Diving into the Mercy of God with Peace

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy): April 12, 2026

Readings: Acts 2:42–47; Psalm 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24; 1 Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31

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Who does not doubt? Belief is a very subjective matter and is based on one's convictions and experiences. Doubt arises when certainty is unclear. It may be because either we have not experienced it, or we are not convinced of it. We make conscious decisions in our lives. They are based on our experiences, assumptions, knowledge or inner convictions. We cannot believe everyone and in everything. However, we can believe based on our life experiences. The aspect of faith or convictions of faith can enable us to believe what we see, touch, smell, taste and feel. When we have to believe in something beyond space and time, we need the grace of intelligence and wisdom. Knowledge alone does not suffice us to believe something we have never heard of. As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter, which is also called Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church invites us to gaze at the Resurrected Jesus not with our exterior eyes, but with our eyes of faith.  

1. Easter brings the gift of peace and reconciliation 

For the Jews, the first day of the week is Sunday. Saturday is a Sabbath Day. So the event of the appearance of the resurrected Jesus happens on a Sunday evening. The frightened disciples are gathered behind locked doors—fearful, uncertain, and fragile. Into this closed space, Jesus comes and stands among them. There is no rebuke, no accusation for their abandonment, no reminder of their failure. Instead, there is a gift: “Peace be with you.”

This peace is not merely a greeting; it is the very heart of Divine Mercy. It is peace offered not because the disciples deserve it, but because God chooses to restore, to reconcile, to begin again. The Risen Lord comes not to judge their weakness but to transform it. He shows them His wounds—not to reopen pain, but to reveal love that has endured suffering and conquered it.

2. Easter brings us the mercy of God

Today, the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. It invites us to stand in that same room. Often, our hearts too are locked—by fear, guilt, regret, or doubt. Like the disciples, we carry memories of where we have failed, where we have not trusted, where we have turned away. Yet the Gospel reminds us: Christ does not wait for us to open perfectly; He comes even through closed doors. Mercy is always initiative—God’s first move toward us.

Thomas, absent at first, becomes the voice of honest doubt. He does not settle for second-hand faith. His struggle is deeply human: “Unless I see… I will not believe.” And yet, when Jesus comes again, He meets Thomas exactly where he is. There is no condemnation for his doubt—only an invitation: “Put your finger here… Do not doubt, but believe.” The mercy of God does not crush doubt; it transforms it. Mercy leads to deeper faith. Thomas, the disciple, exclaims, “My Lord and my God!”

3. Easter is sharing mercy with others

Divine Mercy Sunday is not only about receiving mercy—it is about becoming its witnesses. The disciples, once fearful, are sent out: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Mercy received must become mercy shared. Forgiveness experienced must become forgiveness offered. Peace given must become peace lived.

In the end, this Gospel is a journey—from fear to peace, from doubt to faith, from brokenness to mission. It reminds us that the Risen Christ still comes into our locked spaces, still speaks peace into our turmoil, and still shows us wounds that heal rather than condemn. And so, we stand before Him today not as perfect believers, but as people in need of mercy. And that is enough—for His mercy is always greater.

Questions for self-reflections

1. What are the “locked doors” in my life right now—fear, guilt, hurt, or doubt—that I hesitate to open to Christ?
2. Like Thomas, where do I struggle to believe? How is Jesus inviting me to move from doubt to trust?
3. In what ways have I experienced God’s mercy in my life? How has it changed me?
4. Is there someone I need to forgive, reconcile with, or show compassion toward this week?

Concluding Prayer

Lord Jesus, Risen and full of mercy, you come to us even when our hearts are closed and our faith is fragile. You stand in our midst and speak peace into our fears, hope into our doubts, and forgiveness into our wounds. Help us to trust in your mercy more deeply, to believe even when we do not see, and to rest in the love that flows from your pierced heart. As you have been merciful to us, make us instruments of your mercy in the lives of others. May your peace remain within us, and may our lives proclaim with conviction: My Lord and my God. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

09 April 2026

Easter Sunday - Christ is Truly Risen

The Resurrection of the Lord/The Easter Sunday: April 05, 2026

Readings: Acts 10:34, 37–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23; Colossians 3:1–4; John 20:1–9

The Resurrection of our Lord

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The message of Easter is very clear: Christ is truly risen! The events that followed the crucifixion of our Lord give a rare glimpse of who Jesus was: Fully human and fully divine. With the resurrection of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus shines brighter than before. Jesus is no longer constrained by time and space. Jesus makes himself visible to everyone who longs to see him or waits on him. The mission of Jesus gets transformed now as St Paul would say that Christ "becomes all in all."

