Eleventh Sunday of the Year: B: June 13,2021

 PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

First Reading: Ezekiel 17: 22-34

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

Gospel Reading: Mark 4: 26-34

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Ezekiel. The Prophet speaks about the downfall of Jerusalem. He compares the King and the people of Judah to a small cutting of a tall tree which God will take and plant on Mount Zion. Thus Ezekiel gives hope of restoration of the Kingdom that will be brought about by a member of the chosen race. He also mentions that in future Messiah (the anointed one) will set up a universal Kingdom.

   * Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul exhorts the Christians in Corinth to be courageous in the face of death. He tells them and us that his priority at all times is to please the Lord. Hence he has no fears of appearing before the Lord. He exhorts them and us to lead a life pleasing to the Lord at all times so that they/we can expect the reward at the end of their/our lives.

The Kingdom of God .......is like a grain of mustard seed.                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God through two parables related to agriculture. In the first parable Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a seed sown by a farmer. Once the seed is sown the farmer waits patiently for the harvest time. The cycle of growth follows. The farmer does not know how it takes place. Apparently nothing seems to be happening. Yet the miracle of growth takes place. Just as the harvest comes in its own time, so the Kingdom will reach its completion in God's appointed time. It is God's Kingdom, not of our own making. In the second parable Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is very small in size but grows into a large shrub which gives shelter to various birds of the air. In the parable Jesus makes a contrast between the smallness of the seed and the luxurious growth of the plant. It reminds us that small beginnings can make for mighty achievements. Littleness is no index of importance in God's Kingdom. Saints like St. Theresa of Child Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi are prime examples of that. The small mustard seed grows to become a shelter for the birds. So also the Kingdom of God grows slowly to envelop the whole world. In the same way no matter how small our efforts may be- as small as a mustard seed to promote the values of Jesus - God will multiply them with His hidden power to bring about wonderful and unimaginable results. All we nee to do is to trust in the power of God. We may not necessarily see those results immediately. But Jesus assures us through these parables that they will happen in our own times. 

As the saying goes:                                                                                         "Where will tomorrow's trees come from? From the shoots we plant today. Where will tomorrow's justice and peace get their start? From the seeds we sow with our hearts today."                                          Let the grain of mustard seed grow to shelter the birds of the air!

"I never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself." - Florence Nightingale

The Feast of Corpus Christi:B; June 6, 2021

 THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

First Reading: Exodus 2: 3-8

Second Reading: Hebrews 9: 11-15

Gospel Reading: Mark 14: 12-16 and 22-26

   *First reading is from the book of Exodus. A detailed description of the covenant that  Lord God made with Moses on behalf of the people of Israel is given. This covenant was sealed with the blood of animals. The covenant made between the Lord God and Moses was a pre-figuration of the new covenant that Jesus made and sealed with His own precious blood on Calvary. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St, Paul to Hebrews. Jesus is portrayed as the High Priest who offers His own blood for the redemption and salvation of all humankind. He is the mediator between God and humankind. He brings eternal redemption to everyone who believes in Him. 

Take: This is my body... This is my blood.                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. We have a detailed description of the events of the Last Supper of Jesus with His Apostles. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the Eucharist and gave His body as food for us and His blood as the life-giving drink for all eternity. Unlike the old covenant which was sealed by the blood of  animals, the new covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus the Son of God. In the Eucharist we are sharing in the very life of Christ in totality. Hence the feast of the body and blood of Christ gives us an opportunity to be thankful for the most precious gift of the Eucharist and for the abiding and real presence of the Lord Jesus in our midst. This feast should help us in the following ways: 1. By the reception of the Eucharist we are intimately united with the Lord and we become part of Jesus. Hence our life has to be transformed so as to become more like that of Jesus. 2. This is a day of humble acceptance of God's gift and it challenges us to live up to the expectations of the Lord who is always abiding in us. 

"At the time of communion not only we receive Jesus but Jesus also receives us as the member of His body." - St. Pope John Paul II

"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion." - St. Maximillian Kolbe 

The Feast of the most Holy Trinity: B: May 30, 2021

 THE HOLY TRINITY: THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 32-34 and 39-40

Second Reading: Romans 8: 14-27

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses reminds the people of Israel that the Lord God has done great and wonderful things in their lives. God has protected them with a mighty hand. Hence it is absolutely necessary to follow the commandments of the Lord God in order to enjoy the fullness of the life given by the Lord God.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul explains to the Christians in Rome and to us that by the fact that the Holy Spirit is present in us, we are made children of the Father. The Holy Spirit enables us to call God 'Abba  Father'. The Holy Spirit also makes us fellow heirs with Christ the Lord. 

