14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Zechariah 9:9-10

Psalm 145

Romans 8:9.11-13

Matthew 11:25-30

REST FOR THE BURDENED

Today’s readings have a message of hope and consolation for us. In the first reading, the prophet Zechariah invites the people of Jerusalem to rejoice because the Messiah-King is coming to restore them. He is a just Saviour, meek and humble. He is coming to banish anything that serves for war and oppression so as to establish a kingdom of peace.

As we know, this prophecy was realized in Jesus of Nazareth, but not all recognized him. For instance, the Pharisees, the Scribes and the chief priests failed to recognize him as the long awaited Messiah. Thus, Jesus praised the Father for hiding this mystery from the wise and the learned, and yet revealed it to the little ones. In Jesus, God revealed his saving power to mankind. In him, God himself has come to save and give rest to his people: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The “burden” refers to the burden of the pharisaic legalism as contrasted with the “yoke” of Jesus, which is easy to bear.

For us today, the « burden » may take different names : sickness, loss of a loved one, joblessness or hardships of life. For some, the burden is the family instability, disappointments or betrayals in relationships. For others, it may be the weight of their iniquities and past sins. Still for others, it may be oppression from evil spirits. 

In any case, Jesus wants to be at all times a true source of comfort, consolation, liberation to us. However, he is not inviting us only to find serenity and hope in him in time of trouble. He invites us also to take upon ourselves his yoke and learn from him. In other words, he invites us to be at his school and learn his humility, kindness, tenderness, compassion and his obedience to the Father. As we may deduce from the second reading, to be in the school of Jesus means also dying to the works of the flesh and living in the Spirit. May the Lord help us to recognize him as our King and Saviour so as to call upon him at all times. Amen 

ATTENTION: Expressing my gratitude to each one of you for your support of any kind, constructive remarks and prayers, I would like to inform you that, for technical and organisational reasons, the “Sowing the Seed” Sunday reflexions are suspended for an indefinite time. Thanks for your kind understanding.

13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16

Psalm 88 (89)

Romans 6:3-4,8-11

Matthew 10:37-42

BLESSED FOR A CUP OF WATER

Barbara De Angelis once said: “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them; and they bless you, the giver.” Thus, Jesus’ teaching that anyone who welcomes a prophet, a just man or a disciple will not go unrewarded, is reflected by the hospitality offered to the prophet Elisha by the Shunemite woman and its consequent reward. Indeed, anyone who shows love, care and concern to another, little it may be, does so to the Lord (Matt. 25:40); and God will not be so unjust as to forget a good deed done. 

It is important therefore to reconsider how we lead our lives as Christians, for through baptism, we have been called to a newness of live in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4,8-11). And this newness of life has its own requirements and demands: service to others, detachment from many things, including one’s family relations, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. In other words, commitment to Christ takes precedence over everything else, as he tells us in today’s gospel.

Equally important is the way we relate with those who preach the Word of God to us. For instance, the way we relate to our priests. Do we see them as men of God? Do we accept them as we would accept Jesus himself since they are his representatives among us? What about those who do us good, or sacrifice their time, talents, resources and energy in various ways to lead us in prayer and liturgical celebrations, instruct us in the faith? Do we show respect to our catechists or our leaders? Do we strive to make things easier for them like the Shunemite woman or we try to make life more difficult for them?

Moreover, as priests and leaders, how do we treat our catechists, Mass servers, choir masters, and all those who help us in diverse ways? Do we often take them for granted and take advantage of them or we show concern for their wellbeing? Do we pray for them? Let us all remember, any good deed done with a good heart will not go unnoticed by God. Like the prophet Elisha, let us learn to seek the good of those who help us and ask God to bless them. May God bless and keep all of us! Amen.

12TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Jeremiah 20:10-13

Psalm 68 (69)

Romans 5:12-15

Matthew 10:26-33

“FEAR NO ONE !”

Today’s readings speak about the right attitude which a missionary must have in the face of suffering and persecution. According to St Paul in the second reading, God’s grace in Christ Jesus overflows and outweighs human transgressions. In the gospel, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples for the mission entrusted to them. He invites them to have the audacity to proclaim the truth despite everything, because the truth itself is irresistible. He encourages them to overcome their fears and anxieties, and to place their trust in God who watches over every sparrow and protects his own.

