Bible Reflections I 24.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 17

Readings 

           I - Gen. 18: 20-32

          II - Col. 2: 12-14

         III - Lk. 11: 1-13 

                           

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

The crux of the readings of the day are persistence and perseverance in prayer. Persistence is the resoluteness even at the face of opposition and obstacles. Perseverance is steadfastness in doing something. Both are essential to achieve and arrive at what one desires. Persistence and perseverance are the most important requisites of prayer. In the first reading Abraham is persistent and persevering in pleading God for Sodom and Gomorrah because he wanted to save the people from destruction. In the Gospel passage, through the parable Jesus explains that the friend lends bread because of the persistent pleading of his friend that was bothering him so much though personally he did not have the intention of helping his friend in need. Giving this parable, Jesus exhorts the children of God to persevere in the persistent “ask-seek-knock” trusting in the providence of God.

God cannot be conditioned by our prayers. He is all good and gives only that what is good and best for his people whether they are praying or not praying. Then why should we pray? We should of course keep asking, seeking and knocking not only for ourselves but also for others as did Abraham, like children pleading to their fathers. And we have to be persevering in our persistence with our pleadings and petitions in faith that God would certainly provide if they are going to benefit us and the others for whom we are praying. Let us today take some time to examine the quality of our prayer and keep repeating in the silence of our hearts: “Lord, Teach us to pray”

Bible Reflections I 23.07.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Jer. 7: 1-11

          II - Mt. 13: 24-30 

                           

NURTURE THE GODLY QUALITIES 

Today’s Gospel passage is about the parable of the wheat and the weeds. Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a sower who sowed wheat in his fields and an enemy who sowed the weeds among them. God permits both, the wheat and the weed to exist until the day of harvest in order to save the wheat. On the day of harvest, the wheat will be collected in the barn and the weeds will be bundled to be burnt.  

We are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1: 27). We are from God and God has sown in our hearts the seeds of love, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, generosity, empathy and righteousness. We are often influenced by the values of the world around us viz. hatred, jealousy, selfishness, greed, cunningness, anger and pride. We become what we nurture. If we nurture the virtues, on the day of harvest, we will be gathered for eternal life in God and if not, we will end for eternal damnation like those weeds thrown into the fire. Our choice determines our eternal inheritance. Nurture virtues and grow up as children of God. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to nurture the Godly qualities present in me”.

Bible Reflections I 22.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - 2 Cor. 5:14-17

          II - Jh. 20: 1-2, 11-18 

                           

FEAT OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE (Feast)

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, the ardent apostle, daring disciple and the passionate follower of Jesus Christ. All the four Gospels speak of Mary Magdalene (Mt. 26: 6-13, Mk. 14: 3-9, Lk. 7: 36-50 and Jn. 12: 1-8). From all these four Gospels we infer that Mary Magdalene was a sinful woman who had bad reputation in the society, she anointed the feet of Jesus with sweet smelling perfume and she was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Before the crowd of men in Simon’s house, Mary dared to walk up to Jesus, anointed his feet with costly ointment, untied her hair before a band of men which no Jewish woman would dare to do , to wipe the feet of Jesus and continued kissing his feet as an act of her repentance for her sins and a desire for a new life in him. Jesus permitted or rather uninterrupted Mary Magdalene despite inheriting the gossip of the crowd around, for Jesus grasped the depth of her repentance and dense of her love in that act of anointing. Jesus defended Mary Magdalene and rewarded her act saying, “Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her” (Mt. 26: 13).  

Mary Magdalene followed Jesus faithfully even when all his disciples deserted him during the crucial moment of his passion, death and resurrection. Along with the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene accompanied Jesus in his journey up till Calvary. As today’s Gospel reading says, early in the morning while it was still dark she came to the tomb to anoint Jesus. There she beholds the risen Lord, the privilege of being the first witness to the resurrection. The greatest of all rewards by the Master whom she loved and served so much. Let us examine the quality of our love for the Lord in the light of the love of Mary Magdalene. Examine the expressions of our love for our Master. It should be expressed not merely in our multiplicity of words in prayer but in the acts of charity towards our neighbour. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, touch my heart and transform my life unto your will for me”

Bible Reflections I 21.07.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Jer. 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13

          II - Mt. 13: 10-17

        

Today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to look beyond seeing and listen beyond hearing so that we may not miss the revelation of God in the realities of life. Not all the people around Jesus discovered the Messiah in him, the promised one for whom they waited so long. The eyes that looked, ears that listened and the heart that understood were converted unto the ways of God.

