Bible Reflections I 11.03.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season

of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Mic. 7: 14-15, 18-20

          II - Lk. 15: 1-3, 11-32

                          

RETURN TO THE LORD

The Gospel passage is about the joy of the father in the returning of the lost son, the prodigal son. The Pharisees and the Scribes grumbled when the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to Jesus. Jesus through the parable of the Prodigal son tried to enlighten them on the importance of every child to the father and his happiness in getting them back especially the lost one. The elder son, with the father signified the scribes and the Pharisees while the younger son signified the sinners and the tax collectors. Like the father in the parable, God too rejoices over the repentance and return of the sinners and the tax collectors who are away from the Father’s love because of their ignorance, sinfulness, fear, guilt and shame. Jesus incites an inclusive connotation to ‘people of God’ - men, women, children, sinners, righteous, tax collectors, rich, poor, great and the least. God waits for the return of the lost, marks them from afar, hopes with patience, runs with great joy when they return and takes them back home with great joy and festivity. 

This grace filled season is an opportunity to reflect, repent and return to the Lord. An opportune time to put on Christ. An apt moment to be reconciled to Christ. May all our prayer, fasting and works of charity help us for a reunion with the Lord. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to repent and return to you”.

Bible Reflections I 10.03.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Gen. 37: 3-4, 12-13, 17-28

          II - Mt. 21: 33-43, 45-46

                           

SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH

Today’s Gospel passage is about the parable of the wicked tenants that beat up the servants and finally kill the son of the owner too who were sent by the owner to collect the produce from his vineyard. This parable infuriated the chief priests and Pharisees because the parable of Jesus pointed at them directly. Though these people claimed themselves to be ‘the people of God’ and yet rebelled against almost all messengers of God whenever the message was not appealing to them. The same thing happened to Jesus too. They were not ready to listen to Jesus, the Messiah for whom they awaited so long years because they were too proud and were not open to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah. Instead, the sinners, the tax collectors and the prostitutes accepted Jesus and his teaching making the concept of People of God, a universal one.   

We are not different from the Chief Priests and the Pharisees. We too are often ready to accept only the truth that are in line with our thought pattern and mind set. Instead today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to search for and accept the truth as it comes despite from whom or where it comes. The Bible says, “O that today you would listen to His voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps. 95:7). Let us with an open mind and heart be simple enough to accept and appreciate the truth as it comes to us through the Word of God, our conscience, friend and people around us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to search for and accept the truth”.

Bible Reflections I 09.03.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Jer. 17: 5-10

          II - Lk. 16: 19-31

                          

NEGLECT NOT THE NEEDY

The Gospel passage of the day is on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man was least bothered about Lazarus, the poor man at his gate. He enjoyed his life in his riches and luxury while Lazarus suffered in his sickness and misery. Lazarus appeared to be so invisible and insignificant to the rich man that he was absolutely indifferent and ignored him completely during his luxurious life time here on the earth. But in the life after his death and departure from this world, Lazarus seated beside Abraham, appeared prominent so to him that he began pleading for himself and his brothers. Abraham refuses and rejects his requests. In the parables of Jesus we find no name given to any person except Lazarus. The name Lazarus is Latinised version of Eliezer meaning “God is my helper”. In the Jewish tradition name signified the character of that person. Jesus would have purposely given this name because, the poor man Lazarus had no helper but God alone. The parable is not against riches and wealth but about what the rich man lacked viz. care, concern and compassion for Lazarus and therefore failed to lend him in charity. 

Everyone is blessed with some gifts by God solely for the purpose of sharing them with the ‘no person’ like Lazarus viz. the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed and the suffering humanity. Being indifferent towards the problems and sufferings of the other is a grave sin and this would follow us even after our earthly existence here. Charity covers a multitude of sin (1Pt. 4:8). During this season of lent in particular, let us lift our eyes to look upon the needy brethren to lend our hands and means in charity with the intention of lifting them up from their poverty, hunger, pain, suffering and misery. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us a generous heart to share all we have with the poor and the needy”

Bible Reflections I 08.03.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Jer. 18: 18-20

          II - Mt. 20: 17-28

                          

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

We celebrate the International Women’s Day today. A day when the world recall the values, capacity, capabilities, importance and dignity of women with appreciation and affirmation. There will be a number of organised programmes highlighting the qualities of woman right from her life to death; the wishes, poems, shorts, video clippings and the animated images the social media carry, simply be inflating the glory of women! If this celebration inspire and induces one to respect the role and dignity of woman, then the celebration has achieved its purpose. If not, it is going to be a mere hypocrisy.  

