Bible Reflections I 2105.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 7

Readings 

           I - Acts 1: 1-11

          II - Eph. 1: 17-23

         III - Mt. 28: 16-20

 ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Today the Church solemnises the ascension of the Lord that assures us of our hope in the resurrection and the life eternal. The streamline of the three readings of the day is about the promise of the Father: the Holy Spirit.  The first reading says that the Holy Spirit will come upon the disciples and make them witnesses beginning from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.  In the second reading, St. Paul says that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom would enlighten our hearts in the hope that we are sharers in the glory of Christ and the glorious inheritance among the saints through faith in Jesus Christ.  Through our witnessing life as Jesus says in the Gospel passage we are called to make everyone the disciples of Jesus through our words, deed and very life itself.

The feast of the ascension of Jesus is celebrated as World Communication Day, established by Pope Paul VI in the year 1967.  This was solely to encourage the Church to use the means of social communication for the proclamation of the Gospel message.  Thank God for the availability of channels and all other social networks that constantly keep taking the message of Christ to the world.  Let us also on this day allow ourselves to be enamored, enriched and empowered by the Holy Spirit so that our life itself becomes a medium of communication in the proclamation of the Gospel message: Jesus Christ.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill me with your Spirit so that I become an effective messenger of the Good News”

Bible Reflections I 20.05.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 18: 23-28

          II - Jn. 16: 23-28

JESUS IS THE LORD

The first reading of the day is about a Jew named Apollos, native of Alexandria. He spoke boldly in the synagogue and powerfully refuted the Jews showing by the Scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus. He spoke with great conviction and burning enthusiasm though he knew only about the baptism of John. Many were convinced with the preaching of Apollos and accepted Christ as the Messiah.

 

Personal conviction leads to public proclamation. We are Christians baptised with the conviction that Jesus is the Lord. This conviction should be evinced by our commitment to proclaim Christ through our witnessing life for action speaks louder than words. Proclaim Christ not merely through words but by credible Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to proclaim you to others more by our credible living”

Bible Reflections I 19.05.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 18: 9-18

          II - Jn. 16: 20-23

YOUR SORROW WILL TURN INTO JOY

“Your sorrow will turn into joy” is the crux of the Gospel passage of the day. With the birth of the child the pangs of the mother is gone. She forgets the anguish in the joy of bringing forth a life into this world. Sufferings endured for a cause are forgotten with the achievement of that cause. In the letter to the Hebrews we read, “Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him, scorning its shame” (Heb. 12: 12). Jesus endured suffering and shame for the sake of our salvation. St. Paul in his letter to Timothy says, “I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2: 10).   

To acquire a place in the Kingdom of God we have to align our lives unto the life and teachings of the Lord. In aligning our lives unto the ways of Christ we become aliens to the values of the world and we have to but endure suffering. Jesus promises, “Your sorrow will turn into joy”. Therefore let us dare to love not hate, forgive in the place of revenge, be selfless amidst the selfish world, choose to be humble instead of being proud and arrogant, share instead of accumulating and be considerate in all things, with all persons and at all times in imitating Christ our model. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank you for your encouraging promises”.

Bible Reflections I 17.03.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Readings 

           I - Acts 18: 1-8

          II - Jn. 16: 16-20

 BE AN EFFECTIVE MESSENGERS OF GOD

John the evangelist says, “He came to His own and those who were His own did not receive Him” (Jn. 1: 11). In the first reading, Paul, at Corinth proclaimed the Word of God and testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. In their stubbornness of heart they opposed and reviled him. Therefore he left them and went to the Gentiles at Corinth. Many believed and got baptised. 

St. Paul inspire us to bear witness to Christ through our credible Christian living. He preached from and through their life. In the light of his lives let us examine our word and deeds to find out if they bore witness to the Jesus we believe and proclaim. St. Paul lived what he preached. If we were to be like him, we can inspire and turn many people towards God. Let us not be stubborn like the Jews of Corinth but be open to the truth around us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be your powerful messenger in my words and actions”.