The first reading is one of “the confessions of Jeremiah” which express the depth of Jeremiah’s sufferings on account of his prophetic mission. Considered as the prophet of doom, Jeremiah’s proclamation was bitter and disturbing to his contemporaries. He never ceased to say the truth to the people and to denounce their evil ways, calling them to conversion. For this reason, the people and their kings never liked him. They persecuted him and plotted various evils against him. This notwithstanding, Jeremiah remained faithful, fearless and resilient in his mission, putting his trust in God who would not let him down. 

The story of the prophet Jeremiah is still relevant today. In our churches, communities, homes, schools and work places, the people who always stand for the truth and justice are often victims of hatred and slander, unjustified criticisms and unfounded accusations, persecutions and other evil machinations. But this should not be the ground for fear or discouragement. If we trust in God and remain faithful in doing good and bearing witness to the truth, a great reward awaits us in heaven. Thus, we should never compromise the gospel values in order to save our image or achieve some personal gain. 

Moreover, if we give up because we want to please men, we will lose all. Or if we ourselves persecute others and plot evil against them because of their truthfulness and righteousness, then we must know that unforgettable shame and confusion await us. For God always rescues the life of the poor and the righteous from the power of the wicked! 

May God protect us and grant us the grace to remain faithful till the end. Amen

11TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Exodus 19:2-6

Psalm 100

Romans 5: 6-11

Matthew 9:36 – 10:8

CHOSEN TO BE SENT

Today’s readings may be summed up under the theme: chosen to be sent. In effect, the passage from Exodus is a kind of preamble to the great covenant-making event on Mount Sinai. It highlights two things. First, it reminds the Israelites of their experience of God’s closeness to them. God had liberated them from Egyptian slavery and led them to Sinai, bearing them up “on eagle wings”. As such, the people would hearken to God’s voice and keep his covenant on account of their experience of the solicitude of God who freed them and invited them to trust in him. Indeed, one cannot enter into a covenant without freedom and trust.

Second, through the covenant, Israel would become God’s chosen people: “Now therefore, if you listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people…You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation”. Henceforth, Israel would be God’s personal portion. It is interesting to note that Saint Peter applies this divine election to Christians when he affirms: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the great deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). 

Thus, like the people of Israel, we have been chosen by God to be the people of the new covenant, a covenant sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ who died for us even when we were still sinners, as Saint Paul reminds us in the second reading. Like them, we need to keep the covenant and always remain faithful to God.

Moreover, we are to always remember that this divine election has a responsibility, that of making known to other people God’s goodness and compassion. Like the twelve disciples in the Gospel, we too have been summoned, chosen and sent out. Our mission is to proclaim the reign of God, to announce to the peoples that God has set us free in Jesus Christ. Thus, there is an urgent need to share with others what we have received without cost from God. By so doing, they may have a share in the love of our covenant-keeping God.

May God bless and keep all of us. Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, YEAR A

Deuteronomy 8:2-3.14-16

Psalm 147

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

John 6:51-52

THE EUCHARIST: A TABLE OF COMMUNION AND FRIENDSHIP

We celebrate today the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the mystery of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the species of bread and wine. In the gospel reading, Jesus declares to the Jews that he is the bread that came down from heaven for the life of the world. Unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we have no life in us, for his flesh is real food and his blood is real drink. Again, “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him,” he says. In other words, any time we receive the Holy Communion, we receive Jesus himself and we enter into a life-giving relationship with him, a relationship that extends to all those we share in the Eucharist with.

According to St Paul in the second reading, the cup of blessing that we bless is the participation in the Blood of Christ; the bread that we break is the communion in the Body of Christ. Many though we are, we form one body because we partake in the same one Bread. Though each of us partakes in the Eucharist with his or her own personality and story, we become one in Christ. We are united with him and with one another.

This is the mystery we celebrate at every Mass. As we come together to celebrate the Eucharist, the bond that unites us with the Lord and with one another is strengthened. Like the people of Israel in their journey through the wilderness, our journey of faith with all its trials, thirst and hunger, becomes a shared experience; and in the Eucharist, the Lord comes to nourish and strengthen us for this journey.

