20th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

20th SUNDAY, 17 AUGUST 2025: JER 38. 4-6, 8-10; HEB 12. 1-4; LUKE 12. 49-53 Thrust: Fire that divides! Indicative: In a world that is often lukewarm and indifferent with regard to God and good, we need to be persons ablaze with fire 1. In today’s gospel, Jesus states shockingly: I came to bring division and not peace”. This really disturbs and upsets anyone and everyone because we believe that he is the prince of peace. 2. We pray to him for peace amidst all our troubles and disturbances. But, he openly states that he came not to bring peace but to disturb it. 3. Further, in a world that is torn by dissensions and divisions, we always pray for unity. But strangely Jesus declares that he has come to bring division. 4. This requires then to understand what exactly Jesus means by this division caused and the peace disturbed. 5. Clearly, the division that is caused by Jesus is not the negative, unhealthy and harmful division that is caused by narrow-mindedness, prejudices, and self-vested interests, in the name of factors like race, nation, religion, language, culture, caste, rite, et cetera. Such a division is a manifestation of a shrunken and narrowed world. 6. Also, the peace that is disturbed by Jesus’ coming is only the false peace that is built on comfort, convenience, compromise, indifference, lack of involvement, concern, and non-committal attitude. 7. It is thus a peace that shelters itself in self-demarcations and self-confinements. It does not allow anyone to enter into one’s self-made territories. 8. These divisions and disturbances are created because of the fire that Jesus has spread. What is this fire? It is the fire of passion, conviction, authenticity, vigour, and commitment. 9. Therefore, one who is passionate for God, convinced, authentic, vigorous, and committed will surely experience division and disturbance. 10. The reason is quite clear. It is because of the “contrast”. Such persons are on “fire”, that is, burning for God and His values are in contrast to the rest of the people of the world. 11. Their passion is in contrast to the tepidity of many others. Their conviction is in contrast to the compromise of many others. Their authenticity is in contrast to the duplicity of many others. Their vigour is in contrast to the passivity of many others. And their commitment is in contrast to the mediocrity and non-committal attitude of many others. 12. There is certainly difference and division between the true and false, between commitment and convenience, responsibility and escapism, between conviction and compromise, between firmness and instability, between sensitivity and indifference, between fervor and lethargy, between passion and mediocrity, between fidelity and defection, between honesty and deception, between authenticity and duplicity, between surrender and self-indulgence, between love and hatred, between altruism and egoism, between patience and aggression, between sentiment and resentment, between forgiveness and retaliation, between generosity and greed, between benevolence and malice, between magnanimity and jealousy, between sharing and grabbing. 13. Therefore such contrast automatically leads to resentment, opposition, division, aggression, and persecution. But then what should be our approach and response? 14. The word of God always provides some basic answers. Be focused, be surrendered, and be enduring. Jeremiah in the first reading and Jesus himself in the second reading stand before us as the models for this focus, surrender, and endurance. Imperative: The fire of many followers of Christ is either dwindling or almost extinguishing. We need to re-ignite it and make it again burning brightly and steadily

18 SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

18th SUNDAY, 03 AUGUST 2025: QOHELETH 1. 2, 2. 22-23; COL 3. 1-5, 9-11; LUKE 12. 13-21 Thrust: Vanity of vanities! Indicative: Intelligence, knowledge, competence, wealth, position, and fame are no guarantees of wisdom. They can often lead one to vanity and shallowness 1. In the gospel, Jesus narrates a parable of a rich fool. The parable of the rich fool is not just one story among many, narrated by Jesus. But it is a live story because there are many such fools today, and none of us is exempt from such foolishness to some degree or other. 2. It is not a soft lesson but a serious warning! It is not only the fate of the rich man in the parable but the fate of each present fool. Jesus is evident and stern: "It is the fate of those who are rich in the sight of the world, but not in the sight of God". 3. Just imagine the miserable fate of the rich fool: He toiled so hard but could not enjoy the fruits of his labor; he made fantastic plans but did not have the future to implement them; he had abundance for generations but had no life to enjoy it; he had the intelligence to acquire for the passing world but failed to procure for the eternal life; he thought all for himself to possess and enjoy but had to leave to others to own and enjoy. 4. How similar is the life and fate of many in our times! So many are slaves to money and pleasure. So many spend their whole time and energies with the least concern for family and good human relationships. So many scorn the right values for the sake of profit and self-interest. So many defraud and cheat to amass wealth and to maintain shallow and false status and dignity. So many are much bothered about the temporary and temporal, but neglect the spiritual and eternal. Are these not traces of folly? 5. How to eliminate such signs of folly? Grow wise. First and foremost, realise that the worth and beauty of life do not consist in greedy accumulation or material abundance, or economic affluence. Rather, life is beautiful and meaningful in the richness of heart, in the abundance of goodness, in the growth in virtues, in the orientation toward heaven and eternity. Not goods but good, not greed but the need for good, should be the motto of life. 6. St Paul reminds us clearly, "The Kingdom of God does not mean food and drink but peace and righteousness" (Rom 14. 17). Jesus too challenges us squarely: "What does it profit a person to gain the whole world but lose the soul" (Mt 16. 26), for, nothing can be equal to the well-being and saving of the soul. 7. Now, how to grow wise? The answer, too, is given in the parable: "Become rich in God's sight". Become acceptable and pleasing to God. It is better to obey and surrender to God rather than succumb to evil. The answer is quite straightforward in the Wisdom spirituality: "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 1. 7). So the more one has a loving reverence towards God, the more one becomes wise. The more devotion increases, the more wisdom increases. The more spirituality, the less temporality. 8. Therefore, the crucial reason for the misery of today's society is very clear: on one hand, the increase of greed and materialism; and the decrease of God and altruism, on the other hand. Let us not evade the issue or find temporary solutions or shallow remedies in worldliness. The only solution, remedy, and antidote is God and good! Imperative: Those who set their hearts on higher things will also live higher lives. To be practical and to be concerned about the present life does not mean to be earth-bound and to be guided by lesser motives

15 SUNDAY/ GOOD SAMARITAN SUNDAY

15TH SUNDAY, 13 JULY 2025: DEUT 30. 10-14; COL 1. 15-20; LUKE 10. 25-37: GOOD SAMARITAN Thrust: Faith without charity! Indicative: True faith can never be separated from concrete charity. To be truly faithful is to be concretely charitable. A faith without charity is dubious and spurious. 1. In today’s gospel, we have the famous parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable dwells on the crucial question, “Who is my neighbour?” This is very crucial and relevant especially in our own times and in our society. There is a very narrow notion of a neighbour. The neighbourhood is demarcated by the boundaries and affinities like country, race, lineage, caste, region, language, culture, religion, rite, and occupation. Or, it is controlled by the concerns like profit, gratification, convenience, etc. 2. Accordingly we find different kinds of neighbours: those who are totally indifferent and unconcerned toward others, being totally self-interested and self-serving. There are those who harm others for their gain. There are those who help others but with ulterior motives, expecting a return or good impression. There are those who are selectively and conveniently good, only to some or only in some matters or situations. And there are also some who are selflessly other-oriented. What kind of neighbours are we? 3. Today we are reminded and challenged to rise beyond our narrow demarcations. A neighbour is anyone in need, who is in difficulty. The neighbourhood is a matter of assistance and service to attend to the need. It is not a choice but a duty. It is not an option but an obligation. It is not a favour but a mandate. It is not a possibility but a priority. 4. Always and everywhere, one should seek to be a good neighbour to the other. We should not look for good neighbours who can help us and fulfil our needs. Rather, we should strive to be good neighbours to others in need. Fraternity is our identity, sensitivity is our quality and charity is our priority – this in simple is the essence of being a good neighbour. 5. The fault of the priest and the Levite in the gospel is that they failed in their primary identity of being brothers and sisters. They failed in the quality of being sensitive to the victim’s needs. They failed in giving priority to charity. They might even be a good priest and a good Levite. They might be doing well in their duty and profession. They might have their own reasons to avoid helping the victim and to go away in haste. But nothing of these can justify their failure in fraternity, sensitivity, and charity. On the other hand, the Good Samaritan had no botheration about his convenience or gain or schedule or work or time or money. 6. Real charity demands not to “pass by on the other side” like the priest and the Levite, but to “see aside and turn around our attention by the roadside”, to “stop and create space” from one’s busy schedule, to “take the trouble and be humble to get down” from one’s riding on self and self-interests, to “take courage to go out of one’s way”, to “take time to move” to those in need, to “care the wounds of others”, to “accompany them in a process of healing and recovery of strength”. 7. There is also a spiritual side to this story of Good Samaritan, along with the fraternal side. God is the Supreme Good Samaritan because He always keeps close to us in our needs and suffering. He is sensitive and benevolent to us always and everywhere, even without any merit or return on our part. He cares for our wounds inflicted by sin and the troubles of life. He cleans us, heals us and makes us sane again, with his own blood. 8. This is the same mission of Christ of “reconciling all things and everyone to Himself through Christ” as the second reading affirms. So, whenever we become good Samaritans to others, we are only sharing in the very identity and mission of God. In the words of the first reading, it is to “turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul”. It is to “have the word very near you… in your mouth and in your heart so that you can do it”. Imperative: How many of us are Good Samaritans, genuinely and selflessly? How much are we aware of the boundless compassion of God, the supreme Good Samaritan? How much are we grateful and appreciative of numerous Good Samaritans?

