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

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 Year, the liturgical readings invite us to recognize Jesus, in fact, Jesus 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.

Mary's role at Cana's wedding feast is very huge. She knows what is lacking and wants to save the situation. She finds only Jesus, her son who can help her to fix the problem. Her words of compassion are visible, "They have no wine." She has great trust in his power and her compassion towards the needs of others. Her prayer of intercession is heard. Her wish is granted.

2. Jesus fills the emptiness and makes us whole

More than anything about the wedding feast of Cana, it is a symbolic version of Jesus' new anointing to be with the people. It is the crowds which will be following him until his crucifixion. Jesus is with the people and they do not leave him. It is the capacity of the person to be a man of hope and ready to work for the welfare of others. It is Mary his mother who recognizes her son Jesus who can save his people, give them a new direction and hope to the future. In fact, Mary works as a mediator between Jesus and the host who is badly in need of some help. In our lives, too, help may come from any side, but we must be ready to accept and recognize the need for help.

The existential philosopher Frederick Nietze said that we are unfinished products. We are not full by ourselves. Someone has to come into our lives to brighten up, to make us whole. It is God who can fill the emptiness and empty spaces of our lives. No one is a fulfilled person but we are called to abundance. Jesus would say in John 10:10 "They may have life and life in abundance." Abundance does not come by itself. It comes to us by being with God, the author of life. If He has made us in his own image and likeness, then certainly He will fill our emptiness, those spaces which need God's mercy and compassion.  

3. God fills us through variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit

Writing to 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 St Paul says that we are blessed with a variety of gifts. They are given to us to fill our emptines so that we can reach God magnificently. It is the God who is the giver of gifts. The purpose is unity and building up the community. It invites us to celebrate our unique roles in God’s plan and to use our gifts for His glory. Our ordinary life is shaped in an extraordinary way because of the gifts fo the Holy Spirit. Even the unqualified are qualified by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God can do immense work and wonders which are undescribable through human words. God knows to give what an individual wants or requires. It is God who fills everything. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ continues to enter our lives even without our knowledge. This grace meets its presence when we offer wholeheartedly to God. Giving freedom to God's grace is very important to us, thus it can work within us concretely and completely. We should not stifle the works of the Spirit. Allow God to make miracles in our lives just like what Jesus did at the wedding feast of Cana. God did not create us as the same beings. But God created us diverse so that we can give glory to God through our differences and deficiencies. Let the Spirit of God enable us to understand this aspect today and everyday of our lives. So that we may live a very happy and prosperous life with all that God gives to us. 

Questions for self-reflection

1. Do I invite Jesus into the ordinary events of my life? How can I become more aware of His presence in moments of joy and festivity?
2. Am I patient with God’s timing in my life? How can I trust that His plans are for my good, even when they seem delayed?
3. Where in my life am I experiencing "emptiness"? How can I open myself to the transforming grace of God to fill that void?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you transformed water into wine, showing us the power of your grace to bring joy and abundance to our lives. Help us to trust in your divine timing, to bring our needs and the needs of others to you with confidence, and to recognize your presence in our daily lives. May we, like the disciples, grow in faith as we witness the miracles of your love. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

January 17, 2025

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

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/mBNDGqN6Ou8

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.