FIFTH WEEK DAYS OF EASTER 24

29 APRIL - 04 MAY 2024, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 29 APRIL 2024: ACTS 14. 5-18; JOHN 14. 21-26 Indicative: True faith is that which shows itself in deep and lasting love for God, listens to Him, speaks His words, keeps His commandments, and bears witness to Him 1.      Paul and Barnabas heal a crippled. They make him walk, one who was crippled from birth and never walked. Paul said to him, “Stand upright and walk on your feet”. And he sprang up and began walking. This healing is very symbolic and indicative. To come to faith, to believe in Jesus, and to live as his disciples are like walking in the way, the light of the Lord. 2.      The mission of the apostles was very simple and clear: believe in the Lord and make others believe; walk the way and make others too walk in the same way. In this process, many hurdles come their way. In today’s first reading from the Acts, we find a mention of one such instance. At Iconium, there was an attempt to mistreat and stone them. But, they did not lose heart. They were not frightened. Rather, they seek other possibilities in the cities of Lycaonia. 3.      Their mission was a mix of success and failure, praise and blame, support and persecution. But they always kept up the same spirit of humility. They were ever aware that they were only the channels and instruments of God’s grace. They never tried to steal the show. They never sought to glorify themselves. That is why, when the people, excited at the healing, try to deify them, making them equal to the gods Zeus and Hermes, they resist them and attribute all the glory to the power of God. 4.      Such humility and zeal were possible because of their intense love and passion for God. They loved God, heard His word, spoke His word, and followed the same. They always experienced unfailing communion with God and commitment to Him. This was exactly the same experience and example that Jesus, their master had and showed. He was always united with the Father and the Holy Spirit. This was the same spirit of St Catherine of Siena. Imperative: Love is the only reason for all our vocation and mission. Jesus says, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, my Father will love him, He will send the Holy Spirit to teach all things and we will come and make our home with him. Do we experience this and testify to this relationship? 30 APRIL 2024: ACTS 14. 19-28; JOHN 14. 27-31a   Indicative: Truth Faith is not merely an intellectual subscription or a passing emotion. it is a profound relationship and an unflinching mission. To live it and share it is never a smooth sail. But, those who are full of faith never fail to be faithful   1.      Once again, in the Acts of the Apostles, we see the multi-faceted mission of Paul and Co. He was stoned and thrown off, supposed to be dead. But he rose and continued his mission as if nothing happened. He would preach, strengthen the souls of the disciples, encourage them to continue in the faith and motivate them to suffer as a condition to enter the Kingdom. He would animate the communities through elders, and with prayer and fasting, would commend all the work to the grace of God. 2.      Troubles always surrounded the apostles but they were never troubled. Fears and tensions always attacked them but they were never afraid or worried. They were thrown into violent and peaceless situations but they never lost their peace. They were abandoned and rejected but they never felt depressed about being abandoned. 3.      The sole reason for their perseverance was their total trust in their master. He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”. They confided in his words. He assured them, “I give to you my peace and not the peace of the world”. He distinguishes his peace from that of the world. 4. His peace is not the absence of troubles and fears. Rather, it is the strength, confidence, and courage even amidst adversities. His peace is not avoidance or evasion of afflictions and challenges. Rather it is confronting them valiantly and ardently in a spirit of surrender and loyalty.   Imperative: The source of their strength and guidance is the Lord. They derive their power from the Lord’s love, from the Father’s sustenance, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. How and whence is our strength and guidance?   (Reflection 2)   Focus: The Spirit of the Lord is never stagnant but ever vibrant and therefore those who confide in the Lord will never be dormant but ever fervent   Peace is the parting assurance of the Lord before his earthly departure and death. It is also the starting gift of the resurrection before his heavenly re-entrance. This peace is rooted in and derived from his inseparable union with the Father. This peace is different from the peace that the world seeks and gives. Worldly peace is something false and shallow. How? It is mostly because it lies in merely avoiding any trouble and disturbance; or at times, it is so self-seeking and can indulge in so much aggression and violence. It is peace at any cost. Thus, ironically, it is a peace built on a lack of peace, leading to a further lack of peace. Besides, worldly peace is very unstable and fluctuating because it highly depends on external factors which are very variable. But the peace which the Lord gives is something very profound and stable, which abides even amidst trouble and disturbance. No external forces however adverse they are can take away such deep-seated peace. It is this peace that Jesus always enjoyed and exercised. It is the same kind of peace that he offers to his disciples and empowers them with. That is why he tells his disciples not to be troubled or disturbed by his physical separation and absence. It is because his eternal presence and the unceasing accompaniment of the Spirit will never leave them. It is this interior power that sustains Paul and Co. to continue their mission like a whirlwind.  Whatever the situation, whether favourable or unfavourable, they persisted in their mission. No opposition, no imprisonment, restrictions, no suffering and persecution even to the point of death, could confine or control their spirit and mission. Through their preaching and personal example, they increase the number of the disciples, strengthen their souls, encourage them to persevere in the faith, and convince them that tribulations would qualify them for entry into the kingdom. They would also ensure an effective animation of every church by appointing quality elders. Direction: Zeal and dedication for the Lord's mission with courage and perseverance are possible only because of the passionate love for God and unflinching loyalty to him   01 MAY 2024: GENESIS 1. 26 -2.3; MATTHEW 13. 54-58: ST JOSEPH THE WORKER Focus: Work is not a sign of lack of something and thus a necessity to make up and gain what is lacking. Neither is it a burden which is forced upon us. Rather, it is part of our nature and essential duty   1.      01 May is celebrated May Day, the Day of Workers, in line with Saint Joseph, the worker. What can be one main lesson from this celebration? We should change our perspective toward work. We must see the essential link between life and work. 2.      Life is a celebration of work. Life is meaningful and worth-living to the extent we work. Work is not to be considered a load, something resented or resisted, something avoided and escaped from, something unpleasant and burdensome. It is to be celebrated. It is to be valued and respected. 3.      Every work is of value and honour. Therefore, there cannot be any discrimination or contempt based on the type of work. There cannot be a disparity as honourable or dishonourable, as noble or low. It is not the status of the work that decides the greatness of the person. Rather, the matter is how intense is one’s commitment, how pure one is, and how far the work is beneficial. 4.      In fact, there is no strict difference like dignified work and low-level work. Every work is sacred and divine because it is participation in the very work of God, who is an eternal, tireless worker. In and through our works productive and transformative, we become collaborators and co-creators with God Himself. 5.      We become architects of the edifice of God’s kingdom. Saint Joseph stands as a glowing example of this aspect of work, in his silence, docility, diligence and loyalty.   Direction: We are called to shed off our layers of mediocrity and sloth and to deepen our enthusiasm and dedication.   02 MAY 2024: ACTS 15.7-21; JOHN 15. 9-11   Indicative: True spirituality is not mere knowledge or expertise about spiritual matters. It is always blended with spiritual tenacity and moral integrity   1.      Unity must be the hallmark of Christianity and Christian followers. However, unity is not uniformity. In the name of unity and oneness, diversities and differences should not be crushed. The authorities and the members of the Church would do well if they maintain this delicate balance between unity and diversity. 2.      This is what the early church did. They always respected the cultural variations. At the same time, they were very clear about the faith essentials. There was no compromise concerning spiritual principles and moral integrity. But they were always flexible concerning cultural divergences. 3.      