Bible Reflections I 01.05.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings:

           I - Gen. 1: 26-2:3 (or) Col. 3: 14-15, 17, 23-24)

          II - Mt. 13: 54-58

         

MAY DAY - ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER

May 1st is celebrated as ‘Workers Day’, we shall base our reflection on the sanctifying effect of work in the plan of God. This day recognises God as creator, redeemer and sustainer, the ONE who is always at work. Jesus says, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working” (Jn. 5: 17) and hence the dignity of work and that of the workers has its source in God. Jesus served God in His work, we are also exhorted to serve God in our work. Jesus saved the world working in obedience to the will of His father. We are also called to work for the sanctification of self and that of the world as St. Paul would say, “Whatever you do, work with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Col. 3: 23-24).

The Church today look at St. Joseph, the worker as a model for all workers. St. Joseph through his hard work has shown the dignity and salvific importance of human work. He had been the guardian, provider and protector of the Holy Family through the hard toil of his hands. Jesus had been at the workshop of his father helping him and working along with him as responsible and obedient son of his parents (Lk. 2: 51). Dignity of life depends upon the dignity of work and no work is inferior or superior for the goal of work is simple: provision for worldly sustenance and inheritance of sanctification. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, the worker, we shall pray for all the workers and in particular for those who have lost their jobs due to various reasons, the unemployed, those who consider work as a burden and those who do not respect the dignity of labour. May the Lord bless all the workers with their deserving rewards. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless all the workers”

Bible Reflections I 30.04.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 2: 14, 36-41

          II - I Peter 2: 20-25

         III - Jn. 10: 1-10

         

FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD

The fourth week of the Easter Sunday is celebrated as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”. The Good Shepherd has given his life for us his sheep that we might live. There is other way to inherit eternal life except through Jesus, the door of the sheep fold. In the first reading Peter invites the people of God to repentance in order to join the sheepfold of Christ. In the second reading Peter encourages to endure suffering modelled after the good shepherd who never retaliated at the face of suffering but put his trust on the righteous judge, God Those who listen to the Word of God as Jesus says, would inherit life eternal and will never perish. Those who reject the Word of God in the stubbornness of their heart 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 and as community. Reading alone does not suffice, we must hear God speaking to us, listen to him and abide by the same as the sheep of the flock of Christ. 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, help to follow you at all cost”

Bible Reflections I 29.04.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 9: 31-42

          II - Jn. 6: 60-69

FAITH IN JESUS WORKS MIRACLE

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA 

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 28.04.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 9: 1-20

          II - Jn. 6: 52-59

         

MAN PROPOSES AND GOD DISPOSES

Let us take up the first reading that speaks 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 27.04.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 8: 26-40

          II - Jn. 6: 44-51

THE EUCHARIST IS THE SELF GIFT OF JESUS HIMSELF

Today’s Gospel passage is on 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 26.04.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 8: 1-8

          II - Jn. 6: 35-40

         

REMAIN 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 25.04.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - 1Pt. 5: 5-14

          II - Mk. 16: 15-20

         

ST. MARK, THE EVANGELIST

Proclamation of the Good News is not the task of the apostles alone but the primary responsibility of all the baptised as well. Jesus sends his disciples with gifts and signs that would prove their credibility as believers in Christ: gift of tongues, will be able to pick up snakes in their hands, be unharmed even if they were to drink deadly poison and heal the sick. The apostles went out and proclaimed the Good News vehemently with conviction.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mark, the evangelist. St. Mark was not an apostle but was a disciple of St. Peter. He was a missionary companion of St. Paul and St. Barnabas. The lion is the symbol of St. Mark because his Gospel account begins with the preaching of John the Baptist as that of the roaring lion for repentance. St. Mark took the Gospel to Egypt and died as a martyr in Alexandria. St. Mark was a passionate preacher, courageous coworker of St. Paul and a valiant martyr for Christ. May St. Mark intercede for us that we be authentic witnesses and courageous followers of Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be your effective follower”

Bible Reflections I 24.04.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts 6: 8-15

          II - Jn. 6: 22-29

                  

LOOK BEYOND TO GRASP THE MEANING

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”.