Today’s feast reminds us therefore of the fellowship, fraternal love, warmth and solidarity that must characterize our Christian communities. In this respect, it would not be right to partake in the Eucharist or to receive Christ with hearts full of hatred, resentments, bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness and evil thoughts towards others. Let us become what we celebrate and thrive day by day to become signs of Christ’s presence in the world. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

Happy Feast to you all !!!

TRINITY SUNDAY, YEAR A

Exodus 34:4-6.8-9

Daniel 3

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

John 3:16-18

HOLY TRINITY: THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S LOVE

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” We are undoubtedly familiar with these words of St Paul, which express unequivocally the mystery that we are celebrating today: the Holy Trinity. It is one of the foundational mysteries of our Christian faith, for we believe in One God who exists in Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Thus, without pretending to make us understand fully this mystery, today’s readings reveal that the Triune God is a God of Love.

In the first reading, God reveals himself to Moses as “the LORD, a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness.” This story may be surprising, given that it occurred right after that of the golden calf. In effect, few days after the covenant on Mount Sinai, the people of Israel turned from the Lord making a golden calf and worshipping it. And yet, instead of abandoning or destroying this stiff-necked people, God forgave them and decided to continue the journey with them, thanks to the intercession of Moses.

This revelation of God shows that God is Love. As the gospel reading tells us, the fullness of this merciful love of God is revealed to us in Jesus Christ: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Thus, God’s love and mercy are greater than our sins and unfaithfulness. He did not only send us his Son but also poured out his love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given us.

Therefore, by celebrating the Holy Trinity, we are invited to enter into the story of this love of God and radiate it around us. In this perspective, St Paul exhorts us saying: “Brethren, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you…”

May the Lord help us transform our parish communities, our families and our workplaces into communities of love so as to experience his unfailing presence in our lives. Amen

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 1:12-14

Psalm 27

1 Peter 4:13-16

John 17:1-11

COMMUNING WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER

Like the disciples in the Upper Room, the whole Church is waiting in prayer for the renewal of the Pentecost experience. Thus, the pervading theme of today’s readings is prayer. In the first reading, we see the disciples together in a continuous prayer. They were praying and waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit who would empower them to bear witness to Christ in spite of the persecutions that awaited them. The second reading invites all Christians to accept suffering and persecution as an opportunity to be more fully united with Christ’s sufferings, to bear witness to their faith and to glorify God.

The gospel is an excerpt of Jesus’ farewell prayer commonly known as Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John 17). Before facing the “hour” of his Passion and death, Jesus prayed to his Father not only for himself but also for his disciples. He prayed for their protection and unity; and he prayed for us too. He did so because even though we are in the world, we belong to God who invites us to eternal life; and the essence of that eternal life is to know God as the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom he sent into the world for our redemption.

By listening to or reading this prayer of Jesus, we discover two things. First, we discover what true prayer should be, because too often our prayers are just complaints and requests. But we must never forget that the most beautiful prayer is praise and thanksgiving, as Jesus often did. Thus, to ask, one must first give thanks.

Second, this prayer reveals the essence of Christian prayer: seeking intimacy and communion with the Triune God, because our whole life depends on it. It is in a constant dialogue with the Lord through prayer that we receive the grace to become day after day true witnesses of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are also empowered to face difficult moments and persecutions, for we cannot face the “hour” of agony and hostility without the grace of God.

Thus, like the disciples, let us ask the Lord to teach us how to pray and to renew in us the gift of his Spirit so as to be able to make him known to the world. Amen.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Psalm 66

1 Peter 3:15-18

John 14:15-21

THE PROMISE OF THE PARACLETE

This Sunday precedes the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which will be celebrated next Thursday, and will usher us into the immediate preparation for the celebration of Pentecost. As such, today’s readings make direct reference to the Holy Spirit and invite us to rediscover his presence in our lives.

In the gospel, Jesus promises to his disciples that he will not leave them orphans. He will pray to the Father so that he may send them another Advocate (Paraclete), the Spirit of Truth. As an Advocate, the Holy Spirit will remain with and in them. He will stand by them, comfort, defend and support them. Hence, they will never be alone in their witness to Christ, even in the midst of great sufferings, trials and various kinds of persecution. As the Spirit of Truth, he will teach them everything and remind them of everything that Jesus had told them. This promise cannot but be a source of great joy and hope.

