Faith and Miracles: Embracing Divine Power in Our Lives

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 30, 2024

Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/3UPm9GFV2ms

Miracles do happen. What we need is faith. Our life is of little importance if we do not possess faith and believe in miracles. If we do not value the importance of the capacity of the omnipotent and omnipresent divine within and around us then we put ourselves as masters of this world. There is no space for other higher being whom we call God. Our life depends on the one who created us. None of us have come into this world by ourselves. We are not born in laboratories or test tubes. We are born in this world to our parents who possess flesh and blood. The readings of this Sunday have one of the most stunning miracles that Jesus performed in his life that is the raising of the daughter of the Synagogue official by the name of Jairus. No doubt we are called to imitate simply Jairus in every day of our lives. 

1. No desperation but overcoming Fear with Faith

In this passage Mark 5:21-24, 35-43, we witness Jairus, a synagogue leader, falling at Jesus’ feet and pleading for his daughter’s life. His position and status did not prevent him from seeking help desperately. This act of humility and faith is a powerful reminder that no matter our status or position, we must approach God with humility, especially in our times of need. When we are desperate, our faith drives us to seek divine intervention. Jairus’s plea teaches us that faith is often born out of desperation or frustration, and in our most desperate moments, we must turn to God, believing in His power and mercy.

Living in the Storms of Life with a Gaze Fixed on Christ

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 23, 2024

Readings: Job 38:1, 8-11; Psalm 107:23-26, 28-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/QiOFm8dg-2U

What is the place of faith in the ordinary days of our lives? Can we take holidays from our faith? Absolutely not. During these days, we have been journeying with Jesus and His disciples, reliving their experience of His words and deeds, coming to know and believe in Him as they did. The liturgical readings for this Sunday enable us to look at life in its good times but also in its bad times.

1. Unquestionable trust in Divine Presence

The first Gospel writer St Mark 4:35-41 recounts the story of Jesus calming the storm, a powerful narrative to interpret our life in this messy world. Jesus is with His disciples in a boat when a furious storm arises. Despite the chaos, Jesus remains asleep, displaying a serene confidence in the midst of danger.  Often we turn headless when we see such danger and chaos. In such moments we must trust in God's presence even when our lives seem to be engulfed by storms. God is always with us. Where will He go leaving us? His presence is a source of peace and stability. When we feel overwhelmed, we can find solace in knowing that we are never alone and that God can calm the storms within our hearts.

Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 16, 2024

Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

 To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/7qs1aKcdWqw?si=KmBmgEjwsh8DjfYy

The world that we live in is messy. However, we make our life, despite all the uncomfortable situations that we see around us. There is something or someone, who makes our living on this earth possible. God who created us sustains us and gives us all the strength to carry out the mission that he has entrusted to each one of us. In other words, God has given us the task and a vocation to fulfil it. This is what we see in all the liturgical readings of this Sunday.

1. Trust and partnership in the Divine Process

In Mark 4:26-34, Jesus shares two parables about the Kingdom of God: the Parable of the Growing Seed and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. These parables invite us to reflect on the ways of God's doings in our lives and the world. This parable tells us that spiritual growth and the unfolding of God's Kingdom are often hidden and beyond our full understanding. Like the seed that sprouts and grows unseen, God's work within us and in the world often happens quietly and mysteriously. 

From Easter to Everyday: Embracing Unity and Discipleship in Christ

10th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 09, 2024

Readings: Gn 3:9–15; Ps 130:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8; 2 Cor 4:13–5:1; Mk 3:20–35

 To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:https://youtu.be/ejU4C581hZc

The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord at Easter bestows on us manifold blessings. It is indeed a time to recognize how the Church invites its people to live with Christ in his joy and glory. In the last few Sundays, we have been having solemnities: Ascension of our Lord, Pentecost, Holy Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi Sunday, Solemnity of Sacred Heart of Jesus, etc. All these Church feasts tell us a very important aspect that is, ultimately God is in control of us. As creatures, we must allow God to be God. By being so, we can walk humbly before God recognizing that we require God's mercy and compassion. As we enter deeply into the Ordinary Sundays of the year, the Church invites us to be God's people in thoughts, words and actions.

1. Discipleship: Deep relationship with Jesus

In the Gospel reading of today Mark 3:20–35, Jesus redefines the concept of family, stating, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." Jesus confronts the questions very boldly. Often questions from close family quarters can be disturbing and painful. Benjamin Franklin said, "the thing worse than rebellion is the thing that causes rebellion." True family, according to Jesus, transcends biological ties and is rooted in spiritual commitment and obedience to God's will. For Jesus, whoever does God's will is a brother, sister and mother. Being a follower of our Lord Jesus means being in communion with others who share the same faith, hope and love. That is why, we are concerned about our brothers and sisters when they are persecuted. We pray for them and try to give the necessary help to them.  The bonding happens because we share the same vision of our Lord.