Friday, December 16, 2022
Bible Reflections I 17.12.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA
Readings
I - Gen. 49: 2, 8-10
II - Mat. 1: 1-17
COME LORD JESUS
Today’s Gospel passage is on the genealogy of Jesus. It is the list of forty two generations: from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generation. St. Matthew was a Jew and his Gospel is typically Jewish nature. Matthew has projected Jesus as the Promised One and the fulfillment all prophesies. The genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph evince the historicity and the prophetic lineage of Jesus. “God keeps every promise He makes” (Prov. 30:5). The genealogy consists of weak and imperfect beings still Jesus, the perfect one as promised by God is given in the lineage, a perfect solidarity with the sinful world for the salvation of the same. Sin, slavery and weakness of men nothing is an obstacle to God in fulfilling his promise for God can write straight with crooked lines.
The genealogy of Jesus is a consolation and it affirms our trust and faith in the Lord. We might be weak beings with all failings but we are the precious children of God and God will definitely accomplish all that He has planned for us. Do not fear but approach the Lord with sincerity of heart, in absolute surrender and with tremendous trust because He knows our weakness and efforts. Cheer up! God cares for us. God writes straight with crooked lines.
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Bible Reflections I 16.12.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Is. 56: 1-3, 6-8
II - Jn. 5: 33-36
BE A WITNESS TO THE TRUTH
John the Baptist, through his life, teaching, preaching and earnestly preparing the way of the Lord, was a testimony to the truth: Jesus Christ. Some rejoiced in his truth while others willfully rejected the truth and beheaded him finally. Jesus, the light of the world, through his life, teaching, preaching and healing, was a testimony to the truth: the Heavenly Father. Common people joyously accepted him while the authorities deliberately rejected him and crucified him on the cross. Both Jesus and John the Baptist bore witness to the truth, the former to the Father and the latter to the Son; and both were rejected.
Truth always hurts. Truth is always an obstacle and hindrance to the people who rejoice living in the darkness. We Christians are people of the light called to witness to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. We might be contradicted, afflicted, oppressed and rejected, still, it’s our prime duty to witness to the truth. Strive for truth wherever you are and shine bright as the Children of the light. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to bear witness to the truth.”
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Bible Reflections I 15.12.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Is. 54: 1-10
II - Lk. 7: 24-30
YOUR KINGDOM COME LORD
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. And yet, 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. The one who strives for and enters the Kingdom of God is 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”.
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Bible Reflections I 14.12.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Is. 45: 6-8, 21-25
II - Lk. 7: 19-23
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS (Memorial)
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). So that from this life of Jesus, as fulfillment of the prophecies, John the Baptist can understand that Jesus was the Messiah for whom the people of Israel for generations waited in hope.
Today the Church remembers St. John of the Cross, a mystic and the doctor of the Church. With great effort, courage and dynamism, he revived and reformed the Carmelite way of life unto the ways of religious living. He had to face suffering and oppositions from his own fellow priests on this accord. He pursued bravely in all his efforts because he wanted the religious communities to witness to the love of Jesus Christ. May this saint help us to become credible witnesses of Christ in our day to day living.
Monday, December 12, 2022
Bible Reflections I 13.12.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Zep. 3: 1-2, 9-13
II - Mt. 21: 28-32
SAINT LUCY
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 at the first instance but then 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 of Israel: 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, preparing ourselves to behold the Lord as He comes. Prepare in repentance and conversion. With the grace try to remove all that is not of God: ideologies, belief, hatred, enmity, exploitation, revenge and underestimating people; and put on the values of Christ: love, brotherhood, joy, happiness, care for the earth, appreciate the good, admonish in love and accept everyone as they are for the sake of Christ our Lord. Reflect and redefine your living unto the ways of God - this is Christian living. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus help me to be an authentic Christian”.
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Bible Reflections I 12.12.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Num. 24: 2-7, 15-17
II - Mt. 21: 23-27
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF GUADALUPE
Today the Church remembers and honours the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. She is the patron saint of Mexico and the patroness of the Americans. The feast commemorates the apparition of Mother Mary to Saint Juan Diego whose feast we celebrated last week. The Blessed Virgin appeared to Juan Diego in the hills of Tepeyach in 1531 and asked him to tell the bishop to build a church for her atop Tepeyach hill. The Bishop demanded a sign before he could approve for the construction of the Church. Mother Mary appeared to Juan Diego and told him to collect the roses that was rare during that season. He gathered the roses in his cloak and went with a sign, to the Bishop, the second time. When Juan Diego opened his cloak before the Bishop, roses fell to the floor revealing the image of Mother Mary imprinted on his cloak. The image is still there displayed and venerated in the Basilica of Guadalupe. St. John Paul II declared the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe the patroness of the Americans.