Bible Reflections I 23.04.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Sunday: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Acts. 2: 14, 22-33

          II - I Pt. 1: 17-21

         III - Lk. 24: 13-35

         

FAITH DISCOVERS GOD’S PRESENCE

In the first reading Peter preaches about Jesus as the Promised One of God as foretold by King David.  In the second reading St. Peter says that we are ransomed by the precious blood of Christ.  He also invites the people of God for a hopeful and faith filled life in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Gospel passage is about the walk to Emmaus where the two disciples failed to recognise Jesus though he was walking along with them talking and interpreting the things about him in the scriptures.  Disappointment and despair kept their eyes from discovering Jesus. They were so much engrossed in their sorrow about the death of their Master and were confused about the resurrection fact conveyed by the women who went to the tomb. They were unable to believe anything beyond all that had happened just three days before and three days after.  But with the breaking of the bread their eyes were opened and they recognised him.

Jesus is with us always and at all times. But the fears, troubles, anxieties, worries, setbacks, struggles, confusions and failures might keep our eyes from discovering Jesus.  We hear the word of God and break the bread during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.  Do we recognise him in the Word and in the Holy Eucharist? If not, ask God to gift us with the spirit of love, faith and hope to discover him so as to gain strength to combat the struggles of life with courage, hope and optimism.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to discover your ever abiding presence in our lives”.

Bible Reflections I 22.04.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts 6: 1-7

          II - Jn. 6: 16-21

                  

FIX FOCUS ON GOD 

Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus walking on the water. With darkness around, rough sea and strong wind the disciples were able to row the boat about three or four miles with great difficulty to sail safely. They were so much engrossed in their problem that they were not able to identify their master who came towards them walking on the water but were terrified. With Jesus the boat sailed safe on the shore.

In our life too when are faced with challenges, difficulties, anxieties, worries and problems we seem to strain ourselves in all ways to come out of the same forgetting the presence of the Master our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives. With Jesus burdens become light (Mt. 11: 30). We often forget this and toil hard to sail safe from all that bother us. Instead recognise the presence of the Lord and experience everyday miracles happening in our lives. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to focus on you rather than our problems”

Bible Reflections I 21.04.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts 5: 34-42

          II - Jn. 6: 1-15

                  

TRUST IN THE LORD

Today’s Gospel passage is about the multiplication of the loaves. Jesus asks Phillip, “Where are we to but bread for these people to eat?” To this question Jesus get two responses from two persons: Phillip and Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Phillips responds saying, “six month’s wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little” but Andrew responds, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish”. One gets bewildered while the other brings something. Jesus blessed that something to the extent of getting the leftover filled in twelve baskets even after feeding the multitude of at least five thousand men.  

We are likely to give up hope in bewilderment at the face of trying situations like Phillip. Hopelessness would blur or blind us from the openings, possibilities, opportunities and chances that the situation holds in grip. Panicky might prevent from discovering the ways and means to solve the problems that we encounter. We are in the Easter season that echoes the message of ‘hope’ loud and clear. The risen Lord is always with us as did he with his apostles and we are only to have faith in him, like Andrew, offering the mite we have with which he can perform wonder to the astonishment of all. Trust in the Lord and all thing are possible. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith at the face of trials in particular”.

Bible Reflections I 20.04.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts 5: 27-33

          II - Jn. 3: 31-36

                  

JESUS IS THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s love and he came to save the world from eternal damnation to eternal life. Jesus taught with authority (Mt. 7: 29); dealt with compassion (Mt. 9: 36); moved about doing good (Acts 10:38) and forgave even the executioners who crucified him to the cross (Lk. 23: 34) and all these testified that he was from above. He had been the absolute witness of God’s love in all His thoughts, words and deeds. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that he was from above and that anyone who believes in him inherits eternal life.

The easiest way to attain eternal life is to believe in the Lord Jesus. Believing in Jesus means daring to walk on the path that he tread - the path of freedom, fraternity and justice. It is accepting the light of Christ and becoming one to others. The best way to express our trust and faith in the Lord is to project him in our lives. As Jesus bears testimony to the love of the Father may we his followers bear testimony to the love of our Lord in our day to day living and in this way shall we be identified his witnesses to the world. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be the witness of your love”.