When disagreement arose about cultural or legal matters like circumcision or Jewish laws, the apostles had the Jerusalem Council and resolved the issue. They were fully open to the direction of the Spirit. Their highest priority was fidelity to their master’s teachings and values and giving God’s grace and salvation to all. 4.      They were not conditioned by petty human considerations like tribe, tradition, culture or chosen race. They were aware that God’s grace is open to all. They realise that they should facilitate others to come to faith and not put a heavy yoke on their neck. They realise that they would only put God to test by imposing unnecessary laws on the believers. 5.      They had this clarity and conviction because they were filled with the wisdom of the Spirit. This in turn was possible because they abide in his love. They continued to abide in his love because they were faithful to keep his supreme commandment of fraternal love. That is why they remain fully joyful even despite all the opposition or dissension.   Imperative: There were no ego interests and ego conflicts in the early church. Even though they were great stalwarts, the apostles set aside their life-size images and gave priority only to God’s love and fraternal mission. How often do our self-images block God’s own image and reduce others to mere shadows?   (Reflection 2)   Focus: True faith is not a servile allegiance to a set of rules and traditions. Rather it is openness to the free action of the Spirit, and thus being receptive to change   Without a doubt, the church of today is going through tough times. The outside world is increasingly hostile and blocking the church. And within the church itself, the fact of divisions cannot be hidden. The early church too was not fully exempt from differences and divisions. But these differences were more on faith issues like the Jewish laws like circumcision. The central point of dispute was whether circumcision should be imposed on the Gentile believers also, just as the Jewish; and whether the Jewish laws were core faith- matters or changeable cultural matters. And what an exemplary and imitable course of action they take! Through patient and sober discussion and discernment, they bring clarity between the primary and secondary principles. Accordingly, the insistence is not on cultural practices like circumcision, but on a life of moral integrity and spiritual fidelity. And this is what is lacking in various church circles of today. The differences and divisions are not based on real issues. Often they are due to shallow and superficial matters like caste, region, language, culture, rite, power, etc. The route to resolve and dissolve these differences is not dialogue and conciliation, but confrontation, discrimination, and condemnation. The end result is animosity and counter-witness to faith itself. At this point, Jesus in the gospel provides the reason and the answer for this problem. The only reason is the lack of abiding love for God. God chose us, not to fight and disfigure the face of the church. We are called, so that we love Him, abide in His love and follow His commandments. The greatest commandment is to love Him and to love others as He loves us. This is the best witness. The greatest effect of this is the completion of joy, experiencing complete joy.   Direction: Modern man more than ever is missing the true and complete joy, because often he is not able to identify and discover that the real joy is found in the Lord and obtain the same from him 03 MAY 2024: I COR 15. 1-8; JOHN 14. 6-14, FEAST OF APOSTLES PHILIP & JAMES  Indicative: True faith is to believe in the Lord and live his very life and mission, to know him, experience him, and follow him. A faith that does not contain these ingredients is not true and deep   1.      True faith lives close to the Lord, nurtures and enjoys a profound relationship with him, and zealously follows in his footsteps. Thus, authentic life and effective mission testify to the true faith. Saints Philip and James, two of the Twelve Apostles whose feast we celebrate today are living testimonies of such true faith. 2.      They lived intimately in the company of the Lord. They followed him loyally in the mission of preaching and guiding. Philip was a missionary preacher and James was the bishop of the Jerusalem church. They bore witness to the Lord with a martyr’s death. 3.      Today’s Word of God in reference to both, places before us some fundamental directives for our own discipleship. Philip’s request, “Lord, show us the Father and that is enough” shows us clearly that the ultimate aim and striving of every disciple must be to see the Father. This is the highest priority and this alone must suffice for one’s life. 4.      