கிறிஸ்து அரசர் பெருவிழா I SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING - 20.11.2022 I RE...

Bible Reflections I 21.11.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 34

Readings 

           I - Rev. 14: 1-3, 4-5

          II - Lk. 21: 1-4

                  

PRESENTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

                  

Today the Church celebrates the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the temple. The feast recalls the grace filled moment when the parents of Mother Mary, St. Joachim and St. Anne presented their daughter in the temple. Against all odds, captivity, exile, desecration of their temple, oppression and suppression, the people of Israel hoped in the deliverance of the Lord. In every new born they hoped for God’s promise of deliverance: the Messiah. To echo Prophet Zechariah, in her presentation, Mary enters the temple as ‘Daughter of Sion’ that signaled the imminent coming of the Immanuel. Mary enters the temple as the chosen of God, who would one day become the temple of the Lord - the Word made Flesh!  

The Gospel passage of the day is about the widow who presented two small copper coins to the Lord in the temple. She contributed all that she had for her living to Lord must be with great devotion and love for the Lord and won also the appreciation of the Lord. From the feast and the Gospel passage of the day, we can take away two points for our life. One, the role of family in the life of children. In bringing up Mary, in way that the Lord God wanted, St. Joachim and St. Anne, made her befitting to be the Mother of the Lord. Create a conducive environment in the family for the children to grow up as God’s children. And two, the attitude behind every one of our offering should be love and devotion with no self-seeking interests. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Blessed Virgin Mary, Pray for us”.

Bible Reflections I 20.11.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Readings 

           I - 2 Sam. 5: 1-3

          II - Col. 1: 12-20 

         III - Lk. 23: 35-43

                  

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST HE KING

                  

Today the Church joyously celebrates the solemnity of the Kingship of Christ our Lord. The feast was introduced by Pope Pius XI with his encyclical ‘Quas Primas’ to combat the secularism that was prevailing. Pomp, power, glory, glamour, might and majesty mark the earthly royalty. The feast tries to put the right side up in celebrating the Kingship of Christ that authority and power consists in love, kindness, meekness, gentleness, humility and simplicity. In the first reading, David’s kinsmen anoint him to be their king. In Israel, anointing was a ritual that inaugurated the offices of the prophets, the priests and the kings. The idea of ‘messianism’ started with God’s covenant with David, a promise of God to establish his dynasty forever. The Good Shepherd from the line of the shepherd David! The second reading projects that we are the partakers in the inheritance of Christ our Lord. In the Gospel reading, on his Cross, Jesus sets the essence of Kingdom: love and forgiveness. Like the thieves on the either side of the cross, we are given the freedom of choice, either to accept him and remain in his Kingdom or to reject him and restrain from his Kingdom.  

With the celebration of the solemnity of the Feast of Christ the King, the ordinary time of the liturgical year ends and we are about to enter into the season of advent. This celebration is an invitation to accept the kingship of Jesus. Rid from all that is not of the Kingdom of God and make worthy of befitting into that Kingdom where freedom, fraternity and justice reign. Let us during the day keep praying like the good theif: “Jesus, remember me in your kingdom”.

உடனிருக்கும் இறைவனை உணர்வோமா? I 19.11.2022 - SATURDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA ...

Bible Reflections I 19.11.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

           I - Rev. 11: 4-12 

          II - Lk. 20: 27-40

THE GOD THE LIVING

                  

The Sadducees were scholars and experts in Torah, the first five books of the Scripture. Yet, firstly, the failed to recognise the presence of the Lord in Jesus and secondly, they were far away from the wisdom of God. They were trying to figure out the heaven from their earthly experience. This is why Jesus quotes from Torah; the incident of the burning bush that remained unconsumed and Moses calling the Lord as the God of Abraham, God of Isaac and the God of Jacob thereby proving that He is the God of the living and no the God of the dead. 

We are often not different from the Sadducees who were blind with eyes open wide. They were learned and scholars but failed to understand the wisdom of God when the time demanded. The Lord comes to us in the Word, Sacraments, persons and events, we miss him for various reasons. With all God experience we often too fail to discover him when the time demands. Invoke the wisdom of the Lord to discover him at every moment of our lives. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the gift of wisdom to recognise you”.

