Eleventh Sunday of the Year:C

"FORGIVENESS TO THE REPENTANT SINNER"

First Reading: 2 Samuel 12: 7-10,13
Second Reading: Galatians 2: 16, 19-21
Gospel Reading: Luke 7: 36-50

   * First reading is from the second book of Samuel. In this passage, Prophet Nathan confronts King David and tells him that he has sinned against the Lord God by taking Uriah's wife and later killing Uriah by his orders. Nathan expressed his anguish that the King has done such a crime in spite of the innumerable blessings God had showered on him. King David readily admitted his wrong doings and repented. Then the Prophet assured the King that the Lord God has forgiven him. Repentance is a prerequisite for being forgiven by God.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. In this passage, Paul tells the people that Christ has become the centre of his life.: the Christ who loved him and died for him. He expresses his deep belief that "it is  no longer I who live, that Christ lives in me" Paul is sure that all his strength come from being united with the Lord.

"Jesus Forgives the Sinful Woman "
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage, narrates the story of Jesus meeting two types of people at the house of Simon the Pharisee. One a sinful woman who realized her sinful past and repented of it. The other , Simon the Pharisee , who considered himself holy , self righteous and needs no repentance.
Jesus was gentle and loving in His approach to the sinful woman. She expressed her sorrow by her tears and later kissed the feet of Jesus and anointed them with costly ointment. The Pharisee on the other hand, did not do the customary greetings and was critical of the woman and Jesus. In his heart he blamed Jesus for such an incident.
Knowing the thoughts of Simon, Jesus told him firmly about his own lack of respect and decorum for the guest in his house. Jesus then told him that love transcends all sins and wrong doings and her sins which are many are totally forgiven. Jesus wiped away all her sinful past with His consoling and reassuring words:"Your faith has saved you, go in peace, sin no more". By treating this woman with kindness and forgiveness, Jesus helped her to be reconciled with God and her hurting past. Jesus challenged Simon to see his own shortcomings.The same Jesus challenges us too to see our own sinfulness and shortcomings and return to the Lord and not to be judgmental of others.
"Repentance is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity" - John Milton.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine"- Alexander Pope
"God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination" - St. Augustine.

Tenth Sunday of the Year:C

"RAISING THE DEAD TO LIFE"

First Reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Second Reading: Galatians 1: 11-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 7: 11-17

   * First reading is from the first book of Kings. This passage describes a sad event, the death of a widow's son in whose house Prophet Elijah was staying during the sever famine there. The woman was in great distress. Seeing her sorrow, Prophet Elijah prayed to God and the child was brought back to life. After witnessing this great miracle, the woman acknowledged that Elijah was a man of God and a great prophet.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Galatians. In this passage, Paul tries to explain to the Christians in Galatia that the Gospel preached by him is not of human origin but is through the revelation of Jesus Christ as hence it is of divine origin. Paul defends his authority to preach the Gospel and the truth of his doctrine. although in his former days as a Pharisee he persecuted the Church of God and tried to destroy it.

"Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Naim"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage gives us an account of the happening at Naim when Jesus and His disciples went to that city. A widow's only son had died and his life less body was being carried to be buried when Jesus and His disciples arrived there. Seeing the widow's sorrow and pain, Jesus was moved with compassion . Jesus touched the bier and said, "Young man, I say to you, arise" and immediately, the dead man regained life. Jesus raised to life the young man and brought consolation and hope for a distressed widow. People in the city recognized Jesus as a great prophet and a man of God.
Compassion for the suffering and pain of those in distress is an essential quality of every follower of Christ. We should not be found wanting when people are faced with unexpected loses and sorrows.
"Christ came to be Father's compassion to the world. Be kind in your actions" Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others" - Albert Schweitzer.
"By compassion we make other's misery our own, and so, by relieving them we relieve ourselves also"- Thomas Browne. 

Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday :C

"FEAST OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

First Reading: Genesis 14: 18-20
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel Reading : Luke 9: 11-17

   * First reading is from the book of Genesis. This passage gives us the details of Melchizedek, the King of Salem meeting Abraham. Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham and made profession of faith in one true God. In Christian tradition,the symbol of bread and wine is a pre-figuration of Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage, Paul tells the Christians in Corinth regarding the first Eucharistic celebration at the last Supper. Paul explains to them and us that when we celebrate the Eucharist, we are not merely making present Christ's Body and Blood , but we are in fact reenacting His death by which Jesus saved us.

