Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy : April 19, 2020

"DOUBTING THOMAS AND THE MERCIFUL LORD"

First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1: 3-9
Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-21

   * First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. This passage gives us a glimpse of the life of the early Christian community. After experiencing the presence of the risen Lord in a very powerful way the Christian community lived like people one in heart and mind. Their life attracted many non-believers to faith and brought healing to the wounded and broken hearts of many. The community's faith in the risen Lord led to a joyful fellowship in the worship and of the unity of mind and heart. Hence the first Christians showed the depth of their faith by the fruits they produced in their lives.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Peter. In this passage Apostle Peter praises and glorifies the loving God for His great mercy in giving us a new birth in Jesus Christ. He thanks the merciful God for the blessings of faith, love and joy in the Lord. He instructs us that "hope helps us to bear patiently the trials of this life".

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage gives us a detailed account of the way the risen Lord met Thomas the Apostle. Thomas was one of the twelve, chosen by Jesus. He was present during the public life of Jesus. He was a witness to the rejection, sufferings, cruel crucifixion and shameful death of Jesus on the cross. Like most of the other disciples, he too lost hope and went away disheartened and disoriented. But when he came back on Easter day other disciples told him about the most exciting events of that morning. Specifically he was told that Jesus appeared to Peter and the other disciples. In his disappointment and confusion Thomas told them that "unless I see in His hands the print of the nails and place my fingers in the mark of the nails and place my hands in His side, I will not believe".
That evening the risen Lord took up the challenge of Thomas and confronted him along with the other disciples. Jesus showed His hand and legs and the wounded side and asked Thomas to be believing. Realizing his folly Thomas immediately expressed his regret by saying "my Lord and my God".
The story of Thomas is for all those people who were not present when the risen Lord appeared - that includes all of us - on the Easter Sunday and did not see the risen Lord physically. Hence Thomas became a key link between the age of the Apostles who saw the risen Lord with their own eyes and all the future disciples who would never see Jesus in this life and yet believe in Him.
"To believe with certainty we must begin with doubting." -St. Stanislaus.
" It is by doubting that we come to investigate and by investigating that we recognize the truth."- P. Abelard.
"It may be that Thomas' critical mind compelled Jesus to explain the teachings more deeply to him than to the other credulous disciples." - G.A. Tyrrell. 

Seventh Sunday of the Year :A: February 23, 2020

                    "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"

First Reading: Leviticus 19: 1-2,17-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3: 16-22
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 38-48

   * First reading is from the book of Leviticus. In this passage the Lord God asks Moses to instruct the people of Israel regarding their way of life. They are told to be holy like the Lord God Himself. To be holy would mean - not to hate one's neighbour or to take vengeance on anyone . This teaching of the Lord God finds its echoes in the teachings of Jesus.

   * Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage Paul reminds the Corinthian Christian community that Holy Spirit dwells among them. They are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Hence they should be holy. Further he says that the wisdom of the world is folly and worthless. Paul requests them to respect one another forgetting their differences whatever that may be.

"You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage contains one of the most difficult and revolutionary teachings of Lord Jesus. To love those who love us is easy and not challenging. But Jesus tells His disciples and us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Such a teaching is never heard of.
Jesus gives us the example of the heavenly Father who is good to everyone - both to the good and to the bad. Jesus goes beyond the teachings of Leviticus where love was restricted to the neighbour. Jesus makes it clear that revenge and retaliation is not for His disciples. The Old Testament teaching of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is not to be practiced by His disciples. Because revenge and retaliation eventually destroy a person and the society. Jesus asks His disciples to be better than the gentiles/ordinary folk in their behaviour.
Jesus' teaching is very sensible if we look at the world today. Hate never solves any problems. Rather when we hate another person we give him/her tremendous power over us and he/she robs us of our peace of mind and capacity to love. Let us turn our enemies into friends.
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends". - Abraham Lincon.
"Love is the only force capable of transforming any enemy into a friend." - Martin Luther King Jr.
"Overcome the angry by non-anger: overcome the wicked by goodness"- The Buddha.
"To error is human but to forgive is divine"- Proverb.

