Bible Reflections I 01.06.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 7

Readings 

           I - Acts 20: 28-38

          II - Jn. 17: 11-19

JESUS CARES

Each of us are chosen by God, sanctified by His Word and are sent into the world to turn every heart toward God. We are in the world but we are not of the world and so would naturally be hated by the world as it was with our Master Jesus Christ. Today’s Gospel passage is about the prayer of Jesus for his disciples. His prays to the Father for His protection over them and for unity among them witnessing the unity of the Triune God.  

The prayer of Jesus for his disciples is an encouragement that enthuse Christian living. Today the Church remembers St. Justin who was martyred for the sake of Christ and his truth. Truth often hurts but we are the witnesses of the truth and therefore need to courageously stand up for what is right and truth as did Jesus. Our hearts may faint in frailty, let the prayer of Jesus uphold us to stand sturdy for his values and walk steadily in his path come what may for Jesus is with us, cares for us and he prays for us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Jesus”.

Bible Reflections I 31.05.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 7

Readings 

           I - Zeph. 3: 14-18

          II - Is. 12: 2-6

         III - Lk. 1: 39-56

VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Feast)

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the merging moment of the Old and the New Testament. The meeting of the two women: one, the mother of the Proclaimer of Salvation and two, the mother of the Promised One of Salvation. Mary hastens to help her cousin and Elizabeth receives the Mother of the Lord with great honour. Filled with grace and Holy Spirit, one identifies the role of the other, marvels at the work of the Lord and Mary gives expression to their joy in singing out the Magnificat. 

The visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary becomes an occasion of greeting, praising, exulting, thanking and magnifying the mighty works of the Lord. The visitation also becomes a blessing to Elizabeth and humble service to Mother Mary. In this light let us reflect upon our visitations to our beloved friends, neighbours, kith and kin. If such visits turn out to be moments of joy, love and sharing, thank the Lord and praise him. If not, pray the Lord to make them a moment of blessing to each other. May our Blessed Mother turn all our meetings to be moments of God’s favour, grace and blessings. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mother Mary, Pray for us”.

Bible Reflections I 29.05.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week

Readings 

           I - Acts 1: 1-11

          II - Eph. 1: 17-23

         III - Lk. 24: 46-53

ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Today the Church solemnises the ascension of the Lord that assures us of our hope in the resurrection and the life eternal. The streamline of the three readings of the day is about the promise of the Father: the Holy Spirit.  The first reading says that the Holy Spirit will come upon the disciples and make them witnesses beginning from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.  In the second reading, St. Paul says that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom would enlighten our hearts in the hope that we are sharers in the glory of Christ and the glorious inheritance among the saints through faith in Jesus Christ.  To be witnesses and sharers in the glorious inheritance among the saints, as Jesus says in the Gospel passage we are clothed with the power from on high through the Holy Spirit.  

The feast of the ascension of Jesus is celebrated as World Communication Day, established by Pope Paul VI in the year 1967.  This was solely to encourage the Church to use the means of social communication for the proclamation of the Gospel message.  Thank God for the availability of channels and all other social networks that constantly keep taking the message of Christ to the world.  Let us also on this day allow ourselves to be enamored, enriched and empowered by the Holy Spirit so that our life itself becomes a medium of communication in the proclamation of the Gospel message: Jesus Christ.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill me with your Spirit so that I become an effective messenger of the Good News”     

Bible Reflections I 28.05.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 18: 23-28

          II - Jn. 16: 23-28

                   

JESUS IS THE LORD

The first reading of the day is about a Jew named Apollos, native of Alexandria. He spoke boldly in the synagogue and powerfully refuted the Jews showing by the Scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus. He spoke with great conviction and burning enthusiasm though he knew only about the baptism of John. Many were convinced with the preaching of Apollos and accepted Christ as the Messiah.

