Bible Reflections I 17.07.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings: I - Ex. 12: 37-42

                 II - Mt. 12: 14-21

BE A SIGN OF HOPE 

Jesus healed the sick, forgave sinners, cleansed the leaper, raised the dead, befriended the tax collectors, associated with the Samaritans, women and children, chased the demons, upbraided the pharisaic attitude of the religious leaders and kept alive the essence of the law that restored and fostered life. In nutshell, Jesus was the Good News and a sign of hope to all the poor, downtrodden, depressed, oppressed, neglected, and the marginalised of the society, fulfilling the prophesy of prophet Isaiah (Is. 42:1-4) mentioned in today’s Gospel passage. “Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts. 10:38). He was unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the scribes who were merely hypocrites. The life of Jesus was a constant disturbance and sign of contradiction to their religious belief and customary practices. It was solely for this reason that the Pharisees conspired against him and plotted ways and means to get rid of him.

Flipping through the pages of History, it is evident that those who stand up for what is right, just and humane, following the footsteps of Jesus are neglected, ostracised, tortured, persecuted and are finally martyred. The voice of the voiceless is silenced, the acts of the ambassadors of Christ is falsely accused, followers of gospel are fooled and the messengers of the Master par excellence, Jesus are martyred, still as Bishop Oscar Romero says, “If they kill me I will rise again in the people of El Salvador. A Bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish”. Led by the Holy Spirit many too will rise in the name of Jesus until equality, freedom, fraternity and justice is established here on earth.

After the Gospel passage today, we as Christians have just two options before us: One, to courageously stand for the values of Jesus, come what may and the second, to withhold from conspiring against who bravely accomplish the task of Christ on the earth. In short, either to fight the battle ourselves or at least restrain from pulling down the spirit of these courageous warriors of Jesus through our false rumours, calumny, defamation, slander, misrepresentation and denigration. In either case, led by the spirit we will but reflect to be the children of God the Father and resolute followers of Jesus our Lord, remaining the sign of hope to the helpless. Let us in the silence of our heart today keep praying: “Lord Jesus, make me too a sign of hope like you”.

வாழ்வின் சுமைகளை குறைப்பது எப்படி? I 15.07.2021 - THURSDAY I Rev. Fr. Ar...

Bible Reflections I 14.07.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15Readings: I - Ex. 3: 1-6, 9-12 II - Mt. 11: 25-27 BEHOLD THE TRUTH WITH THE OPENNESS OF HEART The learned, the intellectuals and the elite of Jesus’ time were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Chief Priest and the Scribes. They were familiar with the law and the prophecy and were fanatic in the practice of the religion. They were considered to be the custodians of their religion and were men of high repute and standing. Still in their stubbornness of heart, self-righteousness, pride and prejudice they refused to accept Jesus as Messiah, the Promised one prophesied by the prophets. Women and infants were considered as ‘no persons’ at all. Infant in the Gospel reading today, means ‘no person’. These ‘no persons’ - the sinners, tax collectors, women, children, the poor, the disabled, the prostitutes and the Samaritans were drawn to Jesus and accepted Him to be their Messiah in their openness, simplicity and humility of heart. 

 Jesus glorifies and thanks the Father for His goodness, mercy and magnanimity in choosing these ‘no persons’ to reveal Jesus His Son as their Messiah which is the gracious will of the Father. The Gospel passage today does not condemn the learned, the intelligent or the persons of repute instead Jesus highlights on the disposition and openness of the heart in beholding the truth as it comes. In the ordinary walk of life, people wish for the truth that is appealing, pleasing, and convenient but never contradicting, combating or conflicting their perspectives and ideologies. People never desire for the truth that hurts and disturbs. Only those people who are open to the truth with the simplicity and humility of heart can be drawn by the gracious will of God to be His instruments, all for His greater glory. Let us yield ourselves unto to the truth as we encounter, for God is Truth.