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus tries to explain about his rejection, suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection to his disciples while the mother of the sons of Zebedee asks for the seats for his sons, one on the right and one on the left of the Son of Man. Being women’s day let us base our reflection on this verse from the Gospel passage. Like the mother of the sons of Zebedee, most of the women folk spend their lives wishing and accomplishing the best for others, forgetting themselves. They are selfless and sacrificing. A day like this is a reminder to strive for gender equality and justice especially to women. Resolve to bring the status of women to the fore, relieving them from all her bindings of slavery. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, Bless all women.”

Bible Reflections I 07.03.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 1: 10, 16-20

          II - Mt. 23: 1 - 12

                          

THE HUMBLE IS EXALTED

In todays Gospel passage Jesus instructs on what to follow and what to disregard.  To follow whatever the scribes and the Pharisees taught as they were taking the seat of Moses and to disregard their hypocrisy and vain glory.  Jesus replaces the weighing law of the scribes and the Pharisees with just two commandments restoring the original commandment of God: love of God and love of neighbour.  His preaching was substantiated with the personal example of washing the feet of his disciples:  You call me Master and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you also should wash one anothers feet (Jh. 13: 13-14).  This is Christian charity and Christian living.

The Lord detests the proud (Prov. 3: 34) and scatters the proud hearted in the thoughts of their heart (Lk. 1:51).  Most of us like those Pharisees wish to be greeted, esteemed, honoured and revered.  Only the personal knowledge of oneself, in other words, personal awareness can help a person to ignore all these and keep focused in his/her going.  Jesus knew that he was the Son of God, the Promised One and the Messiah and therefore he was able remain serene at all circumstances: when the people hailed him to be their king or abandoned by all, hanging on the cross.  We are children of God and let this awareness help us to ignore all earthly desires and longings and trigger us to be focused in conducting ourselves as the children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to live by the Law of Love”

Bible Reflections I 06.03.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Dan. 9: 4-10

          II - Lk. 6: 36-38

                          

DO NOT JUDGE

A forgiving heart neither condemns not judges but is empathetic and merciful.  The two aspects of forgiveness are: one, it is a grace and two, it is conditional.  Forgiveness is grace because human beings are fragile and prone to get offended easily.  It is the grace of God that empowers one to be empathetic and magnanimous in forgiving the other.  Forgiveness is conditional because in his prayer Jesus has taught us: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”.  Only in our generous forgiveness can we obtain the forgiveness of God for ourselves.  

The self-righteous and the rude, judges, the proud and the arrogant, condemns but the child of God is merciful and forgives. Forgiveness is the predominant quality of Christian living.  We have a path set out by our Master Jesus Christ, who forgave even his offenders and the murderers.  During this season of lent as we reflect on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us ask God to give us the courage to tread that path of love, mercy and forgiveness.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to forgive our offenders.”

Bible Reflections I 05.03.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Gen. 12: 1-4

          II - 2 Tim. 1: 8-10

         III - Mt. 17: 1-9

                          

FOLLOWERS OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST

Today’s Gospel passage is about the transfiguration of Jesus. The apostles Peter, James and John, witnessed, heard and testified to this fact in their lives. The three apostles witnessed Jesus on the mount glowing in the glory of God along with Moses and Elijah, the two giants of God whom they revered great, one as the law giver and the other as the messenger of God who turned the hearts of people towards God. They heard a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, My Chosen One; listen to him!” And they testified to this fact that Jesus was the Son of God through their effective life of teaching, preaching and healing like their Master and finally, with boldness and courage gave up their lives too as a testimony to the Truth.

We as Christians are called to follow the foot prints of the apostles chalked out by Jesus our Lord. If we dare to tread on the path of Jesus adhering to his words we become a blessing like Abraham in the first reading. We also become partakers in the holiness of God through our Lord Jesus Christ as the second reading says. As the Holy Father Pope Francis says in his Lenten message, let us ascent to Jesus on the mountain in prayer and come down to reveal God’s face to His people through our act of kindness, charity and love. Lent is a time to align our lives unto the ways of God. May the season of Lent help us to be the effective witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, make me an authentic followers of yours.”

Bible Reflections I 04.03.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Deu. 26: 16-19

          II - Mt. 5: 43-48

                          

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

The tax collectors and gentiles were considered as sinners and outcasts and never as children of God. Jesus picks up their idea and gives a different connotation, an inclusive one as to who the children of God are. He inspires them to imbibe the quality of the impartial Father who make sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and unjust, in their love towards their neighbours. He reverts the existing law, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemies” to love, greet and above all pray for the enemies.  

