Thirty First Sunday of the Year: B: October 31, 2021

         THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

First Reading: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6

Second Reading: Hebrews 7: 23-28

Gospel Reading: Mark 12: 28-34

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses asks the people of Israel to love the Lord their God and to obey His commandments. He instructs them that the Lord God wants their wholehearted obedience to His commandments and not mere lip service. If they do, he promised them that Lord God will bless them abundantly and will give them a land flowing with milk and honey. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. Jesus is exemplified as the perfect High Priest, holy and blameless, who offered himself once and for all for sinners and continues to intercede for them. It was not necessary for Him to offer sacrifices daily like other high priests who are appointed by the law. Because they are weak in nature.

Love of God and love of neighbour                                                                                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A very important question is put to Jesus by a scribe: "Which is the greatest commandment?" The answer to the question could be innumerable. In His answer Jesus gives not one but two commandments. He tells the scribe, "Love your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul", which is a quote from the book of Deuteronomy. Then Jesus adds a verse from the book of Leviticus, "And you shall love your neighbour as yourself."  Jesus' simple statements embrace everything we need to do to serve God. Every action of our lives is included in these two laws. He demands a radical change in our lives. When we love other people we are loving people in the image and likeness of God. We cannot love God and hate others. First of all, the love of God demands a wholehearted commitment from us. It does not begin and end with Sunday services but rather God becomes the center and source of our very being. Secondly, love of neighbour means goodwill that is boundless and extends to those for whom we have no personal liking and they may not even belong to our family, clan or nationality. The perfect example of the love of neighbour is narrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Hence for Jesus, love of neighbour has no boundaries or barriers. In other words, love of God and love of neighbour are two sides of the same coin. Love of God cannot exist without love of neighbour and vice versa. God has bestowed on us the great power to love where mere matter - our mind, our intellect, our will and our whole self- is spontaneously converted to the immense love of God and the love of neighbour. Jesus is asking us to follow this instinct of love.

"How can I love God and not care for His image?" - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

"Whatsoever you do to the least of these my brothers you do to me." - Matthew 25: 40

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year: B: October 24, 2021

         JESUS THE MERCIFUL LORD                                                 (Mission Sunday)

First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 7-9

Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 1-6

Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 46-52

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah gives a message of hope for the people of Israel. He gives the assurance that the Lord God will lead them back to their promised land and  eventually restore its lost glory.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. In Jesus Christ we have a compassionate and merciful High Priest who is able to deal gently with the ignorant and the wayward. He is able to understand all our weaknesses and failures. He offers up our gifts and sacrifices to God on our behalf. 

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus the blind beggar                                                                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A vivid narration of the dramatic healing of Bartimaeus the blind beggar from Jericho is given. The narrative is like a one act play with seven scenes - rather seven verses. In the first verse, Jesus is leaving Jericho on His final journey to Jerusalem. In the second verse, Bartimaeus hears that Jesus of Nazareth the divine healer is passing by the street. Realizing that this is a chance of a lifetime, he cries aloud,"Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me." It is the cry of a desperate man for urgent help. In the third verse, people of the town rebuke him and tell him to keep quiet. But Bartimaeus shouts aloud that Jesus may hear his plea. In our moments of despair, when we cry aloud to God, God invariably hears our cry. In the fourth verse, Jesus stops and calls for Bartimaeus. Jesus wants us too to stop and help those who are sitting at the way side of life looking for help. In the fifth verse, Bartimaeus responds to Jesus' call with enthusiasm. But in our case often we are lethargic to respond to the call of God. In the sixth verse, Jesus asks a key question to the blind man: "What do you want me to do for you?" And he responds by saying, "Lord, let me see." Finally in the seventh verse, Jesus heals him and commends his exemplary faith. Bartimeaus on his part follows Jesus.                                 This miracle story has some deep spiritual implications for us. It is a powerful example of how we should make use of our opportunities, grasp them and take hold of them until we receive what we need from God. As Bartimaeus had an irresistible  desire to be healed, we too need such determination in our lives. This miracle story should help us in the following ways:       1. To be persistent in our requests to God.                                                              2. To have the faith for such requests.               3. A desire to express our gratitude when God answers our prayers.                                                            Today Lord Jesus is stopping by and inviting us to Himself. He is ready to restore our lost sight and heal us. May the good and merciful Lord bring light into our hearts. 

