More Than Bread: Encountering God in Our Weakness

First Sunday of Lent 2025: March 09, 2025

Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4–10; Psalm 91:1–2, 10–15; Romans 10:8–13; Luke 4:1–13

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/3dH8oGvqFfQ

Who does not get tempted? Our human nature is such that we cannot be perfect. Vulnerability, finiteness, limitedness, and mortality are part of our lives. Our human nature craves for things more than it is necessary to satisfy one's basic needs. Our desires are unlimited and uncontainable. There is no end for dissatisfaction. Rarely, we might utter, it's enough. More the merrier is the only thing that drives us. In this context, we have very fascinating readings from the Bible, which are nothing but a contradiction to who we are. Jesus is indeed our model in this scenario to discern not only our thoughts and feelings but also our desires. 

1. Victory over temptation is possible

The first Sunday of Lent places us at the threshold of the desert with Jesus, where He is led by the Spirit and tested by the devil as we read in Luke 4:1–13. This Gospel passage is not just an episode in Jesus’ life but a revelation of His identity and mission. It invites us to walk with Him into the wilderness of our own hearts, where we confront our struggles and rediscover the path to true life in God. Jesus, the Son of God, faces temptations that echo the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Where the first Adam failed by succumbing to the devil’s lies, Jesus—the new Adam—remains steadfast. The devil tempts Him with three things that still challenge us today: physical needs (bread), power (worldly kingdoms), and pride (testing God). Yet, Jesus resists, not through sheer willpower but through His deep trust in the Father.

His victory is our hope. Jesus does not use divine power to avoid suffering; instead, He embraces His humanity fully, showing us that holiness is possible. In every temptation, He turns to the Word of God. This Lent, we are invited to do the same. Do we rely on God when we are weak? Do we trust His promises when life tests us?

2. The Wilderness: A Place of Encounter, Not Abandonment

The desert is a place of hunger, silence, and trial. It is also a place of encounter. It was in the wilderness that Israel was tested, but also where they learned to rely on God alone. The same is true for Jesus—and for us. Lent is our own journey into the desert, stripping away distractions and false securities so that we may hear God’s voice more clearly.

Often, we resist the wilderness moments in our lives, seeing them as punishment or loss. But Jesus teaches us that the desert is not a place of abandonment but transformation. It is where we learn who we truly are—beloved children of God. We are constantly lured by the illusion that material comfort will satisfy our deepest hunger. Jesus reminds us that “man shall not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4). True fulfillment comes only from God. We need to hang on to God, who fulfills all our needs. Our human needs cannot be matched by material things that are available in this world. 

3. Following Jesus means following the Path to Salvation

The world tells us that success is found in dominance and influence, power and prestige, wealth and honour. But Jesus chooses a different path—one of humility, docility and surrender to the Father’s will. When life becomes difficult, we may demand that God prove Himself. No one is too far gone, no sin is too great, and no heart is too hardened for God’s grace. But Jesus shows us that true faith means trusting even when we do not see immediate signs, including hoping in hopeless situations. Let Jesus be the center of our lives, shaping our words, actions, and desires in this Lent.

Jesus does not merely resist temptation for Himself—He does it for us. His victory over the devil foreshadows the greater victory He will win on the Cross. Lent is not just about giving up things; it is about drawing closer to Jesus, who alone can save us. Lent is not just a time of penance and self-denial; it is a journey toward renewal, a time to rediscover the grace that is already near to us, “on our lips and in our hearts” (Romans 10:8). As we journey through this Lenten season, let us fix our eyes on Him, who is alone our way, the truth and the salvation. 

Questions for self-reflection:

1. How do I respond to temptations in my daily life? Do I rely on my own strength, or do I turn to God’s Word for guidance and strength, as Jesus did?
2. How do I perceive the “wilderness” moments in my life—times of trial, loneliness, or uncertainty? Do I see them as opportunities to grow closer to God?
3. How can I create space in my life to listen to God more deeply during this Lent?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, in this Lenten season, deepen our faith in You. May we proclaim with our lips and believe in our hearts that You are Lord, our salvation, and our hope. Draw us closer to You, and help us to live in the freedom of Your love. Lord Jesus, You triumphed over temptation so that we might share in Your victory. In this Lenten season, give us the grace to trust in the Father’s love, to hunger for His Word, and to walk with You in faith. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ 