1. At Easter, it's Time to Believe

Easter dawn breaks not with noise or spectacle, but with a quiet, almost hidden revelation—the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and hearts slowly awakening to a truth too great to grasp at once. The Gospel of John 20:1–9 draws us into this delicate moment of discovery. Mary Magdalene comes while it is still dark, carrying within her the weight of loss. Peter and the beloved disciple run toward the tomb, caught between confusion and hope. What they find is not the Risen Lord immediately, but signs—linen cloths lying there, the absence that speaks of a presence beyond death.

Good Friday - Accomplishing the Final Act with Love

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: April 03, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Crucifixion of Jesus

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What a day! And it is called Good Friday!! The death of God-man on the Cross, and still we call this day Good Friday!!! The poignant moment of the death of the Messiah makes us stand still and listen to the inner voice of our being. What is this all about? Why must an innocent man die on a Cross? The most brutal, terribly painful and awkwardly humiliating death a person could go through in the Roman Empire was crucifixion.  It was such a heinous death that no one dared to undergo. But here we have on this day, we commemorate that brutal death of our Saviour and Master year after year. The same death, the same event, the same humiliating expressions, and yet we try to find meaning for our lives through devotion and faith. 

1. Pushing the evil away and not reconciling

As we stand at the foot of the Cross of our Saviour and kiss it with a sense of reverence, it brings to our mind the stark reality of evil, wickedness, jealousy, envy, animosity, grudges, scorn, and hostility in this world and in the lives of people. As we scroll through the Word of God in the Holy Bible, it becomes certain that evil can take over good and has a say for some time. Perhaps, evil might not win continuously or eternally, but it has its say that could be detrimental to the life of the person.  The Word of God tells us emphatically that Jesus "went on doing good." Then what went wrong in the life of Jesus to carry the Cross to Calvary?

Lord's Supper: A Call to Live the Eucharist

Maundy/Holy Thursday - The Lord’s Supper: April 02, 2026 

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

The Last Supper of Jesus
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We celebrate on this Maundy Thursday, a definite, enduring and continuous presence of our Lord Jesus Christ amongst us. The event of the establishment of the Holy Eucharist, which took place 2000 years ago in an obscure upper room in one of the houses in Jerusalem, still continues to be celebrated today as a mark of our Lord's intimate presence amongst us. The scene of this enactment of the Lord's Supper continues to draw inspiration and accept the challenges and sufferings this world brings to us. By participating in this mystery of the Eucharist, we are prepared to face any challenges with joy and courage. Moreover, it enables us to carry forward the memory and mission of our Lord to the ends of this earth.  

1. Holy Eucharist: Partaking in His Divine Nature

Maundy Thursday draws us into the quiet, intimate heart of the Gospel—into an upper room where love takes visible form. Jesus makes a particular mark in human history through this act of sharing the Passover meal with his disciples. St. Paul, in recalling the tradition he himself received, brings us face-to-face with the mystery of the Eucharist. “This is my body… this is my blood.” These are not merely words spoken once in history; they are a living memorial, a presence that endures. 

The Passion of our Lord, the Passion of the Humanity

Passion/Palm Sunday: March 29, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 50:4–7; Psalm 22:8–9, 17–20, 23–24; Philippians 2:6–11; Matthew 26:14–27:66

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a mule
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What is it like entering into the lives of others? What is it that makes us be compassionate and show our empathy to the person who is suffering?  It is our attitudes, feelings, values, convictions and readiness to embrace the other as our brother or sister. As we enter into the mystery of Christ's Passion, suffering, death, and resurrection, we are invited to enter more intensely into the life of our Lord Jesus, lovingly, passionately, and with a heart full of tenderness and love. Today, we read in our Churches the passion narrative of our Lord, so that it enables us to enter into the drama of Jesus' passion. 

