them that to love Him is to keep His commandments. The one who loves Him will be loved by the heavenly Father which is the true manifestation of the love of Jesus. Further, Jesus assures them His continued presence among them through the Holy Spirit who makes us experience the love of Jesus in our lives. The Holy Spirit helps us to be true followers of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can truly effect transformation in our lives. To live the commandment of love, we need the Holy Spirit in us. Jesus further speaks about the indwelling presence of Himself and the Father in the believer. In this context Pedro Arrupe S.J. says: "Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quiet, absolute and final way."

Conclusion: Today Jesus teaches us the following: To love Jesus is to keep His commandments. Jesus promises to be with us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus assures us that the one who keeps His commandments will experience the indwelling presence of Jesus and the Father. 

May the Lord Jesus, who promises the Holy Spirit to His followers, bless you and grant you the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

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