Jesus the Face of Mercy and Compassion: Living Our Faith with Passion and Holiness

05th Sunday of Lent: April 06, 2025

Readings: Isaiah 43:16–21; Psalm 126:1–6; Philippians 3:8–14; John 8:1–11

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Goc6_7dhTiM

Who is perfect? Who is sinless? Often, people know more about us than we do ourselves! They have their own versions of us. They wear coloured glasses and see us. Despite knowing that a human person is such a complex being, people underestimate the person. Each one has his or her own inadequacies and vulnerabilities. However, people live with prejudice, malice, wickedness, and evil tendencies. It fills their stomachs. As a result, they might not see any good in others. Unfortunately, they are incapable of self-reflection. In this context, we have beautiful liturgical readings on this Sunday, especially the Gospel reading. Jesus saves a woman from being stoned to death. His simple questions put the would-be murderers into shame and regret. Moreover, the woman becomes an ardent disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1. Jesus, the Face of Mercy

As we journey deeper into Lent, the Gospel of John 8:1–11 presents a powerful invitation to experience God’s mercy and renewal. This passage is not merely about the woman caught in sin—it is about all of us, sinners standing before a merciful Savior. It is about encountering Jesus in our brokenness and walking away transformed.  The scribes and Pharisees bring the woman before Jesus, eager to condemn her according to the Law of Moses. Yet, their real motive is not justice but to trap Jesus. If He spares her, they could accuse Him of disregarding the Law; if He condemns her, He would contradict His own message of mercy.

But Jesus does not respond immediately. Instead, He bends down and writes on the ground. What was He writing? We do not know. Some say He was writing the sins of the accusers. Others believe He was creating space—for silence, for self-examination, for grace to enter. When He finally speaks, His words are both piercing and liberating: "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." These words silence the crowd. One by one, they walk away. Before Jesus, no one could claim righteousness. In Lent, we are called to recognize this same truth—none of us are without sin, yet God’s mercy is greater than our failures.

2. Conversion: A New Beginning in Holiness

Jesus does not condone the woman's sin, but neither does He condemn her. Instead, He offers her something greater—a chance to begin again. This is the heart of Lent: repentance and renewal. How often do we allow our past sins to define us? How often do we carry shame instead of embracing God’s mercy? Lent is a time to lay down our burdens before Christ, trusting in His power to make all things new. Often, we bracket people. With that, we close our world to them. 

The woman walked away changed. She was no longer just "the adulterous woman"—she was a beloved daughter, restored by grace. Likewise, when we encounter Jesus in confession, in prayer, and in the Eucharist, we are given a new identity. This Lent, let us ask: Are we quick to judge others while ignoring our own faults? Do we allow God’s mercy to truly transform us? Are we ready to "go and sin no more," to live with a renewed commitment to holiness?

3. Living our Faith with Passion and Compassion

Jesus does not just call us to avoid sin—He calls us to embrace holiness with passion. We must walk away from this Gospel with hearts on fire, determined to live as true disciples, free from the chains of sin and full of the joy of God’s mercy. We must be like St. Paul with a personality of passion and commitment. He calls for a radical call to follow Christ with unwavering passion. Paul, once a zealous Pharisee, now considers all his past achievements as “rubbish” compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. 

This is the core of our Lenten journey—recognizing that holiness is not about human effort alone but about surrendering to God’s grace. We do not earn salvation; we receive it as a gift. Yet, this gift calls us to transformation. Lent is a time to reflect on what we hold dear. Christ offers us far more than anything the world offers. It's a time for us as we approach Holy Week, to renew our commitment: To seek Christ above all else; To surrender our self-righteousness and trust in His grace; To let go of the past and run with perseverance toward holiness. May this be our grace for this week.

Questions for self-reflection:

1. Am I willing to let go of pride, self-reliance, and worldly distractions to seek God with my whole heart?
2. Am I holding onto past failures, sins, or regrets that prevent me from moving forward in faith?
3. How can I deepen my commitment to living out my faith with greater passion and love?
4. Are there attachments in our lives—sins, comforts, ambitions—that hinder our relationship with Christ?

Prayer based on Psalm 126

Gracious and loving God,

Restore what is broken, renew what is weary, and fill my soul with the joy of Your presence. Like streams in the desert, let Your grace flow into the dry places of my heart. Give me the strength to persevere, knowing that You turn sorrow into joy and mourning into dancing. Lord, give us the grace to press forward with passion, to seek You above all things, and to grow in holiness. 

