3RD SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C

Exodus 3:1-8.13-15
Psalm 102
1 Corinthians 10:1-6.10-12
Luke 13:1-9

MY NAME IS I AM

As we continue our Lenten observances, the journey may become tiresome, unbearable and too long. It may happen that we see no good coming out of our efforts. But let us not despair. For our God is a living and faithful God. He is close to us and knows everything. This is what he reveals to Moses in the burning bush. We do not serve a nameless God. His name is: “I AM” or “I AM WHO I AM”. He is always present.  He has resolved to come down and free his people from slavery. This means that our God can be approached personally. He is real. He exists. And he does not abandon us to our fate.

For St Paul in the second reading, God guided the Israelites through the desert and provided for their needs. Despite all that some of them failed to please God and their corpses littered the desert. Their story is told us as a warning so that we may not behave like them.

In the gospel, people “gossip” about the tragic disaster that befell the Galileans whom Pilate killed and the eighteen people who perished under the tower at Siloam. Why such misfortunes? For Jesus, this question is not important. There is a disaster that is more deadly than natural calamities and that hovers over all of us; and that is sin. Thus, we must repent from our sins and come to God. For God is patient. He does not take pleasure in the death of the sinner, but he may repent and live.

He is not in a hurry to cut the unproductive tree down. He gives it another chance, another opportunity for it to produce fruits. That tree is you, it is me. God is giving us another chance, another time to change and be saved. We must leave behind bad behaviors, bitterness, complaining, unforgiveness, etc. This time is today. Do not wait, do not postpone it. For today is the time of salvation; today is the time for deliverance. 

Amen

EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Ecclesiasticus 27 :4-7
Psalm 91:2-3.13-16
1Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45

THE LOG IN MY EYE

Last Sunday before the season of Lent, today’s readings invite us to look into our hearts, check what we have stored therein, and fill them with good thoughts and thanksgiving. In the gospel, St Luke reports three short parables of Jesus, namely that of a blind man leading another blind man, that of the speck and the log in the eye, and that of the tree that is recognized through its fruits (Luke 6:39-45).

The first reading is a good illustration of the third parable. According to Ben Sirach, man’s words reveal his personality. Thus, we should not praise or judge a person without listening to him in the first place.

The second parable is not without importance. In effect, we like zooming into the weaknesses, mistakes, sins and shortcomings of others without acknowledging ours. We gossip about others. We expose their nakedness. We put blame on others. We judge and condemn them. We are quick to pronounce sentence on them. In short, we notice the speck in others’ eyes, and do not notice that we have a log in ours. As a result we usually try to take the speck out of another’s eye. We want to correct others. We want to change others.

We are simply hypocrites. We should take the log out of our own eye first. Then we will see clear so as to help the other with his speck. We should change ourselves first. This demands self-discipline and self mastery. We need courage and endurance, and never give up working on ourselves. Thus, after he has ended his exposé on the resurrection, St Paul exhorts us saying: “Never give in then, my dear brethren, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be laboring in vain”. May the Lord help us identify our own shortcomings, mistakes and work on them. 

Amen.

5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Isaiah 6:1-8
Ps 137:1-5.7-8
1 Co. 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11

CALLED TO BE MESSENGERS OF GOD

Christian life begins with the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. This encounter not only transforms our life, but also entrusts to us a mission. In effect, Isaiah had a vision of God in the sanctuary. Filled with awe, he acknowledged his sinfulness before the holiness of God. Purged and strengthened by God, he received his call to be God’s messenger.

St Paul had an encounter with the crucified and risen Jesus on his way to Damascus. This encounter, or better still this experience, changed his life. From a persecutor of the Church, he became an apostle of Christ, a witness of the Gospel. Thus he worked and preached with much zeal, conviction and pride in God’s grace.

