Advent: Standing at the Threshold for God's Arrival

04th Sunday of Advent: December 22, 2024

Readings: Micah 5:1–4; Psalm 80:2–3, 15–16, 18–19; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–45

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/ytZBkzchCv8

As we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we stand at a sacred threshold. The purple candles of our Advent wreaths flicker with anticipation, and our hearts beat in rhythm with Mary's journey to Bethlehem. In these final moments before Christmas, we are invited to contemplate what it truly means to be a dwelling place for the Divine.

1. Wonder at the incomprehensible mystery of God

St. Gregory of Nyssa, that profound mystic of the early Church, once wrote: "Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything." As we ponder the mystery of the Incarnation, these words take on special significance. In our modern world of instant gratification and digital distractions, we often try to reduce everything to easily digestible concepts. Yet the wonder of God becoming human defies all our attempts at neat categorization.

The Joy of Advent: Rejoice, for the Lord is Near

03rd Sunday of Advent: December 15, 2024

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14–18; Isaiah 12:2–6; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:10–18

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

The Third Sunday of Advent, often called Gaudete Sunday, calls us to rejoice. The readings today proclaim joy, hope, and a sense of eager anticipation for the coming of the Lord. As we live in a world marked by uncertainty, conflict, and deep longing for peace, these scriptures remind us to root our joy in God’s presence and His promises. Living with this trust enables us to radiate joy and hope, even amidst life’s uncertainties.  As we await the coming of Christ, we are called to live as people of hope, joy, and justice, bearing witness to His presence in our midst. As we heed John’s call, we prepare the way for Christ, not only in our hearts but in the lives of those around us. 

1. Preparing the Way with Actions

We see in Luke 3:10–18, John the Baptist’s call to repentance is direct, clear, explicit and practical. He exhorts the crowds to live out their faith by sharing with the poor, practicing honesty, and avoiding exploitation. In a world plagued by inequality and corruption, John’s call is a summons to solidarity. To the wealthy, he says, “Give.” To those in positions of power, he says, “Do not abuse.” These words demand action. As St. Augustine writes: "True repentance is not just in words but in the reformation of life. What good is it to say, 'Prepare the way of the Lord,' if we do not walk the path ourselves?"

Advent - God's Action in Human History

02nd Sunday of Advent: December 08, 2024

Readings: Baruch 5:1–9; Psalm 126:1–6; Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11; Luke 3:1–6

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Rz1D-EoMgpQ

The liturgical readings for the Second Sunday of Advent invite us to contemplate the historical and salvific reality of the Incarnation, as God enters human history in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a profound reality of God's intervention in human history. Hence we must understand the mystery of salvation from the historical context. By doing so, we might be able to deepen our relationship with God thus we celebrate Christmas in a meaningful way. Advent is a season of waiting, but it is also a season of remembering: the God who once entered history as the Word made flesh continues to shape our lives today.

1. Salvation Rooted in History

Luke’s Gospel situates John the Baptist’s ministry within a detailed historical framework: the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the governance of Pontius Pilate, and the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. These specifics emphasize that the story of salvation is not an abstract idea but a real event within human history. This historical grounding is crucial because it reminds us that God's salvation is tangible and accessible. John’s call to “prepare the way of the Lord” resonates today, inviting us to recognize how Christ continues to meet us in the reality of our own lives and circumstances.

Advent: A Journey from Restlessness to Peace

01st Sunday of Advent: December 01, 2024

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Ny7Y232Zx64?si=2tA7CjkIsELPY2md

The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a sacred journey—a time of anticipation and hope. This season invites us to reflect on our longing for God amidst the complexities and struggles of life. Our restless hearts yearn for meaning, connection, and peace, echoing the psalmist's cry: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Rather than allowing fear and confusion to paralyse us as we see the many problems in our world, we look up. We eagerly await and work for the coming of God's reign in our midst. In the midst of chaos and distress, fear and anxiety, while very powers of heaven are shaken, we are called to stand tall, and strong with heads lifted up. This is Christian courage!

1. A world in need of hope

In today’s world, humanity seems to wrestle with both ancient and modern challenges. Wars, climate crises, economic disparity, and the isolation brought about by technological over-dependence have left many feeling overwhelmed and distant from hope. Yet, these struggles unveil a deeper truth: our longing for God is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the divine imprint within us. The emptiness we feel is not something to fear; it is the space God seeks to fill with His love.

Christ the Servant King: A Call to Authentic Discipleship and Hope

The Solemnity of Christ the King: November 24, 2024

Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1-2,5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

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

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, a feast that calls us to recognize and honour Jesus as the King of the Universe. It also marks the end of the liturgical year, inviting us to reflect on the journey of faith we have traversed and prepare for the Advent season—a time of waiting and hope. At Baptism, when we are anointed with Chrism, the words used are: "As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body." These powerful words are a true reminder that we too take part in Christ's kingly functions.

