Bible Reflections I 15.01.2022 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 1

Readings 

           I - 1Sam. 9: 1-4, 17-19, 10:1

          II - Mk. 2: 13-17

        

 WE ARE PRECIOUS TO GOD

Today’s Gospel passage is about the call of Levi, the tax collector.  The tax collectors were considered as sinners because they collected more than that was levied and since the tax collectors worked for the Romans they were also considered as traitors.  To such a man, Jesus extends his loving call saying, “Follow me” and went to his house to dine with him.  The Scribes of the Pharisees criticised this act of Jesus; and to them Jesus responded saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”. 

We precious in God’s sight, honoured and loved so much (Is. 43:4).  His benevolent love for us sans our sinfulness and unworthiness, highlighting the image of God imprinted in us.  Often times people are discouraged with their sinful living and guilt feeling; and to such people this passage is an encouraging and consoling invitation to come back to the Lord.  Let no fear barricade us from approaching God, instead trust in the mercy of God and forge ahead to approach Him and His loving hands in deed would lift us up conquering all that is not of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, "Thank you Jesus"

Bible Reflections I 14.01.2022 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 1

Readings 

           I - Sam. 8: 4-7, 10-22

          II - Mk. 2: 1-12

                      

IN FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE WAIT FOR GOD 

Today we shall base our reflection on the four men who carried the paralysed man in bed to Jesus, to be cured.  The faith and perseverance of the four men made the miracle possible for the paralysed person they carried.  Their faith that Jesus could heal him and their perseverance in finding the way by climbing the roof top, removing the tiles and letting the paralysed to reach Jesus surrounded by the crowd.  The Bible is silent about who these four men were. Whoever they might be but their act of faith and perseverance brought healing the paralysed man.  May the Gospel passage inspire us to be ardent, persevering and praying in faith for the miracles in the life of self and that of the other.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: "Lord Jesus, fill me with your grace to persevere in faith"

Bible Reflections I 13.01.2022 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 1

Readings 

           I - Sam. 4: 1-11

          II - Mk. 1: 40-45

        

 WAIT FOR GOD WITH FAITH AND COURAGE 

Lepers in Israel were considered as sinners, unclean and untouchables.  They usually live in ‘colonies’ and never entered the residential area of the common people.  If they happened to enter the city or town, they were supposed to ring the bell caution others saying ‘unclean, unclean’.  The leper in the Gospel passage of the day picks up courage and dares to enter the crowd that followed Jesus and pleads him for his cleansing from the disease.  The courage of the leper and his faith in Jesus brings healing to the leper.  

Often times we give up courage on calling for God in prayer.  Our sinfulness, worries, troubles, discouragement, fear and anxieties might weigh us down making our faith fragile in approaching the mercy and the power the Lord. But, like the leper in the Gospel focus the attention only on God and courageously approach Him in prayer and with faith; and all things would become possible in and with Him.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill us with courage and faith”.

Bible Reflections I 12.01.2022 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 1

Readings 

           I - Sam. 3: 1-10, 19-20

          II - Mk. 1: 29-30

        

BECOME THE BELOVED OF GOD

The Gospel passage of the day is characterised by three parts: Healing, praying and preaching.  The first part is about Jesus, healing Peter’s mother-in-law and those who were sick and possessed with demons.  In the second part, Jesus gets up early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus went to a deserted place to pray, that is to converse with his Father.  In the third part, Jesus proceeds to the neighbouring towns to proclaim the Good News about the Kingdom of God, shunning the popularity that he had gained there by healing and curing many sick people. From this passage it is evident that, for Jesus, prayer was the integrating force of his life of healing and preaching. Prayer enabled him to conduct his life effectively as planned by God for him. And this is why he was the beloved Son of the Father in whom He was pleased.

