Hospitality of the Lord: Making a Foreigner Feel at Home

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 28, 2026

Readings: 2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16; Ps 89:2–3, 16–19; Rom 6:3–4, 8–11; Mt 10:37–42

ಇವನಾರವ ಇವನಾರವ ಇವನಾರವನೆಂದು ಎನಿಸದಿರಯ್ಯ. (ivanarava ivanarava ivanaravanendu enisadirayya.)

ಇವ ನಮ್ಮವ ಇವ ನಮ್ಮವ, ಇವ ನಮ್ಮವನೆಂದು ಎನಿಸಯ್ಯ. (iva nammava iva nammava, iva nammavanendu enisayya.)

ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗಮದೇವಾ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಮಗನೆಂದು ಎನಿಸಯ್ಯ. (kudala sangamadeva nimma maneya maganendu enisayya.)

[Don't make (me) think, "Whose is this man? Whose is this man? Whose is this man?"

Make (me) think, "This is our man. This is our man. This is our man."

Oh the Deity of kudala sangama, make (me) think that "I am a son of Your house."] 

These beautiful words written by Basavanna (1131–1196) in his Vachanas/sayings give the crux of what hospitality means. Don't ask who this man is instead accept him/her as your own brother or sister. As we meditate over the liturgical readings on this 13th Sunday in Ordinary time, the Word of God invites us to embrace everyone as our brothers and sisters, so that we may truly call ourselves as children of God. 

1. Embracing the Other with True Hospitality

The pretty emotional tone that we find in 2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16 where prophet Elisha is accepted as a member of the household not by a man but a woman who was barren. The kindness of the woman is such that she makes her husband to give the best of the hospitality to the prophet of God. She swiftly recognizes the holiness in Elisha moreover provides generously as one of the family members.

Preciousness in the Eyes of God

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 21, 2026

Readings: Jeremiah 20:10–13; Psalm 69:8–10, 14, 17, 33–35; Romans 5:12–15; Matthew 10:26–33

Madonna of the Sparrow

Are we afraid of someone or something? Feeling insecure about something or someone is quite normal to our human nature. Due to our limitedness and mortality, we tend to feel uncomfortable with many things. Safety and security are very essential for a peaceful and creative existence. When we see there are threats around us, we feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Jesus was bold enough to say, "Fear no one." Fear begets fear. Jesus was clear about his priorities. Jesus did not mince his words. He called spade as spade. The liturgical readings on this Sunday encourage us to realize how precious we are and invite us to have the same courage of Jesus in our lives.

1. The Courage to Live in the Truth

In today's Gospel Matthew 10:26–33, Jesus speaks to His disciples as He prepares them for the challenges of mission. He knows that following Him will not always be easy. There will be opposition, misunderstandings, rejection, and even persecution. Yet His message is clear: "Do not be afraid." This phrase is repeated several times, reminding us that courage in discipleship comes not from our own strength but from trusting in God's loving care.

A Call for the Greater Good

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: June 14, 2026

Readings: Exodus 19:2–6; Psalm 100:1–2, 3, 5; Romans 5:6–11; Matthew 9:36–10:8

Christ as Lamb of God by Cornelis Engebrechtsz, c. 1510
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/BEcYNHSrpoE 

There is a purpose for everything. We have come into this world with a purpose. Without a particular intention, we do not go to school or college, find a suitable work or a partner, or look for a place or job. Everything around us moves with a cause. We simply cannot deny ourselves or the purpose of our existence, saying that we are here for nothing. We are here on this earth with a reason. Different religions and spiritualities enumerate this with various concepts or philosophies. However, for a Christian, being called to be a Christian itself is a mission and purpose. It is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. It is to imitate him through our words and deeds and finally be with him. The liturgical readings of this Sunday invite us to know the real purpose of our lives. Jesus shows his disciples what an authentic call should be. Moreover, he prepares them to walk the paths of their call by being ambassadors of his mission.

1. The Compassion that Sends

The Gospel of Matthew 9:36–10:8 presents a moving image of Jesus looking upon the crowds. He does not merely see a multitude of people; He sees their pain, confusion, loneliness, and spiritual hunger. In fact, he sees that they are lost completely in the midst of the religious hypocrisy of Judaism and political subjugation under the Romans. St Matthew tells us that Jesus was "moved with compassion" because they were "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." 

Corpus Christi - Bread of Life, Bond of Unity

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): June 07, 2026

Readings: Deuteronomy 8:2–3, 14–16; Psalm 147:12–15, 19–20; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; John 6:51–58

The Last Supper
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/uzpAgoD6L34

Friends and dear ones leave behind great memories. They continue to live with us through various beautiful experiences and moments where we felt good, joyful and blessed. The memories of our best friends remain forever. They continue to remind those moments that we lived together and enjoyed together. If our friends leave behind some things or gifts as a sign of love, then whenever we see them, the memory of our friends brings them back to us. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also called Corpus Christi, we remember the profound mystery of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist. Jesus too left behind the gift of the Holy Eucharist, where he gave us bread and wine as a symbol of his body and blood, as well as a memory that he continues to live with us, within us and among us. 

1. Corpus Christi: Partakers of Divine Nature

One of the beautiful gifts that Jesus left behind for us is the Eucharist. Where the Eucharist is, there is a Church and where the Church is, there is the Eucharist. Everything that comprises the Church revolves around the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ are shared. Perhaps it's difficult to understand the profound mystery behind this sacrament, yet we partake in God's divine nature  (1 Peter 2:4) by receiving the body and blood of Christ at every Eucharist.