Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year: C: September 28, 2025

 THE PERILS OF NEGLECTING THE POOR

Introduction: In today's Gospel we have an interesting story of two people: A rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus is a very poor man. He is dressed in rags, full of sores, and hadn't even a crumb of bread to eat. He has no friends except the street dogs. He is in utter misery, with nothing to depend on. The rich man, on the other hand, is very well off. He lives in a mansion, wears  the most expensive clothes and eats and drinks and enjoys life to the full. Yet, in the eyes of God, the rich man is the poorer of the two. Jesus invites us to have a look at ourselves and see our poverty before the Almighty. Ask His forgiveness for our numerous and persistent refusals to share our possessions, our refusal to forgive and our refusal to share our love with the lonely and the unloved.

First Reading: Amos 6: 1 and 4 to 7

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6: 11 to 16

Gospel Reading: Luke 16: 19 to 31

   *First Reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. Amos speaks harshly to the wealthy and  powerful people of Judah and Israel. He sternly warns the complacent who live luxuriously and neglect the poor and the needy. They do not care for the plight of the poor. Besides, their conduct will bring disaster to whole nation. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul praises Timothy and encourages him in his pastoral care. He gives the example of Jesus who was always faithful to His call in the face of hostility and even death. He exhorts that Christians should lead a life of righteousness, love and kindness. They should be always be faithful to God's call. 

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is narrated in great detail. The rich man(who is not named in the parable) lives a lavish life: Expensive clothing, sumptuous meals and palatial houses are at his disposal. Whereas Lazarus the poor man - sick, sores all over the body and starving - is lying at the gate of the rich man. During his earthly life, the rich man enjoys life to the brim. Whereas Lazarus suffers much and finally dies. After his death, Lazarus finds comfort in Abraham's bosom. The sin of the rich man, as narrated in the parable, consists not in what he did but rather what he did not do for this poor Lazarus, who was in dire need and in total misery. Finally, the rich man too dies. Death is a great leveler of all inequalities. The reversal of fortunes of these two is the central theme of the parable. With death, the roles of the rich man and Lazarus are dramatically and irrevocably changed. Now, it is the turn of the rich man to get some attention from Abraham and the pity of Lazarus who is enjoying the comfort of the next life. But it is too late. An abyss separates them and it is an abyss for which the rich man himself is responsible. The parable graphically explains what happens when we enjoy our wealth selfishly, showing little or no concern for the poor and the downtrodden of the society. The central point of the parable is the outlook we have on happiness. Happiness consists in experiencing God present in our own lives - in good times and in bad times; amidst plenty and amidst poverty. Happiness is in helping the poor lying at our 'gate': By showing compassion and love, by caring for the aged and physically challenged, comforting the depressed and the oppressed. Hence, Jesus' parable invites us to live more simply, to share more readily, and to live more fully so that we can be true followers of the Lord. As a Rabbinical saying goes: "A person's wealth consists not in what he keeps but in what he gives away." In this context St. Cyril of Jerusalem says: "The parable declares that they who abound in earthly riches, unless they will relieve the necessities of the poor, shall meet with a heavy condemnation." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "The biggest disease in the world today is the feeling of being unwanted [like Lazarus at the gate of the rich man]. And the greatest evil in the world today is the lack of love." 

Conclusion: Some may think that this parable is not addressed to us: We are not rich, just enough to make both ends meet. Even though we may not be immensely rich like the rich man in the parable, we have many things that we can share with someone in need. The question is: "Who is sitting outside our 'gate'?- begging not necessarily for bread, but maybe for a word of recognition, or companionship, or love or forgiveness." And the time to share is now. If not, it may be too late as in the case of the rich man in the parable. 

May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us the necessity of sharing our resources with the poor and the needy, bless you and give you a generous heart and eternal happiness in the world to come. 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, September 28, 2025." Thanks.)

Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year: C: September 21, 2025

     YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS!

Introduction: Today, Jesus gives us three separate statements about money and material things. In the first statement Jesus says: "Use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity." On the one hand, Jesus warns us about the temporary nature of wealth; on the other hand, Jesus is suggesting how to use our wealth wisely. In the second statement Jesus says: "The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great." While earthly things have their own intrinsic value, they are not as great as eternal life. Yet, the use of those little things of this world will eventually determine our rewards in heaven. In His third statement Jesus says: "You cannot serve God and wealth." We cannot be totally committed to the cause of God if we are excessively concerned about making money. 