14th SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 25

14TH SUNDAY, 06 JULY 2025: ISAIAH 66. 10-14c; GALATIANS 6. 14-18; LUKE 10. 1-12, 17-20 Thrust: Rejoice! But where do you find your joy? Indicative: As the disciples of Christ, we have no reason to be excessively frightened or worried, even though many adversities may constantly surround us and try to worry us. We have every reason to rejoice 1. All three readings of the day recurrently invite us to “rejoice and be glad”. This tone of joy is striking in the first reading from Isaiah: “Rejoice…”, “Be glad…”, “Rejoice… all you who mourn…”, “Your heart shall rejoice”. In the second reading from Galatians, Paul tells us what to “boast” about. In the gospel, too, Jesus tells his disciples, “Rejoice…”. 2. But this sounds strange and unreal. Especially in our times that abound in evil and wickedness in various forms of cruelty, selfishness, atrocities and perversions, the beauty and joy of human life are constantly threatened and reduced. There seems to be every reason to lament and grieve. 3. All the more, to live as disciples of Christ is very challenging. It is because the world, which is their mission field, is like a battlefield. It is a world that is not responsive and cooperative. 4. Not only this, but it is also directly resistant and destructive. In Jesus’ own words, “Behold, I am sending you out as lambs amid wolves”. Jesus also foresees their rejection as he says, “Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you…” 5. Another sad thing is the lack of committed labourers to work in this difficult field and reap a rich harvest. “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few”. Consequently, the workload also becomes heavy, and the fruits of the work may not be impressive and abundant. 6. Thus, all these factors are valid reasons to be frightened and discouraged. But, despite all such saddening situations, there is every reason to rejoice and be glad. The sole reason is “God is with us”. As He did with Israel, God Himself will intervene and take our side. He will condone our sin and forgive us. He will bless and prosper us. 7. He will change sadness into gladness, discomfort into comfort, distress into peace, scarcity into abundance, and perishing into flourishing. Hear the great assuring and comforting words of God through Isaiah: “You may nurse and be satisfied…”; “You may drink deeply with delight from (her) glorious abundance”; “You shall be carried upon…”; “Your bones shall flourish like the grass”, and “the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants”. 8. More forceful and direct and deeply personal is the elevating promise of God as He declares: “Behold, I will extend peace (to her) like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream”; “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted…”. 9. Further, in the light of the gospel, we should rejoice because the Lord does not send us empty-handed on his mission. Rather, he empowers us with his power. He says, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you”. 10. Thus, the sole reason to rejoice is God, His mission and His power. This alone is the highest rationale, and no other lesser motive or interest should dominate or substitute for this. That is why St Paul clearly states, “Far be it from me to ‘boast’ except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”; “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision”. 11. Jesus, too, is crystal clear concerning this highest motive for our joy as he corrects his disciples. The disciples had a successful mission and came back fully excited and overjoyed. They report to their Master: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name”. This looks reasonable and natural. 12. But, this motive is not the highest and perfect. There is certainly something imperfect and worldly. It is finding joy in the spirit of “dominating, subjugating”, though it is the evil spirits. It is joy in self-importance, self-recognition, good impressions, and self-glory. This is for sure not the purpose and objective of the mission. 13. The real end of the mission is God’s glory. It is God’s glorification through our sanctification and salvation. In other words, it is making ourselves worthy in God’s sight, making “our names written in heaven”. Jesus takes them to this higher realm, higher motive, as he says, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven”. 14. And for experiencing this real and higher joy, in the light of the readings, we can delineate two important conditions: detachment-renunciation and entrustment to God-becoming a new creation. This Detachment is indicated in Jesus’ mission-imperative: “Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road”. A disciple of Christ does not and should not depend on these worldly securities. 15. St Paul conveys a similar message of renunciation when he says, “I boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”. With this spirit of detachment and renunciation, the disciple would entrust himself to the Lord’s power and light and depend on the Lord. He would throw away the old nature and become a “new creation”. Imperative: The mission that we need to carry on is enormous; the world, which is the object of this mission, is pernicious. But as long as we confide in the Lord’s accompaniment, enlightenment and empowerment, we have no reason to be frightened or saddened

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY 25

28 JUNE 2025: IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, ISAIAH 61. 9-11; LUKE 2. 41-51 Focus: The immaculate heart of Mary is not merely a matter of purity of heart or purity of life, the integrity of the person. It is to be clear-sighted and to be passionately and lovingly committed Generally, the following day after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate heart of Mary. How beautiful it is that on Friday we celebrate the sacred heart of the Son and on the following day the immaculate heart of the Mother! It is not coincidental or merely sequential, but very meaningful and significant. What is sacred reflects itself in what is immaculate. What is immaculate contains and embodies what is sacred. The sacred Son reflects the immaculate mother, and the immaculate mother embodies the sacred Son. Holiness and Immaculateness are integrated and inseparable. To be holy is to be pure. The more we conduct ourselves unstained and uncontaminated with an immaculate heart, the more we grow in holiness. The more we are holy, the more we grow pure and maliceless. To be holy and not to be immaculate is a contradiction. In fact, sacredness and Immaculateness are not something accidental or additional to us. It is essential and integral to our very identity as God's redeemed children. "To be holy and blameless" is God's purpose for us, and destined us for such bliss (cf. Eph 1. 4). Our sanctification is God's will (1 Thes 4. 3)). So to grow sacred and immaculate should be our priority and perennial pursuit. Certainly, it is God's gratuitous grace and not our merit. But this does not take away our role, our responsibility, our cooperation, and our effort. We should work hard to merit what we are graced with. This is what Mary did: if her immaculate conception shows predominantly the singular grace and privilege, accorded to her by God, her immaculate heart shows preeminently her humble cooperation with that grace. She constantly preserved her heart and life from sin, and fostered sanctity, thanks to God's grace. Mary's immaculate heart is not only a pointer to her personal holiness and purity but much more, also, a strong inspiration and pathway to be pure and immaculate ourselves. In our times, where hearts are getting so much polluted by sin and malice, where to have heart comes to be taken as fragility and vulnerability, where hearts crooked, hard, and indifferent seem to be the order of the day, where hearts get entangled into much aberration and deviation in the name of modernity, the immaculate heart of Mary is a consolation and remedy! Direction: The celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a pointer that true purity leads to joy and serenity because there is nothing that disturbs or distracts. Purity of heart is the propriety of life

23-28 June 25 Mass Reflection

23 - 28 JUNE 2025, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 23 JUNE 2025: GEN 12. 1-9; MATTHEW 7. 1-5 Focus: A life that pleases God will be blessed by Him so that the person himself becomes a blessing and a source of blessings for others We are living in a world where humility and sincerity, fairness and goodness toward others are becoming rarities. That is why, when some people show these qualities, it becomes big news as if it is something out of the way. Instead, arrogance and duplicity, injustice and wickedness are aggressively prevalent. In other words, it is truly a culture of evil and curse. It is in such a context, the Word of God shows us a surer way to foster a culture of blessing. In the first reading from Genesis, God blesses Abram and makes him a blessing himself and a source of blessing for others. God is pleased with his humility and sincerity, his piety and obedience to God’s ways, and his sense of fairness and kindness toward others. In the gospel, Jesus addresses one big block against such a culture of blessing. It is the malaise of self-righteousness. This is accompanied by rash and uncharitable judgment of others. Jesus confronts the self-righteous attitude of the Pharisees and scribes. This attitude refuses to do any self-check. It rates themselves better than others. Consequently it judges and condemns them. It is blind to the weakness of oneself or diminishes their faults. But on the other hand, it magnifies and exaggerates the wrongs of others. It is clearly applying double standards. St Francis de Sales has something wise said about this. He says, many are eager to accuse others even for the slightest mistake, while they excuse themselves even for the greatest blunder. People clamour for justice in the neighbour’s house while they plead for mercy in their own house. So, it is better to place oneself in the place of the other and see and feel from their perspective. Jesus too insists that it is better to "see the log in one's own eye instead of making noise about the speck in another's eye". Direction: In a virulent atmosphere of judgment and condemnation, of which criticism and slander are the offshoots, we must cultivate a humble spirit of self-examination and self-realization 24 JUNE 2025: ISIAH 49. 1-6; ACTS 13. 22-26; LUKE 1. 57-66: SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Focus: Our life is not a haphazard or fortuitous existence without a goal and direction but it is a gratuitous and gracious gift of God Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. His is the only birth we celebrate besides the birthdays of the Lord and the Mother. That alone shows the singular importance that is accorded to him. The words of prophets Jeremiah 1. 4-10 and Isaiah 49. 1-6 are true and applicable to his birth and mission. He has been eternally destined by God to be his precursor, who prepares the way for the Messiah, who preaches repentance and converts many to the way of the Lord. He was called and named by the Lord from the mother’s womb. He was made like a sharp sword and like a polished arrow. He was the chosen servant of God, made as a light to the nations, in whom God is glorified. The second reading from Acts 13. 22-26 also indicates that John is a man after God’s own heart who will do all his will like David. God Himself would be his shield and guide. He would hide him in the shadow of His hand, and in His quiver. Hence no fear! The birth of John the Baptist recalls and reminds us of our own Christian vocation and mission, which can be summarized in three essential aspects: destiny, consecration and empowerment. We are destined for eternity, destined to be heirs of heaven. In the pursuit of this destiny, we are consecrated to be His own, to be the disciples of Christ on his mission. In carrying out this mission and living out of the life of grace, we are empowered with His own power that emboldens us and illumines us amidst all fears and evil forces. John the Baptist lived and accomplished his destiny, consecration and empowerment by his undistracted focus, humble surrender and unflinching loyalty Direction: Life will be joyful and fulfilling to the extent we are profoundly aware and live our project of destiny, consecration and empowerment in focus, surrender and commitment 25 JUNE 2025: GEN 15. 1-12, 17-18; MATTHEW 7. 15-20 Focus: Those who trust in God even in seemingly impossible situations and live righteously will please God and be blessed by God beyond measures Falsity is always detestable in the sight of God, because He knows the humans through and through. Those who are false may disguise themselves in the garbs of holiness. They may be able to fool and deceive others. But they cannot fool God. God will certainly take them to task. This is how Jesus warns in the gospel about the false people in the holy garb of prophets. These are inwardly violent wolves but outwardly meek sheep. They are bad trees that appear to bear good fruits. But they bear only bad fruits. And they are judged by their bad fruits. Accordingly, just like the bad trees they will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, what is important is that we are sincere and authentic with no false disguises. We must grow and live like good trees that bear good fruits. We must prove ourselves by the quality of our fruits. Then surely God will bless us and reward us abundantly. This is what we see in the case of Abram in Genesis. Abram is totally obedient to God. With utter faith, he totally believes in God’s promises and assurances, even though they seem humanly impossible. If not for his faith, how would he believe God’s promise of making him the father of a multitude of descendants, when he is already advanced in age and without an heir? Abram is truly a good tree that bears the abundant fruits of faith and righteousness. That is why he is rewarded with an heir, numerous descendants and spacious land. We find thus a contrast between Abram, a pagan and the false prophets, of the race of believers. Though pagan, Abram won God’s favour because of his faith in God and righteousness of life. On the contrary, the Pharisees and the scribes proved themselves to be false prophets, incurred God’s judgment because of their falsity and lack of fruits. Direction: In our life, ultimately what matters is not mere exterior allegiance like race or nation, but the interior spirit of faith that authenticates itself in good fruits 26 JUNE 2025: GEN 16. 1-12, 15-16; MATTHEW 7. 21-29 Thrust: Shallow promises do not suffice! Indicative: Mere words or shallow activities will not please God and bring His blessings. What really matters is to cease to do evil and be faithful to God The word of God once again makes it clear that evil is abominable and displeasing to God. What He expects from us is to avoid evil, and to remain faithful to Him. If one fails in this, he will meet the consequences, ending up in destruction. Many may acclaim “Lord, Lord”. But that will not suffice. If they fail to do God’s will, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Some others may also do apparently many religious activities and spiritual gifts like prophecy, exorcism, and miracles. But that too will not suffice. They need to avoid their wickedness and be faithful to God in an integral life. Otherwise, they will meet the fate of rejection by the Lord who would declare, “I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of wickedness”. Ultimately what matters the most is to live a life, founded and built on rock. It means to live a life that remains solid and firm in faith, beaten by winds and floods but unshaken. It means to live a life that is docile and submissive to listen and be tuned to His voice and promptings. It means to live a life that is constantly built on His teachings and values. It means to live a life that strives to do His mission of spreading His kingdom and bearing abundant fruits of good actions. But on the contrary, if one builds his house on a foundation of sand, their fall will be sure and great. It is to entangle oneself in worldly dissipations, being carried away by worthless interests and pursuits. These are the ones who are content with mere empty words and shallow activities. Their hearts cling to evil and their lives continue dichotomous. Imperative: It is wisdom that makes the vital difference between the two types of foundations. People of wisdom build their life on rock while those foolish, on sand. What are we – wise or foolish? What foundation is ours – rock or sand? 27 JUNE 2025: SACRED HEART OF JESUS, EZEK 34. 11-16; ROM 5. 5b -11; LUKE 15. 3-7 Thrust: Love that never ceases but seizes hearts! Indicative: In a culture where advanced culture equals to lack of heartiness and sensitivity, the festivity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a challenge to foster a culture of heart This feast of the most sacred heart of Jesus reveals and confirms to us that our God is a God of heart. That is, a God who values us so much, who loves us without end, always radiating upon us the rays of His care, a God whose heart burns with the flame, the fire of passion. It never gets cold, it never becomes lukewarm, but always passionate, always zealous. Even if we are weak and fragile, even if we fall often, even if we make so many mistakes, even if we fail in our fidelity and sincerity, even if we lack in our responsibilities and duties, even if we do not deeply believe, live and witness how we must like the believers, like the children of God and disciples of Christ, even if we often wound that beloved heart of Jesus - still despite all our weaknesses, faults, unfaithfulness, and unworthiness, God loves us. Jesus never fails to love us. This fact of the love of God, so faithful and persevering, is today a matter of great comfort and encouragement. Especially in our times, in our society, where and when, unfortunately, the ambience and the culture of love, of loving, of warmth of heart, of tenderness, of sensitivity, is diminishing, but instead an air, a culture of hatred, rancor, indifference, violence, evil is increasing, this celebration of the heart, of love is a confirmation, a call, a challenge, and a guide for a way of living of love. Today the Lord comforts us that he always pours his love over us. Never doubt, even if sometimes we are surmounted by difficulties, upset by afflictions, beset by unfavorable situations, God loves us. Trust in God. Trust in his love. Feel the warmth of his heart. Experience the passion, the fire of his love. Be open and docile to the marvel of his love. Not only this but also we are called to nurture and foster a deep love for him. Love God. Let us be gripped with a passionate feeling, a powerful bonding with the Lord. Many times we feel a lot of interest, enthusiasm, anxiety, and concern for many things. But how much intensity and depth for the Lord are there? How do we cooperate with God's commitment as He promises: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will remove your heart of stone and put back a heart of flesh "(Ezek 36. 26). That is, a heart that is warm, tender, sensitive, and caring, a heart that is open, which understands, accepts, forgives, and helps. Then let us grow such a heart towards God and towards others. Let us open our hearts to God and to our sisters and brothers. Let us widen our hearts. Let us guard them, heal, enrich, and transform our hearts so that our hearts also become like the sacred heart of Jesus. Imperative: Let us grow such a heart towards God and towards others. Let us open our hearts to God and to our sisters and brothers. Let us widen our hearts. Let us guard them, heal, enrich, and transform our hearts so that our hearts also become like the sacred heart of Jesus 28 JUNE 2025: IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, ISAIAH 61. 9-11; LUKE 2. 41-51 Focus: The immaculate heart of Mary is not merely a matter of purity of heart or purity of life, the integrity of the person. It is to be clear-sighted and to be passionately and lovingly committed Generally, the following day after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate heart of Mary. How beautiful it is that on Friday we celebrate the sacred heart of the Son and on the following day the immaculate heart of the Mother! It is not coincidental or merely sequential, but very meaningful and significant. What is sacred reflects itself in what is immaculate. What is immaculate contains and embodies what is sacred. The sacred Son reflects the immaculate mother, and the immaculate mother embodies the sacred Son. Holiness and Immaculateness are integrated and inseparable. To be holy is to be pure. The more we conduct ourselves unstained and uncontaminated with an immaculate heart, the more we grow in holiness. The more we are holy, the more we grow pure and maliceless. To be holy and not to be immaculate is a contradiction. In fact, sacredness and Immaculateness are not something accidental or additional to us. It is essential and integral to our very identity as God's redeemed children. "To be holy and blameless" is God's purpose for us, and destined us for such bliss (cf. Eph 1. 4). Our sanctification is God's will (1 Thes 4. 3)). So to grow sacred and immaculate should be our priority and perennial pursuit. Certainly, it is God's gratuitous grace and not our merit. But this does not take away our role, our responsibility, our cooperation, and our effort. We should work hard to merit what we are graced with. This is what Mary did: if her immaculate conception shows predominantly the singular grace and privilege, accorded to her by God, her immaculate heart shows preeminently her humble cooperation with that grace. She constantly preserved her heart and life from sin, and fostered sanctity, thanks to God's grace. Mary's immaculate heart is not only a pointer to her personal holiness and purity but much more, also, a strong inspiration and pathway to be pure and immaculate ourselves. In our times, where hearts are getting so much polluted by sin and malice, where to have heart comes to be taken as fragility and vulnerability, where hearts crooked, hard, and indifferent seem to be the order of the day, where hearts get entangled into much aberration and deviation in the name of modernity, the immaculate heart of Mary is a consolation and remedy! Direction: The celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a pointer that true purity leads to joy and serenity because there is nothing that disturbs or distracts. Purity of heart is the propriety of life

