Abundance of Grace over the Weakness of Satan

 1st Sunday of Lent: February 26, 2023

Readings: Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7;Psalm 51:3–6; 12–14, 17; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/ioP4T1JVDUg

We have just begun the Holy Season of Lent. This 40 days long of preparation for the commemoration of Christ's passion, death and resurrection is, indeed, a spiritual experience of renewal, reconnecting, and retransformation. It is our choice whether to make that story of our Lord as our story. It is a time to recognize our finiteness, our brokenness, and our sinfulness. Thus realize that God is the foundation of our lives. The liturgical readings on this First Sunday of Lent invite us to be part of God's story of salvation which embraces both suffering and salvation. 

1. Temptations around but grace abounds

Matthew 4:1–11 tells the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. As we begin our journey through Lent, this story offers us important and practical lessons.

Be Holy, for I, the LORD, Your God, am Holy

 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 19, 2023

Readings: Leviticus 19:1–2, 17–18; Psalm 103:1–4, 8, 10, 12–13; 1 Corinthians 3:16–23; Matthew 5:38–48

(Photo courtesy: Jean-Marc Arkelian)

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/rsbOidv2x3I

As we move closer to the Lenten Season, the liturgical readings on this Sunday invite us to ponder over a number of things, namely, forgiveness and reconciliation, love and mercy, holiness and steadfastness in the love of God. The Word of God emphasizes how essenential for us Christians to strive for holiness and imitate the example of Christ in our daily lives, particularly in our relationships with others.

Spirit Scrutinizes Everything, even the Depths of God

 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 12, 2023

Readings: Sirach 15:15–20; Psalm 119:1–2, 4–5, 17–18, 33–34; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/gOcRmVfs7-o

We realize the need for God or the higher form of Order in our lives because of our understanding that we are finite and imperfect beings. We strive to become better versions of ourselves by assimilating the virtues in our lives or those things which we consider holy and extraordinary. The sixth Sunday in ordinary time invites us to reflect in our daily lives on the importance of forgiveness, humility, compassion, and those things which are dear to God.  

1. People in communion with God and others

As spiritual beings, deep within us, there is a longing in our hearts to see God and to be part of God's life. Even though none of us have seen God yet we have some idea of God because of our religious upbringing and reasoning capacity. In spite of our limitedness, we have the capacity to know God. A week ago, Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamon (1931-2023), one of the finest Greek Orthodox theologians of this century died. His celebrated work, "Being as Communion: Studies in Personhood and the Church" had a profound impact on our understanding of God and the Church.  He reflected upon the communal nature of God. He believed that God is not an isolated individual, but a communion of persons who exist in relationship with each other in the form of Trinity. He also thought that Church is not just an organization, but a community of persons who share in the life of God through the Holy Spirit. Hence all of us belong to a  community of persons who are united in their shared relationship with God.

The Enduring Power of God

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 05, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 58:7–10; Psalm 112:4–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/F-55lDPeHiE

As we reflect upon our spiritual journey and seek a deeper connection with God during this ordinary time of the year, the liturgical readings of this Sunday invite us to trust in the enduring power of God. This is possible when we become the salt of the earth and light of the world.

1. Our commitment to the call of our Lord

On the 2nd of February, the Church celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a day specially dedicated for all the consecrated people.  It's a day when we recalled how precious and significant our call is especially being called to be the partakers of the mission of the Lord. Just like Jesus called the first disciples and their immediate response to leave everything and follow him, we too are in his team. This reminds us of the importance of putting our faith in action and being willing to let go of our old ways and commitments in order to follow Jesus more fully. In the First Reading of today, we hear about the prophet Isaiah being called by God to be a light to the nations. This is a reminder of our own call to share the light of the gospel and bring hope and comfort to those around us.