In practicing this new teaching of Jesus anybody can become the children of God. Loving, greeting and praying for enemies is a challenge and it takes a lot of courage. Only the grace of God can give us the courage to love all and hate none. To love all and hate none though difficult, it is not impossible. St. Pope John Paul II forgave the one who shot him, Bld. Rani Maria’s family accepted the murderer as one of their family member offering him their forgiveness. May the lives of valiant saints inspire us to love all and hate none bearing witness to Christian charity. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to love all and hate none”.

Bible Reflections I 03.03.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Ezk. 18:  21-28

          II - Mt. 5: 20-26

                          

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

Merely killing a person alone is not murder.  Words and gestures too can mutilate and murder a person.  This why in today’s Gospel passage Jesus teaches that not only those who murder are liable to judgment but those who are angry with others, those who insult and those who call others a fool.  Jesus conditions to come with a reconciled heart while making an offering to the Lord.  Reconciliation not that when we have offended someone but when we realise that someone has something against us - a supreme teaching that superseded the teaching of the Scribes and the Pharisees.  Jesus invites us to take initiative for peace and reconciliation.

Anger is the reflection of one’s pride and arrogance while reconciliation is a sign of acceptance and humility.  Love uproots pride, upholds humility of heart and aspires for reconciliation and peace. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt. 5:9). The best example for the passage is Jesus’ forgiveness on the cross even to the people who crucified him. It was the people who had something against him that they crucified him though innocent was he but Jesus as the beloved of the Father, the Son of God, forgave them (Lk. 23:34).  As we are in the season of lent, let us pray for a humble heart to imitate Jesus in his love and forgiveness and testify to the fact that we are the children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.”

Bible Reflections I 02.03.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Esther 4: 17

          II - Mt. 7: 7-12

                          

LOVE OTHERS AS YOURSELF 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says to his disciples “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets”, a simple formula for mutual wellbeing, peace, serenity and prosperity. It’s a sort of invitation for introspection. All of us do wish from others: love, forgiveness, kindness, respect, cordiality, amicability, esteem, faithfulness, uprightness and loyalty. But do we do the same to others? Don’t we gossip, underestimate, humiliate, brand and label persons thus projecting ourselves as someone righteous? If we go by what Jesus says, the Kingdom of God is already here on the earth spreading the fragrance of equality, fraternity, justice and liberation.

Love others as yourself is the precondition before we could ask, seek or knock for anything to God. In our love for our neighbour as oneself, will we be able to ask, seek or knock in and with charity. Anything asked in and for charity will be instantly done to us for in loving others do we become acceptable and worthy children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to accept and love others as ourselves”.

Bible Reflections I 01.03.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Jonah 3: 1-10

          II - Lk. 11: 29-32

                          

LISTEN, DISCERN AND LIVE

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that the people of Israel 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 Himself.  Still, the people of Israel asked Jesus for a sign in their stubbornness of heart though they heard his authoritative teaching, preaching; and witnessed so many miracles and wonders taking place.

We too like those people of Israel even if we happen to bear testimony to goodness of God in our lives, we wait for miracles, signs and wonders.  This is the sign of lack of love for and faith in God.  We too like those people of Israel, look but do not perceive and; hear and do not listen.  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, strength our faith in you.”      .

Bible Reflections I 28.02.2023 -TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 55: 10-11

          II - Mt. 6: 7-15

                          

RESOLVE TO FORGIVE

In the Gospel passage of the day, Jesus asks the disciples not to heap words while praying like that of the hypocrites and gives them the pattern of all prayers. Praying is not heaping up empty phrases for the Father knows about our needs and so Jesus gives the famous prayer, “Our Father” as the pattern of all prayers. Besides praising the name of the Lord and wishing for the blossoming of his kingdom and accomplishment of His will, the prayer contains three main petitions on: Providence, Forgiveness and Protection. Daily bread from his bounty, His forgiveness based on our forgiveness and a pleading to deliver and protect us from all that is evil.  

Bread nourishes and gives energy to move on with a healthy body; forgiveness fills our heart with peace and help us move on with healthy a mind; and we can tread steadily towards God with healthy mind and body if we are protected from trials and temptation. The three are essential and one alone is conditional. We pray God to forgive us as we forgive others. Meaning that if we don’t forgive we should not be forgiven either. Examine the number of times we make mistake and implore God’s forgiveness. But, do we forgive our offenders even when they plead for forgiveness. During this season of lent, make forgiveness a habit to project and testify to the love of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer ‘Our Father…” and ask for God’s grace to forgive our offenders as did Jesus his executioners.