To live our lives according to the plan set by God for us is purpose filled living.  It is in this kind of living that God is very much pleased with and it is in this way do we become the beloved of God like Jesus His Son.  Prayer is not mere multiplicity of words as Jesus would say (Mt. 6:7) but a loving colloquy and an effecting encounter with God that pervades our thoughts, words and our entire being, resulting in personal and societal transformation. In this way we too for sure can become the “Beloved” of the Father in Heaven. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, let my prayer life effect my personal life”

Bible Reflections I 11.01.2022 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 1

Readings 

           I - Sam. 1: 2-20 

          II - Mk. 1: 21-28

                        

THE WORD OF GOD IS POWER

The people in the synagogue were astonished at the teachings of Jesus because he spoke with authority.  The unclean spirit was terrified that Jesus might destroy them, and Jesus in deed did cast it out with a command to the amazement of the crowd.  In the Gospel of St. John we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jh. 1:1); Jesus was the Word made flesh, came to live among us.  The Words he spoke were representation of himself therefore he spoke with authority and had command and control over all things on the earth, under the earth and above the earth.  The Gospel passages evinces to the power of the Word of God.  

In the Gospel of St. John we read, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn. 1: 5).  The light of the Word of God has the power to dispel all darkness of our lives: sin, sickness, helplessness and  misfortunes. The Word of God has indeed touched and transformed the lives of many.  During family prayers and as individuals try to read the Word of God aloud and in silence and make them your own.  In times of trials, difficulty, pain, sorrow, joy, happiness and at all times keep repeating the Word of God that gives strengthen, support and aid; and discover the miracles taking place in your own lives, all for the glory of God.  In the silence of heart and mind keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, may we be filled with the power of your Words”.

Bible Reflections I 10.01.2022 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 1

Readings 

           I - Sam. 1: 1-8 

          II - Mk. 1: 14-20

        

I AM GOD’S CHOICE

Yesterday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and with this starts the public ministry of Jesus.  The Christmas Season has ended and we are in the ordinary time of the liturgical season.  In today’s Gospel passage, we read John the Baptist being arrested and that Jesus begins his mission of preaching, teaching and proclaiming about the Kingdom of God.  He did not intend to do all by himself, a one man show, but wanted to include a core group for coordinating with him in committing towards the cause of this great mission.  Therefore, Jesus begins to select the members to be his disciples, precisely to be with him and to be sent out to work like him.  So he gives his invitation to Simon and Andrew while were casting a net into the sea; and James and John, the sons of Zebedee while they were mending their nets.  All the four immediately left all things and followed Jesus.  

Jesus has selected each one of us as partakers in his mission through our Baptism.  Do we recognise this precious and challenging call in our ordinary walk of life or do we live according to the standards set by this world?  How privileged must have been to be His choice.  God with great trust has made us to be His choice, strive to live for the Lord solely for His love and trust in effecting the Kingdom of God through our lives by fostering freedom, fraternity and justice wherever we are.  Throughout the day keep repeating this prayer in the silence of hears: “Lord Jesus, Thank you for choosing me to be your disciple”.

Bible Reflections I 09.01.2022 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Season ends

Readings 

           I - Is. 40: 1-5, 9-11 

          II - Titus. 2: 11-14; 3: 4-7

         III - Lk. 3: 15-16, 21-22

BAPTISM OF THE LORD (Feast)

Today the Church celebrates the feast the Baptism of the Lord, the initiation of Jesus into the great mission he had come to accomplish.  As John the Baptist was clarifying the doubts of the people saying that Messiah is mightier than him that he was worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. Jesus would have probably heard this, still made no big show of it but humbled himself at the hand of the Baptiser to be baptised like one among those around.  As he was praying, a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”.  The concern of Jesus was to accomplish the will of the Father.  The fulfillment of the Prophesy of Isaiah, the promises of God, is to be accomplished in Jesus. From Jerusalem till Calvary, Jesus was ardent in carrying out the will of His Father. In Jerusalem, to his anxious parents he responded saying: “Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s work?” (Lk. 2:49).  At the Garden of Olives, he prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Mt. 26: 39). And finally, on the cross he said, “It is finished” (Jn. 19: 30) and commended His Spirit to the Father saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk. 23: 46).  In all his praying, preaching, teaching, healing, curing, forgiving, befriending and raising Jesus sought the will of His Father and its evident from his response to the disciples, “My food is to do the will of my father” (Jn. 4:16).  In short, the life Jesus and the will of his Father was one and the same, this is why the Father says, “beloved Son” will whom He is well pleased.

Wanna become the beloved of God? Do everything according to the will of the Father in heaven.  Seek Him in prayer and He will certainly enlighten us on what He expects of us to say and do.  Make prayer a way of life, not merely a monologue but let God to speak and be disposed to listen. This is the only way that our Lord has left us to become the beloved of God here on the earth and in the life eternal, “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 7: 21).  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Father teach me to listen, discern and accomplish your will in my daily life”.