 

Personal conviction leads to public proclamation. We are Christians baptised with the conviction that Jesus is the Lord. This conviction should be evinced by our commitment to proclaim Christ through our witnessing life for action speaks louder than words. Proclaim Christ not merely through words but by credible Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to proclaim you to others more by our credible living” 

Bible Reflections i 27.05.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 18: 9-18

          II - Jn. 16: 20-23

       

“Your sorrow will turn into joy” is the crux of the Gospel passage of the day. With the birth of the child the pangs of the mother is gone. She forgets the anguish in the joy of bringing forth a life into this world. Sufferings endured for a cause are forgotten with the achievement of that cause. In the letter to the Hebrews we read, “Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him, scorning its shame” (Heb. 12: 12). Jesus endured suffering and shame for the sake of our salvation. St. Paul in his letter to Timothy says, “I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2: 10).   

Almost all things have an exchange value. To acquire a place in the Kingdom of God we have to align our lives unto the life and teachings of the Lord. In aligning our lives unto the ways of Christ we become aliens to the values of the world and we have to but endure suffering. Jesus promises, “Your sorrow will turn into joy”. Therefore let us dare to love not hate, forgive in the place of revenge, be selfless amidst the selfish world, choose to be humble instead of being proud and arrogant, share instead of accumulating and be considerate in all things, with all persons and at all times in imitating Christ our model. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank you for your encouraging promises”.

Bible Reflections I 36.05.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 18: 1-8

          II - Jn. 16: 16-20

St. Philip Neri (Memorial)  

                  

MESSENGERS OF GOD

John the evangelist says, “He came to His own and those who were His own did not receive Him” (Jn. 1: 11). In the first reading, Paul, at Corinth proclaimed the Word of God and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. In their stubbornness of heart they opposed and reviled him. Therefore he left them and went to the Gentiles at Corinth. Many believed and got baptised. 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Philip Neri, known as the ‘Humorous Saint”. Thought he lived here on the earth, his eyes were always fixed on heave, the Paradise. He loved the youth and was always crowded by children and youth around him. His spirituality was simply being cheerful. He enlightened and enamored people through entertainment that had religious instructions as its crux. To perpetuate his work established the Congregation of the Oratory, a society of secular clergy without any religious vows. He was a man of prayer, cheerfulness and joy. 

St. Paul and the saint of the day inspire us to bear witness to Christ through our credible Christian living. Both of them preached from and through their life. In the light of their lives let us examine our word and deeds to find out if they bore witness to the Jesus we believe and proclaim. St. Paul and St. Philip Neri lived what they preached. If we were to be like them, we can inspire and turn many people towards God. Let us not be stubborn like the Jews of Corinth but be open to the truth around us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be your powerful messenger in my words and actions”.  

Bible Reflections I 25.05.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 17: 15, 22-18: 1

          II - Jn. 16: 12-15

                  

ALLOW TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT

St. Paul was a vehement preacher, convinced Christian, passionate apostle and an ardent missionary. He toiled hard to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. He grabbed every opportunity to preach and announce the Good News. In today’s first reading, we read how Paul introduced Christ to the people of Athens. When Paul saw the altar with an inscription, “To the unknown God”, he convinced them that ‘the unknown God’ was Christ Jesus, the Lord and in him we live and move and have our being, and insisted them on repentance and conversion.  

In the light of the reading let us examine our lives. Though we have ample opportunities to proclaim Christ, we often fail to do so for various reasons. Take some quite moments today to examine why we are hesitant in proclaiming Christ to others. ‘Action speak louder than words’ - It would be more effective if we proclaim Christ through our credible Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be your authentic apostle”

Bible Reflections I 24.05.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 16: 22-34

          II - Jn. 16: 5-11

               

The Holy Spirit is God, the Sanctifier and His work is to make us all holy.  It is for this reason that he convicts on: sin, righteousness and judgment; concerning God’s love, God’s truth and conviction to stand before the judgment of God.  They are simple and interrelated.  When we become aware of God’s love we become aware of our sinfulness leading to repentance and conversion to stand by the truth of God.  This will lead us to face the judgment of God that is truth.  Surrender to the Holy Spirit, turn away from sinfulness, tread on the way of the Lord and face the judgment of the Lord with courage and conviction.  