Bible Reflections I 18.11.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

           I - Rev. 10: 8-11 

          II - Lk. 19: 45-48

                 

DEDICATION OF THE CHURCHES OF PETER AND PAUL

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to reflect upon the two aspects of Jesus viz. the power of his life and the power of his words. On entering the temple, Jesus drove out those selling things in the temple and none dared to prevent nor disapprove of him for his act because such was the power of his life, a life of righteousness par excellence. In the second part of the Gospel passage of the day, we read that the crowd that listened to Jesus was spell bound at his teachings. Such was the power of his words. 

Today the church celebrates the feast of the dedication of the basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter recognised Jesus in the might catch (Lk. 5:1-11) and Paul in his Damascus experience (Acts.9: 1-8). They recognised him rightly, followed him passionately and offered themselves willingly as martyrs for their faith in the Risen Lord. To mark the heroism of the two giants and the pillars of the Church and churches dedicated for them in their name for the glory of the Lord. We are the temple of God (1Cor. 6:19). Keep worthy of yourselves so that we may be befitting when Christ comes to visit us through the Scripture, persons and events. Recognising and living for him is glory to Him. May St. Peter and St. Paul, like them, help us to be effective in our words and through our lives in bearing witness to the life of Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Saints Peter and Paul pray for us”.

ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY I I 17.11.2022 - THURSDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOS...

Bible Reflections I 17.11.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

            I - Rev. 5: 1-10

           II - Lk. 19: 41-44.

       

RECOGNISE THE LORD AS HE COMES 

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She is the patron saint of beggars, bakers, charities, homeless people, hospitals, widows, and brides. She is also known as St. Elizabeth of Thuringia. She lost her mother when she was six years. With the death of her mother Elizabeth’s perspective of life and death changed completely and she began to seek peace with prayer. She was married to Ludwig, a noble man whom she loved deeply. They had three children and one of them embraced the religious life. St. Elizabeth devoted her life to prayer and works of charity. Taken up by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, she lived a simple, austere and charitable life. In 1226 when floods and disease struck Thuringia, she took care of the victims and built hospital for them. It is said that during one of her trips delivering bread to the poor in secret, her husband Ludwig met her and enquired her with questions to erase everyone's suspicions that she was stealing treasures from the castle. He asked her to reveal the contents under her cloak, and as she did a vision of white and red roses was seen. To Ludwig, this incident manifested God's protection. St. Elizabeth is depicted with a basket of bread to show her love for the poor and hungry. St. Elizabeth was canonised by Pope Gregory IX on May 27, 1235. 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because Jerusalem failed to recognise the presence of the Promised one in its midst. The more he wanted to gather, the more they scarred and went far away from him. Every day during the Eucharistic celebration, the Lord comes to us in the form of the Holy Eucharist, if we recognise him we will shine as Credible Christians like St. Elizabeth of Hungary in our love for God and neighbour. May the saint inspire to recognise God in every moment of life and in every person we meet.

DAILY REFLECTIONS I 16.11.2022 - WEDNESDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOSS SDB I ...

Bible Reflections I 16.11.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

            I - Rev. 4: 1-11

           II - Lk. 19: 11-28.

       

USE YOURS GIFTS FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD 

                  

The noble man in today’s Gospel passage goes on a journey to receive for himself a kingdom and so he calls ten of his servants and gives them ten minas and asks them to engage in business until he comes. ‘mina’ is used only in the Gospel according to Luke. ‘mina’ is less than a ‘talent’ sixty minas make a talent. The amount was less a talent. He gives it with no condition of how to engage but only with an instruction to engage. On his return, he calls them for reporting, the first one gives back making it ten minas, the second one, into five and the third, having kept it idle, starts accusing the master. The master in the end rewards the first two and punishes the last. 

God is our loving master. Each of us are bestowed with graces, blessings, gifts and talents meant to be utilised in establishing the Kingdom of God. For every gift wasted in this regard should greatly be accounted for on his return or rather when we encounter the Lord after our earthly existence here on earth. If we have utilised them well we can hear from the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant…..come and share your master’s happiness” (Mt. 25: 23). Discover, appreciate and utilise the gifts of God in establishing freedom, fraternity and justice here on earth instead of wasting our time in vain. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank you for my talents. Help me use them well for your glory”.