We read and hear the Word of God, partake in the eucharistic celebrations, get the guidance of elderly and wise people, intervened by the edifying presence of friends and the like but still we often fail to look beyond seeing and listen beyond hearing. It is here we too like those people miss the God who comes, comes and ever comes. Be alert and become attentive to capture the signals of God for a better and noble living. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: "Lord Jesus, help me to attentive to your words and deeds in my life"

Bible Reflections I 20.07.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Jer. 1:1, 4-1

          II - Mt. 13: 1-9 

                           

BE RECEPTIVE TO THE WORD OF GOD 

Today’s Gospel passage is on the parable of the sower.  The sower sowed the seeds. The seeds fell on the path, rocky ground, amidst thorny bush and good soil.  The seeds that fell on the good soil alone yielded thirty, sixty and hundredfold.

The crux of the Gospel passage of the day is our receptiveness to the Word of God. How disposed are we to the Word of God to take root in us so as to yield a hundredfold?  The seeds fell on the path were eaten up by the birds, similarly, the heart that is distracted about many things may not be able to grasp the Word of God.  The seeds fell on the rocky ground were burnt with the rising of the sun, and this tantamount to a heart that is hardened can seldom hope for a new life to spring forth.  The seeds that fell amidst the thorny bush were chocked by the thorns, in the same way, a heart that is proud is also incredulous to accept or welcome anything.  Only an open and disposed heart is receptive to the Word of God like the good soil that can yield thirty, sixty and hundredfold accordingly.  

Task: Take some quite moments to analyse if we are receptive to the Word of God? If not, try to find out the reason for the same and rectify them. 

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be open and obedient to your Words”

Bible Reflections I 19.07.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Mic. 7: 14-15, 18-20

          II - Mt. 12: 46-50 

                           

TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AND INHERIT THE PRIVILEGE 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus shows us the way to become a member of his family. When he was preaching, his mother and brothers waited outside, asking to speak to him. When the message was passed on to Jesus, Jesus stretched out his hand towards his disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”. Jesus prescribes a higher way of relationship than mere physical one. In both the ways, Mary is his mother: in physical and in submitting herself to the will of the Father in heaven.

If we adhere to the Word of God and submit to the same we too are his mother, brothers and sisters. It is challenge and a privilege. It is a challenge because the Word of God may demand us to go against our own wills, whims and fancies. It is privilege because we become a member of God’s family. Take us the challenge and inherit the privilege. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to seek and accomplish your will in my life”

Bible Reflections I 18.07.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Mic. 6: 1-4, 6-8

          II - Mt. 12: 38-42 

                           

DO NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus calls the Scribes and the Pharisees evil and adulterous generation because they asked for ‘a’ sign from Jesus though he was performing ‘n’ number of signs among them. Prophet Jonah carried God’s message of destruction on account of their sinfulness to the people of Nineveh. Adhering to his prophesy, from king to animals fasted, put on sackcloth and sat on the ashes as a sign of their repentance, penance and conversion (Jonah 3: 5-9). The Queen of Sheba travelled from far to listen to the Wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1). People of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba would rise up to a judgment to condemn the people of Jerusalem because: the Word of God was among them (Jh. 1:14) and Wisdom of God was shepherding them (Ezk. 34:16, Jn. 10: 11-18). The Scribes and the Pharisees in their stubbornness of heart refused to neither see nor acknowledge his mighty and marvelous works.

The bible says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” ( Deu. 6: 16, Mt. 4:7). We are not better than the Scribes and Pharisees, though we can vouch for God’s innumerable blessings, we still ask God for a sign or a miracle. Try to count the blessings of the mighty God in our lives than waiting for wonders. We are surmounted by God’s blessings, be grateful about that and trust in him. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in you”.