Bible Reflections I 19.04.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts 5: 17-26

          II - Jn. 3: 16-21

         

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD…

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that God sent His only Son Jesus because He loved the world so much.  God wanted that everyone be saved and inherit the eternal life.  To be saved and to inherit eternal life is simple: to believe in the one sent into the world, His Son and our Lord Jesus Christ.  Those who desire and does what is true naturally accept Jesus, the Light sent into the world.  Those who live in the dark are not so much comfortable with light because they are evil and so they dislike God, the ultimate One, Good, Truth and Beauty.

In the light of the Gospel passage of day, analyse our attitude towards the truth.  If we are carried away by the fantasies of the world we would naturally avoid God because His principles are too demanding and appear to be highly impractical.  But those who love truth and live by the same come what may, would stand by and with God who loves them so much even to the extent of allowing His Son to be crucified for our salvation. Live in truth and topsy turvy the world with the Gospel values.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead us to the truth”.

Bible Reflections I 18.04.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts 4: 32-37

          II - Jn. 3: 7-15

            

JESUS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the son of man”.  Therefore only Jesus can show us the way to the Father. The rebellious Israel bitten by poisonous snakes had to look up to the bronze snake set by Moses on the pole as commanded by God in order to be saved from death. We were dead to sin but were saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross.  If we like the people of Israel wish to be saved, we have to look up to the crucified Lord on the Cross.  Looking up to him means repentance of heart and resolution to avoid sin with the firm faith in the Lord, trust in his mercy and hope in his love for he alone can lead us to the Father.

Let us not pick up bench marks from the deteriorating world or set standards that are counter to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.  As Jesus says Nicodemus we have to be born of the spirit.  Being born or the spirit is being led by the teachings of Jesus Christ who descended from the Father and who know the way to Him as well.  Look up to him for the way, the truth and the life.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead us to the Father”.

Bible Reflections I 17.04.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts. 4: 23-31

          II - Jn. 3: 1-8

BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT

In today’s Gospel passage Nicodemus comes to meet Jesus in the night seeking for the truth. He chose night probably because to avoid unnecessary attention and accusations. Nicodemus was a leading Pharisee which means he was a learned man who followed the Jewish law to its details. He was convinced that God was working through Jesus but was unable to discover the Messiah, the Promised One of God in Jesus. To understand Jesus right and his Kingdom, on has to be born of water and spirit. Physical birth is visible in the flesh while being born in the spirit is visible from the actions of the person.

We are Christians born of water and spirit. We become credible followers of the Lord only when our good deeds and words surpass the deeds of the world that is selfish. If the word of God has taken root in us then can we be convinced that we are born of the spirit testifying to the life of Jesus in our lives. Ask for the grace of courage to imitate our Lord in our lives.

Bible Reflections I 16.04.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 2

Readings 

           I - Acts. 5: 42-47

          II - 1 Peter 1: 3-9

         III - Jn. 20: 19-31

Divine Mercy Sunday

         

HAVE FAITH; BE MERCIFUL

Faith and mercy are the two indispensable requirements of Christian living. We shall base our reflection on the same. “Seeing is believing” and “Believing is seeing” are the two common expressions and one is totally different from the other. “Seeing is believing” is earthly, scientific and require evidence but “Believing is seeing” is heavenly, miraculous and require faith. St. Thomas, who refused to believe the witness of the other disciples fall under the first category. In today’s Gospel passage St. Thomas doubts in the resurrection of the Lord and insists that “Until I see I will not believe”. But after seeing Jesus he makes an extraordinary confession of faith, “My Lord and my God”. To him Jesus replies, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”. The opposite of doubt is faith. Faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11: 1). Don’t we too like St. Thomas doubt though we have seen and experienced many marvelous and miraculous things happen in our lives? Stop doubting and start believing, that’s faith!

Today the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. A day dedicated to recall the mercy of God in Jesus Christ, His Son, and the perfect revelation of God’s merciful love. Caiaphas the high priest said, “It is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (Jn. 11: 50) but to Jesus who was crucified by them, even one sheep would tantamount to ninety nine for he says, “I guarded them and not one of them perished…” (Jh. 17: 12). This is mercy of God! May we today in faith ask for His mercy, in our turn be merciful to others and trust in him completely with utmost faith. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in your mercy”.