And to see the Father is nothing but to see the Son and see the Father in and through the Son. One who really sees the Son sees the Father as well because the Father and the Son are one and united. To see the Son means to know him, experience him, follow him and show him to others. A true disciple must know his way and truth, experience the divine life, follow his values and do his works.   Imperative: Seeing God and showing God are our highest priorities in life and they alone will be enough. But when some other things become the topmost priorities in our life, it is a clear sign that we are failing in our essential duty of seeing and showing God   (Reflection 2)   Focus: We are called by the Lord to keep close to him and to live faithful to him in and through our life. This would imply sharing the faith with others and leading them to Jesus, as the apostles Philip and James did   Today we celebrate the feast of Sts Philip and James, two of the Twelve. Philip was a former disciple of John the Baptist, and James, the Lesser was the brother of Jude Thaddeus, the cousin of the Lord, and the author of the Epistle of James. Philip set himself to preaching and James was the bishop of Jerusalem. Both were martyred. What marks both is their receptivity to the Lord, their close living with him, their constant listening to him and learning from him, obeying and following him. What is notable in both is that having experienced the Lord personally, both become the sharers and transmitters of the same experience of the Lord. Thus both lead others to Jesus. Philip leads Nathanael in particular and in general many others to Jesus by his preaching and witness. James was the bishop of Jerusalem, and thus he too led many believers through his ministry of leadership and animation. Whatever the variance of their mission, they both live with Jesus in personal communion, live for him through their mission, and then shed their blood in martyrdom. In today’s gospel, the request of Philip is very striking. It reflects the mindset of authentic discipleship: “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us”. Yes, seeing God is the highest end of his life for a true disciple, and this alone will suffice. Nothing else can be equal to this grace, because nothing else can satisfy and fulfill a person’s life purpose. Today, both apostles stand before us as inspiration for imitation. Their singular devotion to the Lord and their faithful dedication to his mission are worth imitable.   Direction: A personal experience of the Lord is like a fire that does not limit itself only to the person that holds it, but it spreads rapidly to others as well, with the same inflaming effect   04 MAY 2024: ACTS 16.1-10; JOHN 15.18-21   Indicative: The greatness of faith and the quality of life do not always depend on the success of the mission or the number of positive responses. At times, failures, opposition, and persecution may mark our journey of discipleship   1.      One thing that is constantly notable in the life of Jesus and also his apostles is the series of failures along with the successes. Crowds sought and thronged Jesus. The number of faithful increased rapidly during the apostles’ mission. However, they were always opposed, obstructed, and persecuted. But they were undeterred in their mission. 2.      Jesus was divinely wise but he always gave priority to the Father’s will. The apostles too were familiar with the situations and were popular. But they always set aside their personal plans. Instead, they allowed themselves to be blocked or guided by the Holy Spirit in their missionary journeys. We see such instances of specific directions by the Holy Spirit in today’s first reading from the Acts. 3.      They were not disturbed or upset when they met with hatred. It was because their master already warned them, saying, “The world will hate you and it has hated already hated me before you”. Jesus also clarifies the reason why the world will hate them. It is because they are chosen out of the world and they are not of the world. 4.      Therefore, we should be mentally prepared to be persecuted. We must remember that it is the sign and test that we do not belong to the world and that we do not form part of the false ways of the world. We must feel great and happy that we share the same path as our master and continue his noble legacy.   