Twenty second Sunday of the Year: A: August 30, 2026

               THE CHALLENGES OF DISCIPLESHIP

Introduction: Today's liturgy challenges us to say 'no' to the very attractive but one-sided idea of power and glory at all cost. In the first reading, Prophet Jeremiah finds it difficult to accept Lord God's call and preach His Word. He has to suffer much and be punished like a criminal. In the Gospel Jesus speaks about His own suffering and death. He has to endure  pain and humiliation on the cross. Blessed Mother suffered in silence. It was not easy for the many men and women Saints who faced rejection, pain and much sufferings to follow the Lord. Our faith demands us to recognise that the crosses and contradictions in our lives are necessary steps in following our Lord and Master. 

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 7 to 9

Second Reading: Romans 12: 1 to 2

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 21 to 27

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah bitterly complains about the painful situation that he is facing: Fierce opposition, insults, reproach and derision from the people. He is despised by everyone because he is speaking for the Lord God. Trusting in the power of the Lord God, he begs the Almighty that he be able to continue the mission entrusted to him.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul urges the Christian community at Rome not to be influenced by the worldly ways of people around them. He pleads with them to live their lives as living sacrifices holy and acceptable to the Lord. 

Gaining life and losing life                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus explains to His disciples His imminent rejection at Jerusalem and His death on the cross. This revelation shocks the disciples. Their dreams of having power and glory in His kingdom lay shattered. They do not want to accept such a situation. Consequently, Peter and others protest and try to persuade Jesus: That such an event should never happen to Him. Listening to them, Jesus tells Peter: "Get behind me Satan." Jesus tells him not to be a stumbling block to the plan of God. It is indeed surprising that Peter, who was praised by the Lord and was told that he would become the rock on which the Church would be built (Matthew 16:18) turned out to be a stumbling block to the plan of God. What a total turn of events! It is a clear warning for everyone, especially those who exercise authority in the Church and in the community. In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus tells His followers the challenges of being His disciples. To be a disciple would mean that he/she should take up one's cross and follow the Lord in the most difficult and challenging situations in life. He warns us that those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for His sake will find it. 

Conclusion: In catechism class, a teacher was explaining the stations of the cross. They got to the fourth station where Jesus on the road to Calvary, meets His beloved mother. The teacher explained at length that even though the mother and Son could not talk to each other, they spoke through their eyes. She asked the children: "What do you think they said to each other?" After a brief silence, one child said: "It is unfair." Another said: "Why me?" Finally a little child got up and said: "Keep on going, my Son." Why would a mother encourage her only son on the way to crucifixion? Because the Blessed Mother understood the life and message of Jesus: "No cross, no crown." Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?" This is the challenge Jesus puts before us everyday of our lives. It we put ourselves at the centre of our lives, we will fail. But if we put Jesus at the centre of our lives, we will surely succeed. The Lord wants us to be His authentic and genuine disciples. 

May the Lord Jesus, who gave His life for the salvation of the world, bless you and give you the grace to put Him at the centre of your life. Amen.

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Twentieth Sunday of the Year: A: August 16, 2026

JESUS PROMISES SALVATION TO ALL 

Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to be open to the ways of God in saving people of various religions, castes, languages and ethnic origins. In the first reading Prophet Isaiah looks beyond the chosen people of God. He affirms that the Lord God's salvation is inclusive of everyone, no matter to what religion or race they belong. All they need is faith in the Lord God. In the Gospel this fact is illustrated when a Canaanite woman (a non-Jew) approaches Jesus and requests Him to heal her daughter possessed by a demon. After initial hesitation, listening to her persistent appeal, Jesus grants her wish and her daughter is healed. 

First Reading: Isaiah 56: 1 and 6 to 7

Second Reading: Romans 11: 13 to 15 and 29 to 32

Gospel Reading: Matthew 15: 21 to 28

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah looks forward to a time when salvation for all nations and races is granted by the Lord God. He affirms that the salvation promised by the Lord God is inclusive of all: It is not limited to one's nationality, race or religious affiliations. It is open to everyone who worships the Lord God with sincerity of heart, no matter where they come from. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul explains to the Christians at Rome that God never takes back His call and His gifts. He affirms that in order to receive the gifts of God and to live His call, we have to accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We receive the mercy of God by turning away from our sinful ways and by turning to the love of God. 