March 07, 2025

Living in God’s Light: Building Relationships Rooted in Faith

08th Sunday in Ordinary Time: March 02, 2025

Readings: Sirach 27:4–7; Psalm 92:2–3, 13–16; 1 Corinthians 15:54–58; Luke 6:39–45

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/UQ0yoRojzYA

Three things are very important in life to make it meaningful: Trust, mercy and forgiveness. Trust builds our relationships, mercy brings people together, and forgiveness creates peace among people.  This week we have been reading very poignant readings from the book of Sirach (wisdom literature of the Bible). What matters most in our life is living our earthly life in line with the precepts of God. It means allowing God to be God. Being born with limitedness and vulnerability, none of us are perfect. Especially when we live in families or religious communities, we need more and more power to make adjustments in order to build trust, mercy and forgiveness. The liturgical readings of this Sunday tell us that to be good means to be embraced by the compassion of our God.

1. Building our lives with God as true light

In this passage of Luke 6:39–45, Jesus speaks in parables, offering wisdom about guidance, self-awareness, and the fruitfulness of a good heart. His words challenge us to examine ourselves, to seek true wisdom, and to bear fruit that reflects God’s presence within us. "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?" (Luke 6:39).  Jesus warns against the danger of being led by those who lack true spiritual sight. 

A Call to Radical Love to Love Without Limits

07th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 23, 2025

Readings: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7–9, 12–13, 22–23; Psalm 103:1–13; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49; Luke 6:27–38

On this 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to reflect on the radical call of Christian discipleship: to love as God loves, to show mercy as He shows mercy, and to rise above our human instincts for retaliation or self-interest. Through the readings, we see David’s reverence for God’s anointed, St. Paul’s reminder of our heavenly calling in Christ, and Jesus’ challenging command to love our enemies and give without measure. These lessons call us to embody God’s kindness and mercy in a world often marked by division and strife. Let us open our hearts to this transformative message, striving to live as true children of the Most High.

1. Love Beyond Measure

The Gospel passage from Luke 6:27–38 is one of the most challenging yet profoundly transformative teachings of Jesus. It calls us to a radical way of life—one that reflects the boundless love and mercy of God. Jesus begins with an invitation that seems almost impossible: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27–28)

Walking with Christ: Living the Beatitudes in a Troubled World

06th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 16, 2025

Readings: Jeremiah 17:5–8; Psalm 1:1–4, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20; Luke 6:17, 20–26

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/a6j-JcHi1ao

In our world today, kindness often seems in short supply. Individuals have their own reasons to negate someone or feel jealousy about others. Often history is a repetition of mistakes. Looking around our world now, some 2000 years since Jesus came into the world, humanity continues to repeat past mistakes.  We seem to believe we can solve all problems if we just_____(fill in the blank).  People continue to face a multitude of tragedies and trauma. Very few are ready to accept defeat.  Many feel frustrated and exhausted, with nothing left to give. However it is time to sit down and rest, but not surrender or give up, and 2025 is the perfect year to renew and deepen our relationship with God. The liturgical readings of today are truly soothing balm to our hurts and wounds.

1. The Presence of Jesus in Our Midst

In Luke 6:17, 20–26, Jesus does not remain at the heights of the mountain; He comes down to be among the people. His ministry is not detached or distant, but close and personal. He stands on level ground, meeting the people where they are—amid their struggles, hopes, and pains. This reminds us that Christ is not a distant God but one who walks with us in our everyday lives. He comes to meet us in our joys and sorrows, in our strengths and weaknesses. He sees our suffering and declares that God's kingdom belongs to us. Those who seem to have the least by worldly standards may be the richest in faith and closest to God's heart.

From Failure to Abundance: Trusting in God's Grace

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 09, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 6:1–8; Psalm 138:1–5, 7–8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Luke 5:1–11

What do we do when we are in distress? Complain or get angry or depressed, or point at others that this is because of someone else or say to oneself that I am good for nothing, feel embarrassed or feeling of low? Our distress can manifest in many ways. But if we have that positive outlook and strong willpower even any sort of failures could be turned into moments of learning and embark on a journey that might be different from what one must have embarked upon. The liturgical readings on this 5th Sunday of the year tell us that only in God we can find our perfect refuge. It is God who calls us. He will give everything in need even in times of distress or failure.  

