Bible Reflections I 19.10.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 29

Readings 

            I - Eph. 3: 2-12

           II - Lk. 12: 39-48

BE PREPARED TO BEHOLD THE LORD

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is on ‘preparedness’ for the arrival of the Son of Man.  The passage is an introspection and an invitation to reflect on the quality of our living here and now.  We will be found ready and ‘blessed’ if we are busy about our work centered on love of God and love of neighbour.  Accomplishing ordinary, simple, daily and routine task with great love, sense of responsibility and in faithfulness would befit us to behold the King of Kings as and when He comes at any hour of the time.  If we make charity as our way of life, all we accomplish will be set on the right track that we need no worry, fear or anxiety about the hour at which the Lord comes.  

The choices and decisions we make determine our destiny.  If we choose to live by the teachings of Christ, we can dare to meet Him as he comes.  Let’s align our lives unto the way of the Lord and wait for his coming in prudence and in wisdom.  May our mind and heart resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach me to fix my gaze on you.”

Bible Reflections I 18.10.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 29

Readings 

           I - 2Tim: 4:10-17

           II - Lk. 10: 1-9

ST. LUKE, THE EVANGELIST (Feast)

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Luke, a gentile convert and a passionate proclaimer of Christ. He was a physician by profession. He was an evangelist, the author of the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He was the disciple and the missionary companion to St. Paul. The infancy narrative recorded by St. Luke in his Gospel was the first hand information from Mother Mary herself. He had a great love and devotion towards the Mother of God. St. Luke was also an artist. The portrait of Mother Mary brought by St. Thomas the Apostle still displayed in St. Thomas Mount, Chennai was painted by St. Luke himself. He lit the light of faith in the lives of people through his work, words and very life.  

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends out the seventy two in pairs to proclaim the Good News, with enough and above instructions and explanations. The same mission is entrusted to us too through our Baptism. It would never suffice if we were to preach the Good News with words alone. We are called and commissioned to proclaim Christ through our lives as well. Our very life should inspire and enkindle the faith of people around. Then can we call ourselves the followers of Christ. Let us invoke the intercession of St. Luke to help us follow the Lord passionately and propagate the faith in Christ with our very lives. May the light our life imbue everyone to come under the flock of the Good Shepherd. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, empower me to be your effective messenger”.

Bible Reflections I 17.10.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 29

Readings 

           I - Eph. 2: 1-10 

          II - Lk. 12: 13-21  

                  

ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the second bishop of Antioch in Syria where the followers of Christ were first called ‘Christians’. He succeed as bishop after St. Peter, the apostle in Antioch and also was the disciple of St. John the apostle. He preserved the teaching and practices of the Church with utmost care and effort. St. Ignatius was the first to use the word “Catholic” in reference to the Church: “Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” In 107, St. Ignatius was accused and sentenced to death by the brutal emperor Trajan, because he refused to renounce the Christian faith. He was taken under arrest from Antioch to Rome where he was to be devoured by the animals in the Roman amphitheater. Instead of becoming dismal in despair, St. Ignatius wrote seven letter of encouragement, inspiration and instructions to the Christians in those Communities. In the early Church, the letters of St. Ignatius was read soon after the Scripture reading because they brought encouragement and enthusiasm to live the Christian faith with heroism. St. Ignatius gladly gave up his life amidst the devouring lions as a heroic partaker in the suffering of Christ, his Lord and Master saying, “I am God’s wheat and I shall be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may become the pure bread of Christ”, reflecting the deep theology of a mystic. 

Do not be concerned about the cares of the world like the rich fool. The saint of the day inspires us to fix our gaze on conducting our life as a testimony to the life and teachings of Christ. St. Ignatius says, “May nothing entice me till I happily make my way to Jesus Christ! Fire, cross, struggles with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, mangling of limbs-let them come to me, provided only I make my way to Jesus Christ. I would rather die and come to Jesus Christ than be king over the entire earth. Him I seek who died for us; him I love who rose again because of us”. May Christ our Lord help us to imbibe this attitude as we keep repeating for the intercession of St. Ignatius of Antioch: “St. Ignatius of Antioch, Pray for us.”

