Bible Reflections I 07.01.2022 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Friday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 5: 5-13 

          II - Lk. 5: 12-16

                

ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Jesus manifested the power of God and strove for the glory of God.  The choice of Jesus was always for the good of the person and the glorification of the Father.  In today’s Gospel passage, the man covered with leprosy says, “Lord if you choose, you can make me clean”.  Jesus responds to this humble pleading saying: “I do choose.  Be made clean”.  Through his healing Jesus does not take the glory for himself but reminds the healed person of what Moses had commanded: to make an offering for the cleansing, thereby persuading the healed to fix his focus on God with a gratefulness and thanksgiving.  Jesus preached, taught, healed and accomplished all the good he can wherever he went but was always concerned not about his glory but that of the glory of God.

We are in the world of vanity that parades its pride in vain glory and in seeking cheap popularity.  For a mite of good done, mighty publicity is sought after.  We are prone to seek after personal gain, name and fame in every one of our little deeds of kindness and love.  May this Gospel passage enlighten us to aspire for the greater glory of God in every one of our word and deed.  Let this thought resound in our hearts and minds as we are into another day of God’s mercy and kindness: “All for the glory of God and only for the glory of God”.

Bible Reflections I 06.01.2022 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Thursday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 4: 19-5:4 

          II - Lk. 4: 14-22

               

THY WILL BE DONE

The Gospel passage is about the manifesto of Jesus.  Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus reads out the Prophesy of Prophet Isaiah that was fulfilled in him: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to those who are oppressed, to proclaim the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”.  Jesus had the clarity of the vision of his mission.  This was because he was constantly in connect with his Father and therefore was solely concerned about the purpose of the salvation of humankind.

Each of us are marvelous masterpiece of God and God has meticulous planning for each of us: the purpose of our existence here on earth.  Like Jesus, only if we are in constant connect with the Father Almighty, can we discover the purpose of our life.  We cannot have an ‘any how’ living.  Our lives become meaningful only when we conduct our life according to the will of God for us.  This might hinder or even shatter our own dreams, desires, hopes and aspirations still, when we allow God’s plan to take over our lives, we will have the joy of purposeful living come what may.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Let your will be done O Lord”.

Bible Reflections I 05.01.2022 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Wednesday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 4: 11-18 

          II - Mk. 6: 45-52

GOD IS CONCERNED ABOUT US

The Gospel passage of the day is about Jesus coming to the rescue of his disciples.  Jesus sends away his disciples ahead of him to the other side in a boat and he goes on the mountain to pray.  The disciples were in the boat on the sea and Jesus, on the land praying.  Near or far the thoughts would automatically attend the loved ones. Jesus sees the difficulty of his disciples in rowing the ores against the course wind and immediately comes to them waling on the water.  In fear and trembling, the disciples mistakes Jesus for a ghost because no human can walk on water and that the Israelites believe in the existence of ghost in the sea.  They failed to realise that it must definitely be possible for the one who multiplied the loaves to walk on the water as well.  They witnessed the blind, see, lame walk, dead rising and winds obeying his command, still could not grasp that Jesus could walk on the water.

The passage invites us to reflect on two angles: one, Jesus comes to our rescue in all our trials, difficulties and suffering; and two, we fail to think of him or cease to recognise him as he comes to help us. We would have experienced his love and concern for us in so many of our difficulties, pain and suffering but when the moment comes, we tend to alienate God from the scene altogether out of sheer negligence or forgetfulness or over confidence in oneself.  May no trials and difficulties blind our eyes and numb our hearts to discover the Lord present with us more closer at those circumstances. Our God is great and do not forget that he is concerned about us. Surrender to his all worries and he would as the bible says, for sure would wipe away every tear from our eyes.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Lord for your love and care towards me”.

Bible Reflections I 04.01.2022 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Tuesday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1 Jn. 4: 7-10 

          II - Mk. 6: 34-44

 DARE TO SHARE

The Gospel passage of the day is about the multiplication of the loaves.  The compassionate heart of Jesus and the contribution from the crowd made the miracle of the multiplication a possible one.  Jesus blessed the mite, the seven loaves and the fish, and fed the multitude that was hungry, taking back twelve baskets of broken pieces and of fish as remnant. Compassion and contribution is possible only to those who have love for his/her fellow being.  