Imperative: We should be cautious about our being on good terms with the world or our successes and popularity. We should check and see whether they are the disguises of being of the world and compromising with the values of the world. Success need not be always bearing fruit. It can also be a fruit of compromise   (Reflection 2)   Focus: Zeal does not always mean that we have the courage and competence to do the best and the best of things; rather it means to surrender ourselves to God's direction to do what and how He wants us to do   It can happen no seldom that some become overenthusiastic and stubborn to follow their plans and enterprises, all in the name of passion and dedication. A true passion never puts one's intelligence, capacity or plans across and against God's wisdom, power, and will. This was the greatness of the apostles that their zeal was never overboard. They always remained docile to the guidance and leading by the Holy Spirit, leaving aside at times their own missionary plans, prevented by the Holy Spirit. It is because they always strove to belong to and imitate their Master and not the world. That is why, they felt happy to be persecuted because they looked at it, not as a negative fate but as a meritorious testimony of their sharing in their Master's lot.   Direction: Hostility and affliction are not always a sign of a bad fate or ill luck, but are the authentic signs of conviction and commitment on behalf of a good cause and a good God                

V SUNDAY OF EASTER 24

5TH EASTER SUNDAY,  28 APRIL 2024: ACTS 9. 26-31; 1JOHN 3. 18-24; JOHN 15. 1-8. Focus: Inseparable attachment to God and abundant fruitfulness in a life of good actions is an authentic testimony of being disciples of Christ  1. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Abide in me”, Jesus convincingly announces in the gospel. In the first place, the very imagery itself implies the inseparable union between the Lord and his disciples. For, apart from the Vine, the branches cannot live, cannot grow, cannot bear fruit. A branch that is not connected with the Vine, withers and is burnt off.  2. In the same way, a Christian should be close to Jesus and united with him, for life, for growth and for fruition. The same idea of union and blossoming is also strong and clear in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The terms used are similar: "the early church had peace, was being built up"; there was fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit". 3. At this point, it is very clear, why today many seem lifeless, without any brightness and vigour of life, even though they have at their disposal all that the world can offer. Many seem stifled and stunted in their growth, even though they have ample opportunities and talents of knowledge and competence. Many seem fruitless, joyless and meaningless, even though they ride on all glory, success and fulfillment, in the sight of the world. It is only because their inner connectedness with God is disconnected. 4. How right are the words of the psalmist in psalm 127: if the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour, if the Lord does not keep vigil, in vain do the guards keep vigil. The world of today, puffed up by its progress and technology, feels so self-sufficient, self-complacent and self-directed, and tries vehemently to do away with God. Hence so much sense of emptiness, suffocation and dissatisfaction. 5. However the branches that bear fruit, too will have to undergo the pain of “pruning”, so as to make them flourish faster. While being pruned, that is, going through moments of adversity and affliction, is certainly painful. But its result is very positive and rewarding. There is growth and abundant fruition. Therefore, our concern must not be so much on the pain of the pruning,  but on the fruit and consequences, the effect and result of such pruning.  6. In fact the best way to prove to be true disciples and give fitting glory to God, is not so much by glorifying in words, or by convention or conventions or titles or traditions, but rather by bearing much fruit in a life of good actions and life witness. It is in this sense, the second reading from John' s first letter also exhorts, not to limit our faith only to word and talk,  but live it in deed and truth. This is manifested in loving God, abiding in Him, keeping his commandments and loving one another. 7. What about our linking and inseparability with our main stem of the Vine? Are we close and attached to the Lord? Do we derive from the Vine our required nourishment and strength? The more we tend to be unconnected or disconnected, the more will we will be affected  and infected. Do we realize that certain pruning by way of suffering and difficulty is bound to happen? Do we accept it willingly and grow strong and well- regulated? Do we glorify God merely with words and certain ceremonies and practice? Or, we render the best glory to God, by living our discipleship and bearing abundant fruits? Direction: Being connected to God is the greatest safety measure against all withering and is a drive toward growth and fruitfulness.

