Bible Reflections I 24.12.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - 2 Sam. 7: 1-5, 8-12, 14, 16

          II - Lk. 1: 67-79 

        

                  

Today’s Gospel passage is about the Song of Zachariah. Zachariah praises God for his marvelous works especially in keeping His promise of Salvation in the Messiah and for gift of John the Baptist his son. Zachariah predicts the praises God and rightly predicts the plan of God for his son that he would be the preparer of the way of the Lord. Zachariah rightly discerns the mission of his son and the plan of God for him because he was righteous and a devout Jew.

Children are gift of God to the parents with the responsibility to bring them up according to the plan of God for them. This is possible only to the parents who live by the will of God in prayer and discernment. The song is an invitation and a challenge to the parents to bring their children up as per the plan of God for them and an advice to the children to obey their parents who wish their good. As we are about to behold the birth of Messiah, let us intensify our prayers for parents and children that they may seek and accomplish the will of God all times in their lives.

Bible Reflections I 23.12.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - Mal. 3: 1-4; 4: 5-6

          II - Lk. 1: 57-66 

BE A BLESSING 

        

Today’s Gospel passage is about the birth of John the Baptist that brought about joy and hope to all around him. Elizabeth was filled with joy because the Lord had been gracious to her blessing her with the motherhood. The neighbours and relatives rejoiced over the mercy of God in the birth of John. Zachariah was would had been extremely happy because of the gift of the child primarily and secondly, he regained his power of speech on naming the Child. The whole ambient was filled with joy at the birth of John the Baptist.

Christians are supposed to be joyful people of God because we are victorious in Christ Jesus. In our mere presence the ambiance must be filled with joy, peace and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Gospel passage help us to introspect our lives about our presence amidst people with who we live so as to make our presence a qualitative one bearing witness to the joy of the Lord.

Bible Reflections I 22.12.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - 1 Sam. 1: 24-28

          II - Lk. 1: 46-56 

        

GRATITUDE IS AN ATTITUDE

                  

Gratitude is an emotion expressed in various ways. In today’s Gospel passage Mary filled with joy and gratitude, magnifies the mighty hand and the marvelous deeds of God in her song of praise. Mary praises God not only for what He had done in her life but also exalts the quality of God that thwarts the powerful, the proud, the greedy and the wicked; and favours the humble, the poor, the insignificant and the simple.  

Gratitude is an attitude. We cannot be grateful at one time and not so grateful at the other. A grateful person appreciates even the most insignificant good that is done to them. To some people, even the greatest favour rendered would mean insignificant and nothing to them. The proud cannot appreciate but the simple and the humble appreciate with gratefulness. We are in the season of Advent, closer to the celebration of Christmas that projects the great love of God for the mankind: God becoming a man like one us. Take sometime today to appreciate God and people around us who care for our wellbeing.

Bible Reflections I 21.12.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - Song of Solomon 2: 8-14

          II - Lk. 1: 39-45 

        

MAKE YOUR VISIT A BLESSING

                  

The Gospel passage of the day is the meeting of the two women: one, the mother of the Proclaimer of Salvation and two, the mother of the Promised One of Salvation. The visitation is the merging moment of the Old and the New Testaments. Mary hastens to help her cousin and Elizabeth receives the Mother of the Lord with great honour. Filled with grace and Holy Spirit, one identifies the role of the other, marvels at the magnificent work of the Lord.  

The visit of our Blessed Mother becomes a blessing to Elizabeth. We are close to the celebration of Christmas, the message of love from the Father in Heave. Already people have started celebrating Christmas and began their visits of wishing and greeting. If we are filled with the good news of Christ, our visit and wishing will automatically fill the other with joy and peace, the ultimate message of the birth of Jesus. Be filled with Christ to share Christ during this season of Christmas as we are about to behold Christ the Lord.