Bible Reflections I 17.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Gen. 18: 10

          II - Col. 1: 24-28

          II - Lk. 10: 38-42 

                           

SERVE THE LORD IN GLADNESS

Service is the unique expression of a supreme love. The nobility of this service is that it counts no cost but is concerned about the benefit of the other. The service can be in any form tailoring to the needs of one to whom it is rendered. The streamline of all three readings today is ‘service’. In the first reading Abram identifies the holy men in the three persons and runs to offer them rest and refreshment before they could proceed from him. In the second reading it is evident that St. Paul was willing to suffer any amount on account of his service in proclaiming Christ so that he might present everyone mature in Christ. In the Gospel reading two women serve Jesus with two different services. Martha prepares meal and Mary sits at Jesus’ feet to listen to him. Martha was preoccupied with the thought that Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus without rendering her a helping hand. Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the good portion” because she was acute in listening without any other preoccupation. Had Martha not complained about Mary, Jesus might have said, “Martha too has chosen the good portion”.

Service demands an undivided attention for its fruitfulness befitting the capacity and the caliber of the person who renders. God does not ask us to do anything beyond our strength but within our reach and all in love like Abram, Sarah, St. Paul and Mary. No comparison and compromises but a whole hearted service all in love is what God desires and that is the best portion. Let us do all we can with love and care. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill my heart with your love”.

Bible Reflections I 15.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 38: 1-6, 21-22, 7-8

          II - Mt. 12: 1 - 8 

                           

GOD DESIRES MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE

In today’s Gospel passage, the hungry disciples pluck ears of corn to eat and this was accused by the Pharisees as violation of Sabbath. Jesus defends his disciples quoting the violation done by David and his companions; and the priests in the temple. Jesus picks up this opportunity to enlighten the Pharisees on the truth about Temple, Sabbath and Sacrifice. Temple signifies the presence of God and the purpose of Sabbath was to abstain from work so as to be present to the Lord in prayer and worship. The Pharisees made Sabbath a burden with so many rules and thereby making the life of the common man difficult and cumbersome. Jesus intervenes and educates that the best offering in which God delights is mercy and compassion. 

We are no different from the Pharisees. We wish to be meticulous in our rituals, rubrics, rules and traditions. Days of fasting, pilgrimage, penance and offering take precedence in our life than mercy, compassion and concern for the suffering neighbour. Today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to examine our acts of piety whether they are backed by concern for humanity, if not, convert your practices unto the demands of the teachings of the Gospel. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be compassionate and kind towards our needy brethren”.

Bible Reflections I 14.07.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 26: 7-9, 12, 16-19

          II - Mt. 11: 28 - 30 

                           

BECOME MEEK AND GENTLE

As followers of Christ, in carrying out his command of love: “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 13: 34) one may have to experience and endure sufferings, pain, tortures, isolations, misunderstanding, persecutions and setbacks. This is the yoke and the heavy burden encountered on account of Jesus. But there is always joy in this suffering because it is an expression of our love for Jesus who loved us to the point of giving his life for us. Anything done in and out of love is a burden that is light and easy. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus invites these his people to come and rest in his love that is comforting and consoling.   

Jesus was a sign of contradiction to the upper class society. All good accomplished by him were undermined as violation of law. He was purposely underestimated in all his mighty works. But Jesus was unperturbed and went about doing good because he was gentle and humble. We will also be able to bear the burden on account of him and bear witness to his love, only if we are humble and gentle. Let us pray for this grace as we keep repeating this prayer throughout the day: “Gentle Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”

Bible Reflections I 13.07.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 10: 5-7, 13-16

          II - Mt. 11: 25 - 27 

                           

BECOME LITTLE CHILDREN OF JESUS

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus blesses the Father for revealing the salvation in Jesus to mere children. The children here refers to the sinners, tax collectors, the crowd, the women, the Samaritans and the ordinary people. These people were able to discover the Promised Messiah in Jesus because of their simplicity and humility of heart as that of little children. The learned and the clever viz. the Scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Chief Priests and the elders, in their pride and prejudice missed the Messiah in Jesus.  

Simplicity submits to the truth. Humility accepts the truth. Pride and prejudice obstacles the truth. We often tend to judge and condemn people because of our focus upon ourselves. Let go ‘ego’ in order to become humble, simple and pleasing children of God to appreciate and accept all things as they come. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to give up my ego in order to gain the truth”

Bible Reflections I 12.07.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 7: 1-9

          II - Mt. 11: 20 - 24 

                           

READ, RECOGNISE AND REVERE

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus denounces the cities that failed to repent even after witnessing most of his mighty works. The bible says that God scatters the proud hearted (Lk. 1: 51). On the roads of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum Jesus performed so many miracles and alas! In their proud of heart they never relented to repent. The ruins found today bears testimony to the words of Jesus. Had these miracles been done in the pagan cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, they would have turned from their wickedness and yielded to repentance.  