Jesus heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. A Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter who is possessed by a demon. At that time, Jews and Canaanites had a hostile relationship. At first, Jesus does not respond to the woman's desperate pleas. The disciples are disturbed and they too plead with Jesus to grand her request. Jesus cites the reason for His inaction. He tells them that His ministry is limited to the Jews. It is not reasonable that the bread of the children is given to the house dogs. He has come to bring back the lost sheep of Israel. However, this woman does not take Jesus' no for an answer. She persists with her request. She humbly accepts her unworthiness and tells Jesus: "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Hearing her reply, Jesus praises her faith and grants her wish and her daughter is healed. In this context Bishop Desmond Tutu says: "God's dream is that you and I and all of us realise that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness and for compassion." St. Thomas Merton says: "The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings which are part of one another and all involved in one another." 

Conclusion: This miracle story illustrates to us the following: 1. We need to be persistent in our prayers even when our prayers are not immediately answered. 2. No one is to be denied of God's love, mercy and healing touch because he or she does not belong to a particular caste, race or a particular religious tradition. We should never take a negative and fascist way of looking at others. All are God's children, even those whom we consider illiterate, outcast, or worthless. God takes care of each of them. The Canaanite woman in the Gospel is the teacher of servants of God. 

May the Lord Jesus, who healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman and praised her faith, bless you and heal you from all your infirmities and evil inclinations. Amen. 

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Nineteenth Sunday of the Year : A: August 9, 2026

JESUS SAYS: "IT IS I, DO NOT BE AFRAID" 

Introduction: Faith plays an important part in our lives. Today's liturgy speaks to us about the faith of the Prophet Elijah who trusts in the promises of the Lord God even when his enemies are trying to kill him. In the Gospel we have the disciples who are frightened by seeing Jesus walking on the sea. Jesus assures them that it is He. Peter adventurously starts walking on the waters but sinks when he doubts. The question asked by Jesus is: "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?" Jesus asks this question to us when we are distressed, broken-hearted and have lost sight of the Lord in our lives.

 First Reading: 1Kings 19: 9 and 11 to 13

 Second Reading: Romans 9: 1 to 5 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 14: 22 to 33

   *First reading is from the first book of Kings. The most distressing situation of Prophet Elijah is described. Elijah is fleeing for his life because his enemies are trying to kill him. When everything seems  lost, Elijah hears the voice of the Lord God. It comes to him not in a mighty wind or in a powerful earthquake. But it comes to him in the gentle breeze. Prophet Elijah's experience reminds us that the Lord God comes to us in the most unexpected way and at an unexpected time to reassure us. He comes not with powerful and awesome signs but in the silence of our hearts and in gentle whispers. We have to be attentive and listen to Him.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul narrates his sorrows and anguish to the Christian community at Rome. He suffers because his fellow Jews refuse to accept the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Messiah. He expresses his willingness to forgo everything he has for the sake of the Jews who are not willing to become sons of God through the mediation of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus walks on the sea                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. A detailed account of how Jesus miraculously walks on the sea and comes to the disciples who are on a boat is given. Whole day long, Jesus had been breaking the Word of God to the people and healing many who were sick and possessed by demons. At sunset, His disciples go on a boat to the other side of the sea of Galilee. At daybreak, when it is still dark, Jesus comes to them walking on the sea. The disciples are terrified because they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus immediately assures them: "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." In the second part of the Gospel, seeing Jesus walk on the sea, Peter expresses his wish to walk on the sea. Jesus grants him the wish. Peter ventures into the sea and begins to walk on the water, focusing on Jesus. However, the moment he takes his gaze away from the Lord, he starts sinking. Jesus rebukes him saying: "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?" In this context St. John Paul II says: "Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you." Nelson Mandela says: "I learned that courage was not absence of fear, but the triumph over it." 

Conclusion: Jesus assures the disciples of His living presence and asks them not to have any fear. The same Jesus gives each one of us His assurance when we are worried and frightened by many seen and unseen ghosts of this world. He says: "Have no fear." Like Peter, many of us have gone through the sinking experience some time or other. In the stormy waters, we have only to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus. When moments of doubts cause us to sink like Peter, we too should call out to the Lord. He will certainly reach out to us. 

May the Lord Jesus, who assured the disciples that 'It is I, do not be afraid,' bless you so that you too may experience His divine protection from all dangers. Amen. 

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