1. Christ the Servant King

Unlike earthly kings, Jesus’ kingship is rooted in humility and service. He reigns not with power and might but through love, mercy, and sacrifice. His throne is the cross, and His crown is made of thorns. This image of Jesus challenges us to embrace servant leadership in our lives. A good number of us may not even like the word "King." Having lived in democratic countries, and a constitution, we love everyone to be treated equally. However, we must learn from Christ not as a King who runs the affairs of the world just like secular rulers but as a King who serves and becomes a model for us.

At the Service of the "Absolute" - The Legacy of Fr Devadatta Kamath, SJ (1934-2024)

Fr Devadatta Kamath, SJ (1934-2024)

Poet, priest, composer, writer, philosopher, scholar, teacher, professor, grammarian, translator, historian and Jesuit, Fr Devadatta Kamath, fondly known "Fr Deva" is indeed a multi-faceted personality. He was a man ready to embark on any work the Society entrusted to him either, it is the professor of Indian philosophy at St Joseph's Seminary in Mangalore or teacher and dean at the Juniorate in Trevendrum, Mundgod and Bangalore, or chaplain at Stanislaus Convent at St Philomena's Hospital, Bangalore or Lourdes Hospital in Dharwad, Fr Devadatta was ever ready for any work.

Becoming Signs of Hope and Contradiction - A Call to Holy Disruption

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 17, 2024

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5,8-11; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark 13:24-32

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/w9GATiX7U4c

As we draw near to the end of the liturgical year, the liturgical readings on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to live with vigilance and hope, grounded in faith. In a world marked by challenges—conflict, social injustice, and environmental crises—our call as Christians feels ever more urgent. We are reminded that to be a follower of Christ in today's world means to be a bearer of light, compassion, and courage. Amid the uncertainty, we are called to be steady and resilient, living out our faith not in fear but in trust, not in isolation but in community. Jesus invites us to be people, who build bridges, seek peace, and respond with compassion to the cries of those around us.

1. A Call to Holy Disruption

In Mark 13:24-32, Jesus presents an apocalyptic vision of the end times—a world plunged into darkness, cosmic forces in upheaval, and the heavens themselves shaken. It is a powerful and unsettling image, and it is meant to unsettle us. Yet, we find within this disruption a promise of redemption: the coming of the Son of Man in "great power and glory," gathering all people to Himself. Jesus’ words challenge us to look beyond the surface, to see that God's kingdom is not just a place or a future event but an active reality that breaks into our lives even now.

God’s Economy - A Management of Giving Entirely

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 10, 2024

Readings: 1 Kings 17:10–16; Psalm 146:7–10; Hebrews 9:24–28; Mark 12:41–44

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/7fRyN3enFJE

The world that we live in today is not so kind and authentic. In today’s world, we often witness a contrast between appearances and authenticity, between acts of charity performed for recognition and those born from genuine self-sacrifice. In 1 Kings 17:10–16, we see a humble widow who, despite her own need, offers her last bit of food to the prophet Elijah. Her quiet trust and willingness to give from her scarcity highlight a faith rooted in dependence on God’s provision. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus contrasts the wealthy scribes, who give out of their abundance, with a poor widow who offers two small coins—her entire livelihood.

1. A radical trust in God displaces superficiality

The stories of the two widows in 1 Kings 17:10–16 and Mark 12:41–44 reflect two ways of giving: one that comes from a place of selfless trust and one that, though outwardly generous, may lack depth. In a society that often values image over substance, these passages invite us to reflect on our own motivations and the authenticity of our giving. Are we like the scribes, seeking to impress, or like the widows, offering all we have in quiet faith? In most cultures, widows are not treated well. Often they become outcasts and neglected lot. But God is gracious and generous towards them. They may not have a lot of wealth but they have a great, loving and generous heart. That is their solace and the source of their strength.

Called to Radical Love: Drawing Closer to God and Neighbour

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: November 03, 2024

Readings: Deuteronomy 6:2–6; Psalm 18:2–4, 47, 51; Hebrews 7:23–28; Mark 12:28–34

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/mpAsRHy6XSw

As we gather on this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are mindful that November holds a special place in our Catholic tradition—a time dedicated to remembering and praying for our beloved departed. The Church invites us to renew our trust in God’s promise of eternal life while reflecting on our own journey towards holiness. In today's readings, we are reminded of God’s unwavering love and mercy, even amidst our human frailties. May this reflection help us seek God more earnestly and extend our prayers for those who have gone before us, so that they may rest in His eternal peace.

1. God's presence through the act of love

In Mark 12:28–34, Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment, and He responds with a profound yet simple truth: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. It is nothing but a total, undivided love for God. This isn’t merely a feeling or a duty; it’s a wholehearted devotion that touches every part of who we are—our thoughts, desires, actions, and intentions. It is a continual choosing of God above all else. God's presence must permeate not only our prayers but our relationships, our work, our decisions, and the way we spend our time.