Twenty-third Sunday of the Year: B: September 8, 2024 & Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

            JESUS THE DIVINE HEALER

First Reading: Isaiah 35: 4-7

Second Reading: James 2: 1-5

Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 31-37

Every year on September 8, the Church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our heavenly mother. Let us specially pray to our blessed mother that we may be guided by her and experience her heavenly protection in our daily lives.

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the future happenings that will take place by the power of the Lord God. The Prophet urges those who are losing heart to take courage, for the Lord God is coming to vindicate and save His people. He assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will save His people from various problems they face. He tells them that the blind, the deaf, the lame and the dumb will be healed by the power of the Lord God. This prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfilment in Jesus, the Son of God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle exhorts the members of the Christian community not to be partial to anyone because one is rich or poor. Class distinction has no place among  Christians. He reminds us that the earthly riches or powerful positions in the society are no criterion for any distinctions in the community. Because all are equal before God. 

"He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A detailed description of how Jesus heals a deaf and dumb man is narrated. During His public ministry, Jesus healed many who were sick and those suffering from various infirmities. One such incident is narrated today. A deaf and dumb man is brought to Jesus by some people. Jesus takes him aside to a secluded place and puts His finger into the man's ears. Then He touches the man's tongue with spittle. Jesus then commands,"Ephphatha", which means 'be opened'. Immediately a miracle takes place: The deaf and dumb man is healed by Jesus and he is able to hear clearly and speak fluently. Faculties of hearing and speech are gifts of God. Jesus feels compassion for this unfortunate man who lacked these faculties. By His words and actions Jesus restores those lost faculties and makes him whole. Now it is our turn to realize that Jesus is able to restore all our lost powers, unused and unrecognized talents once we put our trust in the Lord. The touch of the divine healer continues to transform our lives once we totally put our trust in the Lord. Further, by our actions and prayers, we can bring hope and solace to those people who are suffering from various physical and mental ailments and challenges. Jesus not only touches the ears and tongue but He touches the hearts of everyone of us. Jesus invites us to continue His work in our lives. Further, Jesus not only touches us with His divine hands but also uses our human hands to touch others: To sustain the fatherless and the widow, protect the stranger and raise up those bowed down with various challenges in life. In this context Biblical resources say: "At our baptism we were all touched on the ear and mouth. In this way we are in the story and are invited to see ourselves in the man who was cured." St. Teresa of Avila mentions: "I alone cannot do anything. Jesus alone will not do anything. Jesus and I do everything." May the Lord Jesus, who healed the deaf and dumb man and brought wholeness to the unfortunate man, bring His healing touch in the lives of everyone of you and bring wholeness in your lives. May the Blessed Mother accompany you in times of challenging situations in your lives. 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" on Google search. Thanks.)

Twenty-second Sunday of the Year: B: September 1, 2024

 TRUE OBSERVANCE OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (mere lip service is worthless)

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2 and 6-8

Second Reading: James 1: 17-18 and 21-22

Gospel Reading: Mark 7: 1-8 and 14-15 &21-23

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses exhorts the chosen people to follow the statutes and ordinances of the Lord God and keep His commandments in letter and spirit. They are warned not to add anything or deduct anything from them. As a wise and understanding people, they are to observe them meticulously. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. James reminds us that God can be loved and served only by our love for fellow humans: Especially by serving the poor, the orphans, the widows and the needy. He instructs us that we ought to be doers of the word and not merely hearers. By this, we will be doing the will of God. Hence, it is not enough to listen to the word of God. We must put it into practice in our daily lives. 

"You leave the commandments of God and hold fast to traditions."                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. Jesus confronts the Pharisees and the Scribes who accuse His disciples of not observing the traditions and practices of the Jews. This happens in the context of disciples of Jesus eating food without washing their hands as the prevalent Jewish custom demanded. According to their traditions, Jews are expected to wash their hands before eating any food. Jesus explains to them that what really make us impure is not what we eat or what we drink - that which goes into the stomach - but rather, what comes out of our heart: Evil thoughts, desires, fornication, theft, murder and adultery. Hence, Jesus invites us to have a close look at our set practices and traditions; whether they are helping us to have a better relationship with God and other humans. He wants us to have a true conversion of heart which leads to true faith and genuine God-experience. Let us not waste our precious lives in trivial matters but rather give due importance to essential principles of life. It is not enough to do lip service to God and fellow humans but rather, we must serve the fellow humans by concrete actions which come from our heart (cf. James Chapter 1). If all we do is listen to the word without letting it penetrate our hearts and move us to action, then we are no better than the Pharisees and the Scribes. Today Jesus invites us and urges us to consider how we keep the commandments of God. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "Serving the poor is serving God." Mahatma Gandhi on one occasion said: "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." In this context Fr. F. McCarthy says: "It is the heart that matters. It is not clean fingernails or clean teeth or a clean skin that makes a person clean in the sight of God. To be truly clean is to be clean of heart." May the Lord Jesus bless everyone of you and help you to come out of a life of lip service to that of God and humans and step out with your whole heart into what you do for God and other humans. 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." on Google search. Thanks.)