Bible Reflections I 08.01.2022- Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Saturday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 5: 4-21 

          II - Jn. 3: 22-30

HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE

John the Baptist’s disciples and a Jew went to John the Baptist and complained about Jesus: the one who was with him, whom John the Baptist baptised and testified to him was baptizing and that the people were all flocking to him.  The natural feeling to this complaint, humanly speaking could probably be jealousy, hatred and repugnance.  But John the Baptist highlighted Jesus with the metaphor that the friend of the bridegroom rejoices at the coming of the bridegroom describing himself as the friend of the bridegroom and said the famous statement: “He must increase, but I must decrease”. An attitude of humility, meekness, acceptance of the reality and the clarity of his mission as the forerunner of Christ. 

The knowledge of oneself suppresses the domination of ego and helps to acknowledge and accept the reality.  This will also broaden our mind and heart, making us magnanimous in recognising, accepting, encouraging and appreciating others as they are without any prejudice, grudge, hatred and suspicion.  We are children of God and can never be rivals to one another.  May this Gospel reading of the day enlighten us and enlarge our horizon to imbibe the attitude of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease”.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless us with the attitude of John the Baptist, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease'”.

Bible Reflections I 07.01.2022 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Friday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 5: 5-13 

          II - Lk. 5: 12-16

                

ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Jesus manifested the power of God and strove for the glory of God.  The choice of Jesus was always for the good of the person and the glorification of the Father.  In today’s Gospel passage, the man covered with leprosy says, “Lord if you choose, you can make me clean”.  Jesus responds to this humble pleading saying: “I do choose.  Be made clean”.  Through his healing Jesus does not take the glory for himself but reminds the healed person of what Moses had commanded: to make an offering for the cleansing, thereby persuading the healed to fix his focus on God with a gratefulness and thanksgiving.  Jesus preached, taught, healed and accomplished all the good he can wherever he went but was always concerned not about his glory but that of the glory of God.

We are in the world of vanity that parades its pride in vain glory and in seeking cheap popularity.  For a mite of good done, mighty publicity is sought after.  We are prone to seek after personal gain, name and fame in every one of our little deeds of kindness and love.  May this Gospel passage enlighten us to aspire for the greater glory of God in every one of our word and deed.  Let this thought resound in our hearts and minds as we are into another day of God’s mercy and kindness: “All for the glory of God and only for the glory of God”.

Bible Reflections I 06.01.2022 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Thursday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 4: 19-5:4 

          II - Lk. 4: 14-22

               

THY WILL BE DONE

The Gospel passage is about the manifesto of Jesus.  Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus reads out the Prophesy of Prophet Isaiah that was fulfilled in him: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to those who are oppressed, to proclaim the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”.  Jesus had the clarity of the vision of his mission.  This was because he was constantly in connect with his Father and therefore was solely concerned about the purpose of the salvation of humankind.

Each of us are marvelous masterpiece of God and God has meticulous planning for each of us: the purpose of our existence here on earth.  Like Jesus, only if we are in constant connect with the Father Almighty, can we discover the purpose of our life.  We cannot have an ‘any how’ living.  Our lives become meaningful only when we conduct our life according to the will of God for us.  This might hinder or even shatter our own dreams, desires, hopes and aspirations still, when we allow God’s plan to take over our lives, we will have the joy of purposeful living come what may.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Let your will be done O Lord”.

Bible Reflections I 05.01.2022 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Wednesday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 4: 11-18 

          II - Mk. 6: 45-52

GOD IS CONCERNED ABOUT US

The Gospel passage of the day is about Jesus coming to the rescue of his disciples.  Jesus sends away his disciples ahead of him to the other side in a boat and he goes on the mountain to pray.  The disciples were in the boat on the sea and Jesus, on the land praying.  Near or far the thoughts would automatically attend the loved ones. Jesus sees the difficulty of his disciples in rowing the ores against the course wind and immediately comes to them waling on the water.  In fear and trembling, the disciples mistakes Jesus for a ghost because no human can walk on water and that the Israelites believe in the existence of ghost in the sea.  They failed to realise that it must definitely be possible for the one who multiplied the loaves to walk on the water as well.  They witnessed the blind, see, lame walk, dead rising and winds obeying his command, still could not grasp that Jesus could walk on the water.

