Advent: Being a Joyful Witness of the Gospel

Third Sunday of Advent - 13 December 2020

Readings: Isaiah 61:1–2, 10–11; Luke 1:46–50, 53–54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24; John 1:6–8, 19–28

(The Apparition of Christ to the People [1837-57], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery)

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I. A time to rejoice in the half-way of Advent

We are in the middle of the Season of Advent. The liturgy of this Sunday invites us to rejoice. Therefore, the third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called the Gaudete Sunday. In Latin, Gaudete means "to rejoice." Just like Lent, Advent is also a time to practice some sort of mortification and penance. Even though this kind of penitential elements might not be practised in Latin Rite Catholic Church but is very much prevalent in Byzantine Rite Churches (in Slavic countries like Russia, Ukraine, etc.) where people abstain from taking meat and other diary products. In the midst of such a dry and penitential atmosphere Gaudete Sunday or the Rejoice Sunday brings a little reprieve, a note of anticipated delight in the mid-way of Advent. Hence, the readings of this Sunday brighten us up especially Prophet Isaiah and St Paul amply describe the theme of joy in a very vibrant way asking people to rejoice because "God has clothed us with garments of salvation" (Is 61:2). We can rejoice because our Messiah did come.  God kept – and continues to keep – promises.  Rejoice!

Advent - A Path Towards a Future of Salvation

Second Sunday of Advent - 06 December 2020

Readings: Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11; Psalm 85:9–14; 2 Peter 3:8–14; Mark 1:1–8

 (Image courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian)

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I. We meet God in our history

Saint Francis Xavier - A Frontier Apostle of Christ to Asia

(The Vision of St. Francis Xavier, by Giovanni Battista Gaulli)

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On the 03rd of December every year, the Catholic Church commemorates the memory of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), one of the most illustrious missionaries of the second millennium. No sea was dangerous for him, no nationalities were foreign to him, no language was a barrier for him, in fact, Jesus Christ was his compass, boats were his vehicles which carried him from Rome to Lisbon to Goa - India, to Moluccas - Indonesia, to Yamaguchi -Japan and finally to Sancian - China. All this Xavier did in the 16th century, that too, in just 11 years from 1541 to1552.  In his 10 years of life in Asia as the first Jesuit provincial of Goa he did the unimaginable work by planting the seeds of Christianity in so many parts.  Here is a short description on his life and work.  

Advent - Waiting with Renewed Vigour for the Lord to Come

First Sunday of Advent - 29 November 2020

Readings: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37

 (Image courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian)

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Our Creator Shepherds us

It is Advent. We sing ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel.’ Today, the first Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of the Church’s annual cycle of prayer. With this we start the countdown to Christmas. On this day we undertake our liturgical journey towards Bethlehem where Christ was born 2000 years ago. It's the time to prepare to celebrate Christ's birth. When we prepare something for the future, we await with hope and expectation and here, it is for the Christ who is to come. God visits us in the person of Jesus Christ. “Oh that you would tear open the heavens and come down,” the prophet Isaiah (64:1) exults in today’s First Reading. God is looking down upon the humanity from the heavens because He has heard the anguished voice of Israel. Therefore God is coming down to us, to our level to save and shepherd His people. 

Christ the King - the King of Our Hearts

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (22 November 2020)

Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5, 6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46

Icon of Christ the King - Pantokrator- in Eastern Churches means Christ the Almighty 

My Audio Homily

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Jesus: A king with a difference

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. The kingship of Christ. Today's feast is a unique one. The Church titles it "Christ the King." Was Jesus really a King? Can we title Jesus as king of the universe?  Even though we may have reservations regarding the use of the tittle "King" in our ordinary langauge because we have done away with the kings in our countries, we must understand Christ the King from a different perspective. However, Christ as king is not embroiled with the connotations of power, force, violence, dominion, domination, despotism, pomp, throne, and so on. King is not a title Jesus liked very much; todays's Gospel suggests strongly that he would rather dispense with it.  When Pilate asks Jesus, "are you the king of Jews?" the answer perplexed Pilate and expected an answer "no". But Jesus did claim absolute authority before sending his disciples on a mission: "All authority [absolute power] in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Mt 28:18). And Paul told the Christians of Corinth that at the end of time Christ will "deliver the kingdom to God the Father...For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet... For God has put all things in subjection under his feet" (1 Cor 15: 24-27). 

