Seventeenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 27, 2025

 LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY: OUR FATHER

Introduction: The disciples observed Jesus praying. There must have been something very special about His prayer. That's why they ask Him: "Teach us to pray. Teach us to pray  as you are praying." Jesus teaches them the prayer 'Our Father'. There is more to His answer than just saying the 'Our Father'. Jesus urges us to come to the Father, and with child-like confidence, to pray to Him for all our spiritual and temporal needs. 

First Reading: Genesis 18: 20 to 32

Second Reading: Colossians 2: 12 to 14

 Gospel Reading: Luke 11: 1 to 12

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. Abraham prays to the Lord God for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. People of those cities have grievously sinned against the Lord God. Those two rebellious and wicked cities are going to be destroyed. Abraham intercedes and pleads with the Lord God to spare them from destruction. Even if the number of righteous in them are as few as fifty/forty- five/forty/twenty or merely ten, Abraham wants the Lord God to be merciful to them and forgive their many sins. The Lord God promises Abraham that for the sake of the righteous persons as few as ten, in those cities, He will not destroy them. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Colossians. Paul explains to the Christian community in Colossia that, in baptism, they are buried with Christ and are raised with Him. Hence, through baptism, a believer is inserted into Christ's death and resurrection. Thus a baptized person, once and for all, dies to the sinful way of life and is raised to live a new life of grace.

The Lord's Prayer                                                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus teaches the prayer 'Our Father' to His disciples. It is a prayer for all times and for all occasions. Every relationship between us and our heavenly Father is taken care of in the prayer. The aspects that Jesus considers and that we too should consider include the following: 1. Acceptance of God as our heavenly Father and due praise to Him. 2. Praying for our daily needs: Food in particular. 3. Praying that we may forgive others so that we in turn receive forgiveness from God. 4. Praying that we may be able to overcome our temptations: For no one can say that we are not tempted. 5. Praying for deliverance from the power of evil. When we pray the prayer 'Our Father' or any other prayer, let us sincerely ask for what we need but let us be contented with what the Lord grants us. In this context, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "If we pray, we will believe; if we believe, we will love; if we love, we will serve." St. Augustine says: "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." Mahatma Gandhi says: "Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is a daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart." And Joyce Meyer says: "Prayer doesn't change things- it changes us. If we are diligent in seeking God, slowly and surely we become better people." 

Conclusion: In his book Our prayer, Louis Evely suggests how we can find meaning in every circumstance of our lives, even in tragedies. God does not cause them, but He shows us how to overcome them. He writes: "God does not prevent disasters or death; He is with us in them. He offers us the grace to be happier poor than we would have been rich; to be happier in misfortune than when everything is going well." So we need to be persistent in our prayer no matter what happens. Ask for what we really need from the Lord. The Lord grants it. 

May the Lord Jesus who taught His disciples and us the prayer 'Our Father' bless you always with His heavenly blessings and answer your prayers in all your needs. 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. July 27, 2025)

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 20, 2025

 THE GREAT VIRTUE OF HOSPITALITY 

Introduction: In today's liturgy we have two mentions of hospitality: 1. Abraham gives hospitality to three strangers not knowing that he is entertaining the Lord God. 2. The sisters, Martha and Mary, welcome Jesus into their home in Bethany, though each does so in a different way. In every Eucharistic celebration we are told to leave behind our cares and concerns of the world. We are asked to lay them at the feet of Jesus. This is what a woman called Mary does in the Gospel today. In His presence, we experience our true worth, which consists, not in doing, but in being. 

First Reading: Genesis 18: 1 to 10

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 24 to 28

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 38 to 42

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. The wonderful hospitality shown to three strangers by Abraham and how he and his household welcome them is narrated. By welcoming the three, he is in fact welcoming the Lord God. Abraham displays the warmth of eastern hospitality. He washes their feet and invites them to rest for a while. Meanwhile, Sarah his wife prepares a sumptuous meal and waits inside the tent as the custom was. The hospitality of the couple is amply rewarded and the Lord God promises them a son in answer to their prayers and deepest desire.