In the Gospel, St Luke narrates the call of the first disciples. Simon Peter and his companions were fishermen by profession. After a fruitless fishing adventure, in their despair and tiredness, they encountered Jesus. Though with hesitation and protest, Simon obeyed this itinerant preacher who told him: “Put out into deep water and lower the nets for a catch.” Out of this trust and obedience, they caught many fish. This miraculous catch changed their lives and perspective. They left everything and followed Jesus. From fishermen they became fishers of men.

As such, God can transform and make you too a testimony to his glory and power. Therefore, do not think of quitting or giving up no matter what you are going through. God has a grand plan and a mission for you. He is able to use you irrespective of your past or sins. If you allow the Lord to encounter you where you are, if you accept his call to become his messenger, your life will never be the same.
Remain blessed! Amen

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Jeremiah 1:4-5.17-19
Psalm 70
1Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

THE LOT OF A PROPHET

A prophet is the spokesperson of God. He speaks on behalf of God. As such, prophets are often not welcomed. They may be rejected, maltreated or persecuted, especially by their own kins: “No prophet is ever accepted in his own country,” Jesus tells his townsmen. This was the experience of Jesus and many prophets including Jeremiah.

The evangelist Luke continues his report of the visit of Jesus to the synagogue of his hometown. He preached so well that the people marveled at his gracious words and eloquence. But this admiration turned into rage. Their amazement quickly turned into hatred. Thus, they ejected him out of the synagogue. They wanted to push him off the cliff on which their town was built. But Jesus walked through them and left.

Such treatment of men of God was not uncommon. The prophet Jeremiah was to have similar experience. Since his mother’s womb, God had chosen him to be a prophet to the nations. But he was to face opposition and hostility. The people would fight against him, but they would not overcome him because God had made him a fortified city. The Lord was with him to deliver him.

By virtue of our baptism, we too are prophets. We must speak and proclaim the words of God to our contemporaries. But we must keep two things in mind. First, we will face challenges, rejection, criticisms and oppositions. And yet, we should not be afraid because the Lord is with us. With God, we shall overcome. Second, we may have all it takes to be a good prophet; but without love, we are “simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing”. Love is a gift that lasts forever, says St Paul in the second reading. Yes, love is everything and it changes everything. Let our love for one another become a testimony in today’s world.

Amen

FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD, YEAR C

Isaiah 40:1-5.9-11
Psalm 103
Titus 2:11-14;3:4-7
Luke 3:15-16.21-22

YOU ARE MY SON

We celebrate today the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. This event is narrated in today's gospel. John was baptizing people in preparation for the coming of the expected Messiah. After Jesus too has been baptized and was praying three phenomena happened: the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard saying "You are my Son, in you I am well pleased".

The opening of the heavens reminds us of the shutting up of the gate of heaven as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve. Mankind was sent away from the presence of God. We were exiled. But now in Jesus Christ, God is reconciling us to himself. He has forgiven us and is opening once again the treasures of his gracious love for us. He is restoring that friendship with him. Our exile is coming to an end. This is the glad tiding and consolation that is proclaimed in the first reading to the people of Jerusalem.

The descent of the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Spirit of God that was moving above the waters at the time of creation, while the dove reminds us of the end of the flood in the days of Noah. All this tells us that Jesus Christ had come to inaugurate a new era, the era of grace that makes us new creatures in the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit that we received at our baptism  making us sons and daughters of God. We are therefore renewed and our nature transformed. We can now lead new lives for God, as St Paul tells us in the second reading.

As we celebrate this feast today, let us thank God for the gift of the sacrament of baptism and ask him to renew his grace in us so that we may be faithful to our baptismal promises.

Amen

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR C

1 Samuel 1:20-22.24-28
Psalm 83
1 John 3:1-2.21-24
Luke 2:41-52

THE HOLY FAMILY

We celebrate today the feast of the Holy Family. Thus, we are called to take a fresh look at our families and model them after the example of the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

The first reading presents a polygamous family in which one woman, Hannah, was barren. She prayed and God listened to her prayer. She bore a son, named him “Samuel” and offered him to God. What is particular about this family is that it was a God-fearing family and used to worship together.