In the compassionate heart of Jesus, as St. John says in the first reading, the loving heart of the father was revealed to the hungry crowd.  We are blessed with various gifts and talents not only for the personal well being but also for uplifting our suffering humanity.  If we are Christians, it is our prime responsibility to imitate our Master Lord Jesus Christ in loving others in serving our brethren. In short, to be modeled after the heart of Jesus.  Dare to share even the mite entrusting that into the loving hands of the Lord and discover a miracle being worked out.  In the silence of the mind and heart keep repeating the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill me with your love”.

Bible Reflections I 03.02.2022 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Monday after Epiphany

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 3: 22-4:6

          II - Mt. 4: 12-17, 23-25

        

HOLY NAME OF JESUS

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the holy name of Jesus.  Jesus is a most common name in Israel but what is uncommon is that the person to whom this name belong to: the Son of God, the Promised One who came to redeem the world.  The holy name of Jesus is healing, consoling, comforting, soothing, liberating, encouraging and uplifting.  The utterance of the very name of Jesus is by itself a most powerful prayer.  The name of Jesus is our salvation: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts: 11:12). It is a promise: “Promise and whatever any of you ask in my name, I will do” (Jn. 14:13).  It is an assurance to be with his people: “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18: 20).  The name of Jesus is our justification: “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6: 11). The name of Jesus saves: “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

 The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “to pray "Jesus" is to invoke him and to call him within us” (C.C.C. 2666).  Many of the saints including Don Bosco has prayed, “In the name of Jesus”.  This is of course a short and simple prayer but most effective, miraculous and powerful prayer.  Today in particular let us pray more frequently, “In the name of Jesus” and into his holy name entrust all our fears, anxieties, helplessness, worries, ailments, inabilities, failures, burdens and problems with the faith and hope in the one who had redeemed us at the cost of his most cruel death on the cross out of His all love for us.  May the name of Jesus be glorified and revered.

Bible Reflections I 02.01.2022 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Readings 

           I - Is. 60: 1-6

          II - Eph. 3: 2-3a, 5-6

         III - Mt. 2: 1-12

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Solemnity)

                  

Today we celebrate the feast of the epiphany of the Lord: the three wise men beholding the messiah in their wisdom and God’s grace. The 3Ds of wisdom: Discovers the truth, Distinguishes the real and Discerns right. The three wise men in their wisdom at the rising of the star in the east they discovered the Truth - the babe was Son of God Himself. To mark His divinity they offered incense. They were able to distinguish the real even when it was not convincing. In the helpless babe laid in the manger, born of a parents from a simple and humble background that could hardly reveal his royalty, they distinguished his real identity: the King of kings and therefore to mark his sovereignty, they offered Gold to the Son of man. In the baby boy, besides discovering his divinity and royalty, they also found the innocent Lamb of God and hence they offered myrrh to mark his suffering and sorrows on account of human salvation. 

Wisdom discovers, distinguishes and discerns. We need wisdom to discover God in all things, distinguish the real from the unreal and to discern right choices that align with the will of God. As we celebrate the feast of Epiphany, ask God to bless us with the Spirit of wisdom so that we may discover God in all things, persons and events of life befitting to our identity as children of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill us with the Spirit of wisdom”.

Bible Reflections I 01.01.2022 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - Num. 6: 22-27

          II - Gal. 4: 4-7

         III – Lk. 2: 16-21

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Solemnity)

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Mary, Mother of God. God descended from his divinity taking up the human form in or to make all of us ascend into that Kingdom with the honour of the children of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. This was possible only through Mary, the blessed one, full of grace, the pride of Israel and the honour of human race. Besides being mother of God, she is our mother as well given by Jesus, her son. It is befitting to begin the brand new year 2022 with the blessings, assistance, accompaniment and guidance of our Blessed Mother.  

