Bible Reflections I 23.07.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings:  

              I - Ex. 20: 1-17

           II - Mt. 13: 18-33

CONVICTION ENSURES CREDIBILITY 

Today’s Gospel passage delves on the parable of the sower. Jesus explains the parable of the sower to the crowds that followed him. After the explanation of Jesus, the receivers of the Word of God can be categorised under 4Cs viz. the Careless, the Cowardly, the Conceited and the Convinced. Those seeds that fell on the road side can be compared to the Careless people. They are quick to listen to the Word of God and quick too to forget without any understanding. Those seeds that fell on the rocky ground can be compared to the cowardly people. They listen and understand the Word of God but on account of any inconvenience or trouble or persecution, they give up actualising the same. 

 The seeds that fell among the thorns can be compared to the conceited people. They listen and understand the Word of God but are easily lured by the wealth, fame and name that belong to the world. Finally, those seeds that fell on the good soil can be compared to the convinced people, who listen, understand and align their life according to the Word of God. They are the credible witness of Jesus and they, united in the Lord, bear fruit in abundance (Jh. 15:5). Who am I among the 4Cs?

Bible Reflections I 22.07.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings:  

       I - Song of Songs 3: 1-4

     II - Jn. 20:1-2, 11-18.

LOVE THAT ENCOUNTERS, ENCOURAGES AND EMPOWERS 

(Feast of St. Mary Magdalene)

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, the passionate follower and ardent disciple of Jesus and the one time adulteress woman. In the feast of St. Mary Magdalene we celebrate the caring and credible love of Jesus that is so powerful, benevolent and emancipating. The three E’s that transformed the life of Mary of Magdala are: Encounter, Encouragement and Empowerment. Jesus Encounters Mary Magdalene when the drudgerous crowd drags her to Jesus for punishment. Jesus saves her from the clutches of the self-righteous menfolk saying, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”. When everyone leaves without stoning, Jesus Encourages her saying, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again” (Jh. 8:11) and thereby infuses in her the life assuring hope and an absolute feeling of being forgiven. Finally Jesus Empowers her making her the witness of his resurrection. Witness of women wear out to be no witness at all in the male dominated patriarchal society of the Jews. Jesus counteracts this culture and appears first to Mary Magdalene and makes her the witness of his resurrection for great was her love for Jesus, her Lord, Master and Teacher. In the Gospel passage today, Jesus just calls her “Mary” and instantly she responds saying “Rabbouni” unlike his disciples who had long conversation with Jesus on their way to Emmaus and yet failed to recognise Jesus until he broke the bread with them (Lk. 24: 13-35).   

In the world of today, where love is downsized to mere utility and payback policy, we as Christians, are called to reflect this love of Jesus that is liberating, empowering, enriching, encouraging, healing and forgiving. In this way we can like Jesus touch and transform the lives of people around us. With our little acts of charity we can win the whole world for Jesus. May the Feast of Mary Magdalene make us like her the witnesses of the love of Jesus allowing ourselves to be encountered, encouraged and empowered by the love of Jesus our Lord and our Master. In the silence of our hearts let us keep repeating, “Lord Jesus, make me a witness of your love”.

Bible Reflections I 21.07.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings:  

         I - Ex. 16: 1-5, 9-15

      II - Mt. 13: 1-9

  

LISTEN TO LIVE

Today’s Gospel passage is on the parable of the sower. Great crowd gathered to listen to Jesus and he told them this parable to provoke them to check their disposition of mind and heart in giving heed to the Word of God. The seeds that fell on the path were eaten up by the bird, those that fell on the rocky ground withered with the sun, those that fell among the thorns were chocked and those that fell on the good soil brought forth grains. 