According to the second reading, two irreplaceable things contribute to the success of our relationship with God our Father and our relationship within the family: faithfulness to God through the observance of his commandments and love for one another. As children of God, we are all brothers and sisters. As such, we manifest our belonging to God’s family if we love and serve one another.

The gospel presents one of the unpleasant situations that the Holy Family experienced. At the end of the feast of Passover at Jerusalem, Jesus, then at twelve years, got missing. Mary and Joseph looked for him everywhere and found him in the Temple after three days.  After that they went back to Nazareth.

The home of Nazareth teaches some important virtues that we can cultivate so as to have a peaceful and harmonious family even amidst challenges and difficulties. These are godliness, unity, patience and humility. Going to church together, praying together, eating together, doing things together and being patient with one another are priceless gestures that can help the family stay together. May the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph intercede for us so that we may have holy and united families.
Amen.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Micah 5:1-4
Psalm 80
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

ANTICIPATING CHRISTMAS JOY

In few hours, we will celebrate Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, born at Bethlehem. Today’s first reading presents a prophecy about Bethlehem, a small town of Judea. This little and insignificant town became popular because it was the hometown of King David. It was this small town that God chose to be the place of birth of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.

The gospel reading narrates the story of the visitation. The story seems to be an encounter of two pregnant women, Elizabeth and Mary. But it was in fact a meeting between two unborn children: Jesus and John. Thus, John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb at the greeting of Jesus’ mother. It was a beautiful moment. The child rejoices because he is the herald of Jesus the Messiah. He has been privileged to witness the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. His joy describes the joy of God’s people when He visits them: yes, God has visited his people. Christmas is indeed the fulfillment of God’s promises; it is God coming among his people. Christmas is the time of God’s visitation in the person of Jesus Christ.

In this perspective, we may well understand the second reading which speaks of the total submission and obedience of Jesus Christ to his Father. He has come to do the will of God his Father. And the will of God is to give joy, peace and salvation to his people.

How prepared are we to welcome Jesus who is coming to give us joy and fulfillment? How well prepared are we to meet God who is coming to visit us? Is it a matter of having what to eat, drink and wear on Christmas day? Or rather making our hearts ready to receive him and to share the Christmas joy with others? May God bless and keep our hearts ready to welcome him in joy.
Amen.

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (GAUDETE SUNDAY), YEAR C

Zephaniah 3:14-18
Isaiah 12:2-6 (Responsorial Hymn)
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:10-18

GAUDETE SUNDAY

Pope Francis remarks that “there are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter” (Evangelii gaudium, 6). Yes, there are people who always have funereal and morose faces. No smiling, no rejoicing, always complaining, always lamenting over the difficulties, sicknesses, losses, and problems of life. They have thousands of reasons not to be happy. And yet, today’s readings invite us to rejoice, because we are people of hope.

One of the most exciting invitations to joy in the Old Testament is today’s first reading: “Shout for joy, daughter Zion, Israel, shout aloud.” Prophet Zephaniah summons the people to jubilate, for the Lord is in their midst as a victorious warrior who comes to drive away their enemies and protect them (Zeph. 3:14-18).

The prophet Isaiah in the responsorial hymn exhorts the inhabitants of Zion to shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in their midst is the Holy One of Israel (Is. 12:2-6). In the second reading, St Paul admonishes the Philippians to always be happy or rejoice, for the Lord is very near. He also exhorts them to present their needs to God with prayer and thanksgiving (Phil. 4:4-7).

Finally, the call to conversion addressed to the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers by John the Baptist teaches us that joy is the result of a continuing effort of doing good (Luke 3:10-18). We experience deep joy when we share with others. When we act justly and do not cheat others. When we respect the dignity of all and do not oppress anyone. We experience joy when we are content with the little we have.