The mystery of one God and three persons                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize people and make them disciples in the name of the Trinity: the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the holy Trinity reveals to us the three different faces of God: 1. The face of God as Father-the beginning and the end of all, the creator and ruler. He is not only the God we obey through the commandments but also the God we address as our Father. 2. The face of God as Son- the redeemer. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God -the Divine Word of God who took on human nature so as to bring salvation to  humankind. 3. The face of God as Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the comforter who is always with us- the paraclete who teaches us and guides us. St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians speaks of the trinitarian God working in us. 'There are various gifts but the same spirit, and there are various services but the same Lord and there are varieties of working but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone.' 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. On this feast of the most Holy Trinity let us rejoice and say, we have a Father who cares about us, we have a brother who died for us and we have a Spirit -a comforter who will guide us to the shores of eternity. Praise be the Holy Triune God. 

"For in the name of God, the Father and the Lord of the Universe and of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit they then receive the washing with water." - St. Justin (Martyr)

"Faith and prayer will equip you to relate with the Trinity and relay a  Divine message to humanity." - G.G.Mona

Pentecost Sunday : B: May 23, 2021

 THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE APOSTLES

First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7 and 12-13

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-23

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid and forceful account of the happenings on the day of Pentecost is narrated. The following details are mentioned: 1. There was a rush of a mighty wind and appearance of tongues of fire on each of the Apostles. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. 2 They received the gift of tongues and were able to speak in other languages. All who were present in Jerusalem were able to hear in their own native language. The mighty wind and tongues of fire are expressions of the powerful way in which the Spirit of God came down on the day of Pentecost. Speaking in different languages points to the fact that all man-made barriers between humans due to languages, cultures, regions and other differences are done away with by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit and God's community is united in the Spirit. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christians in Corinth and us that the Holy Spirit gives various gifts to the members of the community. But these gifts are for the common good. Hence by the Holy Spirit all of us are baptized into the one body of Christ.

Receive the Holy Spirit                                                                Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The risen Lord's appearance to the disciples gathered in a closed upper room is narrated. After greeting them with the words of peace and showing them His pierced hands and side the risen Lord breathed on them and blessed them with the words, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Hence the risen Lord gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the word of God boldly and powerfully. According to the biblical tradition, the wind and the Spirit signifies the breath of God. Hence Pentecost signifies a new creation and new beginning. Thus the Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. We too need the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in order to live as true followers of Christ in these challenging times. On this Pentecost let us pray with the words,' Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on us'.

"Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us." - Robert Baer

"Pentecost is a celebration of God... a celebration of God's power... a celebration of God's desire to empower us and to dwell within us." - Mark Hart

The Feast of Ascension:B: May 16, 2021

 THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23

Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-20

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A description of the various apparitions of the risen Lord on different occassions after His resurrection is narrated. After a period of forty days Jesus ascended to heaven and promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit upon them and they shall be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea , Samaria and to the ends of the world. As they were listening to Him, Jesus was lifted up to heaven and a cloud took Him out of their sight.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul explains the meaning of the Ascension of the Lord to the Ephesian Christians. He asserts that God raised Jesus above all earthly powers and made Him not only head of the Church but the Lord of the whole creation. Those who believe in Him will accomplish great things. 

Lord Jesus was taken up to heaven                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. This passage tells us that after instructing the disciples, Jesus was taken up to heaven and He sits at the right hand of God. On His final day in this world, the risen Lord commissioned His disciples to carry on the work that He began. Ascension of Jesus tells us that He is no longer physically present among the disciples. From now on they are to proclaim His message to the whole world. The feast of Ascension should give us hope of a life after death. It should as well strengthen us by the abiding presence of Jesus among His followers. Hence the following messages are given by this feast:

        1. The risen Lord is now in His glory and He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. 2. Jesus assures us that after His ascension He will send the Holy Spirit to guide us. 3. Jesus promises us that even after being ascended into heaven He will continue to be with us till the end of the world : by the word of God and by His sacramental presence in the Holy Eucharist. 4. Jesus' ascension gives us the hope that one day all those who believe in Him will participate in His glory.

