Bible Reflections I 06.04.2023 - HOLY THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA

Readings 

           I - Ex. 12: 1-8, 11-14

          II - 1Cor. 11: 23-26

         III - Jh. 13: 1-11

         

HOLY THURSDAY (Easter Triduum begins) 

Today the Churches remembers the Passover of Jesus and his farewell meal with his disciples. The three significant events of the day are: Commandment of love, Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Institution of the Priesthood.  

Commandment of Love: By washing the feet of his disciples Jesus gives a new orientation to leadership and authority as service: “You call me ‘Master’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (Jh. 13: 13-15). By the act of Jesus we are exhorted to stoop down to the level of the least of our brethren with an attitude of humility and service and this is the style of leadership modelled after our Master Jesus Christ. 

Institution of the Holy Eucharist: The first reading is about the Lord’s Passover that that marked the liberation of the people of Israel under the leadership of Moses, from the bondage of the Egyptians. An unblemished lamb was killed as a sign of the Passover. The night before our Lord Jesus suffered on the cross, he established a new covenant with his disciples, a Passover to be celebrated perennially as a remembrance of his presence with us until he comes again in his glory. In the New covenant that Jesus established, Jesus Himself was the innocent Lamb of God, who willingly and lovingly gave us his body and blood as our food and drink for our pursuit of a journey towards eternal life assuring liberation from sin to eternal bliss. May we take part in the meal of the Lord with profound love and sentiments of gratitude.

Institution of the Priesthood: A priest is an embodiment of Christ Himself. Priests administer the Holy Sacraments and lead the flock of God tending them carefully unto his fold through their sacrificing life of service, love, dedication and commitment. It is impossible even to imagine the Church without priests! Priesthood is a grace to the individual and a gift to the Church. On this great day, pray for the priests who make visible the presence of Jesus Christ on the altar for His people. Let us today praise God for priests, pray in a special way for them and invoke Him for many more priestly vocations in the Church.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your body and blood, teach us to be like you in our loving service towards our neighbour. Bless our priests who make a lot of sacrifices on our behalf. Amen.   

Bible Reflections I 05.04.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Wednesday of the Holy Week

Readings 

           I - Is. 50: 4-9

          II - Mt. 26: 14-25

         

GOD IS OUR TREASURE

Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6: 21). The treasure for Judas was money and therefore for thirty pieces of silver his mind was seeking for an opportune moment to deliver Jesus into the hands of the chief priests. He was physically present with his Master and the other disciples in the Passover celebration while his heart was hounding to betray Jesus for the thirty pieces of silver. Had his treasure been the Master, he wouldn’t have dared to betray him!     

Lent is a time to set our heart on God for He is our treasure. Has this season of lent helped us to check our mind and heart in order to put them on the track with God? If not, at least during this holy week let us test our mind, examine our heart and amend our ways unto the ways of the Lord. In this way we can partake in the Holy Week worship with a humble, contrite, repentant and grateful heart. May our mind heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus help me to discover you as the great treasure and a priceless pearl.”

Bible Reflections I 04.04.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Tuesday of the Holy Week

Readings 

           I - Is. 49: 1-6

          II - Jn. 13: 21-33, 36-38

         

REPENT AND RETURN TO THE LORD

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus predicts the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Jesus. Both Judas and Peter had one thing in common, weakness and differed also in one aspect, courage to get up and restart, trusting in the mercy of God. Both were weak, Judas weakness was money, the silver coins promised by the scribes and the Pharisees because we read in the Gospel that Judas was a thief and that he used to steal from the common purse for which he was in charge; and the fear of Peter was his weakness. When both realised their mistake, Judas hanged himself and ended his life while Peter repented and restarted his life in Jesus. 

Our weakness often becomes a set snare for our pitfalls. We err not in our willfulness but in weakness. Excuses cannot be the remedy for the same but awareness and amendment of our weakness is essential. May the holy week help us to check our faults and give us the courage to correct our failings. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to trust in your mercy.”