நம் நிறை வாழ்வே, இறை சித்தம்.I 13.07.2021 - செவ்வாய் I Rev. Fr. Arokia D...

Bible Reflections I 13.07.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings: I - Ex. 2: 1-15a

                 II - Mt. 11: 20-24

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

In the Gospel passage today, Jesus reproaches Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because they failed to recognise the Messiah in their midst in spite of his healing, preaching, raising of the dead, deriving of he demons and forgiving the sinners. They had eyes but they did not see and they had ears but they did not hear (Mk. 8:18). Their hearts were hardened and they refused to recognise and resisted to repent, though their eyes beheld the Messiah unlike the cities viz. Tyre, Sidon and Sodom.   

Often times we are similar to the cities Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. We are blessed with countless blessing. We had bee victorious in so many struggles, we can testify to a number of miracles we experienced in our lives, we can vouch for His presence that preserved, prevented and protected us from despair, depression, fear, discouragement, worries and anxieties, still at the crucial time of testing are we not tempted to cry out, “God where are you?”. Let us try to count our blessings at those moments just raise our hearts in thanksgiving confident that our God is “Immanuel” - God with us.

எளியவரை உயர்த்தும் இறைவன் I12.07.2021 - திங்கள் I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss S...

Bible Reflections I 12.07.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings:  

            I - Ex. 1:8-14, 22

          II - Mt. 10: 34-11:1

CHOOSE GOD AND CHOOSE LIFE ETERNAL

Jesus, the Promised One is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6) but in today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”. Siding for one is siding against the other. Good and bad, moral and amoral, virtues and vices can never coexist. Since the life and Teaching of Jesus counters and contradicts the principles of the World there is always tension, division and strife in the world because of Jesus and it would be continued even in the lives of those who wish to follow him. In this pursuit, the disciple of Jesus may have to be against their own parents, friends and beloved ones and lose their relationship. The one who endures this loss for the sake of Jesus is a worthy disciple and his/her reward will be great in heaven.

A principled and purposeful living consist in standing up for what is right and truthful. In following Jesus, there is never this and that, only this or that. We have only two options before us: First, to lead our lives according to the standards set by the world and the second, to align our lives as per the teachings of Jesus. Choosing the first option, we may be hailed by this world but lose life eternal that is bliss. Choosing the second option, we may be abandoned, hated and marginalized by all but gain life eternal that is bliss. The choice is ours. Choosing God is choosing life eternal. Let us courageously choose Jesus and gain life that is lasing

Bible Reflections I 11.07.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings:  

             I - Amos. 7: 12-15

            II - Eph. 1: 3-14 

         III - Mk. 6: 7-13

MAKE YOUR LIFE A MESSAGE OF GOD

God calls whomever He wants (Mk. 3:13) rich or poor, learned or unlearned, courageous or coward, talented or inept, competent or incompetent and skilled or unskilled, to be His ambassadors to proclaim and perform in His name and according to His plan is the crux of all three readings today. We are His children in Christ Jesus our Lord, blessed with all spiritual blessings and with riches of graces to gather everyone for God. Jesus exhorts his disciples to put their trust in the Providence of God who cares and to focus only on the mission entrusted by telling them to carry only the minimum and concentrate on the Kingdom of God through proclaiming, preaching, curing, healing, raising the dead and casting of demons - the vision of the mission. Faithful to the command of Jesus, disciples not only proclaimed but lived out the message, gathering everyone for God.