Since the world neither sees nor knows this Advocate, Christians must always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks them for a reason for their hope. As Saint Peter affirms in the second reading, this must be done with gentleness, reverence and clear conscience. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the believer should give a bold testimony to Christ, even in situation of hostility.

In this perspective, Philip’s apostolate may be considered as a concrete example not only of a disciple’s bold witness of his faith and hope, but also of the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. Driven out of Jerusalem by severe persecution against the Church, he arrives in the city of Samaria, where he proclaims Christ to the people. His proclamation brings great joy to the city. The people are baptized, and with the laying of hands of the Apostles Peter and John, they receive the Holy Spirit.

We too have received the Holy Spirit in our baptism and confirmation. He dwells in us. But the question is: are we aware of his actions and power in our lives? Do we allow ourselves to be taught by him? Do we ask him to teach us how to bear witness to our faith and hope?

PALM SUNDAY, YEAR A

Procession: Matthew 21:1-11

Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7;

Psalm 22

Philippians 2:6-11;

Matthew 26:14—27:66

THE LAST DAYS OF JESUS ON EARTH

Today marks the beginning of the Holy Week, during which we are called upon to follow Jesus Christ and live with him the last events of his earthly life. On this day, we celebrate Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem amid the jubilation and chants of Hosanna of the crowd (Matthew 21:1-11). 

Jesus entered the holy city, where he would suffer, die, be buried and resurrect from the dead for our redemption. While the procession with palms celebrates, in its multiple aspects, the triumph and the victory of Jesus as the Son of David and the Messiah, the Mass readings evoke the hard and painful conditions of this victory. These include the persecutions endured like the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 50:4-7), his humility and his obedience until death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-11) and his sorrowful Passion (Matthew 26:14—27:66).

In the Passion narrative, we witness a radical self-emptying of the Son of God: betrayal, abandonment, humiliation, unjust condemnation, death and burial. And yet, this is precisely the way he chose to communicate life to us. He accepts being unjustly condemned to justify us. He humbles himself so as to lift us up. He empties himself in order to fill us. He enters the tomb to bring us to life. 

As such, let the palms remind us that Christ is the King of our hearts. Let us ask him to reign in us, in the Church and in the world. Let us adore him who, by his death on the cross, gives life to the world. Let us ask for the grace so that this Holy Week may be an opportunity for true conversion and renewal. Let us intensify our closeness to Christ. Let each of us repent from his sins and experience God’s forgiveness. May we have a renewed experience of his infinite and merciful love for us. By the merits of our Lord’s sorrowful Passion, may God hear our prayer and save us from the snares of the evil one. May God the Father, who sustained Jesus in his Passion also sustain us especially in moments of betrayal, trials, suffering and persecution. May God the Holy Spirit guide us so that we may have a transforming and fruitful Holy Week. 

Amen

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Psalm 129 (130)

Romans 8:8-11

John 11:1-45

YOU SHALL LIVE!

The celebration of Easter is at hand; and this Sunday’s liturgy is about the victory of life over death. In the first reading, the painful experience of the people of Israel in Babylonian exile is compared to a death experience, expressed in the image of the grave. In Ezekiel’s vision, the Israelites were like dry bones, lifeless corpses in the tomb. But God promises to open their graves; he will put his Spirit in them and they will live. He will raise them up and establish them in their land.

The Gospel is about the death and raising of Lazarus. After four days in the tomb, Jesus brings him back to life. As Lazarus comes out of the tomb alive, Jesus’ mission is fully expressed, for he came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly. In this way, the climax of the story is when Jesus says to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.” In the second reading, St. Paul develops what this means for us who believe in Jesus, because He who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies through his Spirit which we received at Baptism.

Two lessons may be drawn for our meditation. First, our experience of distress, suffering or discouragement at certain times in life may be comparable to that of the people of Israel in exile. In fact, the Israelites thought God had abandoned them; their hope was gone. They thought they were already dead. And yet, God promises them restoration. To us too, God reiterates his infallible presence and closeness. He never abandons his people.

