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”.