IV SUNDAY OF EASTER 24

IV EASTER SUNDAY, 21 APRIL 2024:  ACTS 4. 8-12; 1JOHN 3. 1-2; 10. 11-18 Focus: We live in a world which often looks confused and deviated. This is exactly the situation of a shepherdless sheep 1. Today is the 4th Easter Sunday, and this is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The focus of the Word of God is, God is the Good Shepherd. This image is very powerful and significant. This implies an essential and intimate bonding. It is a covenant,  a commitment.  2. Like a true shepherd, he protects us, is attentive and sensitive to us, deeply caring and concerned toward us. We matter a lot for him. Our safety, growth and happiness is his abiding concern. His shepherding is not a mere duty as a hirling. It is a passion. He owns us up. That is why, for our sake, for our safety and wellbeing, he goes to any extent, even to the point of dying for us. 3. This is what Jesus did for us: he protects us from every attack of the evil. He safeguards and guards us against every snare of the enemy. He directs and guides us in the right path. He leads us to the safe zones. He preserves and sustains us in clear and steady ways. He cares, nourishes and strengthens us in nurturing grounds. And, in order to  extricate us from the iron hold of the evil, he immolates his own self. In order to cleanse us from the bruises and blows of sin, he sheds his own blood. 4. Now, on this celebration of the Good Shepherd Sunday, our first duty is to understand and accept the Lord as our supreme shepherd. He is the first and the best. No other shall claim our allegiance to them. We shall not owe our loyalty and commitment to anyone else. We shall not be wooed or misguided by any false shepherd. We shall not run behind any false shepherding. 5. Therefore, on this day, first of all, we shall deepen our trust in our unique shepherd. Confide in him. Not enough. It is not enough to know and affirm what he is, or what he does. But much more important is, what we are, and what we are to him, what we do to  him. In other words, he is always a good shepherd to us. But how much are we good sheep? 6. Now, our whole identity and  the essence of our discipleship is our identity as the sheep that belong to the one supreme shepherd who is the Lord himself. The purpose and the quality of our vocation as the sheep consist in our bonding with the shepherd and experiencing the effect and the fruit of this bonding. 7. This bonding between the shepherd and the sheep is characterised by the spirit and ambience of belonging and intimacy. He is OUR shepherd and we are HIS sheep. Such an owning and closeness do not pertain to others who can be manipulators and destroyers of the sheep. 8. In the light of this image of shepherd and sheep, it is for us to check sincerely and see how much we nurture and grow, foster and testify this bonding with the shepherd. How deep is our belonging and closeness with him? How eager, attentive and prompt is our listening to him? How ready and willing we are to be guided and led by him? How loyal and committed we are to follow him and walk in his footsteps?  9. It is also a clear indication to all those who are acclaimed as shepherds of the sheep of the faithful. There may not be something invalid in it since they are sharers and collaborators with the chief shepherd. But it should be very clear that there are no co-shepherds. There is only one shepherd and that is the Lord. 10. All are only sheep. The so-called shepherds are only caretakers and stewards, at the most, "herdmen". The title of 'shepherd' or 'pastor' is nothing dignitary or status symbol or vesting with a secular power or authority. This is in no way diluting the sacredness or the merit of these stewards.  11. Certainly they are unique in being specially chosen and anointed by the Spirit and appointed as priests, ministers and leaders. But it is not a position wielding powers and rights. It is a sanctified and sanctifying obligation. It indicates more the sacred duty and ministry of shepherding, that is, loving, caring, guiding, serving the sheep and thus leading to the chief shepherd and enabling them to receive and enjoy life in full measures. Direction: One receives and enjoys the abundance of life and promotes the culture of life, only to the extent one is in a binding bonding with the Lord, the chief shepherd. 

III SUNDAY OF EASTER 24

3RD EASTER SUNDAY, 14 APRIL 2024: ACTS 3. 13-15, 1-19; 1 JOHN 2. 1-5a; LUKE 24.35-48 Focus: Those who touch and see the Lord, will certainly repent, return to God, perfect their love for him and become his witnesses 1. Today's Holy Word of God, and in fact every day's speaks to us clearly about what God does in our lives and what we must do in return. In His merciful love, he becomes propitiation for our sins. He forgives us. He blots away our sins. He advocates on our behalf before the Father. He dispels our fears, clarifies and resolves our doubts and uncertainties. He tranquillizes our troubles. He enlightens our minds to understand and assimilate God's word. He also shares his own self in the Holy Eucharist. He gives us the greatest gifts of peace and joy. That is why, Jesus says, "Peace be with you! Why are your hearts troubled? Why do doubts arise In your minds? Do not be afraid!" 