Bible Reflections I 16.10.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 29

Readings 

            I - Ex. 17: 8-13

           II - 2 Tim. 3: 14 - 4: 2

          III - Lk. 18: 1-8

PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER PREVAILS

                  

The readings of the days invites us to remain steadfast in prayer. Never to get tired of praying but be persistent in praying. Prayer connects God and humanity. In prayer we articulate our emotions, needs, desires, helplessness, hopelessness, inability, trust, faith and confidence to God. In the first reading when the enemies encircled Israel, Moses raised his hands towards heaven in prayer and Israel was winning the war whenever he raised his hands in prayer and whenever he lowered his hands, the enemies were prevailing. With the help of Aaron and Hur he held his hands high in prayer till they won the battle. In the Gospel passage, the parable of the unjust judge, who neither feared God nor respected man gave justice to the widow who was bothering him so much. God is our loving Father, will he not grant justice to his children when they cry to him night and day for help?

We are the children of God, the loving, compassionate and merciful Father. In the trending world of the time, we get everything at the click of a button. We need everything instantaneously. We have lost the great value of patience. This has entered our prayer life as well. We expect an immediate response from God. We are least interested in the ‘waiting time’. From the Gospel passage be convinced that we are children of God and that our prayers would be answered Just in Time though delayed. Become not impatient in waiting for a response from God. Remain steadfast in prayer with hope and in faith.

Bible Reflections I 15.10.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

            I - Eph. 1: 15-23

           II - Lk. 12: 8-12

St. Theresa of Jesus

                  

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus encourages for a witnessing Christian living with the support of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, our inspirer and defender. We ought to recognise Jesus in order to be recognised by him in the paradise. Often times Christians try to conceal their identity for the fear of losing favour, privileges, incentives and rewards and also for the fear of enduring suffering and persecutions. There is joy in suffering for Christ who came to the earth and died for us out of his unfathomable love for us. We need not fear before authorities for as our Lord has promised the Holy Spirit would give us the right word to speak, courage to endure, strength to suffer and tactfulness to tackle.  

Dare to acknowledge Jesus before others, for the joy that we are about to behold on this account worth enduring the suffering, pain, false accusations and persecution. Stand up for the truth, voice for the voiceless, side with justice, support the helpless and defend the righteous. This may cost isolation, neglect, defamation, separation and suffering, but they are the proof of our love and recognition for Jesus Christ to whom we belong. Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Theresa of Avila who says, “Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, though all things pass, God does not change. He lacks nothing who possesses God; For God alone suffices”. Yes, let us not give up Christ in this passing world rather dare to stand up for him. May the saint of the day intercede for our witnessing Christian living as we keep praying in our hearts, “St. Theresa of Avila, Pray for us”.       

RECOGNISE TO BE RECOGNISED IN THE PARADISE

Bible Reflections I 14.10.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

            I - Eph. 1:11-14

           II - Lk. 12: 1-7

I AM PRECIOUS TO GOD

                  

Two major problems of the time are convincingly addressed by Jesus in today’s Gospel passage. One; whenever people see that evil thrive and falsehood prosper, they easily get discouraged and start accusing themselves for their honesty, inability and helplessness in explaining the truth. Two; people tend to accomplish things predominantly out of fear for various reasons. Jesus encourages the disciples telling, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known”. He also insists that we fear God who has the power to punish us; and not those who can only kill our body or in other words who can cause suffering in this world. We need not be worried, perturbed or fear, because we are precious to God and He cares for us. God has a complete knowledge of us that even the hairs of our head are counted.

We need not be discouraged or disheartened at the false accusations, discouraging realities and threatening events. God knows us, loves us and cares for us. Only God has a complete control over us. Cheer and keep going with this conviction. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I thank you for your love and mercy”.