We experience joy when we keep our hope alive even in seemingly hopeless situation. For with God, there is no hopeless situation. Yes, our God is able and faithful. Let us therefore rejoice no matter what situation we may find ourselves.
Amen

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 138:1-3.13-15
Acts 13:22-26
Luke 1:57-66.80

HIS NAME IS “GOD IS GRACIOUS”

We celebrate today the birth of one of the great men in the history of salvation, St John the Baptist. He was the man specially chosen by God to be the herald of the Messiah and to prepare the people of Israel for his coming. He was the bridge between the old and the new testaments. The birth of John the Baptist inaugurates the crossing over to the new age, the age of grace, as his name indicates “God is gracious”.

In the first reading the vocation of the prophet Isaiah helps understand the vocation of John the Baptist. He was called and chosen by God even from his mother’s womb to be his servant. He sharpened his mouth to make him his spokesperson (Is 49:1-6).

Luke narrates the birth stories of John and of Jesus as parallel accounts. In both stories, there is always something of a miracle and of wonderment in people. Again, in these stories, Luke stresses the identity and mission of both children. For John the Baptist, he was chosen by the Lord to be the herald of the Messiah. He was to go before the Lord so as to prepare his ways. He was not the Word, but the voice that announces the coming of the Incarnate Word. He was not the Christ, but the one who pointed the crowds to the Christ.

That  is why St Paul in a brief survey of the history of salvation speaks of John the Baptist as the one who proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole of Israel so as to herald the coming of Jesus Christ in fulfillment of God’s promise (Acts 13:22-26).

Like John the Baptist, we too have an identity and a mission. By virtue of our baptism, we are children of God. Our mission is to make Christ known, loved and accepted as personal Saviour. May John the Baptist intercede for us so that we may be true witnesses of Christ with courage, humility and confidence. Amen

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 66
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21

The Woman Worth Celebrating

There are two remarkable things in today's celebration. First, the Church invites us to begin this new year by celebrating a woman. Meanwhile, a woman is the symbol of life, fecundity and care. Second, the biblical passage that opens the liturgy of the Word speaks of how the priest Aaron was to bless the people of Israel (Num. 6:22-27). This shows that this new year is going to be a year of blessing.

In the second reading, St Paul says: "When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman" (Gal. 4:4). This woman is the Blessed Virgin Mary, as we read in the gospel (Luke 2:16-21). Mary is therefore the Mother of God because the child she bore is God, who chose to dwell among men (cf. John 1:1-14).

Moreover, if the Spirit of the Son of God cries in us "Abba, Father", then we are sons and daughters of God. We are therefore brothers and sisters of Jesus. Thus, in the order of grace, Mary is our Mother also.

So it is appropriate to celebrate this woman through whom God entered our human history in human form. Through her faith and obedience to God, the Saviour of the world was born to us. She is the instrument God used to bless all humanity.

Through her intercession, may the blessings announced in the first reading become realized in our lives. May our dreams become true this year. May our Mother Mary continue to pray for us. May her Son grant us peace, joy, good health and prosperity to the works of our hands. Amen.

Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!

SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY, YEAR B

Genesis 15:1-6.21:1-3
Psalm 104:1-6.8-9
Hebrews 11:8.11-12.17-19
Luke 2:22-40

THE HOLY FAMILY

Still in the joyful mood of Christmas, we celebrate today the solemnity of the Holy Family. The purpose is to propose the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as the model for all families. It was the presence of the child Jesus that changed the identity and dignity of this family. The adjective “holy” may make us think of a family in which all was rosy, all the times happy. But no! Like any human family the holy family had its own time of distress, joys and sorrows, challenges and problems, anxieties and struggles.

Today's readings put the child at the centre of our reflection. Having children or not can be a source of anxiety and struggle in the life of the family. In the gospel reading, at the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple, his parents were told their child was “destined for the fall and the rising of many in Israel”, “a sign to be rejected”, and a “sword would pierce the soul” of Mary (Luke 2:22-40).