First Reading: Amos 8: 4 to 7

Second Reading: 1Timothy 2: 1 to 8

Gospel Reading: Luke 16: 1 to 13

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Amos. Amos was a great champion of social justice during his time. He severely criticizes the exploitative structures of the society of that time. He announces the Lord God's wrath on those who oppress and persecute the poor. He strongly condemns and deprecates the so called 'religious' people waiting impatiently for the Sabbath to end so that they can get on with their dishonest and nefarious activities. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul urges Timothy to lead his community in offering prayers, intercession, adoration and thanksgiving to God especially for those who hold public office. Because God wants everyone to be saved.

Faithfulness in little = Faithfulness in much                                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus narrates the parable of the dishonest manager. When the manager is about to be dismissed from his job by his master, he cleverly makes friendship with his master's debtors by reducing their debt which they owe to the master. Deals are made and his future is secured. Jesus does not commend the dishonesty of the man but praises him for his resourcefulness and cleverness to deal with a crisis situation, making use of his master's wealth, which is temporary. Jesus urges us and warns us to be more enterprising in using worldly things for gaining eternal life. In the second part of today's Gospel, Jesus warns us that no one can serve two masters: God and Mammon. These two do not go together. If we are too much attached to worldly possessions, God takes a back seat in our lives and slowly and surely God is soon forgotten. We cannot be faithful and devoted to two masters. So also with God and Mammon (in Aramaic Mammon means riches/treasure). Hence, Jesus' message for us is that the only way we can be trusted with possession or wealth is if they do not 'possess' us. In this context L.P. Smith says: "Those who set out to serve both God and Mammon soon discover that there is no God." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "God  does not create poverty. We do because we do not share what we have." 

Conclusion: In today's parable of the dishonest servant, we have a strange character whom Jesus holds up as a model for us! In simple language, he is a scoundrel. Yet, Jesus says we could learn something from him. Here is a man totally dedicated to achieving a smart way of life based on money and what it could buy. In the society today, we meet many such persons. How money talks! How many doors open to it? In reality it is the only god worshipped by many. To some extent, we are all bitten by this bug. Jesus invites us to show the commitment and hard work in pursuit of goodness, compassion and love for the neighbour especially the lost and the least. 

May the Lord Jesus, who warns us about the dangers of worldly possessions, bless you and give you the strength to trust in God more than anything that the world offers. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, September 21, 2025." Thanks.) 

Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year: C: September 14, 2025

 OUR LOVING AND MERCIFUL GOD  :The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. 

Introduction: Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the triumph of the Holy Cross. Jesus was crucified in AD 33 and the original cross was lost for many years. By the efforts of St. Helena for many years, Holy Cross was re-discovered from the ruins in AD 326. Until the year 614, the main portion of the Cross was kept in Jerusalem. The city was invaded by Persians in that year and the Holy Cross was taken to Persia. However, in AD 629, Heraclius of the Byzantine empire brought back the Holy Cross to Jerusalem, where it is venerated. This feast was instituted by the Church to commemorate the return of the Holy Cross to Jerusalem. As we celebrate this feast, we are reminded of the words of St. Paul that Jesus, being obedient unto death on a cross, brought salvation to the whole world. Thus Cross symbolizes our own redemption and the great sacrifice of the Lord for all of us. 

First Reading: Exodus 32: 7 to 11 and 13 to 14

Second Reading: 1Timothy 1: 12 to 17

Gospel Reading: Luke 15: 1 to 10

   *First reading is from the book of Exodus. The chosen people of God disobey the Lord God and go away from the love of the Lord God.  They turn their back on their Lord and saviour who brought them out of the slavery of Egypt. They go after other gods and worship idols made with human hands. The Lord God wants to destroy the rebellious and disobedient people. But Moses pleads with the Lord God for the people of Israel who committed sins and became idolaters. The Lord God listens to the plea of Moses and spares them from destruction and punishment.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul recalls his sinful past and expresses his gratefulness and thanks to God and for the infinite mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. He affirms that Christ came into the world to save sinners. Through his own conversion Paul experiences the love and mercy of God. 

The Good Shepherd                                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus graphically illustrates for us the love and mercy of God for the least and the lost ones through two parables: The parable of the Good Shepherd and the parable of the lost coin. The Pharisees complain that Jesus is socializing with sinners and outcasts of the society. In this context, Jesus narrates the two parables. In the first parable, Jesus portrays God as a shepherd who has 100 sheep. When one of them is lost, he leaves the other 99 and goes in search of the lost one. The shepherd goes after the lost one because of two reasons: First of all, the lost sheep by itself cannot find its way back. Secondly, the shepherd loves everyone of his sheep and he is greatly disturbed when one of them is lost. Similarly, the heavenly Father, when we His children go astray and get lost, is in great pain. The Good Shepherd searches for the lost one till He finds it. The second parable is about the lost coin. A woman has 10 coins in her possession. When one of them is lost, she searches diligently for the lost one till she finds it. The lost coin might be part of her ancestral possessions representing the most precious possession and her future security. (As suggested by some of the biblical scholars) She relentlessly searches for it until she finds the lost coin. When she finally finds it, she is filled with great joy. Hence, no matter how deep we fall or how far we wander from the loving and merciful God, He never ever gives up. He searches for us until He finds us. Everyone -the least and the lost- is very very important and precious in the sight of God. In this context, St. Augustine says: "There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future." 