There are four types of disposition of mind in listening to the Word of God. They can also be called as 4Ws viz. Wondering mind, Wavering mind, Wearied mind and Willful mind. The seeds fell on the path can be compared to the wondering mind that just wonder at the Word of God and the preaching of the same and forget thereafter about it. The rocky ground can be compared to the wavering mind that listens to the Word of God, tries to practice but fails with some distractions. The thorny bush can be compared to the weary mind that is exhausted and too full to listen to the Word of God and to actualize the same. The good soil can be compared to the willful mind that listens intently to the Word of God with the resolve to stand by it come what may and become authentic followers of Jesus and credible Christians. Let us not listen to leave but listen to live the Word of God. In the silence of hearts keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, give me a wilful heart to stand by your Words”

Bible Reflections I 19.07.2021- Monday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings: I - Ex. 14: 5-18

                II - Mt. 12: 38-42

OPEN UP TO THE GRACE OF GOD

In the letter to the Hebrews we read, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son” (Heb. 1:1-2). The Scribes and the Pharisees refused to accept Jesus as the Son of God though all prophesies were fulfilled in His coming. It was a willful neglect and they asked for a sign to believe in Him. Jesus gave no sign to them instead said that on the day of judgment people of Nineveh and the queen of Sheba would rise up and condemn them. The people of Nineveh believed in the prophesy of Prophet Jonah; and the people of Nineveh and the animals alike fasted and covered themselves with ashes as a sign of repentance and turned from their evil ways. The queen of Sheba came from afar to testify and to listen to the Wisdom of Solomon. Jesus was the Son of God and Wisdom himself, but in their pride and arrogance of heart, the Scribes and Pharisees refused to behold, recognise, acknowledge and accept Jesus.  

Jesus praises the openness of mind and heart of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba unlike the learned and the clever religious leaders of his time. A bottle cannot be filled in two cases viz. when it is closed tight with the lid and when the bottle is already too full. When we neglect to seek God we neglect to recognise His graces and blessings as well. Similarly, when we are too full of ourselves with self-righteousness, pride, selfishness, ego and arrogance the grace of God can not touch and transform us. Let us today ask God to help us to be open to His graces and blessings as His beloved children in our Lord Jesus Christ for a transformed witnessing life.

Bible Reflections I 18.07.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 16

Readings:  I - Jer. 23:1-6

        II - Eph. 2:13-18

        III - Mk. 6: 30-34

BE A SHEPHERD

Jesus is the Good Shepherd par excellence sent by the Father to establish peace and to gather the scattered flock, unlike the ruthless, reckless and selfish shepherds, is the central theme of the three readings.  The Gospel passage of the day evince the care, concern and compassion of Jesus towards his sheep, the specialty traits of the Good Shepherd. Jesus out of his care and concern, takes his tired and wearied disciples just returned from the ministry and were surrounded by the people and had no leisure even to eat, to the other side of the lake by a boat. The great crowd followed them on their foot and reached the other side for healing and hearing their preaching.  Jesus was moved with compassion for they were like sheep without shepherd and he resumed his work with them.

Each of us are called to be a shepherd in our ways.  Shepherds of our suffering and needy neighbour.  According to Jesus anyone who is in need of our love, care, concern, support, help and understanding is our neighbour (Lk. 10:25-37).  When we possess a heart that moves in compassion towards the helpless and the suffering, rejoices at the success and joys of the other, defends the rights and dignity of others, cares for comfort and consolation of others and concerns for the well-being and well-living of others, instead of being cold, indifferent, apathetic and negligent, then we are truly shepherds modelled after the heart of Jesus.  In this way, we gather and do not scatter, we establish peace and thereby become credible Christians too making a difference in the society that is so cold, selfish and corrupt.      

     

அன்பே ஆகச் சிறந்த ஆயுதம் I 17.07.2021 - Saturday I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss ...

Bible Reflections I 17.07.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings: I - Ex. 12: 37-42

                 II - Mt. 12: 14-21

BE A SIGN OF HOPE 

Jesus healed the sick, forgave sinners, cleansed the leaper, raised the dead, befriended the tax collectors, associated with the Samaritans, women and children, chased the demons, upbraided the pharisaic attitude of the religious leaders and kept alive the essence of the law that restored and fostered life. In nutshell, Jesus was the Good News and a sign of hope to all the poor, downtrodden, depressed, oppressed, neglected, and the marginalised of the society, fulfilling the prophesy of prophet Isaiah (Is. 42:1-4) mentioned in today’s Gospel passage. “Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts. 10:38). He was unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the scribes who were merely hypocrites. The life of Jesus was a constant disturbance and sign of contradiction to their religious belief and customary practices. It was solely for this reason that the Pharisees conspired against him and plotted ways and means to get rid of him.