Second, in the gospel everything is for the manifestation of the glory of God. But to see the glory of God, one must believe: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”, Jesus said to Martha. 

Today, Martha is proposed to us as a model of faith. Like her, we are invited to trust even when it seems impossible or when everything seems lost, because everything is possible for he who believes. Let us ask the Lord to grant us a firm and unshakable faith, by which we shall remain calm and constant in the midst of the crosses and difficulties of life. Amen

7TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Leviticus 19:1-2.17-18

Psalm 103

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Matthew 5:38-48

LOVE OF THE ENEMY 

In today's gospel, Jesus continues his Sermon on the mount. Contrary to the law of retaliation in the Old Testament, which regulated revenge in terms of proportionality between the punishment and the offense, Jesus proposes a completely different approach: no violence and resistance to the wicked, love of one’s enemy, praying for one’s persecutors, etc. 

Indeed, Jesus’ teaching may seem ridiculous, unreasonable and unacceptable in our world where human logic advocates for revenge, violence and demonstration of power; where forgiveness and not responding to “acts of provocation” are seen as signs of weakness and fear. While Jesus’ teaching may be mistakenly seen as a way of condoning injustices and evil-doing, the first reading seems more sense-making, for it invites us to show love and kindness to our own kind: no hatred for our brothers and sisters, to reprove our fellow citizens fraternally, no revenge and no grudge against any of our own people, to love our neighbours as ourselves.

Nevertheless, Jesus’ teaching finds justification in two statements from today’s liturgy: (i) "Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy" (Lev. 19:2); and (ii) "You therefore will be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). These are invitations to be like God, just as the saying goes “like father, like son”. In God there is no grudge, no revenge, no hatred; He is kind and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love (Ps 102). He makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45). As such, we are invited to show love even to those who do not merit it; something that may seem foolish to the logic of the world, which is foolishness in the eyes of God (1 Co 3:16-23). 

Finally, it could be observed that we Christians have a long way to go as much as love is concerned. Even the pagans reciprocate love, and the tax-collectors greet those who greet them. But as Christians we often fail to love those who love us; we hate our brothers and sisters; and look for the downfall of our own kind. Some of us do not even respond to the greetings because we hold grudges and resentment against those who greet us. As such, let us pray the Lord to touch our hearts so that we may not be worse that pagans and tax-collectors, but know that the best way to take revenge on one’s enemies is to love them.

6TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Sirach 15:15-20

Psalm 119

1Cor. 2:6-10

Matthew 5:17-37

FULFILLING THE LAW

Today's Gospel is an excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount, often characterized by the radical choices that Jesus invites his disciples to make. In today's passage, Jesus presents himself as the New Moses who came not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfil and perfect it. In fact, the Law should not be considered as a simple set of precepts prohibiting certain behaviours, but as a means to realize our humanity and a way to enter into a life of communion with God.

In this dynamic, it is not enough not to commit murder, but we need to avoid anger and hatred, and to choose forgiveness and reconciliation. It’s not enough not to commit adultery, but to educate our gaze to purity of heart and mind and avoid the least occasion of sin. It is not enough not to take false oaths but to cultivate integrity, sincerity and faithfulness; we must be men and women of our words.

It is therefore obvious that Jesus invites us to go beyond “the wisdom of this age”, to use the words of Saint Paul in the second reading, and to embrace the “wisdom of God” which is revealed to us in the Gospel. It is a radical choice and often difficult to make but that leads to freedom. Jesus invites us to look at our interior disposition, into our hearts in whatever we do or say. For we often regret the consequences of some of our choices; and unfortunately, we blame God or others for the misfortunes result from our actions. Thus, Ben Sirach reminds us that each of us is free and responsible for his choices and actions.