  

Proclaiming Jesus becomes effective not in mere preaching or proclaiming alone but in aligning our life unto it as well. We are called despite our background, qualified as children of God in Jesus Christ and entrusted with the mission of bringing freedom, fraternity and justice wherever we are. When we practice these values primarily in our lives we automatically become the messengers of God and never a bystander or a spectator in the society. Imbibing Gospels values we will surely embrace all and ostracise none, love all and hate none, include all and exclude none; and empathize and never be indifferent towards anyone. In this way our mere presence can preach, proclaim and perform miracles effecting the presence of God among people. This is indeed a meaningful Christian living. By this we not only become mere messengers of God but the message itself. Let us try to make our life a message of God as we keep repeating this prayer as often as possible in the silence of our hearts: “Lord Jesus, make my life a loving message”

நீங்கள் அஞ்ச வேண்டாம் ! I 10.07.2021 - சனி I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss SDB I ...

Bible Reflections I 10.07.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings:  

          I - Gen. 49: 29-31,33;

                          50: 15-26 

       II - Mt.10: 24-33

DARE TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH

In the Gospel passage today Jesus motivates and inspires his disciples for the challenging and courageous entrusted mission ahead. He encourages them to stand up for the truth that can never be hidden or covered. He emboldens them to face suffering in the pursuit of the same assuring them of the Father’s care and love even in their minutest detail.  

It takes courage to stand up for the truth for its cost is huge and heavy. People remain silent or indifferent in the matters concerning the truth for the fear of suffering, torture, threat, persecution, problems, loss of reputation and death. Remember, our life on is transitory and it perishes for life eternal, beholding the bliss of God who cares and defends us. May this truth enlighten and empower us to courageously combat those who kill the body and cannot kill the soul. We are wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13), carefully chosen (Jn. 15:16) for a purpose, to stand up for the truth (Eph. 6:14) and bear much fruit, proving ourselves to be the disciples of Jesus (Jh. 15:8). 

 

Let us follow the way of Jesus, stand up for the truth and inherit life eternal, for Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). May our heart and mind resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead me to the truth”

Bible Reflections I 09.07.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings: 

        I - Gen. 46: 1-7, 28-30 

      II - Mt.10: 16-23

COMPROMISE NOT BUT CONQUER THE WORLD

In the Gospel passage today Jesus speaks about the suffering that his followers have to encounter and endure in the pursuit of living his command. Jesus uses a metaphor to describe the same, “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves”, a dangerous pursuit indeed. He instructs his followers prescribing a guideline, to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves and assures them of his presence in their suffering on his accord.  

The exhortations of Jesus is subservient to the existing world order. The Gospel values of love, peace, joy, happiness, gentleness, meekness, compassion, kindness, generosity, selflessness and self-giving contradicts and conflicts the values proposed by the world viz. hatred, revenge, anger, pride, pleasure, jealousy, selfishness, violence, avarice and arrogance. The values of the world may seem to overpower the values of the Gospel, but can never prevail. There are only two options, either to compromise with the world order or to contradict and conquer the same. We are chosen to topple the world order that “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (Pt. 5:8). It is challenging, dangerous and daring. To tread in the path of our Master and Lord Jesus Christ is not impossible but possible, it is demanding but worthwhile, we may be battered but never defeated. It is road less travelled, reserved for the followers of Jesus who dare insults, persecution, suffering and death. Let us fight the battle with prudence and innocence standing on the powerful presence and assuring promises of Jesus, for he says, “Take courage; I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33). 

 In the silence of our hearts let us keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to conquer the world”

கொடையாகப் பெற்றீர்கள் கொடையாக கொடுங்கள் I 08.07.2021 - வியாழன் I Rev. Fr...

Bible Reflections I 08.07.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Reading: 

           I - Gen. 44: 18-21,  

                  23b-29; 45:1-5

          II - Mt.10: 7-15

POWER MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS

To the simple men of Galilee, his beloved disciples, weak and imperfect as they were, Jesus entrusts the great ministry of the Kingdom of God through healing, curing, cleansing and casting out demons. Jesus shares his power and ministry with them. The book of the Acts of the Apostles evince to this sharing: “As the result of the apostles work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by” (Acts. 5:15); Dorcas was raised by Peter from the dead (Acts. 9:36-42); On the way to the temple, Peter healed the crippled beggar in the name of Jesus (Acts. 3:1-10); Demons were cast out and the crippled were cured by Phillip (Acts. 8:7); Ananias cured Saul’s blindness (Acts. 9:17-18).