Bible Reflections I 15.04.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Saturday after Easter

Readings 

           I - Acts. 4: 13-21

          II - Mk. 16: 9-15

         

WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE OF GOD

The witness of Mary Magdalene about the risen Lord and the testimony of the two disciples about their Emmaus Journey with the risen Lord did not suffice to convince the other disciples about the resurrection of the Lord. Finally Jesus appeared to the eleven themselves and upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness to believe in the witness of Mary Magdalene and the testimony of the two disciples. Because he had already told them when he was with them that he would rise from the dead after three days of his death on the cross. Admonishing the disciples for their lack of faith, Jesus commissions them to go into the world and proclaim the good news to the whole of creation.

In the light of the Gospel passage of the day, let us examine our faith in the Lord Jesus especially during the times of crisis, problems, worries, fear and anxiety. The fruit of faith is joy. Easter people are joyful people for Jesus has set victory to us through his death and resurrection. Therefore stand sturdy at testing moments with the faith that the Lord is with us like powerful warrior (Jer. 20: 11). This faith in the Lord would fill us with serenity and lead us to a joyful living thereby making us a joyful witness of Christ wherever we are. In the silence of mind and heart keep repeating throughout the day to yourself: “Jesus is with me, Let nothing and none disturb me”.

Bible Reflections I 14.04.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

14.04.2023

Friday after Easter

Readings 

           I - Acts. 4: 1-12

          II - Jn. 21: 1-14

         

THE BEGINNING, NOT THE END

The disciples thought that with the Crucifixion of Jesus on the cross it was “The End” while it was actually “The Beginning”. In today’s Gospel passage Peter decides to go back to resume his life fishing and all the other disciples too consent to go with him giving up all their hope. Jesus surprises them with a mighty catch recalling the mighty catch of the past at Galilee when he was with them. Peter recognising his Master Jesus Christ runs towards him leaving his boat, fish and net with renewed hope in the new beginning to be his witness and to tend his people, the Church.

The message of the Risen Lord is the hope that he offers. Never give up at the face of difficulties and trials for the risen Lord is with us infusing new hope and the blessed assurance of his presence with us until the end of time (Mt. 28: 20). When you feel that it’s “The End” and everything is gone, Jesus can make it “The Beginning” - this is the hope of resurrection. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless us with hope in you”

Bible Reflections I 13.04.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Thursday after Easter

Readings 

           I - Acts. 3: 11-26

          II - Lk. 24: 35-48

         

PEACE IS THE GIFT OF THE RISEN LORD

Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus appearing to the disciples, down with shattered dreams and lost hope, with his unique message of, “Peace to you” thereby restoring their hope and rejuvenating their faith.  The disciples in their despair were neither able to believe the women nor the two disciples who said that they had seen the Lord.  Jesus clarifies the confused disciples with his presence and blesses them with his peace. 

Jesus as Prophet Isaiah says is the “Prince of Peace” (Is. 9: 6).  The economic emergency in Sri Lanka, stringent lockdown at Shanghai, the war between Ukraine and Russia fan fired by the European Union that arouse the fear of the World War III in minds of the people around the world, the plight of the migrants and the immigrants and the prevailing racism and communalism make mankind to cry aloud to God for His “Peace”.  May the risen Lord fill each of us and the world at large with His peace as we throughout the day keep praying in the silence of our hearts: “Risen Lord, bless the world and our families with your peace!”

Bible Reflections I 12.04.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Wednesday after Easter

Readings 

           I - Acts. 3: 1-10

          II - Lk. 24: 13-35

         

FEEL THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Today’s Gospel passage is about the walk to Emmaus where the two disciples failed to recognise Jesus though he was walking along with them talking and interpreting the things about him in the scriptures. Disappointment and despair kept their eyes from discovering Jesus. They were unable to believe anything beyond all that had happened just three days before. In yesterday’s Gospel passage we read that Mary was able to recognise Jesus as he just called out her name, “Mary”. But even the long conversation of Jesus with his disciples could not help them to find Jesus, walking with them. With the breaking of the bread their eyes were opened and they recognised him.