God in His graciousness has gifted us with New Year enwrapped with new visions, hopes, dreams, possibilities, challenges, vigour and enthusiasm; and with the blessed assurance, “I am with you always” (Mt. 28: 20). Mary is a blessing to the human race, during this New Year resolve to be a blessing to everyone we meet. There is hymn to mother Mary that has this particular verse: “All roads lead to Jesus when you take her hand”. Hold the loving hand of our Blessed mother, may all that we accomplish become a blessing to others and an offering pleasing to God; and that thereby our lives may become an unending hymn of glory and praise to our Father in Heaven. Let us begin this New Year 2022, with Jesus, our Lord, Mary, our mother and St. Joseph, our protector. Repeat this prayer in the silence of hearts as often as possible and entrust the year into the loving hands of the Lord through our Blessed Mother: “Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, Pray for us”  

A New Year wishes to all of you. May this year flood your life with the graces and blessings of the Lord, all for His greater glory.

Bible Reflections I 31.12.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 2: 18-21

          II - Jn. 1: 1-18

THANK YOU LORD

                  

We are in the last day of the year 2021 that accounts and vouches for all the graces, blessings and the benevolence of the Lord.  Yes,

“Count your many blessings; name them one by one, 

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done”

Every incident, every happening and every event: the joys and sorrows; the ups and downs; efforts and attempts; success and challenges; and sufferings and solace were meticulously wrapped with the graces and blessings of the Lord besides being branded with His benevolent love for us.  Take some time today to be in solitude but in the company of the Lord and try to count all His blessings one by one, then can you feel your heart throbbing with sentiments of  gratitude  constantly repeating “Thank you Lord”. At the same time, regret not for the opportunities missed, wilful acts of negligence, lethargicness, slackness in accomplishing the good, lapsed relationships because of our ego, indifferentism and misunderstanding and wrong choices made. Thank God for bringing these setbacks to our memory so that we can better ourselves to become disciplined disciples of Jesus our Master.  

In the Gospel passage of the day we read: “From his fullness we have all received, graces upon grace”.  May we take this day as an opportunity to thank the Lord and pray for His graces for the upcoming new year, to stand firm in our resolutions to live up to our Christian vocation true to the identity of the children of God. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Lord”.

Bible Reflections I 30.12.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 2: 12-17

          II - Lk. 2: 36-40

KEEP THE LORD EVER BEFORE YOUR EYES

                  

In the first reading of the day, St. John exhorts the children of God to abstain from the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes and pride in the riches of this world that are short lived and passing away; and on the other hand, he instructs to do the will of God and live forever. A perfect example to this teaching can be picked up from the Gospel passage of the day: Anna. She never left the temple, worshipped there with fasting and prayer, all through night and day. And finally was rewarded with the privilege of seeing the promised one as he was brought to the temple to be presented.  

We need not be present 24X7 in the temple, night and day, fasting and praying like Anna, while it is quite impossible as well. But as St. John exhorts, can have the Lord ever before our eyes and be focused in seeking and accomplishing His will. If we conduct our lives in this way, we will be graced to recognise him as He comes to meet us, to take us to Himself and live forever with Him in that Kingdom beholding His glory and singing forever ‘Holy’ along with His angels and saints. Let our mind and heart throughout the day resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the wisdom to know you will and the courage to accomplish the same.

Bible Reflections I 29.12.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Christmas Octave

Readings 

           I - 1Jn. 2: 3-11

          II - Lk. 2: 22-35

St. Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial) 

SUBMIT UNTO THE WAYS OF THE LORD

                  

The Gospel passage of the day invites us to reflect upon: submission to the Law of the Lord, Submission to the promises of the Lord and submission to the Will of the Lord.  In submission to the Law of the Lord, the parents of Jesus presented their first born in the temple offering a pair of doves as prescribed by the Law.  In submission to the promises of the Lord, Simeon waited patiently in the temple to behold the deliverer, the consolation of Israel, the Messiah; and recognised him as he was brought even as a babe into the temple by his parents.  In submission to the will of God, Mary gave no response to the prophecy of Simeon: “…And a sword will pierce your own soul too”; but kept all these things and pondered them in her heart (Lk. 2: 19).  

Submission unto the ways of the Lord is the hallmark of Christian living. Submission bases humility, simplicity, trust, faith and confidence in the Lord.  May this Gospel passage enlighten, enkindle and enthuse us to live like the parents of Jesus in submitting ourselves to the Law of the Lord: Love; like Simeon, to submit ourselves unto the promises of the Lord and like our Blessed Mother, to submit ourselves to the Will of the Lord and that would be our best gift to him during this season of Christmas.  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury.  He was martyred because he preferred to submit himself unto the ways of the Lord than to the order of the king of Canterbury.  Through the intercession of this saint let us ask God to give us the courage and humility to submit ourselves unto His ways as we keep in the silence of our hearts keep repeating this prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach us to submit ourselves unto your ways”.