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Colossians. Paul elaborates to the Christian community at Colossia and all of us his experiences of many sufferings for Christ the Lord. He explains that in our own sufferings, we are never alone: Christ is always with us drawing us closer and closer to Him. In the person of Jesus, God really walks among His people, accepting their hospitality and teaching them His immense love for everyone. 

The hospitality of Martha  and Mary                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. We meet two sisters: Martha and Mary who show great hospitality to Jesus when He visits them. Martha is fully engaged in preparing a meal while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to his life-giving teachings. Martha is busy to the point of distraction. She thinks Mary should do something more than just listening to Jesus. Jesus listens to the complaints of Martha and makes His own observations: That Martha is busy and anxious about many things which are trivial. In all her fret and fuss, Martha is missing the one thing that is needed most: To welcome the Lord by listening His precious words. Jesus praises Mary for setting the priorities right. Hence, true hospitality according to Jesus means: By listening to His Word and to live according to it. Listening to the Word of God should take precedence over all our other cares and concerns. The way we continue to have God as our guest is when we welcome His Word and act upon it. In this context K. Norris  says: "True hospitality is marked by open response to the dignity of each and every person." 

Conclusion: In the Eucharist Jesus welcomes us as guests and extends to us His hospitality. Like Mary, He sits by us and listens: He shares with us the feelings of our hearts and the thoughts of our minds. Like Martha and Abraham, Jesus does everything He can for His guests: He uplifts us with forgiveness, inspires us through the Word of God and feeds us with His own body and blood. Through His hospitality, Jesus shows tender mercy and love to us. The question is, can we do the same for one another?

May the Lord Jesus, who accepted the hospitality of Martha  and  Mary and blessed them, bless you with a generous and loving heart so that through you God dispenses His blessings on others. 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, July 20, 2025." Thanks.)    

Fifteenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 13, 2025

                        LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR

Introduction: A lawyer puts a very tricky question to Jesus: "Who is my neighbour?" In response, Jesus tells a story: A Jew travels from Jerusalem to Jericho. He is attacked, beaten up, bruised , crippled and slowly bleeding to death. A respectable Jew, a priest, comes along and passes by. Then another Jew, a Levite, comes along and passes by. Later, a Samaritan who is considered an enemy of the Jews, - not a neighbour at all -  comes along, stops, and takes care of the wounded man, dresses his wounds, takes him to an inn and gives total insurance for his recovery. Jesus put the question back to the clever lawyer: "Who is the neighbour to the man who was robbed and beaten up?" The lawyer replies: "The one who took pity on the wounded man." Jesus tells him: "Go and do likewise."

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 10 to 14

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 15 to 20

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 25 to 37

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses exhorts the people of Israel to keep the commandments of the Lord God so that they always turn to the Lord God with all their hearts and with all their souls. These commandments are easy to obey because they are at the very heart and soul of every person. Moses urges them to obey these commandments not as something imposed from outside but as something that springs up from inside of themselves. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul describes incarnate Word,  Lord Jesus, as the true image of God in human form. He is  pre-eminent and supreme to everything created. He is the head of the Church and He brings reconciliation to the whole creation. Hence, Paul asserts the absolute supremacy of Christ. He is the beginning and the end of creation, the head of the Church and the universal mediator and redeemer. 

The parable of the Good Samaritan                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus presents to us the wonderful and very touching parable of the Good Samaritan for our reflection and action. On a particular occasion, a lawyer puts a pertinent question to Jesus: "Who is my neighbour?" In response, Jesus narrates the parable of the Good Samaritan. What is most disturbing in Jesus' parable is not so much the attack made on an innocent man. But the response of those two respectable persons: A priest and a Levite. They pass by the unfortunate person without showing any compassion or concern. Because for both of them the first question that came to their mind was: "What will happen to me if I stop and help this wounded man?" Whereas, the first question that came to the mind of the Samaritan was: "What will happen to this wounded man if I don't take care of him?" In a similar situation, like the priest and the Levite in the parable, many of us have ample excuses not to help those in need. It is much easier and safer to go on the other side of the road as they did. But the Samaritan brushes aside all such thoughts and opens his heart and purse to the wounded man. He goes out of his way to help this unfortunate victim. Jesus dramatically and decisively answers the question put by the lawyer through this most touching parable. He challenges everyone of us to be a neighbour to whomever our good will must go out. Jesus tells the lawyer: "Go and do likewise." The same Jesus is telling us too to be a neighbour to whoever is in need of our help and concern. In this context, Eric Hoffer says: "It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbour." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "Love begins at home; love your family and your neighbours. Share with the poor and the needy around you - your smile, your word, your time, your belongings."