The passage invites us to reflect on two angles: one, Jesus comes to our rescue in all our trials, difficulties and suffering; and two, we fail to think of him or cease to recognise him as he comes to help us. We would have experienced his love and concern for us in so many of our difficulties, pain and suffering but when the moment comes, we tend to alienate God from the scene altogether out of sheer negligence or forgetfulness or over confidence in oneself.  May no trials and difficulties blind our eyes and numb our hearts to discover the Lord present with us more closer at those circumstances. Our God is great and do not forget that he is concerned about us. Surrender to his all worries and he would as the bible says, for sure would wipe away every tear from our eyes.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Lord for your love and care towards me”.

Bible Reflections I 04.01.2022 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Tuesday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1 Jn. 4: 7-10 

          II - Mk. 6: 34-44

 DARE TO SHARE

The Gospel passage of the day is about the multiplication of the loaves.  The compassionate heart of Jesus and the contribution from the crowd made the miracle of the multiplication a possible one.  Jesus blessed the mite, the seven loaves and the fish, and fed the multitude that was hungry, taking back twelve baskets of broken pieces and of fish as remnant. Compassion and contribution is possible only to those who have love for his/her fellow being.  

In the compassionate heart of Jesus, as St. John says in the first reading, the loving heart of the father was revealed to the hungry crowd.  We are blessed with various gifts and talents not only for the personal well being but also for uplifting our suffering humanity.  If we are Christians, it is our prime responsibility to imitate our Master Lord Jesus Christ in loving others in serving our brethren. In short, to be modeled after the heart of Jesus.  Dare to share even the mite entrusting that into the loving hands of the Lord and discover a miracle being worked out.  In the silence of the mind and heart keep repeating the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill me with your love”.

Bible Reflections I 03.02.2022 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Monday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 3: 22-4:6

          II - Mt. 4: 12-17, 23-25

        

HOLY NAME OF JESUS

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the holy name of Jesus.  Jesus is a most common name in Israel but what is uncommon is that the person to whom this name belong to: the Son of God, the Promised One who came to redeem the world.  The holy name of Jesus is healing, consoling, comforting, soothing, liberating, encouraging and uplifting.  The utterance of the very name of Jesus is by itself a most powerful prayer.  The name of Jesus is our salvation: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts: 11:12). It is a promise: “Promise and whatever any of you ask in my name, I will do” (Jn. 14:13).  It is an assurance to be with his people: “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18: 20).  The name of Jesus is our justification: “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6: 11). The name of Jesus saves: “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

 The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “to pray "Jesus" is to invoke him and to call him within us” (C.C.C. 2666).  Many of the saints including Don Bosco has prayed, “In the name of Jesus”.  This is of course a short and simple prayer but most effective, miraculous and powerful prayer.  Today in particular let us pray more frequently, “In the name of Jesus” and into his holy name entrust all our fears, anxieties, helplessness, worries, ailments, inabilities, failures, burdens and problems with the faith and hope in the one who had redeemed us at the cost of his most cruel death on the cross out of His all love for us.  May the name of Jesus be glorified and revered.

Bible Reflections I 02.01.2022 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Readings 

           I - Is. 60: 1-6

          II - Eph. 3: 2-3a, 5-6

         III - Mt. 2: 1-12

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Solemnity)

                  

Today we celebrate the feast of the epiphany of the Lord: the three wise men beholding the messiah in their wisdom and God’s grace. The 3Ds of wisdom: Discovers the truth, Distinguishes the real and Discerns right. The three wise men in their wisdom at the rising of the star in the east they discovered the Truth - the babe was Son of God Himself. To mark His divinity they offered incense. They were able to distinguish the real even when it was not convincing. In the helpless babe laid in the manger, born of a parents from a simple and humble background that could hardly reveal his royalty, they distinguished his real identity: the King of kings and therefore to mark his sovereignty, they offered Gold to the Son of man. In the baby boy, besides discovering his divinity and royalty, they also found the innocent Lamb of God and hence they offered myrrh to mark his suffering and sorrows on account of human salvation. 