Today we celebrate the feast of Mary, Help of Christians, a devotion so dear to the heart of Don Bosco. In his biography Don Bosco writes the Salesian Congregation, “The principal objective is to promote veneration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary, Help of Christians”. Mary is invoked under this title because she had given victory to the Church from its oppressors.  Let us intercede with this heavenly queen to teach us to live by the promptings of the Holy Spirit in docility, trust and love as she did.  Let us keep repeating the prayer as often as possible in the silence of our hearts for our various intentions and that of the Church: “Mary, Help of Christians, Pray for us”.  

Bible Reflections I 23.05.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 16: 11-15

          II - Jn. 15: 26 - 16: 4

                  

 THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR HELPER

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus alerts us of the persecution and suffering we have to endure on account of him. Killing the people of God as ‘Service to God’ existed even before Christ, with Christ and that will follow even after Christ. We need not worry or despair because he would not leave us orphans but would give us a helper, the Holy Spirit who will lead us to the truth and help us bear witness to the same.  

Do not be panicked place all your trust in the great promise of the Lord: the Holy Spirit, the advocate, guide, counsellor and helper close at hand. He will fill us with his courage and help us bear witness to the life and teaching of the Christ through our lives. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit”.  

Bible Reflections i 22.05.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29

          II - Rev. 21: 10-14, 22-23

         III - Jh. 14: 23-29

         

IN YOUR WILL IS OUR PEACE

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus offers the gift of his peace to his disciples - peace that the world cannot give. The peace of Christ consists in loving him and living by his commandments. If we love the Lord, both the Father and the Son would come to make their home in us. We will also be gifted with the Holy Spirit by the Father, to remind and live our lives according to the teachings of our Lord and that is peace.

The peace of Christ does not mean absence of trials and difficulties but the heavenly peace amidst all odds because we choose to live by the will of God for us and his will is our peace. The world promises and poses all pleasure and pomp as peace and this is not real. Allow not to be carried by this deception of the world but focus on the will of God with all love and enjoy the absolute peace that the Lord offers. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill us with your peace”.

Bible Reflections I 21.05.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 16: 1-10

          II - Jh. 15: 18-21

         

WALK WITH THE LORD

We are chosen from the world and we are not of the world because we are the followers of Christ. We are chosen to swim against the tide of the world, to contradict the worldly values with the Gospel values. It was for this reason that Jesus was hated, persecuted and killed. A servant is not greater than the master. Jesus had set an example for us his disciples to live for truth, justice, freedom and brotherhood, come what may.

Many Christians and the saints had tread courageously on the path set out by Christ. We too today are called to walk upon this beaten path but less travelled. Courage! Jesus has walked the way and has promised to be with us till the end of times. Trusting in his words, let the tread on the path of Jesus with courage, love and conviction. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to walk on your path with courage and determination”.   

Bible Reflections I 20.05.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 22-31

          II - Jh. 15: 12-17

               

WITNESSES OF GOD’S LOVE

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” and his commandment is this, “Love one another as I have loved you”. The love of Jesus for us is the benchmark for our love towards our neighbour. Jesus loved everyone, the sinners, the fault finders, the conspirators and executioners. His was never discriminant in his love.  

We know who we are. We are sinful, weak, wretched and fragile, still we experience that God loves us unconditionally. Jesus wants us to exercise this love towards our neighbour. In this way we become witnesses of God’s love to everyone around us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be the witnesses of your love to our neighbours”

Bible Reflections I 19.05.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 7-21

          II - Jh. 15: 9-11

ABIDE IN GOD’S LOVE

In yesterday’s Gospel passage Jesus invited us to remain in his love and in today’s Gospel passage Jesus prescribes the methodology to be united in his love. Abiding in God’s love is keeping his commandments: love of God and love of neighbour for one cannot exist without the other.