Bible Reflections I 17.05.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 17: 15, 22-18: 1

          II - Jn. 16: 12-15

                  

BE LED BY THE SPIRIT

St. Paul was a vehement preacher, convinced Christian, passionate apostle and an ardent missionary. He toiled hard to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. He grabbed every opportunity to preach and announce the Good News. In today’s first reading, we read how Paul introduced Christ to the people of Athens. When Paul saw the altar with an inscription, “To the unknown God”, he convinced them that ‘the unknown God’ was Christ Jesus, the Lord and in him we live and move and have our being, and insisted them on repentance and conversion.  

In the light of the reading let us examine our lives. Though we have ample opportunities to proclaim Christ, we often fail to do so for various reasons. Take some quite moments today to examine why we are hesitant in proclaiming Christ to others. ‘Action speak louder than words’ - It would be more effective if we proclaim Christ through our credible Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be your authentic apostle”

Bible Reflections I 16.05.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 16: 22-34

          II - Jn. 16: 5-11

                  

ALLOW TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is God, the Sanctifier and His work is to make us all holy. It is for this reason that he convicts on: sin, righteousness and judgment; concerning God’s love, God’s truth and conviction to stand before the judgment of God. They are simple and interrelated.  

When we become aware of God’s love we become aware of our sinfulness leading to repentance and conversion to stand by the truth of God. This will lead us to face the judgment of God that is truth. Surrender to the Holy Spirit, turn away from sinfulness, tread on the way of the Lord and face the judgment of the Lord with courage and conviction.

Bible Reflections I 15.05.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 16: 11-15

          II - Jn. 15: 26 - 16: 4

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR HELPER

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus alerts us of the persecution and suffering we have to endure on account of him. Killing the people of God as ‘Service to God’ existed even before Christ, with Christ and that will follow even after Christ. We need not worry or despair because he would not leave us orphans but would give us a helper, the Holy Spirit who will lead us to the truth and help us bear witness to the same.  

Do not be panicked place all your trust in the great promise of the Lord: the Holy Spirit, the advocate, guide, counsellor and helper close at hand. He will fill us with his courage and help us bear witness to the life and teaching of the Christ through our lives. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit”.

Bible Reflections I 14.05.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 6

Readings 

           I - Acts 8: 3-8, 14-17

          II - I Pt. 3: 15-18

         III - Jh. 14: 15-21

         

GOD IS OUR FATHER

Today’s Gospel passage is a prelude to the ascension of the Lord we are about to celebrate in a week’s time. He assures the disciples of a place with him in the Father’s place. Meanwhile he insists that we keep his commandments until he comes again in glory to take us all back. Jesus also promises for a helper, the Holy Spirit who will guide us in this pursuit. Jesus has not abandoned us with his ascension but has given us the Holy Spirit in his place to accompany us in our journey towards him.

God plans so meticulously for us as a Father to his children. He knows are strength, weakness, ups, downs, abilities and potentials. If our vision and ambition align with his plan for us he would definitely bring it to perfection. When we fail in our pursuit, trust God more and when we succeed thank God more because we are His children. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Father, help us to trust you at all times”.

Bible Reflections I 13.05.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 22-31

          II - Jh. 15: 12-17

         FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATHIMA 

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” and his commandment is this, “Love one another as I have loved you”. The love of Jesus for us is the benchmark for our love towards our neighbour. Jesus loved everyone, the sinners, the fault finders, the conspirators and executioners. His was never discriminant in his love.  

We know who we are. We are sinful, weak, wretched and fragile, still we experience that God loves us unconditionally. Jesus wants us to exercise this love towards our neighbour. In this way we become witnesses of God’s love to everyone around us. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be the witnesses of your love”

Bible Reflections I 11.05.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 22-31

          II - Jh. 15: 12-17

                  

WITNESSES OF GOD’S LOVE

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” and his commandment is this, “Love one another as I have loved you”.  The love of Jesus for us is the benchmark for our love towards our neighbour.  Jesus loved everyone, the sinners, the fault finders, the conspirators and executioners.  His was never discriminant in his love.  