Wisdom discovers, distinguishes and discerns. We need wisdom to discover God in all things, distinguish the real from the unreal and to discern right choices that align with the will of God. As we celebrate the feast of Epiphany, ask God to bless us with the Spirit of wisdom so that we may discover God in all things, persons and events of life befitting to our identity as children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill us with the Spirit of wisdom”.

Bible Reflections I 01.01.2022 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - Num. 6: 22-27

          II - Gal. 4: 4-7

         III – Lk. 2: 16-21

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Solemnity)

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Mary, Mother of God. God descended from his divinity taking up the human form in or to make all of us ascend into that Kingdom with the honour of the children of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. This was possible only through Mary, the blessed one, full of grace, the pride of Israel and the honour of human race. Besides being mother of God, she is our mother as well given by Jesus, her son. It is befitting to begin the brand new year 2022 with the blessings, assistance, accompaniment and guidance of our Blessed Mother.  

God in His graciousness has gifted us with New Year enwrapped with new visions, hopes, dreams, possibilities, challenges, vigour and enthusiasm; and with the blessed assurance, “I am with you always” (Mt. 28: 20). Mary is a blessing to the human race, during this New Year resolve to be a blessing to everyone we meet. There is hymn to mother Mary that has this particular verse: “All roads lead to Jesus when you take her hand”. Hold the loving hand of our Blessed mother, may all that we accomplish become a blessing to others and an offering pleasing to God; and that thereby our lives may become an unending hymn of glory and praise to our Father in Heaven. Let us begin this New Year 2022, with Jesus, our Lord, Mary, our mother and St. Joseph, our protector. Repeat this prayer in the silence of hearts as often as possible and entrust the year into the loving hands of the Lord through our Blessed Mother: “Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, Pray for us”  

A New Year wishes to all of you. May this year flood your life with the graces and blessings of the Lord, all for His greater glory.

Bible Reflections I 31.12.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 2: 18-21

          II - Jn. 1: 1-18

THANK YOU LORD

                  

We are in the last day of the year 2021 that accounts and vouches for all the graces, blessings and the benevolence of the Lord.  Yes,

“Count your many blessings; name them one by one, 

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done”

Every incident, every happening and every event: the joys and sorrows; the ups and downs; efforts and attempts; success and challenges; and sufferings and solace were meticulously wrapped with the graces and blessings of the Lord besides being branded with His benevolent love for us.  Take some time today to be in solitude but in the company of the Lord and try to count all His blessings one by one, then can you feel your heart throbbing with sentiments of  gratitude  constantly repeating “Thank you Lord”. At the same time, regret not for the opportunities missed, wilful acts of negligence, lethargicness, slackness in accomplishing the good, lapsed relationships because of our ego, indifferentism and misunderstanding and wrong choices made. Thank God for bringing these setbacks to our memory so that we can better ourselves to become disciplined disciples of Jesus our Master.  

In the Gospel passage of the day we read: “From his fullness we have all received, graces upon grace”.  May we take this day as an opportunity to thank the Lord and pray for His graces for the upcoming new year, to stand firm in our resolutions to live up to our Christian vocation true to the identity of the children of God. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Lord”.

Bible Reflections I 30.12.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 2: 12-17

          II - Lk. 2: 36-40

KEEP THE LORD EVER BEFORE YOUR EYES

                  

In the first reading of the day, St. John exhorts the children of God to abstain from the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes and pride in the riches of this world that are short lived and passing away; and on the other hand, he instructs to do the will of God and live forever. A perfect example to this teaching can be picked up from the Gospel passage of the day: Anna. She never left the temple, worshipped there with fasting and prayer, all through night and day. And finally was rewarded with the privilege of seeing the promised one as he was brought to the temple to be presented.  

We need not be present 24X7 in the temple, night and day, fasting and praying like Anna, while it is quite impossible as well. But as St. John exhorts, can have the Lord ever before our eyes and be focused in seeking and accomplishing His will. If we conduct our lives in this way, we will be graced to recognise him as He comes to meet us, to take us to Himself and live forever with Him in that Kingdom beholding His glory and singing forever ‘Holy’ along with His angels and saints. Let our mind and heart throughout the day resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the wisdom to know you will and the courage to accomplish the same.

