Ascension of our Lord: Called to be the Universal Witnesses

Ascension of the Lord: May 21, 2023

Readings: Acts 1:1–11; Psalm 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9; Ephesians 1:17–23; Matthew 28:16–20

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/kGE1DNY1tOo

The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ is a Christian celebration that commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. It is observed on the 40th day after Easter Sunday, which signifies the completion of Jesus' earthly ministry. The narration on the Ascension of Jesus is found in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and the Acts of the Apostles. According to these accounts, after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and followers over a period of 40 days, teaching them about the kingdom of God and giving them instructions. The liturgical readings of this Sunday are rich in content and give us a beautiful presentation of how that ascension of our Lord should be lived out in our daily lives.

1. Ascending to Heavenly Glory to be with the Father

According to the Gospel of St Matthew, which we are reading today, the last discourse of Jesus after the resurrection takes place on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. Even though this passage is about the commissioning of the disciples, it does not tell us, how Jesus was taken up into heaven. However other Gospels give witness to this great event.  While his disciples gather there, Jesus blessed them and, in their presence, ascended into heaven. As he ascended, a cloud enveloped him, and he disappeared from their sight. From then on none of his disciples saw him again. 

Sharing Our Faith in an Age of Absurdity

6th Sunday of Easter: May 14, 2023

Readings: Acts 8:5–8, 14–17; Psalm 66:1–7, 16, 20; 1 Peter 3:15–18; John 14:15–21

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/qZvqmS40HTg

Perhaps we are living in an important and very particular time of human existence. It is not just an age of reason but an age of absurdity and chaos in the midst of digital and directionless mass (social) media communications. For the last few months, we have been taken over by the popularity of Artificial Intelligence and its concrete fruit Open AI and ChatGPT. We have been adding new kinds of knowledge to our basket from time to time. Whenever something new comes to the market there are two kinds of reactions: For and against. So the use of Artificial Intelligence by a common man in the form of Chat GPT seems to have made many worry especially those who run corporations and business houses. In the guise of saving their future and relevance, they are casting doubts of their usefulness and danger, while the common is looking for something good from the new knowledge that is almost freely available. The Sixth Sunday of Easter points out through its liturgical readings that we are called to give hope through our reason to those who ask questions or intimidate us giving us all sorts of false prophesies.

1. Defending our faith with gentleness and respect. 

We begin today's reflections starting with St Peter's First Letter.  1 Peter 3:15–18 are the most quoted verses while studying fundamental Christian theology. "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear" (1 Peter 3:15). St Peter in these verses encourages believers to always be ready to give a defense of their faith with gentleness and respect, even in the face of persecution. Since the time of Jesus, we see, that faith is not a private matter but something that we should be willing to share with others. All through his life, Jesus did every preaching, healing, and teaching in public, even the very personal and momentous moments like his Baptism and the Mount Tabor experience. 

Putting Faith into Action in a World of Darkness

 5th Sunday of Easter: May 07, 2023

Readings: Acts 6:1–7; Psalm 33:1–2, 4–5, 18–19; 1 Peter 2:4–9; John 14:1–12

(Photo courtesy: Jean Marc Arkelian)

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

During this Easter season, we have been reading from the New Testament, with the exception of the Psalm, which is taken from the Old Testament. Easter is about moving forward and leaving our past behind. It is also about focusing on the present moment, savoring and enjoying what we have in the here and now. We should never feel a lack of the living water that God gives us through his Son. Therefore, we should dwell calmly and continuously in the present, while also recognizing the urgency and immediacy of our actions. The liturgical reading for the 5th Sunday of Easter invites us to walk with the disciples of Jesus, who are increasing in number through their love and service to God and their neighbors. They believe that there is one Father for all who gives everything and that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

1. Friction between the temporary and the eternal

John 14:1-12 is a passage that provides us with the comforting words of Jesus, who tells his disciples not to be troubled or afraid but to trust in God and in him. He promises to prepare a place for them and to return to take them with him. This is a powerful message for us as we gather together as a community of believers. As we reflect on this passage, we can find a great source of hope and encouragement in the midst of uncertainty and fear. Jesus reminds us that we are not alone in this world and that he is always with us, guiding us along the way. He calls us to trust in him, even when we don't understand everything that is happening around us.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd Leads to Abundance

4th Sunday of Easter: April 30, 2023

Readings: Acts 2:14, 36–41; Psalm 23:1–6; 1 Peter 2:20–25; John 10:1–10

(Jesus the Good Shepherd)

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

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. This is a day when we reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. The Good Shepherd is a powerful image that reminds us of God's loving care for us and His constant presence in our lives. On this day, we are told that we are not alone, but that we are part of God's flock, and that Jesus is always watching over us, leading us to safety and sustenance. However, we must ask ourselves, do we follow God’s voice calling us in our lives? Or are we sheep who have gone astray? 

1. Need of going back to the spirit of the Early Church

We continue to read the life of the early church as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. St Peter filled with the Holy Spirit steers the nascent Christian Church very boldly and passionately. He finds all the answers in the person of Jesus Christ. Chapter two of the Acts of the Apostles is a testimony for this. Christ's sufferings and his example inspire us to patiently endure the trials and hardships that we face as followers of Christ.