1. Passion of our Lord, the Passion of the Humanity

Today, the Church celebrates Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. It is a beautiful day when we realize that what matters most in our lives is giving time to others. The liturgy of today in our Churches and parishes unfolds with a profound and almost unsettling beauty. It begins in jubilation—palms raised, voices lifted, hope awakened. Yet, as the narrative deepens, the tone shifts. The hymns of praise give way to the solemn cadence of the Passion. Glory and suffering stand side by side, not as opposites, but as inseparable companions in the mystery of Christ.

Lent: Finding the Fullness of Life through Trust and Hope

Fifth Sunday of Lent: March 22, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 37:12–14; Psalm 130:1–8; Romans 8:8–11; John 11:1–45

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Bringing solace and hope to those who are mourning or hopeless is a beautiful thing. It is an act of mercy. We need people who can comfort us when we are in sorrow or suffering. We need people who can put their shoulders on us and listen to us. In a world of competition and the rat race, very few have the time and willingness to do that. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see this aspect of readiness and willingness to comfort those who are mourning, despite a busy schedule or being far from home. Jesus touches the lives of his good friends, Martha and Mary. He reaches out to them at the very toughest time of their lives, when they have buried their beloved brother. At that moment, Jesus does an unimaginable thing: he raises Lazarus from the tomb and gives them back their loving brother, alive. This is what true friendship means: reaching out to those who trust us and love us at the right time with the right act of love.

1. Lent: Waiting for God in Patience

The Gospel of John 11:1–45, the raising of Lazarus, stands as one of the most profound revelations of who Jesus is—not merely a healer, but the Lord of life itself. Yet, before it becomes a story of resurrection, it is deeply a story of waiting, sorrow, confusion, and faith stretched to its limits. Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill, and surprisingly, He delays. This delay is unsettling. It challenges our instinctive belief that God must act immediately when we pray. 

Lent - Encountering the Healing Touch of God

Fourth Sunday of Lent: March 15, 2026

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6–7, 10–13; Psalm 23:1–6; Ephesians 5:8–14; John 9:1–41

Jesus is healing a blind man
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Often, it is difficult to see the good in others. Human nature tends to react with jealousy, anxiety, and many questions when something good happens in another person’s life. It may seem strange, yet it is often true. Unfortunately, the prosperity of one person sometimes becomes the cause of heartburn for another. There are people who try to malign the name of someone who is good and sincerely striving to make a difference in his own life and in the lives of others. Wickedness and evil, in subtle ways, seem to be part of the human condition. While we strive to do good, there is often a contrary impulse within us that pulls us in the opposite direction. This week, the Church celebrates Laetare Sunday, which falls on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. As we reach the middle of our Lenten journey, the Church invites us to rejoice. Christ comes as the Light of the world, entering the darkness of human life to restore sight. The healing of the man born blind by Jesus becomes a subject of intense dispute, especially among the Pharisees, who were unable to recognize the goodness present before them.

1. Healing: A journey of encounter

The Gospel of John 9:1–41, presents the powerful story of the healing of the man born blind. At one level, it is a miracle story, but at a deeper level, it is a revelation about spiritual sight and spiritual blindness. The physical healing becomes a sign pointing to a deeper transformation that Jesus desires for every human person.

Lent: Transforming our Lives through Dialogue with God

Third Sunday of Lent: March 8, 2026

Readings: Exodus 17:3–7; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9; Romans 5:1–2, 5–8; John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42

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Where can we look for the best things in life? Is there something extraordinary that can be attainable and could give us complete meaning for our lives? Will we find something that will explain everything and give us the fullness of life? Man's search for meaning has been continuous and unceasing. In spite of a great history of knowledge, epistemology (the study of knowledge) and hermeneutics (the study of interpretation), we are still making sense of this world. There is no ultimate truth that a person has found. Even though for us Christians, Jesus is the ultimate truth. However, we still doubt. As a result, we do not follow his teachings in word and deed. In this context, we have fantastic liturgical readings on this Third Sunday in Lent to encourage us to strive to follow the same Lord who enlightened the Samaritan Woman two thousand years ago.