Bible Reflections I 18.12.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

A NEW AND GREATER THING

“The days will come, says the Lord, when they will no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives, Who brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt’; but rather, ‘As the Lord lives, Who brought the descendants of the house of Israel up from the land of the north.’ ” —Jeremiah 23:7-8

The Exodus was looked upon by the people of Israel as the greatest miracle. God split the Red Sea, with a wall of water to the right and to the left, so the Israelites could safely cross through the sea on dry land and thus escape from the Egyptian army (Ex 14:21-31). God protected His people with wonder-working power.

Then the worst disaster occurred. God’s people abandoned Him, and He allowed their enemies to defeat them, destroy the Temple, and exile them to Babylon (2 Chr 36:17ff). Would God no longer protect His people? Decades later, in yet another unimaginable event, King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon, liberated the Israelites, and encouraged the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezr 1:1ff). Jeremiah had prophesied that God would bring His people out of exile, and it would be such a great miracle that future Israelites would speak of the return from exile rather than the Exodus (Jer 23:7-8).

Yet God was not finished working wonders for His people. The Father sent Jesus to liberate His people and make all things new (Is 43:19). No longer would we speak of the Exodus or the return from exile as God’s greatest miracle. God sent His only begotten Son to become flesh and dwell among us (Jn 1:14).

Is your life in ruins? Do you believe God will no longer act on your behalf? God is not finished working wonders for His people. Receive the Christ of Christmas, and believe God is at work.

Prayer:  Father, I believe nothing is impossible with You (Lk 1:37).

Promise:  Jesus “will save His people from their sins.” —Mt 1:21

Praise:  “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free.”

Courtesy from "One Bread, One Body".

Bible Reflections I 17.12.2021 - Friday I Rev. Fr. Arokia Doss SDB I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Gen. 49: 8-10

          II - Mt. 1: 1-17

GOD IS GREAT

                  

God can write straight with crooked lines. The power of God can surpass the weakness of human beings. When the light enters the darkness is dispelled. Today’s Gospel passage is about the genealogy of Jesus. None of the human weakness and sinfulness prevented God from sending His only Son, the promised one in the prophesied race. From the imperfect generation God chose a just and a righteous man Joseph and a woman filled with grace Mary, to keep his promise. In every generation there were men and women to guide, lead and direct the hearts of people towards God, trying to turn every heart towards God.  

The Gospel passage of the day throws light to reflect on present generation of this time. We do have people to help, guide, lead and direct us towards the God, the One, truth and beauty. The season of advent is an opportunity to turn our hearts towards God. May we with the help given try to become just, righteous and grace filled persons like St. Joseph and Mother Mary for God to accomplish his plan for the human kind - The Kingdom of God. For the benevolence of God and with our exemplary living strive to gather all the sheep into that sheepfold under one shepherd realising the dream of Jesus, the Kingdom of God. God can use us, the weak beings into effective instruments in building up His Kingdom. Surrender and commit your lives into the loving hands of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, teach me to yield myself unto you”

Bible Reflections I 16.12.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Is. 54: 1-10

          II - Lk. 7: 24-30

MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME

                  

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus testifies to the identity of John the Baptist.  He praises John the Baptist as someone more than a prophet and greater among those born of a woman.  But still, the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist himself.  John the Baptist preached on repentance and conversion while Jesus went a step ahead in formulating a concrete action plan for the establishment of the Kingdom of God based under the Law of love. Such persons who foster and are found in the Kingdom of God are still greater than John the Baptist himself. 

The sinners and tax collectors accepted the teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus; and aligned their lives accordingly.  By rejecting the Baptism of John the Baptist, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for them. Through our Baptism we have accepted to abide and live by the life and teachings of Christ and this is the purpose of God for each of us as Christians.  But if we fail to live by the same then we are mere hypocrites no lesser than the Pharisees and lawyers of Jesus’ time.  The purpose of God for each of us is that we strive for freedom, fraternity and justice thereby realising the dream of Jesus, “The Kingdom of God”.  If we do part in realising this dream through our exemplary living, then can we be praised by God to be someone greater than John the Baptist. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “May your Kingdom come O Lord”.