Jesus is with us always and at all times. But the fears, troubles, anxieties, worries, setbacks, struggles, confusions and failures might keep our eyes from discovering Jesus. Still, are we able to encounter the Lord live as he comes to meet us in the Holy Eucharist? If not, ask God to gift us with the spirit of love, faith and hope to discover him so as to gain strength to combat the struggles of life with courage, hope and optimism. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to discover your ever abiding presence in our lives”.

Bible Reflections I 11.04.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Tuesday

Readings 

           I - Acts. 2: 36-41

          II - Jn. 20: 11-18

         

SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND

Mary was searching ardently for the body of the Lord with all her heart in tears, anxiety and worry.  She was intent in her search for the Lord.  This is why Mary was able to discover Jesus in his “Mary”. Though Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener she recognised him instantly when Jesus called out her name.  Mary sought for Jesus and she did find him in deed!

We do seek for Jesus in our prayer, reading of Bible, listening to good words and in every event that we encounter but do we find him in them all?  We miss him because may be we don’t seek him intently like Mary with all our hearts.  The heart that searches in hope discovers.  As we are in the season of Easter let us ask for the grace to fix our hearts on God so that we might find him in the persons we relate, words that we hear, scriptures we read and in trials we face.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to seek you and discover you in all the events of my daily life”.

Bible Reflections I 10.04.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Monday

Readings 

           I - Acts. 2: 14, 22-33

          II - Mt. 28: 8-15

         

WEAK IS STRONG

The witness of one man has the power to score off the witness of say even a hundred women in the Jewish tradition. This means that the witness of women is no witness at all. But Jesus makes women the first witnesses of his resurrection. This is Jesus’ style! Simultaneously on the other hand, the elders and the chief priests with their money, power and influence decides to cover up the truth about the resurrection of Jesus by spreading false rumours.

The truth, the powerful message of the resurrection, was in the fragile hands of the woman while the untruth, the weak fabricated rumour was in the sturdy hands of the temple authorities. Still, the truth was loud and clear that it reached almost all parts of the world beating down the rumour of the chief priests and the elders. This is Easter hope. Fear not about the cunning and deceitful activities of the people around you. Truth will one day come to the forefront overtaking all that is untruthful however weak and helpless we are for weak is strong in the hands of God. Let our mind and resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill me with Easter hope”

Bible Reflections I 09.04.2023 - EASTER SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Readings 

           I - Acts. 10: 34, 37-43

          II - 1Cor. 3: 1-4

         III - Jh. 20: 1-9

         

EASTER SUNDAY

Alleluia! The tomb is empty! Jesus is risen! “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor. 15: 55-57). When the chief priests were plotting to put away with Jesus, Caiaphas, the high priest said, “It is better for you that one man die for the people than the whole nation perish” (Jn. 11: 49-50). But it all happened the other way round that one man Jesus died on the cross to save the entire universe form sin, death and shame because he came that we may have life and life to the full (Jh. 10: 10).

Moses took the people through the red sea to reach the Promised Land. Jesus, the New Moses through his death and resurrection has created a way, a path for us towards heaven. A path secured to paradise! All we have to do is to believe in the Lord Jesus in order to be saved as the bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household” (Acts. 16:31). Good Fridays end with Easter, no gain without pain and no crown without a cross. Easter assures for joy, hope and peace in Christ despite the encircling darkness and despairs of the worl. Joy that Jesus is for us and so we would be victorious; hope that Jesus is with us and so we would never fail; and peace that we are save by Jesus and so we would inherit eternal life as children of God. All we have to do is to trust in Jesus. As we celebrate the victory of Jesus upon sin and death, let us ask him for the grace to hold on to him at all circumstances without giving up our hope, peace and joy. May our mind and resonate repeating: “Alleluia! Our Lord Jesus is risen!”

Bible Reflections I 07.04.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Readings 

           I - Is. 52: 13 - 53: 12

          II - Heb. 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9

         III - Jh. 18: 1 - 19: 42

GOOD FRIDAY (Day of Fast and Abstinence)

In the book of Leviticus (Ch. 16) we read that on the day of atonement Aaron set two goats at the entrance of the tent of the meeting: one for sin offering to the Lord and other for sending as scapegoat. Two lots would be set over the goats.  The goat upon which the lot falls for the Lord would be set aside for sin offering to the Lord and other goat, the scapegoat will be presented alive before the Lord and be sent away into the wilderness.  Aaron would lay his hands on the scapegoat, confess all the inequities of the people of Israel and will finally be driven into the wilderness where it would die bearing the sins of the people symbolizing that the people are set free from their sins by the atoning work of the scapegoat.  It was a never ending process because, “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Rom. 5: 12).  On the other hand God’s eyes are too pure that He can never look upon evil and tolerate the wrongdoings of the people (Hab. 1: 13).  To end this process and reconcile people with God once and for all Jesus gave away his life on the cross fulfilling the words of John the Baptist when he publicly introduced Jesus saying, “Behold! The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).    