1. God initiates dialogue with us

The Gospel of the Third Sunday of Lent (John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42) presents the profound encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It is a story of thirst—human thirst and divine thirst—meeting at the same place. Jesus begins the conversation with a simple request: “Give me a drink.” The Son of God appears tired, thirsty, and dependent on a stranger. In this moment, God reveals something essential about Himself: He approaches us in vulnerability. 

The Transfiguration of our Lord: A Glimpse of Glory to Sustain

02 Sunday of Lent: March 01, 2026

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5,18-20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

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Faith and trust are very important components of our lives. We do our business dealings based on faith and trust. The so-called disruptive technologies, which have made our lives easier today, like Ola, Uber, Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy, AirBNB, etc., are all built on trust. Interestingly, trust is a two-way communication, which is dynamic and proactive. We would not be agile and active if we didn't trust someone or didn't have faith in someone. The whole health sector is built on the caring nature of doctors, surgeons, nurses and medicines. So too, our spiritual life is built on faith and trust, even though we do not see God with our eyes or we have not experienced someone returning from God to say hello to us. In this context, we have beautiful readings on this Second Sunday in Lent. Abraham just listened to the voice of God and followed, including leaving behind his family and birthplace. Jesus communicates with his Father, and the glory of God is shown to the three disciples of Jesus. All these are possible because of the incredible faith and trust.

1. Consolations before the suffering and pain

The Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 narrates the mysterious and luminous event of the Transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, before their eyes, He is transfigured—His face shines like the sun and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, conversing with Him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and the voice of the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus touches them and says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  Beneath struggles, confusion, and fatigue, God is at work. 

Lenten Journey - Finding Enormous Fidelity of God

First Sunday of Lent: February 22, 2026

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

The Temptation on the Mount by Duccio
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The sense of unworthiness before the immensity of God's providence is natural if we look at it with a sense of awe, faith and reverence. The abundance of the mighty creation in which we live is absolutely stunning. When we stand on the seashore and just gaze at the miles and miles of water or raise our eyes to the sky in the night with a bright moon and glittering stars, we quickly realize our smallness and imperfection. What we have around us is nature, forests, waters, rivers, seas, birds, animals, plants and trees, and so many other uncountable things, always enabling us to see the immensity and largeness of God the Creator. In this context, the sense of sin and sinfulness comes into the picture as we begin 40 days of Lenten journey. God continues to shower us with His mercy and compassion, love and forgiveness.

1. Lent begins not with activity, but with solitude.

The Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11 places us at the threshold of Lent, in the silence of the desert. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. The First Sunday of Lent invites us to enter that same space—not as spectators, but as pilgrims. The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert. It is striking that temptation is not outside God’s providence. The desert is not a mistake; it is a necessary passage.

Following in the Footsteps of God our Lord in Word and Deed

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 15, 2026

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

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Can we solve the problems of this world by rules and regulations, laws and judiciary, police or army? Absolutely not. We can solve the problems in our society through good, value based educaton. Even the value-based education might not be the perfect answer. Probably, having the right mind and good value-based nurturing of men and women of this world might, to a great extent, help to take evil out of this world. There are so many men and women of great integrity who have shown the path of righteousness, truth, equality and justice. Jesus, being one of them, confronts his Jewish community to follow the right path. So that peace and harmony are established.  

1. Jesus disturbs our moral apathy

In today’s Gospel Matthew 5:17–37, Jesus stands before us not as one who abolishes the Law, but as one who brings it to fulfillment. He does not weaken moral demands; He deepens them. He does not settle for external compliance; He calls for interior transformation. “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” With these words, Jesus moves the conversation from behaviour to the heart. It is not enough that we avoid murder; we must uproot anger. It is not enough that we avoid adultery; we must purify desire. It is not enough that we speak truth under oath; our very word must be truthful. Jesus is not merely reforming rules—He is reshaping the human person.