Bible Reflections I 27.02.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Lev. 19: 1-2, 11-18

          II - Mt. 25: 31-46

                          

GOD IS LOVE

Today’s Gospel passage is about the last judgment.  There are so many divisions among the humankind today based on caste, creed, race, power and status but at the end of time during the last judgment when the Lord comes in all His glory, there will only be only two divisions based on the performance of the charitable deeds: the blessed and the accursed.  The Blessed will inherit the eternal life and the accursed, the eternal damnation. Simple acts of charity like, feeding the poor, giving a drink, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and the prisoners, all done in love has a great power to make us blessed in order to merit eternal bliss.   

“Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle” says Michelangelo.  We need not perform great acts and penance as an expression of our love and devotion to the Lord.  It is enough that we attend to our needy brethren with all love and concern and this is true devotion, the type of worship the Lord desires. Let us not miss any act of charity for it all needs much of our attention and a bit of love. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to see your image in others.”

Bible Reflections I 26.02.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Gen. 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7

          II - Rom. 5: 12-19

         III - Lk. 4: 1-11

                          

RESIST TEMTATIONS TO GLORIFY GOD

Two incidents are vital in the life of Jesus before he could begin his public ministry: One, the Baptism and two, the temptations.  In the baptism, God affirms that Jesus is His beloved Son and in temptations, Jesus affirms his son ship resolving to stand by the will of his Father.  Today’s Gospel passage is on the temptations of Jesus upon which we shall place our reflection.

In the first temptation, the devil says Jesus to change the stones into bread and satisfy his hunger. It might seem a quite normal proposition. But hereby the evil one tempts Jesus to use His power upon himself that is supposed to be utilised to accomplish the will of God viz. empowering, uplifting, liberating and saving the humankind. We too are bestowed with various gifts and talents by God for a purpose.  Often times we are tempted to utilise them only for personal benefits and gratification without even having a second thought about the needy brethren about whom God is very much concerned. 

In the second temptation, Satan promised to give Jesus the authority and power if only he worships him.  To the one whom belongs all authority, glory, honour and power the devil tries to deceive promising to entrust his authority.  Will the beloved one in whom the Father is well pleased be taken up by such a deceit!  Today people are ready to do anything to gain power, popularity and fame.  Everyone wishes and wants to be trending, famous and popular - the amount of videos regularly posted on the social media, the publicity created for a very small act of charity and the number of false statements made to people will testify to this fact.  We always take delight in projecting ourselves as someone great and important, a temptation so difficult to resist. 

In the third temptation, the devil tempts Jesus to fall from the pinnacle of the temple so that God might command His angels to bear him up so that he doesn’t get hurt.  Jesus does not yield to the evil one for he knows well the Father and therefore no test is required.  For anything and everything we either ask sign from God or condition Him to accomplish for us, an evincing sign of our ‘no trust’ and thereby yielding to the temptation of testing God.   

Temptations are quite common and natural but how are we to resist or overcome them depends on our trust in God.  Jesus refutes all temptations with the Word of God.  The Word of God is power.  It strengthens, saves and uplifts.  During this season of lent, let us take some time every day to read the Word of God with the sole intention of searching and accomplishing the will of God.  May our mind and hear resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be victorious in all temptations like you”.

Bible Reflections I 25.02.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Is. 58: 9-14

          II - Lk. 5: 27-32

                            

CAPTURE GOD’S VOICE 

Today’s Gospel passage is on the call of Levi - Jesus calls the tax collector at the tax booth to follow him. The tax collectors were loyal to the Romans and greedy in charging more to earn for themselves and therefore they were intent and resolute in their collection from the common people. This is why the people of Israel criticised and considered them as sinners and outcasts. From among all noise, yelling and confusion at the tax office, Matthew rightly captures the call of Jesus and gets captivated to the extent of leaving everything and following him with no compromises.

The gentle voice of the Lord comes, comes and ever comes through various persons and different means to us as well despite the state we are in, all in love and full of compassion. How attentive and disposed are we to capture that voice? May our devotions and practices during this season of lent help us to adhere to the voice of God and return to Him. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to listen to your voice.”

Bible Reflections I 24.02.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Is. 58: 1-9

          II - Mt. 9: 14-15

                            

LENT IS A TIME OF BLESSING

Fasting is sign of mourning.  It is unfitting for anyone to mourn in the presence of Jesus.  This is why in today’s Gospel passage Jesus says to the disciples of John the Baptist who enquired why his disciples do not fast, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast”.  Jesus, the saviour wishes and wills to be always with us.  With our own limitations and deliberate actions we try to eliminate, alienate and evade his presence in our life. 