Bible Reflections I 20.12.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - Is. 7: 10-14

          II - Lk. 1: 26-38 

        

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

                  

The Gospel passage of the day is on the ‘Angelus’. Every day we pray the angelus three times contemplating the incarnation of the Son of God, we recite and remember at least fifty three times the greetings of the angel Gabriel to Mother Mary while praying the Rosary and we contemplate the incarnation of the Son of God in every Joyful mystery. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Church is everyday somehow compelled recall the incident of God becoming man. This is precisely because the mystery of incarnation is profound and vital in the history of salvation.

In a day we are called to recall the incident of incarnation at least sixty times because in the incarnation lies our redemption and the profound love of God for the humankind. He did not let us die in sin but came to dwell among us to restore our image as children of God. As we are in season of Advent, getting ready to behold this great mystery, pray the prayers consciously and in contemplation, to behold the Lord as he comes.

ஆண்டவரின் வாக்குத்தத்தங்கள் நேரியவை I 19.12.2022 - MONDAY I REV FR. AR...

Bible Reflections I 19.12.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - Judges. 13: 2-7, 24-25

          II - Lk. 1: 5-25 

        

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES

                  

The readings of the day exemplifies that God is faithful to all his promises. The first reading is about the annunciation of the birth of Samson and the Gospel reading, about the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah, and the Promised One of God. Both the mothers were unable to bear a child and to them God promises for a child, dedicated to the work of God: Liberating Israel from the Philistines was the mission of Samson and preparing the way of the Liberator was the mission of John the Baptist. Both these children were from the mothers who were unable to bear children. In keeping his promise God can do all things that are impossible. Both the mothers trusted in the promises of God and it was done to them.  

The mothers of faith are examples of faith and trust in God. In today’s scenario, people are prone either to give up their faith or to put their trust on someone and something that is not God. In placing the trust not on God leads to depression, fear, anxiety, dejection and despair, sometimes even resulting to ending up lives physically or spiritually or both. Trust in God and be victorious in everything for God is true to all His promises. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to place my trust in you.”

நம்பிக்கையின் ஞாயிறு I 18.12.2022 - SUNDAY I REV FR. AROKIA DOSS SDB I...

Bible Reflections I 18.12.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 4

Readings 

           I - Is. 7: 10-14

          II - Rom. 1: 1-7 

         III - Mat. 1: 18-24

                  

The first chapter in the classic work of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “Life of Christ” is entitled as ‘The Only Person Ever Pre Announced’. All the three readings of the day is an affirmation to the same. In the first reading Prophet Isaiah foretells about the birth of the Immanuel, God with us. In the second reading St. Paul writes to the Romans that Jesus is the promised messiah as foretold by prophets in the Holy Scriptures. In the Gospel passage Matthew reminds us of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah in Jesus, the Immanuel, God with us. We are in the last week of the Advent that invites us to reflect on the theme: Love. All actions after love merits both the giver and the receiver.

Obedience in love works wonders. Jesus, the Son of God consented to obey His Father out of his love for Him and for the humankind and therewith came the salvation to the world. May obeyed in faith and love that brought forth the Promised One to the world. Joseph was a righteous man and in his love for the Lord and obedience was privileged to father God’s Son. As we are in the final week of the Advent, determine to obey in love as a preparation for Christmas, the coming of the Messiah.

வாரும் இயேசுவே வாரும்... I 17.12.2022 - SATURDAY I REV FR. AROKIA DOSS ...

Bible Reflections I 17.12.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA

Advent: Week 3

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.

நான் வழங்கும் விடுதலை அண்மையில் உள்ளது I 16.12.2022 - FRIDAY I REV FR....

Bible Reflections I 16.12.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 3

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.”

எளிய இதயங்களில் வாரும் இயேசுவே I 15.12.2022 - THURSDAY I REV FR. AROKIA...

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS I 14.12.2022 - WEDNESDAY I REV FR. AROKIA DOSS ...

Bible Reflections I 15.12.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 3

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”.

Bible Reflections I 14.12.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 3

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.

புனித லூசியா I ST. LUCY I 13.12.2022 - TUESDAY I REV FR. AROKIA DOSS SD...

Bible Reflections I 13.12.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 3

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”.

Bible Reflections I 12.12.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Advent: Week 3

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.”