There are three types of ‘giving’ in love: one, to give from what we have; two, to give all that we have and; three to give all that we have and all that we are as well.  Jesus’ love is of the third type.  “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:1-8).  Hence the Cross becomes the sign and symbol of God’s unfathomable love for us.  On this Good Friday we would partake in the ceremony, Ritual and Liturgy prescribed by the Church, mourn and weep for the sufferings inflicted upon Jesus and often too criticize those people who crucified him, forgetting that every time we go against the commandment of love, we do crucify Jesus on Calvary. Let us resolve to prove ourselves as Christians in our love for our neighbour and please God in loving our neighbour.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Jesus for your love, mercy and compassion.”

Bible Reflections I 06.04.2023 - HOLY THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA

Readings 

           I - Ex. 12: 1-8, 11-14

          II - 1Cor. 11: 23-26

         III - Jh. 13: 1-11

         

HOLY THURSDAY (Easter Triduum begins) 

Today the Churches remembers the Passover of Jesus and his farewell meal with his disciples. The three significant events of the day are: Commandment of love, Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Institution of the Priesthood.  

Commandment of Love: By washing the feet of his disciples Jesus gives a new orientation to leadership and authority as service: “You call me ‘Master’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (Jh. 13: 13-15). By the act of Jesus we are exhorted to stoop down to the level of the least of our brethren with an attitude of humility and service and this is the style of leadership modelled after our Master Jesus Christ. 

Institution of the Holy Eucharist: The first reading is about the Lord’s Passover that that marked the liberation of the people of Israel under the leadership of Moses, from the bondage of the Egyptians. An unblemished lamb was killed as a sign of the Passover. The night before our Lord Jesus suffered on the cross, he established a new covenant with his disciples, a Passover to be celebrated perennially as a remembrance of his presence with us until he comes again in his glory. In the New covenant that Jesus established, Jesus Himself was the innocent Lamb of God, who willingly and lovingly gave us his body and blood as our food and drink for our pursuit of a journey towards eternal life assuring liberation from sin to eternal bliss. May we take part in the meal of the Lord with profound love and sentiments of gratitude.

Institution of the Priesthood: A priest is an embodiment of Christ Himself. Priests administer the Holy Sacraments and lead the flock of God tending them carefully unto his fold through their sacrificing life of service, love, dedication and commitment. It is impossible even to imagine the Church without priests! Priesthood is a grace to the individual and a gift to the Church. On this great day, pray for the priests who make visible the presence of Jesus Christ on the altar for His people. Let us today praise God for priests, pray in a special way for them and invoke Him for many more priestly vocations in the Church.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your body and blood, teach us to be like you in our loving service towards our neighbour. Bless our priests who make a lot of sacrifices on our behalf. Amen.   

Bible Reflections I 05.04.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Wednesday of the Holy Week

Readings 

           I - Is. 50: 4-9

          II - Mt. 26: 14-25

         

GOD IS OUR TREASURE

Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6: 21). The treasure for Judas was money and therefore for thirty pieces of silver his mind was seeking for an opportune moment to deliver Jesus into the hands of the chief priests. He was physically present with his Master and the other disciples in the Passover celebration while his heart was hounding to betray Jesus for the thirty pieces of silver. Had his treasure been the Master, he wouldn’t have dared to betray him!     

Lent is a time to set our heart on God for He is our treasure. Has this season of lent helped us to check our mind and heart in order to put them on the track with God? If not, at least during this holy week let us test our mind, examine our heart and amend our ways unto the ways of the Lord. In this way we can partake in the Holy Week worship with a humble, contrite, repentant and grateful heart. May our mind heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus help me to discover you as the great treasure and a priceless pearl.”

