Bible Reflections I 13.08.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - Ezk. 18: 1-10, 13, 30-32

           II - Mt. 19: 13-15

WELCOME THE ‘NOBODY’

In today’s Gospel passage, the disciples rebuke the people who brought their children to Jesus that he may lay his hands on them and bless them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven”, blessed them and sent them away.  Children are also the representation of the poor, the weak, the oppressed, the women, the sinners and the less privileged who are considered as ‘nobody’ in the society.  These people are always the welcome guests of Jesus.  They are special and important to him.

In the light of the day’s Gospel passage let us examine our type of association with the people.  Do we take delight in socialising with the poor, the abandoned, the neglected and the less fortunate? Can these type of people feel comfortable in our company or in other words do we feel comfortable in their company? If not, with the grace of God and true to our identity as Christians and the followers of our Master Jesus Christ, align your lives unto the ways of the Gospel.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”.

Bible Reflections I 12.08.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - Ezk. 16: 1-15, 60, 63

           II - Mt. 19: 3-12

SERVE THE LORD INt FIDELITY

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus highlights the sacredness and the characteristics of marriage. Marriage is sacred because it is instituted by God and so the important characteristics of marriage are, unity and indissolubility. The man and woman bound by the sacrament of marriage are called to be the sign of God’s love to one another with a lifelong commitment. Hearing the commitment involved in marriage, the disciples comments that it is better that one does not get married. Jesus enlightens them that to give up marriage and remain unmarried for the sake of God’s Kingdom is a grace given by God. Therefore, both, married life and unmarried for God’s kingdom are consecrated that calls for commitment and fidelity.

The influence of individualism, aspiration for absolute autonomy and upsurge of rationalism and relativism have belittled the sacredness and the commitment involved in marriage. Commitment holds good as long as it goes well. If otherwise, people are prone to end up in divorce. Marriage have become fragile in the name of compatibility and comfortable living. Develop understanding, reciprocity, forgiveness and above all family prayer that strengthens the family bond. May the grace of God help us to remain steadfast and committed in the choice of life we make considering its sacredness and God’ purpose.

Bible Reflections I 11.08.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - Ezk. 12: 1-12

           II - Mt. 18: 21-19: 1

FORGIVE AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN

Today’s Gospel passage is about the parable of the unforgiving servant. To the question raised by Peter how often he should forgive his brother, Jesus says this parable highlighting the fragility of man and the generous forgiveness of the Father. In the same way, Jesus invites us to extend forgiveness to the one who sin against us, countless times, imitating the mercy of the Father that we experience in our sinfulness.  

The bible says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Lk. 6: 36). In the prayer taught by Jesus, he gives, forgiveness of neighbour as precondition to obtain forgiveness for ourselves from God our Father. Think for a moment that if only we are to be treated by God according to the weightage of sin, none of us would dare to exist on the earth. His mercy sustains, supports and gives us hope for another new beginning with courage, hope and enthusiasm. Let us project the same to others who offend us to prove that we are the children of the merciful father.

Bible Reflections I 10.08.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - 2 Cor. 9: 6-10

           II - Jn. 12: 24-26

ST. LAWRENCE, DEACON (Feast)

The Church today celebrates the fest of St. Lawrence, the first of the seven deacons of Rome, appointed by St. Pope Sixtus II. St. Lawrence was known as the Archdeacon of Rome.  He was trusted so much by the Pope that he entrusted the treasures of the Church and the concern of the poor in Rome to St. Lawrence.  It was the time of persecution under the emperor Valerian.  Many ministers of the Church, the bishops, priests and deacons were executed and martyred.  Pope Sixtus II too was one among them to be martyred.  Aware of the threat that awaited the Church, St. Lawrence distributed the wealth and property of the Church to all the poor and needy there.  When the Roman authorities inquired for the wealth of the Church, St. Lawrence presented the poor people before the authorities. The infuriated authorities, tortured him putting him on a hot gridiron, heated with a blazing furnace and martyred him.  St. Lawrence joyfully endured for the sake of his faith in the Lord and Master Jesus Christ. 