Bible Reflections I 03.04.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Monday of the Holy Week

Readings 

           I - Is. 42: 1-7

          II - Jn. 12: 1-11

         

LOVE, LISTEN AND SERVE THE LORD 

Jesus was under the constant surveillance of the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Chief Priests. Every word, act and move of Jesus was noted for plotting against him. Psychology records that constant surveillance leads to heightened levels of fatigue, stress and anxiety.  Jesus like any other human being would have sought for a place where he could be of himself: loved, accepted, understood and attended.  So Jesus goes to Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary where he was sure to get acceptance, comfort, consolation and affection before he could take up the painful and humiliating journey from Jerusalem to Calvary.  And indeed in this house, as the Gospel passage records, Martha served, Lazarus was reclining with him at table and Mary was anointing his feet with a fragrant perfume that was expensive - perfect expression of their love and affection.        

We are in the holy week of the Lenten season meditating on the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  A time to realise and respond to the love of Jesus who suffered humiliation, passion and death for our sake. Like, Lazarus, Mary and Martha let us try to respond to God’s love in our own way through various expressions of our love for God and our neighbour.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to respond to your love.”

Bible Reflections I 02.04.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 6

Readings 

           I - Is. 50: 4-7

          II - Phil. 2: 6-11

         III - Mt. 26: 14-27:66

 

PALM SUNDAY

Today we recall and celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the Holy City of God. On this day let us base our reflection on three groups of people who either witnessed or participated in the great and remarkable entry of Jesus into Jerusalem: the common crowd that welcomed Jesus, the temple authorities that plotted against Jesus and the group of twelve disciples that had the pride of being Jesus’ followers.

The common crowd welcomed Jesus shouting aloud to the top of their voices “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord”. These people recognised and accepted Jesus to be their Messiah, the Promised One of God from all his teaching, preaching, healing and from his very life for that matter. But the same crowd would in about a week’s time would cry out with their might, “Crucify him”. The crowd that gets easily influenced by power and authority!

The temple authorities viz. the Pharisees, the Scribes and the high priest were suspicious from the beginning about the identity of Jesus plotted to put away with him. On looking at this procession they would have been provoked all the more for an immediate act of putting an end to his life. The authorities that gets infuriated at the very presence of Jesus! 

The dear disciples of Jesus who were following the triumphal entry would have taken pride to belong to such a great Master and would have resolved to be with him forever. These people in a week’s time would give up their master by betraying, denying and running away from him. The disciples that abandoned their Master!

Jesus - the suffering servant of the Yahweh as foretold by prophet Isaiah and the one who emptied himself to the will of the Father, would take up this glorious welcome of a King and at the same time the journey of his cross to Calvary in utmost obedience to the Father and with a great trust in Him. The “Crucify him” (Lk. 23: 21) of the crowd, “We have no king but Caesar” (Jn. 19: 15) of the temple authorities and the “I don’t know him” (Lk. 22: 57) of the Rock would have definitely pained Jesus but never prevented him from fixing his focus on the Father’s will. He went on and on seeking and accomplishing the will of the Father until “It is finished” (Jh. 19:30). May we too as we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, ask God to give us a strong courage and conviction to seek and accomplish God’s will in our lives come what may! Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, help and teach me to be like you.” 

Bible Reflections I 01.04.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA

Season of Lent: Week 5

Readings 

           I - Ezk. 37: 21-28

          II - Jn. 11: 45-57 

APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENCE

In today’s Gospel passage, the Pharisees and the Chief priests conspire to kill Jesus because he appeared to be a scandalous Rabbi of the time:  he gave preference to love over their law, humanity over Sabbath, holiness over profanity.  He was different in his dealings, practical in his approach, simple was his law - love and all inclusive was spirituality: the sinners, tax collectors, Samaritans, woman and the children. In a nutshell, in Jesus was happening a paradigm shift in their concept of God, Law and Religion. So, under the pretext of saving his people, they wanted to do away with Jesus.