A grateful heart counts the blessings of God in almost all things while the proud heart takes everything for granted. In this light let us examine our lives. We know how God had been so gracious towards us even at our crucial moments still when the time comes requiring our faith and trust in him we fail like Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Read every moment of our lives, Recognise God’s mighty presence even in the very insignificant thing and Revere Him for His benevolence and mercy. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Jesus”.

Bible Reflections I 11.07.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 1: 10-17

          II - Mt. 10: 34 - 11:1 

                           

THREE R’S INVOLVED IN FOLLOWING THE LORD

According to the Gospel passage of the day, the three R’s involved in following the Lord are: Risk in following, Resoluteness in the following and Reward in the following. The risk in following is that we might have to conflict our own family members on account of the Gospel values; and become a foe to our own father and mother for whom we are so dear. We must be resolute in our following even at the cost of losing our parents in order to become worthy of Christ’s followers. But the reward to such following worth losing anything on this earth. Because the Gospel reading of the day says that even the one the offers a cup of cold water to the follower of Christ receives a righteous person’s reward and much more to the one who follows: a hundredfold here and eternal life in the next (Mk. 10: 30).

Following the Lord is a risk, a risk of losing everything and everyone on this earth. But dare to be resolute in the following because the reward is greater in heaven. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to stand for the Gospel values”.

Bible Reflections I 10.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Deu. 30: 10-14

          II - Col. 1: 15-20 

         III - Lk. 10: 25-37 

                           

LOVE GOD IN THE NEIGHBOUR 

In the first reading Moses exhorts the people to obey God in the observance of His commandments viz. to love the Lord God with the mind, heart, soul and strength. The people of Israel talked about the law when they sat home, talking while walking along the road, they were reminded when they sat down or got up, had them as symbols on their hands and bound them on their foreheads (Deu. 6: 8). Therefore as Moses says they need not go far off nor beyond the sea to hear his commands.  

Jesus is the Word made flesh and as St. Paul says in the second reading, Jesus is the image of the unseen God. Jesus the Son of God adds one more quoting from Leviticus, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev. 19:18), the crux of the Ten Commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbour and marks as methodology to inherit eternal life. Jesus in the Gospel passage of the day explains the lawyer about who is our neighbour. Our neighbour is the one in need of our help. Today we are prone to help only whom we know and do not want to risk ourselves helping others as did the Samaritan in the Gospel. We either concentrate more on clicking ‘selfies’ and making them viral or crave for creating publicity in extending our helping hand. Jesus today exhorts us to love God in our neighbours for inheriting eternal life.

Bible Reflections I 09.07.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Is. 6: 1-8 

          II - Mt. 10: 24-33 

                           

STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus equips the disciples with every detail of the consequences of following him. He predicts the possibilities of disheartening and desolate moments that they have to encounter. He also encourages them with his own life example of how he is being branded though he was the Son of God and was going about doing only good. Jesus highlights their preciousness, worth and assured protection of God saying: “even the hairs of your head are all numbers” and invites them to dare to be his followers in their words and deeds.

We are the followers of Jesus Christ our Lord. I know quite a number of Christians who endure the pain of branding, isolation, harassment, tortures and troubles because they are honest, truthful, loving, kind and upright; and shun from being carried away by the current. Yet, are joyful and convinced of values that they stand for. Take courage! The sufferings on account of Christ will merit serenity and peace in this life and an eternal joy and glory in the life to come. For those Christians who are prone to the flow of current let the Gospel passage inspire to reposition their life to align as per the Gospel requirement. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to stand for your values”.

Bible Reflections I 08.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 14: 1-9 

          II - Mt. 10: 16-23 

                           

THE GOSPEL IS A SIGN OF CONTRADICTION

There is always a steadfast strife between good and bad, virtue and vices, and light and darkness. One always trying to overpower the other. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus gives a terrible metaphor to portray the sufferings that a disciple has to undergo on account of proclaiming the Gospel message of freedom, fraternity and Justice amidst the world of selfishness, slavery and injustice: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves”. Jesus cautions the disciples about the challenges and the risks that they had to endure even from their family members on account of the apostolic endeavour. But Jesus encourages and enthuses them with the assurance of the presence of the Holy Spirit with them to assist and guide them. 