Flipping through the pages of History, it is evident that those who stand up for what is right, just and humane, following the footsteps of Jesus are neglected, ostracised, tortured, persecuted and are finally martyred. The voice of the voiceless is silenced, the acts of the ambassadors of Christ is falsely accused, followers of gospel are fooled and the messengers of the Master par excellence, Jesus are martyred, still as Bishop Oscar Romero says, “If they kill me I will rise again in the people of El Salvador. A Bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish”. Led by the Holy Spirit many too will rise in the name of Jesus until equality, freedom, fraternity and justice is established here on earth.

After the Gospel passage today, we as Christians have just two options before us: One, to courageously stand for the values of Jesus, come what may and the second, to withhold from conspiring against who bravely accomplish the task of Christ on the earth. In short, either to fight the battle ourselves or at least restrain from pulling down the spirit of these courageous warriors of Jesus through our false rumours, calumny, defamation, slander, misrepresentation and denigration. In either case, led by the spirit we will but reflect to be the children of God the Father and resolute followers of Jesus our Lord, remaining the sign of hope to the helpless. Let us in the silence of our heart today keep praying: “Lord Jesus, make me too a sign of hope like you”.

வாழ்வின் சுமைகளை குறைப்பது எப்படி? I 15.07.2021 - THURSDAY I Rev. Fr. Ar...

Bible Reflections I 14.07.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15Readings: I - Ex. 3: 1-6, 9-12 II - Mt. 11: 25-27 BEHOLD THE TRUTH WITH THE OPENNESS OF HEART The learned, the intellectuals and the elite of Jesus’ time were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Chief Priest and the Scribes. They were familiar with the law and the prophecy and were fanatic in the practice of the religion. They were considered to be the custodians of their religion and were men of high repute and standing. Still in their stubbornness of heart, self-righteousness, pride and prejudice they refused to accept Jesus as Messiah, the Promised one prophesied by the prophets. Women and infants were considered as ‘no persons’ at all. Infant in the Gospel reading today, means ‘no person’. These ‘no persons’ - the sinners, tax collectors, women, children, the poor, the disabled, the prostitutes and the Samaritans were drawn to Jesus and accepted Him to be their Messiah in their openness, simplicity and humility of heart. 

 Jesus glorifies and thanks the Father for His goodness, mercy and magnanimity in choosing these ‘no persons’ to reveal Jesus His Son as their Messiah which is the gracious will of the Father. The Gospel passage today does not condemn the learned, the intelligent or the persons of repute instead Jesus highlights on the disposition and openness of the heart in beholding the truth as it comes. In the ordinary walk of life, people wish for the truth that is appealing, pleasing, and convenient but never contradicting, combating or conflicting their perspectives and ideologies. People never desire for the truth that hurts and disturbs. Only those people who are open to the truth with the simplicity and humility of heart can be drawn by the gracious will of God to be His instruments, all for His greater glory. Let us yield ourselves unto to the truth as we encounter, for God is Truth.

நம் நிறை வாழ்வே, இறை சித்தம்.I 13.07.2021 - செவ்வாய் I Rev. Fr. Arokia D...

Bible Reflections I 13.07.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings: I - Ex. 2: 1-15a

                 II - Mt. 11: 20-24

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

In the Gospel passage today, Jesus reproaches Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because they failed to recognise the Messiah in their midst in spite of his healing, preaching, raising of the dead, deriving of he demons and forgiving the sinners. They had eyes but they did not see and they had ears but they did not hear (Mk. 8:18). Their hearts were hardened and they refused to recognise and resisted to repent, though their eyes beheld the Messiah unlike the cities viz. Tyre, Sidon and Sodom.   

Often times we are similar to the cities Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. We are blessed with countless blessing. We had bee victorious in so many struggles, we can testify to a number of miracles we experienced in our lives, we can vouch for His presence that preserved, prevented and protected us from despair, depression, fear, discouragement, worries and anxieties, still at the crucial time of testing are we not tempted to cry out, “God where are you?”. Let us try to count our blessings at those moments just raise our hearts in thanksgiving confident that our God is “Immanuel” - God with us.