St. Lawrence gave himself up completely in faith, for the sake of the Lord joyfully and generously, gaining the glory of the heavenly bliss.  In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “Unless a wheat of grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit”.  The martyrdom of St. Lawrence is an inspiration and model to us. Following Christ may cause many setbacks and sufferings but on enduring, we gain eternal life and other pick up inspiration and example.  May the saint inspire us to live our lives boldly for Christ and his principles.

Bible Reflections I 09.08.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - Ezk. 2: 8 - 3: 4

           II - Mt. 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14

GREATNESS VESTS IN HUMILITY

Today’s Gospel is an explanation to the question asked by the disciples to their Master Jesus Christ, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Greatness vests in humility. Jesus exhorts them to become like Children. Becoming like children is becoming ‘nobody’. Women, children, the poor and the outcasts were considered to be ‘nobody’ in the Jewish society. Jesus conditions to humble; and commands to welcome and serve these ‘nobody’ who are oppressed and suppressed in almost all ways in the society. In this way one becomes great and befitting to enter the kingdom of God.  

Greatness vests in humility. The best example for humility is our Lord Jesus Christ himself. He took on the form of a slave (Phil. 2: 6-11) to save us from sin, death and slavery; and he had washed the feet of his disciples and had set us an example for humble service (Jn. 13: 1-17). Jesus does not expect us to do what he himself had not done when he was with us. Everything fall in line if we are humble. Let us strive to achieve our nobility in our humility. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach me to be humble like you”.

Bible Reflections I 08.08.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - Ezk. 1: 2-5, 24-28

           II - Mt. 17: 22-27

BE AN INSPIRATION AND NOT A SCANDAL

Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus paying tax to the tax collectors. In reality, Jesus is not obliged to pay tax for only the foreigners are obliged to pay tax. Jesus is the Son of God and therefore not bound to pay temple tax as it is his father’s house. Still, Jesus pays tax so as to set an example and not to violate the rule unnecessarily for this purpose.  

The Gospel passage of the day invites us to inspire others through our exemplary living and not be a scandal to others through our reckless living. Action speaks louder than words. We aspire for greater things and remain incredible. The incredibility comes from our adherence to the existing rules and practices that prevail in our society for the smooth functioning. Let us not violate in the name of our position, power and status, instead oblige and set an example like Jesus.

Bible Reflections I 07.08.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 19

Readings 

            I - Wis. 18: 6-9

           II - Heb. 11: 1-2, 8-19

          III - Lk. 12: 32-48

THE ESSENTIAL 3S FOR ETERNAL LIVING

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus calls us “little flock” and gives a formula of 3S for inheriting eternal life: Seek the Kingdom of God, Save in heaven and Stay prepared. The Kingdom of God is where everyone recognise themselves to be the children of God, the Father and live in unity, equality, freedom, fraternity and Justice.  The responsibility and duty of every follower of Christ is to seek for God’s Kingdom wherever they are.  The second ‘S’ is about saving in heaven. With the material wealth that does not follow us after our life here on earth, we are called to serve and share with others so that we may have great treasure in heaven which can neither be plundered nor destroyed. And, finally the third ‘S’ is about staying prepared for the day of the Lord.  Even if the days are prolonged, we need not be disheartened but to stay prepared in hope.  The reward of all these 3S would be that the Lord would treat them royally on the day of his coming and take them to his paradise.

It is not easy to practice these 3S.  They are challenging and tiring, this why Jesus at the start of the passage says, “Fear not”, which means to be courageous in executing these 3S.  In the world that strive after Power, wealth, honour, publicity, popularity and status, Jesus exhorts to focus on the 3S that gain eternal life with the Lord. Let us seek the kingdom of God, save our treasure in heaven and stay prepared like the wise servant in the Gospel; and merit the royal treatment of the Lord when he comes.

