Bible Reflections I 08.12.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Gen. 3: 9-15, 20 

          II - Eph. 1: 3-6, 11-12

         III - Lk. 1: 26-38

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Solemnity)

                  

God chose Mary for the great purpose of the fulfillment of the His promise, the salvation of the world from the clutches of the sin caused by the deliberate disobedience of Adam and Eve. He gave them a promise for the restoration of the original peace, joy and harmony that existed; and thereby making us once again holy and blameless children of God: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head and you will strike his heel”. As a fulfilment of the promise, Mary was predestined to be immaculate, worthy of beholding the Son of God.

The single takeaway that can be drawn from the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the three readings of the day is: Obedience - Submission and surrender to the will of God. Obedience has the power to make us holy and blameless before God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and incurring sin and death upon themselves The New Eve, Blessed Virgin Mary through her obedience and submission to the will of God: “Behold the hand maid of the Lord…”brought forth the New Adam and along with him, the salvation and the new world order of freedom, fraternity and justice.  

We are the children of our Blessed Mother. She is our model and guide. May this her feast inspire us to imitate this dazzling trait of our Blessed Mother: the Obedience, to behold the Lord with a blameless heart, surrendering ourselves unto His will. Do not be carried away by the jazzy lifestyle of the false world around, like Eve of the Garden of Eden but conquer courageously like our Mother Mary, the New Eve in obedience and submission to the will of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Mother Mary ever virgin, help me to save my soul”.

Bible Reflections I 07.12.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 40: 25-31 

          II - Mt. 11: 28-30

INSPIRE EVERYONE WITH YOUR LIFE

                  

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 the Gospel, only if we are humble and gentle. Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Ambrose who was responsible for the conversion of St. Augustine. He was a bishop and is the doctor of the Church. In the effecting living and preaching of St. Ambrose the Church got St. Augustin, the great theologian, defender of faith and above all source of hope and inspiration. Let our life become a source of inspiration and preaching to whomever we come in contact with.

Bible Reflections I 06.12.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 40: 1-11 

          II - Mt. 18: 12-14

JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD

                  

“It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost” is the concern, care and mindfulness of the Good Shepherd towards his sheep. Leaving ninety nine on the mountain and going in search of the lost one do not mean that the ninety nine are less important to him. Every sheep in the ninety nine matters to the shepherd individually and personally; they are secure in his care and therefore he goes in search of the one that is lost. Every one of the sheep is precious to him and he is willing to give up his life to save even the one that is lost in wandering in order to bring it back safe to the sheepfold where they are free and secure.

As sheep belonging to the Sheepfold of Christ we have a triple responsibility: One, to remain in the sheepfold; two, if wandering away from Christ, adhere to his voice and get back to the sheepfold; and three, with Christ gather the sheep into the sheepfold through our words, deed, gestures and in short, through our exemplary living. Today the church celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas, 4th century bishop of Myra, from whom was derived the inspiration for the Santa Claus. The saint is known for his charity and generosity. He sold all his possessions and gave the money to the poor and the less privileged. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Greece and Russia; also of the soldiers and children. The saint who cared for the less fortunate inspire us to be generous towards the sick and weak sheep of the sheepfold. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Nicholas, Pray for us.

Bible Reflections I 05.12.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 35: 1-10 

          II - Lk. 5: 17-26

THE WORD OF GOD HEALS

                  

The Gospel passage of the day is about the healing of the paralytic. To the rebellious and stubborn Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, who criticised Jesus for saying that his sins were forgiven, Jesus asked, “Which is easier, to say, ‘your sins are forgiven or stand up and walk”. The word of God is powerful. The word of God can heal, forgive, console and work miracles. At the command of Jesus, the sins of the paralytic were forgiven, he was healed - stood up and walked and thereafter went glorifying God.  

In today’s Gospel we read, “…the power of the Lord was with him to heal”. Consider this season of advent, as an opportunity to approach the Lord with all infirmities and weakness but with the faith that the Lord can liberate from all bondage: sufferings, sickness, crisis, addictions, inabilities and from all that discourage and weigh us down. He is our compassionate and merciful healer. He would definitely heal us, set us free and fill us with peace. Pray also for our suffering brethren in sickness, sin, pain and sorrow. Like those four men, intercede for them to the Lord for mercy and healing to them. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, bless everyone in the world”.

Bible Reflections I 04.12.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Sunday: Week 2

Readings 

           I - Is. 11: 1-10

          II - Rom. 15: 4-9 

         III - Mt. 3: 1-12

              

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

                  

The theme for the second week of the advent is ‘peace’. In the first reading Prophet Isaiah ushers peace and harmony in the coming of the Promised One. The original order of harmony that existed in the creation. In the second reading St. Paul exhorts to strive for harmony among the Christians in Jesus Christ who humbled himself to become all for all. In the Gospel passage John the Baptist preaches vehemently on the coming of the Son of Man. He exhorts the people of Jerusalem and Judea to return to the Lord in repentance so that they can be found ready at his coming. He encourages to bear fruit worthy of repentance and conversion because at the coming of the Son of God, the good people will be gathered like wheat in barn and the wicked like the chaff will be gathered and thrown into the fire.