எளியவரை உயர்த்தும் இறைவன் I12.07.2021 - திங்கள் I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss S...

Bible Reflections I 12.07.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings:  

            I - Ex. 1:8-14, 22

          II - Mt. 10: 34-11:1

CHOOSE GOD AND CHOOSE LIFE ETERNAL

Jesus, the Promised One is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6) but in today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”. Siding for one is siding against the other. Good and bad, moral and amoral, virtues and vices can never coexist. Since the life and Teaching of Jesus counters and contradicts the principles of the World there is always tension, division and strife in the world because of Jesus and it would be continued even in the lives of those who wish to follow him. In this pursuit, the disciple of Jesus may have to be against their own parents, friends and beloved ones and lose their relationship. The one who endures this loss for the sake of Jesus is a worthy disciple and his/her reward will be great in heaven.

A principled and purposeful living consist in standing up for what is right and truthful. In following Jesus, there is never this and that, only this or that. We have only two options before us: First, to lead our lives according to the standards set by the world and the second, to align our lives as per the teachings of Jesus. Choosing the first option, we may be hailed by this world but lose life eternal that is bliss. Choosing the second option, we may be abandoned, hated and marginalized by all but gain life eternal that is bliss. The choice is ours. Choosing God is choosing life eternal. Let us courageously choose Jesus and gain life that is lasing

Bible Reflections I 11.07.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 15

Readings:  

             I - Amos. 7: 12-15

            II - Eph. 1: 3-14 

         III - Mk. 6: 7-13

MAKE YOUR LIFE A MESSAGE OF GOD

God calls whomever He wants (Mk. 3:13) rich or poor, learned or unlearned, courageous or coward, talented or inept, competent or incompetent and skilled or unskilled, to be His ambassadors to proclaim and perform in His name and according to His plan is the crux of all three readings today. We are His children in Christ Jesus our Lord, blessed with all spiritual blessings and with riches of graces to gather everyone for God. Jesus exhorts his disciples to put their trust in the Providence of God who cares and to focus only on the mission entrusted by telling them to carry only the minimum and concentrate on the Kingdom of God through proclaiming, preaching, curing, healing, raising the dead and casting of demons - the vision of the mission. Faithful to the command of Jesus, disciples not only proclaimed but lived out the message, gathering everyone for God.

  

Proclaiming Jesus becomes effective not in mere preaching or proclaiming alone but in aligning our life unto it as well. We are called despite our background, qualified as children of God in Jesus Christ and entrusted with the mission of bringing freedom, fraternity and justice wherever we are. When we practice these values primarily in our lives we automatically become the messengers of God and never a bystander or a spectator in the society. Imbibing Gospels values we will surely embrace all and ostracise none, love all and hate none, include all and exclude none; and empathize and never be indifferent towards anyone. In this way our mere presence can preach, proclaim and perform miracles effecting the presence of God among people. This is indeed a meaningful Christian living. By this we not only become mere messengers of God but the message itself. Let us try to make our life a message of God as we keep repeating this prayer as often as possible in the silence of our hearts: “Lord Jesus, make my life a loving message”

நீங்கள் அஞ்ச வேண்டாம் ! I 10.07.2021 - சனி I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss SDB I ...

Bible Reflections I 10.07.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings:  

          I - Gen. 49: 29-31,33;

                          50: 15-26 

       II - Mt.10: 24-33

DARE TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH

In the Gospel passage today Jesus motivates and inspires his disciples for the challenging and courageous entrusted mission ahead. He encourages them to stand up for the truth that can never be hidden or covered. He emboldens them to face suffering in the pursuit of the same assuring them of the Father’s care and love even in their minutest detail.  