Bible Reflections I 13.10.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

            I - Eph. 1:1-10

           II - Lk. 11: 47-54

BE ORIGINAL AND BE REAL

                  

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus reprimands the Pharisees, the Scribes and the lawyers for their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. They built monuments for the prophets whom their ancestors killed, falsely projecting that they did it as an atonement for killing the prophets. They reproved the act of their ancestors while in reality they were not better than their ancestors. Jesus cursed them for their spiritual blindness. Because they were the interpreters of Law and Prophesy but failed to recognise the Messiah in Jesus. Their pride, ego and selfishness prevented them from discovering the Messiah in Jesus.  

We are sometimes no better than the Pharisees. We wish to appear to be what we are not so that we might be appreciated, affirmed and kept high by the people around us. This is hypocritical living. Live your life unmasked and be natural. In faith, humility and simplicity accept yourself so that we might have a large heart to accept others. Be real, be original and glorify God with your life.

Bible Reflections I 12.10.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

            I - Gal. 5:18-25

           II - Lk. 11: 42-46

Blessed Carlo Acutis

THE LAW OF GOD IS THE LAW OF LOVE

                  

The Pharisees and the Lawyers in their preaching and teaching advocated for a stringent observance of the rules, rituals and traditions thereby compromising the essence of the Law: love, humanity and justice. In fattened and inflated ego, the Pharisees projected themselves to be righteous and longed for respect and reverence from people. Jesus admonishes this attitude of the Pharisees and invites them for an introspection through his ‘woe’ discourse.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a teenaged layman from the Archdiocese of Milan. He was devoted to Eucharist and to Blessed Mother Mary. He used to say, “Eucharist is the highway to heaven”. At the age twelve, he created series of his websites on Eucharistic miracles. When he was at school, he defended the kids especially kids with disabilities and from bullies. He is the patron of websites, web designers, social media and content creators. This modern saint is a model for all young and modern people. Jesus in the Gospel passage exhorts for a sanctity in such a simple and ordinary way unlike the stringent practices proposed by the Pharisees and the Lawyers. Love fosters Justice and fan fires humanity. The Law of God is the Law of Love. As Christians we are called to bear witness to this God of love to our neighbours. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill us with your love”.

Bible Reflections I 11.10.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

            I - Gal. 5:1-6

           II - Lk. 11: 37-41

PURITY OF MIND AND HEART MATTERS

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus reclining at the table without washing his hands, when he was an invited guest at the Pharisees house. The Pharisees were astonished at the behaviour of Jesus, the Rabbi. Jesus must have adopted this strategy to insist on the essentials and not merely on rituals. The essential is that of being pure in mind and heart. When our thoughts, words and deeds emerge from a pure heart, we are pure already as children of God. 

We are concerned so much about the exterior cleanliness but fail to care for our mind and heart. Some do get psychologically affected by constantly worrying about the exterior cleanliness while they are full of greed, wickedness, anger, jealousy, hatred, rancor and rivalry. It is this that actually makes a person unclean making the lives of oneself and the other miserable. Let us be concerned about conducting our interior life with the fear of the lord, love for him and the humanity with purity of mind and heart, then can we claim ourselves to be people of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart”.

Bible Reflections I 10.10. 2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

            I - Gal. 4: 22-24, 26-27, 31 - 5:1

           II - Lk. 11: 29-32

DISCOVER GOD IN FAITH

                  

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus calls the people of Israel especially the elite as evil generation because they were well versed in Law and prophesy but we adamant to accept Jesus as Messiah though they saw everything being fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus says that they would not be given any sign except the sign of Jonah and the Queen of Sheba to believe in Jesus. Jonah was merely a messenger of God and the people of Nineveh adhered and turned their hearts towards God in repentance. The Queen of Sheba had to travel so far to listen to the witness the wisdom of King Solomon. Jesus was greater than Jonah because he was message himself and greater than Solomon because he was the Word made flesh - the Divine Word and the Wisdom of God.  

We are no better than the Israelites when we ask God for signs, wonders and miracles despite witnessing his marvels in our lives and that of the others. We also often times fail to perceive his love and adhere to his words. Let us today ask God for the gift of faith so that we be able to recognise Him even in the smallest happening in our lives. May our mind and hear resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith in you”.

