Journey to Holiness: Reflections on Comfort, Preparation, and the Presence of God

2nd Sunday of Advent: December 10, 2023

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

St John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness
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We are living in a very tumultuous, chaotic, and uncertain times. There are enough and more ills and wickedness surrounding us. Despite the horrific situations in which we live today with two wars going on in the most civilized parts of the world with high literacy rates and business and intellectual acumen, still we are digging our own graves. Each side of the war knows the pitfalls of it and all that suffering brings to this shortsighted humanity. Yet things seem to be getting complicated more and more. It is almost like we are living in a barbaric world. In fact, the liturgical readings for this Second Sunday of Advent are almost specifically addressed to the reality of our world today.

1. Comfort in the Midst of Trials

Let's begin with Prophet Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11. This beautiful passage speaks of comfort, preparation, and the coming of the Lord. "Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.”  God brings comfort to His people during challenging times.  His presence and promises provide solace and hope in the midst of difficulties. God's comfort is an anchor that sustains us in the storms of life. The passage also calls to "prepare the way for the Lord." We need God's presence. We need to take out obstacles; there is room for a more intentional focus on God in our daily routine.

Work of God's Hands: Yearning for His Presence

First Sunday of Advent: December 03, 2023

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

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The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year in our Roman Catholic Church. It is a season of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, as well as a reflection on the Second Coming of Christ. As we begin the Season of Advent, there is a sense of collective expectation and hope. The liturgical color for Advent is often purple, symbolizing penance, preparation, and royalty. The mood during this season is both reflective and hopeful, encouraging believers to prepare their hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. The Scripture readings on this Sunday typically focus on themes of anticipation, watchfulness, and readiness.

1. Being attentive and watchful

Mark 13:33–37 contains a significant passage where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the importance of vigilance and readiness for his return. Jesus begins by urging his disciples to "Be on guard! Be alert!" This call to watchfulness is not just about anticipating a future event but is an invitation to live with a heightened awareness of God's presence in our daily lives. There is no date or timetable at our disposal to know when exactly, we have to be ready to receive the Master. Even Jesus does not know. God's timings are different than ours!  As we navigate our earthly journey, let us be vigilant in recognizing the divine moments and opportunities for growth and service.

Christ the King: The Lordship of Service

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe:  November 26, 2023

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

Christ the Pantacrator

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Life is a journey of twists and turns. It is a series of different journeys. This life contains everything: good, bad, beautiful, and ugly. As we turn off the current liturgical year on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, we are, in fact, concluding the ordinary liturgical year with a bang. We are singing praises to the Lord of the Universe: The Son of God, the God-Man. We are concluding a year of different experiences both of suffering and of love, of success and of failures, of joy and of sadness. We could experience such things and face the adversaries of life with boldness and courage, patience and perseverance, peace and tranquility because we trusted in the Lord. We also went through different seasons of the liturgical year, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time of the Year. We not only assimilated these periods of faith journey but also lived our ordinary lives filled with love and laughter, sickness and suffering, boredom and beauty, as the situations and circumstances became integral parts of our lives.

1. The Lordship of Service: A Call to Action

The Gospel reading of today Matthew 25:31–46 contains beautiful but challenging teachings of Jesus to his disciples and those who would like to follow him. They contain clarifications on who the Lord is and how a disciple must own up mission entrusted to him or her. In fact, Christ's kingship is not one of earthly power and grandeur but of humble service. Christ's Kingdom is built on acts of kindness, mercy, and love. True greatness is found in serving others, and in doing so, we honor the kingship of Christ.

Jesus' Risk Management and Entrepreneurial Spirit

 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 19, 2023

Readings: Proverbs 31:10–13, 19–20, 30–31; Psalm 128:1–5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6; Matthew 25:14–30

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Often it is said that it would be better to do something remarkable and fall short than to attempt to do nothing and achieve nothing at all.  As we give attention not only to our general wellbeing but also to our spiritual wellness, it is often failing than succeeding. It so happens God is remembered when there is a need and distress. Forgetfulness of God's mercy and compassion often distracts us from focusing our attention on God. Most probably we try to give emphasis to meditation, prayer, and liturgical services in our everyday lives, but these might not become truly real as other concerns of this world takeover. God becomes absent in our lives. The liturgical readings for the 33rd Sunday of the Ordinary Year serve as a poignant reminder not to lose sight of God. Every talent, gift, and capacity bestowed upon us by God should be wielded with the purpose of making His presence known and realized in our lives. 

1. Stewardship of gifts of God and our accountability to Him

The Gospel of Matthew 25:14–30 presents the parable of the talents. The parable emphasizes the responsibility we have as stewards of the gifts and talents bestowed upon us by God. It prompts us to reflect on the ways we use our unique abilities for the betterment of God's Kingdom. It underscores the importance of recognizing, developing, and investing in the talents entrusted to us rather than burying them in fear or complacency. 

Jesus Management: Being with the Lord Always, Active and Happy!

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 12, 2023

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

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As we approach the Season of Advent and prepare to conclude the current liturgical year, the Sunday readings call us to readiness and attentiveness to God. Are we prepared to meet the Lord? Or are we still preoccupied with our own endeavors, losing sight of what is truly important? As the world continues to long for peace and harmony, the ultimate pursuit of our lives, and indeed of every Christian, should echo Christ's words to His disciples before His ascension: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27). Martin Luther King Jr. aptly said, "Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal." The quest for human perfection culminates in attaining that peace once and for all. Thus, the means or instruments we utilize in this pursuit are equally important.