Twenty Ninth Sunday of the Year: B: October 17, 2021

               AUTHORITY AS SERVICE

First Reading: Isaiah 53: 10-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16

Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 35-45

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the suffering servant of Yahweh (the Lord God) who will suffer for the sins of others. Through him many will be brought to the Lord God. But he will have to suffer iniquities for the sins of others. This prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus who suffered for the sins of the whole world. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. It explains to us that Jesus in His earthly life was like us in all things except sin. Hence He knows our every weakness. This reality should help us to approach the Lord in all our needs without any hesitation or doubts. 

'Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant'                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A short explanation about who is truly great in the kingdom of God is given. The context was that James and John, sons of Zebedee made a request to Jesus. They wanted to sit one at the right hand and the other at the left hand of Jesus when He comes in His glory. The request in itself is quite legitimate. Because everyone aspires to have power and authority in this world. It is observed in daily lives -be it in the political sphere or in religious sphere- people invariably look for powerful positions so that they can control the lives of others. However Jesus has a totally different notion about authority. Jesus expresses it in today's Gospel. According Him authority is not for lording over other humans but for serving others. Jesus expresses it by telling His disciples. "Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all." James  and John wanted to be great by sitting at the right hand and at the left hand of Jesus. But Jesus teaches them how to be truly great in the kingdom of God. In order to be great we have to be at the service of others. Today Jesus is challenging us to be great not by gaining power and authority or by sitting on a prominent chair and getting the attention of others but by being at the service of others. Hence all acts of love and service for other humans is the criteria for true greatness.

"Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellowmen." - M.K. Gandhi

"Service to humanity is service to God." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Twenty Eighth Sunday of the Year: B: October 10, 2021

                 GAINING ETERNAL LIFE

First Reading: Wisdom 7: 7-11

Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12-13

Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 17-30

   *First reading is from the book of Wisdom. An explanation is given to us regarding the priceless gift of the Wisdom of God. All possessions - wealth and riches of the world - are nothing compared to the Wisdom of God. Because all good things in the world have there origin in the Wisdom of God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. An explanation about the power of the Word of God is given. The Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword which pierces through the soul and spirit. All who believe in the Lord are warned that nothing they do can be hidden from God, for their innermost thoughts and intentions are known to Him.

The rich young man and Jesus                                                                                 Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A young man who wanted to inherit eternal life came to Jesus and sought advice from Him. After listening to him, Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The young man confessed that he kept all the commandments all his life. After hearing this answer, Jesus looked at him with affection and invited this God-fearing and law-abiding young man to be one of His disciples. Jesus challenged him and said,"Go and sell everything you have and give the money to the poor and come and follow me." When this young man heard these words of Jesus, he left Jesus and went away quietly. His vast wealth held him back from being a disciple of Jesus. If he was ready to leave his worldly possessions he would have gained eternal life. Unfortunately he was too much attached to his wealth rather than the teachings of Jesus. After this Jesus told His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were rather surprised by this observation of Jesus. Because according to the Jewish understanding , wealth and worldly possessions were sure signs of God's blessings. Hence the rich young man in the Gospel loved his possessions more than God and  he lost eternal life which he was seeking. Jesus challenges everyone of us. "If you want to be perfect, sell everything, give to the poor and then come and follow me." How many of us can accept this challenge is the question. 

"You cannot serve God and money." - Mark 6:24 and Luke 16:13

Twenty Seventh Sunday of the Year: B: October 3, 2021

 MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE                                                              ' Is divorce permitted?'

First Reading: Genesis 2: 18-24

Second Reading: Hebrews 2: 9-11

Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 2-16

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. An account of how the Lord God created man and woman and  how He brought the woman to man is described. When man saw her, he readily acknowledges her as "The bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" - which implies an intimate and close relationship between man and woman.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Hebrews. Paul speaks of the humiliations, sufferings and death of Jesus on the cross. Through Jesus' death salvation of humankind is perfected through sufferings. It instructs us that in order to be sanctified we too need to undergo sufferings in our lives.