Advent is the grace filled time given by the Church to prepare ourselves for the second coming of the Lord. Give up old ways that deviate from the Gospel living. Make efforts with the grace of God to witness to Christ in our living otherwise we would be found helpless at the coming of the Lord, when he comes in all his glory. Repent and return to the Lord whose coming is approaching. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Come Lord Jesus”.

புனித பிரான்சிஸ் சவேரியார் I ST. FRANCIS XAVIER I 03.12.2022 - SATURDAY ...

Bible Reflections I 03.12.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week 1

Readings 

           I - Jer. 1: 4-9

          II - 2 Cor. 4: 7-15 

         III - Lk. 10: 1-16

                

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER (Solemnity for India)

                  

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis Xavier, a legendary missionary from Spain. He was an ardent follower of Christ and a daring missionary with great zeal and commitment for the proclamation of the Gospel. Francis Xavier, in his younger days had various ambitions and plans for his future. Disturbed by the Word of God, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” (Mt. 16:26), Francis Xavier, gave away all his dreams and desires; and determined to follow Christ leaving his country and people behind. He dared to be a missionary to set the light of Christ thereby infusing hope and faith in the Lord Jesus. He preached along the coastal areas of Goa, various parts of South India, Malaya and Japan and turned many hearts towards Christ. 

Today’s Gospel passage is about the extension of the mission of Jesus entrusted to seventy two summoning them with authority to preach, proclaim, heal and cure as the sign of the Kingdom of God amidst them as was done by Jesus himself. In order to be focused and not to give much importance to material things and relationship, Jesus conditions them not to take the money bag, knapsack, sandals and never to greet anyone on the road. Jesus wished that this ministry be carried on and on until the Kingdom of God is established with utmost focus and determination. St. Francis Xavier whose feast we celebrate today is a typical model of Christian Discipleship. May the saint intercede for us that we may become effective heralds of hope, wherever we are. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Francis Xavier, Pray for us”.

ST. BIBIANA I புனித பிபியானாI 02.12.2022 - FRIDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DO...

Bible Reflections I 02.12.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 29: 17-24 

          II - Mt. 9: 27-32

                

FAITH WORKS WONDERS

                  

The one requisite for all miracles in life is ‘faith’ is the crux of the Gospel passage today. Faith that God can heal, cure and change with the conviction that for God all things are possible. The faith of the two blind men that Jesus can heal obtain a miracle for them. The two blind men approached Jesus with hope, were healed in faith in the power of Jesus and thereafter they became the messengers of miracle throughout that district.  

Through the Gospel passage of the day we are invited to reflect on our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we approach the Lord with our pleas and petitions introspect on the level of faith that we possess. We can hear people saying that God has failed their faith. Faith is not only receiving what we ask for but also accepting the failure with the conviction that God would do only that what is good for us because he loves us. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in you”.

நீங்கள் அறிவாளிகளா? ...I 01.12.2022 - THURSDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOSS S...

Bible Reflections I 01.12.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week: 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 26: 1-6 

          II - Mt. 7: 21, 24-27

                

LISTEN AND LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD

                  

We have heard and witnessed disasters due to the torrential rains followed by floods. So many magnificent, trending and lofty buildings being carried and washed away in the waters because of the poor and weak foundations that were unable to withstand the current of the fast flowing floods. Jesus uses this very practical metaphor to explain about the mere hearers and the active doers of the Word of God. The active doers of the Word of God stand steadfast even if baffled and battered up by trials, temptations and misfortunes while mere listeners of the Word are washed away by the trifles of the world giving up their faith and trust in the Lord. 

Listening to the Word of God in faith and accomplishing the same with an utmost trust position life on God, the everlasting rock. These doers of the Word would hold fast to their faith, abounding in hope and would be ablaze with charity inheriting eternal life when the Son of Man comes in glory to visit them. The mere listeners would stumble and fall with even small stifle. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, strengthen my faith”

SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE I 30.11. 2022 - WEDNESDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOS...

Bible Reflections I 30.11.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week: 1

Readings 

           I - Rom. 10: 9 -18 

          II - Mt. 4: 18-22

                

FEAST OF ST. ANDREW, THE APOSTLE

                  

The Lord calls whomever he wants (Mk. 3:13): the fisherman, the tax collector, the zealot, the learned or the persecutor.  Jesus calls to be his disciples in order to be with him and to be sent out on a mission (Mk. 3:14).  The mission precisely is to preach the Good News and to build up the Kingdom of God.  To be the messengers of love, peace and joy for the purpose of establishing a subservient social order, an egalitarian society where freedom, fraternity and justice reign.  The adherence and commitment to the call of God requires faith and courage.  Faith in the one who calls will accompany all through the life journey and the courage to endure and face all suffering, persecution, defamation, false accusation and finally death on this accord.   

