Thirtieth Sunday of the Year: A: October 25, 2026

 THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT OF GOD

Introduction: The central theme of today's liturgy is the greatest commandment of God: To love God with our whole being and to express it in action by loving our neighbour. First reading from the book of Exodus gives the different expressions of the love of one's neighbour especially the poor and the marginalised. In the second reading St. Paul praises the Christians in Thessalonica for their heroic witness by practising mutual love. In the Gospel Jesus combines the commandment to love God with the commandment to love one's neighbour and the resultant commandment is of supreme importance for His followers. 

First Reading: Exodus 22: 20 to 26

Second Reading: 1Thessalonians 1: 5 to 10

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22: 34 to 40

   *First reading is from the book of Exodus. The Lord God instructs the chosen people that there should not be any exploitation or discrimination of the weak and the marginalised in the community. He warns them of very severe consequences if they ignore His instructions: Punishments and even death if they do injustice to the weaker members of the community. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. Paul expresses his deep appreciation for the exemplary and praise-worthy behaviour of the Christian community at Thessalonica. They have accepted the Word of God in pain and in affliction. But they are great examples for everyone by always serving the living and true God. 

The love of God and the love of one's neighbour                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The two great commandments of God: The love of God and the love of one's neighbour are elaborated. Jesus explains to a lawyer the inseparable nature of these two commandments of God. When we say we love God, it should be seen in our daily lives by our love for our fellow humans. This message of Jesus is beautifully expressed by St. John in his letter: "Anyone who says 'I love God' and hates his brother is a liar."(1Jn 4:20) Hence, our love for others must flow from the divine fountain: That is, God's love for us. We are enabled to love others because it is God who loves us first and makes us capable of loving others. Jesus teaches us the following: 1.We are asked not just to believe in God but to love God. 2. We are asked not merely to respect our neighbour but to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Once our life is governed and guided by the love of God and the love of our neighbour, all other laws and precepts become unnecessary and irrelevant. In this context St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds, yet I willingly cure him for the love of God." St. Theresa of Child Jesus says: "If we want to live a life of love of God, we must not fail in our love towards our neighbour." 

Conclusion: In Shishu Bhavan (Children's home) in Calcutta founded by St. Mother Teresa, following words are inscribed on the wall with a title: LOVE THEM ANYWAY! If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motive: DO GOOD ANYWAY. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies: SUCCED ANYWAY. The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow: DO GOOD ANYWAY. People need help but may attack you if you help them: HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY. Jesus our Lord and Master has shown us how to live the total Gospel: Loving God and loving our neighbour. He is our model. We should always work for a better world, a world that takes care of the nature, a world that is fully and firmly based on God our heavenly Father and Jesus our Brother. 

May the Lord Jesus, who unconditionally loves everyone of us and gave His life for us, bless you and inspire you to love God and love your neighbour. Amen. 

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Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year: A: October 18, 2026

 GIVING TO GOD AND TO CAESAR WHAT BELONGS TO THEM

Introduction: In today's liturgy Jesus invites us to render to God what belongs to Him. Through this exhortation Jesus teaches us that there is nothing that does not belong to God. God is the creator of the universe: Billions of Galaxies and each galaxy has billions of stars and everything in it - including Caesar and his kingdom. He does not need our gold, silver or money. Jesus tells us to remain focused in our service and worship of God and serving humans who are the image and likeness of God and surrender everything in this world to Him. 

First Reading: Isaiah 45: 1 and 4 to 6

Second Reading: Thessalonians 1: 1 to 5

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22: 15 to 21

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Cyrus, the King of Persia, liberates the people of Israel from their exile in Babylon. Isaiah envisages the return of the chosen people from their exile not only as a sign of the Lord God's love for them but also as a sign of His lordship over all nations. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. In his opening lines to the Christian community at Thessalonica, Paul expresses his deep love and concern for them. He acknowledges and praises the role of the Holy Spirit for the success of his preaching ministry. 

Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The Pharisees put a very tricky question to Jesus: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" Jesus cleverly answers this question (a trap) by exhibiting a Roman coin and asking them about the image and the inscription on the coin. The coin has the image and the inscription of Caesar. He tells them: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." By His reply, Jesus clarifies the need to recognise the two-fold authority: The secular authority and the authority of God. Jesus makes a fine distinction between the two. In most of the countries in the world, there is complete separation between the religious domain and that of the state. Being a Christian, how to live in the world without having a conflict between 'Caesar and God' is the question we have to face. There are also so many little 'Caesars' we have to deal with in our daily lives: The company, local authorities, peer groups, friends and relatives, all vying for our loyalty and support. In all these various situations, we have to acknowledge and respect the legitimate secular authority and at the same time, keep God's authority in its rightful place.

Conclusion: In His conversation with the Pharisees, Jesus tells them: "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." In other words, give to God what carries God's face: Give to God what is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis, Ch.1) With that answer, Jesus opens up a whole new world. What is created in God's image? What is imprinted with God's face? What does God expect us to give Him? Not gold or silver or precious items of the world, not prayers and hymns in His honour, not religious structures made of perishable materials of this world. They are all helpful and necessary. But what God wants from us is to give Him God's image in its fullness. That is the worship He wants. That is the tax we have to pay to belong to His Kingdom. As long as there are starving children, unborn children who are denied their right to be born, the sick and the unwanted who are not taken care of, the poor who have no shelter, food and education, when people are denied their basic human rights, we are not rendering to God what He wants from us. This is the face of God St. Francis of Assisi, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and numerous saints tried to develop and render to God. Now it is our turn to do the same. 

May the Lord Jesus, who distinguishes between the secular authority and God's authority, bless you and help you to keep this distinction between the two in your lives. Amen. 

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Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year: A: October 11, 2026

 AN INVITATION TO THE LORD'S BANQUET

Introduction: Today's liturgy speaks about the heavenly banquet God prepares for all people. First reading  from the book of Prophet Isaiah speaks of the great banquet prepared for God's people on the mountain of the Lord. In the Gospel we have the parable of the wedding feast of a King's son, where people from all walks of life are invited. Some of the invited guests refuse to come for the feast. God in His goodness and mercy calls everyone to experience the joy of His heavenly banquet. We refuse to accept His loving invitation on flimsy pretexts. Yet God, with great forbearance, continues to invite us to the heavenly banquet. 

First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6 to 10

Second Reading: Philippians 4: 12 to 14 and 19 to 20

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22: 1 to 14

  *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about a great banquet prepared by the Lord God on the mountain of the Lord. The imagery of the banquet describes the great and wonderful blessings that the Lord God has in store for the people of Israel and for all nations. It is a pre-figuration of the many blessings that will be brought about by the Messianic Kingdom through the coming of Jesus Christ. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul describes his own contentment in all situations in life. He thanks the Christian community at Philippi for supporting him in his mission journeys. Paul expresses his total and unquestionable trust in the Lord Jesus who always strengthens him. 

The parable of the wedding feast                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. It is a strange story about a King who invites various types of people for his son's wedding. We meet four different types of people in the parable: 1. Those who make light of the King's invitation and do not go to the banquet due to various reasons. They are busy with matters of their own. Eventually, they do not respond to the invitation of the King. 2. There are some who treat the servants of the King shamefully and even kill some of them. These are the evil people who try to do away with the reign of God. 3. Those who are called from the by-lanes. These are the people who represent all nations and are willing to accept the Kingdom of God. They are admitted to His Kingdom without going into their antecedents. 4. After being admitted, those who refuse to wear the wedding garment at the banquet. Those are the people who accept the invitation of the King but are unwilling to be part of the wedding due to their refusal to follow the rules of the wedding.  The wedding feast symbolises the heavenly banquet prepared by God for all humans. In the world today, we meet all these four types of people. Matthew 8: 11-12 says: "I say to you that many will come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the Kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 

Conclusion: God is very generous in inviting all of us to His banquet. Maybe we have many reasons to make light of it, totally reject it or accept it with an open heart. We may have many excuses for not accepting God's invitation. The people who refused the King's invitation did so not from any evil motives but apparently good and reasonable ones. One man wanted to attend to his land, another to his business and so on. All perfectly good occupations in themselves. But this is precisely what makes them dangerous. The greatest danger facing us is not that we might abandon God and turn to evil, but rather that we might ignore His invitation and go our own way. When we accept His invitation wholeheartedly and unconditionally, we can receive abundant blessings that only the Almighty can dispense with. 