Twenty-first Sunday of the Year: B: August 25, 2024

 LORD, YOU HAVE THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

First Reading: Joshua 24: 1-2 and 15-18

Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 21-32

Gospel Reading: John 6: 60-69

   *First reading is from the book of Joshua. Before his death, Prophet Joshua asks the people of Israel to decide whether to serve the Lord their God or serve other gods. The chosen people affirm their deep faith in the Lord God who liberated them from the slavery of Egypt and who in the past did many great signs and wonders in their midst. They commit their lives in the service of the Lord God.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul speaks about the need of mutual love and respect between husband and wife. He compares this relationship to the love of Christ for the Church. As members of His body, we are constantly being nourished by Christ. In the same way, husband and wife should nourish each other in love.

Will you also go away?                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. John, Chapter 6. After the miracle of multiplication of loaves, Jesus gives an elaborate instruction about the living bread (Eucharist). Jesus firmly tells them that unless they eat His body and drink His blood, they will not have life. They take this teaching literally and many of them could not accept such a teaching. As a result, many who followed Jesus till that day gradually leave Him and no longer follow Him. Seeing this negative reaction of  some of His followers, Jesus puts a very challenging question to the twelve Apostles: "Will you also go away?" Peter's response is immediate. He gives a most reassuring and very important answer which re-affirms the need to stick to Jesus and His teachings. He responds by saying: "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Peter and other Apostles come out of this challenging situation and commit their lives to the Lord. In our moments of doubts and confusion, let us be assured that it is not the Lord who leaves us but often we who leave Him. Right from the days of Jesus, till today, the teaching of Jesus on Eucharist continues to be a dividing force among the believers. Even today, many of the followers of Christ are unable to accept it and those who accept it are often unworthy to receive it. This is expressed by St. Paul in his first letter to Corinthians: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? We who are many are one body for we all partake of the one bread." (1Corinthians 10: 16-17) Prophet Joshua in the Old Testament and the Apostles in the New Testament make a commitment to follow the Lord. They are ready to make sacrifices to carry out their promises. If our commitment is to the Lord, and it has any meaning, we must respond to a crisis with determination, creativity and generosity as Peter and other Apostles did in a crisis situation. Now it is our turn to tell the Lord: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." May the Lord Jesus, who alone can give eternal life, give you the grace to stay with Him always. 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" on Google search. Thanks.)

Twentieth Sunday of the Year: B: August 18, 2024

      JESUS THE GIVER OF ETERNAL LIFE

First Reading: Proverbs 9: 1-6

Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 15-20

Gospel Reading: John 6: 51-58

   *First reading is from the book of Proverbs. Wisdom is personified as a great Lady who has built herself a great mansion. Wisdom invites everyone who is open-minded to take part in the banquet given by her. Wisdom teaches people to walk in the way of insight. It exhorts us to turn aside from the ways of foolishness and turn to the ways of wisdom. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul urges the Christian community at Ephesus to live according to the Christian wisdom they received. He asks them not to be foolish and live unworthy ways but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live always with hearts grateful  to the Lord.  A wise Christian will make the most of the present time, being always alert to the will of God and shaping life accordingly. 