People take upon themselves round the clock prayer practices, pilgrimage, fasting and abstinences to prove their love for God but deliberately neglect to help the needy neighbour in the next door. One who says that he/she loves God and does not love the neighbour is a liar (1Jn. 4: 20). Therefore in loving our neighbour we love God and vice versa and this is what is abiding in God’s love. May our mind heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to abide in your love”

Bible Reflections I 18.05.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 1-6

          II - Jh. 15: 1-8

              

REMAIN IN HIS LOVE

Today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to remain in God’s love. Unless a branch is united to the plant it cannot be fresh and fruitful. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Only united in him can we draw the sap of love, peace and joy and be fruitful in our Christian living, glorifying the Lord in all that we do and say. To be more fruitful, the plant has to be constantly pruned. Let to itself, without being pruned, the plant would grow wild yielding less fruit than it could.  

Every event and experience of life, its hardships, challenges and difficulties are willed by God to prune us to become more fruitful. United in Jesus, accept life as it comes and become an effective instrument and witnesses of God’s love. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, help me to be united with you always and accept life as it comes” 

Bible Reflections I 17.05.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 14: 19-28

          II - Jh. 14: 27-31

         

PEACE IS GOD’S GIFT

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus promises of his peace to his disciples. His own peace and not the peace that the world gives. The gift of the Risen Lord is peace, the absolute peace that no person or a thing can give.

People search for peace in power, position, status, wealth, man power, strength and money. Nothing of this can give us peace but Christ alone. Peace therefore is the gift of God to people who search for and live by His will. Try to seek and His Will and peace will automatically be filled in our hearts and lives. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, fill us with your peace”. 

Bible Reflections I 16.05.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 14: 5-18

          II - Jh. 14: 21-26

WITH FAITH ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

Today’s first reading is about Paul healing the man at Lystra. The man was crippled from birth and had never walked. At the command of Paul, “stand upright on your feet”, the crippled man walked. The miracle was possible because the bible says, “seeing that he had faith to be made well, Paul gave such command. Faith is two way, both the giver and the receiver should have faith. The faith of Paul and the faith of the crippled made the miracle possible.

The one thing that predominating in the minds of people is that, “will this happen?” This doubt implies ‘no faith’. With ‘no faith’ nothing is possible. Let us examine our faith when we approach the throne of God with various petitions and prayer requests. Only to the one who has faith, all things are possible. May the passage help us to examine the quality of our faith in the Lord. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the gift of faith”. 

Bible Reflections I 15.05.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 14: 21-27

          II - Rev. 21: 1-5

         III - Jn. 13: 31-35

BECOME WITNESSES OF GOD’S LOVE

Today’s Gospel passage is the touchstone of discipleship: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. 

 The apostles, early Christians and the Church suffered because they bore testimony to the love of the Lord in their patient love and endurance. In the first reading Paul and Barnabas encourages the Christians to go through the tribulation for their belief in Christ Jesus in order to enter into the Kingdom of God. The second reading provides hope for the new heaven and earth and New Jerusalem where there shall be no suffering or mourning or crying but everlasting happiness and peace.

For Christ’s sake we might have to endure little afflictions and inconveniences but they worth nothing to the joy that awaits in the world yet to come, the New Jerusalem. Love is always suffering. Sr. Rani Maria loved the tribals, the Australian missionary Graham Stain loved the lepers, St. Oscar Romero loved the people, a reflection of Christ’s love for his people and therefore they had to suffer giving up their life but they had merited the life eternal, the reward of the beloved of Jesus. 

Love people and radiate the joy of being loved by God proving ourselves to be the disciples of the Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be your authentic disciples in loving others” 

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Bible Reflections I 14.05.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 1: 15-17, 20-26

          II - Jn. 15: 9-17

Matthias, Apostle (Feast)

WE ARE GOD’S CHOICE

Jesus chose the twelve, loved them, called them friends and taught them everything he had learnt from his Father but Judas desperately failed him by selling Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Instead of repenting and restarting his life like other disciples who had also failed Jesus, Judas killed himself in remorse and guilt instead of trusting in the love and mercy of the Lord. Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthias, the one selected in the place of Judas. Matthias was the follower of Jesus and witness of resurrection as well and therefore no less than the other disciples. Matthias courageously took the Gospel to the people bearing witness to the life, teaching, death and resurrection of the Lord.

