Second Sunday of Easter: B: April 7, 2024

            DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY                                                                            (The healing touch of the Risen Lord and He clears doubts)

First Reading: Acts 4: 32-35

Second Reading: 1 John 5: 1-6

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-31

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid account of the life of the early Christian community is portrayed. The risen Lord has a decisive and lasting influence on the lives of His followers. Their unity of heart and mind is truly praise-worthy and commendable. It is a community totally faithful to the Gospel values where believers share their faith and share their possessions. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John exhorts the Christian community to live a life of love. He reminds us that every Christian is a child of God. Hence, he/she shows his/her love for God by keeping the commandments of God. 

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The disciple at the center of today's Gospel narrative is Thomas. Thomas is a deeply wounded and broken man. When Jesus his master and friend is put to death on that tragic Friday, he is in deep pain and leaves the company of the other Apostles. As a result, he is unable to meet the risen Lord when He appears to the other disciples on Easter Sunday. Later, he comes to know about the appearance of the risen Lord and he is deeply hurt by the turn of events. After eight days, when the Lord appears again to all of them, He calls Thomas and shows His wounds to him. They are the proof of His love for them. Then the Lord invites Thomas to touch those precious wounds and be healed of his unbelief. Thus it is by touching and being touched that Thomas is healed of his doubts, unbelief, grief and pain. What Jesus told Thomas that day should ring in our ears whenever we are in doubt: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe". The world today is full of doubting Thomas(es). Many do not believe that Christ is risen and we can truly experience the power of the risen Lord in our lives. They will not be convinced unless they touch His wounds and see the radiance of His face. But this can happen only if the risen Lord is seen in His followers. For that we ourselves need to experience the powerful presence of the risen Lord. 

"The key to wisdom is this - constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning, we arrive at the truth." - Peter Abelard

"Jesus' willingness to accommodate Thomas' unbelief is a reminder that God can handle our doubts."    - David D Flowers

"Doubting Thomas uttered the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible." - Dr. R. F. Wilson

Easter Sunday: B: March 31, 2024

               THE LORD IS RISEN ! ALLELUIA

First Reading: Acts 10: 34 and 37- 43

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles give a powerful and convincing testimony regarding the life of Jesus: His death on the cross on that tragic Friday and His resurrection from the dead on the third day, Easter Sunday. The Apostles had the unique privilege of meeting the Risen and glorified Lord personally; sharing meals with Him and experiencing His re-assuring and life-giving presence. He assures them that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul explains to the Colossian Christian community  and all of us that through our baptism we share in the life of the Risen Lord. Hence we have to set our minds on heavenly things and not on earthly matters. Paul assures us that all who believe in the Lord will share in the glory of the Risen Lord. 

The discovery of the empty tomb and its significance in the resurrection of Jesus                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed description of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is given. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus is Mary Magdalene. She finds that the tomb of Jesus is empty. She thinks that the body of Jesus is taken away by someone. She hurriedly goes and reports the matter to the Apostles. Peter and John, two of the Apostles go to the tomb and find it to be empty. The truth of what the scriptures had foretold gradually begin to dawns upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But it gives a very strong indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. Later on, many of the disciples experience the presence of the Risen Lord as He appears to them on various occasions. Their faith is strengthened by those comforting and life-giving experiences. They finally realize that Jesus is truly risen from the dead. In our case too, although we have the testimony of the Apostles and other disciples that Jesus is risen, we need to experience the comforting presence of the Risen Lord personally and be strengthened in our faith.

MAY THE RISEN LORD BLESS YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH.                              WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY EASTER!

"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison but a passage into God's presence. Easter says, you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." - C. W. Hall

"The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it DOES NOT CONTAIN" - S. Morris

"Christ the Lord is risen today. Sons of men and angels say: Raise you joys and triumphs high! Sing ye heavens and earth reply." - C. Wesley 

Palm Sunday: B: March 24, 2024

HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID (The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem)

Processional Gospel: Mark 11: 1-10

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel Reading: Mark 14: 1 to 15: 41

   *With Palm Sunday, we begin the Holy week celebrations. Today we recall to mind Jesus' entry into the city of Jerusalem to accomplish the Pascal mystery. The memorial of that historical event is celebrated during the holy Mass with the blessing of palms followed by procession. Gospel from St. Mark gives us a glimpse of the events of that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Pascal Feast. Thousands of people are in the city. Jesus begins His journey from the village of Bethsaida. He sits on a colt and enters the city with people shouting : "Hosanna to the Son of David". Jesus openly acknowledges  that He is indeed a humble King and the long-awaited Messiah (the anointed one). By His triumphant entry, Jesus invites us to acknowledge Him as our King and Messiah.  