Jesus the Living Bread: A promise of eternal life                                              Today's Gospel is from St. John, Chapter 6. Jesus gives an elaborate teaching on the living bread, the Holy Eucharist. This teaching of Jesus is rather extraordinary and not so easily understood by people at large. For a Jew to eat the body and drink the blood of a person is unthinkable and totally repugnant. Hence, when Jesus tells them that: "The bread which I shall give for the life of the world, is my flesh", many of them protest saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" This teaching of the real presence of the Lord in the Eucharist is culminated at the Last Supper, where Jesus says to the disciples, "This is my body... this is my blood given for you." It is extremely difficult to accept this teaching for an ordinary person except with deep faith in the Lord. But for a true follower of the Lord, there is no option but to accept that Jesus is really and truly present in the Eucharistic bread. Jesus clarifies by saying: "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." (John 6: 53) Hence, by partaking in the Eucharistic meal, a true believer is in communion with the Lord. The early Christian community understood the depth of this teaching of Jesus. Hence, St. John specifically elaborates this teaching in the sixth chapter of his Gospel. Let us try to appreciate this self-gift of the Lord Jesus and accept that He is truly present in the Eucharistic bread. What Jesus gives in the Eucharist is not an illusion. It is real food and real drink. What Jesus gives is not something superficial. It is His own body and His own blood. What Jesus gives is not a temporary gratification. It is a life that will last for ever. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says about the Eucharist: "In the Eucharist I receive the spiritual food which sustains me in all my labours. Without it I could not get through one single day or hour of my life." May the Lord Jesus, who gives His body and blood to us through the bread and wine we share, bless you all abundantly and give you eternal life as the Lord promised. 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" on Google search. Thanks.)

Nineteenth Sunday of the Year: B: August 11, 2024

 JESUS THE LIFE-GIVING BREAD FROM HEAVEN

First Reading: 1 Kings 19: 4-8

Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 30 to 5: 2

Gospel Reading: John 6: 41-51

   *First reading is from the first book of Kings. Prophet Elijah was one of the great prophets of Old Testament. But we meet him here when he is in the depths of despair. To escape from the wicked queen Jezebel, he flees to the desert. An Angel of the Lord God miraculously feeds the Prophet. Elijah is much depressed and dejected before his journey through the desert. However, the Lord God provides him food so that he is strengthened before the tiring journey of forty days and forty nights. Finally he reaches the mountain at Horeb. This event is a pre-figuration of the Eucharistic meal given to us by Jesus to strengthen us in our tiring life's journey. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul urges the Christian community at Ephesus to practice charity and love of the neighbour which is the hall mark of all true followers of Christ. He earnestly asks them to get rid of their past evil ways: Bitterness, anger and slander. Further he asks everyone to forgive one another and live a life worthy of a follower of Christ. 

The bread which I shall give for the world is my flesh                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. After the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus gives His instructions and teachings. Jesus teaches the disciples and us about the imperishable food and eternal life. He says that He is indeed the bread which has come down from heaven. He/she who eats this bread (Jesus), will have eternal life. Many of the Jews who followed Jesus found it hard to accept this teaching. They murmur against Him and reject the life-giving words of the Lord. They resemble the Jews who murmured against Moses and the Lord God in the wilderness. The bread of life for us today is the body of Christ offered on the cross as a sacrifice so that we have eternal life. It is a fact that not only the Jews of that time take offence at this teaching of Jesus: Even today, many people refuse to accept the words of Jesus and refuse to believe in the real presence of the Lord in the Eucharistic bread. In this context, Jesus reminds us: "If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever and the bread which I shall give for the world is my flesh." (John 6: 51) Let us always thank the Lord for this wonderful gift of life-giving bread for us. Saint John Paul II (Pope) says: "From the Eucharist comes strength to live the Christian life and zeal to share that life with others." In this context, St. Thomas Aquinas says: "The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life." Archbishop Fulton J Sheen says about the Eucharist: "The greatest love story of all times is contained in a tiny white Host." May the Lord Jesus, who gives us living bread from heaven to be our bread of life, bless you all and keep you in His love and protection from all evil. May His example inspire to give ourselves too for the life of the world and to find fulness of 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" on Google search. Thanks.)

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year: B: August 4, 2024

                    JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE

First Reading: Exodus 16: 2-4 and 12-15

Second Reading: Ephesians 6: 17 and 20-24

Gospel Reading: John 6: 24-35

  *First reading is from the book of Exodus. On their journey to the promised land, the Jewish people have much struggles through the desert for forty years. When hungry, they bitterly complain and murmur against Moses and the Lord God who liberated them from the slavery of Egypt. The Lord God listens to their complaints and provides them with manna (bread) and quails for their food. Moses tells them that the Lord God is providing them manna (bread). Thus manna becomes the pre-figuration of the living bread (Eucharist) that Jesus gives us for our eternal life. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul urges the Christian community at Ephesus to leave their former nature and former sinful way of life which was corrupt and deceitful. He pleads with them to accept the new way of life in the likeness of God, which is righteousness and holiness. 