1. Living with Eternity in Mind: 

The liturgical readings for this Sunday are vibrant and focused. Let's begin with the Second reading taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17. It offers comfort and hope in the face of death, assuring believers of the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and the eventual reunion of all believers with the Lord. In a world that often seems filled with despair, fear, and anxiety, this passage reminds Christians that while grief is a natural human emotion, it is not without hope. Believers are encouraged to grieve the loss of loved ones, but not in the same way as those without hope. This hope is based on the belief in the resurrection and the second coming of Christ. In practical terms, this means supporting one another in times of loss, providing comfort, and pointing each other towards the hope of eternal life.

Has not the One God Created us?

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 05, 2023

Readings: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10; Psalm 131:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12

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As we begin this month of November and remember all those who died in Christ and have gone before us, the reality of life and death is ever present before us. The month, with its shorter days and longer nights,  serves as a somber backdrop to the profound mystery of our mortal journey. It is a period marked distinctly by the solemnity of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, where the Christian community pauses to honor and pray for those who have departed this world in the hope of resurrection. The vibrant leaves falling from the trees are like a metaphor for the cycle of life, death, and the hope of new life that the Christian faith professes. We are also in the midst of wars and bloodshed, death and destruction. The state of Manipur in India is still reeling under violence. Along with the Ukraine-Russia armed conflict, the Hamas-Israel war is seeing new dimensions of modern warfare. In this context, the liturgical readings on this 31st Sunday of the Ordinary Year, invite us to be God-centered in order to live in peace and harmony. 

1. Reverence for the Divine: Allowing God to be God

One of the minor prophets in the Old Testament, Malachi has a profound message today. Here the prophet speaks for God. God expresses His displeasure with the priests, the spiritual leaders of Israel, for their failure to honor Him and their deviation from His ways. Even though, they are a chosen race, God has a stern warning to them: if they do not take heed, their blessings will become curses. The priests are accused of causing others to stumble by their teachings and showing partiality in applying the law, which goes against the covenantal relationship established between God and His people.

Stewards of Pure and Noble Character

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 08, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 80:9, 12–16, 19–20; Philippians 4:6–9; Matthew 21:33–43

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It is pretty hard to predict things about the future. Moreover, predicting the human behaviour of someone is still difficult. The human experience tells us that we change so to our wishes, desires, and tastes. As a result, we tend to show different traits in our character. Often, therefore, we say, how things have changed rapidly. The liturgical readings for this 27th Sunday in the Ordinary Time of the Year are of a different nature as they point out the existing problems with people especially how the Israelites became people of sour grape producers in spite of God leading them all through their lives. On the other hand, Jesus points out in the parable, how trust and confidence are taken for granted, and instead of life death destruction is chosen.

1. Prayer and petition, thanksgiving and requests

The discourse of Prophet Isaiah and the parable of Jesus are of different nature. So let's begin the reflections from St Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:6–9. This letter is widely known "letter of joy" of St. Paul. There is so much hope, faith, love, joy, and confidence permeated throughout the letter. In the midst of life's chaos and uncertainty, the words of St. Paul offer profound spiritual guidance. These verses invite us to cultivate a mindset rooted in faith, gratitude, and the pursuit of peace. St. Paul writes so beautifully: "Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6–7).

Living a Life of Purpose: Aligning Words and Deeds in Daily Life

 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 01, 2023

Readings: Ezekiel 18:25–28; Psalm 25:4–9; Philippians 2:1–11; Matthew 21:28–32

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It is often stated: "If you wish to plan for a year, cultivate flowers; if you wish to plan for ten years, plant trees; if you wish to plan for eternity, develop men and women." Cultivating good habits and nurturing human values take time. In spite of education, experience, intelligence, knowledge, and past history, still we fall short of becoming perfect human beings. There is always something lacking in us. This void in our lives could be filled only by that God who created us and brought us forth into this universe. The liturgical readings for this 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to cultivate good human values based on divine wisdom so that we may live in God continuously.

1. Personal responsibility with a sense of integrity and consistency.

In the last few Sundays, the writings from the Prophets continue to admonish us why we must choose life and avoid wickedness and evil. Today Prophet Ezekiel 18:25–28 in the Bible offers profound spiritual insights on personal responsibility and the importance of aligning our lives with divine values. These verses prompt us to reflect deeply on how we can cultivate human values, become better individuals, and maintain God as our guiding light in our journey of self-improvement. God's message through Ezekiel underscores the potential for transformation and redemption. We are not bound by our past mistakes. By turning away from wrongdoing and embracing justice and righteousness, we can experience a spiritual rebirth and growth.

Caught Between the Two: Life with Christ and Life without Christ

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 24, 2023

Readings: Isaiah 55:6–9; Psalm 145:2–3, 8–9, 17–18; Philippians 1:20–24, 27; Matthew 20:1–16

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Our life is full of dilemmas. Often we are caught between two divergent views or opinions, circumstances or events. It becomes difficult to decide what is the best option before us. Choosing becomes extremely difficult. We feel we are left in the middle of the river. Making proper decisions for the present and future becomes a headache. Loneliness sets in and we look for some comfort or angels of good time to come and advise us and help us to get out of this mess. In this context, we have beautiful liturgical readings including Psalm 145 on this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which extols us that "the Lord is near to all who call upon him." The God who created us knows best how to lead us in such moments, giving us wisdom and knowledge to walk in the path of righteousness and peace.

1. Self-righteousness vs generosity

The Gospel reading from Matthew 20:1–16 is a parable that speaks to the profound nature of God's grace and the kingdom of heaven. Jesus gives this intriguingly fascinating story of a landowner who hires laborers to work in his vineyard at different times throughout the day. When it comes time to pay the workers, he gives each of them the same wage, regardless of how long they worked. This attitude of the landowner not only perplexes the workers but also they to begin to grumble and criticize him for his self-righteous way of acting.