CORPUS CHRISTI 2025

BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, 22 JUNE 2025 Thrust: Life, possible because united! Indicative: The FEAST of Corpus Christi that we celebrate today is truly a feast of life and oneness. It is a call to live in communion and commitment 1. This Sunday we celebrate the FESTIVITY of the Body and Blood of Christ. One may ask why to speak in this separatist language. Why can't we speak more holistically and personally as "the person" of Christ? 2. Here the point is not language or technicality. We are not speaking of two separate items, body and blood. 3. Rather, it is in specific reference to the sacramentality of the person of Christ. The reference is to the sacrament of the holy Eucharist. It is the Sacramental mode of the Eucharistic presence of the Lord. 4. It signifies the eternal nourishment by the Eucharistic Lord. It points to the marvellous transformation of bread as his own body and the wine as his own blood to feed us and nourish us. 5. Thus Body and blood of Christ are not merely physical or biological components. They are the essence of Christ and his sacramental presence and wholeness. 6. Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever eats of my flesh and drinks my blood, will not die, but will live forever” (Jn 6. 35-58). It will be simplistic and even foolish to mistake it literally and mock it as cannibalism, as some do. 7. Such a protest is not worth our reflection now. Here very clearly the whole concern of Jesus is “Life”, the kind of life that he offers to us, the quality of life that we must live. 8. Our God is God of life, a living and life-giving God. We are His children. We are destined for eternal life. We are meant to live our life fully (Jn 10. 10: “I came to give life and life in its full measures”) and joyfully (Jn 15. 11: “so that my joy be in you and that be complete”). 9. Therefore, we are people of a culture of life. We need to live this life of God, the divine and the spiritual life, and not merely the earthly, the material and the worldly life. We are called to live more than the "natural" existence. It is a call to live the "supernatural" life, the life of grace. 10. So, any attempts and actions against such a culture of life are counter- productive and counter- witnessing. Sadly, in our times a culture of death is virulent in its diabolic forms of aggression, violence, hatred, retaliation and destruction. 11. In our present times, a culture of death is viral. The beauty, value and the power of life are reduced and despised. Consequently many live without the inner vitality, without the dynamism and the direction of life. 12. Life in the case of a good number appears to be empty, weak and aimless. It is in such a context, the feast of the most holy body and blood of Christ, the feast of the Holy Eucharist, is a timely and perennial recall and recharge. 13. This devilish culture is a blatant contradiction to the very nature of life, our existence as human beings, our identity as God’s children and our destiny as heirs of eternal life. 14. Apart from these explicit forms of death, there are also other passive aggressive forms of death in the form of excessive fear and tension, depression and emptiness. These forms take away the beauty and charm, the worth and value of life. They make life a dry, barren, burdensome and joyless enterprise. 15. It is in this context, Jesus assures us of the abundance and beauty of life. He also shows us how to obtain it and live it so. “Live interiorly, with the inner power; Live vibrantly and rightly, by the guidance and strength of this inner power; Live high and above with a sense of orientation for the eternity”. 16. This is what Jesus means in Jn 6. 56-58, disclosing the three fundamental signs and effects of the Holy Eucharist: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever”. 17. Therefore, an intimate mutual interior dwelling, vigorous process of living and focused orientation to eternity – this is what the whole life is about. In other words, interiority (of divine presence), dynamism and vigor (of the way of life), and the focus and direction (towards eternity) are the hallmarks of a culture of life, the new life that Jesus offers us. 18. Seen in this wider perspective of life, we must constantly deepen and enhance our reverence and devotion to the holy Eucharist. We must desire to receive it regularly and frequently. We must avoid the danger to reduce the Holy Eucharist only to a pious practice, a thing to be venerated and worshipped. 19. The holy Eucharist is much more than that. It is the person of Christ himself. It is the fount of life. It is the link of bonding. It is the source of communion. It is the interior power. It is the energy of living. It is the direction to an eternal destiny. 20. How sad it is that venerating and receiving the holy Eucharist, we do not experience the presence of Jesus, his abiding in us! Why do we not feel the bond of communion with him and with others in our believing community? 21. Why do we live so shallow lives, without depth and interiority? Why do we often feel weak and under-nourished, in spite of this greatest nourishment? Why do we often let ourselves misguided and controlled by other forces of evil and the world? Why are we often without any higher goals, without a sense of purpose and destiny? Imperative: The Body and Blood of Christ should remind us that we are all one Body of Christ and we all have the same blood of God's own Spirit flowing in each of us. Sharing the same body, we cannot rupture it. Sharing the same blood, we cannot shed blood of others.