   *First reading is from the book of Isaiah. Prophet Isaiah speaks of the suffering servant of the Lord God, the one who in spite of sufferings and rejection, carries out his mission. He totally trusts in the providence and the guidance of the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. Paul firmly asserts that Jesus was indeed in the form of God. But He becomes human and He humbles Himself and becomes obedient unto death so that we all might be saved. Jesus accepts death on the cross but the Father has made Him Lord of heaven and earth. Paul reminds us that humiliation, sufferings and death are necessary pre-condition to enter into heavenly glory. 

The Passion narrative                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark's narration of the passion and death of Jesus. In the first part of today's Gospel, we have the scene from the Last Supper where Jesus institutes the Eucharist and gives Himself to His beloved disciples in the form of bread and wine. In the second part, Jesus prays at the garden of Gethsemane where He is deeply disturbed and troubled. In the garden, Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and later Peter denies Him three times. In the third and final part, Jesus is condemned to die on the cross by the Roman Governor Pilate who was pressurized by the Jewish authorities. When Jesus hangs on the cross, He is derided and ridiculed. At the point of death of Jesus, a Roman soldier makes a profession of faith in the crucified Son of God. The happenings of the Holy week give us an opportunity to look at our own lives. We must accept our many sins and failures. Let us stop blaming circumstances and other people. What shines out from this dark week is the bright light of Christ's love for us. LET THE PASSION STORY INSPIRE US TO TRY IN OUR OWN WAY TO IMITATE THE CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 

"Palm Sunday tells us that... it is the cross that is the true tree of life." - Pope Benedict XVI

"Ride on... ride on in majesty. In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, thy triumph now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin." - Henry H Millman

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent: B: March 17, 2024

THE GRAIN OF WHEAT MUST DIE TO BEAR FRUIT

First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 7-9

Gospel Reading: John 12: 20-23

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will not forsake them. He tells them that the Lord God will make a new covenant with Israel. The knowledge of the Lord God and His unconditional forgiveness will be the hallmark of the new covenant. The new covenant will be written in their hearts and the Lord God will not remember their sins anymore. This is the wonderful assurance given by the Lord for everyone of us. 

   *Second reading is from the book of Hebrews. A detailed account of the passion and the anguish which Jesus had to undergo is given. He prays with loud cries in moments of His painful sufferings especially during His passion. In this way, He not only gives us an example but also because of us, Jesus becomes the source of eternal life. By His sufferings, Jesus atones for the disobedience of humankind. 

Gaining and losing life                                                                             Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The imminent death of Jesus is predicted. Jesus knows that He has to suffer and die. He must face the loss of His freedom, the loss of His friends, the loss of support from the heavenly Father and finally the loss of His own life. He knows that His pain and losses cannot be avoided if the Father's name is to be glorified. Jesus' radical act of self-giving stands at the center of our lives. Jesus compares Himself to a grain of wheat that dies in order to bear much fruit. The great loss of Jesus' life has become the very ground of our hope. Often, we too are at a loss to explain our own losses: Our sufferings, pains and rejections.  Dying to one's own self would mean sacrificing ourselves for the sake of others. Dying to self is a gradual process. It can be expressed in the following words: "Every act of love involves dying to selfishness. Every act of kindness involves dying to meanness. Every act of courage involves dying to cowardice. Every act of forgiveness involves dying to bitterness." -F. MaCarthy

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd"  is available on YouTube. The link is : Fifth Sunday of Lent: B)

Fourth Sunday of Lent: B: March 10, 2024

 THE UNENDING LOVE OF GOD FOR HUMANKIND

First Reading: 2 Chronicles 36: 14-16 and 19-23

Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 4-10

Gospel Reading: John 3: 14-21

   *First reading is from the second book of Chronicles. Details of the conquest of Israel by Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon is described. Jerusalem temple is totally destroyed by the invading army. The people of Israel are taken to Babylon as captives. They suffer much for over sixty years under Babylon. The Lord God shows mercy and kindness on His chosen people and kindles their hope of liberation when Cyrus becomes the King of Babylon. Through an edict, Cyrus frees them from their slavery and shame.  

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Ephesus and us that God has shown great love and mercy to us. He emphasizes the gratuitousness of the gift of faith we have received. He cautions us not to take our salvation as the fruit of our works but as a result of God's grace working in us. 