Difference is beautiful. We can never expect everyone to fit into our mindset or the set rules that are baseless.  Failure to accept and analyse the difference in Jesus, led the Pharisees and the chief priests to the extent of crucifying him on the cross.  Do not hate or ostracise someone because they are different.  Analyse the truth in them, accept the difference and appreciate their presence with us.   In this way we become like those Jews who went with Mary discovering him to be the Messiah and if otherwise, we will end up like those other Jews who went and joined the Pharisees for plotting against Jesus. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead me to the truth.”

Bible Reflections I 31.03.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 5

Readings 

           I - Jer. 20: 10-13

          II - Jn. 10: 31-42

                          

ACCEPT THE TRUTH

The stubbornness of the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and the Jews shut their hearts, minds and eyes to the teaching, preaching, healing and the very life of Jesus. On the other hand, the openness of the common people across River Jordan where John the Baptist had baptized, allowed them to discover that everything that John the Baptizer had said about Jesus being fulfilled in him. They believed Jesus as the ‘Messiah’, the Promised one of God. The arrogant, proud and stubborn heart can always block a person from accepting or discovering the truth. But the simple and open heart discovers and accepts the truth. Jesus himself became so helpless to the accusations of these stubborn people.  

It is easy to accuse people unjustly and to hide the truth that is in them. Learn to endure with Jesus and one day truth will triumph. In our turn let us not be rash in our words and actions but take time to discover the truth even if it is going to hurt us for God is truth Himself. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus give me the grace to be open to the truth"

Bible Reflections I 30.03.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 5

Readings 

           I - Gen. 17: 3-9

          II - Jn. 8: 51-59

TRUST IN THE LORD

In the first reading, God gives a new identity to Abram by changing his name as Abraham, meaning ‘the father of many nation’.  God enters into a covenant with Abraham and promises to make him into nations from whom all kings would come, a race set apart to behold the Messiah.  The genealogy of Jesus begins from Abraham. Abraham trusted and everything was done to him.  In the Gospel passage Jesus promises eternal life to humankind and the Jews wouldn’t believe but call Jesus as ‘possessed’.  The Jews considered Abraham their forefather as someone great and argued that Abraham too had to die.  In spite of the explicit explanation of Jesus, the Jews adamantly refused to trust in Jesus and in his promise about eternal life. 

Abraham trusted in the words of God and so was everything done to him.  The Jews had placed their trust in the God of their own ideology, principles and mindset. Therefore they refused to trust in Jesus and hence they had to miss the Messiah for whom they waited so long even for generation after generation. In this light let us examine our lives to find out where we have placed our trust: ideology, power, wealth, position, status, people and strength or are we open to the promised of the Lord in the Scripture, from the people and through the events. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in you.”

Bible Reflections I 29.03.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 5

Readings 

           I - Dan. 3: 14-20, 24, 91-92, 95

          II - Jn. 8: 31-42

                          

ACCEPT THE TRUTH WITH CONVICTION

In the first reading, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the faithful people of God were brought before the king for trial because they did not worship the golden statue set up by the king.  Nebuchadnezzar, the king commanded them to be thrown into the blazing furnace said, “Who is the God that will deliver you out of my hands?” To such a challenging question of the king the three holy men replied with a resolute determination, "If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of you hand, O king, let him deliver us.  But if not be it know to your king that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set us”.  The infuriated king threw them into the furnace heated up seven times more than was customary.  Finally God did save them in the blazing furnace.

The three men worshipped the Lord their God with great conviction that He alone was their God and to Him alone belongs all worship, adoration, glory, honour and power.  They were ready to give up even their life in the furnace than to bow down before an idol! They had tremendous trust in the Lord but never did they take up the challenge of Nebuchadnezzar to test the saving power of the Lord their God.  So many Christians today conceal their identity for a reward, favour, benefit and for the pleasures of the world.  Easily give up Christ our Saviour for the sake of persons, fear of persecution and social acceptance. Be convinced in faith to accept the truth that Jesus is the Messiah unlike the Pharisees who wilfully neglected the truth.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to accept and worship you with courage and conviction”.