Lord, as I walk through this Lenten journey, may I plant seeds of faith, love, and holiness, trusting that in Your time, You will bring a harvest of grace. Let my heart remain steadfast in hope, for You are the God who restores, renews, and redeems. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

04 April 2025

Embracing Father's Mercy

04th Sunday of Lent: March 30, 2025

Readings: Joshua 5:9–12: Psalm 34:2–7; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/IND7eQRV9dc

What do we do in moments of despair? Each one knows how to cope with such situations based on one's education and upbringing. Sometimes, such moments can be very painful and distressing. However, deep down God has blessed His creation with the ability to navigate such complexities and confusion. The Gospel reading on the fourth Sunday of Lent tells us how the Prodigal Son dealt with such a difficult situation. He had the consciousness to go back to his roots, back to his Father. He opted for the option of being embraced by his father. He knew his father more than anyone else. That's how he was solemnly received by his father because of his humility and simplicity.

1. Returning to the Father: A Call to Repentance

Today, we reflect upon the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:1–3, 11–32. It is a story of a profound revelation of God’s mercy and love. It is not merely a story about two brothers but an invitation to examine our relationship with the Father. The younger son, lured by worldly desires, seeks independence but soon finds himself in misery. His return is marked by a humble confession: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you" (Luke 15:18). This Lenten season calls us to recognize the ways we have strayed—through selfishness, pride, or neglect of God. True repentance is not merely feeling sorry but turning back with trust in God’s mercy.

Encountering the Living God in the Ordinary : A Call to Trust

03rd Sunday of Lent: March 23, 2025

Readings: Exodus 3:1–8, 13–15; Psalm 103:1–4, 6–8, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 10–12; Luke 13:1–9

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

Death and destruction are part of our lives. Often we find it difficult to understand the suffering, death and loss that occur in our lives. Sadly, they do not allow us to live in peace. We find no meaning in such incidences which are so painful and seldom they happen successively, one after the other. Due to such unbearable experiences, we might lose hope in God and ourselves as well. The history of humanity has been a tale of such happenings and experiences. We find it difficult to harness and learn from experiences until they happen to us and we are part of this unhappy phenomenon. The liturgical readings on this Third Sunday of Lent give us experiences that occurred in the lives of Israelites. Jesus' explanations to the crowd leave them more confused as their thinking is limited.

1. A Call to Repentance and Fruitfulness

In today’s Gospel, Luke 13:1–9 Jesus responds to two tragic events: The slaughter of Galileans by Pilate and the collapse of a tower in Siloam. The people assume that those who suffered from these tragedies were worse sinners than others. But Jesus challenges this mindset. Rather than focusing on why bad things happen, He turns the question toward personal conversion: “Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” Jesus’ words today are not meant to instill fear but to wake us from spiritual sluggishness or laziness. God’s patience is a gift, but it is not to be taken for granted. We are called to respond, to repent, and to bear fruit—not tomorrow, but today.

Transfigured in Christ: A Journey of Authentic Discipleship

02 Sunday of Lent: March 16, 2025

Readings: Genesis 15:5–12, 17–18; Psalm 27:1, 7–9, 13–14; Philippians 3:17–4:1; Luke 9:28–36

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/g_KwZ0PHD_U

Deep and poignant experiences leave an indelible mark in life. They make us who we are, reveal our identity and the purpose of our lives, and are defining moments that clear the path of the future. No one can steal such experiences from our lives. They add value to our lives and are pathways to the future. We feel such experiences are very essential. They broaden our horizons and look for a future with hope. Jesus had a similar experience with his disciples during the transfiguration on Mount Tabor. The whole episode changed the perspectives of Jesus and his three disciples forever. They were never the same again. It captivated their attention and made them clear the role of their master Jesus in their lives. This Sunday's liturgical readings help us live this Lent with utmost faith, hope and charity.

1. Climbing the Mountain: Seeking God's Presence

The Gospel for this Sunday Luke 9:28–36 invites us to contemplate the Transfiguration of Jesus—a moment of divine revelation that strengthens the disciples for the journey ahead. As we reflect on this very fascinating passage, it invites us to recognize that authentic Christian discipleship requires us to be transformed in Christ, listening to Him, and courageously following Him through both moments of glory and the path of the Cross. Therefore, we must have passion for God and the determination to follow him only then we can fulfil the ambition of God for us.

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.

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!