Believe in Him, whom God has sent                                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. After Jesus multiplies the loaves and feeds the five thousand, people are very excited and happy with Jesus. They feel that He is a permanent solution to their problems, especially hunger. They are in search of Him. Jesus is not very amused by this situation. He bluntly tells them that they are merely looking for signs and perishable food. After feeding the people with ordinary bread, Jesus offers them something far better: "The bread of eternal life." He takes this opportunity to teach them about the imperishable and life-giving food that will lead them to eternal life. To obtain this eternal life, they have to believe in the one sent by God. After His discourse on eternal life, people ask for a sign from Jesus: Like what Moses did when he gave them food (manna) from heaven. At this juncture, Jesus finally reveals Himself by telling them: "I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me will never thirst" (John 6:35). Often, we too are like the Jews of that time. We too look for various signs and immediate benefits rather than lasting solutions: Short-term happiness, without genuinely looking for lasting and permanent solutions to our problems in life. The great Russian writer Solzhenitsyn puts it this way: "People don't know what they are striving for. They exhaust themselves in the senseless pursuit of material things and die without realizing their spiritual greatness." In this context, Fr. F. McCarthy says: "It is in our emptiness that we are filled. It is in our confusions that we are guided. It is in our weakness that we are strengthened. It is in our sins that we are forgiven. It is in our hunger that we are fed." Jesus said: "Blessed are the hungry, for they shall get their fill." Lord, we turn to you for that food which endures to eternal life which you alone can provide us, as we journey through this life. May the good and loving Lord bless you all and fill you with the food that lasts forever. 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" on Google search. Thanks.)

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year: B: July 28, 2024

 JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND IN A DESERTED PLACE

First Reading: 2 Kings 4: 42-44

Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-6

Gospel Reading: John 6: 1-15

   *First reading is from the second book of Kings. Prophet Elisha miraculously feeds 100 men. He instructs his servant to feed 100 men with 20 barley loaves. The servant is reluctant and doubtful of feeding them. But Elisha insists that the Lord God has assured him that even after feeding all of them, there would be left over food. It happens as the Prophet told the servant. The hand of the Lord God is instrumental in this miracle. It is a sign of Lord God's concern for the people. 

  *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul pleads with the Ephesian Christian community to lead a life worthy of their call. They are asked to remain in unity and harmony. Paul explains to them that they are called to be part of one body of Christ and share in the one Spirit (Holy Spirit) who is the ultimate source of everything. This trinitarian unity of purpose that Paul mentions should be visible in the life of every Christian in every situation in life. 

Jesus feeds the five thousand people miraculously                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. On that particular day, Jesus works a great miracle by feeding the five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. A large crowd follows Jesus. They listen to His life-giving words to the extent that they forget their hunger. Jesus is very much concerned about their wellbeing. Jesus asks His disciples to find some food for the hungry crowd. Philip, one of the disciples, tells Jesus that it would require a large sum of money to feed them even if food could be purchased. Jesus is not discouraged by this reply of Philip. He immediately makes use of the available resources: Five loaves and two fish which a little boy had brought along. He instructs the disciples to make the crowd sit down on the grass. Jesus takes the bread and fish, gives thanks to God the Father and blesses the food and gives it to the disciples to distribute it to the hungry people. To everyone's amazement, all of them eat their fill - more than 5,000  people. Later, disciples collect twelve baskets full of broken pieces. This miracle is a pre-figuration of the Eucharistic meal - the heavenly banquet where Jesus feeds not just 5,000 people but everyone who believes in Him. This miracle of multiplication of loaves is possible even today. 1. When we are ready to share the little (five loaves) we have with others in need. 2. When we humbly realize our own limitations and ask for God's grace and blessings.  M.K. Gandhi once said: "There are people in the world so hungry that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread." In this context, C.B. Buenafe says: "Every miracle must be seen through the eyes of faith. The everyday miracle is when one is willing to share with others what he/she has lovingly received. It is a miracle that is happening everyday when we share love and care for others." Great Russian writer, Solzhenitsyn writes: "Hunger rules the world. It rules every human being." May the good Lord bless everyone of you and inspire you to share your resources with others in need and become an instrument of God's generosity, love and concern. 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" on Google search. Thanks.)