Bible Reflections I 09.10.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I I

Ordinary Time - Week 28

Readings 

           I - 2 Kings 5: 14-17

          II - 2 Tim. 2: 8-13

         III - Lk. 17: 11-19

GRATEFUL HEART IS A GREAT HEART

                  

The first reading and the Gospel passage of the day is about the healing of the leper and ten lepers respectively. Gratitude is an attitude. The Syrian who came to thank the prophet and the Samaritan who turned back to Jesus praising God loudly in the Gospel passage, both were considered as outcasts by the Israelites. The nine went to get back their recognition in the society while the Samaritan recognised the presence of God in the person of Jesus. Grateful people do not take anything for granted. The Jews who paraded themselves to be the people of God took the healing for granted while an outcast came back to thank Jesus. They were all filled with faith but failed to be grateful.

It is faith that keeps our life going. We are sure of the routine works of everyday and we seldom think about those people who make the day a comfortable one for us. From the rising till retiring many people contribute to the smooth functioning of our life. Let us today take some time to just recollect those insignificant persons behind our best day and thank God for them and thank them as well for making our life colourful and joyful. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, we thank you”.

Bible Reflections I 08.10. 2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

            I - Gal. 3: 22-29

           II - Lk. 11: 27-28

BECOME ‘BLESSED’ 

                  

In today’s Gospel passage a woman in the crowd praises the mother of Jesus and calls her ‘blessed’ on account of Jesus the amazing and astounding messiah, her son, who was turning the world right side up. But Jesus says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it”. Mary consented to give birth to the word of God submitting herself to the will of God and pondered all things about the ‘Word’ in her heart; and so she is indeed a ‘blessed’ par excellence.  

As per the worldly standards, the one who dwells in pomp, glory, riches, name, fame, power, position and privileges are considered to be blessed. Jesus puts the right side up saying that ‘blessed’ are those who hear God’s word and abide by the same. We read and listen to the Word of God umpteen number of times as Christians; yes we do hear but introspect whether we live by the same. Become not mere hearers but doers of the Word of God and ‘blessed’. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to listen and live by your word”.

Bible Reflections I 07.10.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

            I - Gal. 3: 7-14

           II - Lk. 11: 15-26

OUR LADY OF ROSARY 

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Rosary. The feast was instituted by Pope Pius V in 1953 as a thanksgiving for the victory of the Christians over the Turks in the battle of Lepanto. The Rosary is precisely a contemplative prayer. Pope Paul the VI had described it saying, “As a Gospel prayer, centered on the mystery of the redemptive incarnation, The Rosary is a prayer with a clearly Christological orientation”. Mother Mary, during her apparitions at Lourdes to Bernadette and in Fatima to Lucia, Jacinta and Francesco has exhorted to pray the Rosary. Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter on the Rosary, ‘Rosarium Virginis Mariae’ says that Mother Mary is active on the soul that ponders or contemplates Jesus through the eyes of Mary in praying the Rosary. In praying the Rosary we are united to Christ her Divine Son. 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters”. If we wish to be united with God and with one another, all we have to do is to pray the Rosary. Rosary is a popular family devotion. We are in the month of October, a month dedicated to the Rosary. Set apart and spend some time as family every day, to pray the Rosary because “a family that prays together, stays together”. May the Blessed Virgin Mary bless us and our families as we recite the Holy Rosary with love and devotion.

Bible Reflections I 06.10.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

I - Gal. 3: 1-5

           II - Lk. 11: 5-13

TRUST IN THE FATHER IN HEAVEN 

In the Gospel passage, through a parable, Jesus explains that the friend lends bread because of the persistent pleading of his friend and his perseverance even at the face of his refusal and reasoning.  Giving this parable, Jesus exhorts the children of God to persevere in the persistent “ask-seek-knock” trusting in the providence of God. Persistence is resoluteness even at the face of opposition and obstacles.  Perseverance is steadfastness in doing something.  Both are essential to achieve what one aspires for. Persistence and perseverance are the most important requisites of prayer.