To Juan Diego, Mother Mary promised of her protection, love, assistance, help and support. The Blessed Virgin had also said to Juan Diego, “Listen and understand, my little son, let nothing frighten and afflict you or trouble your heart. Am I not here, I, who am your mother?” Let the words of the Blessed Virgin resound in the minds and hearts when we are troubled, discouraged, depressed and disheartened. Do we not have a mother who is gentle, understanding and all loving? May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, Pray for us.”
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Bible Reflections I 11.12.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Is. 35: 1-6, 10
II - Jas. 5: 7-10
III - Mt. 11: 2-11
REJOICE THE LORD IS NEAR
The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. It expresses the joy of anticipation at the imminent approach of the Christmas celebration. In the first reading prophet Isaiah foretells about the joyous days of the Messiah. The prophet encourages the faint hearted to be hopeful and fearless because with the Messiah comes the salvation: the restoration of Israel. In the second reading, St. Paul exhorts the Christians to be patient and enduring by proposing the model of prophets who suffered on account of the proclamation of the Word of God. He asks them to be patient like the farmer who waits for the precious fruits of the earth because with the Lord remains our reward. In the Gospel passage, John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus for the confirmation about the Messiah. Jesus says nothing but quotes Prophet Isaiah’s prophecy and makes them witnesses of the same. In the second part of the Gospel Jesus praises John the Baptist because he was intent in preparing the way of the Lord with great courage and boldness that inherited him death.
Advent is a grace filled time given by the Church to amend our ways, to align our lives unto the ways of the Lord. Do be discouraged at all that is happening around, be intent and focused like John the Baptist in preparing ourselves and helping others as well for the second coming of the Lord. Do not lose patient in practicing the Gospel values because, with the Lord will come our reward to, the joy of being with him forever in Heaven. May our mind and heart resonate with the Prayer: “Come Lord Jesus, come.”
Friday, December 9, 2022
Bible Reflections I 10.12.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Sir. 48: 1-4, 9-11
II - Mt. 17: 10-13
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF LORETO
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto, with the decree of Pope Francis in 2019, that this feast be celebrated every year on December 10, the day on which there is a feast in Loreto. Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto is the patron of pilots, airmen and flight attendants as declared by Emeritus Pope Benedict XV on March 24, 1920. She is also a heavenly patroness of those who travel by plane. This title of Blessed Virgin Mary is attributed based on a house. Tradition tells that a small house in Loreto, Italy originated in Nazareth, the actual home of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is composed of mortar and stones found in Palestine in a style consistent of the time of Jesus. It is considered to be the home of St. Joachim and St. Anne, the parents of mother Mary. It was here that the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary occurred; it was here that annunciation took place and it was here that holy family lived after their return from Egypt.
Since the time of the apostles this house was in Nazareth and was a place of pilgrimage and worship. In the third century Constantine built a basilica around the Holy House to protect and safeguard the same. This basilica was destroyed by the Saracens in the eleventh century but the Holy House in it remained untouched. The basilica was rebuilt in the twelfth century. This basilica was destroyed by the Muslims during the crusades but again the Holy House remained unharmed. When the Christians were driven completely out of the Holy Land in the thirteen century, the Holy House disappeared from Nazareth and appeared in modern day Croatia (Southeast Europe). It is said that the Holy House was transported there by the angels. The house was again moved by the angels on December 10, 1294 because of the Muslim invasion of Albania. The Holy House first landed in Recanti, Italy and afterwards moved to its present location in Loreto, Italy. The celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto invites all families, priests, religious and everyone to imitate the Mary, the perfect disciple of the Gospel. Modelled after Mother Mary, may we become humble disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ as we invoke our Blessed Mother praying: “Blessed Virgin of Loreto, Pray for us.”
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Bible Reflections I 09.12.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I
Readings
I - Is. 48: 17-19
II - Mt. 11: 16-19
LISTEN AND LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD
Acceptance and rejection are the two possible reactions to any teaching, preaching or living. John the Baptist was austere, 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, he was 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. Want 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”
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