Bible Reflections I 06.08.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 18

Readings 

            I - Dan. 7: 9-10, 13-14

           II - 2Pt. 1: 16-19

          III - Lk. 9: 29-36

TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (Feast)

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the transfiguration of the Lord. In the Gospel passage of the day Peter, James and John witnesses the transfiguration of the Lord in all his glory, glowing in dazzling white. They saw Moses, the law giver and Elijah, the great prophet, speaking to Jesus. Appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus symbolized that Jesus was the compendium of Law and Prophesy and this was affirmed by the overshadowing of the cloud that symbolize the presence of God. Peter, James and John were given such a privilege of witnessing the transfiguration of the Lord with the mission embedded in the voice of the Father, “This my Son, the Beloved; listen to him”. The Father affirming the identity of Jesus exhorts to listen to him, the prophet par excellence; the liberator from our sin, slavery and suffering; and the New Law giver.  

Adhering to Jesus is following his Law of Love: love of God and love of neighbour in our lives. One cannot exist without the other. They are the two sides of the same coin. One cannot say “I love God and hate my neighbour” or vice versa. The feast of transfiguration invites us to transcend from all our selfishness, ego, pride, jealousy, hatred, envy, greed, avarice etc… and transform into persons of love, peace, joy, happiness, tenderness, compassion, empathy, gentleness, care, concern etc… in order to be transfigured, restoring the image and likeness of God in which we were created. Let our mind and heart resonate with this prayer during this day: “Lord Jesus, help me to listen to your voice.”

Bible Reflections I 05.08.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 18

Readings 

           I - Nahum 1: 15, 2:2, 3: 1-3, 6-7 

          II - Mt. 16: 24-28

Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major

           

TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW THE LORD 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus exhorts to carry the cross if anyone wishes to follow him. It is worth suffering for the Lord because the path of the Lord marked us for us assures life eternal. In following our heart’s desire we might gain a bit of the glory of the world that is deceptive, at the cost of losing our own souls that are destined for heaven. Every one of our act will be examined and rewarded at the time of the Son of Man coming in glory.

Today the Church remembers the dedication of St. Mary Major Church, Rome, a great and gigantic church built in honour of Mother Mary. The site for the Church was chosen by the Blessed Mother herself through the miraculous snow fall at that site as she promised. The purpose of every church besides being a place of worship, glory, honour and praise to God, binds brothers and sisters in fraternity, unity and equality that assures of the eternal reward. Let us today in a particular way pray to our Blessed Mother to give us the courage to follow the Lord unbinding ourselves from the power, pomp and the pride of the world. May our Mother Mary lead us to Jesus her son, accompanying us in our life journey.

Bible Reflections I 04.08.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 18

Readings 

           I - Jer. 31: 31-34 

          II - Mt. 16: 13-23

St. John Mary Vianney (Memoria)

                  

LIVE BY THE WILL OF GOD 

Today’s Gospel passage is about the proclamation of Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, for which he is also called by Jesus as ‘blessed’. At the same time when Peter failed to set his mind on divine plan, he calls him ‘satan’. Peter was unable to accept that the Messiah has to suffer and hence he tries to forbid Jesus. Jesus, as Son of God has set an example to live by the divine plan of God no matter whatever be the cost.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast St. John Mary Vianney, the humble parish priest of Ars, a remote parish in France that contained only two hundred and thirty people. He took it as a holy will of God and through his life and example brought all people closer to God. Pope Benedict XVI, in his letter proclaiming the year of the priest have said, “In his time the Curé of Ars was able to transform the hearts and the lives of so many people because he enabled them to experience the Lord’s merciful love”. St. John Mary Vianney accomplish all in love, aligning himself to the will of God. The feast of St. John Mary Vianney is also celebrated as the feast of the parish priests. St. John Mary Vianney used to say, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”. Let us today pray for all priests and for our parish priests in particular. May the saint inspire us to live by the will of God for us.

