Christmas 2024: Gazing at the Innocence of the Child

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, 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 not ready 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. If the Roman Emperor's diktat of 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 become a place where Jesus is born and sheltered in that unopportune place.

2. God enters into the lives in uncommon way

When we look at the life of Mary and Joseph, certain things are obvious and vivid. These days we are also reading about Elizabeth and Zacharias the parents of St John the Baptist, just six months in advance is born to prepare the way to Jesus. With the same kinship relationship, both Jesus and John the Baptist make their lives amongst the people of Israel. Interestingly, we see both Mary and Elizabeth go through a very strange phase of their lives of becoming mothers in an untimely manner. If Mary is young, not yet married, Elizabeth is in advanced in years and now barren. God enters into their lives a very strange and unusual moment of their lives. Interestingly, both take it boldly with natural yet initial hesitation. Both open up themselves to the new possibilities. The courage and hopefulness of both these ladies are a must to be appreciated.

3. Ready for the unimaginable possibilities

We see that the Christmas of Bethlehem is full of imagination and of unpredictability. Both Joseph, Mary's husband, and Zacharias, Elizabeth's husband, experience strange but unimaginable things in their lives. Yet both are open to new possibilities. They give themselves not just for divine dreams and revelations but allow themself embraced by this mystery of incarnation. Joseph is ever ready to accept the new reality. Ready to change and get down to his feet and ready to rescue the child that is just born from the clutches of evil King Herod.

4. Openness to the God's way of acting and being

Christmas comes to us bringing full of hope and newness. Never before in the history of humanity, we have seen God becoming human in such a wretched situation. What brings salvation is not pride, riches or power but humility, self-sacrifice and compassion. This is the heart of Christmas. For and in God everything is possible. God accepts the reality of humanity in such a simple form that a good number of our people cannot be simple at all. We are lost in ourselves; in our status, positions, power, protocols and procedures. We have lost in traditions, customs and status. We have forgotten the human person in the rubrics of laws and legalities. We have misplaced ourselves. Instead of choosing newness, we are lost in things that do not bring salvation. We have lost in small things. In other words, we have lost a way to salvation.

5. Listening to the feeble voice of God

The unexpected coming of our Lord and being born in Bethlehem is recognized by the shepherds and the three unknown kings. The unexpected things that happen in the lives of the parents of Jesus and John the Baptist is a lessen to us to do always God's Will and listen to his voice and not the voice of this world. There is so much noise in the world, we fail to recognize the voice of God which is quiet and hard to hear. The Christian of today has to be ready to embrace not just the change but the incomprehensibility of God through one's imagination and a sense of wonder. 

6. Attentiveness to God's working even today

Jesus takes birth in our lives even today, when we are ready to accept God's voice in this messy world. Jesus takes birth in our lives, when we open ourselves to newer possibilities which may be unknown and road less travelled. Jesus takes birth in our lives when just like Mary and Elizabeth accept God's will and reckoning with humility, courage and hope. What happened in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, still happens today in our lives, if we are ready to accept God's voice in our lives. 

Prayer

Loving God,

You who chose the humble manger for the birth of Your Son,

teach us to embrace the newness You bring into our lives.

Help us to be courageous and hopeful, ready for great things,

even in the face of unexpected and challenging circumstances.

May we, like Mary and Joseph, open our hearts to Your will,

trusting in Your plan, even when it is beyond our understanding.

Grant us the imagination to see Your hand at work in the uncommon

and the humility to accept Your presence in the simple and the small.

In a world full of noise, may we attune our ears to Your gentle voice.

Amid life's uncertainties, fill us with faith to walk the road less traveled,

knowing that Your love and salvation are always near.

Lord, as we celebrate the birth of Christ,

may His light shine in our hearts and homes,

making us instruments of Your peace and joy to all around us.

We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

23 December 2024

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 Gospel for this Sunday Luke 1:39–45 presents us with Mary's fiat – her "yes" to God's extraordinary invitation making her at the service of others including her relative Elizabeth. This young woman from Nazareth, living in occupied territory under Roman rule, facing societal judgment and uncertainty, still dared to say, "Be it done unto me according to your word." How many of us, in our own lives, struggle with such radical trust? Moreover, Mary is ready to accompany another woman Elizabeth who is also troubled by the good news of the child in her senior years. 

2. Beyond Bethlehem: Christ's Birth in Today's World

St Maximus the Confessor, another early Patristic writer offers us a profound insight here: "The Word of God, born once in the flesh, is always willing to be born spiritually in those who desire Him." This spiritual birth isn't just a historical event we commemorate – it's an ongoing invitation to each of us. In our divided world, where political tensions run high, where families struggle with economic pressures, where climate change threatens our common home, we too are called to be bearers of Christ.

Let us consider our own contemporary context in which we live: Parents juggling work demands while trying to create meaningful Advent traditions for their children; young adults navigating career choices while seeking deeper meaning in life; elderly members of our community facing loneliness during the holiday season; immigrants in our parishes yearning for both welcome and preservation of their cultural traditions; families struggling with inflation and financial stress during this season of giving. The list goes on. However, we can make a difference here if we trust in the Lord and walk in His ways. 

3. Impossible Possibilities: Carrying Christ in Today's World

The mystery of the Incarnation speaks to all these situations. As Gregory of Nyssa teaches us, "What was achieved in Mary's body is accomplished in the soul of every person who has been saved." This means that our daily struggles, our moments of uncertainty, and our professional challenges – all become sacred spaces where God desires to be born anew.  Love is a good disposition of the soul during this time of intense longing for God. As we prepare for Christmas, perhaps this is our most important task – to cultivate that good disposition of the soul that recognizes God's presence in all things, even (and especially) in the messy realities of our daily lives.