Preaching from the Mountain - Making our Lives Purposeful, Meaningful and Joyful

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 08, 2026

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

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What is it that makes us needed in this world? It is when we feel loved, cared for, and sought after. However, to have such an aspiration, we too must be men and women of compassion, love, joy and peace. It means that we must be of some use to others. We must be men and women of such a nature that we have something to contribute to the lives of others, or have the capacity to do something for the welfare of people. This makes our lives meaningful, purposeful and joyful. The liturgical readings on this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to make our lives purposeful, meaningful and useful just as the salt of the earth and lamp on a lampstand, as Jesus narrates the metaphors that could be applied very well to our lives as well.

1. Making life beautiful with simple things

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus speaks to us in images that are ordinary, almost humble—salt and light—yet charged with quiet power. He does not speak about rocket science. Through simple things, he makes us think big. He does not ask us to become something extraordinary or rare; he reminds us of what we already are. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Not “you should be,” but “you are.” The call of discipleship begins not with achievement, but with identity. It is by being.

Beatitudes - Standing for the Values of Eternity

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 01, 2026

Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon on the Mount by Jesus
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We do desire to make a mark here on this earth. We wish to distinguish ourselves from others. We want to be differentiators. God has blessed us not only in his own image and likeness, but also endowed us with a gift of uniqueness. Two people are not the same. Everyone has something different from the other. However, this uniqueness does not stop us from doing something together for the welfare of others. Whatever we do should be good, beautiful, and useful. It must bring a smile on the faces, joy to their lives. It is not that SMART concept that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound that we are talking about. It is simply about being good, having the best attitudes and being generous in our thoughts and actions. In this context, we have the beautiful readings on the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus speaks about the beatitudes, in other words, cultivating certain values, attitudes, virtues, which are higher and are close to the heart of God.

1. Standing for values and the Logic of God

The Gospel of St Matthew 5:1-12 leads us up a quiet hill, where Jesus sits and opens his words of wisdom—not to command, not to accuse, but to bless. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are the meek… blessed are the peacemakers.” These familiar words of Jesus still unsettle us. They turn the logic of the world upside down. Interestingly, Jesus does not call the powerful blessed, nor the self-sufficient, nor the loud and triumphant. Instead, he names as blessed those who know their need of God, those who mourn, those who hunger for righteousness, those who choose mercy when revenge seems easier. 

Listening to the Call of God-man - Jesus

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 25, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 8:23–9:3; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14; 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17; Matthew 4:12–23

Jesus calls his first disciples
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Whom do we follow today? The person of integrity, sincerity and of trust? We live in a trust-deficient world. Often, those whom we believe are trustworthy, people of integrity and sincerity, let us down with their hidden agendas, wicked deeds and unconcealed evil ideas. There is a scarcity of people whom we consider as generous, people of others and people of God. There are also people with no selfishness and don't accumulate wealth in this world for themselves. They are joyful and find meaning in doing good, letting themselves go so that others are happy. They are content in the company of others. Their benevolence is noticed by their life. In this context, we have beautiful readings on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Even without knowing Jesus, people trusted him when he called them. He invited them to join his company. The overflowing goodness and other-centredness marked their lives. 

1. Jesus meets where people are

The Gospel of Matthew 4:12–23 opens in a quiet, unsettling moment: John the Baptist is arrested, and Jesus withdraws to Galilee. Jesus enters another world of preaching. Unlike John, Jesus is on the streets, valleys, mountains, seaside, etc., meeting with the ordinary. Jesus has no fixed place or fixed people. He moves into the periphery. He meets people where they are. It is not people who come in search of him at this moment, but he meets people in their workplaces. The surroundings of the Sea of Galilee become his place of work, in place of the river Jordan, which John the Baptist had chosen. Jesus' world is bigger, clearer, and nearer to people. That is how Jesus encounters four of his first disciples. All of them are working people, perhaps workaholics. Until Jesus calls them, they are busy mending their nets.