Bible Reflections I 28.03.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 5

Readings 

           I - Num. 21: 4-9

          II - Jn. 8: 21-30

           

BE OPEN TO THE TRUTH

In today’s Gospel passage, the Scribes and the Pharisees were so much fixated in their idea about Jesus that they never wanted to understand him at all. This is why Jesus would quote Prophet Isaiah to them and say, “Seeing they shall see and not see, and hearing they shall hear and they shall not understand” (Mk. 4: 12).  In their stubbornness and hardness of heart, the Scribes and the Pharisees missed the Messiah in Jesus.  This is why they also plotted to put him away to death.    

Trying to understand others from their perspective would help us to appreciate and savour the blessings in the other instead of blaming, finding fault, gossiping, accusing and condemning.  This needs openness of mind and heart to accept the truth.  The Scribes and the Pharisees missed Jesus because they were not open to receive Jesus.  Each one of us is unique and different.  Each one is also sent into the world with some purpose that God has for them. Hence all cannot be the same. In finding fault and neglecting to understand others we miss the originality, possibilities, potentialities, goodness and the worth of the other.  May the Lord bless us with the magnanimity of heart to go beyond ourselves in discovering and understanding the truth in the other. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, give me a magnanimous heart to understand and appreciate the other.”

Bible Reflections I 27.03.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent - Week 5

Readings 

           I - Dan. 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

          II - Jh. 8: 1-11

                            

THE LORD CARES 

The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to entrap Jesus with the Law of Moses that commanded to stone such a woman. For both 'yes' and 'no' of Jesus they would've had their accusations against Jesus. But Jesus gave a different response saying, "let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." An unexpected response indeed! As for the woman left in shame and helpless, Jesus gives hope for a new life saying, "neither do I condemn you, go, and from now on sin no more."

Jesus saves. Jesus is extremely kind, loving and gentle towards sinners. Jesus forgives us to say in his own words, seventy times seven and gives opportunities for repentance and conversion again and again. He extends his open arms to embrace in love. All we have to so is pick up courage to return to him. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, "Lord Jesus, give me the grace to return to you and remain with you."

Bible Reflections I 26.03.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent - Week 5

Readings 

           I - Ezk. 37: 12-14

          II - Rom. 8: 8-11

        III - Jh. 11: 1-45

                            

THE LORD RAISES 

The Lord renews, raises and restores is the crux of the three readings today. But all we need to have is trust and belief in Him. Today's Gospel passage is about raising the dead Lazarus to life. He was laid in the tomb for four days. This is why when Jesus asked the tomb to be opened Martha interrupts saying that there would be an odour. Jesus said to Martha, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God" and raised Lazarus to life.

The weight if weakness and our frailties can make us dead to ourselves and to others too some times. All we have to do is open ourselves to the Lord without any fear but with utmost trust and belief in him that the Lord can raise us again to anew. As we are in the season of lent, let God touch the hidden and the dark spaces of life and be born again in him for a new life with a new beginning. With the Lord it is never too late and there is also another chance.

Bible Reflections I 25.03.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent - Week 4

Readings 

           I - Is. 7: 10-14; 8: 10

          II - Heb. 10: 4-10

        III - Lk. 1: 26-38

                            

ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD (Solemnity)

Today the Church solemnises the annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the chosen one of God from among all women that she would conceive and bear the Son of God.  The feast engulfs two dimensions viz. Christological and Marian: the incarnation of Jesus in perfect obedience to the salvation plan of God and Mary's 'yes' to the same.  Jesus humbled himself in becoming one of us. Mary humbled herself in her absolute surrender to the Lord saying. "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." The feast marks and magnifies the two marvellous virtues of the Mother and the Son; obedience and humility.

The feast challenges as well as encourages us to submit ourselves to the plan of God in obedience and humility. Thus surrendering ourselves to God in faith we become the messengers of the Good News to the poor, weak, marginalised, helpless and the hopeless. May our blessed mother help us in this process as we keep praying: "Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother, pray for us."