Reflecting on man’s free will and responsibility, Ben Sirach says that (i) man is free to choose good or evil, and (ii) to choose good is to make the best choice which leads to happiness and life. There are therefore two ways which are constantly open before us: the path of good which leads to happiness, to a life of eternal bliss with God, and the path of evil which leads to unhappiness, sadness and death. In a confident prayer, let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace to always choose the path of good so that one day we may enter into eternal life. Amen

5TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 58:7-10

Psalm 111

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Matthew 5:13-16

               SALT AND LIGHT

“You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world.” These are Jesus’ words to his disciples in today’s gospel passage, taken from his Sermon on the mount. Salt and light are two familiar images; and Jesus uses them to reveal the identity and mission of Christians in the world. Beyond the multiple functions of salt, it is mainly used for flavouring and preserving food. Light, on the other hand, reveals the beauty of the world and the beings that inhabit it, and preserves men from living in darkness (Matt. 5:13-16).

What is common to these two ordinary elements is that they do not exist for themselves, but for others. For example, salt gives flavour to food by disappearing, by dissolving. Thus, being “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” is tantamount to living for others, serving them in discretion, in self-effacement, in humility to the glory of God. And this is what Jesus did when he offered himself on the cross for us. 

Accordingly, St Paul tells the Corinthians that proclaiming the mystery of God to them as revealed in Jesus Christ, he resolved to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. For this mystery is a scandal to human logic and is to be communicated not so much in persuasive words, rhetoric or philosophical arguments, but through concrete ways of living in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5). Moreover, according to the prophet Isaiah, concrete gestures of mercy, justice, love, sharing and generosity towards others, especially towards the needy, attract the favour, healing and closeness of God. By so doing, one’s light shall break forth like the dawn and God’s glory will be his shield (Is. 58:7-10).  

As such, today’s message is addressed to each one of us. If there is much growing neglect for the poor and the needy, corruption, social injustices, unhealthy competition, conflicts, etc., in our world today, it is because we Christians are not conscious of our mission, or better still, have failed to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” As Pope Paul VI rightly said “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” Let us pray God that he may grant us his grace to his true witnesses by being salt of the earth and light to the world. Amen

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Psalm 146

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Matthew 5:1-12

THE PATHS TO BLESSEDNESS

On this Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we begin the Sermon on the Mount as presented by the evangelist Saint Matthew. Jesus goes up to the mountain, sits down and begins to teach his disciples. He proclaims “blessed” (happy) the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the merciful, those who hunger for righteousness, the pure in heart, the persecuted. 

In this way, Matthew presents Jesus as the new Moses and the Beatitudes as the “Magna Carta” of the new People of God. The Beatitudes are therefore the paths to true happiness and the secrets to free oneself from the false values of the world. 

Moreover, the message of the Beatitudes runs through the first and second readings. For Saint Paul, God chooses the foolish of the world to shame the wise, the weak of the world to shame the strong. He chooses the lowly and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. According to the prophet Zephaniah, only the powerless and the poor, those who seek justice and humility will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. 

As such, today’s readings remind us that we are the People of God. God has chosen us to be part of his Kingdom. He has called us to blessedness. But to be truly happy or attain blessedness, we do not need to live by human standards, but rather by the standards of the Gospel. In fact, true happiness is not found in fame, wealth, power or earthly pleasures. We experience true happiness when we have good relationships with God and with others. We are happy when we recognize our dependence on God; for without him, we are nothing. We are happy and blessed when we are humble, meek, forgiving, merciful in our relationships with others, because arrogance, pride and selfishness lead to self-destruction.

 

Let us therefore ask the Lord the grace to live by his standards so as to be truly happy not only in this present life, but also in the life to come. Amen

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 8:23 – 9:3

Psalm 26 (27)

Corinthians 1:10-13, 17

Matthew 4:12-23

A DAY CONSECRATED TO THE WORD OF GOD

Today’s readings are a wonderful illustration of certain realities that mark the Church today. First, we are celebrating the Week of Christian Unity; and providentially, the second reading is about Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians on unity. According to him, Christ is not divided; so, they should avoid divisions and rivalries. Unfortunately, there is much division and shameful oppositions not only among Christians but also within the Catholic Church. These divisions are known to all of us. We need therefore to strive to foster unity and harmony among ourselves.

Second, we celebrate today the Sunday of the Word of God as instituted by Pope Francis. Indeed, the Word of God is not only a fountain of life, full of unfathomable riches and hidden treasures, but also a lamp for our feet, a light on our path (cf. Ps 119:105). Interestingly, St Matthew interprets the beginning of Jesus’ mission as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah who announced the end of darkness for the tribes of Zebulun and Nephtali, for God has smashed the yoke, the pole, the rod of oppression. Jesus chose to begin his public ministry in this region in order to bring his light to this people “sitting in darkness”. He began to preach saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. In that region, he also called his first disciples.