Bible Reflections I 03.08.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 18

Readings 

           I - Jer. 31: 1-7 

          II - Mt. 15: 21-28

              

NEVER GET TIRED OF PRAYING 

The Canaanites were outcasts and therefore the Jews abstained themselves from associating with the Canaanites. In today’s Gospel passage, the Canaanite woman comes before the Lord requesting for the healing of her daughter tortured by demon. Jesus tries to send her away reminding of her status: “it is not fair to take the children’s’ food and throw it to the dogs”. The outcasts were also considered as dogs. But she was persistent in persuading Jesus for the healing and finally Jesus did heal her daughter and appreciates her faith saying, “Woman great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish”.

The three essential elements for prayer are: courage, faith and perseverance. Courage to face the Lord with the conviction that we are the children of God. Jesus says that faith can move even mountains (Mt. 17: 20-21). We should never become tired of praying (Col. 4: 2) but keep persevering with faith. If prayer requests are unanswered, examine your courage to stand before the Lord, faith and perseverance. Remember at all times that we are the children of God redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Bible Reflections I 02.08.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 18

Readings 

           I - Jer. 30: 1-2, 12-15, 18-22 

          II - Mt. 14: 22-36

            

RECOGNISE AND FIX YOUR GAZE ON THE LORD

Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus walking on the water. The terrified disciples in the boat battered by the waves, in fear and fright failed to discover Jesus though he was found to be walking towards them on water. Concentration on the strong wind shook the faith of Peter, walking on the water at the Lord’s command and so he began to sink. Jesus reaching out his hand to Peter asked him, “Why do you doubt?” In fear, the disciples failed to recognise Jesus and Peter began to doubt Jesus.

Faced with problems only two things can happen: either we may fail to recognise the presence of Jesus with us; or focus on our problem than on fixing our gaze on God. "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Ps. 55:22). "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6). Recognise the presence of God and fix your gaze on him for a liberated living. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to look up to you in faith all times in my life”.

Bible Reflections I 01.08.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 18

Readings 

           I - Jer. 28: 1-17 

          II - Mt. 14: 13-21

                  

REFLECT JESUS

Today’s Gospel passage is about the multiplication of five loaves and two fish. Jesus would not wish to send the crowd back to their home hungry. He does not perform a one man show working a miracle in satisfying the hunger of the crowd. He instead, includes human concern and cooperation in feeding the crowd. He blesses the generosity of the crowd that offered five loaves and two fish to feed the crowd of five thousand men alone besides the women and children; and with the remnant of twelve basket full of the broken pieces.  

We have to imbibe the vibes of the heart of Jesus in order to be empathetic, understanding, sympathetic, kind, compassionate and generous towards the needy and the suffering. In the crowd that is crazy for ‘likes’ on posing the misery of the suffering over the social network media, become crazy in living your lives modelled after our Master Jesus Christ in generosity and love. Make a difference as Christians and the followers of Christ wherever you are in reflecting the heart of Jesus. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, make my heart like that of yours”.

Bible Reflections I 31.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 18

Readings 

           I - Eccl. 1: 2, 2: 21-23 

          II - Col. 3: 1-5, 9-11  

         III - Lk. 12: 13-21

                  

STORE UP YOUR TREASURE IN HEAVEN

Chasing after the wealth of the world that does not follow us after our life here on the earth is vanities of all vanities says the preacher of wisdom in the first reading. In the second reading, St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians exhorts the people of God to set their mind and seek the things of above, putting to death what is earthly in them. The two readings are substantiated by the Gospel passage. At the time of Jesus, the religious leaders resolved the legal questions. And so, someone in the crowd approaches Jesus for the settlement of the inheritance with his brother. Jesus take this chance to explain about true wealth for which one has to aspire and work for, through the parable of the rich fool who rejoiced at the rich harvest and planned to build larger barns to store the grain and that very night he was about to die. We prepare so much for our earthly living but through the parable Jesus invites to examine how prepared are we to inherit eternal life.  

We care and toil hard for the transitory life missing our focus from the true wealth, the eternal life with God in Paradise. We are concerned about our cozy and comfortable living here on the earth that is perishable deviating from the true wealth in Christ that beckons for a living bound by the Law of Love. Walking an extra mile for Christ is wealth that worth paradise. Let the readings of the day help us to introspect how prepared are we to inherit the eternal life with God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to fix our hearts and minds on the heavenly riches”.