The Lord has chosen each of us to be his followers out of his benevolence, goodness and mercy. We have not chosen him, it is God who has chosen each of us to be his followers. Due to our own weakness and in frailty we may happen to fail as followers of Jesus but let us not lose heart instead repent and resume our discipleship in Christ Jesus our Lord. May St. Matthias, the apostle, help us to be daring disciples of Jesus as we keep repeating the prayer: “St. Matthias, Pray for us”.

    

Bible Reflections I 13.05.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 13: 26-33

          II - Jn. 14: 1-6

Our Lady of Fatima (Memorial)

JESUS IS THE WAY

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus assures his disciples of a place in the paradise, his Father’s House. The promise given to the disciples befits us his followers as well. To inherit the eternal dwelling with the Father we need to do two things: one, to trust in Jesus and two, to tread the path set out by Jesus aware of the truth that Jesus is the Way. God’s wish and desire for each of us is that we be with Him in the Paradise.

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared six times to the Portuguese children viz. Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco insisting to pray for the conversion of sinners. Prayer and conversion was the central message of almost all apparitions of our Blessed Mother so that no one perishes but be with his Son in the Paradise. Throughout this on her day, let us invoke the intercession of Mother Mary to lead us on the path of his Son and our Lord Jesus Christ as we keep repeating the prayer in the silence of our hearts: “Mother Mary, lead us to your Son Jesus”.       

    

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Bible Reflections I 12.05.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 13: 13-25

          II - Jn. 13: 16-20

FOLLOW THE MASTER

Jesus humbled himself to the extent of assuming the role of a slave in washing the feet of the apostles, He was obedient to the God the Father to the extent of emptying himself by taking up the form of a man, He was humiliated and tortured to the extent of crucifixion on the cross, still, He went about doing only good. He shared his table, roof and life willingly even with the one who betrayed him. This is the style of Jesus and the Path set out by him through his life example. Jesus had travelled the untrodden land and bids us to follow that his beaten path of love, peace and fraternity. 

We are not greater than the Master but only his messengers with his message of love. We might have to suffer standing by his principles and exhortations. We needn’t fear for Jesus had walked that way and would be as he had promised be with us until the end of time. Until then we keep going in love proving ourselves to be the authentic followers of the Master Jesus Christ. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus our Master, give us the courage to walk your way”   

 

Bible Reflections I 11.05.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 12: 24 - 13: 5

          II - Jn. 12: 44-50

      

LISTEN TO DISCERN

In the first reading the Holy Spirit says to those gathered in the Church of Antioch to set aside Paul and Barnabas for the work that He had called them.  Precisely to be the missionaries of spreading the message about Christ far and wide across many lands of the world.  In worship, prayer and fasting did they hear the Word of the Holy Spirit speaking to them.

 In the light of this reading, let us examine the quality of our prayer.  Is it merely a one way prayer viz. asking, pleading, petitioning and requesting?  We often fast and pray for our own satisfaction and gratification. Instead pray to the Lord that we might be disposed to listen and discern the will of God for our lives so that we might be sterling sheep of the flock of Christ. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach me to be attentive to your voice”

Bible Reflections I 10.05.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

10.05.2022

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 11: 19-26

          II - Jn. 10: 22-30

St. Damien of Molokai (Memorial)

HEED TO THE VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says that his sheep hear his voice, they follow him and inherit eternal life. The Jews heard him and witnessed the works done by him but were adamant and stubborn to listen to his words and to perceive his works.

Today the Church remembers St. Damien of Molokai. He had been a shepherd to the lepers in loving them, caring for them, attending to them and to the extent of dying for them in leprosy. The saint heard the voice of Jesus in the lepers, attended to them as he would to Jesus and served them sacrificing himself for them completely. 

