Bible Reflections I 25.09.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

            I - Zec. 2: 1-5, 10-11

           II - Lk. 9: 43 - 45

DELIGHT IN DOING GOD’S WILL 

                 

Fame, name, pomp, glory, honour, praise or popularity can never disturb or disorient a determined, convinced, focused and highly goal oriented person. In today’s Gospel passage we read that people were astounded at the greatness of God and were amazed at all that Jesus was doing.  The disciples would have been definitely dwelling in the heights of happiness and peak of pride about their master. Jesus in a way distracts and disrupts them by reminding them of the reality about his mission viz. suffering, passion, death and resurrection.  Confidence in God, Clarity about his mission, focus on the goal and his great passion to accomplish the will of the Father, persuaded Jesus to proceed ahead in his ministry and mission remaining neutral to all circumstances.  

Almost all people in the world are mesmerized, delighted, influenced, enthralled, fascinated and captivated by praise, pride, applause, glory and honour.  They are ready to do anything to attain the same.  Christian living contradicts this and on the contrary calls for a commitment to God’s will.  It exhorts us to change our focus from the transitory to fix our gaze on the transcendent. When we position our life centering around God, we can actualise the words of St. Paul in our own life, “…through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6: 8-10).  Then, can we hear the voice of God calling us as “Beloved son/daughter”.

உங்களுக்கு இயேசு என்பவர் யார்? I 24.09.2021 - Friday I Rev. Fr. Arokia D...

Bible Reflections I 24.09.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

            I - Haggai 2: 1-9

           II - Lk. 9: 18 - 22

LIVE A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE 

                  

Everyone comes into the world with an identity and a purpose.  John the Baptist came as the forerunner to prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah.  Prophet Elijah destroyed the false prophets and turned the hearts of people towards Yahweh.  All prophets were chosen by God for a purpose viz. to uproot, tear down, destroy, overthrow, build and to plant (Jer. 1:10) so as to turn the hearts of people towards God.  To the question Jesus asked his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God”.  And thereafter, Jesus explains to them about his suffering, rejection, death and resurrection - the purpose of the incarnation of the Son of God.  He came to save all through his passion and death; and to restore the world to its original standard through His resurrection on the third day.  He was clear about his identity and was focused about his mission.

We are the children of God and this is our identity but about our purpose, let us go back to our catechism class where we have learnt that God created us to know him, to love him, to serve him and to be happy with him forever.  The knowledge of God and our love for Him will definitely drive us to serve Him.  Serving God is serving the brothers and sisters around us, for the bible says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt. 25: 40). All three will result in the ultimate objective of remaining with Him forever in perfect happiness, peace and joy. Let us in the silence of our heart and mind keep repeating this prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to know you, to love you, to serve you and to be happy with you forever”.

புனித பியோ I Saint Pio I 23.09.2021 - Thursday I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss SD...

Bible Reflections I 23.09.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

         I - Haggai 1: 1-8

        II - Lk. 9: 7 - 9

LIVE AND LET LIVE

                 

An exemplary living has an extraordinary impact on the lives of people living around.  Those influenced positively, set them as their role models and aspire for a transformed living.  Instead, their life become a threat to some because of sheer jealousy, hatred and rivalry. Those who consider them as their rivals are always obsessed by their thought that they plan to get rid of them at any cost.  Possible strategy to accomplish their purpose could be spreading rumours, false accusations, propagating gossips and finally extinguish them from the face of the earth when the vengeance reach to its extremity.    

In today’s Gospel passage, Herod was perplexed at the thought of Jesus who accomplished great things in Galilee on account of which a large crowd was always after him.  The life and teaching of John the Baptist was a stumbling block to his sinful living and therefore under the pretext of keeping his promise, he had him beheaded.  The life of Jesus disturbed him so much that he wished to see him; and towards the end, he also had his part in the crucifixion of Jesus.

Right to live is the basic human right of every individual.  Therefore allow everyone to live their life to the full and never trample or violate because of the stereo mindset or sheer jealousy. Accept, admit, respect, revere and allow the unique life style and life pattern of the other to make this earth a heaven and a pleasant land for all children of God to live.

அன்பும் தாழ்ச்சியுமே புதிய ஆயுதமாய் I 22.09.2021 - Wednesday I Rev. Fr. ...

Bible Reflections I 22.09.2021- Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

            I - Ezra 9: 5-9

           II - Lk. 9: 1 - 6

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN             

The Gospel passage of the day is on Jesus assigning the ministry of driving away the demons, curing of diseases, proclamation of the Kingdom of God and healing the sick.  Jesus entrusted the ministry to the twelve and suggested them about their means of living as well.  The Gospel passage enlivens the preaching of Jesus, “But seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt. 6:33); “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into the barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not more valuable” (Mt. 6:26).  Hence, Jesus exhorts his disciples to concentrate on the mission than on the means of living.  