CHRISTMAS : A: December 25, 2019

     "BIRTH OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR"

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 1-14

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah speaks about the messianic hope of a Savior who will rescue the chosen people of God from their bondage and slavery. He assures the people that the child to be born will be a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of peace. In Jesus this prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled and He is the Lord and Savior of all humankind.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Titus. In this passage Paul reminds Titus and all of us that Christ has been revealed as God's living and loving grace and salvation of all. He encourages us to live sober and righteous lives because God in Christ has brought about salvation.

"Silent Night, Holy Night .......Savior is Born"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In this passage Luke gives us a beautiful and most touching description of the night when Jesus our Savior and Lord was born. It is the story of heavenly Angels, about shepherds taking care of their sheep and Mother Mary with Child Jesus in the manger. The Christmas story unlike other stories is based on a historical event which took place more than 2000 years ago in little village called Bethlehem. That is the story of the birth of Jesus the Lord. God's unending love for humankind is expressed through the birth of Jesus. His love is inviting everyone to the manger like those shepherds at the first Christmas night.
Christmas brings us peace and joy. That is why that night the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will". Yes to receive the peace of the Lord we need to be persons of good will. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger humble simple shepherds were invited to meet Him and receive the blessings of the new born babe. Child Jesus is inviting each one of us too to the manger..
           MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fourth Sunday of Advent : A: 22nd December 2019

"THE MYSTERY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH"

First Reading : Isaiah 7: 10-14
Second Reading: Romans 1: 1-7
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1: 18-24

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah foretells the birth of a very special child. He would be called Emmanuel. Ahaz  the King of Judah was in a great crisis. The Prophet encouraged him to have faith in the Lord God. Isaiah's constant message to the King was to trust in the Lord God. Further Isaiah invited Ahaz to ask for a sign from the Lord God. The King refused to ask for a sign however the Prophet told him that he would be given a sign by the Lord God : a son whose name will be Emmanuel - GOD WITH US.

   * Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. This passage contains the opening lines from Paul to Christians in Rome. Paul refers to the human and the divine 'roots' of Jesus. He describes Jesus as a descendant of David and Son of God who is the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the past. 

"Emmanuel - God with us "
Today's Gospel passage is from St. Matthew. This passage mentions the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus is seen as the royal child of the house of David, born of a virgin. In Jesus the dynasty of David continues. He is not only the son of David but also the Son of God and Jesus was born of a virgin mother Mary. Mary's virginity points to the truth that Jesus was conceived without the intervention of a human father. A virgin mother has no precedent in any religious traditions. As we approach Christmas the prophecy of Isaiah and the interpretation of it by Matthew is brought for a specific purpose. This is to remind us that even in our most distressing situations, difficulties and problems God is with us. It is in those painful times that we realize the immense power and the greatness of God.
"Christmas is not a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill. to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas".- C. Coolidge.
" Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone" - C.M. Schulz.
          "MERRY CHRISTMAS"
"MAY THE EMMANUEL BORN IN BETHLEHEM BLESS EVERYONE"

Third Sunday of Advent: A: December 15, 2019

  "IMMINENT COMING OF THE LORD"

First Reading: Isaiah 35: 1-6a and 10
Second Reading: James 5: 7-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11: 1-11

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isiah foretells the return of the people of Israel from the Babylonian captivity as the Lord God will come to their rescue. Isaiah tells us too that we should look beyond our sorrows and disappointments of the present with great hope in God's love and His saving actions in our lives. The Prophet encourages to cheer up and not be afraid because the Lord God will save us.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. James. In this passage the Apostle stresses the quality which all of us find it  hard - patience. He urges us to be loving and patient with one another and be patient regarding the Lord's final coming. He gives us the example of prophets who underwent sufferings but went about patiently.

"Are you the one who is to come?"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage describes the predicament of John the Baptist regarding Jesus. All of us have some unfulfilled hopes and unanswered prayers and John too faced a problem with the identity of Jesus. "Are you the one or shall we look for another ?" was the question put by John. Hopes of John the Baptist regarding Jesus as the promised Messiah was not entirely fulfilled. John was imprisoned by Herod. In the prison he was confused about Jesus. The question put by John is raised by many even today. Jesus' answer to messengers of John was to observe what was happening around them and tell John concerning their experience of Jesus: sight for the blind, lame walking, dead are raised to life and the good news being preached to the poor. Is there any such experiences in our lives that would make us say,'Yes'  to Jesus.?.
Today Jesus gives us the same message - to look around and see the presence of God and His benevolent power around us. Look around and see God's mighty manifestations of love and power around us. When our hopes are broken and our dreams are shattered let us not get disappointed and disheartened but rather place our trust in the Lord.
"A prison cell is which one awaits, hopes - and is completely dependent on the fact that the  door to freedom has to be opened from outside, is not a bad picture of advent", - Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 
"Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies and do unto others as you would have done unto you" - S. Maraboli. 

