Lent: Finding the Fullness of Life through Trust and Hope

Fifth Sunday of Lent: March 22, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 37:12–14; Psalm 130:1–8; Romans 8:8–11; John 11:1–45

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Bringing solace and hope to those who are mourning or hopeless is a beautiful thing. It is an act of mercy. We need people who can comfort us when we are in sorrow or suffering. We need people who can put their shoulders on us and listen to us. In a world of competition and the rat race, very few have the time and willingness to do that. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see this aspect of readiness and willingness to comfort those who are mourning, despite a busy schedule or being far from home. Jesus touches the lives of his good friends, Martha and Mary. He reaches out to them at the very toughest time of their lives, when they have buried their beloved brother. At that moment, Jesus does an unimaginable thing: he raises Lazarus from the tomb and gives them back their loving brother, alive. This is what true friendship means: reaching out to those who trust us and love us at the right time with the right act of love.

1. Lent: Waiting for God in Patience

The Gospel of John 11:1–45, the raising of Lazarus, stands as one of the most profound revelations of who Jesus is—not merely a healer, but the Lord of life itself. Yet, before it becomes a story of resurrection, it is deeply a story of waiting, sorrow, confusion, and faith stretched to its limits. Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill, and surprisingly, He delays. This delay is unsettling. It challenges our instinctive belief that God must act immediately when we pray. 

Lent - Encountering the Healing Touch of God

Fourth Sunday of Lent: March 15, 2026

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6–7, 10–13; Psalm 23:1–6; Ephesians 5:8–14; John 9:1–41

Jesus is healing a blind man
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Often, it is difficult to see the good in others. Human nature tends to react with jealousy, anxiety, and many questions when something good happens in another person’s life. It may seem strange, yet it is often true. Unfortunately, the prosperity of one person sometimes becomes the cause of heartburn for another. There are people who try to malign the name of someone who is good and sincerely striving to make a difference in his own life and in the lives of others. Wickedness and evil, in subtle ways, seem to be part of the human condition. While we strive to do good, there is often a contrary impulse within us that pulls us in the opposite direction. This week, the Church celebrates Laetare Sunday, which falls on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. As we reach the middle of our Lenten journey, the Church invites us to rejoice. Christ comes as the Light of the world, entering the darkness of human life to restore sight. The healing of the man born blind by Jesus becomes a subject of intense dispute, especially among the Pharisees, who were unable to recognize the goodness present before them.

1. Healing: A journey of encounter

The Gospel of John 9:1–41, presents the powerful story of the healing of the man born blind. At one level, it is a miracle story, but at a deeper level, it is a revelation about spiritual sight and spiritual blindness. The physical healing becomes a sign pointing to a deeper transformation that Jesus desires for every human person.

Lent: Transforming our Lives through Dialogue with God

Third Sunday of Lent: March 8, 2026

Readings: Exodus 17:3–7; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9; Romans 5:1–2, 5–8; John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42

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Where can we look for the best things in life? Is there something extraordinary that can be attainable and could give us complete meaning for our lives? Will we find something that will explain everything and give us the fullness of life? Man's search for meaning has been continuous and unceasing. In spite of a great history of knowledge, epistemology (the study of knowledge) and hermeneutics (the study of interpretation), we are still making sense of this world. There is no ultimate truth that a person has found. Even though for us Christians, Jesus is the ultimate truth. However, we still doubt. As a result, we do not follow his teachings in word and deed. In this context, we have fantastic liturgical readings on this Third Sunday in Lent to encourage us to strive to follow the same Lord who enlightened the Samaritan Woman two thousand years ago.

1. God initiates dialogue with us

The Gospel of the Third Sunday of Lent (John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42) presents the profound encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It is a story of thirst—human thirst and divine thirst—meeting at the same place. Jesus begins the conversation with a simple request: “Give me a drink.” The Son of God appears tired, thirsty, and dependent on a stranger. In this moment, God reveals something essential about Himself: He approaches us in vulnerability. 