Bible Reflections I 24.03.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent - Week 4

Readings 

           I - Wis. 2: 1, 12-22

          II - Jn. 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

ST. CATHERINE OF SWEDEN 

                            

GIVE UP PREJUDICE 

The temple authorities in their willful neglect confirmed that Jesus was not the messiah. The common folk in their insufficiency of knowledge were confused and were hesitant to accept him as the Messiah: "but we know where this man comes from." The false judgment and the wrong predictions plotted for the death of the long awaited messiah, Jesus. 

With our judgemental attitude backed by prejudice often times we fail to discover and appreciate the sparkling qualities in others.  It must also be because either we are too proud or too self-righteous. May the season of lent help us to appreciate others without any bias or prejudice.

Bible Reflections I 23.03.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent - Week 4

Readings 

           I - Ex. 32: 7-14

          II - Jn. 5: 31-47

                            

BEAR WITNESS AS CHILDREN OF GOD 

In today's Gospel passage Jesus speaks of four witnesses that testify him as the Son of God, the Promised one of God, the Messiah. The testimony of John the Baptist anout Jesus, 'the Lamb of God', the voice of the Father that affirmed the sonship of Jesus on mount Tabor and at Baptism, the works of Jesus that his Father has commissioned him to accomplish and finally the Scripture to which the Jews turned for eternal life pointed Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews failed to recognise Jesus as the promised one because of their pride, prejudice, self righteousness and jealousy. Because his teaching, preaching and living contradicted their vain hope and false belief system. Jesus was a sign of contradiction in deed. 

In the light of the Gospel passage of the day, we are called to analyse our life as Christians, whether it is a life of contradiction or a life of compromises. When we live by the teachings of Jesus we automatically become a sign of contradiction to the world that proposes a value system opposed to the Gospel. Have courage to stand sturdy in the Gospel way, only then can we become the children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

Bible Reflections I 22.03.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent - Week 4

Readings 

           I - Is. 49: 8-15

          II - Jn. 5: 17-30

ST. NICHOLAS OWEN

                            

LIVE BY THE WILL OF GOD 

In today's Gospel passage the Jews were unable to accept Jesus because he was breaking the Sabbath and all the more he was claiming himself to be the Son of God. Despite Jesus speaking about his unity with the Father as an obedient son the Jews were stubborn to accept him because he was not fitting into their set frame of mind. Jesus went beyond and accomplished beyond the man made rules seeking only the will of the Father. 

We too like Jesus may have to face hatred and the anger of people around us because we don't fit into the frame of their set mind. That does not matter. Against all odds we need to assert our identity as Christian's then only we will be the witnesses of Jesus who feared on one in fulfilling the will of the Father. During this season of lent resolve to walk on the way of the Lord daringly and courageously come what may.

Bible Reflections I 21.03.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - Ezk. 47: 1-9, 12

          II - Jn. 5: 1-16

                          

BE COMPASSIONATE

Today’s Gospel passage is about the healing of the invalid man at Bethzatha. The man had been there for thirty years. Neither did anyone notice nor did someone bother to put him into the pool when the water was stirred up so that he might be healed. Jesus moved with compassion, said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk”. It would had been a great miracle for everyone to see an invalid man walking after thirty eight long years. The Jews slighted the “stand-up” and stressed on the violation of the Sabbath, “take up your mat and walk”. The purpose of any law is to protect and enhance life. But it was made as a pressing yoke and a great burden that weighed down common men, vanquished their hope and left them disheartened. Jesus willfully broke the law on the Sabbath to enlighten and empower the Jews that love and humanity takes precedence over any law. Jesus asserted on the essence of the law.

In our society too we live like those Jews bound by superstitious belief system, caste system and meaningless restrictions and dividing rules. Make love alone the yardstick of any rule so that we can take delight in calling ourselves as the followers of Christ - Christians. Love, appreciate, encourage, side up for the helpless, live and let live. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, let your love and compassion fill my heart”.