"The Miracle of Loaves"
Today's Gospel reading is from Luke. In this passage, we have the details of multiplication of five loaves and two fish by Jesus in the desert. He fed five thousand people by this miracle. Jesus worked this miracle in the desert so that people who followed Him may not die due to hunger on their return journey home. Later on, He shared His Body and Blood at the last Supper for us, so that, we may have eternal life by participating in the Eucharist.
There are four main reasons why we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi.
1. First of all, this feat is celebrated to reaffirm our faith,  that Jesus is truly and really present in the Eucharistic Bread and Wine. The bread and wine we receive in the Eucharist is transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
2. Secondly, this  feast is celebrated  as a reparation for all the blasphemy, irreverence and dishonour done to the Eucharistic Lord.
3. Thirdly, this feast is celebrated to give thanks for all the graces we  have received through the Blessed Sacrament.
4. Fourthly, this feast is to make us aware of the great gift of Eucharist and the need to receive Holy Communion frequently to give spiritual nourishment.
"May the Body and Blood of Christ give us eternal life"
"God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament  of the altar"- St. Maximillon Kolbe
"In each of our lives, Jesus comes as Bread of life- to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us"- Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven"- St. Jerome.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity: Sunday:C

HOLY TRINITY:ONE GOD,THREE PERSONS

First Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel Reading: John 16: 12-15

   *First reading is from the book of Proverbs. This passage describes the Wisdom of God which came into existence before the whole of creation-the earth and all that it contains, and the heavens and everything in it. Hence, the idea of Wisdom was a pre-figuration of the revelation of the mystery of Holy Trinity. Wisdom here stands for the Son of God,(the eternal Word) who existed from the beginning. 

   * Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Romans. This passage explains to us the Trinitarian aspect of God. We experience peace with God through Jesus. This gives us the hope of sharing in His glory, a hope which sustains us even in times of sufferings and pain. Love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Therefore is is the Holy Spirit who helps us to recognize the Father's love for us.

The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage speaks of Jesus' promise of the  Holy Spirit to his disciples. The work of the Holy Spirit is manifold: that is to guide us into all truth and to give us guidance for future by declaring what is to come. Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.
The Feast of Holy Trinity reminds us that there is only one God but three persons,each living in harmony and perfect unity. This mystery is not something to argue about or even to study. It is more of something to pray about and live. The Christian lives in the world of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. We need to realize that God is my Father, I am His child. He loves me even though I am unworthy of His love. Christ the Son of God is my brother. He died and brought salvation for me. Through Him all other people have become my brothers and sisters. And the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between us all.
Let our prayer to the Holy Trinity be, that we too may experience the same love and unity which is in Trinity.
"Given that God the Father is both personal and supremely good, it is proper to think of Him as loving a person from eternity. This other person is the Son and the love between them is the Holy Spirit."- St.Thomas Aquinas (on Trinity)
"The only way to engage God is to meet one of the three in time. We meet the Father as creator, the Son as Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the dispenser of God's Grace"-T. Wilson.

Fifth Sunday of the Year: C

       "THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP"

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8,11
Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. This passage gives some details of the call of Prophet Isaiah. He was called by God to be a prophet: but Isaiah acknowledged his unworthiness in the presence of God. God then purified him from his sins and appointed him to be His prophet. Isaiah immediately responded to God' call.

   * Second reading is from the fist letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage, Paul emphatically affirms  the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This affirmation of Paul is the earliest affirmations of the early Church on the resurrection of Jesus. Further, Paul acknowledges that he is the least of all the Apostles, unfit to be called an Apostle, because he had earlier persecuted the Church.