The Transfiguration of our Lord: A Glimpse of Glory to Sustain

02 Sunday of Lent: March 01, 2026

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5,18-20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

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Faith and trust are very important components of our lives. We do our business dealings based on faith and trust. The so-called disruptive technologies, which have made our lives easier today, like Ola, Uber, Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy, AirBNB, etc., are all built on trust. Interestingly, trust is a two-way communication, which is dynamic and proactive. We would not be agile and active if we didn't trust someone or didn't have faith in someone. The whole health sector is built on the caring nature of doctors, surgeons, nurses and medicines. So too, our spiritual life is built on faith and trust, even though we do not see God with our eyes or we have not experienced someone returning from God to say hello to us. In this context, we have beautiful readings on this Second Sunday in Lent. Abraham just listened to the voice of God and followed, including leaving behind his family and birthplace. Jesus communicates with his Father, and the glory of God is shown to the three disciples of Jesus. All these are possible because of the incredible faith and trust.

1. Consolations before the suffering and pain

The Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 narrates the mysterious and luminous event of the Transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, before their eyes, He is transfigured—His face shines like the sun and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, conversing with Him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and the voice of the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus touches them and says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  Beneath struggles, confusion, and fatigue, God is at work. 

Lenten Journey - Finding Enormous Fidelity of God

First Sunday of Lent: February 22, 2026

Readings: Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7; Psalm 51:3–6; 12–14, 17; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11

The Temptation on the Mount by Duccio
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The sense of unworthiness before the immensity of God's providence is natural if we look at it with a sense of awe, faith and reverence. The abundance of the mighty creation in which we live is absolutely stunning. When we stand on the seashore and just gaze at the miles and miles of water or raise our eyes to the sky in the night with a bright moon and glittering stars, we quickly realize our smallness and imperfection. What we have around us is nature, forests, waters, rivers, seas, birds, animals, plants and trees, and so many other uncountable things, always enabling us to see the immensity and largeness of God the Creator. In this context, the sense of sin and sinfulness comes into the picture as we begin 40 days of Lenten journey. God continues to shower us with His mercy and compassion, love and forgiveness.

1. Lent begins not with activity, but with solitude.

The Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11 places us at the threshold of Lent, in the silence of the desert. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. The First Sunday of Lent invites us to enter that same space—not as spectators, but as pilgrims. The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert. It is striking that temptation is not outside God’s providence. The desert is not a mistake; it is a necessary passage.

Following in the Footsteps of God our Lord in Word and Deed

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 15, 2026

Readings: Sirach 15:15–20; Psalm 119:1–2, 4–5, 17–18, 33–34; 1 Corinthians 2:6–10; Matthew 5:17–37

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Can we solve the problems of this world by rules and regulations, laws and judiciary, police or army? Absolutely not. We can solve the problems in our society through good, value based educaton. Even the value-based education might not be the perfect answer. Probably, having the right mind and good value-based nurturing of men and women of this world might, to a great extent, help to take evil out of this world. There are so many men and women of great integrity who have shown the path of righteousness, truth, equality and justice. Jesus, being one of them, confronts his Jewish community to follow the right path. So that peace and harmony are established.  

1. Jesus disturbs our moral apathy

In today’s Gospel Matthew 5:17–37, Jesus stands before us not as one who abolishes the Law, but as one who brings it to fulfillment. He does not weaken moral demands; He deepens them. He does not settle for external compliance; He calls for interior transformation. “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” With these words, Jesus moves the conversation from behaviour to the heart. It is not enough that we avoid murder; we must uproot anger. It is not enough that we avoid adultery; we must purify desire. It is not enough that we speak truth under oath; our very word must be truthful. Jesus is not merely reforming rules—He is reshaping the human person.