Each of us are aware of our won weakness, fragilities and limitations. But God has chose us and called us by name for a purpose that is noble and eternal. God can work wonders through us the weak beings for His power is made perfect in weakness (2Cor. 12:10). Abraham, lied, telling Sarah his beloved wife as his sister to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, still the Bible calls Abraham as friend of God; Moses stammered yet was chosen to be the liberator of Israel; David, the great king of Israel sinned with Bathsheba still was the man after God’s own heart, Peter denied Jesus but he was chosen to be the leader of the church, Thomas doubted but to him Jesus appeared and strengthened the faith in his resurrection, Saul persecuted the Church God chose him to be the pillar of the church and appointed him to be an apostle to the Gentiles.

God’s ways are mysterious. God purposely chooses what the world considers as weak and nonsense in order to shame the wise and the powerful (1Cor. 1:27). Therefore stop concentrating on the weakness and start magnifying the power, mercy, grace and works of the Lord so that we too can accomplish the purpose for which Christ Jesus has chosen us and make our life purposeful and meaningful.

என் பார்வையில் மதிப்பு மிக்கவர் நீங்கள் I 07.07.2021 - புதன் I Rev. Fr. ...

Bible Reflections I 07.07.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings:  

         I -Gen. 41: 55-57,     

               42:5-7, 17-24

     II - Mt.10: 1-7

COMBINATION IN THE CHOICE OF SELECTION

The choice of selection of candidates to any professional training programme or adventurous venture will be determined by the intellectual capacity, knowledge savvy, aptitude, self-esteem smartness, creativity, confidence and courage of the candidate. On the contrary, Jesus according to the Gospel passage today commissions his mission to his team of twelve disciples, the personalities in the combination of fishermen, learned, tax collector, power mongers, zealot and the ignorant.  

The rabbis of the time would’ve definitely ridiculed Jesus on the choice of his disciples.  With this team of less or no caliber according to the human standards, Jesus establishes and entrusts the Church.  Jesus looked at them not from human perspective but he looked at their heart and intentions intently.  “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1Sam. 16:7). 

From the humble beginning of the twelve we have the mighty and magnificent Church, still continuing the entrusted mission of Jesus viz. teaching, preaching, healing, and curing solely to ensure the blossoming of the Kingdom of heaven in their midst.  Our educational institutions, health ministry, social works, organisations and job centres target the summon of Jesus to his disciples.  We are part of that Church, unworthy as we are but chosen by God and entrusted with this ministry when we were baptized. We need accomplish great things but even a trifle with good will and noble intention like the poor widow who gave her mite. A little deed can infuse hope and courage and; a kind gesture can comfort and console; and the right word can stir and heal. 

 Let us not aspire for great accomplishments rather be the disciples of Jesus in our own way effecting the kingdom of heaven wherever we are, promoting love, peace, joy, happiness and hope.  May our heart and mind resonate with this prayer: ‘Lord make me an instrument of your love, peace and joy’

விமர்சனங்களை தாண்டிய மனிதநேயம்.I புனித மரிய கொரற்றி - நினைவு I 06.07.202...

Bible Reflections I 06.07.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings:  

             I - Gen. 32: 23-33

          II - Mt.9: 32-37

STAY FOCUSED AND UNSTOPPABLE TREND SETTERS

According to the Gospel passage today, a dumb demoniac was brought to Jesus.  Jesus cast out the demon and the dumb man spoke.  The common crowd was amazed and the pharisees as usual citicised Jesus saying, “It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devil”.  Jesus was unperturbed to both these responses.  He was focused about His Father’s business (Lk. 2:49). He carried on with his mission of preaching, proclaiming, curing, cleansing, teaching and tutoring.  He was unstoppable.  Neither praise nor criticism, amazement or anger, applause or ridicule, recognition or disregard could stop Jesus from being focused about his purpose because he took delight in accomplishing the will of His Father through continuous union with Him in prayer.