God is our loving Father.  He takes pleasure in granting the requests of his children.  In the Gospel passage Jesus says, “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?”  True.  Sometimes our prayers remain unanswered may be because we in our ignorance might be asking for a serpent instead of a fish. God is concerned about us so much.  He will never let anything that would harm us even if we persist in asking for the ‘serpent’.  Be grateful to the good that we receive from God and be extra grateful for not receiving what we have asked.  Just be convinced that God is our Father and pray with persistent and in perseverance.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Father let your will be done”. 

Bible Reflections I 05.10.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

I - Gal. 1: 13-24 

II - Lk. 10: 38-42

ST. MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA

Inspired by the prayer life of Jesus, the disciples in today’s Gospel passage insists Jesus to teach them too to pray.  May be because they realised that the power of his words and the passion for his mission was the fruit of his prayer life.  The integrity and the credibility of the life of Jesus made the disciples to desire for learning how to pray from Jesus himself.  

 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Faustina Kowlaska to whom Jesus chose as his messenger to the modern world with his message of love and mercy. Jesus appeared as the King of Divine Mercy and insisted, “Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy”.  Every time Jesus appeared to Faustina, he spoke of his unfathomable love and mercy for the all humankind especially the sinners.  Even when the superiors, church authorities and the theologians doubted St. Faustina, she endured everything in obedience and with patience.  This was the fruit of her prayer life of which Jesus himself was so much pleased.  St. Faustina was canonised by St. Pope John Paul II. The picture of the divine mercy of Jesus is the one that was given to Faustina in her vision by Jesus including the short prayer, “Jesus, I trust in you”.  Let us today pray this prayer as often as possible as an intercession for the whole world.

Bible Reflections I 04.10.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

I - Gal. 1: 13-24

           II - Lk. 10: 38-42

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The Gospel passage of the day is about Jesus being a guest in the house of Martha and Mary. When Jesus was received as a guest both the sisters chose to express their affection towards Jesus in serving and sitting at his feet. Martha chose to serve and Mary, to sit at his feet and to listen to him. Comparison that led to complaint was the mistake of Martha, while Mary was clear and composed at the feet of Jesus. In her choice without a complaint or comparison, Mary won the appreciation of choosing the better part. 

 

The expression of every love varies. Every expression is unique and beautiful if done with an undivided heart and absolute attention. Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi who chose to love the Lord in embracing poverty and serving poor and the sick especially the lepers. Francis of Assisi was from a Nobel and wealthy family. He was the son of a cloth merchant. Enamored by the love of God, he gave away everything and embraced poverty to the extent of stripping himself off his clothes. St. Francis of Assisi embraced the entire creation of God in love and friendship to the extent of calling God’s creation as brothers and sisters viz. Mother earth, brother sun, sister moon, brother fire and sister water in his ‘Canticle of creature’. He is the Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. He was the first one to set up the first live nativity scene in honour of the birth of Jesus - Christmas. He was so much taken up by the poverty of Jesus in the manger. During his last years he was completely blind but never a word of complaint was heard to be uttered from his mouth. He also had the gift of stigmata with an excruciating pain partaking in the suffering of the Lord. He died reciting Psalms 141 and 142. He was the founder of the order of the Franciscans. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for us”.

 

 

Bible Reflections I 03.10.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

            I - Gal. 1: 6-12

           II - Lk. 10: 25-37

LOVE THE LORD IN YOUR NEIGHBOUR

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus prescribes only two conditions to inherit eternal life: to love God above all and to love our neighbour. From the parable of the Good Samaritan we infer that every fellow being in need of our help is our neighbour. The priest and the Levite who served the Lord, failed to serve the bleeding man who was in dire need of their help. The Samaritan, an outcast, was moved with compassion and helped him in saving his life. Jesus gives the Samaritan as model for them to imitate in their love for their neighbour.   