May the heavenly Father, who invites you to His Son's wedding feast, bless you with His abundant blessings. Amen. 

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Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year: A: October 4, 2026

             GOD PUNISHES THE WICKED

Introduction: The theme of today's liturgy is the necessity of bearing good fruits in the life of a follower of Christ. Punishment for spiritual sterility, ingratitude and wickedness will happen. In today's first reading Prophet Isaiah describes God's great care and His expectations for the chosen people. They fail to bear good fruits in spite of the many blessings lavished upon them. They have been poor tenants in the Lord's vineyard. God laments: "I expected my vineyard to yield good grapes. Why did it yield sour ones instead?" In the second reading St. Paul tells the Christians in Philippi about the high expectations he has for them, reminding them that they have to be a fruit-bearing community by prayer, thanksgiving and practising justice and graciousness. In the Gospel Jesus reminds us that since we are the new Israel, enriched with additional blessings, we should show our gratitude to God by bearing fruits that belong to the Kingdom. 

First Reading: Isaiah 5: 1 to 7

Second Reading: Philippians 4: 6 to 9 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21: 33 to 44

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah compares Israel to a vineyard. In spite of the great care and attention given by the owner (The Lord God), it fails to produce the desired fruits. It is destined to become a wilderness. Likewise, the Lord God takes care of the chosen people with utmost diligence. Unfortunately, they produce evil fruits and the Lord God rejects them. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Philippians. Paul gives examples of the fruits that we should produce in the vineyard of the Lord. Paul tells us the following: Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, whatever has excellence and whatever is praise-worthy are to be done.  To enjoy the peace that God has promised, we need to turn to God in prayer of thanksgiving and petitions. 

The parable of the wicked tenants                                                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The unfaithfulness and the wickedness of the people of Israel are vividly described in the parable. They not only reject the commandments of God but they have the audacity of rejecting Jesus the Son of God. The vineyard owner equips the vineyard with every available facilities: The hedge, the winepress and a tower for the smooth functioning of the tenants. He entrusts his vineyard to tenants and goes on a long journey. On his return, the season of fruits arrives. The owner sends his servants to get his share of the produce. But the wicked men ill-treat them and send them back empty-handed. Finally, he sends his beloved son, hoping that those men would respect him and give him the share of the produce. Instead, those wicked men kill the son and take possession of the vineyard. Then the owner has no option but to drive those wicked men out of his vineyard and give the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his share of the produce in due season. 

Conclusion: Although the parable is about the unfaithfulness of Israel, it has deep significance in our lives too. In spite of God's great love and concern for each one of us, we have been often unfaithful and wicked in our relationship with God and with our fellow humans. The messages implied in the parable: 1. The destructive effects of greed and resultant violence against the rights of other humans. 2. The vineyard is the image of God's people. The question to be asked is: Am I a good tenant or a bad one? 3. Everyone without exception is finally answerable to the vineyard owner: God the Father. 4. Finally, the parable teaches us about God's great patience with us and our accountability to God.  

May the Lord Jesus, who through the parable of the wicked tenants teaches us to be faithful to God's commandments in letter and spirit, bless you and grant you the grace to be a good tenant in His vineyard. Amen. 

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Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year: A: September 27, 2026

         DOING THE WILL OF GOD:                                                                                                                                   Not in words but in deeds.

Introduction: In today's liturgy we are warned that to be part of the Kingdom of God we have to do the will of God not only in words but in deeds by obeying God. In the first reading Prophet Ezekiel says that each person will be judged according to what they do. In the second reading St. Paul presents Jesus' humility and obedience. Although He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God but emptied Himself. In the Gospel we have the parable of two sons. The father tells his sons to do certain work in his vineyard. The elder son at first refuses to do the work. But later he does the work given by the father. The younger son agrees to do the work, but later fails to do it. God wants us to do His will not only in words but in deeds. 