Preaching from the Mountain - Making our Lives Purposeful, Meaningful and Joyful

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 08, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 58:7–10; Psalm 112:4–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16

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What is it that makes us needed in this world? It is when we feel loved, cared for, and sought after. However, to have such an aspiration, we too must be men and women of compassion, love, joy and peace. It means that we must be of some use to others. We must be men and women of such a nature that we have something to contribute to the lives of others, or have the capacity to do something for the welfare of people. This makes our lives meaningful, purposeful and joyful. The liturgical readings on this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to make our lives purposeful, meaningful and useful just as the salt of the earth and lamp on a lampstand, as Jesus narrates the metaphors that could be applied very well to our lives as well.

1. Making life beautiful with simple things

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus speaks to us in images that are ordinary, almost humble—salt and light—yet charged with quiet power. He does not speak about rocket science. Through simple things, he makes us think big. He does not ask us to become something extraordinary or rare; he reminds us of what we already are. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Not “you should be,” but “you are.” The call of discipleship begins not with achievement, but with identity. It is by being.

Beatitudes - Standing for the Values of Eternity

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 01, 2026

Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon on the Mount by Jesus
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We do desire to make a mark here on this earth. We wish to distinguish ourselves from others. We want to be differentiators. God has blessed us not only in his own image and likeness, but also endowed us with a gift of uniqueness. Two people are not the same. Everyone has something different from the other. However, this uniqueness does not stop us from doing something together for the welfare of others. Whatever we do should be good, beautiful, and useful. It must bring a smile on the faces, joy to their lives. It is not that SMART concept that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound that we are talking about. It is simply about being good, having the best attitudes and being generous in our thoughts and actions. In this context, we have the beautiful readings on the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus speaks about the beatitudes, in other words, cultivating certain values, attitudes, virtues, which are higher and are close to the heart of God.

1. Standing for values and the Logic of God

The Gospel of St Matthew 5:1-12 leads us up a quiet hill, where Jesus sits and opens his words of wisdom—not to command, not to accuse, but to bless. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are the meek… blessed are the peacemakers.” These familiar words of Jesus still unsettle us. They turn the logic of the world upside down. Interestingly, Jesus does not call the powerful blessed, nor the self-sufficient, nor the loud and triumphant. Instead, he names as blessed those who know their need of God, those who mourn, those who hunger for righteousness, those who choose mercy when revenge seems easier. 

Listening to the Call of God-man - Jesus

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 25, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 8:23–9:3; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14; 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17; Matthew 4:12–23

Jesus calls his first disciples
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Whom do we follow today? The person of integrity, sincerity and of trust? We live in a trust-deficient world. Often, those whom we believe are trustworthy, people of integrity and sincerity, let us down with their hidden agendas, wicked deeds and unconcealed evil ideas. There is a scarcity of people whom we consider as generous, people of others and people of God. There are also people with no selfishness and don't accumulate wealth in this world for themselves. They are joyful and find meaning in doing good, letting themselves go so that others are happy. They are content in the company of others. Their benevolence is noticed by their life. In this context, we have beautiful readings on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Even without knowing Jesus, people trusted him when he called them. He invited them to join his company. The overflowing goodness and other-centredness marked their lives. 

1. Jesus meets where people are

The Gospel of Matthew 4:12–23 opens in a quiet, unsettling moment: John the Baptist is arrested, and Jesus withdraws to Galilee. Jesus enters another world of preaching. Unlike John, Jesus is on the streets, valleys, mountains, seaside, etc., meeting with the ordinary. Jesus has no fixed place or fixed people. He moves into the periphery. He meets people where they are. It is not people who come in search of him at this moment, but he meets people in their workplaces. The surroundings of the Sea of Galilee become his place of work, in place of the river Jordan, which John the Baptist had chosen. Jesus' world is bigger, clearer, and nearer to people. That is how Jesus encounters four of his first disciples. All of them are working people, perhaps workaholics. Until Jesus calls them, they are busy mending their nets.