It takes courage to stand up for the truth for its cost is huge and heavy. People remain silent or indifferent in the matters concerning the truth for the fear of suffering, torture, threat, persecution, problems, loss of reputation and death. Remember, our life on is transitory and it perishes for life eternal, beholding the bliss of God who cares and defends us. May this truth enlighten and empower us to courageously combat those who kill the body and cannot kill the soul. We are wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13), carefully chosen (Jn. 15:16) for a purpose, to stand up for the truth (Eph. 6:14) and bear much fruit, proving ourselves to be the disciples of Jesus (Jh. 15:8). 

 

Let us follow the way of Jesus, stand up for the truth and inherit life eternal, for Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). May our heart and mind resonate with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead me to the truth”

Bible Reflections I 09.07.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Readings: 

        I - Gen. 46: 1-7, 28-30 

      II - Mt.10: 16-23

COMPROMISE NOT BUT CONQUER THE WORLD

In the Gospel passage today Jesus speaks about the suffering that his followers have to encounter and endure in the pursuit of living his command. Jesus uses a metaphor to describe the same, “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves”, a dangerous pursuit indeed. He instructs his followers prescribing a guideline, to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves and assures them of his presence in their suffering on his accord.  

The exhortations of Jesus is subservient to the existing world order. The Gospel values of love, peace, joy, happiness, gentleness, meekness, compassion, kindness, generosity, selflessness and self-giving contradicts and conflicts the values proposed by the world viz. hatred, revenge, anger, pride, pleasure, jealousy, selfishness, violence, avarice and arrogance. The values of the world may seem to overpower the values of the Gospel, but can never prevail. There are only two options, either to compromise with the world order or to contradict and conquer the same. We are chosen to topple the world order that “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (Pt. 5:8). It is challenging, dangerous and daring. To tread in the path of our Master and Lord Jesus Christ is not impossible but possible, it is demanding but worthwhile, we may be battered but never defeated. It is road less travelled, reserved for the followers of Jesus who dare insults, persecution, suffering and death. Let us fight the battle with prudence and innocence standing on the powerful presence and assuring promises of Jesus, for he says, “Take courage; I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33). 

 In the silence of our hearts let us keep repeating: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to conquer the world”

கொடையாகப் பெற்றீர்கள் கொடையாக கொடுங்கள் I 08.07.2021 - வியாழன் I Rev. Fr...

Bible Reflections I 08.07.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Ordinary Time - Week 14

Reading: 

           I - Gen. 44: 18-21,  

                  23b-29; 45:1-5

          II - Mt.10: 7-15

POWER MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS

To the simple men of Galilee, his beloved disciples, weak and imperfect as they were, Jesus entrusts the great ministry of the Kingdom of God through healing, curing, cleansing and casting out demons. Jesus shares his power and ministry with them. The book of the Acts of the Apostles evince to this sharing: “As the result of the apostles work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by” (Acts. 5:15); Dorcas was raised by Peter from the dead (Acts. 9:36-42); On the way to the temple, Peter healed the crippled beggar in the name of Jesus (Acts. 3:1-10); Demons were cast out and the crippled were cured by Phillip (Acts. 8:7); Ananias cured Saul’s blindness (Acts. 9:17-18).

Each of us are aware of our won weakness, fragilities and limitations. But God has chose us and called us by name for a purpose that is noble and eternal. God can work wonders through us the weak beings for His power is made perfect in weakness (2Cor. 12:10). Abraham, lied, telling Sarah his beloved wife as his sister to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, still the Bible calls Abraham as friend of God; Moses stammered yet was chosen to be the liberator of Israel; David, the great king of Israel sinned with Bathsheba still was the man after God’s own heart, Peter denied Jesus but he was chosen to be the leader of the church, Thomas doubted but to him Jesus appeared and strengthened the faith in his resurrection, Saul persecuted the Church God chose him to be the pillar of the church and appointed him to be an apostle to the Gentiles.

God’s ways are mysterious. God purposely chooses what the world considers as weak and nonsense in order to shame the wise and the powerful (1Cor. 1:27). Therefore stop concentrating on the weakness and start magnifying the power, mercy, grace and works of the Lord so that we too can accomplish the purpose for which Christ Jesus has chosen us and make our life purposeful and meaningful.

என் பார்வையில் மதிப்பு மிக்கவர் நீங்கள் I 07.07.2021 - புதன் I Rev. Fr. ...