Bible Reflections I 04.04.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Tuesday of the Holy Week

Readings 

           I - Is. 49: 1-6

          II - Jn. 13: 21-33, 36-38

         

REPENT AND RETURN TO THE LORD

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus predicts the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Jesus. Both Judas and Peter had one thing in common, weakness and differed also in one aspect, courage to get up and restart, trusting in the mercy of God. Both were weak, Judas weakness was money, the silver coins promised by the scribes and the Pharisees because we read in the Gospel that Judas was a thief and that he used to steal from the common purse for which he was in charge; and the fear of Peter was his weakness. When both realised their mistake, Judas hanged himself and ended his life while Peter repented and restarted his life in Jesus. 

Our weakness often becomes a set snare for our pitfalls. We err not in our willfulness but in weakness. Excuses cannot be the remedy for the same but awareness and amendment of our weakness is essential. May the holy week help us to check our faults and give us the courage to correct our failings. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to trust in your mercy.”

Bible Reflections I 03.04.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Monday of the Holy Week

Readings 

           I - Is. 42: 1-7

          II - Jn. 12: 1-11

         

LOVE, LISTEN AND SERVE THE LORD 

Jesus was under the constant surveillance of the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Chief Priests. Every word, act and move of Jesus was noted for plotting against him. Psychology records that constant surveillance leads to heightened levels of fatigue, stress and anxiety.  Jesus like any other human being would have sought for a place where he could be of himself: loved, accepted, understood and attended.  So Jesus goes to Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary where he was sure to get acceptance, comfort, consolation and affection before he could take up the painful and humiliating journey from Jerusalem to Calvary.  And indeed in this house, as the Gospel passage records, Martha served, Lazarus was reclining with him at table and Mary was anointing his feet with a fragrant perfume that was expensive - perfect expression of their love and affection.        

We are in the holy week of the Lenten season meditating on the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  A time to realise and respond to the love of Jesus who suffered humiliation, passion and death for our sake. Like, Lazarus, Mary and Martha let us try to respond to God’s love in our own way through various expressions of our love for God and our neighbour.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to respond to your love.”

Bible Reflections I 02.04.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 6

Readings 

           I - Is. 50: 4-7

          II - Phil. 2: 6-11

         III - Mt. 26: 14-27:66

 

PALM SUNDAY

Today we recall and celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the Holy City of God. On this day let us base our reflection on three groups of people who either witnessed or participated in the great and remarkable entry of Jesus into Jerusalem: the common crowd that welcomed Jesus, the temple authorities that plotted against Jesus and the group of twelve disciples that had the pride of being Jesus’ followers.

The common crowd welcomed Jesus shouting aloud to the top of their voices “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord”. These people recognised and accepted Jesus to be their Messiah, the Promised One of God from all his teaching, preaching, healing and from his very life for that matter. But the same crowd would in about a week’s time would cry out with their might, “Crucify him”. The crowd that gets easily influenced by power and authority!

The temple authorities viz. the Pharisees, the Scribes and the high priest were suspicious from the beginning about the identity of Jesus plotted to put away with him. On looking at this procession they would have been provoked all the more for an immediate act of putting an end to his life. The authorities that gets infuriated at the very presence of Jesus! 

The dear disciples of Jesus who were following the triumphal entry would have taken pride to belong to such a great Master and would have resolved to be with him forever. These people in a week’s time would give up their master by betraying, denying and running away from him. The disciples that abandoned their Master!

Jesus - the suffering servant of the Yahweh as foretold by prophet Isaiah and the one who emptied himself to the will of the Father, would take up this glorious welcome of a King and at the same time the journey of his cross to Calvary in utmost obedience to the Father and with a great trust in Him. The “Crucify him” (Lk. 23: 21) of the crowd, “We have no king but Caesar” (Jn. 19: 15) of the temple authorities and the “I don’t know him” (Lk. 22: 57) of the Rock would have definitely pained Jesus but never prevented him from fixing his focus on the Father’s will. He went on and on seeking and accomplishing the will of the Father until “It is finished” (Jh. 19:30). May we too as we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, ask God to give us a strong courage and conviction to seek and accomplish God’s will in our lives come what may! Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, help and teach me to be like you.”