Bible Reflections I 15.11.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

            I - Rev. 3: 1-6; 14-22

           II - Lk. 19: 1-10

       

SEEK THE LORD AND YOU WILL FIND 

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is about the conversion of Zacchaeus. The curiosity of Zacchaeus and the compassion of Jesus results in the conversion of Zacchaeus, the Chief tax collector. Zacchaeus was curious to see Jesus, the familiar and trending rabbi of the time. On account of the crowd and his short stature, he ran ahead and climbed the sycamore tree. To his astonishment, Jesus in his compassion and mercy proposes for a stay at his house. This compassionate act of Jesus brings about a roundabout conversion in the life of Zacchaeus. In order to gain and retain the love of the Lord, greedy Zacchaeus gives up all that he had accumulated at the cost of the hatred of his people around and his loneIIness with the title as ‘the sinner’. 

  

For love and friendship of Jesus many have given up along with their possessions their lives as well. We may say we love God. And if we do love God, are we ready to give up all that does not align with the will of God? If we dare to give up all that is not of God, then we are credible Christians called to walk on the way of the Lord. Cooperate with the grace of God and give up hatred, anger, jealousy, false finding attitude, gossip, pride, dishonesty, greed, enmity and avarice and shine brightly as sterling Christians in charity after the compassionate heart of Jesus. Then can we hear Jesus say, “Today salvation has come to this house”. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to give up anything for your love".

CHILDREN 'S DAY I14.11.2022 - MONDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOSS SDB I INDRAY...

Bible Reflections I 14.11.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

            I - Rev. 1: 1-4; 2: 1-5

           II - Lk. 18: 35-43

Children’s Day (India)

          

CALL TO THE LORD

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is about the healing of the blind beggar on the road near Jericho. Three lessons can be drawn for life from this passage. One, though the beggar was blind, he was attentive and keen in capturing what was happening around him. When he realised that Jesus was passing by, he began to shout out saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me”. Two, the crowds commanded him to be quite. The more they ordered the shouted even more louder calling out the name of Jesus for his healing. And, three, the gratefulness of the blind beggar. Regaining his sight the blind beggar followed Jesus, glorifying God. At all moments in our life, be attentive to capture the presence of God; call to him at the time of trouble without giving in to despair and discouragement and finally thank God at all times for all his marvels in our life.

Today in India, we celebrate Children’s Day. Children are the greatest gift and model to each of us. Of all things Jesus turned upside down, none was more surprising and unexpected than his depiction of a little child as the model we should imitate and learn from. The image he put forward as the ideal to strive for was not the image of some great heroic figure, a person of great strength and power, a superstar, or even a wise old man or woman . For Jesus, the child was a model of radical humility, trust, a sense of wonder and playfulness. While we thank God for the Children who are the great asset of a nation, do not also forget to pray for those children who have lost their childhood becoming victims of social evils like trafficking, child abuse, alcohol, violence, hard labour and drugs. May God bless all our children, the pillars of the Church and the Nation. God Bless them all. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless our children”.

Bible Reflections I 13.11.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 33

Readings 

            I - Mal. 4: 1-2

           II - 2 Thess. 1: 7-12

          III - Lk. 21: 5-19

BE PREPARED TO MEET THE LORD 

                  

Through readings of the day, the Church invites us to be prepared for the day of the Lord so as to face it courageously and joyously. In the first reading, Prophet Malachi compares the day of the Lord to a burning oven that will stubble all the arrogant and the evil doers but the righteous who revered the name of the Lord will rise with the healing in its wings. The second reading is a refutation against false preaching. St. Paul with his life example, encourages the Christians at Thessalonica to work quietly and earn their living with faith and hope in the Lord like Paul himself, instead of getting deceived by the false preaching that they can conduct their life in idleness and anyhow, because of the delay in the coming of the Lord. In the Gospel passage Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and the persecutions that his people have to encounter on his accord. Jesus assures of his support and encourages to endure the suffering with faith and hope in him.

In our own times we hear of wars, pandemic, natural calamities and betrayals. We need not fear or get panicked but trust in the Lord who assures “fear not, I am with you” in every problem or trouble we encounter. Just walk on the track set out by our Lord - Love and endure everything with faith and hope in him, revering his holy name so that we can meet the Lord as he comes in all his glory true to his promises. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to live a life worthy of you”

ST. JOSEPHATE I 12.11.2022 - SATURDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOSS SDB I INDR...