1. The Call to Trust in God's Word

We have a beautiful incident that occurred in the Lake of Gennesaret Luke 5:1–11 where Jesus is sitting in the boat and teaching the crowd. What follows next is really fascinating. Jesus wants to go fishing with his disciples and the response of St Peter is of distress and failure. Peter and his companions had spent the entire night fishing but caught nothing. They were exhausted and discouraged. Now the words of Jesus strike not only Peter even the fish to fill the net. "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch," he obeyed despite his doubts. The result was an overwhelming abundance of fish in the net!

Embracing the Light: Christ’s Presentation and Our Mission in the World

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: February 02, 2025

Readings: Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews 2:14–18; Luke 2:22–40

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/TbfOwzKEcic

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a moment in the life of Christ that bridges the Old and New Testaments, fulfilling the law and revealing the light of salvation to the world. It's a day when baby Jesus is presented in the Temple, forty days after birth. As the firstborn, he belonged to God.  This feast invites us to reflect on the profound mystery of Christ’s humility, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the call to be bearers of His light in our world today. Let us delve into the readings of the day to uncover the significance of this feast and its relevance to our lives.

1. The Presentation of the Lord: A Meeting of Heaven and Earth

In the Gospel of  Luke 2:22–40, we witness Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses. This act of obedience underscores the humility of the Holy Family and their fidelity to God’s covenant. Yet, this moment is far more than a ritual; it is a divine encounter. Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the “light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel” (Luke 2:32). Anna, the prophetess, also gives thanks to God and speaks of the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

From Conviction to Action: Embracing Christ’s Call

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 26, 2025

Readings: Nehemiah 8:2–6, 10; Psalms 19:8–10, 15; 1 Corinthians 12:12–30; Luke 1:1–4, 4:14–21

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/0ze4KJPtGf8

What would be our life if we did not live with convictions, values, norms or systems that determine a particular way of being in this world? We are judged by who we are, what we speak and the way we act. This determines our life, our present and our future. Our social upbringing and pedagogical training that we receive in schools and colleges decide the kind of world that we want to create. Jesus begins his public ministry from his experiences as a practicing Jew. His upbringing makes him what really he is and is meant to be. He takes up the role of Messiah bringing salvation to those who need it and are ready to listen. The liturgical readings on this Sunday invite us to be part of Jesus' mission of bringing goodness to all the people of goodwill.

1. The Call to Trust in God’s Word

The passages from Luke’s Gospel invite us into a profound contemplation of God’s promise fulfilled through Jesus Christ. In Luke 1:1–4, the evangelist carefully sets the stage, emphasizing the reliability of his account and his intention to provide an orderly narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus. It is addressed to Theophilus, whose name means "lover of God," an earnest inquirer about Jesus

Recognizing the Sacred: God’s Abundance in Our Lives

02nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 19, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 62:1–5; Psalm 96:1–3, 7–10;  1 Corinthians 12:4–11; John 2:1–12

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/aGm914hVNwM

Somebody wrote "⁠When God wanted to create fish, he spoke to the sea. ⁠When God wanted to create trees, he spoke to the earth. ⁠But when God wanted to create man, he turned to Himself." God comes to us every day of our lives. Sometimes in known ways and sometimes in unknown ways. Jesus came into the world in known ways. There was more than sufficient literature about the coming of Jesus into the world. However many did not recognize him. On the Second Sunday of the Ordinary Time, the liturgical readings invite us to recognize Jesus, in fact, he makes himself known through a very big miracle of making water into wine at a wedding party.

1. Jesus ever ready to meet the needs of others

The first miracle recorded in the Gospel of St John 2:1–12 is the Wedding at Cana, where Jesus performs turning water into wine. Jesus loved celebrations. He was at home with his relatives.  Jesus does not shy away from his mother Mary when she asks him to do something in order to save the face of the host. Mary is very sensitive and looks at the needs of the present moment even though it does not concern her. Mary and Jesus recognize the sacredness of human relationships and the joy of communion. Their presence at such a big party is a lesson for us that  God delights in being with us, not only in solemn moments but also in our everyday celebrations.

Called and Commissioned: Living Our Baptismal Identity

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: January 12, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7; Psalm 29:1–4, 9–10; Acts 10:34–38; Luke 3:15–16, 21–22

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As we enter into the ordinary rhythm of the New Year 2025, our spirits are still high with the blessings it brings. We may be getting busier, feeling the monotony of life yet the spirit with which we started the year must keep us going with the resolutions and other commitments that we have made for this year. Towards this end, the liturgical readings of this Sunday on the day of the feast of our Lord's Baptism invite us to take a closer look at the person of Jesus and John the Baptist who are just six months apart in their age, yet both are profound and committed to the cause for which they are called. John the Baptist is at the service of Word, which was made flesh among us. All his energies are geared towards this cause of preparing the way for God.