2. If this is what God does for us, so much and everything, then what should we do for him? The answers are very clear in all the three readings: Repent, return to the Lord, avoid and combat sin and evil, trust in the Lord, touch and see him, be healed and clean, receive his peace and joy, and become his witnesses. 3. What God does from his part, and what we must do from our part are quite clear. At this point, what next? First of all, trust him totally. Be open and docile to allow him to work within us, with us and through us. Grow deeply grateful to him for his self-immolating love for us. Repent with profound anguish over failing and betraying his unconditioned mercy that forgives even our repeated sins and multitude of them. 4. This is so deep that it would pierce into the deepest recesses of the heart and cuts it through and through. It is not that usual repentance, that is so shallow and short-lived, that plays merely on emotions but does not make any worthwhile and consistent change in the character and behaviour of the person. 5. Then, Return to him with renewed trust, reinstilled confidence, enlightened clarity, recharged energy, renewed fidelity, and abounding passionate commitment. Further, deepen and foster a personal intimate relationship with the Lord. 6. This is very important, because sadly, in the case of many, God seems to become a useful concept and phenomenon, a shelter and shield in times of need and pressure, and a stop-gap in times of lack of alternatives. It is in such a context, we need to rediscover and recapture the "personal touch" with God. 7. The risen Lord is a God alive and active. He is deeply and personally involved in our lives. He is not to be a God, distant and alienated from us. He does not belong to another realm. He must be an integral part of our life. He must be indispensable in the progress of our life. He must be an inalienable sharer, partner and consultor in our every deliberation, assessment and decision and action. He must be a point of reference in our every vision and mission. 8.  This implies that we personally touch him and see him, and constantly surrender ourselves to be healed of our infirmities and fragilities. Make his presence so tangible and graspable. See and experience him so concretely in the simple details of life. 9. God should be set free from the exclusive and confined chambers of the holy tabernacles, from the spiritual domains of the churches and chapels, from the pious readings or eloquent preachings. Our faith should invite him to walk freely into our hearts, into our lives, into all our works, into our families, into our neighbourhood and surroundings, and our parish and religious communities. 10. Still further, being emboldened and empowered by his own light and power, we must assiduously combat the evil. We must never relent but be ever alert. Thus, being fully charged by his Spirit, we must become more and more authentic and effective witnesses. The risen Lord must live in and through us. People should know that the Lord is truly risen and continues to live on because he lives and works in and through us. Direction: The holy Easter is not a one-time event or one-day celebration. His Spirit must be an unceasing experience of his light and strength (Reflection 2) Indicator: Our ignorance or arrogance often may prevent us from repenting, turning to the Lord, converting our life, and bearing witness to him   1.      To the apostles who were frightened and shaken in their faith, the risen Jesus appears and says, “Peace to you!” He asks them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” He also shows them the way to tranquilise all our fears and doubts. 2.      First, he showed his hands and feet that were wounded and bruised for our sake. Second, he shared meals with them. Third, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and all the happenings according to the Scriptures. 3.       Jesus utters the same blessing even now to all of us, “Peace be to you!” He is asking us especially when disturbed and wavering, “Why are you troubled and doubting?’ The same remedies are relevant and effective even now. We need to see and experience him personally and clearly. Touch and see his love that suffered and died for us. 4.       Allow him to sit with us and share a meal with us. Allow him to open our minds to understand the Scriptures and see all that happens in the light of God’s holy will and plans. As Moses said, cited in the first reading, “You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you”. 5.       And as Peter exhorted, “Repent and turn again” to the Lord. Finally, be witnesses to him. This is what Jesus mandates, “You are witnesses of these things”, and Peter affirms, “We are witnesses to this”. 6.       Another important condition for such a personal experience of tranquillity and peace is humility. How humble Peter was! People began to glorify him after he healed the lame man. But immediately he attributes all credit to God. 7.       He questions, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this … as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” He admits quite candidly that it is due to the power of the same Jesus whom they killed. What a difference from many modern followers of Christ who are seekers of self-glory!   Pointer: If only we repent and turn to God, our sins will be blotted out, times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord, and all the families will be blessed  