God sent His Son Jesus                                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The wonderful and great love of God for humankind is expressed by John. The primary meaning of the passage speaks about our life after death. It gives us an assurance of a continuation of our life after death: That is eternal life. The secondary meaning of this passage tells us about our eternal life even now with the coming of Jesus, the Son of God. God sent His beloved Son to be with us every moment of our lives. If we believe in Jesus, we will live with Him. Through our life united with Jesus, we receive the assurance and the strength to overcome everyone of our crisis and problems. Lent is the chosen time to experience the great love of God through His Son Jesus. 

"When one loves, one does not calculate." - St. Theresa of Lisieux

" Love begins at home and it is not how much we do but how much love we put in that action." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"No reason needed for loving>" - Paulo Coelho

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd"  is available on YouTube for the Fourth Sunday of Lent: B)

Third Sunday of Lent: B: March 3, 2024

              MY HOUSE IS A HOUSE OF PRAYER

First Reading: Exodus 20: 1-17

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 22-25

Gospel Reading: John 2: 13-25

   *First reading is from the book of Exodus. A description of how the Lord God gave ten commandments to Moses is given. Instructions regarding how these commandments are to be observed by the chosen people of God are mentioned. These commandments are the road map for the people to lead a holy life pleasing to the Lord God. They are told to observe them to have the special relationship with Him. Hence, these commandments regulate and govern them to have proper relationship with fellow-humans and the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul is at great pains to explain to the Christian community at Corinth that the crucified Christ is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. But in truth, He is the power and the wisdom of God. 

Jesus cleanses the Jerusalem temple                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The demeaning happenings at the Jerusalem temple when Jesus arrives there with His disciples are narrated. Often in the Gospels we meet a Jesus who is compassionate, kind and forgiving. But in the Gospel narrative, we meet a Jesus who is full of zeal for His Father's house. The context is: The misuse or abuse of the temple and its premises where less of worship of God and more of trading and business was taking place. People from different parts of the world come to Jerusalem temple to offer sacrifices, worship and prayers. As a result, the temple premises looked more like a market place rather than a place of worship. There are money changers, those who sell pigeons, goats and various other sacrificial animals. Jesus is deeply disturbed and pained to see all these unholy activities taking place there. He is disgusted by the constant desecration of the temple and its premises. So He tells them: "You shall not make my Father's house into a house of trade". He makes a whip and drives out all those who are buying and selling and exchanging money. This action of Jesus should make us reflect and stand against any distortion of values in the Church and in the society at large. It is a specific warning for all of us not to make places of worship into places of business. 

"The risen Lord is the new Temple, the real meeting place between God and man." - Pope Benedict XVI

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd" is available on YouTube for 'Third Sunday of Lent:B)

Second Sunday of Lent: B: February 25, 2024

             THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS

First Reading: Genesis 22: 1-2, 9-13 and 15-18

Second Reading: Romans 8: 31-34

Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 2-10

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. The story of Abraham, the father of faith is narrated in detail. In spite of his total faithfulness to the Lord God, Abraham is severely tested by the Lord God. Sara and Abraham are advanced in age when they are blessed with a son as promised by the Lord God. But unexpectedly, the Lord God asks Abraham to offer Isaac  his beloved son as a sacrificial offering. Abraham is confused and heartbroken. But he does not falter and decides to sacrifice Isaac as asked by the Lord God. When about to sacrifice his son, the Lord God spares his son. Instead, Abraham is told to sacrifice a ram. Seeing his total trust and obedience to Him, Abraham is blessed by the Lord God. He is told that his descendants would be as many as the stars in heaven. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul instructs the Christian community in Rome and us that in Jesus we have an intermediary who will never fail us. He assures us that if God is for us, who can be against us? Through these encouraging words, Paul speaks to us about the depth of God's love for us. He reminds us that God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us. 

Jesus' transfiguration on Mount Tabor                                                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. The transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor and subsequent revelations are narrated in detail. Jesus with three of His beloved disciples climbs the mountain. On the mountain top, He is transfigured in the presence of His disciples. He is covered in heavenly glory. The disciples are overwhelmed and are very happy by this heavenly experience. The presence of Moses and Elijah- two towering figures of Old Testament- is a sign that Jesus is the fulfilment of all that had been foretold in the past. Jesus' momentary change of bodily appearance and the voice of the heavenly Father confirms that Jesus is truly sent by God the Father. The transfiguration event is both comforting and challenging for us. It is comforting because we know that our Lord and Saviour Jesus is truly the Son of God and beloved of the Father. It is challenging because the Father invites us to listen to His Son and follow His teachings and be true witnesses to Him in our lives. If we are faithful to the Lord, we too will one day experience His heavenly glory.

"At His transfiguration, Christ showed His disciples the splendor of His heavenly beauty to which He will shape and colour those who are His." - St. Thomas Aquinas

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd" is available on YouTube- Second Sunday of Lent B)