1. Getting to know our identity better

Today, we live in an age of digital identities, where our worth is often measured in likes and followers. Many people, especially our youth, struggle with questions of who they really are. Into this confusion, the Baptism of Jesus thunders with the Father's voice: "This is my beloved Son." This divine affirmation reminds us that our deepest identity isn't found in social media profiles or professional achievements, but in being God's beloved children. We see the perfect manifestation of the Holy Trinity – the Son standing in the waters, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father's voice proclaiming "This is my beloved Son."

Epiphany: Finding the Star of Our Lives

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: January 05, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–11, 12–13; Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/n5QclcKZG_c 

We have just begun the new year 2025. Our hearts are full of hope and enthusiasm as we embark on another calendar year. Our life is measured by the years but also by the way we live. So the year 2025 is going to make a difference in our lives. The resolutions or promises that we have made as we enter into the new year are to be kept and followed diligently so that we can improve or make progress. To spend our time to the best, we have to make plans. We must have dreams and of course, we need to dream bigger. Our life is fascinating when we do things, which bring peace and joy, surprise and consolation to us. Life becomes meaningful and worthy of its gift when we make the best of it and when opportunities are made use of. The three kings who visit the baby Jesus give us that hope. Despite their lack of knowledge about the whereabouts of Jesus, they were able to meet and pay homage to the great wonder of the world.

1. The Universal Call of God

The story of the Magi journeying to pay homage to the Christ Child in Matthew 2:1–12 is one of the fascinating episodes among the infancy narratives of Jesus. It is filled with rich imagery and deep truths about God’s revelation to the world. The Magi, wise men from the East, represent the nations and peoples beyond Israel. This means that salvation is not confined to one group but extends to all humanity. God’s call transcends boundaries of culture, language, religion, race, and nationality. This epiphany invites us to embrace the universality of God’s love and extend it to those around us, especially those who seem different from us.

The Holy Family: A Model of Love, Unity, and Forgiveness

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: December 29, 2024

Readings: Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14; Psalm 128:1–5; Colossians 3:12–21; Luke 2:41–52

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/r1D9-exNZ7I

Pope Francis says that family is “where we learn to live with others despite our differences and to belong to one another.” As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, our first thoughts go to the blessed family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This day is dedicated to the family in our liturgical calendar. Our families are called to be as holy as the family of the Nazareth. We are called to draw inspiration from this family of love, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.

1. Life as Pilgrimage of Faith

The passage of Luke 2:41–52 recounts a profound moment in the life of Jesus and His family, offering us a glimpse into the divine mystery of His identity and mission. It is the only Gospel account of Jesus' youth, highlighting His wisdom and the tension between His earthly life and divine calling. Often we become restless and angry when our children grow and choose the path which may not be to our liking. We might be unconsciously trying to control them or we might be thinking that they are not capable of choosing their career path.

Christmas 2024: Gazing at the Innocence of the Child

Christmas 2024: December 25, 2024

Readings: Lk 2:1-14

What kind of newness could this Christmas 2024 bring to us?

Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ - painting at Infant Jesus Church, Ernakulam

Christmas is not for faint-hearted and hopeless people. Christmas is not meant for people who do not desire to see great things in their lives. Christmas is not for those who are unwilling to embrace change, flexibility, and openness to newness. Christmas is not meant for those who are fearful, diffident, lost in the little things that worry them, or lost in their smallness. Christmas is not meant for those, who have low self-confidence, are lazy and lack imagination. In other words, Christmas is for those who are courageous and hopeful people. Christmas is for those who desire to see great things in their lives. Christmas is for those who are looking for change, dynamism and openness to the greater things that happen in their lives. Christmas is for those who are confident, hardworking and who can imagine greater things in their own lives and the lives of those who are around them.

1. Unforeseen Circumstances in Jesus' Birth

As we celebrate Christmas, we imagine, the Child Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, cows and goats around them. Not just human beings but even animals participate in Jesus's birth scene. It is something uncommon for a Jewish family to give birth to a child in a cowshed. But this is what actually happens in the life of Jesus. If the Roman Emperor's diktat of the census was not in place, Jesus would have had a normal home for his delivery. Mary and Joseph now find the right place of a manger where the cows have their food and become a place for Jesus to be born and sheltered in that inopportune place.