Each of us as Christians are entrusted with the same mission of preaching, proclaiming and healing.  To preach through words is easy to everyone but to preach through life is witnessing, demanding and credible.  Dare to proclaim the Good News to the sick, depressed, discourages, distressed and the downtrodden that our God is ‘Immanuel’ - God with us.  Let us commit to heal the world with our smile, kindness, cheerfulness, compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness and gentleness.  In doing all these we become credible Christians and faithful followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Keep focused on the ministry and mission entrusted, and true to the promises of the Lord, the rest will fall in line, one blessing after another, all for the glory of the Lord.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, make me your instrument of love, peace and joy”.

திருத்தூதர் மத்தேயு I St. Matthew the Apostle I 21.09.2021 - Tuesday I R...

Bible Reflections I 21.09.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

I - Eph. 4: 1 - 7, 11-13

           II - Mt. 9: 9 - 13

ST. MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST (Feast)

                  

The Gospel passage of the day is on the call of Matthew, for, the Church celebrates the Church celebrates of St. Matthew, the apostle of Jesus and the evangelist. Matthew was the tax collector for the Romans and therefore he was as a traitor. The tax collectors always earned the hatred of the common people at their credit because they always collected more than that was levied by the Romans and hence there were financially rich. The tax collectors were considered as sinners, outcasts and scum of the Jewish society. The Jews seldom associated with them. To such a person came the invitation from Jesus “Follow me”. The intent look and the powerful invitation of Jesus, pierced the eyes and conquered the heart of Matthew that he gave up his profiteering profession as tax collector to gain life eternal with the Lord. To the criticism of Pharisees, the self-righteous people Jesus responded saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick……For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners”.  

 

The guilt feeling that arises on account of sin is the powerful weapon of the evil one that prevents us from approaching the throne of God. Today’s Gospel passage is a consolation and an encouragement, for Jesus says, “I have come to call not the righteous but the sinners”. From the life of Matthew we can hope for a new beginning and a new life in Jesus. Matthew was shrewd to capture the set look of Jesus and smart to respond to the appealing words of Jesus. Jesus had come to call the sinners not the righteous (Mt. 9:13). He is the Good Shepherd that leaves the ninety nine in search of the one that is lost (Lk. 15: 1-7). “God does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). The Lord knows that we are weak and fragile. Let us allow and yield ourselves unto the grace of God for a transformation and a new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. No more feeling of guilt or unworthiness but repentance and a will to change. May St. Matthew help us for repentance and transformation to capture the gaze and the words of Jesus.    

 

Let your light Shine I உங்கள் ஒளி ஒளிர்வதாக I 20.09.2021 - Monday I Rev....

Bible Reflections I 20.09.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

          I - Ezra 1: 1 - 6

        II - Lk. 8: 16 - 18

                  

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

The three verses of the Gospel passage today carries three lessons for life: an exhortation, a caution and a condition.  

An exhortation: Each of us are bestowed with varied gifts and talents not for personal purpose but to colour the world with our charism and thereby glorify the creator.  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your  faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;   if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,  do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Rom. 12: 6-8).  In the letter of St. Peter we read, “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others” (1 Pt. 4:10).  Therefore Jesus exhorts us to lift our lights high to lift the world to its original order.

A caution:  Jesus in today’s Gospel passage says that nothing will be hidden and that everything will be disclosed.  One cannot dwell in duplicate living, for one day the mask of duplicity will be torn and the real self will be revealed.  Let us beware of conducting a double standard living for, “whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Lk. 13:3)   

A condition: In the parable of the talent (Mt. 25: 14-30) we read that the servant who kept his one talent idle had to forego for having not utilised the same.  If we fail to utilise the gifts of God that had been showered on us will automatically be lost. Failing to use God’s gifts to serve each other is failing to be a good steward.  The condition here is to work to more with what we have in order to have our gifts and talents multiplied.

HUMILITY THAT CAN SAVE THE WORLD I 19.09.2021 - Sunday I Rev. Fr. Arokia...

Bible Reflections I 19.09.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 25

Readings 

         I - Wis. 2: 12, 17-20

        II - Jas. 3: 16 - 4:3

       III - Mk. 9: 30 -37

                 

THE TREE THAT BEARS FRUIT WILL BE STONED

The righteous and the upright life of people is often considered as a sign of contradiction and therefore is always an inconvenience and a great threat to the ‘people of this world’ (Lk. 16:8).  Their envy and selfish attitude shun them from associating freely and spontaneously with the ‘people of light’ (Lk. 16:8).  Therefore the people of darkness, those who belong to this world, torment and torture the people of light under the pretext of examining their endurance and credibility and in the end they erase them from the face of the earth itself.  This is the crux of all three readings today.  The two readings culminate in the Gospel passage today in which Jesus explains about his suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples.  Jesus did good wherever he went (Acts. 10:38) but still he was a threat to the Pharisees because they thought that the whole world was after him (Jh. 12:19).  It was merely because of sheer jealousy and unwillingness to accept the good in Jesus.       