The first reading also presents us with two common struggles in our families: childlessness and the problem of heritage. Abram was anxious because he was without a child, despite the promises made to him by God (Gen. 15:1-6.21:1-3). But there was one thing remarkable about Abram and Sarah: their faith in God. They believed in God's promises (Heb. 11:8.11-12.17-19).

There are some families that are agonizing beneath the problem of childlessness. But one thing is sure. We serve a living and faithful God who is capable of changing our human impossibility into possibility. Trust in him, pray and do not give up.

There are also parents who do not care about their children. They are not concerned about their material welfare, let alone their spiritual welfare. Let us ask ourselves: Do we care about the spiritual growth of our children? Do we offer them in prayer to God? Do we encourage them to go to church? Like Mary and Joseph, let us cultivate the habit of praying, celebrating and worshipping together.

We may face challenges as family members. But always let us look up to the example of the Holy Family. May the Lord bless and keep us all.

Amen

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

2 Samuel 7:1-5.8-12.14.16
Psalm 88:2-5.27.29
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

The Uncovering of the Hidden Secret

The readings of this last Sunday of Advent speak of the fulfilment of God's promise to mankind. The hidden secret  has been revealed. God is going to take a human flesh of a woman, a Virgin from Nazareth.

In the first reading, king David wanted to build a tent for God. But God promised to build him a house, to establish for him an everlasting kingdom of peace and prosperity (2Sam. 7:1-5.8-12.14.16).

This promise made to king David finds its fulfillment in the Annunciation story. Per the announcement of the angel, Mary was to become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. And it was the Holy Spirit that would fecundate her virginal womb. The throne of his ancestor David would be given him.

Full of grace but also perplexed, Mary had a choice to make: to say “yes” or “no”. This choice could not be an easy one. She was very young, a virgin and had her own plans: to get married. But courageously, she said “yes” to God. She trusted God, with whom nothing is impossible. In saying “yes”, her trusting faith changed our story. With this “yes”, God became one of us. Here belies the greatness of Mary: by her “yes”, she became the Mother of God’s own Son (Luke 1:26-38).

Therefore, by Mary’s “yes” to God, the mystery kept secret for ages was revealed to us. God’s plan of our salvation became realized. This is the mystery that St Paul proclaims in the second reading (Rom. 16:25-27).

It could be observed that king David and the Virgin Mary had their own plans. But God had bigger plans for their lives. Thus, they allowed the will of God to be done. May we too learn to avail ourselves to God's will. Let each of us say a free, unconditional and courageous 'Yes' to God even if we must sacrifice our own plans.

Amen

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B

Isaiah 61:1-2.10-11
Luke 1:46-50.53-54
1Thessalonians. 5:16-24
John 1:6-8.19-28

A Reason to Be Joyful

Today marks the beginning of the second half of the Advent season: the immediate preparation for Christmas. The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as the “Gaudete Sunday” (Sunday of rejoicing). Why should we rejoice when we are surrounded by thousands of problems and frustrations?

The Communion Antiphon offers the answer: “Say to the anxious: be strong and fear not, our God is coming to save us”. It is precisely in this that the advent season is a season of joyful hope. Thus, St Paul invites us to rejoice at all times, to pray without ceasing and give thank to God in every circumstance. For God has called us and he will not fail us (1Thes. 5:16-24).

The first reading talks about the Anointed of God who would bring the good news to the poor and inaugurate the era of grace, restoration and liberation (Is. 61:1-2.10-11). In Luke 4, Jesus declares that this scripture has been fulfilled in him. He is the person the Jews had long waited for. But it took the testimony of John to prepare the people to discover their Saviour who was standing in their midst, but unknown to them. John is therefore the voice that bears testimony to the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:6-8.19-28).

Thus, from this gospel periscope, we learn that the source of our frustrations, worries, restlessness and unhappiness is our inability to discover that Jesus, our Saviour, is with us. We will never discover true joy unless we discover God in the person He anointed for our sake, Jesus Christ. May he help us to be aware that he is closer to us than we can think of.

Amen