As Christians, the little flock of Chirst, in the light of the Gospel passage and the life of the saint of the day reflect about our following the Shepherd. Our priority should be to catch up the voice of our Good Shepherd and follow him wherever he leads: towards unity, forgiveness, peace, freedom, justice and fraternity; and that is credible Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to listen and attend to your voice”

Bible Reflections i 09.05.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 11: 1-18

          II - Jn. 10: 1-10

                 

The flock of Christ is all inclusive and the Word of God is not the privilege of the few but all. Whoever hears, listens, repents, amends his/her ways unto that of the Word and resolves to follow the Lord belong to the sheepfold of Christ. In the first reading, Peter was exhorted by the Lord to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and the gentiles accepted the preaching of Peter about Jesus with all their hearts and were anointed by the Holy Spirit as did the apostles themselves in the upper room. In the Gospel passage we read that accepting Christ is accepting eternal life and rejecting Christ is rejecting eternal life because Christ is the gateway to the sheepfold.

In the fold of Christ all are equal and no one is small, great, rich, poor, high, low, significant or insignificant as St. Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3: 28). Therefore accepting the Word of God is accepting the Way of the Lord. Be attentive to the Shepherd and behold the eternal life that He brings. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, our Divine Shepherd, we trust in you”

Bible Reflections I 08.05.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 13: 14, 43-52

          II - Rev. 7: 9, 14-17

         III - Jn. 10: 27-30       

         

“MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE”

The fourth week of the Easter Sunday is celebrated as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice”. The consequences of listening or rejecting the Word of God is given in all the three readings. Those who listen to the Word of God and live by the same, as we read in the second reading would join the multitudes standing before the throne of God. Jesus says that they would inherit life eternal and will never perish. Those who reject the Word of God in the stubbornness of their heart as did the Jews in the first reading can judge for themselves to be unworthy of eternal life. 

God’s words are sown into our hearts by various persons and we too do read the Scripture individually. Reading alone does not suffice, we must hear God speaking to us, listen to him and abide by the same. If we do so even amidst all joys, sorrows, success, failure, ups and downs of our life, we are sure to inherit life eternal promised by our Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. May our mind and hear resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach me to listen to you”

Bible Reflections I 07.05.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 9: 31-42

          II - Jn. 6: 60-69

    

BECOME PERSONS OF PRAYER AND PERSONS OF GOD

In the first reading today, Peter cures Aeneas, a bed ridden person for eight years in Joppa and raises Tabitha, full of charity and good works, in Lydda.  These miracles were possible for Peter precisely because he was a man of God and a man of prayer.  The narration accounts that Peter healed the bed ridden in the name of Jesus and; knelt down and prayed before he could present Tabitha alive to the saints and the widows. 

All things are possible with God and to the one who believes in the power of His Name, Jesus. “Jesus” is a powerful prayer of the believer.  Even unarticulated words and emotions become prayer in pronouncing the supreme name of ‘Jesus’.  It is not merely enough to be Christians but the quality of being Christian depend upon our belief in the Life and Teaching of Christ our Lord. Prayer is not merely the multiplicity of words but tremendous trust in the Lord in living our lives based on his teaching.  May our mind and heat resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be persons of prayer and persons of God”.

Bible Reflections I 06.05.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 9: 1-20

          II - Jn. 6: 52-59        

         

Some are born saint and some are made saints and both are by the grace of God. St. Dominic Savio whose feast we celebrate today is a born saint. A twelve year boy at the oratory of DB with a motto, "Death rather than sin". He lived lost in sanctity, indulging himself in mortification and sacrifice beyond his age that Don Bosco had to intervene to give a different orientation to sanctity and its cheerfulness.  Dominic Savio inspired the life of many boys at the oratory and others as well. Blsd. Laura Viccuna who is in the process of canonization had Dominc Savio as her model saint making his motto her own, "Death rather than sin".

Let us take up the first reading about the conversion of St. Paul for our reflection. Saul, St. Paul before his conversion, an authentic and a fanatic Jew goes to the high priests to obtain permission to persecute the Christians at Damascus. But with a powerful light accompanied with voice and the commission for a mission, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do”, the life of ‘Saul’ Changes to ‘Paul’, from a persecutor to the pillar of the Church, from a vehement Jew to a convinced Christian and from being a persecutor to the one being persecuted for Christ’s sake.