There is a famous saying, “The tree that bears fruit will be stoned”.  Virtuous and good people are always a stumbling block by their very life to the people who live anyhow and any way. They will be dreaded and derided for no reason. If we suffer because we live by Gospel values, let us caution and encourage ourselves with the word of Jesus - "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you……..If it persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jh. 15: 18-21); “Rejoice and be glad; for great is your reward in heaven” (Mt. 5:12).  Let us live as St. Paul exhorts, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2).  Dare to follow the preaching and life of Jesus who has conquered this world (Jh. 16:33), for he says, “I will be with you always even until the end of the world” (Mt28:20).  With Jesus we can overcome all things and all people, at all times.

Kutty Story - 1 I குட்டி கதைகள் I Indraya Manna I

இறைவார்த்தை உன்னில் வாழ்கிறதா ? அல்லது வீழ்கிறதா ?18.09.2021 - Saturday ...

Bible Reflections I 18.09.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 24

Readings 

         I - 1Tim. 6: 13-16

        II - Lk. 8: 4-14         

BECOME DOERS OF THE WORD OF GOD

Today’s Gospel passage is about the parable of the sower and the seed. It’s about the seed and the yield, highlighting the receptiveness of the soil it fell upon. Same sower and the same seed but the yield varied with the place where they were sowed. Some fell on the path, while some on the rock, still others amidst the thorns and thistles and the seed that fell on the good soil produced a hundred fold.  

Based on the parable, people can be divided into four types: the hearers, the impetuous, the opportunists and the doers. Hearers can be compared to the seed that fell on the path. This type of people just hear the Word of God and just leave it in the air without giving a second thought. They can be easily distracted. The impetuous are quick to respond but without standing steadfast in the same. These people can give up easily. The opportunists understand well but waver in their steadfastness. These people pick up what is pleasing and give up all that is demanding. They follow the Word at their own convenience. The doers accomplish every Word of the Lord and bear witness to Him at all times. They yield a hundred fold giving glory to the Lord. To which category to do belong? Let us stand by the Word of God and bear witness to the same thereby making our life resolute, meaningful, and purposeful.

Shining Women Discipleship I 17.09.2021- Friday I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss ...

Bible Reflections I 17.09.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 24

Readings 

            I - 1Tim. 6: 2-12

           II - Lk. 8: 1-3

                 

WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD

Jesus came to restore the relationship with God reflected in the establishment of an egalitarian society where, freedom, fraternity, equality and justice reign and this is the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught on the streets and the lanes, preached in the synagogue and on the shores, healed the deformed and the disabled, cured of evil spirits and infirmities as a sign of the blossoming of the Kingdom of God that was so immanent. Jesus gave a giant leap in the composition of his team that consisted of women as well, as we read in the Gospel passage today. The rabbis in Israel, holding on to the law, tradition and practices withdrew themselves from associating with women and valued them as ‘no persons’, secondary citizens and inferior to men. Unlike the Jewish rabbis, Jesus befriended women and had them too to be in the team of followers. He gave them a fitting place in his team and made them the partakers of his mission as well. This is the greatest sign of equality that reign in the Kingdom of God for: “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).  

There are innumerable groups of activists who protest and fight for gender equality. Men and women are never equals they are complimentary. One gets completed in the other and also one cannot exist without the other. And hence, equality in dignity has to be insisted. We are the loving children of God the Father, created in His own likeness and image and hence there is no distinction in the dignity. Violating the dignity of the other is violating oneself. Trampling the other is tampering oneself. Let us imitate the legendry life of Jesus to restore the respect and human dignity of women keeping in mind that one cannot exist without the other and that one compliments the other, for we are all one in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Forgiveness : Love without Frontiers I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss SDB I Indray...

Bible Reflections I 16.09.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 24

Readings 

            I - 1Tim. 4: 12-16

           II - Lk. 7: 36-50

                

Forgiveness : LOVE WITHOUT FRONTIER 

Love surpasses all frontiers, hurdles, difficulties and hitches. Love spotlights the loved one amidst all odds. Geared by an abounding love, because of the mercy, compassion, gentleness, affection and above all by the love of the Lord Jesus, the woman, the disgust and the scum of the society dared to enter the house of the Pharisee and anointed the feet of the Lord. Jesus was as usual accused but he took up for the woman, defended and praised her act, an expression of her love that bothered nothing and none.  

A bit of love can set all things right. For the sake of love one is ready to give up anything. For the love of mankind, Jesus gave up his divine nature and took up the form of the human person. For the sake of the love of God, Mary consented to be the mother of Jesus. For the sake of the love for the triune God, many had endured persecution. For the sake of following Christ, many still sacrifice all that they can, in order to bear witness to the love of the Lord. Love is giving. Let us shun our mind and heart to ‘what others will think/say” and begin to love God and neighbour without any restriction as our Lord Jesus had taught and exhorted us. By our act of love, that has neither restriction nor reservation, let people know that we are Christians after the heart of Christ. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill our heart with your love”