First Reading: Ezekiel 18: 25 to 28

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 1 to 11

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21: 28 to 32

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel instructs the people of Israel that they are responsible for their actions. The Lord God rewards everyone according to their actions. He is always just. He punishes those who do evil and rewards those who turn away from evil and do good. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul instructs the Philippian community that Jesus humbled Himself and became human and He died on the cross for our salvation. Every follower of the Lord should do everything with humility and look for the good of others rather than that of one's own. Self-seeking actions and rivalry have no place in the life of a Christian. Christ gives us an example of humility and we must imitate Him. 

The parable of the two sons                                                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. It is the story of a father and his two sons. The context of the parable is: The chosen people at first said 'Yes' to the covenant of God . But later they turn away from following God and reject His commandments. They refuse to accept that Jesus is from God. Whereas, those who are not part of the chosen race - the gentiles and sinners - accept Jesus as the Son of God. In the parable, the father asks both his sons - the elder and the younger - to go and work in his vineyard. The elder son initially says 'No' but later goes and does the work as told by the father. The younger son initially says 'Yes' to the father but does not do the work in the vineyard. Jesus puts a question to the disciples: "Which of these two sons did the father's will?" The answer is obvious. The elder son. In this context Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will." Timothy Keller says: "The basic purpose of prayer is not to bend God's will to mine, but to mould my will into His." 

Conclusion: Through the parable, Jesus teaches us the need to do the will of the heavenly Father not merely in words but in our actions. The parable in some way has overtones about our own lives. We often make promises to God but forget to fulfil many of them. It is interesting to observe that in the parable, the owner of the vineyard does not ask his servants or hired workers to do his work. He personally asks his sons to do the work in his vineyard. So too, the heavenly Father invites each one of us, His sons and daughters, to work in His vineyard. It is up to us to respond to His invitation without fail. 

May the Lord Jesus, who through the parable of the two sons teaches us to do the will of God at all times, bless you and give you the generosity to do His will. Amen. 

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Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year: A: September 20, 2026

 THE IMMENSE GENEROSITY OF GOD

Introduction: Today's liturgy focuses our attention on the reversal of values in the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel Jesus gives us a marvellous insight into the reversal of values which is the heart of the Kingdom of God. When we read today's parable, we may fail to understand the meaning of the parable where the latecomers are equally paid like the ones who worked all day. The Gospel is full of life's latecomers, who are with some form of handicaps: They are the physically challenged, economically broken, the prodigal sons and daughters, the lame, the blind, the tax-collectors, sex workers and those with incurable diseases. They are the ones ignored by the people. But they are found in the Gospel because Jesus is very much concerned about each of them. 

First Reading: Isaiah 55: 6 to 9

Second Reading: Philippians 1: 20 and 24 to 27

Gospel Reading: Matthew 20: 1 to 16

   *First Reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah urges the people of Israel to turn away from their evil and sinful ways and return to the Lord God. He tells them that the Lord God's ways are not the ways of humans. In His infinite wisdom, God has His own way of dealing with us humans that may not be always to our liking. We try to shape the ways of the Lord God according to human understanding. It may not correspond to the ways of the Lord God who deals in a very different way. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians. Paul expresses his firm conviction that to live for Christ or to die for Christ is the same for him. His only ambition is to proclaim and to glorify Christ at all times and be united with Him always. This conviction of Paul should rule the hearts of all followers of the Lord. 

The last will be first and the first will be last:                                                                           The reversal of values in the Kingdom of God.                                                                                                              Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The parable of the vineyard owner and his generosity to the workers is narrated in detail. The owner goes to the marketplace and hires workers at various times of the day, promising them a day's wages. At the end of the day, the owner pays everyone of the workers a day's wages (one denarius): No matter whether the person worked just one hour (the last ones) or the person worked the whole day (the first ones). The owner's generosity upsets those who worked the entire day. The question put by the owner to the disgruntled workers is very relevant: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose to do with what belongs to me?" The parable may seem quite strange and unjust for many. Some may even think that the vineyard owner is not understanding the feelings of those who toiled all day in the harsh sun. According to one Biblical scholar, the parable does not depict reckless or arbitrary action of the owner, rather it shows the behaviour of a large-hearted man who is very compassionate, kind and full of sympathy for the poor and the deprived. It is out of pity for their poverty that he decides to give them a full day's wages. If not, their families would be starving that day. In this context Khalil Gibran says: "Generosity is giving more than what you can." St. Francis of Assisi says: "For it is in giving that we receive." R.E. Goodrich says: "Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone's day."