Never Tired to be Attentive and Vigilant to Carry God with Us

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - 08 November 2020

Readings - Wisdom 6:12–16; Psalm 63:2–8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17; Matthew 25:1–13 

 (Image courtesy: Jean Marc Arkelian)
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From nothingness to worth of life

Even though, we started this month of November by remembering all the Saints in heaven our focus has been, however, praying for those who died in our families, communities and our friends' circle. We not only prayed for them but also recommended our God to show mercy upon them through Mass intentions, prayers and devotions which the Church encourages. This has made us to pause for a moment and think about the mystery of our life. More than the mystery of life, death seems to be affecting us very deeply. Death never leaves anyone. In our earthly pilgrimage called life, we carry death on our back. The very word "death" brings shiver down our spine. Often it is very difficult to get over this notion of death from our minds. You may study so well, possess all the possible knowledge of this world, might have read thousands of books and articles, built so many buildings, earned tons of money but when death strikes you what remains here is just a lifeless body, that too just for a short period. In this context, the readings of this Sunday put us in a better perspective and look at life with its worth than its nothingness.

Called to be Holy and Blessed

Solemnity of All Saints: Readings - Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

                  Court of Heaven by Fra Angelico
                   
                       Just my audio homily here

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Sharers of His Divine Inheritance

We are beginning the month of November by honouring all the saints of the Church. It's a day to recall that the Church is blessed with holy men and women, children and adults. In other words, these holy people are part of God who have lived a life in this world; a world full of messiness and complexities. They have struggled to live their life in truth, justice and peace. Finally they have found true peace and joy in the Lord.

Being Kind to Your Neighbour and to the Least

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Readings - Exodus 22:20–26; Psalm 18:2–4, 47, 51; 1 Thessalonians 1:5–10; Matthew 22:34–40

(Image courtesy: Creative Commons)

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Our works of mercy and kindness must be the rule book

"Love ought to show itself in deeds rather than in words." These words of St Ignatius of Loyola in the book Spiritual Exercises No. 230 summarize this Sunday's readings. The word "Love" has a phenomenal meaning and connotations. In fact it finds its fullest expression only when we demonstrate in our deeds. Both Yahweh in the book of Exodus and Jesus in Mathew's gospel compel us how to practice that love. Our book of life must be summarised by our actions of love, in other words, my very existence must be expressed in works of mercy, charity, compassion and emptying myself to the other. Each one of us do these works of kindness, however, the readings encourage us to do more and put ourselves wholeheartedly in doing such things. Even though the 613 commands that are found in the first five books of the Old Testament (Torah) which help us to live our lives according to God's design still we need something more to make them complete, that is "love of God and love of our neighbour". Our love for our neighbour must express itself in concrete actions, such as those set out in today’s First Reading - Exodus 22:20–26. It means that our lives also should focus on the needs of the others.

Bearer of God's Image versus Caesar's Image

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Readings - Isaiah 45:1,4–6; Psalm 96:1,3–5, 7–10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5; Matthew 22:15–21

(Image courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian)

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Courage of Holy Martyrs must strengthen us

The 29th Sunday of the year which falls on the 18th October gives us a very challenging message with the feasts of martyr saints falling before and after as a symbol for a different interpretation. Because on the 17th October, the Church celebrates the feast of  St Ignatius of Antioch ((-107), one of the earliest Holy Martyrs of the Church. He is remembered greatly for his astonishing but bold words that he spoke at his martyrdom which took place in the Circus Maximus in Rome by the lions: "I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ."  On the 19th of October the Church commemorates the memory of  the martyrdom of saints John de Brebeuf, Issac Jogues and companions.  The boldness of these saints to give life for Christ at such gruesome, cruel death is truly staggering. For example, St Issac Jogues (1607-1646), a French Jesuit, even though on a earlier occasion he was peeled of skin of his body and mutilated his fingers, once again returned to the mission territory of Huron and Iroquois tribes to work and for the second time he was peeled of his skin and killed. Looking at his courage, his killers (Mohawks) seems to have eaten up his heart because it resembled such an amazing courage. Jogues words speak about his impeccable endurance to follow the Crucified Christ: "My heart tells me that if I have the happiness of being employed in this mission, Ibo et non redibo [I shall go never to return]; but I shall be happy if our Lord will complete the sacrifice where he has begun it, and make the little blood I have shed in that land the pledge of what I would give from every vein of my body and my heart."  One of the most fascinating hagiographical (holy life) accounts that I have ever read and captivated my imagination of boldness of a missionary priest is that of a martyr saint that is of St Issac Jogues.