Advent: Standing at the Threshold for God's Arrival

04th Sunday of Advent: December 22, 2024

Readings: Micah 5:1–4; Psalm 80:2–3, 15–16, 18–19; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–45

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/ytZBkzchCv8

As we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we stand at a sacred threshold. The purple candles of our Advent wreaths flicker with anticipation, and our hearts beat in rhythm with Mary's journey to Bethlehem. In these final moments before Christmas, we are invited to contemplate what it truly means to be a dwelling place for the Divine.

1. Wonder at the incomprehensible mystery of God

St. Gregory of Nyssa, that profound mystic of the early Church, once wrote: "Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything." As we ponder the mystery of the Incarnation, these words take on special significance. In our modern world of instant gratification and digital distractions, we often try to reduce everything to easily digestible concepts. Yet the wonder of God becoming human defies all our attempts at neat categorization.

The Joy of Advent: Rejoice, for the Lord is Near

03rd Sunday of Advent: December 15, 2024

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14–18; Isaiah 12:2–6; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:10–18

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:  https://youtu.be/nJXTnHwTayE

The Third Sunday of Advent, often called Gaudete Sunday, calls us to rejoice. The readings today proclaim joy, hope, and a sense of eager anticipation for the coming of the Lord. As we live in a world marked by uncertainty, conflict, and deep longing for peace, these scriptures remind us to root our joy in God’s presence and His promises. Living with this trust enables us to radiate joy and hope, even amidst life’s uncertainties.  As we await the coming of Christ, we are called to live as people of hope, joy, and justice, bearing witness to His presence in our midst. As we heed John’s call, we prepare the way for Christ, not only in our hearts but in the lives of those around us. 

1. Preparing the Way with Actions

We see in Luke 3:10–18, John the Baptist’s call to repentance is direct, clear, explicit and practical. He exhorts the crowds to live out their faith by sharing with the poor, practicing honesty, and avoiding exploitation. In a world plagued by inequality and corruption, John’s call is a summons to solidarity. To the wealthy, he says, “Give.” To those in positions of power, he says, “Do not abuse.” These words demand action. As St. Augustine writes: "True repentance is not just in words but in the reformation of life. What good is it to say, 'Prepare the way of the Lord,' if we do not walk the path ourselves?"

Advent - God's Action in Human History

02nd Sunday of Advent: December 08, 2024

Readings: Baruch 5:1–9; Psalm 126:1–6; Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11; Luke 3:1–6

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Rz1D-EoMgpQ

The liturgical readings for the Second Sunday of Advent invite us to contemplate the historical and salvific reality of the Incarnation, as God enters human history in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a profound reality of God's intervention in human history. Hence we must understand the mystery of salvation from the historical context. By doing so, we might be able to deepen our relationship with God thus we celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way. Advent is a season of waiting, but it is also a season of remembering: the God who once entered history as the Word made flesh continues to shape our lives today.

1. Salvation Rooted in History

Luke’s Gospel situates John the Baptist’s ministry within a detailed historical framework: the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the governance of Pontius Pilate, and the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. These specifics emphasize that the story of salvation is not an abstract idea but a real event within human history. This historical grounding is crucial because it reminds us that God's salvation is tangible and accessible. John’s call to “prepare the way of the Lord” resonates today, inviting us to recognize how Christ continues to meet us in the reality of our own lives and circumstances.

Advent: A Journey from Restlessness to Peace

01st Sunday of Advent: December 01, 2024

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Ny7Y232Zx64?si=2tA7CjkIsELPY2md

The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a sacred journey—a time of anticipation and hope. This season invites us to reflect on our longing for God amidst the complexities and struggles of life. Our restless hearts yearn for meaning, connection, and peace, echoing the psalmist's cry: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Rather than allowing fear and confusion to paralyse us as we see the many problems in our world, we look up. We eagerly await and work for the coming of God's reign in our midst. In the midst of chaos and distress, fear and anxiety, while very powers of heaven are shaken, we are called to stand tall, and strong with heads lifted up. This is Christian courage!

1. A world in need of hope

In today’s world, humanity seems to wrestle with both ancient and modern challenges. Wars, climate crises, economic disparity, and the isolation brought about by technological over-dependence have left many feeling overwhelmed and distant from hope. Yet, these struggles unveil a deeper truth: our longing for God is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the divine imprint within us. The emptiness we feel is not something to fear; it is the space God seeks to fill with His love.