Bible Reflections I 30.07.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 17

Readings:  

       I - Jer. 26: 11-16, 24

      II - Mt. 14: 1-12

LISTEN TO GOD, STAND FOR GOD

In the Gospel passage today, John the Baptist courageously admonishes the unlawful act of King Herod, living with his brother’s wife. His words were powerful, piercing, disturbing and deterring both Herod and Herodias. Herodias plotted so well that she had the head of John the Baptist on the platter through her daughter.  

We are children of God and whenever we are astray, God calls us back on the right the right track through the Scripture, conscience, persons, signs and events. His voice is never compromising, appealing or pacifying but disturbing, contradicting, challenging and conquering. We have only two options before us, either to give heed and align our ways and inherit eternal life or rationalize and reject his words and impend for eternal destruction. If God chooses us to be His mouth piece, let us courageously do so with no fear of people who can kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, make me a courageous messenger of the truth”

Bible Reflections I 29.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 17

Readings: I - Jer. 26: 1-9

                II - Jn. 11: 19-27

St. Martha (Memoria)

LOVE THE LORD WHO LOVES YOU

Today the Church remembers St. Martha, the friend of Jesus and sister of Mary and Lazarus. Jesus as the friend, besides being a guest, sharing their hospitality, love and joy, goes to Bethany to share in the suffering of the Martha and Mary at the loss of their brother Lazarus. Martha beholding the Master on the way confidently says, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died” and affirms her trust saying, “But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of Him” and so was it done to her.        

In the trending world of change and impermanency God’s love alone is strong and constant as the Scripture says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). All we need to do is to get connected with Jesus through our prayer. In times of grief, pain, trials, temptations, discouragement, betrayal, sorrows and weakness, turn to Jesus, an understanding friend closer to us than the very air we breathe. Let us resolve to accept the forever friendship of Jesus as we celebrate the feast day of his friend Martha who served him with much love and care.

Bible Reflections I 28.07.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 17

Readings: I - Jer. 18: 1-6

      II - Mt. 13: 47-53

St. Alphonsa (Memorial)

LET OUR LIFE INSPIRE OTHERS

The Gospel passage of the day contains a comparison and an obligation. The kingdom of heaven is compared to a net that is thrown into the sea. It collects both the good and the bad fish. The good ones are stored in the container and the bad ones are thrown away. Similarly, on that final day of judgment, the humanity will be judged on the basis of love and those who are worthy would inherit the kingdom of God. Every scribe who considered himself to be the custodian of law is supposed to match the old and new and make the rules easy for people to follow for the crux of the old and new law is love. Instead they complicated the law and made the lives of ordinary people weighing and tiring.  

We are trained in so many ways to practice the preaching of the Gospel: love through bible reading, sermons, preaching, retreat, prayer and spiritual and corporal practices. Examine whether all these help us to be more humane and loving so that others too copy and aspire for a life based on love. May the reading also help us to introspect the credibility of our life based on love so that we may be gather for God on the day of final judgment. Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Alphonsa, the first India woman saint who suffered much because she also loved much and today she enjoys the crown of eternal glory in Paradise. Let St. Alphonsa inspire to live a life based on love.

Bible Reflections I 27.07.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 17

Readings: I - Jer. 18: 1-6

                II - Mt. 13: 47-53

GIVE UP IN ORDER TO GAIN

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to the treasure hidden in the field and the fine pearls. The man who found the treasure hidden in the field sells all that he has to buy that field. But the merchant goes in search of fine peals and on finding the same sells all that he has, to buy the pearls. The finding of the former is accidental while that of the latter is incidental. But one thing that was common in both of them was that sold everything they had so as to acquire that what was precious and priceless. They were ready to forego anything but to possess that what mattered everything to them.