Bible Reflections I 12.11.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 32

Readings 

            I - 3 Jn. 5-8

           II - Lk. 18: 1-8

PERSEVERE IN PRAYER

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is on the parable of the unjust judge and the widow. The judge neither feared God nor respected men. The Judge had least concern for the Law of the Lord or in the wellbeing of his fellowmen. Still, he gave justice to the widow not out of pity or concern for her but she was bothering him so much with her incessant pleading. Unlike the unjust judge, God is our loving, kind and compassionate Father, will he not grant justice to his children when they cry to him night and day for help? But all we require is an unshakable faith in Him.

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’. Let the parable help us to be convinced that we are children of God and that our prayers would be answered ‘Just in Time’ when required. Patiently persevere and remain steadfast in prayer with hope and faith in the Lord. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: "Lord Jesus, bless me with the gift of faith".

ST. MARTIN OF TOURS I 11.11.2022 - FRIDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOSS SDB I...

Bible Reflections I 11.11.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 32

Readings 

           I - 2 Jn. 4-9

          II - Lk. 17: 26-37

       

LIVE FOR THE LORD

                  

Quoting two disasters, Jesus cautions for our preparedness to meet the day of the Lord at any part of the time or day. Through today’s Gospel passage we are called to confront the world order that is opposed to the Gospel living and never to compromise in order to just thrive in this world. Noah and Lot, the righteous of God lived surrounded by people who conducted their lives as though God never existed. The wrath of God consumed them but saving the families of Noah and Lot for their righteousness.    

The Scripture says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chro. 16: 9). Do not give up hope and courage to live for the Lord. Even amidst disaster, mishap, tragedy or catastrophe His hand would already be there to save and secure His people who live by His commands. The second coming of Jesus to each of us individually would be when we finally bid ‘good bye’ to this world once and for all. Our preparedness ensures our pursuance into that blissful eternity. Let us in the silence of our hearts keep praying, “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to live by your command”.

Bible Reflections I 10.11.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 32

Readings 

           I - Philemon 7: 7-20

          II - Lk. 17: 20-25

     

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AMIDST US

                  

Through today’s Gospel passage Jesus clarifies our attitude towards the Kingdom of God. We need not be carried away by the words of the people who say that the Kingdom of God is ‘here’ and ‘there’ but Jesus enlightens us that the Kingdom of God is amidst us.  

We need not look to the heavens for the coming of the Kingdom on the other hand, as Jesus says, it is amidst us. Even act of love: a kind word, compassionate look, understanding gesture, encouraging presence, our striving for justice, voice to the voiceless, timely support or an helping hand; manifest the kingdom of God amidst us. Because kingdom of God is but presence of love, peace, joy, freedom and fraternity. Filled with the grace of God, try to foster the values of the kingdom in and around you. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, may our kingdom come”.

Bible Reflections I 09.11.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 32

Readings 

           I - Ezk. 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12

          II - Jn. 2: 13-22

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (Feast) 

          

WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD

                 

The extension of the ‘tent of meeting’ pitched by Moses (Ex. 7:33) was the temple the Israelites built for the Lord.  The ‘tent of dwelling’ (Jn. 1:14) is what we are, the temple of God where the Spirit of the Lord dwells (1 cor. 6:19).  The former is the dwelling made for God and the latter is God made dwelling for Himself.  In the ‘tent of meeting’ God consents to dwell and in the ‘tent of dwelling’ God desires to dwell.  The purpose being the same: prayer, worship, praises, thanksgiving and ultimately the spread of the glory of God.  The precedence of commerce, trade and business profaned the purpose of the temple that triggered the anger of Jesus resulting in the cleaning of the temple. 

We are created to sing the praises of God and spread the glory of His name through our Love, peace, unity, fraternity, justice and amicability towards one another, wherever we are.  If we had failed in this purpose we need to be cleansed so as to be restored to our purpose.  Today we celebrate the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Church, called as the ‘Mother and Mistress of all Churches”.  May the celebration enable, enkindle and enthuse us to live up to the purpose as the temple of God.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord our God, May my life become an unending praise to you”.