Second Sunday of Advent: A: December 4, 2022

 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. Isaiah describes the person of Messiah when He comes. He will be an ideal king who will bring two great gifts into the world: Two gifts the world is in  great need of- justice and peace. The signs of His kingdom are seen in the nature too; the wolf dwelling with the lamb; the leopard lies down with the kid; the calf and the lion live together. There is no hurt or destruction in nature. Advent is the  ideal time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah: The king of peace and justice. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Romans. Paul speaks about the importance of hope. He says that 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. We have the call of John the Baptist in the wilderness. John invites everyone to repent, for the kingdom of God is close at hand. John's appearance in the wilderness is rather eccentric. He wears a garment of camel's hair with a leather belt. He eats locusts and honey. John calls the people from all  walks of life to repentance and to be baptized. Hence John's invitation for everyone is to have a change of heart. John warns that those who do not change their lives will face punishment. John recalls the infidelity of Israel . He speaks of the promised Messiah who would be more 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 look into the areas in which we need to change. Hence 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 the Lord Jesus Christ enter in." - Oscar Wild

First Sunday of Advent: A: November 27, 2022

            ADVENT PREPARATIONS

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. Isaiah gives a vision of universal peace with the coming of Messiah. At that time, people of Israel experience great distress and pain. He speaks about a future messianic kingdom where all people will be united and will enjoy great peace. We are challenged by Isaiah to work for a new world order which is inaugurated by the coming of Messiah, Christ the Lord.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. 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. 

The coming of Jesus the Messiah                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. We are urged to stay awake because we do not know the day or the hour when Christ the Lord comes again. Jesus uses an unusual imagery of a thief coming at night. He warns 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 instructs us the following: 1. We are warned to be vigilant. 2. The 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 firmly 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

Thirty-fourth Sunday of the Year: C: Feast of Christ the King: November 20, 2022

 JESUS THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE

First Reading: 2 Samuel 5: 1-3

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 12-20

Gospel Reading: Luke 23: 35-43

   *First reading is from the second book of Samuel. Anointing of David as King is described. David is anointed as King of Judea. Later northern tribes too accept him as their King. Hence David becomes de-facto king of the whole of Israel. David's kingship becomes a pre-figuration of the  universal kingship of Christ the Lord.

   * Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul gives thanks to God for having delivered humankind from the dominion  of darkness and brought us to the kingdom of His beloved Son Jesus. Christ is the image of the invisible God and head of the Church and He is also the Lord of all creation. 

The true identity of Jesus the King                                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. An inscription placed above the cross of Jesus, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", proclaims the true identity of Jesus the King. Jesus is the Messiah (the anointed one)and the King. Even as He dies on the cross, He gives consolation and forgiveness to all those around Him. There are many people below the cross of Christ: soldiers, Pharisees and many by-standers who mock and challenge Him saying,"If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." Again, when the thief on His right pleads saying,"Jesus, remember me when you are in your kingdom,"  Jesus immediately assures Him a place in paradise. As He is dying on the cross, He calls His mother and the beloved disciple and entrusts His mother to the disciple and tells His mother, "This is your son." - pointing to the disciple. Hence Jesus' final gift to every believer is His mother to be our heavenly mother. Christ's kingdom is a very special kingdom. He has come not to conquer but to love. He has come not to have possessions but to give them away (even His own beloved mother) to us.Thus Jesus is the King of our hearts and our minds. 

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

"Rome is gone, Napoleon is gone, Hitler is gone, but the kingdom of Jesus marches on." - D. Guzik

Thirty - third Sunday of the Year:C: November 13, 2022

 THE END OF THE WORLD

First Reading : Malachi 4: 1- 2a

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12

Gospel Reading: Luke 21: 5-10

   *First Reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. A vivid description about the end of the world is given. Malachi severely warns the arrogant and those who disobey  the Lord God. He gives a message of comfort and consolation to those who fear the Lord God and live upright lives. Hence for evil doers, it will be a  day of judgement. But for the upright, it will be a day of salvation.

   *Second reading is from the Second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul severely criticizes those who in the community live idle lives and are a burden to the community. He gives his own example to be imitated and urges those who idle their lives to work and earn their living.

By your endurance you will gain your lives                                                              Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The end of the world is described in great detail. Jesus speaks of the total destruction of the city of Jerusalem and predicts disaster for the rest of the world. In future there will be nothing left in Jerusalem to admire. He gives us some warning and timelines about the events to come. 1. At the end of times, there will be proliferation of pretenders - those who try to deceive people and lead them astray. Jesus warns us not to go after them. 2. There will be  wars and nations fighting each other. The possibility of a third world war and total destruction of the world is always on the horizon. 3. Jesus speaks about earthquakes, plagues and famines in various places. We are well aware of the many natural disasters and man-made disasters taking place in different parts of the world. 4. Further, Jesus warns us that His followers will face many persecutions for their faith in Him. 5. Finally Jesus speaks of betrayals: Betrayals by friends and family and community. But He assures us that we His followers need not worry because, "Not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives." We are invited to take these warnings of the Lord seriously in our lives so that we can face the end of the world when it happens. 

"Anyone who truly loves God travels securely." - St. Teresa of Avila

"Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely." - Buddha

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly." - Richard Bach

"The end of every episode is the end of the world." - G.K. Chesterton

Thirty-second Sunday of the Year: C: November 6, 2022

 THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

First Reading: 2 Maccabees 7: 1-2 and 9-14

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2: 6 to 3:5

Gospel Reading: Luke 20: 27-38

   *First reading is from the second book of Maccabees. An assurance is given that our faith in the Lord God dispels all fears in us. We become strong and courageous and even ready to die for Him only to be raised to an everlasting life with the Lord God. The readiness of the seven Jewish brothers to die rather than violate one of the laws of the Lord God is a source of great inspiration for everyone who has faith in eternal life. 