16-21 June 25 Mass Reflection

16 - 21 JUNE 2025, HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 16 JUNE 2025: 2 COR 6. 1-10; MATTHEW 5. 38-42 Focus: The ways of the world are always contrary to the ways of God. It really needs a change of heart to rise above the ways of the world, and courage of the Spirit to be loyal to the ways of God 1. The ways of the world are always in contrast to the ways of God. In such a context, Jesus invites us to follow a new set of rules, a reversal of the values. It is no more grudge, revenge, and retaliation but forgiveness and reconciliation. It is no more an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 2. Rather it is offering another cheek as well to the one who strikes on one cheek. It is no more avarice or profit-seeking, but concern for the needs of the other. It goes even to the extent of forgoing one's own due and rightful gain. Thus, it is to be generous enough to give away the cloak as well to the one who sues for a coat, or to give readily to the one who begs or borrows. 3. This is exactly what Paul and the other apostles lived: they suffered but they always rejoiced in the Lord. They were persecuted but remained strong and loyal. They were slandered but stood truthful. They were despised as poor but they were so rich spiritually and enriched others. 4. As Paul enumerates in the first reading from his 2nd letter to the Corinthians (6. 1-10), what they faced was a series of afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labours, and hunger. But what they showed was great endurance by the Holy Spirit, power of God, genuine love, knowledge, forbearance, kindness and truthful speech. 5. They fought and conquered the forces of evil, not by revenge and retaliation but with the weapons of righteousness. They put no obstacle in any one’s way. They never conducted themselves blameworthy in their ministry. But they presented themselves as commendable servants of God. Direction: The value and meaning of life especially of a disciple of Christ is not in aggression and retaliation, but in forbearance, reconciliation and condescendence 17 JUNE 2025: 2 COR 8. 1-9; MATTHEW 5. 43-48 Focus: The outstanding difference between God and man is the depth and extent of God’s mercy which forgives, loves and helps even the greatest enemy 1. We are living in a world of three dominant trends, namely, comparison, competition and imitation. These prevail even from childhood itself. It can be with regard to anything, be it a simple dress, education, opportunities, skill and talent, intelligence and competence, social status, earning money, power, position, popularity, etc. 2. And everyone tries for excellence and perfection. But this is mostly to outsmart and out-beat others. Unfortunately, these tendencies to compare, compete and imitate are mostly with regard to the worldly things and self-interests. Accordingly, pursuit for perfection often degenerates into selfishness, jealousy, greed, deception and corruption. 3. It is in such a context, Jesus is proposing today the best and perfect model to compare with, compete with and imitate. It is God the Father Himself. “Be merciful AS your heavenly Father is merciful”. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”. 4. God has a contrasting and disconcerting style of functioning. He loves and forgives even the most destructive enemy. He is benevolent and equitable to “let His rain and sunshine upon all, both the good and the bad”. 5. Therefore, our model is God Himself in His compassion, mercy, and perfection. We are invited to put on God’s own mindset. That is, to cultivate a selfless love even to embrace the enemy, to bless them, to pray for them, to be courteous to all and to help all, to show equity toward all without any discrimination. 6. This is the excellence for which St Paul praises the churches of Macedonia, where he refers to their generosity to support others Direction: Justice may demand what is lawful, rightful, and reasonable. But love impels us to be merciful and compassionate. A “dry justice” condemns, while a “fertile charity” condones 18 JUNE 2025: 2 COR 9. 6-11; MATTHEW 6. 1-6 Focus: Seeking recognition and reward for one’s goodness or good works may be natural to some extent, but an excess seeking would make even the good a shallow show 1. There are some who are indifferent and are not engaged in doing good works or spiritual practices. But there are some others who may actively do something good and spiritual, but with an impure motive of seeking recognition and applause. This takes away the merit and beauty of their good practice. 2. Jesus in the gospel warns of such people especially in reference to prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, which are the three fundamental pillars of the religion. They are praiseworthy and highly recommendable. But the fault is doing them with an impure heart with a lot of negativities and without any desire and decision to change for the better. 3. We must always remember that ultimately all our external practices must deepen our interior purity leading to a clean and selfless action and living. In this context, we must constantly check and see whether our prayers are helping us to grow in the spirit of closeness and communion with God, surrender, and loyalty to Him, in dedication and witness to Him; 4. whether our almsgiving fosters in us a consistent spirit of sensitivity and charity towards the needs and difficulties of others; whether our fasting enhances the spirit of self-discipline and restraint within us. 5. All our spiritual or good activities must proceed from a heart that is genuine and gives generously and cheerfully. They must be products of an abundant harvest of righteousness. We must bear in mind that we receive as we give. If we give generously, we will also receive abundantly. If we give only little and that too reluctantly, we will also receive little. 6. That is why, St Paul affirms: he who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. God loves a cheerful giver and He will enrich in every way every great generosity. Direction: It is not proper to disregard and discard all religious practices, arguing that they are not bringing out any concrete change of life, or that the spirit and heart are more important than all the formal actions. It is better that both the interior purification and exterior transformation take place 19 JUNE 2025: 2 COR 11. 1-11; MATTHEW 6. 7-15 Focus: The quantity of words in prayer is not a necessary sign and guarantee of the quality of prayer. It is rather a matter of quality of heart 1. In the gospel, Jesus directs our attention to our power-source, namely prayer. The basic disposition of prayer is the quality of heart and not the quantity of words. Besides, a spirit of forgiveness and not storing grudge becomes an essential prerequisite and condition for God to accept our prayer. 2. In this context, Jesus offers us the sublime model prayer, 'Our Father'. It is not one prayer among many. It is in a way the quintessence of prayer. It recognizes and reminds us that we are one family of God's children, bound by filial devotion and fraternal concern. 3. We need to abide by His holy will and establish His kingdom. We must inculcate a constant spirit of dependence on God and contentment with the necessary. We must earnestly resist all inclination to evil and especially all the rush for unforgiveness. 4. In fact, the prayer ‘Our Father’ evidently teaches us what to pray for. It also implicitly cautions us against the possible onslaughts of the evil one. One is the spirit of disunity and division that disrupts the spirit of one family of God’s children. 5. Second is desecrating and disgracing God’s holy name by unholy lives, by not living up to His holy name. Third is promoting one’s own will and interests, that is, one’s petty kingdom, against the one kingdom of God and His holy will. Fourth is a sense of greed and accumulation leading to discontentment. Fifth is harbouring grudges and unforgiving spirit. Sixth is easily falling prey to the temptations of the evil one. 6. This is similar to what the serpent did to Eve and Adam. This is what St Paul warns the Corinthians about being led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. As he attests, we must constantly be conscious that we are “betrothed to Christ to present ourselves as a pure bride to her one husband” Direction: The Our Father is not merely a well-articulated or condensed prayer. It synthesizes the whole spirit of a praying heart. It affirms that spiritual concerns are the priority in life. This essentially includes primacy to God and the Propensity of fraternity. 20 JUNE 2025: 2 COR 11. 18, 21-30; MATTHEW 6. 19-23 Focus: The eye is the lamp of the body. It directs the body. In the same way, the perspective or inner vision is the eye that directs one’s life. Wisdom is that sight that helps one to discern between what is worth-seeking and what is worth-discarding 1. In the gospel, Jesus directs our attention to one greatest temptation that strikes many. That is, seeking and accumulating treasures on earth. It is foolish because they are temporary and transient. They are unreliable and unstable, and liable to loss and ruin. If not careful, they will easily distort one’s clarity of vision and deviate from his way of life. Those who place their trust in them are like those whose eyesight is blurred and stumble in darkness. 2. Therefore, we need the light of wisdom that gives us sound eye-sight. Wisdom is that sound eye that makes us see and realize that the treasures of heaven are far more worth than the treasures on earth, and they alone are worth-seeking. They are imperishable and permanent. 3. Wisdom not only gives us the clarity of priorities but also enables us to pursue the treasures of heaven with perseverance to the end. It is this wisdom that overwhelmed St Paul so that he was maddened and possessed with passion for Christ. 4. Nothing could stop his undaunted spirit. No labours, no imprisonments, no beatings, no lashes, no stoning, no shipwreck, no dangers of all sorts, no sleepless nights, no toil and hardship, no hunger and thirst, no exposure to cold, no pressures, no anxiety for the churches, no weaknesses – nothing of these would discourage him or decrease his spirit of determination and dedication, conviction and commitment. Direction: One who is wise will know clearly that the treasures of heaven are the greatest priority in life. It is very sad that the inner sight of many is blurred because they are not rooted in God. Consequently, they are misled by the pursuit of the impermanent earthly riches 21 JUNE 2025: 2COR 12. 1-10; MATTHEW 6. 24-34 Focus: Anxiety is a dominant human phenomenon that rules life. It is natural and understandable. But the real question is about what and to what extent this anxiety is 1. Life on this earth is often wrapped in much worry and anxiety. Perhaps there is no sphere of life that is exempted from this. As humans on this earth, surely there are many needs, concerns and difficulties. In that sense, surely we feel anxious since everything is not totally in our hands and is subject to many factors. There are duties to fulfill, tasks to perform, troubles to confront, afflictions to bear, perplexities to make sense, challenges to address, and problems to overcome. 2. But often the problem is, this anxiety is about the secondary or even worthless and destructive things. And it is exaggerated. Often, many are anxious about the physical and material things like food, drink, cloth, and money. Today the Lord is exhorting us that such anxiety is not right because it does no good. 3. No one can change a situation or resolve a problem by being anxious about it. More than this reason, we need not excessively bother about anything because our God is a loving, caring and providential Father. He knows what we need, He knows the struggles of this life, and He also knows the human cravings. 4. Therefore, why be over anxious when God is there to take control of everything? Left to ourselves, we are weak, as St Paul admits in the first reading from 2 Cor 12. 1-10. But, our weakness is supplied with enormous strength from God. Our weakness is turned into strength because of the surpassing grace of God. 5. It is not that we become complacent with our human weakness. Rather our fragility accepted in humility becomes an entrance and opportunity for God’s grace to work on our weakness. Thus, when we are weak, then we are strong. 6. Therefore, it is better to surrender everything to God. It is wise to clarify the scale of priorities. We need to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The logic is simple: if we take care of God’s concerns, God will certainly take care of our valid concerns. Direction: We never lack God’s grace. It is always available and abundant. It is never less but always more than enough. What is important is that we join our human fragility with His divine nobility and cooperate with His grace