   

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippines exhorts us to focus on, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).  In the letter to the Romans we read, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2). 

This is purposeful and focused life in Christ and a challenge in the current scenario that is compromising and relativizing. In this pursuit we may be ridiculed, mocked, ostracised, citicised, slandered and marginalized.  Let us not get discouraged or give up rather with constant prayer and communion with the Lord, stay focused and become unstoppable in imitating Jesus our trend setter par excellence.

இயேசுவில்,விளிம்புகள் மையமாகும் I 05.07.2021 - திங்கள் I Rev. Fr. Arokia...

Bible Reflections I 05.07.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings:  

         I - Gen. 28:10-22

       II - Mt.9: 18-26

HEART TO HEART CONNECT, ALL IN FAITH, WORKS MIRACLE

The pleading of a person with faith has the power to obtain that prayer, is the crux of the Gospel passage today. The official pleads with Jesus for the life of his dead daughter, “come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved” and the woman suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years says to herself, “If I can only touch his cloak, I shall be well again”. The official pleaded with words and the woman with no words but both with a tremendous faith in Jesus obtains the miracle for them. The sincere prayer of both from their heart touches the heart of Jesus, causing, one to come alive and the other to get healed.

It is not in the multiplicity of our words that God hears our prayer but in the quality prayer with utmost faith and trust in the Lord. Jesus can understand our suffering “since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Heb. 2:18). He can understand us even before we could speak as the Psalmist say, “You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord” (Ps. 139:4). The Scripture says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear” (Is. 59:1). Jesus can turn all our problems and worries upside down. All we need is faith and trust in the triune God as we read in the Book of Revelation, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Rev. 21:4). Heart to heart connect, with Jesus, in faith can work miracles for us. When we are faced with fear, worries, problems and anxieties and are unable to trust in the Lord, let our hearts resonate with the prayer of the father who sought for the healing of his possessed son: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mk. 9:24).

Bible Reflections I 04.07.2021 - 14Th Ordinary Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings: I - Ezk. 2:2-5

                 II - 2Cor. 12:7-10

               III - Mk. 6:1-6 

DARE TO LISTEN TO GOD’S VOICE 

God never gives up His people and is never tired of calling them back to Himself. He sends His chosen ones to turn their hearts towards Himself is the streamline of all three readings today. Prophets Ezekial is sent to the defiant and obstinate Israelites, to turn them back to God from their rebellious attitude. St. Paul was chosen to proclaim Jesus for which he had to endure insults, hardships, persecutions and agonies besides his weakness that weighed him down to discouragement. But God enthused and encouraged him assuring, “My grace is sufficient for you”. Jesus, the Son of God was sent to the Israelites and they rejected Him. The Pride, arrogance and the stubbornness of heart prevented the people of Israel from accepting the ways of God pointed by the prophets, the apostles and various persons of God.

We the new Israel too if often similar to the people of Israel. God’s voice come to us through various ways viz. the bible, prayer, our conscience, shepherds of the Church, parents, relatives, friends, elders and youngers. Do we always pay heed to them? Why do we reject? May be because it is demanding, obstacle to our normal living, we are proud, we don’t want to hear the truth that hurts, it contradicts our thought pattern or because it is challenging. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice” (Jn. 10:27). If we listen to His voice, we are His sheep. As the scripture says, “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps. 95:8), let us dare to listen to God’s voice for if we listen to His voice, we are His people. If we listen to Him, we may also be made His messengers however insignificant we are because His grace is sufficient for us.

 May the Lord help us to listen to His voice and stand by it as we in the silence of our hearts keep repeating, “Lord help us to listen to your voice”.