Bible Reflections I 15.12.2021 - Wednesday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Is. 45: 6-8, 18, 21-25

          II - Lk. 7: 19-23

CREDIBLE CHRISTIAN LIVING 

                  

In today’s Gospel passage, John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus whether he was the one who is to come or do they still have to wait for someone else.  To this question, Jesus did not answer directly but he only told them to go and tell John the Baptist what they had seen and heard: “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead raised, the poor have good news brought to them” - a perfect fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah in him (Is. 35: 5, 6).  From this identity of Jesus, John the Baptist can understand that Jesus was the Messiah for whom the people of Israel for generations waited in hope.

In the light of this Gospel passage, take a moment to reflect about your own lives.  Can anyone observing our own words and deeds testify that we are Christians modelled after the life and teachings of Christ? If someone looks at us and says, “he/she forgives, understands, cares, empathises, helps, understands, takes risks for the good cause, stands up for justice, truth and righteousness and above all loves others unconditionally”, then we are bearing witness to Christ as Christians.  If not, take this grace filled season of advent as an opportunity to amend and align our lives up to Credible Christian living and behold the Lord as He comes to meet us.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be a witnessing Christian”.

Bible Reflections I 14.12.2021 - Tuesday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Zep. 3: 1-2, 9-13 

          II - Mt. 21: 28-32

APPEARANCE IS DECEPTIVE

                  

Today’s Gospel passage an invitation to integrity.  The first son refused to go and work in the vineyard but later changed his mind and went to work.  The second son seemed to have obeyed but failed to go to the vineyard.  The chief priests and elders claimed themselves to be God’s own people and projected to be concerned about God’s work but in their pride and arrogance, slighted the invitation of John the Baptist and Jesus alike.  Instead the rejected people: the tax collectors, prostitutes, Samaritans and the sinners were already aligning their ways according to the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus.

We are in the grace filled season of advent supposed to be preparing ourselves to behold the Lord as He comes.  Do we prepare ourselves for a conversion of heart or just be content with the rituals that we perform?  Reflect and redefine your living unto the ways of God - this is Christian living.  Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. John of the Cross, a mystic and the doctor of the Church.  With great effort, courage and dynamism, revived and reformed the Carmelite way of life unto the ways of religious living.  May this saint help us to become credible witnesses of Christ in our integrated living.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to adhere to your teachings.

Bible Reflections I 13.12.2021 - Monday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Num. 24: 2-7, 15-17 

          II - Mt. 21: 23-27

BE OPEN TO THE TRUTH

                  

The primary task of every prophet was to turn the hearts of people to God.  For this purpose they feared none because their authority came from God.  The elders and the scribes deliberately denied to accept that Jesus was the Messiah and that John the Baptist was his forerunner, John the Baptist, the Elijah as prophesied. 

 Those who are sleeping can be woken up but the ones that pretend to be so can never be woken up.  They knew pretty well about John the Baptist and Jesus still they pretended that knew not. Be open to the truth and accept with serenity of heart, then can we be able to see the light of God bright.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be open to the truth”.

Bible Reflections I 12.12.2021 - Sunday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 3

Readings 

           I - Zeph. 3: 14-18 

          II - Phil. 4: 4-7

         III - Lk. 3: 10-18

“WHAT THEN SHOULD I DO?”

                  

John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ who prepared the way for him through his baptism of repentance and conversion. His life and teaching provoked the people to amend their ways in order to worthily welcome the Lord, the Messiah who was to come. Acceptance and amendment are the two key points of the Gospel passage of the day. Being baptised tantamount to acceptance of the teaching of the baptiser. The crowds, the tax collectors and the soldiers accepted the teaching of John the Baptist and therefore they came forward to be baptised. They wanted to amend their lives unto the teachings of John the Baptist therefore each of them asked just one question alone to him: “What should we do?” and this indicates their utmost readiness to amend their lives.