The Good News is the sign of contradiction for it says: to love the neighbour as oneself (Mt. 22:39), to love the enemies (Mt. 5: 44), to pray for those who persecute (5: 44), to be peace makers (Mt. 5:9)... The Christian living should reflect the selfless life of Christ that is incongruent and incompatible with the selfish driven world. Therefore credible Christian living inherits persecutions and sufferings for its followers. Stand sturdy for the Spirit of the Lord is with us to assist and guide us. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to follow you with a resolute mind and heart”

Bible Reflections I 07.07.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 11: 1-4, 8-9 

          II - Mt. 10: 7-15 

                           

THE PPT OF DISCIPLESHIP

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus speaks about the PPT of discipleship: Proclaiming the Good News, Performing miracles and Trusting in the Providence.  After choosing the disciples Jesus commissions them to go and proclaim that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  He gives them power to perform miracles: to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and to cast out demons. Jesus exhorts them for an utmost trust in the Providence than concentrating on even the basic requirements viz. bag, tunics, sandals or a staff.

Only those who trust in the Lord will be able to focus on God and his work than on themselves.  Don Bosco accommodated countless boys as they entered his oratory, Mother Theresa embraced so many destitute of Calcutta and the huge Christian Medical College was a humble beginning of Ida Scudder.  These disciples of Jesus placed their trust not on themselves but on God and through their lives proclaimed the Gospel effectively loud and clear.  If we trust in the Lord and abandon unto Him, our lives would become a powerful proclamation of the Gospel, making miracles in the lives of many.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in you”

Bible Reflections I 06.07.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12 

          II - Mt. 10: 1-7 

                           

CHOSEN WITH A COMMISSION

The Gospel according to St. Mark says, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him” (Mk. 3: 13). The disciples were purely of the choice of Jesus. These disciples might not have been the best choice to be counted for the ultimate core group but Jesus chooses these people. To the chosen twelve Jesus with the delegation of authority summons them to cast out unclean spirits, cure the disease and to heal the sick. But the appeared to be unworthy choice of disciples, after the resurrection of Jesus dared to proclaim about him even at the cost of their lives. 

We are specially chosen by Jesus through our Baptism with the commission to become the messengers of the Good News viz. love, peace and joy. Can we say that in our presence there is always love, peace and joy? Pray for the grace of God to help us become credible Christians and the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to become the effective messengers of the Good News”.

Bible Reflections I 05.07.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 8: 4-7, 11-13 

          II - Mt. 9: 32-38 

                           

FOCUS ON DOING GOOD

Today’s Gospel passage is about two types of reactions towards the healing of a demoniac who was also mute, The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel” but the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons”. Jesus was neutral to both the comments and was concerned about his mission and ministry. His focus was always in doing good to the people. He had great compassion on the crowds that was harassed and helpless and asked the people to pray to God for many more people to be sent to work for them.  

We are very particular at the remarks made at us. We do not wish to be negatively commented. We desire for positive and elating comments. Our focus often is on name, fame, popularity and publicity. Through this Gospel passage Jesus inspires us to seek reward from above and not from the people around us by fixing our focus on accomplishing all that God wants of us. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be focused on things from above”.

Bible Reflections I 04.07.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 2: 16-18, 21-22 

          II - Mt. 9: 18-26 

                           

FAITH AND POSITIVITY MAKE MIRACLE HAPPEN

Faith and positivity are intertwined. Where there is faith there will also be positivity and vice versa. Positivity and faith make miracles happen. In today’s Gospel passage, both the leader of the synagogue and the woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years had firm faith and were positively determined that the miracle would happen: “My daughter will live” and “I will be made well”. Miracle did happen. The girl was raised to life and the woman was made well. 

In the letter of St. James we read, “You must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the see, blown and tossed by the wind” (Jas. 1:6). When the prayers are not answered, examine the quality of belief that the request will be granted. In the silence of our hearts let us repeat the prayer of the man who brought the possessed boy to Jesus for healing as often as possible: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” (Mk. 9: 24)