Lent is the grace full season, a season of blessing and beckoning to return back to the Lord through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  St.  Pope John Paul II says, “Jesus himself has shown us by his own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil”. May our fasting, prayer, abstinence and acts of charity draw us towards the heart of Jesus in love and self-giving.  At the end of the day during our examination let us take some time to reflect: with all the practices and efforts whether we were able to be drawn towards the heart of Jesus that loves us unconditionally and unreservedly.

Bible Reflections I 23.02.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Deu. 30: 15-20

          II - Lk. 9: 22-25

                            

CARRY YOUR CROSSES CHEERFULLY

Any campaign, canvass, promotion and recruitment would advocate the advantages, merits, benefits, profit and gains. Jesus in today’s Gospel passage cautions of denial, suffering, crosses and rejection including loss of life here on the earth on account of following him and an assurance of eternal life with him in Paradise after our earthly existence, the absolute advantage of following him here on the earth.  

Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:30). With Jesus no cross is heavy to carry. In following Jesus alone vests happiness, comfort, consolation, sense of purpose and peace of mind and heart despite the challenges and the trials we may happen to encounter. Dare to tread on the road travelled by Jesus and his valiant followers. May the traditional practices of the lent: Prayer, Penance and charity help us to blow of the ashes and keep alive the fervor of following the Lord with courage and determination. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to carry our crosses cheerfully and for your glory”.

Bible Reflections I 22.02.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ash Wednesday

Readings 

           I - Joel. 2: 12-18

          II - 2 Cor. 5: 20-6:2

          II - Mt. 6: 1-6, 16-18

                            

“RISE, AND DO NOT BE AFRAID”

Lent is a time of repentance for offending the loving God, a time of renewal of our covenant with God and a time of return to the Lord for we belong to God. We begin our forty days of fast from today focusing on the three ways given in the Gospel passage of the day: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Basing his Lenten message 2023 on the passage of transfiguration of Jesus, Pope Francis proposes two paths in order to ascend the mountain with Jesus and, with him to the attain Easter glory. They are:

1. To obey the command of God addressed to the disciples on Mount Tabor, “Listen to him.” The first proposal, then, is very clear: we need to listen to Jesus. Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to him as he speaks to us. 

2. On hearing the Father’s voice, the disciples “fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and do not be afraid.’ And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone” (Mt 17:6-8). Here is the second proposal for this Lent: do not take refuge in a religiosity made up of extraordinary events and dramatic experiences, out of fear of facing reality and its daily struggles, its hardships and contradictions. The light that Jesus shows the disciples is an anticipation of Easter glory, and that must be the goal of our own journey, as we follow “him alone”.   

Lenten penance is a commitment, sustained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross. Adhere to the voice of God in every effort saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” May the Holy Spirit inspire and sustain us this Lent in our ascent with Jesus, so that we may experience his divine splendour and thus, confirmed in faith, persevere in our journey together with him, glory of his people and light of the nations.

Bible Reflections I 21.02.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 7

Readings 

           I - Sir. 2: 1-11

          II - Mk. 9: 30-37

                                    

SERVICE IS THE HALLMARK OF DISCIPLESHIP

In solitude and seriousness Jesus teaches his disciples about his paschal mystery of suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples. The disciples neither understood nor grasped of what he was speaking and all the more they were frightened to ask him as well. But were engrossed in discussing about who is the greatest among them. In no way are we different from the disciples. We too often are engrossed in our life, thoughts and attitudes that we fail to either grasp or adhere to the words of Jesus.  

Service determines the greatness of the person is the crux of the later part of the Gospel passage today. Service to the little, small, weak and the fragile: the poor, the marginalised, the less privileged, the unfortunate and the needy brethren. In serving this section of the society, we serve God Himself. Discipleship calls for adhering to the voice of God and service in humility and self-giving.

Bible Reflections I 20.02.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time - Week 7

Readings 

           I - Sir. 1: 1-10

          II - Mk. 9: 14-29

                                    

BELIEF IS THE QUALITY TEST OF OUR PRAYER

Today’s Gospel passage has got two parts: one, Jesus casting out the demon and two, Jesus enlightens the disciples on the importance of prayer. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon from the possessed man. He was therefore brought by the crowd to Jesus. Jesus heals him with a command and the boy was freed. To the query of the disciples why they were unable to cast out, Jesus that it is possible only with prayer and not by anything else.  

There is a beautiful prayer in the Gospel passage of the day. When Jesus asked the possessed man’s father, “Do you believe?” he answered, “I believe; help my unbelief.” This what our condition today. We do pray a lot but can we say we believe in our prayers? We often pray with ‘if’s and ‘but’s. Belief is the quality test of our prayer. If the prayer is qualitative, we are qualitative as well. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.”