MOST HOLY TRINITY 25

MOST HOLY TRINITY, 15 JUNE 2025 Indicative: One God and three persons, but not three Gods: the mystery of the most holy Trinity. The mystery of the Trinity is core to Christianity. 1. The Holy Trinity forms the crux of Jesus' teaching and mission. Jesus reveals the Father and the Spirit. He reveals the face of the Father as he reflects his love to humanity. He is the perfect icon of the Father. The Spirit is the greatest testimony of his continued presence, guidance, and power. 2. The mission of redemption is Trinitarian. It is derived from the Father; implemented and activated directly by the Son; and reinforced and confirmed through the Spirit. 4. The Father sends the Son in the incarnation, to liberate, reconcile and rejuvenate the sin-tainted humanity. The Son redeems them through his life, death and resurrection. The Spirit as Comforter, Helper, Advocate, and Guide continues and fortifies this mission of sanctification through the disciples in the Church. 5. The Trinity is not a matter to be solved, probed into or proved. Rather it is a reality to be accepted and lived. Certainly, it is a mystery, in the sense of transcending human comprehension. 6. But the fact that it is beyond sense and reason, does not make it senseless and unreasonable. It only indicates and affirms the infinity, profundity, and immensity of the Trinity on one hand, and the limit, limitation, and superfluity of the human reality on the other hand. 7. Any explanation for Trinity is only analogous and not literal. We need not break our head to make a perfect sense of Trinity. It is enough to know what the Trinity does for us, what Trinity implies for our life, and how we can live the life and mission of the Trinity in our own lives. 8. Perhaps analogously the Father is like the Spring, the Son is the well or the channel, and the Spirit is the water. The Father is like the Sun, the Son is the rays, and the Holy Spirit is the heat or radiance. 9. What is essential to Trinity is perfect unity. They are one God. They are one in identity, which is divinity: the Father is divine, the Son is divine and the Holy Spirit is divine. They are equally divine in nature, status, and power. 10. However, equality does not mean full identity in their role and function. Trinity is one in fellowship and love. The one and same love resides in each of them, flows across, and binds them together in communion and concern. 11. Trinity is one in mission. It is one mission of salvation or redemption or re-creation or re-integration of humanity, whatever be the terms used, the Trinity is engaged with, in solidarity and commitment. 12. Accordingly, there is distinction but not division, comprehension and not a contradiction, coordination and not subordination, collaboration and not a competition, self-donation and not domination, mutual respect and not contempt, self-emptying and not self-filling, generosity and not jealousy. There are no ego-clashes or seeking self- glory. 13. t is this Trinity that becomes our foundation, animation, and actualization. Trinity is not a mere concept to be understood. Trinity is a life-reality, a concern of experience, relation, living, and commitment. This is our one and unique identity: we are divine images. 14 We belong to God. Trinity constantly invites us to be more and more focused on them, rooted in them, built on them, grow in deep personal communion with them, in love and surrender. 15. Trinity calls us incessantly to live the same unity in fraternity, marked by respect and benevolence. Trinity also challenges us to be selflessly devoted to the one mission of God, in loyalty and commitment. 16. Alas! How far are we as persons, as families and as communities, from the life and mission of the Trinity? The one identity of the divine likeness and belonging is often dominated and even substituted by secondary and deviated identities and affinities like caste, region, language, culture, power, position, etc. 17. The one bond of love and fellowship is often suffocated and stifled by resentments, hatred, and arrogance. The one mission is often frustrated, ruptured and defeated by ego-projection, ego-promotion, and self-glory. Imperative: It is high time that we "release" the power of the Trinity to "release" us from our mediocrity and duplicity!

PENTECOST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 25

PENTECOST, 08 JUNE 2025 Indicative: We celebrate the great feast of Pentecost.It marks the unique day when the Holy Spirit descends and fills the receivers with power. 1. In fact, this was the promise of Jesus. As Jesus was leaving the earth at the completion of his human mission, he repeatedly comforted his disciples that he would not leave them as orphans that he would send them the Holy Spirit. Thus he assured them his continued presence through the Spirit. 2. Therefore, the descent of the Holy Spirit is the greatest assurance and sign of God’s own presence, guidance, and power. Pentecost is the initiation of this great outpouring of the Spirit. It is the beginning of a new era, a new time of the Spirit, a new mode of living, walking by the Spirit, living in the realm of the Spirit. 3. In recent times, there is certainly so much revival, vigor, and enthusiasm, which are all concrete signs of the power of the Spirit. But beware! There is always the danger to limit the Holy Spirit only to these external demonstrations and expressions. Holy Spirit is not only some eloquent preaching, some animated and moving prayers, some evocative intercessions, some touching devotion, some powerful healing, some impressing gift of tongue, some happening prophesying, a great mass appeal and gathering huge crowds. 4. Certainly, as the Spirit is powerful and vivacious, it can have such great external impacts. But the sad thing is, the Spirit is so much confined only to these factors, so much domesticated only to these, so much so that only some groups claim to be charismatic groups, filled by the Spirit, and the others are labelled as ordinary mortals, or only some prayer modes are Spirit-powered modes, and the other prayer ways are just the ordinary. 5. We see in all this, two unhappy tendencies: reduction and arrogance. That is, reducing the Holy Spirit ultimately to powerful preaching and wonders, and also nurturing a disguised spiritual pride of possessing the Spirit to use it at one’s liking. 6. And the greatest sad effect of such tendencies is, a failure to renew life. In other words, there is so much demonstration of the power of the Spirit in different spiritual activities, but hardly any real change in concrete life. The power of the Spirit is predominantly restricted to the spiritual zone, with no inflow into the daily life zone. This creates a wide gap and abyss between spiritual power and success but actual weakness and value failure. 7. The whole issue is that these spiritual activities and powers do not guarantee a good and holy life. Just listen to how clearly Jesus brings to attention this fact: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not cast out devils and perform many miracles in your name? Then I will tell them openly: I have never known you; away from me, you evil people!” (Mt 7. 22-23). 8. Therefore we must sincerely question and see: How much the power of the Spirit is challenging and changing my weaknesses? How much the spiritual illumination to cite many quotations, enlightens and guides me and us for the right thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and actions? How much the expertise and eloquence of preaching the Word leads to practice the Word in real life? How much the Spirit makes us grow in honesty, in patience, in unity, in generosity, in purity, in holiness, in serenity, in self-control – this is the whole issue. 9. Claiming to be filled and empowered by the Spirit but living exactly contrary to the fruits of the Spirit, in grudges and resentments, in needless tensions and disturbances, in anger and impatience, in dishonesty and cheating, in impurity and malice, in criticism and slander, in indifference and selfishness, in greed and grabbing, in division and discrimination, in pride and false dignity, in self-glory and cheap popularity – is this the Holy Spirit? What kind of Spirit this is? Great display of the gifts of the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 12. 4-11)! But where is the witness to the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5. 22-23). Imperative: Let us not limit the Holy Spirit. Let us not drain his power. Let us not dilute his role. Let us not tame him to suit our convenience and advantage. Let us not privatize him to project and promote self-glory.

ASCENSION OF THE LORD 25

ASCENSION OF THE LORD 01JUNE 2025 Indicative: We celebrate today Jesus’ ascension to heaven. Ascension is not just the end of Jesus’ earthly presence. It is not just getting back his glory in heaven. The purpose is not to demonstrate to the disciples about his greatness. It is also not to prove to all that he is glorious. Rather ascension is the point of completion and fulfillment of Jesus’ mission on earth as a human person. 1. Ascension marks the end of the post- resurrection preparation of the disciples for their life and mission. It is a special time to prepare to live and do without Jesus' physical presence. Yes, the duration between his resurrection and ascension is not a period of suspension. Rather it is a time of intense preparation of the disciples. 2. The risen Lord appears to them, continues to teach them, illumine them, guide them, strengthen, and confirm them in their faith and mission. It was a preparation to meet the future in his physical absence. How the future will be without Jesus? How they have to live and do their mission? These are crucial and disturbing questions. 3. Here we highlight three essential aspects of ascension. They are namely, confirmation, assurance and assignment. Primarily ascension is a confirmation. Ascension confirms our faith that our Lord is Lord of heaven. He is seated at the right hand of the Father He is able to sympathize with us. He intercedes for us, and sustains us from heaven. 4. It Confirms that heaven is the original abode of Jesus. It gives the Confirmation that Jesus is in eternal communion with the Father and the Spirit. Confirmation that Jesus resumes his original abode, his original glory, his original identity, his original communion. He is not gaining anything new, anything that is not his. He is regaining what is his own. 5. In fact ascension is truly restoration. Jesus attests: “As I came from the Father and have come into the world, so I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (Jn 16. 28). God the Father restores to Jesus his original glory. Jesus accomplishes Father’s will and the mission entrusted to him. The Father is pleased with his fidelity, and so as sign of this holy pleasure and as an evidence of this victory over evil, God raises Jesus, and that is resurrection. 6. Thus resurrection is the authentic testimony that Jesus’ incarnation, life, passion and death are not futile, but are purposive and infinitely efficacious and meritorious. Thereafter ascension is a complete confirmation of this victory and glory. Jesus goes back to where he comes from. A vital chapter of his redemptive mission is over. 7. Then ascension is Assurance: assurance that we will not be left alone as he goes away from the earth. Assurance that he will never abandon us but will accompany us through the Holy Spirit. Assurance that our help will not be less with Jesus’ going away, but in fact will be much more. In heaven and from heaven, he is totally powerful, and he is not restricted and constrained by any human limitations and vicissitudes. 8. Therefore we should rejoice that Jesus ascended to heaven, rather than lament that he has left us, going away from earth. This is what Jesus makes clear to the disciples also: “it is better for you that I go away, because as long as I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you” (Jn 16. 7). So an assurance that Jesus’ presence, guidance and power will never cease. The Holy Spirit will continue the same presence, guidance and power of Jesus. 9. It is also an Assurance that our destiny and destination is also heaven, as Jesus assures the disciples in his farewell discourse, “you shall be with me where I am” (Jn 14. 3). Assurance that they and we will share the same glory, as Jesus prays in his farewell prayer: “Father, since you have given them to me, I want them to be with me where I am and see the Glory you gave me” (Jn 17. 24). 10. Further, there is also a summon, an assignment: It is a call to trust in a new kind of presence and power of God, and to live the spiritual presence and power, beyond the physical. We should go beyond our too much clinging to what is physical, direct, external and visible. We must learn to walk in a higher spiritual realm. 11. Thereby Ascension carries along an assignment to commit ourselves to attain the same destiny of ascension, i.e. residing in the same Glory. It is a commitment to a daily ascension. This consists in an incessant restoration, regaining our original identity and dignity. Obtaining the heavenly glory is not acquiring something new which is not there. It is not a novel creation or a grand invention or acquisition. Rather it is a discovery, a recapturing, a regain of what is already there. Imperative: Ascension is a commitment to become what we already are: to daily “ascend” to our real higher self, our true identity of being God’s own images, the children of God, disciples and friends of Christ, abodes of the Holy Spirit and the heirs of heaven.