Sense of Awe and Sanctity in our Daily Life with Intellectual Honesty

(Photo courtesy: Jean Marc Arkelian)

Sense of Holiness and Dharma

Talking about the sense of holiness in the modern world, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the Jesuit priest and scientist (Paleontologist - part of the team that discovered the Piking man) says…“What we are all more or less lacking at this moment is a new definition of holiness.” The word holiness seems to be out of our ordinary vocabulary today in this fast-moving world. Sense of wonder and awe are seeing their demise in our messy world. The amount of dirt that the politicians throw at each other, bringing the public discourse to such a low suggests that we have lost a sense of thinking and feeling beings. We also see that religions are becoming just showpieces as Swamis and gurus are lost in the ideologies of politicians than the real DHARMA the religion teaches us to adhere to. We are reducing everything to mere facts and meanings unfortunately in an absurd way.

Meeting the Risen Jesus in our Present Conditions

3rd Sunday of Easter: April 23, 2023

Readings: Acts 2:14, 22–28; Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–11; 1 Peter 1:17–21; Luke 24:13–35

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/mcBOVcs4OlE

As we move pretty faster in this Season of Easter, the apparition narratives of the Risen Jesus astonish us how God comes into our midst when we are troubled and full of anxiety. The apparition narratives are very quick in their description and presence. They do not last long. By the moment you try to comprehend and relish what has just happened, you are taken into another realm. Three things become very obvious: listening, learning and loving. The third Sunday of Easter invites us to reflect on the appearance of the Risen Christ to his disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). This encounter reveals how the Risen Christ is present with us in our daily lives, even when we do not recognize him.

1. Importance of community in our spiritual journey

As we reflect on this story, we may ask ourselves: Do we recognize the presence of Christ in our daily lives? Are we open to the ways in which Christ speaks to us, even in unexpected ways? Do we seek Him in our struggles and difficulties, or only in moments of joy and peace? The Emmaus story also reminds us of the importance of community in our spiritual journey. The disciples did not recognize Jesus at first, but as they walked and talked with him, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. This emphasizes the importance of gathering together as a community to worship, pray, and share in the Eucharist.

Divine Mercy: God's Everlasting Enduring Mercy - Seeing is Believing!

Divine Mercy Sunday, 2nd Sunday of Easter: April 16, 2023

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

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/y2gRnwMtFSk

The second Sunday of Easter is a special day in the liturgical calendar, as it celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the victory of life over death. This day is also celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday which recalls the infinite mercy of God. The Resurrection is, indeed, the symbol of love and forgiveness that God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received numerous visions of Jesus and wrote extensively about His divine mercy, encouraged people to trust in Jesus and His mercy, and to spread His message of love and forgiveness throughout the world. The liturgical readings of the day, enable us to strengthen our faith in God in spite of the odds and confusion that are all around us.

1. Risen Jesus drives away fear and doubt

St John, the Gospel writer in 20:19-31 recounts the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. The disciples were in a state of fear and uncertainty, locked behind closed doors, when Jesus suddenly appeared to them. He offered them peace and showed them his wounds, proving that he had indeed risen from the dead. The story then goes on to focus on the disciple Thomas, who was not present when Jesus first appeared to the others. When he was told about it, he expressed doubt, saying that he would only believe if he could see and touch the wounds himself. A week later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples, and this time Thomas was present. Jesus invited him to touch his wounds, and Thomas believed.

The Risen Christ - A New Gateway to Salvation

The Resurrection of the Lord - Easter Sunday: April 09, 2023

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/0wCHz8PyVpw

"Christ is Risen, indeed, Alleluia!" Today, we celebrate our Lord's resurrection from death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of the Christian faith, and it refers to the foundational Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion. On the third day after his death, some of Jesus' female disciples went to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. According to the Gospels, Jesus appeared to his disciples in various forms over a period of 40 days, and he eventually ascended into heaven.  In its historical context, the resurrection of Jesus represents the ultimate victory of life over death, good over evil, and light over darkness. It is a message of God's power and love, which was demonstrated through the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. Resurrection - a victory over the power of death

The resurrection of Jesus is a sign of his divinity and power over death. It is viewed as proof of his claims to be the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The resurrection is also seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. The resurrection of Jesus has been a subject of debate and scrutiny for centuries, with skeptics questioning the reliability of biblical accounts and offering alternative explanations for the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. However, for us Christians, the resurrection remains a central and essential aspect of our faith.

Good Friday: The Meaning and Significance of the Cross of Jesus Christ

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: April 07, 2023

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

(Photo courtesy: Jean Marc Arkelian)

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/OQ16HDlrIPw

The Cross of Jesus Christ is the central symbol of Christianity and represents the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as his ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. According to Christian tradition, Jesus was crucified on a wooden cross by the Romans at Golgotha, a hill outside Jerusalem. As we commemorate this world event that took place in the Holy City of David 2000 years ago, let us look at the significance and relevance of Cross of Christ today and to our daily lives. The Cross of Jesus Christ is a symbol of love, sacrifice, redemption, and hope. It is a powerful reminder of the central message of Christianity and the ultimate expression of God's love for humanity.

1. Cross a symbol of God's love and grace

For Christians, in fact, more powerfully, the Cross is a powerful symbol of God's love and grace. It represents the ultimate act of selflessness and sacrifice, as Jesus gave his life to save humanity from sin and eternal separation from God. Through his death and resurrection, we believe that Jesus provided a way for people to be reconciled with God and receive eternal life.