"The Call of the First Disciples"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. This passage narrates the miraculous catch of fish by Peter and his companions and subsequent call of the first disciples by Jesus. When Peter realized that he is faced with an extraordinary miracle, an intervention of God through the person of Jesus, he acknowledged his own unworthiness and fell at the feet of Jesus. When Peter and his companions , James and John realized that the nearness of God, they fell on their knees just like men condemned to death, pleading for their lives. Jesus told them not to be afraid but to follow Him. Responding to Jesus' invitation, they brought their boats ashore, left everything they possessed and followed him. They lost their lives but won new ones.
Often, we too are afraid to be touched by God. It is too demanding and dangerous, because, we are afraid to be caught, afraid to be send by Him. Jesus who encountered Peter, James and John is inviting us too.
"It is not good to be too near a King, except when you are called and even such a call is a bad sign" - Ancient saying
"Christ did not appoint professors, but followers" -Soren Kierkegaard
"When Christ calls a man, he bid him come and die"- Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

The Feast of Epiphany :C

"WISE MEN FROM THE EAST VISIT CHRIST CHILD"

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage, the Prophet gives us a vision of the restored city of Jerusalem. In spite of darkness and gloom, the  Prophet assures the people , that the Lord will come in splendor and glory and as a light that shines on the people. There will be great rejoicing and abundance of wealth in the land.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. In this passage, the Apostle, explains the universality of salvation, that God invites all - both Jews and Gentiles(includes all non Jews) alike to share on an equal footing the salvation won by Christ. All are members of the same body and co-partners in the promise of Christ Jesus.

"Manifestation of Christ Child"
Epiphany comes from the Greek work "epiphainein" which means to reveal. This points to the manifestation of Christ to all nations as represented by the three wise men (Magi) from the east. The three wise men came searching for Christ. They found Him, worshiped Him , and offered precious gifts. From that day, millions of people have followed them and came to Christ the Lord.
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage gives an account of how the three wise men from the east came to Bethlehem seeing a special star. Guided by the star, they reached Jerusalem and went and met King Herod looking for some guidance from the king ;regarding the birth of Christ. Herod summoned his advisers and took their opinion. They referred to prophecies of old and told the wise men that the New King is expected to be born in Bethlehem. Hearing the news, the wise men left Herod's palace and went in search of the Child Jesus in Bethlehem. They recognized the Child Jesus, Mother Mary and paid their respects and offered their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Three important messages are given in today's Gospel story:
1. It speaks of the journey of the three wise men from the east to Jerusalem  a far away and unknown place in search of Christ Child. The journey of theirs is a symbol of the search for truth by genuine seekers of God.
2. The meeting of wise men with Herod tells us that people in authority and power symbolized by Herod , try to suppress and destroy truth and God's message and messengers.
3. The wise men reached Bethlehem and paid homage to Christ Child and received blessings. It is a touching story of all moments of grace. There is joy of recognition of God, and His presence and total surrender to God  which is symbolized by their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Thirty First Sunday of the Year: B: Feast of All Saints

"REMEMBERING THE SAINTS"

Fist Reading: Apocalypse 7: 2-4. 9-14
Second Reading: 1 John 3: 1-3
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12

   * Fist reading is from the book of Apocalypse (Revelations). This passage gives a vivid vision of the victorious followers of Christ in the heavenly Kingdom. They are from every nation, race, tribe and language. Hence the universality of salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb) in whose blood they were washed clear is pointed out.

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. In this passage, St. John tells us that in heaven, we are going to see God as He is. However, we are asked to be like Christ  here on earth to have this vision of God.

"The Beatitudes"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage gives the discourse of Jesus on the mountain where the "Beatitudes" are described. These are the qualities  that Jesus wishes to see in His disciples. These are the qualities exemplified in the lives of Saints.
In the "Beatitudes" we see the reversal of values in the Kingdom of God opposed to the values of the world. 
1. Blessed are the poor- opposed to the rich who are considered blessed in the world.
2.Blessed are those who mourn - opposed to those who enjoy life in the world.
3. Blessed are the meek - opposed to those who are proud.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst - opposed to those who have their fill in the world.
5. Blessed are the merciful - opposed to those who are cruel and arrogant.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart - opposed to those who manipulate and deceive others .
7. Blessed are the peace makers - opposed to  those who are war mongers.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted and suffer all kinds of evil.- opposed to those who do not face any sufferings and pain and enjoy life at the expense of others.
Saints are people who are blessed by Jesus because they lived lives according to Gospel values. Saints are people with moral and spiritual values whose concern is the need of the neighbour. To be part of the company of saints we must accept the path of Jesus in our life journey and  be blessed in return.