Twenty Second Sunday of the Year:A: August 30, 2020

           THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 7-9

Second Reading: Romans 12: 1-2

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 23-27

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah complains bitterly about his painful situation that he is faced with: fierce opposition, insults, reproach and derision from the people. He is despised by everyone because he is speaking for the Lord God. He brings his griefs and pains to the Lord God. Trusting in the power of the Lord God he pleads that with the help of the almighty he be able to continue his mission entrusted to him without fail. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul urges the Christian community in 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 God. 

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 impending rejection at Jerusalem and His death on the cross. It was a shock for the disciples and they could hardly accept such a situation. As a result Peter and other Apostles protested and tried to persuade the Lord and insisted that such an event should never happen to Him. Jesus' reaction was very sharp. He told Peter, "Get behind me Satan.". Jesus told him not to be a stumbling block to the plan of God. It is rather surprising that Peter who was praised by the Lord and was assured that he would become the rock on which the Church would be built (Matt. 16:18) turned out to be a stumbling block. What a turn of events! 

In the second part of today's Gospel Jesus tells the disciples the paradox of being His disciples. To be a disciple is to take up one's cross and follow the Lord in all circumstances of life. He further adds that those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for His sake will find it. This is the paradox that Jesus puts before us everyday of our lives. If we put ourselves at the center of our lives we will fail. But if we put Jesus at the center of our lives we will succeed. This is an important insight that the Lord puts before us to be authentic and genuine disciples. 

Twenty First Sunday of the Year:A: August 23, 2020

THE TRUE IDENTITY OF JESUS

First Reading: Isaiah 22: 19-23

Second Reading: Romans 11: 36-37

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13-20

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will remove the corrupt official Shebna who did not take care of the chosen people of God. In his place the Lord God will appoint Eliakim who will take fatherly care of the people of Jerusalem and of Judah. He will rule the people with fairness and justice. Thus the Lord God will bring justice to His chosen people. 

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul tells the Christian community in Rome and all of us about the inscrutable mystery of God - that He is the creator and the Lord of all that exists. We humans with all our wisdom and human understanding are very much limited. We cannot comprehend or understand the wisdom of God. 

"Who  do you say that I am?"

Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus reveals His true identity during His conversation with His disciples. Jesus puts two questions to His disciples. The first question was, "Who do men say that I am?" He was interested to know from His disciples the various opinions  people had about Him. The answers as expressed by the disciples consist the following: They said, "Some say you are John the Baptist (who has come back to life) or Prophet Elijah or Prophet Jeremiah or one the prophets of old. Hence the perception of the people were limited to the understanding of Jesus as a prophet or as a man of God. Then Jesus puts a second question, a very personal one to His disciples. "Who do you say that I am?" It is a very searching question. Peter immediately speaks up and confesses. "You are the Christ, the Son God." Impressed by this answer Jesus praises Peter and tells him then and there that this confession of faith is something extraordinary and it is a revelation from the heavenly Father. Jesus further adds that Peter will be made the head of the future Church and he is the rock on which He will build His Church. Today Jesus puts the same question to each one of us: "Who do you say that I am?" As He converses with us we could think of the faith journeys we had in our lives. Perhaps the image of Jesus in our early stages in life have undergone tremendous transformation. Perhaps as the years have gone by, our faith experiences of Jesus have deepened and strengthened. Maybe we could also share our faith experiences with others as the Apostles did. They transmitted their faith experiences to the future generations.

"There are so many religions and each one has its different ways of following God. I follow Christ: Jesus is my God." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

"I see Jesus in every human being." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

 

Feast of Transfiguration: A: August 6, 2020

TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

First Reading: Daniel 7: 9-10 and 13-14

Second Reading: 2 Peter 1: 15-19

Gospel Reading : Matthew 17: 1-9

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Daniel. This passage has description about the various visions of Daniel. It speaks about the throne of God where one like the Son of man is being presented to God the Father - the ancient of days. All  authority in heaven and earth is given to Him. This vision gives a glimpse about the transfigured Christ.

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Peter. In this passage Peter speaks about his own experience of transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. He was an eye witness to the fact that God the Father bestowed on Jesus the title 'My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'. On the holy mountain Peter had that wonderful experience of being a witness to the heavenly glory of the Lord Jesus.