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter (Jn. 1:40) and the apostle of Jesus.  His commitment to the call of Jesus was instantaneous that evince his faith in the great Rabbi and the Messiah, Jesus.  He travelled around Asia Minor and Black Sea preaching the Good news with great courage and conviction.  When he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, he felt that he was unworthy to be crucified like his master Jesus Christ and hence asked to be crucified on a diagonal cross. This is why the Scottish flag have a diagonal cross as St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.  Christ has called each one of us to be his followers through our baptism to partake in the priestly, kingly and prophetic mission of the Church.  We need not accomplish great things but make the principles of Christ our way of living in the day-to-day context making our ordinary living an extraordinary one as set out by Jesus our Master and Model. May St. Andrew, the apostle, strengthen our faith and help us to courageously commit ourselves to the mission of being the messengers of the Good News through our exemplary living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Andrew, the apostle of Christ, Pray for us”.

Bible Reflections I 29.11.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week: 1

Readings: I - Is. 11: 1-10

                 II - Lk. 10: 21-24

BE OPEN TO THE TRUTH

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. 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 the Law of Moses. But they failed to recognise the Promised One in Jesus in their pride and stubbornness of heart. Women and infants were considered as ‘nobody’ at all. Infant in the Gospel reading today, means ‘nobody’. These ‘nobody’ - the sinners, tax collectors, women, children, the poor, the disabled, the prostitutes, the gentiles and the Samaritans in their openness, simplicity and humility of heart accepted Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus glorifies and thanks the Father for His goodness, mercy and magnanimity in choosing these ‘nobody’ to reveal Jesus His Son as their Messiah which is the gracious will of the Father. 

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, contradicts, questions, conflicts and disturbs. Only those people who are open to the truth with the simplicity and humility of heart can be drawn to recognise the Lord as he comes to visit us. During this season of Advent let us yield ourselves unto to the truth as it comes.

அதிகாரமும், பொறுப்பும் பணிவிடை ..I 28.11.2022 - MONDAY I REV. FR. AROKI...

Bible Reflections I 28.11.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent Week 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 4: 2-6 

          II - Mt. 8: 5-11

            

APPROACH THE LORD WITH HUMILITY & FAITH

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is about the healing of the centurion’s servant. Centurion was man in authority, a commander over hundred army men. He was a gentile and from the Gospel we can also conclude that he was a compassionate fellow and may be this is why he pleaded for the healing of this servant. Jesus consents to go with him to his house to heal his servant. But the centurion convinced of the authority of Jesus, asks him to command than coming in person to heal him. This act evinces the faith of the centurion. Besides this he also humbles himself before the Lord, calling himself ‘unworthy’ and this exhibits his humility. The faith and the humility of the centurion brings healing to servant besides gaining the appreciation of Jesus, the Rabbi Par excellence as well.

The two take aways of the Gospel passage of the day is: faith and humility. Faith that God can and will do for us but always aspiring to align ourselves unto his will. Because God gives only all that is best for us. In the letter of St. James we read, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (Jas. 4: 10). God is mighty and we are insignificant before him, we are his creatures. Submit to the might and power of the Lord with faith that God can do it and in humility to experience his benevolence and love.

I ADVENT WEEK ONE I 27.11.2022 - SUNDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DOSS SDB I IND...

Bible Reflections I 27.11.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 2: 1-5 

          II - Rom. 13: 11-14

         III - Mt. 24: 37-44

                

WATCHING IN PRAYER; WAITING IN HOPE

                  

We are stepping into a new liturgical season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word ‘Adventus’ meaning ‘coming’. Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah - the Christmas. It is also a reminder that we be ready to behold the Son of Man as he comes with power and great gory during his second coming. Advent alerts people of God to keep themselves prepared watching and waiting. Watching in prayer so that, as the second reading says, we may appear blameless before God at the coming of Christ our Lord. Waiting in hope that as the first reading says, the Lord of righteousness will cause peace, justice and righteousness flourish in our land thereby establishing His Kingdom where freedom, fraternity and justice reign.  

During this season of Advent, watch in prayer and wait in hope to behold the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9: 6). As we during this grace filled season of Advent prepare ourselves recalling the first Christmas at Bethlehem, focus too on the preparation for his second coming when he will come to visit and take us by hand to that everlasting Kingdom of love, peace, joy, hope and happiness that reign forever. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Come Lord Jesus Come”.

விழிப்பாயிருந்து மன்றாடுங்கள் I 26.11.2022 - SATURDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA ...

நிலை வாழ்வை தரும் இறைவார்த்தை I 25.11.2022 - FRIDAY I REV. FR. AROKIA DO...