Listening to the Voice of God - Pointing at the Right Messiah

02nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: 18 January 2026

Readings: Isaiah 49:3, 5–6; Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–10; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3; John 1:29–34

Lamb of God by Domenichino
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The world in which we live is quite big, and so are the complexities that affect our lives. Navigating and finding the right solutions and the right people to guide us is often difficult and challenging. People often point out at others as the right gurus or leaders, but unfortunately, they are not. The wickedness and evil are everywhere, and these people confirm that they are the ones. Even believing someone has become very tough today. Trust is the problem. There is no clarity, credibility, courage, or straightforwardness among these people. In this context, often we are left alone to find our way or marga. As we reflect on this dimension of right people and right time, the liturgical reading on this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time is not only marvellous, but also we find Jesus, even John the Baptist, pointing at him as Messiah, the Saviour whom the Israelites waited for so long. In fact, he is the greatest prophet of all time, John the Baptist, who points at Jesus and says that he is the right one.

1. Jesus: Behold, the Lamb of God

Standing on the quiet banks of the river Jordan, where John the Baptist works, not as a performer of wonders, but as a witness overwhelmed by what he sees. John does not say, “Here is a wise teacher” or “Here is a holy man,” but “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” In John 1:29–34, there is no thunder, no crowd reaction recorded, no dramatic conversion scene. And yet, what unfolds is one of the most awe-filled moments in the Gospel: a human being recognizing God standing before him.

Baptism of Jesus - Immersing Oneself into the Reality of this World

The Baptism of the Lord: Sunday 11 January 2026

Readings: Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7; Psalm 29:1–4, 9–10; Acts 10:34–38; Matthew 3:13–17

The painting by Jan van Scorel on the Baptism of Christ
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The greatness of the great people is known more by their deeds than their words. They embody a sense of humility and kindness. They are ready to become low in order to make others great. They are always at work with people, bringing mercy and compassion. They are a beacon of hope to the hopeless, courage to the fearful, and consolation to those inconsolable. They nurture a sense of Godliness and holiness. They are those whom we like them to be around. Their presence itself is grace. They bring so much joy and peace. Without them, we feel empty, or something is missing. They lead people to God. They are fearless and ready to die for the cause they hold so dear. Words like "lies" or "laziness" are not in their dictionaries. They speak for God and offer their lives to God and God alone. They speak the truth and work towards justice. As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have beautiful liturgical readings. We see John the Baptist and Jesus, the men of God, ready to be embraced by the Spirit of God at a very important moment of their lives. The courage and humility that we see in both of them are truly inspiring as we still feel the warmth of the New Year 2026. 

1. Baptism of Jesus - Being in Solidarity with others. 

On this Sunday, as the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Gospel of Matthew (3:13–17) invites us to stand on the banks of the river Jordan and contemplate a profound mystery. Jesus, the sinless One, the Son of God, the God-Man steps into the waters of repentance. He does not need baptism, yet He chooses it. In doing so, He enters fully into the human condition and sanctifies the waters of our lives.

Epiphany of the Lord - Called to Proclaim with Credibility

The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord: January 04, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–13; Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12

The Nativity of Christ by  Franz von Rohden
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Bdcd3_gjHpY

As we start the new year 2026, we are very much in the Season of Christmas. The joy of this season still permeates around us. We are also joyful as we say goodbye to the year 2025 and welcome the year 2026. We are hopeful that this new year brings us glad tidings and beautiful things in our lives. With such hope and earnestness, we begin our journey of life this year. Liturgically, we are celebrating today the feast of the Epiphany, which is also called the manifestation of the Lord to others. It is celebrated as the visit of the three Kings or Magi to the baby Jesus. The liturgical readings of today invite us look at the simplicity and trust of these three kings or representatives of the wider world and embrace the Son of God wholeheartedly. 

1. Always, there is a deeper yearning for God

The Feast of the Epiphany invites us to contemplate a God who reveals Himself gently and lovingly to all who search for truth. In the story of the Magi, we see a God who does not impose Himself through power or force, but who attracts the human heart through a star, a journey, and a humble child lying in a manger. The Magi remind us that faith is born from a deep longing and yearning — a longing to discover meaning, to seek light, and to encounter God. They did not reach Bethlehem by accident; they allowed the restlessness of their hearts to lead them forward. They looked beyond themselves, beyond comfort and certainty, and trusted the signs God placed before them.