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul prays for God's grace so that the Christians in Thessalonica (we too) may be able to remain steadfast in faith. God is the source of all comfort and strength in our lives. We who follow Jesus will do well in living and proclaiming His word and remaining united with the Lord in faith.

A Life after death                                                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. We have a very enlightening discussion between Jesus and Sadducees regarding the resurrection of the dead. Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection of the dead because for them the consequences of life after death are rather ridiculous and meaningless. Some questions like: Where would one accommodate in the next world all those tens of thousands of people who die everyday? How could anyone rectify all those messed up human relationships which take place in the present life? So they cleverly craft this question about a poor widow who is married to seven brothers (one after another) and finally she too dies without having children from any of those marriages. The question is: Whose wife will she be in at the resurrection? Jesus simply overlooks their silly question and tells them that their understanding of the resurrection of the dead is totally absurd. He tells them about Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Moses: All of them command great respect and reverence in the Jewish community. These men of God did not die for nothing. God is not a God of the dead but of the living.                                                                                         In this month of November we remember our dead and pray for our departed near and dear ones because we believe that there is life after death. It is the same with resurrection of the dead. "What is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable." - 1 Corinthians 15:42

"Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of light is the same as the survival of the soul."- Victor Hugo

" I don't care to inquire why they cannot believe an earthly body can be in heaven, while the whole earth is suspended on nothing." - St. Augustine

"Who would believe that the caterpillar becomes a butterfly unless he has seen it? If we can accept that, how can we deny that death can be transformed into life?" - Anon

Thirty-first Sunday of the Year:C: October 30, 2022

       THE INFINITE LOVE OF GOD

First Reading: Wisdom 11: 22 to 12: 2

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1: 11-22

Gospel Reading: Luke 19: 1-10

   *First reading is from the book of Wisdom. The greatness and love of the Lord God towards the whole creation is narrated. It was out of love that the Lord God created the world and everything in it. Therefore He does not desire the destruction of the world or the death of humankind. The Lord God is always ready to pardon the sins of those who repent and return to Him. 

   *Second reading is from the Second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul urges the Christians in Thessalonica to be worthy of their call. He assures them that God will help them to be true to it. Paul explains to them that their salvation would be glory both for them and for Jesus Christ. At the same time, he asks them not to be too anxious about the second coming of the Lord. He pleads with them to continue to live a good Christian life everyday allowing God to work in their lives.

Jesus meets Zacchaeus the tax collector                                                                    Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. A graphic description about Jesus meeting Zacchaeus the tax collector of Jericho is narrated. After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus responds to the invitation of Jesus in a wholehearted way. That day in Jericho, there are large crowds. On inquiry Zacchaeus comes to know that Jesus of Nazareth the miracle worker is passing by. He desires to see Jesus just once - it is a chance of a life time. Since he is short in stature, he climbs a sycamore tree on the road side and sits on one of the branches. Jesus along with His disciples comes that way. The most unexpected and amazing thing happens in the life of this little rich man. Jesus looks up and says, "Zacchaeus, come down, for I must stay at your house today." Zacchaeus is very thrilled but he is also confused. So he comes down from the tree and takes Jesus to his house. Till that meeting with Jesus, Zacchaeus only desired for money and more of it. But that chance encounter with the Lord changes everything in his life. He knows very well that all the riches he has amassed are done dishonestly. So he gives half of what he owns to the poor and declares that he would repay fourfold anyone he cheated. Jesus' presence totally and irrevocably changes this man. No wonder Jesus told him, "Today salvation has come to this house." Today the Lord is passing by and inviting each one of us to come down from the tree (we sit on). Let nothing stand between us and Jesus. 

"The first step in a person's salvation is knowledge of his sin." - L.A. Seneca

"Human salvation demands the divine disclosure of truths surpassing reason." - St. Thomas Aquinas

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year: C: Mission Sunday: October 23, 2022

                                 THE MISSION

The celebration of the Mission Sunday is a reminder for all of us regarding our duty to live our faith and to share it with others.

First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6

Second Reading: Romans 10: 9-18

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah speaks about the light that has come to Israel when the whole world is in darkness. Nations and Kings will come to Israel to see this light. The prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus the true light.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul emphatically states that believing in Jesus and professing that He is the Lord is necessary for our salvation. Others can come to faith in Jesus only if there are people to preach the message of Christ to them. Paul reminds all Christians to preach the message of Jesus to non-believers so that everyone can be saved. 

Preach the Gospel to all nations                                                                               Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The mission command of Jesus to His disciples is narrated. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gives His mission command to the disciples. They are asked to go to all nations:To preach and to make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it imperative for all His disciples to preach to all nations. Hence by this command the Lord removes all obstacles and distinction between Jews and people of other nations so that everyone can be part of His heavenly Kingdom. The Lord thus commands His disciples to go to a distance in order to spread the good news in every part of the world. Thus the prophecy of Isaiah (49:6) 'I shall make you a light to all nations so that my salvation may reach the remotest corners of earth' comes to fulfillment. Hence it is the duty of every Christian to continue the mission entrusted to the disciples by the Lord Jesus. On this Mission Sunday, the Church reminds all members about this sacred duty so that everyone will come to know that Jesus is indeed the saviour of the world. In the final section to today's Gospel Jesus promises His abiding presence with His disciples till the end of times. 

"The Church by its very nature is missionary." - Vatican II (AD2)

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." - St. Francis Assisi

"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history." - M.K. Gandhi