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 2025

6th EASTER SUNDAY: 25 May 2025, Acts 15. 1-2, 22-29; Rev 21. 10-14, 22-23; John 14. 23- 29 Indicative: Turn to God in times of trouble and fear. Trust in Him wholeheartedly. And He will grant you peace 1. We live in a world where day after day We experience troubles and fears. There is no peace. Instead there is a lot of anxiety. Many suffer from anxiety syndrome and the life of many is marked by tension. 2. It is in such a context, the words of Jesus cool and soothe us. "Let not your hearts be troubled; let them not be afraid". Today, the first invitation for us is not to be troubled and afraid. This does not mean that we will not have any troubles and fears. 3. Our faith in God is no seal or guarantee against difficulties and suffering. The Lord does not wave off automatically and magically all the troubles. Rather, he assures us that we will remain in peace even amidst all the negativities. 4. Peace is the antidote in our troubles and trials. Jesus says, "My peace i give to you, and not the kind of peace that the world gives". Now what is this different peace of the Lord? Where is the difference? 5. First of all, the peace of the world is temporary and passing. It is short- lived. But the peace of the Lord is stable and lasting. It may not give instant happiness and satisfaction. It may leave at times a bitter taste in the mouth. The Lord"s peace is steady and consistent. It is not easily shaken or wavering. 6. The peace of the Lord is deep and interior. Unlike the worldly peace, the Lord's peace is not easily conditioned by external factors, like food, things, money, power, position, reputation, recognition, profitability. Even without these, one can be peaceful. It is deep-seared and interiorly built. 7. The peace of the Lord is not absence of afflictions and adversities. Often the world equates peace with problemless external condition. Just as the external conditions change, so also the peace condition changes according to the variable factors. The Lord's peace is an inner power, a mental stamina that subsists even amidst all upsetting factors. 8. The peace of the Lord is ever calm, composed, and serene. It is never violent or aggressive. Like the world's peace, it does not create and indulge in peaceless situations to establish peace. The peace of the world is like the peace on the battle world after killing numberless enemies. It is the joy of profit having deceived many. It is the joy of winning over others having put down many. It is the joy of feeling big having belittled many. 8. The peace of Lord is God-centred and other- oriented. The more one seeks to surrender oneself to God, the more one will be in peace. The more one is faithful to God, the more one will enjoy peace. Further, the Lord's peace is ever altruistic. Those who experience the peace of Lord will always commit themselves to the good of others. Lack of charity is lack of peace. This is what we see in the first reading. The apostles in wisdom gave importance to the essentials of faith, fidelity to God and moral integrity. They were clear not to lay unnecessary burdens on their fellow believers. Imperative: What is the kind of peace that we search and strive for? Is it the peace of the Lord that is deep and positive and constructive? Or is it the peace of the world that is self- centred and shallow?

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 2025

5TH EASTER SUNDAY, ACTS 14. 21-27; REV 21. 1-5; JOHN 13.31- 35 Indicative: Jesus came to change our old life of sin, darkness, and death into a new life of grace, light, and life 1. Today’s impressive and recurrent theme is Newness. All three readings revolve around various aspects of newness. In the second reading from Revelation, God assures, “Behold I am making all things new”. In the gospel of John, Jesus gives a new commandment. And in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we find some concrete signs of new life in Christ. 2. Some of the features of the new life that God promises in Revelation are: A new abode, a new dwelling place, and new situations, symbolized by “a new heaven and a new earth”, and “the dwelling place of God is with them”. It is a new life of holiness and heavenliness, symbolized by a “new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down out of heaven from God”. It is a new life of beauty and intimacy, symbolized by “a bride adorned for her husband”. It is a new life of total belongingness between God and His people, indicated by that “they will be his people … and God himself will be their God”. It is a new life of joy, indicated by the fact that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death or mourning or crying or pain”. 3. In the gospel, Jesus gives us a new identity, a new vocation that is, being his disciples. He gives a new duty and mission and that is bearing witness to his discipleship. He also gives a new means, a new way, a new commandment, and that is to love another. But what is new in this so-called new commandment? 4. It is new because it expands and extends the hold and scope of Leviticus 19.18 of loving one’s neighbour as oneself. ‘Neighbour’ is no more tribalistic, a member of one’s own group; rather, a neighbour is universalistic, anyone in need, bound by the bond of faith and fraternity. It is new because the model is Jesus himself and his love. Jesus commanded: Just as I loved you, you too love another. Therefore, our love for one another should be like his love with the same passion, commitment, sacrifice, and service. Further, it is new because ‘loving one another becomes the identity mark of discipleship, the fulfillment of our mission and the fitting way of glorifying God. 5. Now in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see some concrete effects and manifestations of this new life. It is a new life of strength, strengthening the souls of the disciples. It is a new life of courage, encouraging them to continue in faith. It is a new life of openness, opening a door of faith to the Gentiles. It is a new life of commending and committing the believers to God with prayer and fasting. It is a new life of accomplishing and fulfilling all the works in God’s name and for His glory. Imperative: God is constantly calling us for a new life and offering us a new life. Then, why do we go on clinging to the old and former ways of sin and evil?