"My beloved Son. Listen to Him"

Today's Gospel reading is from st. Matthew. In this passage the transfiguration of Jesus on mount Tabor is described in great details. No doubt transfiguration of Jesus was the high point of the public ministry of Jesus. In front of three of His beloved disciples - Peter, James and John - He was transfigured. Moses and Elijah two great prophets of the Old testament were also present. Heavenly Father publicly and unequivocally proclaimed that Jesus is His beloved Son. The three disciples cherished those privileged and wonderful moments of glory of Jesus on the mountain. They were so spell bound that they could not adequately understand the depth of the experience or explain it in words.

Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain was to strengthen the faith of the disciples for the impending crucifixion and death of Jesus. Jesus did not remain in those glorious moments of the mountain but came down from the mountain to go to Jerusalem to be rejected and to die.

The transfiguration experience is narrated in the Gospel so that we too may experience it to a limited extent and our faith too may be strengthened in the Lord Jesus.

"It is indeed good to be here as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here for ever." - Bishop Anastasius of Sinai.

Thirteenth Sunday of the Year:A:28th June 2020

     GOD REWARDS A GRACEFUL GIVER

First Reading: 2 Kings 4: 8-11 and 14-16
Second Reading: Romans 6: 3-4 and 8-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 37-42

   *First reading is from the second book of the Kings. This passage describes the hospitality of a woman of Shunem. When Prophet Elisha passed through Shunem this woman recognized him as a man of God and showed hospitality by giving him food and drink. Further she made arrangements for his comfortable stay in her home during his visits. God was pleased by her actions and rewarded her generosity with the promise of a son whom she was waiting for.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul explains to the Christian community in Rome about the meaning of baptism in the name of Lord Jesus. To be baptized means that through the grace and power of the risen Lord we are dead to sin and live in holiness.

"He who receives you receives me"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The first part of the Gospel passage speaks about the necessity of following Jesus even to the point of death. And the second part of the Gospel speaks about the virtue of hospitality in the life of a follower of the Lord.
Jesus' demands from his would-be followers is rather harsh. He demands threefold renunciation from them.
1. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.
2. He who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
3. He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Certainly we need to love our parents, children and near and dear ones. But Jesus makes it absolutely clear that this love of others and of oneself should not be at the cost of loving God. Love of God should take precedence over all our other priorities.
Jesus also promises His disciples that hospitality shown to them by anyone will be suitably rewarded - even if that be a glass of cold water.  
"God loves a cheerful giver."- 2 Corinthians 9:7
"For the measure you use, it will be measured to you ."- Luke 6:38
"Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conducts their affairs with justice."-Psalm 112:5

Twelveth Sunday of the Year:A: June 21, 2020

FEARLESS AND COURAGEOUS DISCIPLESHIP

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10-13
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-15
Gospel Reading:  Matthew 10: 26-33

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. In this passage Jeremiah expresses his anguish and pain. Even when surrounded by enemies and faced with terror from every side Jeremiah places his total trust in the Lord God. He is convinced that the Lord God is on his side.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul explains to the Christians in Rome that sin and death came through Adam the first man. However freedom and life came through Jesus Christ the second Adam.

"Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In this passage Jesus invites His disciples to be fearless and courageous in the face of rejection and opposition.
The following points are mentioned:
1. Message of Jesus is not to be hidden but to be proclaimed openly - on the house tops.
2. Disciples should not be afraid of those who kill the body but be afraid of the one who can kill the soul.
3. Even a tiny sparrow is taken care of  by God. We are of more value than many sparrows. If so, we should realize that God is in control of our lives and nothing happens without His knowledge.
4. Those who acknowledge Jesus and His message openly will be acknowledged by the heavenly Father. Hence fearless witnessing to Christ will make us worthy to receive eternal reward.
In order to respond wholeheartedly to Jesus's invitation needs great faith, courage and radical commitment. But He does not want His disciples to be members of a cowardly Church or a faithless community. He wants us to stand up and be counted for our faith.
" My job seems to be to go around picking up insults and corpses" - Bl. Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador.
"I really fear that most of those who call themselves Christians would go on almost as they do, if they believed Christianity to be nothing more than a fable" - Bl. Cardinal Newman.
"Keeping silent in the face of injustice is as DEADLY as the violence itself." - Jimmy Carter (Former President of USA)

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.