Conclusion: All of us have had some experiences of being 'lost'. To be in sin is to be lost, to be away from the love of the Father. But we also have had some experiences of being 'found' by the Lord, the Good Shepherd. In our world today, there are many 'lost' ones - lost morally, spiritually, in many and various ways of the world. Many of them are lost because there is no one to take interest in them, to love them and to guide them. We who have experienced the love and mercy of the Good Shepherd are expected to share that love and mercy with the least and to the lost. 

May the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, bless you and may you experience His love and mercy everyday 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, September 14, 2025." Thanks.) 

Twenty-third Sunday of the Year: C: September 7, 2025

               THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

Introduction: The challenges of becoming a disciple of Jesus are amply explained in today's Gospel. Discipleship is a serious commitment that requires much thought and careful deliberation. It is a venture that demands total dedication. Everything else become secondary if Jesus is to be the Lord of our life. When Jesus says that we must hate our family members, He is using a semitic expression meaning that we must give the first preference to Him and to nothing else. 

First Reading: Wisdom 9: 13 to 18

Second Reading: Philemon 9 to 10 and 12 to 17

Gospel Reading: Luke 14: 25 to 33

   *First reading is from the book of Wisdom. Faced with the great mysteries of the universe, we are ignorant of the meaning, history and the mind of the Lord God. But the Lord God has bestowed us with the gift of wisdom. The Lord God sends His Holy Spirit so that we may always walk in the right path so as to conduct our affairs prudently.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon. Philemon was a Colossian brought to faith in Jesus by Paul. Paul advises Philemon concerning his slave Onesimus who had run away and somehow reached Paul who was in prison. Listening to Paul, Onesimus becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus. Paul urges Philemon to take back Onesimus not as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ. 

Renunciation: An important requirement for discipleship                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus explains the cost of becoming a disciple to His followers. These instructions are given in the context of the fact that many wanted to become His disciples. Jesus tells them the following: 1. They should evaluate and count the cost of being His disciples. 2. Jesus demands that he/she should hate one's family and even one's own very self. 3. A disciple of Jesus has to take up his/her crosses daily and follow Him. Hence, Jesus makes it clear that one must be ready to sacrifice one's dearest things in life: Family ties and one's own very life. In certain situations in life, a disciple may have to choose between Jesus and what is very dear to him/her. Jesus elaborates this message of renunciation through two parables. 1. One who intends to build a tower needs to sit down and estimate the cost of completing it. Later if he/she is unable to finish the work, he/she will become a laughing stock for others. 2. A king who goes to war against another king has to first sit down and evaluate the possibility of winning the war with his current resources. It not, he looks for terms of peace to settle the conflict. Jesus makes it very clear that discipleship has to be taken seriously. It could mean that a disciple has to undergo many sufferings, persecutions and even death. The history of the Church constantly reminds us that discipleship had cost much suffering and bloodshed throughout the centuries. As in any sphere of life, one has to weigh the pros and cons before taking a final decision. Hence, one must calculate the cost before venturing to become a disciple of Jesus. Accepting the crosses gives us immense graces that will lead us to eternal life. Blessed Mother Mary is the perfect example of true discipleship. In this context, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "The first call which every Christian experiences is the call to abandon the attachment to this world." D. M. Bickerstaff says: "The key (to discipleship) is not to ignore life's demands but simply to integrate them to your life of faith. That is why Jesus teaches that we are to seek the kingdom first and then all else will be provided." Again, Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: "To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more self." 

Conclusion: We have to count the cost before we commit ourselves to accompany Jesus on His journey to Jerusalem, where He will die and rise. If we are unwilling to give up our sinful inclinations, or change a lifestyle opposed to the Gospel values, or do not want to make some sacrifices to lend a helping hand to our neighbour, we can't call ourselves true disciples of Jesus. Whatever may be our losses in this life due to our commitment to the Lord, we can be confident that it is nothing compared to the heavenly glory that we will experience at the resurrection.

May the Lord Jesus, who gave His life for our salvation, bless you and grant you the grace to follow Him with total commitment. 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, September 7, 2025." Thanks.)