PALM SUNDAY

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER 2025: PALM SUNDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY 13 APRIL 2025: PALM SUNDAY: ISAIAH 50. 4-7; PHIL 2. 6-11; LUKE 22.14 – 23.56 ENTRY INTO THE HOLY WEEK 2025 1. We are set to enter the Holy Week. All the days in the Lenten season till now are one count, and the days in this holy week are another count. Not that we take away the importance of all these days. Certainly, they have been moments and experiences of God’s closeness in increased prayer, penance, and kindness. But these few days are the last phase, and they should be more intense. They should intensify our Lenten spirit, and also help us to recuperate and compensate for what has been lacking. We have three important days in this holy week, namely, Palm Sunday, Holy or Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday before we enter upon the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. 2. We can begin with an honest observation: Often in the conducting of the ceremonies and preaching during the holy week, there is a dominant tendency to dramatize or fantasize or traumatize. That is, too much aura of a drama is created, a fertile imagination is cultivated and a deep feeling of sorrow and remorse is aroused. A certain extent of these may be okay and needed, in the sense that they may help to evoke deep sentiment, to touch the heart, and to involve the person more personally. But if they are limited only to that level, the effect may be shallow and short-lived. That is why we see very often that all the changes and the spirit of sacrifice and kindness remain no longer than Good Friday, not even lasting till Easter night! 3. What is needed is not merely to dramatize or traumatize but to empathize and energize life thereafter. On one hand, our holy celebrations are intended to re-deepen within us a renewed empathy for the Lord, feeling one with him in authentic sensitivity and repentant solidarity, and intimate communion with him. On the other hand, they should re-enthuse and re-energize our spirits for a changed and recharged living. We need a real shift of emphasis, a shift of paradigm and priorities. PALM SUNDAY, 13 APRIL 2025 1. Often I am fascinated by the whole scene of Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday. Why? I see a vivid connection and parallel between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. In both the scenes, there is a procession; there is excitement; there is enthusiasm; there is crowd; there is noise and commotion; there is Jesus the central figure; there is a big following and accompaniment. But there is also a vital difference: the mood is different; the ambiance is different; the intentions are different; the presentation and the figure of Jesus is different; the type of slogans is different; the destination and the end of the procession is different. 2. On Palm Sunday, it is a royal procession; it is a rather favorable crowd, with positive slogans; Jesus is honored as a king, seated on a donkey; the way is streets of Jerusalem, with clothes spread along; the purpose is to install Jesus as king; and the destination is the temple of Jerusalem, the center of the city. But on Good Friday, it is a “criminal” procession; it is a hostile crowd; with hateful slogans; Jesus is disgraced as a criminal, loaded with the cross; the way is the road to Mount Calvary, marked with dust, stones, and his blood; the purpose is to crucify Jesus as a blasphemer, as a rebel, as a heretic; the destination is Calvary, on the periphery of the city. 3. What is very interesting and strange is, it is the same crowd, and that too within a span of just four days. The whole scene changes. The whole “passion for” Jesus on Palm Sunday, ends up in the “passion of” Jesus on Good Friday. Just to pick up some sudden contrast of details of scenes: palms in arms turn into arms to harm, into scourges; joyful cries of hosanna, hosanna turn into resentful shouts of ‘crucify him, crucify him’; donkey turns into cross; king into criminal; sentiment into resentment; felicitation into persecution; kingly crown into thorny crown; clothes of welcome and honour into stones and thistles of rejection; applause into abuse; smooth ride into bloody stumbling; coronation into crucifixion; glory into misery. 4. It is here we need to focus, not so much on the exact and crude details of Jesus’ trial, cross and suffering. Rather what are the leading factors, and why and how he accepts and bears all of that. It is the sharp contrast between the single and undivided nature, perspective, motive, and goal of Jesus, and the divided nature, divided and deviated perspectives, motives, and goals of the people. Jesus’ nature is divine and noble. His perspective is spiritual and noble. His motive is inner renewal and transformation. And his goal is heaven and kingdom. But the nature of the people is human and fragile. Their perspective is totally material and unworthy. Their motive is worldly gains and self-interests. Their goal is an earthly king and earthly kingdom against the Roman empire. Thus there is a wide chasm between Jesus and the people. This leads them to such a shocking compromise, instability, infidelity, and defection, in contrast to Jesus’ conviction, stability, fidelity, and dedication, which really confront, challenge, and frustrate them. 5. This is the right and apt time to do a little self-checkup concerning our own nature, perspectives, motives, and goals. How often do we fall to compromise, instability, infidelity, and defection, failing in conviction and commitment to the Lord? Are we not among and like those people, whenever we are easily carried away by our own weaknesses, material and unspiritual perspectives, self-centered interests and gains, and cheap and low goals? Let us surely feel for the Lord who suffers so much by such disloyalty and betrayal. But let us also feel as much pain and repentance concerning our own selves, who hurt and torment him daily by our compromising attitudes, false values, ill-character and wrong-footed behavior and actions. (Reflection 2) Focus: The life of following Jesus is like a procession. In this procession, we need to see what our motives are, whether this procession is out of loyalty or out of ulterior motives 1. Palm Sunday is one of the threesomes of the Holy Week, which comprises Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Today Jesus solemnly enters Jerusalem, the city of destiny. There he would be tried, persecuted, and killed on the cross. But he would rise from death victoriously and gloriously. 2. His entry into the earthly Jerusalem signifies his entry into the heavenly Jerusalem, the heaven. But that heavenly entry must be preceded by trial and death, the moments of the way of the cross and crucifixion. There is no glory without suffering. There is no resurrection without passion and crucifixion. 3. The crowd on Palm Sunday represents the whole of humanity. This comprises different categories and different mentalities of people. There are people sincere and insincere, well-motivated and ill-motivated, trusting and stable, unbelieving and unstable, loyal and disloyal, spiritual and unspiritual. 4. The occasion is the solemn entry into Jerusalem and the kingly procession. But the readings are passion or suffering readings that focus on the aspect of suffering. This also shows the nature of our God, the nature of our salvation. Our God is a God who suffers for our sake. And our salvation entails necessarily suffering. 5. The crowd on Palm Sunday turns into a crowd on Good Friday within a very few days. This shows how shallow their faith in Jesus and their life of faith was. It was a crowd that was largely non-committal toward Jesus. They had no deep loyalty to Jesus. Their faith was not deep. Their relationship with Jesus was not intimate or personal. Their faith was mostly based on favours and miracles. It was superficial and peripheral. 6. Shallowness leads to unsteadiness and then wickedness. Being not deep-rooted and not committed, they were so wavering in their response and behavior. They were expectant of something worldly and spectacular from Jesus. They were excited over their wrong expectations about Jesus. When Jesus upsets their political ambitions and earthly interests, they become frustrated and wicked. Thus, Palm Sunday turns into Passion Sunday. Direction: Am I also so unstable in my loyalty to the Lord? Do I also easily change the party from good to evil? Do I also have the same tendency of betraying my Lord from “Hosanna! Hosanna!” to “Crucify him! Crucify him!”? 14 APRIL 2025: HOLY MONDAY: ISAIAH 42.1-7; JOHN 12.1-11 Focus: God never ceases to offer us His grace and the possibility to respond positively and cooperate with Him actively. Our judgment depends on the type of the response and cooperation we give 1. We are on the Monday of the Holy Week. The days are preparing so dramatically for the end of Jesus’ life and mission. In the first reading, we have the figure of the prophet Isaiah, the suffering servant of Yahweh. In him, we find an allusion to Jesus. The words referring to the prophet would perfectly apply to Jesus. Certainly, God would pronounce the same words about Jesus: 2. “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations… He will not grow faint or discouraged till he has established justice on the earth… I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon”. 3. The Lord like the prophet is on the last days of his human journey of mission on earth. He encounters a response that is both positive and negative. The positive response is represented by the Bethany family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and some believing Jews. The negative response is represented by Judas Iscariot and the Pharisees and scribes. 4. The family of Bethany is an abode and ambiance of love, intimacy, and service. Mary loves him passionately. She sits at Jesus’ feet, anoints his feet with the costliest ointment, and wipes them with her hair. Martha cares for and serves him so warmly and lavishly. Lazarus shares the table with him in intimate vicinity. 5. On the other hand, we have Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. His three years in close company with Jesus would have no effect on him. There are also the Pharisees and scribes who maliciously plot to kill Jesus. Direction: Jesus never ceases to come to us both personally and collectively, both alone and together. What is our response? Do we welcome him wholeheartedly and treat him with love and service? Or do we fall to betray and abandon Jesus? 15 APRIL 2025: HOLY TUESDAY: ISAIAH 49. 1-6; JOHN 13. 21-33, 36-38 Focus: Betrayal is the most painful experience in human life. Lack of love and faith may be more tolerable and bearable than the betrayal of love and faith. This is the experience of Jesus 1. Jesus was deeply troubled in his spirit because he knew that he would be betrayed by one of his own core group. Jesus declares, “It is he to whom I will give the morsel of bread when I have dipped it”. Betrayal causes unbearable pain, especially when it is by one who was so close to us, whom we have trusted so much, whom we have given so much. 2. What anguished him so much was not that he was betrayed but who betrayed him. Judas Iscariot had been specially chosen by the Lord; lived closely with Jesus; was taught a lot; also was entrusted with a key responsibility of money management as the procurator. 3. But yet he betrayed. Why? The reason is also very clear in the gospel episode. “It was night” when Judas Iscariot left the company of Jesus. And night always has the connotation of darkness. So obviously, Judas who was walking in darkness betrayed Jesus who is the true light. Therefore, whenever we walk in the darkness, we will go against Jesus and become betrayers like Judas Iscariot. 4. Judas was under the spell of Satan as it is mentioned, “Satan entered into him”. But it is disturbing to note that this happened “after he had taken the morsel”. Jesus shared the bread with him. It was a sign of closeness and belongingness. But this in no way prevents him from the evil act. This clearly indicates that mere external allegiance to Jesus is no guarantee of loyalty. Only a deeper and personal commitment can seal the relationship with Jesus. 5. We also find the boastful claim of Peter, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you”. Jesus brings him to his senses, saying, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times”. This again shows that there are no guarantees for our unfailing loyalty. We are fragile and we can never depend totally on our own strength and claim to remain unshaken. Direction: Our vulnerability will be much exposed and we will be prone to fall, especially in times of trial. So, it is better to cast our care on to the Lord and seek our strength from him 16 APRIL 2025: HOLY WEDNESDAY: ISAIAH 50. 4-9; MATTHEW 26. 14-25 Focus: Evil forces will rise up against us more powerfully when we stand for God and His mission. Often all the evil forces will join together as a united force to combat the godly force 1. The scene is preparing rapidly for terminating Jesus. Judas Iscariot joins hands with the chief priests. He enters into a deal with them. Thirty pieces of silver for delivering Jesus over to them. How ironic it is that he is offering to kill the author of life! How ungrateful it is to do evil to the one who did only good to him! How cruel it is that a disciple who must constantly seek every opportunity to defend his master, is now seeking an opportunity to kill him! 2. But from his part, Jesus’ approach and dealing with him does not change. He knew the betrayer. He knew his evil intentions and plans. Yet, he does not react or retort. He does not expose him. He does not betray him in public. The disciple might fail but the master never fails. 3. The figure of the suffering servant of Yahweh in the first reading perfectly fits Jesus. He is not rebellious. He did not turn backward. He does not hide his face from disgrace. He is prepared to accept and bear everything. But it is not out of helplessness. He is not frustrated or depressed. He is composed. 4. This composure and mental strength were possible only because of his total surrender and abandonment to God. He embodies the same depth of trust and entrustment of the suffering servant. “But the Lord God helps me. He who vindicates me is near. I will not be put to shame. Who will contend with me? Who is my adversary? Who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment”. Direction: When we meet with problems and suffering, what is our attitude and response? What is our approach and behavior toward those who do harm to us? When tested, do we continue to trust and entrust ourselves to God? 17 APRIL 2025: HOLY THURSDAY: EXODUS 12. 1-14; 1 COR 11. 23-26; JOHN 13. 1-15 Focus: Love is the sum and summary of everything. When love is there, anything and everything is possible. Maundy Thursday is a noble TASTE of love! 1. Maundy Thursday - a day of Last Supper, Commemoration and celebration of 4 significant Events: Meals together, washing of the apostles' feet, institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the institution of the holy priesthood. All these events are not isolated entities but linked into one single optic of Love. They are threads of a single cloth of Love, branches of a single tree, petals of a single flower of Love. 2. The meals together is a testimony and expression of love. In a meal, there is unity and care, which are expressed in sharing leading to nourishment and sustenance. Thus true love unites, cares, shares, nurtures, and strengthens. How is our love in our community? How much unity? Care? Sharing? Mutual support? 3. The washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus is a testimony and expression of love. In that gesture and act, there is humility, service, and also symbolic purification. What humility! - Jesus the Master washes his disciples' feet, the Lord washes the servants, the Holy washes the sinful, the Perfect washes the imperfect. What a spirit of service! - bending before others on knees signifies the whole life of Jesus, bent to serve others. What a symbol of purification! - Jesus washing the disciples' feet symbolises the washing of our sins with His own blood. True love is humble and not arrogant; serves and not dominates or demands to be served; purifies and heals, and does not contaminate or infect. How much humility? Service? Healing and cleansing? 4. The institution of the Holy Eucharist - a testimony and expression of love. True love desires to be present with loved ones forever. Jesus who loves us passionately wants to continue his presence with us forever. In the Eucharist, we see the perpetual presence and company of the Lord. In the Eucharist, we are nourished by eternal food. In the Eucharist, we are united as one mystical Body. If so, how much - reverence? Awareness? Spiritual Intimacy? Fraternal communion? Interior force? Growth in sanctity and fidelity? 5. The institution of the Holy Priesthood is a testimony and expression of love. True love extends its mission to the end. Jesus in the institution of holy priesthood extends his mission - of preaching God's Word, of grace through sacraments, of doing good, through his ministers, the priests. The priesthood is an immense gift of God offered to us, very concrete and authentic, of the spiritual and fraternal. 