'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'                                                                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. While Jesus was teaching the people, some of them put the above question to Jesus. This question is repeated ever since. Is divorce permitted by the Church? Today's Gospel reading gives us some interesting and deep insights into this very difficult and very relevant question. Jewish law permitted divorce. However when asked, Jesus clearly and unequivocally states that it was allowed due to the hardness of their heart. God never intended that married couples should ever divorce. Hence the answer given by Jesus- "What God has joined together, let not man put asunder" - is very important.  His disciples later ask Him about the matter. So Jesus clarifies the matter and says, one who divorces his or her legally married partner and marries another commits the sin of adultery. Hence indissolubility of the marriage bond is affirmed by Jesus. As we are aware, breakdown of many marriages is due to selfishness and lack of acceptance of one another by partners. Unfortunately these breakdowns are on the rise everyday. Often it ends up in endless blame games, court battles and eventually divorce. 

"Marriage is act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family- a domestic Church." - St. Pope John Paul II

Twenty Sixth Sunday of the Year:B: September 26, 2021

 THE VIRTUE OF TOLERANCE                                                  'He who is not against us is for us'

First Reading: Numbers 11: 25-29

Second Reading: James 5:1-6

Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 38-43, 45 and 47-48

   *First reading is from the book of   Numbers. The Lord God's  Spirit descended on seventy elders of Israel and they were empowered to prophecy. However two men who were not in that group - Elad and Medad - too received the gift and they too were able to prophesy. Joshua who was ministering to Moses was upset and he wanted Moses to forbid these two men from prophesying. But Moses told Joshua that it is not right to be jealous of God's gifts. He took a more positive approach that 'if only all the Lord's people were prophets that the Lord God would put His Spirit upon them.' 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle warns us that our ill-gotten wealth gained by oppressing labourers and harvesters will be an evidence against us before the Lord. He further adds that everyone who lives in luxury and pleasure will be answerable if they do not share their wealth with the poor and the needy.

Respecting people of various religious traditions                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. The theme is tolerance as explained by Jesus. John, one of the twelve Apostles, told Jesus about a man who was casting our demons in the name of Jesus and that he had forbidden this man because he was not a follower of Jesus. After listening to John, Jesus expressed His disapproval about John's action. He corrected him and told him, "He who is not against us is with us." Hence Jesus took a more positive and tolerant view that instead of discouraging that person, he should be encouraged.                                                                                                      We have a very important lesson from this incident. We should appreciate and encourage all those who do good in the world around us, no matter whether they belong to our community/ ethnic group or belong to  different faiths. We should be open to the Spirit of God and recognize the work of God through them. In the second part of today's Gospel Jesus warns us that anyone who leads the little ones to sin will be severely punished. Crimes against children are on the rise. Jesus further adds that even if an essential organ of our body like the eye or the hand is a cause of sin, we should not hesitate to get rid of it rather than face eternal damnation.

"On our part there must be no pride or arrogance, no contempt or lack of reverence for people of different beliefs." II Vatican Council 

"The love of one's country is a natural thing. But why should  we stop at the border?" - Anon

Twenty Fifth Sunday of the Year: B: September 19, 2021

                     TRUE GREATNESS

First Reading: Wisdom 2: 12 and 17-20

Second Reading: James 3: 16 to 4: 3

Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 30-37

   *First reading is from the book of Wisdom. An explanation about the evil designs of the godless who plot against the righteous and upright people is given. The just person is inconvenient to them because he/she stands against their evil plans. So they want to do away with him/her.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. James. The Apostle points out the causes of divisions and fights whether it is within a family or within a community or between nations. Jealousy and selfishness lead us to do vile practices. But we should strive for wisdom from above which is pure and peaceable and brings good fruits. 

On being the first and the last                                                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. We observe a sharp difference in perception between Jesus and His disciples. After the confession of Peter that Jesus is the Messiah- the anointed one of God- Jesus explains to them that the Messiah has to suffer and die and after three days will rise again. The disciples could not accept such an idea and they totally reject it. They were more concerned about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of Jesus. Knowing their thoughts Jesus explains to them about true greatness in His kingdom. He told them, "Whoever wants to be first among you has to be the last of all and be the servant of all". Hence for Jesus true greatness is in serving others. Maybe many of us are like the disciples and often we measure greatness according to the standards of the world. Very often we fail to accept and appreciate true greatness according to the standards of Jesus. Today Jesus is inviting us to be part of His kingdom by being at the service of others. Jesus has given us the great example of washing the feet of His disciples and sharing His own body and blood with us.                                                        Many saints - holy men and women - have followed this teaching of Jesus in their lives. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Francis of Assisi are prime examples of serving the poorest of the poor. They have shown us how to be truly great in the kingdom of God through their selfless service. Now it is our turn to accept Jesus' invitation to achieve true greatness.