Bible Reflections I 29.12.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 2: 3-11

          II - Lk. 2: 22-35

St. Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial) 

SUBMIT UNTO THE WAYS OF THE LORD

                  

The Gospel passage of the day invites us to reflect upon: submission to the Law of the Lord, Submission to the promises of the Lord and submission to the Will of the Lord.  In submission to the Law of the Lord, the parents of Jesus presented their first born in the temple offering a pair of doves as prescribed by the Law.  In submission to the promises of the Lord, Simeon waited patiently in the temple to behold the deliverer, the consolation of Israel, the Messiah; and recognised him as he was brought even as a babe into the temple by his parents.  In submission to the will of God, Mary gave no response to the prophecy of Simeon: “…And a sword will pierce your own soul too”; but kept all these things and pondered them in her heart (Lk. 2: 19).  

Submission unto the ways of the Lord is the hallmark of Christian living. Submission bases humility, simplicity, trust, faith and confidence in the Lord.  May this Gospel passage enlighten, enkindle and enthuse us to live like the parents of Jesus in submitting ourselves to the Law of the Lord: Love; like Simeon, to submit ourselves unto the promises of the Lord and like our Blessed Mother, to submit ourselves to the Will of the Lord and that would be our best gift to him during this season of Christmas.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury.  He was martyred because he preferred to submit himself unto the ways of the Lord than to the order of the king of Canterbury.  Through the intercession of this saint let us ask God to give us the courage and humility to submit ourselves unto His ways as we keep in the silence of our hearts keep repeating this prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach us to submit ourselves unto your ways”.

Bible Reflections I 18.12.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

A NEW AND GREATER THING

“The days will come, says the Lord, when they will no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives, Who brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt’; but rather, ‘As the Lord lives, Who brought the descendants of the house of Israel up from the land of the north.’ ” —Jeremiah 23:7-8

The Exodus was looked upon by the people of Israel as the greatest miracle. God split the Red Sea, with a wall of water to the right and to the left, so the Israelites could safely cross through the sea on dry land and thus escape from the Egyptian army (Ex 14:21-31). God protected His people with wonder-working power.

Then the worst disaster occurred. God’s people abandoned Him, and He allowed their enemies to defeat them, destroy the Temple, and exile them to Babylon (2 Chr 36:17ff). Would God no longer protect His people? Decades later, in yet another unimaginable event, King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon, liberated the Israelites, and encouraged the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezr 1:1ff). Jeremiah had prophesied that God would bring His people out of exile, and it would be such a great miracle that future Israelites would speak of the return from exile rather than the Exodus (Jer 23:7-8).

Yet God was not finished working wonders for His people. The Father sent Jesus to liberate His people and make all things new (Is 43:19). No longer would we speak of the Exodus or the return from exile as God’s greatest miracle. God sent His only begotten Son to become flesh and dwell among us (Jn 1:14).

Is your life in ruins? Do you believe God will no longer act on your behalf? God is not finished working wonders for His people. Receive the Christ of Christmas, and believe God is at work.

Prayer:  Father, I believe nothing is impossible with You (Lk 1:37).

Promise:  Jesus “will save His people from their sins.” —Mt 1:21

Praise:  “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free.”

Courtesy from "One Bread, One Body".

Bible Reflections I 17.12.2021 - Friday I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss SDB I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Gen. 49: 8-10

          II - Mt. 1: 1-17

GOD IS GREAT

                  

God can write straight with crooked lines. The power of God can surpass the weakness of human beings. When the light enters the darkness is dispelled. Today’s Gospel passage is about the genealogy of Jesus. None of the human weakness and sinfulness prevented God from sending His only Son, the promised one in the prophesied race. From the imperfect generation God chose a just and a righteous man Joseph and a woman filled with grace Mary, to keep his promise. In every generation there were men and women to guide, lead and direct the hearts of people towards God, trying to turn every heart towards God.  

The Gospel passage of the day throws light to reflect on present generation of this time. We do have people to help, guide, lead and direct us towards the God, the One, truth and beauty. The season of advent is an opportunity to turn our hearts towards God. May we with the help given try to become just, righteous and grace filled persons like St. Joseph and Mother Mary for God to accomplish his plan for the human kind - The Kingdom of God. For the benevolence of God and with our exemplary living strive to gather all the sheep into that sheepfold under one shepherd realising the dream of Jesus, the Kingdom of God. God can use us, the weak beings into effective instruments in building up His Kingdom. Surrender and commit your lives into the loving hands of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach me to yield myself unto you”