God chose St. Paul for a purpose - to be an apostle to the gentiles which he never knew for himself till on his way to Damascus. Paul had a great pride of being a Jew, ‘people of God’ and the so called noble purpose of torturing the Christians. God Catches and commissions for a noble cause. Nothing is a chance and everything happens with a reason and for a purpose. Let us take all things in life as it comes, all experiences as proposed by God for a purpose and yield unto the Lord to execute His will in our lives because God’s ways are always noble and notable. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to accept life as it comes with a great trust in you”

Bible Reflections I 05.05.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 8: 26-40

          II - Jn. 6: 44-51

       

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE

Today’s Gospel passage is about Manna and the Eucharist.  The former is from God to satisfy the basic need of a human person and the latter is God Himself becoming bread to satisfy the supreme need of a soul.  Those who ate manna in the desert perished but those who eat the body of Christ is promised of life eternal. The one who believes in Jesus and eats of his flesh has eternal life.

The Eucharist is the greatest gift and memory of Jesus himself.  Every time we celebrate we recall the love and the life of the Lord who down precisely to impart life eternal to us.  Most of the times we take the celebration of the Eucharist for granted and partake in it as a part of obligation or ritual.  God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to save us, Jesus loved us so much that he has given himself, his body and blood as our food and drink and if we consume without recognising this we are then dishonoring the body of Christ thereby inheriting the judgment of God upon ourselves (1Cor. 11: 12).  Let us partake worthily and consume reverently with a resoluteness of following the footsteps of Jesus.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, the bread of life, thank you for your body and blood that give us eternal life”

Bible Reflections I 04.05.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 8: 1-8

          II - Jn. 6: 35-40

SEEK AND STAY WITH THE LORD

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”. Because Jesus is the truth and whoever discovers the truth in Jesus is at peace, content with seeking and accomplishing the will of God as did Jesus himself: “My food is to do the will of the Father” (Jn. 4: 34).  

St. Augustine says, “You have made us for yourself O Lord and our hearts is restless until it rests in you”. The world hungers for power, wealth, honour, glory and status that are temporary and not satisfying at all. When one want is satisfied another pops up automatically seeming to be important and that one cannot exist without that. On the contrary if a person turns towards God and fixes his heart upon God everything becomes insignificant and least important but God alone. He shall never again hunger or thirst for worldly parameters of success and lifestyle but the Gospel requirements of inheriting eternal life, the will of God as the one thing essential. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach us to seek God above all”

Bible Reflections I 03.05.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - 1Cor. 15: 1-8

          II - Jn. 14: 6-14

         

JESUS IS GOD

There are two promises in the Gospel passage of the day: One, whoever believes in Jesus would do even greater works than Jesus himself and two, whatever is asked in the name of Jesus will be granted. These two promises require belief in Jesus Christ that he is the Lord and God. His ways, words and the very life is the manifestation of God and the testimony of His love for us. We have no way but Jesus; his words are true and he alone can impart life eternal to each of us because Jesus is God.

We are Christians and we believe that Jesus is our Lord and God. But when we are battered by life’s struggles, challenges, tests and trials we tend to look for this person and that person, this means and that means, this ways and that ways in getting rid of the same. But these are moments that are even opportunities to prove our faith and belief in Jesus. He can do all things for us if only we believe that ‘nothing is impossible with’ God (Lk. 1: 37). May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God”.

Bible Reflections I 02.05.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 6: 8-15

          II - Jn. 6: 22-29

LOOK BEYOND THE GRASP

Today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to look beyond a happening or an incident or an event to grasp the truth. The crowd looked for Jesus because they had their fill through the multiplication of the fives loaves and the two fish but failed to grasp this sign and understand the truth that Jesus is the messiah and the Promised One of God.

Miracles do happen in our lives but we too fail to fathom the message beyond the miracles. The miracles are the proof of God’s love and the assurance of His presence with us. There is a saying, “God gives and forgives, and man gets and forgets”. Let us not stop with getting alone but try to go beyond getting to appreciate, love and trust in the Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, we believe in you”.