We know who we are.  We are sinful, weak, wretched and fragile, still we experience that God loves us unconditionally.  Jesus wants us to exercise this love towards our neighbour.  In this way we become witnesses of God’s love to everyone around us.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be the witnesses of your love to our neighbours”

Bible Reflections I 11.05.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 7-21

          II - Jh. 15: 9-11

         

REMAIN IN GOD’S LOVE

In yesterday’s Gospel passage Jesus invited us to remain in his love and in today’s Gospel passage Jesus prescribes the methodology to be united in his love viz., to abide in his love. Abiding in God’s love is keeping his commandments: love of God and love of neighbour for one cannot exist without the other.

People take upon themselves round the clock prayer practices, pilgrimage, fasting and abstinences to prove their love for God but deliberately neglect to help the needy neighbour in the next door. One who says that he/she loves God and does not love the neighbour is a liar (1Jn. 4: 20). Therefore in loving our neighbour we love God and vice versa and this is what is abiding in God’s love. May our mind heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, give us the grace to abide in your love”

Bible Reflections I 10.05.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 15: 1-6

          II - Jh. 15: 1-8

        

SAINT DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI

Today the church celebrates the feast of St. Damien of Molokai, a priest from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He was Jozef De Veuster, from Belgium, who after joining the fathers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, took the name Damien in reference to the physician and martyr St. Damien. He had two elder sisters, who were nuns and an elder brother who was a priest in the same congregation. Throughout his studies to the priesthood, Damien prayed fervently before a picture of St. Francis Xavier, the patron of missionaries, to be sent on a mission. He was ordained a priest in 1864 and was sent on mission in North Kohala on the island of Hawaii that faced a public health crisis, to serve in various parishes there. Foreign immigrants, traders and sailors introduced infectious diseases such as cholera, smallpox, influenza, syphilis, whooping cough, and leprosy to the Hawaiian Islands. May native Hawaiian parishioners wo had no immunity contacted these diseases. 

Father Damien arrived at the Kalaupapa settlement on May 10, 1873, as a pioneer to help around a thousand lepers living there. Upon arrival, he addressed the community as someone who loves them and is willing to be a father to them, live among them, and even to die with them. He accomplished this mission by training leaders of the place, teaching, setting up farms, painting houses, and organizing the construction of essential buildings such as churches, roads and hospitals. Father Damien was ever ready to participate in physically demanding tasks such as dressing up the wounds of the lepers, digging graves and building coffins. He loved them so much that he ate food by hand with the lepers, shared pipes with them, and lived among them as equals. Father Damien’s work was not never limited to providing physical care; he was an effective catholic priest taking care of their spiritual life as well. He comforted them by telling them that they were always precious in the eyes of God. Father Damien dedicated sixteen years of his life to serving the lepers in Hawaii finally died at the age of forty nine contacting leprosy (Hansen Disease).

On March 23, 1889, Father Damien became bedridden due to his leprosy, and he died on April 15, 1889, at the age of 49. He was buried under the pandanus tree where he had slept upon his arrival on Molokaʻi. At the request of King Leopold III of Belgium and the Belgian government, Father Damien’s body was repatriated to Belgium, his homeland, in 1936. He was laid to rest in Leuven, a city near his birthplace, following his beatification in 1995. Father Damien’s right hand was returned to Hawaii and buried in his original grave in Molokaʻi. Fr. Damien was declared venerable in 1977 by Pope Paul VI; beautified in 1995 by Pope Jon Paul II and was finally canonised in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.  

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus invites us to be united with him. When we are united with him we will be disposed to do anything that demands of a Christian. Only united in him can we draw the sap of love, peace and joy and be fruitful in our Christian living, glorifying the Lord in all that we do and say as did the saint of the day.

Bible Reflections I 09.05.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 14: 19-28

          II - Jh. 14: 27-31

         

LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST REIGN

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus promises of his peace to his disciples. His own peace and not the peace that the world gives. The gift of the Risen Lord is peace, the absolute peace that no person or a thing can give.