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 24

07 APRIL 2024: THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY)  1.  Why this Divine Mercy Sunday immediately after Easter Sunday?  The motive and purpose are well reflected.  If peace is the greatest gift and fruit of Easter (as we hear it in the Gospel), that peace is the effect of mercy.  This peace will be experienced, obtained, shown and effected only in mercy. 2.  In other words, mercy becomes the most concrete, authentic and effective sign and expression, the test and testimony of peace.  Indeed, peace and reconciliation were only possible thanks to divine mercy.  And peace will be possible, only because of continued mercy.  When you are merciful, you will be at peace, and when you are at peace, you will be merciful.  In this way, mercy is both the cause and effect of peace.  In short, the peace of Easter calls us to constantly experience the power of God's mercy and our own mercy towards others. 3.  What does it mean to experience mercy, both of God and of others? 1) First, it means continuing to trust in God's mercy.  Never lose faith in His mercy, neither heart nor hope.  God will never disappoint us, He will never discard us, He will never despise us or reject us.  He will never condemn us.  Cross, crucifixion and resurrection are the greatest testimonies of His unfailing and unconditional mercy. 2) He who descended from heaven, in order to transcend us into heaven—will He leave us, crushed to the ground? He who embraced our human frailty, to bring us to nobility - Will He abandon us to our frailty?  He who accepted earthly misery, to elevate us to heavenly glory - will He abandon us, stuck in our misery?  He who has gone through our struggles, sufferings and adversities - Will He refuse us to suffer alone?  He who carried the cross on our behalf -  will He abandon us to carry our burdens alone?  He who died for our good: will He not save us from the power and forces of death and evil?  He who has risen forever for us: will He not walk, support us and strengthen us, to live a new resurrected life of faith, hope and charity, flourishing in joy and peace? 3) As Saint Paul exclaims: our sin may abound, but hHs grace will always superabound.  Our fragility can pull us down, but His strength will always lift us up.  His faithfulness is always greater than all our infidelities.  His power is always stronger than all our weakness.  His light is always brighter than all our darkness.  His holiness is always purer than all our impurities.  His healing is more relieving and restoring than all our wounds and infirmities.  His guidance is clearer and more guiding than all our misguidance.  His feeling is warmer and more endearing than all our resentment and rancour.  His tenderness is more touching than all our harshness.  His warmth is hotter and more vibrant than all our indifference and lukewarmness.  His conviction is more firm and stable than all our hesitations and compromises.  His humility is more compelling than all our pride and arrogance.  His emptying of self is fuller than all our selfishness.  His altruism is more impacting than all our selfishness.  His generosity is broader than all our greed and accumulation.  His integrity is more authentic than all our hypocrisy and dishonesty.  His mercy is more powerful than all our aggressions, retaliations and revenge.  His love is more inspiring than all our hatred.  His forgiveness is more comforting than all our sins and refusal to forgive.  His nobility is more urgent than all our vulnerability.  Therefore, trust in His mercy.  Trust in the power of His mercy.  Then experience the same mercy towards others. 4. This means that We show the same rules of God's mercy, which we listed just above.  Let us be faithful, even in the midst of infidelity.  Let us be stronger even among all the weaknesses.  Let us be brighter even in the midst of all the darkness.  Let us try to be more holy even among all the wickedness.  Let us be more healing even in the midst of all the hurt.  Let's try to be more guided even among all the misleading ones.  Let's be more tender even in the midst of all the rudeness.  Let us be warmer even amidst all the coldness.  Let's try to be more convinced even among all the compromises.  Let us be more humble even in the midst of all the arrogance.  Let us sacrifice more even in the midst of all the selfishness.  Let us be more sharing among all the accumulation.  Let's be more honest even among all the manipulations.  Let us try to be more merciful even amidst aggression and violence.  Let's try to be more loving even amidst resentment and hatred.  Let's try to be more patient even amidst anger and irritation.  Be merciful as your heavenly Father is.  Let mercy train your hearts and life, so that peace reigns in your hearts and life.