We flock to churches, take up pilgrimage and attend retreats to experience God and to reciprocate our love for God failing to recognise his residence in every human persons more fully. Every person is a temple of God. In the suffering of every person, God suffers; in the rejection of every person, God is rejected and in the neglect of every fellow being, God is neglected. Love of God and love of neighbour can never be separated, they are intertwined. Love of God implies love of neighbour and vice versa. Love God in neighbour and inherit the eternal reward. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, Help me to love you in my neighbour”.

Bible Reflections I 02.10.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 27

Readings 

            I - Hab. 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4

           II - 2 Tim. 1: 6-8, 13-14

          III - Lk. 17: 5-10

THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

The three readings of the day focus on the steadfastness in the life of faith. The readings invites to focus on God in enduring the pain, sorrow, frustration and failure that we encounter in our life with an utmost faith in Him. Surrounded by violence, strife and contention prophet Habakkuk in first reading cries to God for his help and action. God comforts and emboldens him saying, “The righteous shall live by his faith”. In the second reading, St. Paul in his letter to the Timothy, encourages him to bear testimony about the Lord and share in the suffering of the Gospel in faith because God has given us a spirit of power and not timidity. In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the power of faith even as mustard seed, to work great things in life. Even a credible Christian living becomes possible only to the person of faith.  

To live for the Lord is our commitment and there should never be a compromise, come what may. We may get easily exhausted and discouraged by the powers and atrocities of the world like prophet Habakkuk or the people of Israel or Timothy. But, faith helps us to accept things as they are with a strong and large heart full of the power of love. God has given us the spirit of power and love and self-control. All we need is to focus on Him with faith and in love. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to stand steadfast in faith”.

Bible Reflections I 01.10.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 26

Readings 

            I - Is. 66: 10-14

           II - Mt. 18: 1-5

ST. THERESA OF CHILD JESUS, VIRGIN, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Theresa of Child Jesus who responded to the love of God with all her heart, mind and strength in her own little way. Theresa was born on 2nd January, 1873in Alencon, France. She lost her mother when she was four. She was the youngest and the “little princess” to her dad. In a papal audience during her pilgrimage to Rome, she asked for and obtained special permission from Pope Leo XIII to enter the Carmelite monastery at the age of fifteen. She did not do anything extraordinary within the four walls there, but little deeds with great love for Jesus. She often used to say, “Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them”. Every one of her step, move, gesture and activity was an expression of her love for Jesus. She endured everything, suffering, sickness and misunderstanding with great love and patience.  

Saint Theresa of Child Jesus was a Cloistered Carmelite Nun confined to the convent yet she is the Patroness of missionary, Patroness of France and above all the Doctor of the Church. She is a great saint because of her child like childlike simplicity and humility. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that one who wishes to be great in the kingdom of God should become humble and simple like the little children. Take up St. Theresa of Child Jesus as model and follow her ‘little way’ to become great in the kingdom of God. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Theresa of Child Jesus, Pray for us”.

Bible Reflections I 30.09.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 26

Readings 

            I - Job. 38: 1, 12-21; 40: 3-5

           II - Lk. 10: 13-16

ST. JEROME, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (Memorial)

               

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus condemns the cities that failed to repent even after witnessing the mighty works of Jesus. On the roads of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum Jesus performed so many miracles and alas! The people in their stubbornness of heart they never relented to repent. The ruins found today bears testimony to the words of Jesus. Had these miracles been done in the pagan cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, they would have turned from their wickedness, yielded to repentance and consequently to conversion of heart.  

Today the Church celebrates the fest of St. Jerome, the doctor of the Church.  He was the student of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen.  His contribution to the Latin translation of the Bible the Vulgate from Greek is a great gift to the Church.  His works on biblical, ascetical, monastic and theological influenced the early Middle Ages.  He devoted his time to reading the scripture, writing commentaries and teaching scripture. St. Jerome used to say, “Good, better, best.  Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best”.  Be not stubborn like the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, instead, be open to the voice of God that comes especially through the Scripture.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Jerome, Pray for us”.