Conclusion: Let us not line up with the lawyer in the Gospel and ask the wrong question: "Who is my neighbour?" Instead, let us take our stance with Jesus and ask: "How can I be a neighbour?" Let us not ask the wrong question as the priest and the Levite did: "What will happen to me if I stop and help this wounded man?" Instead, let us ask the question of the Good Samaritan: "What will happen to the wounded man if I don't stop and help him?"

May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us through the parable of the Good Samaritan to love our neighbour unconditionally, help you to put into practice this teaching of the Lord in your day- to-day 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, July 13, 2025." Thanks.)

Fourteenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 6, 2025

               THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL

Introduction: The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. This is a very optimistic yet relative observation made by Jesus to His disciples before He sends them on a mission journey. He sends seventy-two disciples to the towns and villages in Palestine where He Himself could not go personally: To preach the Gospel, to heal the sick, to cast out demons, to forgive sins, to bring hope and love to the lonely and to the lost and the least. Every Christian is sent by Christ into the world around as a messenger of hope and love. We are all responsible for this mission of Jesus which He entrusted to His disciples. 

First Reading: Isaiah 66: 10 to 14

Second Reading:  Galatians 6: 14 to 18

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 1 to 12 and 17 to 20

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. During the Babylonian exile, the people of Israel have innumerable persecutions and sufferings. Isaiah consoles them in their sufferings and hardships. He encourages the returned exiles to rebuild the holy city of Jerusalem. Isaiah compares Jerusalem to a nursing mother who tenderly cares for her children: An imagery of peace, contentment and love.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. Paul instructs the Christian community at Galatia and us that Christian life is a new existence: That is, becoming Christ-like in everything we do or say. Paul explains to them that though he had to suffer much, like illness, flogging and stoning, he bears the marks of Christ's passion on his body. For Paul nothing else matters but to keep Christ crucified ever in mind. 

The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few                                       Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus sends His seventy-two disciples on a mission journey. He strictly instructs them regarding the tough task ahead and the tremendous challenges they will face during their journeys. He challenges them to  lead a radical way of life like that of a wandering preacher: One who faces persecutions, homelessness, loss of family ties and loss of all material comforts. They are not to be encumbered with extra-luggage of any sort. They are not to spend time on the way-side for the so-called chitchats and small talks. They are not to look for comfortable resting places. They are to be content with whatever is available and provided by the people of the town or village. Hence, single-minded devotion to the entrusted task is the hall-mark of a disciple of Jesus. Jesus invites each one of us to continue His mission. Like those seventy-two, Jesus sends us too with the command: 'Be on your way, go into your neighbourhoods, schools, factories and offices and proclaim my peace, heal in my name and make my presence felt wherever you go.' It is up to us to respond whole-heartedly to the invitation of the Lord. In this context St. Francis of Assisi says: "Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words."

Conclusion: Jesus sent out His seventy-two disciples to all places where He Himself could not go. The messenger does not replace Jesus. He or she is instructed to prepare the way for Jesus to come to the other person. Those seventy-two were sent to gather everyone, to collect the harvest and bring it home. We are sent out in the same way, and that is why all of us, of whatever cultural background or linguistic background, should be gatherers and peacemakers. WE ARE OF THE SEVENTY-TWO.

May the Lord Jesus bless you that you may live up to the many challenges in life in proclaiming His Word to the world around you. 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, July 6, 2025." Thanks.)