Therefore, today’s celebration challenges us in two ways. First, we are called to rediscover the value of the Word of God contained in the Bible which may be likened to a library and a pharmacy. It contains all we need for our spiritual growth. Let us also remember that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” (Saint Jerome).

Second, one of the things that bring us together as Christians is the Word of God. Let this Word take root in our lives. Let us not be only its listeners or readers, but also its doers. Let us put this Word that calls us to unity and harmony into practice, so that by our lives, we may reveal to others that we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ, he who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 49:3.5-6

Psalm 40

1Corinthians 1:1-3

John 1:29-34

THE CHOSEN SERVANT

Dear brothers and sisters, in today’s liturgy, we note that instead of a gospel passage from St Matthew as we do in the ordinary Sundays of Year A, the Church proposes instead a passage from the evangelist John (John 1:29-34). And curiously, it is the only passage where the evangelist talks about “the Holy Spirit coming down on Jesus like a dove from heaven”, an image that reminds us of Jesus’ baptism, which we celebrated few days ago. Thus, today’s readings manifest clearly the transition from the Christmas season to the Ordinary Time. For this reason, I would like to underline two things for our meditation. 

First, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Son of God. With these significant titles, John introduces Jesus to his Jewish listeners as the Promised Messiah. But he posits that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This signifies that Jesus is the Servant who will take upon himself the sin of the whole world, that is, of humanity. We may see here the fulfilment of what the prophet Isaiah said: “It is too little, says the Lord, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Is. 49:6). Therefore, as God’s Chosen, Jesus Christ has come to save us and reveal God’s forgiving love to all. 

Finally, it is noteworthy that this universal dimension of Christ’s saving work has been realized thanks to the proclamation of the Apostles. Like Saint Paul, the Apostles were called and sent to preach the Good News to all.

Today’s readings remind us therefore of our mission during this Ordinary Time: we are called to make known God’s salvation to all. This way, each of us may identify himself in the words of Isaiah: “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory”. Each of us is a chosen vessel of God; through us, he wants to reveal his glory to the world. Let us pray that he may make each of us a living testimony of his wondrous love and mercy. Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Isaiah 60,1-6

Psalm 71

Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6

Matthew 2:1-12

THE LORD’S MANIFESTATION

We celebrate today the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “epiphany” means manifestation, revelation or showing forth. In this sense, the feast of the Epiphany indicates the manifestation of the Lord, who, as Saint Paul tells us in the second reading, makes himself known to all the nations, today represented by the Magi. In this way, we see revealed the glory of a God who has come for everyone, without distinction.

Indeed, there is no stranger in God’s plan of salvation. He leaves no one out, but reveals himself to everyone. He adapts himself to the condition of each one of us. To the world, he revealed himself in a little child lying in a manger. To the Magi, through a star. To the pagans of St Paul’s time, he revealed his love through the proclamation of the Gospel. To us too, he manifests himself in various ways, in the daily events of our life, in his Word and in the celebration of the Sacraments. 

What makes the difference is our response to him. When the Magi saw the star of a new born king, they set out on a journey full of risks, without safe roads and clear maps. They found the child Jesus, paid him homage and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The worshipped him. In fact, they were filled with joy when they discovered the place where the child was. On the contrary, when King Herod heard the news of the birth of a new king, he was greatly troubled and frustrated. Then, he later sought to kill the child. 

As for us, let us imitate the Magi in our response to God. Like them, let us embark in a continuous search for the Lord. Let us accept Jesus as our Star and entrust ourselves to him in the wonder of worship.

Enlightened by his light, let us rise and shine, as the first reading exhorts us (Is. 60,1-6). Indeed, rising and shining are characteristic of the sun, which gives light, life and warmth to all.

We are therefore called to shine in the world, covered by the darkness of sin, wickedness, selfishness, injustice, corruption, violence, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. May the Lord help us to become little stars that lead people to Christ. Amen. 

Happy Feast to you all !