As we light the fourth candle of Advent, let us remember that we stand in a long tradition of believers who have grappled with the mystery of Emmanuel – God with us. Like Mary, we are called to be God-bearers in our own time and place. In our homes and offices, in our digital spaces and face-to-face encounters, in our moments of joy and our experiences of struggle, we are invited to let Christ be born anew. May these final days of Advent find us, like Mary, open to the impossible possibilities that God places before us, ready to be surprised by joy, and willing to be transformed by love. "For with God, nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)

Questions for self-reflection:

In these final days before Christmas, we might ask ourselves:

1. Where in my life am I being invited to say "yes" to God's unexpected plans?
2. How can I create space for wonder amidst the holiday rush?
3. In what ways might I be called to bear Christ to others in their moments of need?

Prayer:

Loving God,

As we light our fourth Advent candle,

Make our hearts ready, like Mary's,

To welcome Your Son.

In our daily struggles and joys,

Help us become bearers of Your presence

To all we meet.

Transform our ordinary moments

Into sacred spaces where You are born anew.

For with You, nothing is impossible.

We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

20 December 2024

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.

Christ the Servant King: A Call to Authentic Discipleship and Hope

The Solemnity of Christ the King: November 24, 2024

Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1-2,5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

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

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, a feast that calls us to recognize and honour Jesus as the King of the Universe. It also marks the end of the liturgical year, inviting us to reflect on the journey of faith we have traversed and prepare for the Advent season—a time of waiting and hope. At Baptism, when we are anointed with Chrism, the words used are: "As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body." These powerful words are a true reminder that we too take part in Christ's kingly functions.

1. Christ the Servant King

Unlike earthly kings, Jesus’ kingship is rooted in humility and service. He reigns not with power and might but through love, mercy, and sacrifice. His throne is the cross, and His crown is made of thorns. This image of Jesus challenges us to embrace servant leadership in our lives. A good number of us may not even like the word "King." Having lived in democratic countries, and a constitution, we love everyone to be treated equally. However, we must learn from Christ not as a King who runs the affairs of the world just like secular rulers but as a King who serves and becomes a model for us.

At the Service of the "Absolute" - The Legacy of Fr Devadatta Kamath, SJ (1934-2024)

Fr Devadatta Kamath, SJ (1934-2024)

Poet, priest, composer, writer, philosopher, scholar, teacher, professor, grammarian, translator, historian and Jesuit, Fr Devadatta Kamath, fondly known "Fr Deva" is indeed a multi-faceted personality. He was a man ready to embark on any work the Society entrusted to him either, it is the professor of Indian philosophy at St Joseph's Seminary in Mangalore or teacher and dean at the Juniorate in Trevendrum, Mundgod and Bangalore, or chaplain at Stanislaus Convent at St Philomena's Hospital, Bangalore or Lourdes Hospital in Dharwad, Fr Devadatta was ever ready for any work.

Becoming Signs of Hope and Contradiction - A Call to Holy Disruption

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 17, 2024

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5,8-11; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark 13:24-32

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/w9GATiX7U4c

As we draw near to the end of the liturgical year, the liturgical readings on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to live with vigilance and hope, grounded in faith. In a world marked by challenges—conflict, social injustice, and environmental crises—our call as Christians feels ever more urgent. We are reminded that to be a follower of Christ in today's world means to be a bearer of light, compassion, and courage. Amid the uncertainty, we are called to be steady and resilient, living out our faith not in fear but in trust, not in isolation but in community. Jesus invites us to be people, who build bridges, seek peace, and respond with compassion to the cries of those around us.

1. A Call to Holy Disruption

In Mark 13:24-32, Jesus presents an apocalyptic vision of the end times—a world plunged into darkness, cosmic forces in upheaval, and the heavens themselves shaken. It is a powerful and unsettling image, and it is meant to unsettle us. Yet, we find within this disruption a promise of redemption: the coming of the Son of Man in "great power and glory," gathering all people to Himself. Jesus’ words challenge us to look beyond the surface, to see that God's kingdom is not just a place or a future event but an active reality that breaks into our lives even now.

God’s Economy - A Management of Giving Entirely

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 10, 2024

Readings: 1 Kings 17:10–16; Psalm 146:7–10; Hebrews 9:24–28; Mark 12:41–44

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/7fRyN3enFJE

The world that we live in today is not so kind and authentic. In today’s world, we often witness a contrast between appearances and authenticity, between acts of charity performed for recognition and those born from genuine self-sacrifice. In 1 Kings 17:10–16, we see a humble widow who, despite her own need, offers her last bit of food to the prophet Elijah. Her quiet trust and willingness to give from her scarcity highlight a faith rooted in dependence on God’s provision. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus contrasts the wealthy scribes, who give out of their abundance, with a poor widow who offers two small coins—her entire livelihood.

1. A radical trust in God displaces superficiality

The stories of the two widows in 1 Kings 17:10–16 and Mark 12:41–44 reflect two ways of giving: one that comes from a place of selfless trust and one that, though outwardly generous, may lack depth. In a society that often values image over substance, these passages invite us to reflect on our own motivations and the authenticity of our giving. Are we like the scribes, seeking to impress, or like the widows, offering all we have in quiet faith? In most cultures, widows are not treated well. Often they become outcasts and neglected lot. But God is gracious and generous towards them. They may not have a lot of wealth but they have a great, loving and generous heart. That is their solace and the source of their strength.