‘Exchange offer’ is one of the common marketing tactics that is followed for sale promotion. We are children of God redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. As Christians we are called to be sign of bearer of God’s love to the world. We cannot let ourselves to be influenced by the world instead as the bible exhorts, we must let God transform us into new persons (Rom. 12:2) like lamps lit on the mountain top. In this process we may have to give up all that we are and all that we have so as to gain the eternal joy, the Paradise. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to give up for the sake of your love”

Bible Reflections I 26.07.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 17

Readings: I - Jer. 14: 17-22

          II - Mt. 13: 16-43

St. Joachim and St. Anne, Parents of the Virgin Mary (Memorial)

  

GRANDPARENTS DAY

Today the Church gratefully and joyfully celebrates the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne, the parents of our Blessed Mother Mary and the grandparents of our Lord Jesus Christ. The feast is celebrated as World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, from last year as introduced by Pope Francis in January, 2021. St. Joachim and St. Anne in their faithfulness to God and through their righteous deeds were chosen to be the parents of the Mother of God. If Mother Mary is blessed among all women, blessed too should have been the parents who brought her up to the extent of finding favour in the eyes of the Lord befitting to bring forth the long awaited Messiah, the Saviour into the world.

We are living in a painful reality of children discarding their own parents in old age homes or abandoning them to the caretakers, confining them to the four walls of a room in the house or still to the worse, some who are so cruel to chase them out of their homes without a second thought of their sustenance or maintenance at their age of helplessness. The wealth, honour, glory and pride that is beheld are inheritance from the ancestors; and this can neither be denied nor argued against. On the other hand there are children who them with dignity, kindness and love. Honouring the parents begets the blessings of the Lord (Ex. 20:12) for the Scripture exhorts and promises, “Honour your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Deu 5:16). Respecting parents therefore is the command of the Lord (Lev. 19:3) that ultimately results in respecting the grandparents as well. “Grandparents have the crowning glory of life: grandchildren. And it’s only proper for children to take pride in their parents” (Pro. 17:6). 

Task: Express your love and affection towards your grandparents wishing them, and through your acts of kindness and gestures of love.

Prayer: “Dear God, Bless my grandparents”.

Bible Reflections I 25.07.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 17

Readings 

           I - 2 Cor. 4: 7-15

          II - Mt. 20: 20-28

                                    

FEAST OF ST. JAMES, THE APOSTLE

In the Gospel reading of the day, the mother of James and John asks Jesus to make her son sit at the right and left side of the Master in his kingdom. To the disciples Jesus about his style of ‘servant leadership’ and instructs that their greatness is in serving. The first reading of the day describes about the role of discipleship and the difficulties to be endured on this accord. Disciples are like a clay jar containing the treasure of the Gospel. They are called to manifest the life of Jesus in their mortal flesh. Because of which they have to endure affliction, persecution and destruction but they can neither be struck down nor destroyed, standing study in bearing witness to the life of Jesus in them.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. James, the apostle. James and John were the first disciples called by Jesus to follow him when they were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets (Mt. 4: 21-22, Mk. 1: 19-20). They were nicknamed as ‘Sons of thunder’ (Mt. 3: 17) for their fiery temperament. James was one among the three (Peter and John) to be present during the important moments of Jesus: his transfiguration (Mt. 17: 1-13) and raising of Jairus daughter (Mk. 5: 21-43). He was the first bishop of Jerusalem. He was an important spokesperson at the council of Jerusalem regarding Paul’s mission to the Gentiles (Acts. 15: 13). In his epistle, St. James has stressed about precepts pertaining to faith and good works, true wisdom is from God, control over tongue and about the anointing of the sick. James went as a missionary to Spain and preached the Gospel there. When he returned from Spain to Jerusalem, he was captured and beheaded by the sword. He was the first apostle to die as a martyr. His remains were taken to Compostela in Northern Spain by his followers and a chapel was constructed above the same. The new cathedral was built in the 12th century. St. James is the patron saint of Spain. May the life of the saint inspire us to aspire for a credible Christian living witnessing to the life of Christ as the readings of the day exhorts. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. James, Pray for us”.