People search for peace in power, position, status, wealth, man power, strength and money. Nothing of this can give us peace but Christ alone. Peace therefore is the gift of God to people who search for and live by His will. Try to seek and His Will and peace will automatically be filled in our hearts and lives. We shall in a special way pray for peace in North-Eastern State of Manipur where around forty Churches have been burnt due to an outbreak of communal violence because of a tribal dispute over access to Government recognition and resources. May the Peace of the Risen Lord reign in our hearts and in the world as we keep repeating this prayer throughout this day: “Lord Jesus, grant us your peace”

Bible Reflections I 08.05.2023 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 14: 5-18

          II - Jh. 14: 21-26

         

FAITH MAKES THINGS POSSIBLE

Today’s first reading is about Paul healing the man at Lystra. The man was crippled from birth and had never walked. At the command of Paul, “stand upright on your feet”, the crippled man walked. The miracle was possible because the bible says, “seeing that he had faith to be made well, Paul gave such command. Faith is two way, both the giver and the receiver should have faith. The faith of Paul and the faith of the crippled made the miracle possible.

The one thing that predominating in the minds of people is that, “will this happen?” This doubt implies ‘no faith’. With ‘no faith’ nothing is possible. Let us examine our faith when we approach the throne of God with various petitions and prayer requests. Only to the one who has faith, all things are possible. May the passage help us to examine the quality of our faith in the Lord. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the gift of faith”.

Bible Reflections I 07.05.2023 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 5

Readings 

           I - Acts 6: 1-7

          II - I Pt. 2: 4-9

         III - Jn. 14: 1-12

Let us base our Sunday reflection on the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles.  Though the early Christians were of one mind and heart to the surprise of the rest of the people around them, the early Church faces three problems in the first reading of the day: problem in the distribution of food, complaint by the Hellenist against the Hebrews because of favouritism and the gossip on account of this.  Hence, the disciples choose seven men filled with the Holy Spirit and men of good repute to take care of the administration because the apostles considered that prayer and proclamation were their prime duty commissioned by Christ himself.

There was role clarity among the disciples.  They were convinced that prayer and proclamation was their prime duty and therefore they had the wisdom to discern that administration be given to a separate set of people filled with Holy Spirit.  Become aware of each one’s role in the Church and execute that well to the best of ability and in the way God wants.  Failing to do this would create unnecessary confusion and chaos in our own ambient.  Today in a particular way pray for the leaders of the Church that they may discern God’s will to carry on the mission entrusted to them overcoming all problems and hurdles that come on the way.

Bible Reflections I 06.05.2023 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 13: 44-52

          II - Jn. 14: 7-14

                          

SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO (Feast)

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says that he is in the Father and the Father is in him.  Having seen him is having seen the father and having known him is having known the Father Himself.  All the works of Jesus testify that he is in the Father and the Father is in him.  Jesus also says that those who believe in him could do even greater things than Jesus himself because whatever is asked in the name of Jesus with faith will be done to us.  All we have to possess is that Father and Son are one.

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Dominic Savio, the boy at the oratory of St. John Bosco.  From the moment Savio entered the oratory, Mamma Margaret, the mother of Don Bosco discovered him to be someone different than the rest of the boys in the oratory.  Because of the unmatched actions of Dominic Savio.  “Death rather than sin” was the motto of St. Dominic Savio.  Dominic Savio submitted himself like an handkerchief in the hands of Don Bosco provided he makes him a saint.  Even at the younger age he was excelling in sacrifices and acts of charity.  He had great devotion to our Blessed Mother and kept his eyes pure to behold the beauty of the Queen in Heave, the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was highly mortified and outstanding in all his behaviour. He died at the age of fourteen and within his short period of stay at the oratory he displayed ‘heroic virtue’ among his peers. He was canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1954.  The exemplary life of Dominic Savio is a model to all of us especially to the young people who are distracted by many things in the world.  May the saint help us to bear witness to Christ in all our actions as we in the silence of our heart keep praying: “Saint Dominic Savio, Pray for us”

Bible Reflections I 05.05.2023 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 13: 26-33

          II - Jn. 14: 1-6

                         

BELIEVE IN THE LORD

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus says to his disciples not to unnecessarily get troubled but to trust in him.  He assures his disciples of a place in the paradise, his Father’s House provided they follow him who is the way, the truth and the life.    