Second Sunday of Advent : A: December 8, 2019

"ADVENT PREPARATIONS: REPENTANCE"

First Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-10
Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 3: 1-12

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah describes the person of Messiah when he comes. He will be an ideal King who will bring two great gifts to the world; two gifts the world is in great need: they are justice and peace. The sign of his kingdom will be seen in  nature too: wolf dwelling with the lamb; leopard lies down with the kid; calf and lion live together. There will be no hurt or destruction in nature. Advent is the ideal time to prepare for the coming of the King of peace and justice.

   * Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. In this passage Paul speaks about the importance of hope. He says Jesus Christ is the hope of all humans. In Him we find hope, harmony and peace. Just as Jesus welcomes everyone to share the joys of His Kingdom we must extend a welcome to one another united in body and mind to offer glory to God.

"John's call to repentance"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In this passage we have the call of John the Baptist in the wilderness. John invited everyone to repent, for the Kingdom of God is close at hand. John's appearance in the wilderness was rather eccentric. He wore a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt. His food was locusts and honey. John called the people from every walk of life to repentance and to be baptized. Those who were moved by his call confessed their sins and were baptized. Hence John's call is for everyone for a change of heart. John warns that those who do not change their lives will face punishment.
John recalled the infidelity of Israel and spoke of the promised Messiah who would be more powerful than he and who would exercise His authority and judgement. Thus the call to repentance that we hear in the season of Advent is addressed to all of us. We need to address the areas in which need to change. We need to be transformed and to be touched by the forgiving love of God. Unless we accept our sins and failures and correct them we cannot truly prepare for the coming of the Lord. 
"Repentance means change and it takes a humble person to change". - E.T. Benson.
"Of all acts of man, repentance is the most divine". - Thomas Carlyle.
"How else but through a broken heart may Lord Jesus Christ enter in". - Oscar Wild.

First Sunday of the Advent : A: December 1, 2019

    "PREPARATIONS FOR THE ADVENT"
Advent: a time to be awake and to make a fresh beginning..

First Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5
Second Reading: Romans 13: 11-14
Gospel Reading: Matthew 24: 37-44

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah gives a vision of universal peace with the coming of Messiah. The Prophet lived at a time of great distress for the people of Israel. He speaks about the future messianic kingdom where all will be united and will enjoy great peace. We are challenged by Isaiah to work for a new world order which was inaugurated by the coming of Christ .

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul reminds us that it is time to wake up since our salvation is close at hand. We need to turn away from the darkness of evil and walk in the light of Christ to be true witnesses of that light.

"Coming of Jesus the Messiah" 
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage urges us to stay awake because we do not know the day or the hour when Christ comes again. Jesus used an unusual imagery of a thief coming at night. This passage is a warning for us not to be engrossed in worldliness so as to forget what is most important - doing God's will. We need to be alert and watchful at all times.
Through this metaphor of a thief coming unexpectedly Jesus tells us the following:
1. We are warned to be vigilant. 2. Time of the coming of the Lord cannot be predicted or calculated. 3. Disciples are to be engrossed with their assigned mission but not to spend time in speculations.
We know from experience that thieves often break in and steal when we least expect them. Secrecy is their best weapon. Similarly the day and the hour of Christ's coming is unknown to us. That necessarily implies that our lives must be a constant preparation for His coming. Hence the first Sunday of Advent sets our sights on life's horizon when Christ comes to us again. For many people today the presence of Christ means very little. It is our duty to make Christ's presence real for the unbelievers and doubters.
Advent gives us the message 'Stay awake ..watch because Christ is certainly coming into our lives'
"Only that day dawns to which we are awake" - H.D. Thoreau. 
"Arise, awake and stop not, until the goal is reached" - Swami Vivekananda.