We have accepted the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in our baptism. Jesus has given us just one commandment: Commandment of love - to love God and to love one another. If we conduct our life on the basis of the Law of love, we are ready for anytime to welcome the Lord as he comes in his glory. If we are too concerned about ourselves in selfishness, pride, arrogance and avarice, this is the time to turn back our hearts to the lord in love. During this season of Advent, let us just ask one question to ourselves: “What should I do to worthily welcome the Lord who is to come?” We do will find an answer to this question if we seek with sincerity of heart and with an ardent desire to amend our lives unto the ways of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill my heart with your love”.

Bible Reflections I 11.12.2021 - Saturday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Sir. 48: 1-4, 9-11 

          II - Mt. 17: 10-13

HE COMES, COMES AND EVER COMES

                  

In the first reading, Prophet Elijah is described as a prophet like fire and his word burned like a torch.  It was the prophecy that Elijah would be coming before the days of the Messiah: “Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes” (Mal. 4: 5).  And John the Baptist was indeed vehemently preaching and preparing the way of the Lord.  But as Jesus says in the Gospel passage of the day, they failed to recognise him and did to him whatever they pleased. Messiah was already with them and they fail to recognise him as well and therefore he had to suffer at human hands.  The fail to recognise was because of their wilful neglect and adamant denial. 

The great poet Rabindranath Tagore says: “He comes, comes, ever comes.  Every moment and every age, every day and every night he comes, comes, ever comes”.  We too like the people of Israel, the people of God, delving in our own ideas, thought pattern, mindset, preoccupation and prejudice fail to recognise Jesus, the Messiah who comes to us every day and every moment through persons and events.  During this season of Advent, ask the Lord to grace us to recognise him as he comes to meet us so that we may not miss him when he comes all in his glory to take us to himself into his Kingdom.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me recognise you in everything and in everyone”.

Bible Reflections I 10.12.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 48: 17-19 

          II - Mt. 11: 16-19

ACCEPT AND ABIDE BY THE WORD OF GOD

                  

Acceptance and rejection are the two possible reactions to any teaching or preaching.  John the Baptist was austere that he neither ate nor drank but was concerned only about the preparing of the way of the Lord, and people called him ‘possessed’.  Jesus came, eating and drinking, casual but was concerned only about the Kingdom of God, and people called him ‘drunkard, glutton and a friend of tax collectors and sinners’.  The teachings of both, John the Baptist and Jesus was not comfortable and often confronted, contradicted and challenged their life style.  Hence they rejected both of them, choosing their comfortable cozy life. On the contrary, the sinners, the tax collectors and the gentiles accepted them and were already occupying a place in the Kingdom of God. 

We too often try our best to ignore the voice of God that comes in prayer, persons, Word of God and our own conscience because it challenges and causes inconvenience.  In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah enlightens about the blessings brought down on those who adhere to the Word of God: prosperity, happiness, integrity and all other blessings as well.  Wanna to be blessed by the Lord?  Accept and abide by his teachings; and that is life.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to live by your words”

Bible Reflections I 09.12.2021 - Thursday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 41: 13-20 

          II - Mt. 11: 11-15

WANNA BECOME GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST?

                  

The time period can be split into two before John the Baptist and after John the Baptist.  In the first half that is  till John the Baptist,  many Great men and Prophets wished to see one of the days of the Messiah and could not but John the Baptist had seen the Messiah and had testified to him therefore, no man born is greater than John the Baptist. The second time period is between Jesus and our entry into that Kingdom of God.  If we accept in the one who had come in God’s name, the Son of God and align our lives to befitting His kingdom, then we are still greater than John the Baptist. The role of John the Baptist is similar to that of Prophet Elijah, to turn men back to God and therefore John the Baptist was Elijah in deed (Mt. 3: 1-7), which means, forerunner of Jesus Christ.  

We are in the grace filled season of Advent. A time to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ.  The time given by the Church to prepare ourselves to behold the king who is to come.  If we are to be found innocent and blameless before him at the time of his coming, we would be entering into that glorious Kingdom of God.  The season of advent is an opportunity to align our ways unto the ways of God. Desire to become a part of that Kingdom which Jesus desired and dreamt of for each one of us.  Wish to be greater than John the Baptist? Prepare then to behold the Lord as he comes in glory to take us into that kingdom. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: "Come Lord Jesus come".