Conclusion: Through the parable, Jesus is expressing the unlimited goodness, compassion and graciousness of a kind and loving God and not about labour relationships. Often we grudge others who are in some way more favoured by God. Sometimes we are not willing to accept God's unlimited generosity and kindness. Jesus gives us a lesson that it does not matter when we come to the Kingdom of God: Early, midday, or at the last hour. All that matters is that we are part of His Kingdom. 

May the Lord Jesus, who through the parable of the vineyard owner teaches us about the generosity of God, bless you and grant you the grace to be generous to everyone in need. Amen. 

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Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year: September 13, 2026

 FORGIVENESS: THE ROAD TO HOLINESS

Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to take a deep look at our attitude towards forgiveness. In the first reading the book of Sirach speaks about our desire to take revenge and retaliate to people who have wronged us. In the Gospel Jesus tells St. Peter: "Forgive your brother not seven times but seventy times seven." A woman named Corrie Bona was arrested by Gestapo and was sent to concentration camp along with her sister. They were brutally treated, humiliated and molested numerous times there. After the war, Corrie Bona was set free and she became a Bible preacher in Munich, Germany. One day during the service, she caught sight of a man, a former Gestapo, who was their guard at the concentration camp. After the service, this man came to her and said: "Thank you for your message, Jesus has washed away my sins." She was confused and prayed silently: "Lord Jesus, forgive me and help me to forgive him." But still she could not smile or acknowledge him. Then she prayed: "Lord, give me your forgiveness. I can't forgive him on my own." Then she took his hand and was able to forgive him totally and she felt peace in her heart. 

First Reading: Sirach 27: 30 to 28: 7

Second Reading: Romans 14: 7 to 9

Gospel Reading: Matthew 18: 21 to 25

   *First reading is from the book of Sirach (Ecclesiastes). The desire to take revenge and vengeance is a human tendency. But our refusal to forgive those who did harm and hurt us is unacceptable in the eyes of the Lord God. Such an attitude makes us unworthy of the Lord God's forgiveness and mercy. We can experience the forgiveness of the Lord God only to the extent we forgive others. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul instructs the Christian community at Rome that we live in union with the Lord Jesus so that we become precious in the eyes of God. Our living and dying is for the Lord and for others. 

Not seven times but seventy times seven                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus graphically explains to St. Peter regarding the need to forgive others unconditionally. Peter thinks forgiving his offending brother seven times is being generous and noble. But Jesus corrects him and tells him to forgive his brother not seven times but seventy times seven. Which means, he has to forgive his erring brother countless times. Jesus further explains this teaching through a parable: The parable of two debtors. It is about a Master and his two servants. The first one owed the Master ten thousand talents (today's approximate value is 4 billion US dollars). He is asked to pay back the entire amount immediately. Unable to pay such a huge sum, he pleads for mercy and the Master, out of pity, forgives all his debt. Sometime later, the same servant meets a fellow servant who owed him hundred denarii, (approximate value today is 40,000 US dollars). He asks his fellow servant to pay back the entire amount immediately. This man too pleads with him to have mercy. But the first servant does not relent and puts his fellow servant in prison till he paid the entire debt. When the Master comes to know about the unforgiving attitude of the servant who is a recipient of his mercy, he is extremely upset and angry. As a result, the Master deals with him very harshly till he paid the whole debt. Jesus adds: "So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart." In this context an ancient proverb says: "To err is human but to forgive is divine." On the cross Jesus says: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23: 24)

Conclusion: Forgiving those who have done wrong to us is the pre-condition for us to receive forgiveness and mercy from God. Thus the only obstacle that we can put in the way of God's forgiveness for our sins is our refusal to forgive the sins of others. When we are faced with such painful moments in our lives let us have the humility to pray like Corrie Bona: "Lord, give me your forgiveness. I cannot forgive him/her on my own." 

May the Lord Jesus, who taught us to forgive others through the parable of two debtors and through His own life by forgiving His executioners, bless you and grant you the grace to forgive everyone. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph on YouTube follows. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version. Thanks.)