The promise given to the disciples befits us his followers as well.  To inherit the eternal dwelling with the Father we need to do two things: one, to trust in Jesus and two, to tread the path set out by Jesus aware of the truth that Jesus is the Way.  God’s wish and desire for each of us is that we be with Him in the Paradise. This is possible only to the one who has faith in Jesus that he is the Lord.  Let us ask God for the grace to give us the wisdom to grasp the truth; courage to follow the way and inherit life eternal. Today being first Friday implore the forgiveness and the mercy of the lord by repeating the prayer: “Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like yours”

Bible Reflections I 04.05.2023 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 13: 13-25

          II - Jn. 13: 16-20

         

FOLLOW THE LORD

Jesus humbled himself to the extent of assuming the role of a slave in washing the feet of the apostles, He was obedient to the God the Father to the extent of emptying himself by taking up the form of a man, He was humiliated and tortured to the extent of crucifixion on the cross, still, He went about doing only good. He shared his table, roof and life willingly even with the one who betrayed him. This is the style of Jesus and the Path set out by him through his life example.  Jesus had travelled the untrodden land and bids us to follow that his beaten path of love, peace and fraternity. 

We are not greater than the Master but only his messengers with his message of love.  We might have to suffer standing by his principles and exhortations.  We needn’t fear for Jesus had walked that way and would be as he had promised be with us until the end of time.  Until then we keep going in love proving ourselves to be the authentic followers of the Master Jesus Christ.  May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus our Master, give us the courage to walk your way”

Bible Reflections I 03.05.2023 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - 1 Cor. 15: 1-8

          II - Jn. 14: 6-14

         

APOSTLES PHILIP AND JAMES 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of saints Philip and James, the apostles of Jesus. The feast of the apostles help us to examine our Christian living in the light of their credible and unmatched Christian living. Philip was one of Christ’s first disciple called by Jesus soon after his baptism and at the beginning of his public ministry. The highlighting attribute of St. Philip was that he brought people to Jesus: he brought Nathaniel, the leading Jew to Jesus and the Greeks who came searching for Jesus were led by Philip to Jesus. According to traditions, Philip was crucified upside down for his belief in Christ. St. James, was the brother of Apostle Jude. He is the author of one of the epistle in the New Testament. He was bishop of Jerusalem. Proclaimed Christ convincingly and strengthened the faith of the early Christians. The infuriated Jews threw him down from the temple and clubbed him to death.

As Christians we are called to witness to Christ through our life and action. St. Philip helped people to come to Jesus. It is our prime duty to be with Jesus and help people to come to Jesus, the Christian commission. St. James courageously stood for Jesus with conviction. In this light let us examine whether we are convinced Christians. Pray that the Lord may give us the courage to stand up for the truth in Jesus and bring people closer to him. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Philip and St. James, pray for us.”

Bible Reflections I 02.05.2023 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Easter Week 4

Readings 

           I - Acts 11: 19-26

          II - Jn. 10: 22-30

 LISTEN TO YOUR SHEPHERD

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says that his sheep hear his voice, they follow him and inherit eternal life. The Jews heard him and witnessed the works done by him but were adamant and stubborn to listen to his words and to perceive his works. Today the Church remembers St. Damien of Molokai. He had been a shepherd to the lepers in loving them, caring for them, attending to them and to the extent of dying for them in leprosy. The saint heard the voice of Jesus in the lepers, attended to them as he would to Jesus and served them sacrificing himself for them completely. 

As Christians, the little flock of Chirst, in the light of the Gospel passage and the life of the saint of the day reflect about our following the Shepherd. Our priority should be to catch up the voice of our Good Shepherd and follow him wherever he leads: towards unity, forgiveness, peace, freedom, justice and fraternity; and that is credible Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to listen and attend to your voice”