"At His Ascension our Lord entered Heaven and He keeps the door open for humanity to enter." - Oswald Chambers

"Ascensions into heaven are like falling leaves, sad and happy all at the same time. Going away isn't really sad especially when your going enables a new kind of presence to be born." - Ernest Hemingway

Sixth Sunday of Easter: B: May 9, 2021

 JESUS' COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

First Reading: Acts 10: 25-26, 34-35 and 44-48

Second Reading: 1 John 4: 7-10

Gospel Reading: John 15: 9-17

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid account of the baptism of Cornelius, a  non-Jew and a Roman Centurion with his family is given. While St. Peter was speaking to them about Jesus and His  ministry Holy Spirit came down on them. This incident explicitly showed to the Apostles that God is not selective in His love. His salvation is open to all peoples and all nationalities. 

  *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. This is probably the most important statement made about God: that God is love in its fullness. The proof of God's love for humankind is that He sent His only Son into the world to give us eternal life and make expiation for the sins of the whole humanity. 

Love one another  as I have loved you.                                               Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus expresses His love for His disciples. In return their love for Him should be expressed by keeping His commandments. Jesus is not speaking about the ten commandments which were given to Moses by the Lord God on Mount Sinai. In the Gospels we have definite guidelines so as to keep His commandments in our day to day lives. It could be summarised in the following manner:                                                                                          1. Do not return evil for evil. Nothing is achieved by  revenge and retaliation. 2. Do not judge others. Leave the judgments to God. 3. Do not worry about food and drink and cloths as if these are the most important things in life. Our first concern should be to live as Christ wants us. 4. Do not look back once you have decided to follow Jesus. 5. Let your light shine before people. 6. Love your enemies. Not  just your friends and cronies. 7. Give and you will receive in abundance. 8. Forgive everyone who sins against you. 9. Take this bread and eat it. Take this  cup and drink from it. Eucharist is the primary nourishment to live as followers of the Lord. 10. Finally, love one another as I have loved you. If we follow these dos and don'ts then probably we will be able to fulfill the commandment of love. 

"Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks you. Will you be that one to Him?" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

Fifth Sunday of Easter :B: May 2, 2021

 UNION WITH THE RISEN LORD                                                (The vine and the branches)

First Reading: Acts 9: 26-31

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 18-24

Gospel Reading: John 15: 1-8

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Paul's conversion and subsequent happenings are narrated. Paul who was a fierce persecutor of the Christians was dramatically transformed by the powerful intervention of the risen Lord. Paul (Saul) persecuted Christians in and around Jerusalem. But after his Damascus experience and subsequent conversion Paul wanted to join the Christian community at Jerusalem. But he found it difficult to be accepted by the community. So Barnabas a disciple of good repute, introduced Paul to the Apostles. Paul started to preach boldly in Jerusalem but the Jews there tried to kill him. So he was sent to Tarsus. The early Church grew in strength in spite of much opposition.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John tells us that if we wish to live as God wants we must keep His commandments. That would mean that we should believe in the name of Jesus and love one another as he commanded us to do. Those who keep the commandments are united to Him and the presence of the Holy Spirit is with them. 

The abiding presence of the risen Lord in the believer                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus speaks about the intimate and deep bond between Him and those who believe in Him. This relationship is compared to that of the vine and its branches. Branches have to be united to the vine in order to produce fruits. If the branches are cut off from the vine it cannot be fruitful. Gospel also mentions about two types of branches. The first type are fruit- bearing which will be pruned to produce more fruits. The second type of branches do not produce fruits, consequently they will be cut off from the vine. We are united with Jesus through our baptism. Hence if we are fruit-bearing branches we have to be prepared to be pruned to produce more fruits. But if we are branches that do not produce fruits it is time to change our ways so that we too produce fruits, lest we be cut off from the Lord.                                                                           Let our life be always in union with the risen Lord and be like the branches that are united with the vine. 

"To start anew from Christ means being close to Him, being close to Jesus. Jesus stresses the importance of this with the disciple at the Last Supper, as He prepares to give us His own greatest gifts of love, His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches and says, 'Abide in my love, remain attached to me, as the branch is attached to the vine'. If we are joined to Him, then we are able to bear fruit." - Pope Francis.