Bible Reflections I 20.03.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - 2 Sam. 7: 4-5, 12-14, 16

          II - Rom. 4: 13, 16-18, 22

         III - Mt. 1: 16, 18-21, 24

                          

ST. JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY

Today the Church solemnises the feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ, the redeemer. St. Joseph is described in the Gospel as just and righteous person. He was gentle and upright. Never lost his patience but endured everything in silence: When he found Mother Mary to be with a child, he was disturbed but as the Gospel says he was unwilling to put her to shame and resolved to send her away quietly. After it was revealed to him in his dream that the child was God’s own Son and that the Promised one Israel, he yielded himself completely to the plan of God. He instantaneously obeyed the Lord without any inhibition either when it was told to him, “Go to Egypt” (Mt. 2: 13) with the babe or to “Go to the land of Israel” (Mt. 2:20). Even today it takes almost a day’s travel by vehicle from Israel to Egypt, imagine then the tedious travel at an animal’s back from Israel to Egypt and from Egypt to Israel! Joseph neither questioned nor grumbled but obeyed God! Nowhere in the Gospel passages can we find anywhere St. Joseph spoke a word but obliged God in taking care and providing for his Holy Family. He proved himself to be a model of husband, father and head of the family. He assisted Mother Mary, brought up Jesus with care and concern, though not his own son and cared for and supported the family with his hard work.  

St. Joseph is a model for all men in his patience, gentleness, care, concern, obedience, hard work and righteousness. He is the patron saint of the Universal Church, fathers, expectant mothers, families, travelers, immigrants, craftsmen and all workers. Today as we celebrate the feat of St. Joseph, let us resolve to imitate his virtues and pray for all families especially for the migrants and immigrants. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Joseph, Pray for all families especially the immigrant and the suffering families”   

Bible Reflections I 18.03.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Hos. 6: 1-6

          II - Lk. 18: 9-14

ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM 

                          

BE NOT A PHARISEE

Today’s Gospel passage is on the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. Both went to pray. One exalted himself before God and the other humbled himself before God. The Pharisee justified himself and slighted the mercy of God while the Publican acknowledged himself that he was a sinner and begged for the mercy of God. The self-righteous Pharisee thwarted God’s mercy and goodness while the Publican pleaded for God’s mercy and forgiveness. From the parable Jesus concludes saying that those who exalt themselves will be humbled and that those who humble themselves will be exalted.  

Only the empty container can be filled and never the overflowing one. Only the one who is aware of his sin and shortcoming can improve his or her quality of living. Only when one realise that he or she is a sinner and weak being in need of God’s mercy can savour, appreciate and remain grateful to the goodness, forgiveness, mercy and the benevolence of God. May this season of lent help us become aware and acknowledge that we are weak beings in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Humble before the Lord and He will exalt us in His own time (Jas. 4: 10). Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, Son of David, Have mercy on us.”

Bible Reflections I 17.03.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Season of Lent: Week 3

ST. PATRICK - MEMORY 

Readings 

           I - Hos. 14: 1-9

          II - Mk. 12: 28-34

                          

LOVE IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

In today’s Gospel we read one last question posed by one of the Scribe followed by the Chief priests, the Elders, the Sadducees and the other Scribes to Jesus, “which commandment is the most important of all?” As a faithful Jew Jesus responded saying, to love the Lord God above all else, and to it he added the second, to love the neighbours as oneself.

In the context of our world today we are faced with wickedness, plotting, fault finding, injustice, corruption, misunderstanding, hatred, rash conclusions and violence. The Gospel passage invites us to become aware of our own identity as Children of God and to be always united with God in prayer as did Jesus so as to combat the current context with prudence and wisdom. Jesus has walked the way, as faithful followers we shall follow him. He has said, “Behold I’m with you until the end of time”. Let us hold fast to the hands of Jesus and tread our path courageously facing everyone and everything in love. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, fill our heart with your love.”