6. It is also a generous response, docile and loyal, active and committed, from the human part, to collaborate with God's designs and to partake in His mission. Thus in the priesthood, there is dignity, sanctity, and divinity. The holiness and the divine action go beyond the imperfection of man. The greatness of Christ surpasses the weakness of the individual priest. Then, how much - respect? The vision of the sacrality of the sacrament? Collaboration and support for our priests? (REFLECTION 2) 1. Today's specialty is the famous Last Supper. In that dinner scene, there are two central events: One is, Washing the feet of the disciples, and the other is, the Last dinner with his disciples. And in these two action episodes, there are two essential aspects: Witness and Institution – Witness to love, humility, and service; Institution of Holy Eucharist and Holy Priesthood. 2. Taken as such, these two actions may not be so unique and extraordinary, because there are certainly some goodhearted people who serve others, who wash them and take care of them. And also sharing a meal with friends or followers is nothing out of the way. BUT it is the identity of Jesus, the purpose, and the effect of these two events that make these historical and singular. 3. It is the IDENTITY OF JESUS that makes the washing of his disciples’ feet, a unique event. Jesus is their Master and Lord. He is the Son of God and Saviour. He is the King and the Ruler. But here the Master washes his disciples’ feet. The Lord kneels before the servants. The Son of God bends before the sons of men. The Saviour touches and kisses the feet of the sinners to be saved. The king attends in service of his subjects. As a climax and peak of this, he shares a meal with them. His guests are not any dignitaries but simple people. And this is the farewell meal. What a contrasting experience! 4. This is clearly a supreme act of WITNESS, teaching in practice, an example in concrete. This is a tangible and powerful example of love, humility, and service. These two actions also become the occasions to emphasize the indispensable duty to love, to be humble, and to serve, binding on every follower of Christ. These alone are the identity marks of a true disciple. 5. A true disciple cannot be otherwise: he or she cannot be hateful and unloving, living in indifference, violence, or selfishness; cannot be arrogant, living in false dignity and self-glory; cannot domineer and subjugate others, depriving others their due dignity and rights. These are only counter-signs! One who lives resentfully, aggressively, and selfishly, one who is puffed up and puts on airs, and who manipulates and lords over others, on the basis of affinities like caste, colour, creed, region, language, culture, rite, or money or power or position or intelligence or competence, is a disgrace to discipleship. 6. But these lessons and experiences of love, humility, and service cannot be just limited only to those few moments, as it happens many times in our case: that a good number of our beautiful and inspiring experiences are so sadly limited only to some special occasions. Many unfortunately suffer from “short time memory”, “convenient forgetfulness”, and “selective practice”, especially with regard to God –and good matters. 7. But Jesus wants these triple principles to continue forever, even after his physical separation. They will enliven and transmit his presence and action, at all times. In other words, Experience, Continuation, and perpetuation of love, humility, and service – this in simple is the prime purpose of the last supper. The result of this purpose is effected in the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood. 8. Both the Eucharist and the Priesthood are nothing but the sacred sacraments which contain this experience and continue and foster that presence and action of the Lord in love, humility, and service. Every time Eucharist and priesthood are celebrated, the Lord is present and active and we are drawn to him in love, humility, and service. Thus, on one hand, we are drawn to the Lord and bound with him, and also draw grace in light and strength from him. On the other hand, we are also drawn to one another and bound with each other, in one community and humanity, and are also charged to live and witness love, humility, and service. Eucharist and priesthood are thus so sacred and noble because they are the containers and transmitters of the “personal” presence of the Lord in the sacramental celebration, and the “testified /concretized” presence of the Lord in a witnessing life of love, humility, and service. 9. In this context, a series of self-checking questions should be posed to us quite sincerely: How is our attitude and devotion toward the holy Eucharist? Why do we often see so much indifference, tepidity, callousness, and lack of reverence toward the Holy Eucharist? How often we are unaware that the Lord himself enters into us, abides in us, nourishes us, heals, and strengthens us? How little do we feel his effect? How often do we go away from the Eucharist, even without the least change and betterment, and continue to live worse? How can we continue so weak, so unclean, so deviated, so disunited, so hateful, so proud, so despising others, even celebrating and receiving the Eucharistic Lord? 10. What is our attitude and approach towards the holy Priesthood and the effect of it in our lives, both concerning those who have this vocation and those who receive the fruits of their ministry? How painful it is that at times the sanctity and the dignity of this holy priesthood is so degraded! At times what disrespect, criticism, and harmful behavior toward priests? How easily do we forget the holiness of their vocation, the immense sacrifices of them, and selfless services from them? How uncharitably and ungratefully do we become one-sided and prejudiced and ignore their goodness? How often do we fail to encourage, and support our priests, while we demand so much from them? How often do we put too high demands on them, while we don’t bother even a little about our own quality of life? How often do we exaggerate their small defects, instead of being empathetic toward them? 11. A balanced and healthy perspective towards priesthood is very much needed: it is holy, noble, and dignified, even though there can be imperfections. Personal defects should not reduce its sanctity, should not lower its dignity to something cheap, and should not discourage and diminish the faith of the people. Experience of the Lord’s presence and his action in concrete lives blooming in love, humility and service – these should be the distinguishing marks of holy Eucharist and priesthood. GOOD FRIDAY, 18 APRIL 2025: HOLY LITURGY REFLECTION Focus: Jesus crucified on the Cross is the Epitome of Love. Cross, the Death-bed is the Spring of Life 1. If Maundy Thursday is the “Taste” of Love, Good Friday is the “Test” of love. Look at the cross, look at that Christ with wounds, with blood, without strength, falling and rising, bears the cross, hangs on it, and dies on it. Look at his suffering. What a pain! What a shame! What a disgrace! What a failure! What a defeat! 2. One who did many a miracle, now hanging on the cross, as a despicable debacle! One who cured many wounds, now all bruised by wounds all over! One who defended the oppressed now stands defenseless and oppressed by the weight of the cross! One who relieved many of their burdens now reels under the burden of the cross! One who fed the hungry now is left to starve! One who quenched the thirsty, now abandoned to cry, “I thirst!”, One who saved many, now stands damned, One who graced many is exposed and disgraced! 3. But also think - Why all this? What wrong? What crime? What did he do to deserve such a heinous death penalty? The answer is Nothing. He is The Son of God, the Holy One, the Just One, with no sin, no guilt, no evil. He has always done good, and only good. 4. If so, then why this pain of the cross? Only one reason: It is love (John 3.16): God loved us so much, and for this reason gives his only Son as the ransom for the remission of our sins. True love does everything, everywhere, and always for the loved one. True love faces everything, endures everything, and sacrifices everything, for the sake of the beloved. 5. If not for that love why must he forsake all the glory and dignity of heaven and embrace our human misery? Yes. Only for love for us, he shares our difficulties, sheds tears for us, and wipes away the tears of so many. Only in love and for love, does he accept everything and lowers his head in patience and abandonment, accepts unjust condemnation. 6. Even if received spits from those whom he gave a new dignity, Even if covered with wounds by those whom he healed of their wounds, Even if despised by those whom he has always treated with respect, Even if led on the path of Calvary, by those whom he has made walk on the way of salvation, Even if thrown down, by those whom he has lifted when fallen, Even if drained away of his strength, by those whom he has strengthened when weak, Even if abandoned as an orphan, by those whom he has transformed into heirs for grace, Even if hung on the cross like a criminal, the one who is the Most Holy, Even if subjected to death, the one who is the source and giver of life, by those who received life – even then, He does not react, does not attack, does not incriminate them. 7. All in love, and for love. He carries all our burdens on himself, on our behalf, in the place of us, he becomes the victim, he immolates himself. Like the grain of wheat, He allows himself to fall and die, so that In his death - we have life, In his poverty - we have the enrichment, in his misery - we have glory, in his blood - we have cleansing, in his isolation - we have our return, in his crucifixion – we have our resurrection, in his disfiguration – we have our transfiguration, in his deterioration – we have our restoration, in his annihilation – we have our regeneration! 8. This is the beauty and the greatness of the cross. It is not so much the fact of the cross, not so much the cruelty of suffering, but the sign of it, the significance of it, the reasons for it, and the effects of it, that are more important. It is not so much “what is seen”, but “what is behind” and “what is ahead” that glorifies and exalts the cross. God’s love and mercy are behind the cross, and forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and salvation for eternity are ahead of the cross. 9. Thus, in the cross, what is exalted is not the piece of the cross, which is actually a means of a heinous penalisation for criminals. What is glorified is not hapless suffering. What is eternalised is not the helpless defeat of a just man at the hands of injustice and corruption of values. Cross is not a dead end of misery, but the threshold of glory. Cross is the greatest challenge and battle against human fragility and falsity. 10. Cross is the clearest testimony of God’s love, which shoulders our burden so as to relieve us, which empties itself so as to fill us with God’s abundant grace, and which dies so as to give us new life. Cross is that Breath of love: It is in love, God breathed His own life into us, He continued to breathe His love upon us all throughout his life, and in love, He breathed his last. He loved us to the end of His breath. Cross shows the heights to which true love, and that is God’s love in Jesus can reach up to. Cross testifies to what depths the deepest love of God can stoop into. 11. Cross bearing the crucified, symbolises the conviction and commitment, courage and perseverance, love and sacrifice of Jesus to the end and without end. Cross is not a dark defeat, but a bright feat of immense love. Cross is not a sign of misery, but a reign of glory. Cross is not a mere ignominy or agony wreathed in suffering, but a symphony and epiphany of salvation, clothed in self-offering. Cross is the greatest testimony of God’s solidarity with the human predicament – God’s caring, sharing, and bearing to the extent of daring even death. 12. Cross with the crucified, is an Ignition of inspiration and urge, instilling courage and energy, to numberless souls who offer their life to God and suffer for God and good. Cross is also an ever-flowing spring of comfort and hope to all those simple and innocent hearts who seem to undergo unjust and undue suffering, so as to accept, bear, and move ahead in surrender and renewed strength 13. Today then, what does the cross mean to us? What does it tell us and call us for? It is not enough that we venerate the cross, kiss it, wear it or keep the crosses everywhere. Cross means much more than that. Cross means taking a stand for Christ, for his values, for the Gospel. Cross means standing for a cause. But the cross cannot be isolated from the Crucifix. Therefore Cross calls for a relationship, passion, intimacy, loyalty, and commitment to the Crucifix. It is about defending a cause, representing a person, a question of perseverance and loyalty. Cross means facing the consequences, and enduring suffering for the sake of Christ and his values. 14. In line with the holy bishop Fulton J. Sheen, the cross is a call to be vertical-oriented, heaven-oriented people. A cross is created when a horizontal bar is placed against a vertical bar. In other words, whenever our will is placed against the will of God, a cross is formed. Therefore, the cross constantly invokes us to put the will of God above and against self-will and self-interest. 15. In the light of the affirmation of Saint Paul, "Christ the Crucified is an obstacle for the Jews and a folly for the Gentiles, but for us, the believers, Christ is the Power and the Wisdom of God", the cross becomes a call to be a "contrast" "people. We live in a world that is too permissive, where every false thing is allowed, justified, and even promoted, in the guise of modernity, change, and fashion and reading the signs of the times. Let us pray that we may be dead to sin, and alive to grace! Today let us impress this love within us. Let's focus on this fire of passion and burn with the same. EASTER VIGIL, 19 APRIL 2025, HOLY LITURGY REFLECTION Focus: Light that is radiant and refulgent dispels the darkness that is stagnant and repugnant. Easter Night is the greatest night of victory We heard in the betrayal story of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, it was night and Judas left the company of Jesus at the last supper table. That night symbolised darkness, the reign of Satan. But now the Easter Vigil is a night by contrast. It is no more a night of darkness, but a night where true and full light penetrates. Easter night is a night where the faith-people and faithful people “pass over” from slavery to freedom, from fear to assurance, from sorrow to joy, and from death to life. Easter Night celebrates Christ as our Light. Jesus dispelled the dark shadows of sin because he is the “Light of the world”. The greatest message and confirmation of Easter is that Jesus our Lord is a living God. He lives. He lives on. He is alive. The Lord who was crucified and died on the cross and was buried was not finished in the tomb, he had not disappeared into the layers of earth, he was not lost in the past, and he was not confined to history as a memory. He conquered death, he rose from the grave, he broke the chains of death, and he defeated the forces of Satan and evil. He reigns forever in heaven with power, and glory, as God without end, as eternal God. While Easter night celebrates Christ as our Light, it also confirms our vocation as the children of Light. With The Resurrection of Christ, darkness no longer has a hold on us. We are lit, we are enlightened. We walk firmly on the road of Light. We live in the light, we do the works of light. So, We are called to always keep the light on – the light of energy against weakness, the light of courage against discouragement, the light of trust against despair, the light of sincerity against falsehood, the light of integrity against hypocrisy, the light of sensitivity against indifference, the light of humility against pride, the light of optimism against pessimism, the light of forgiveness against resentment, the light of reconciliation against retaliation, the light of generosity against avarice, the light of goodness against evil, the light of grace against sin. This is what the Word of God in Colossians 5. 8-11 reminds and exhorts us: “You were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Behave as children of light; the fruits of light are kindness, justice, and truth in every form. You yourselves search out what pleases the Lord, and take no part in works of darkness that are no benefit; expose them instead”. Very clearly we are told to keep away from all evil, which is darkness. We are to please the Lord, behaving as worthy children of God and light. We must bear witness as Easter people by bearing abundant fruits of light in living a kind, just, and truthful life. That will be a real and excellent Easter. The risen Lord will give us new strength. He raises our strength which is often dull and reduced. EASTER SUNDAY, 20 APRIL 2025: HOLY LITURGY REFLECTION Focus: Our Lord risen is the Fount of Life. Death and evil have no sway over him. He is the conqueror and victor 1. Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ is the greatest testimony of Life. God is life, and our God is a “living” God, the Emmanuel, God-with-us. No power of Satan, no fetters of death, no forces of evil, no closure of the tomb, can restrain him from rising, or separate him from living with us. He lives with us forever, because he is Life and ever alive. His rising assures and comforts us that sin and death have no power over him. Evil seems to have a loud and mocking laugh over good, but that is only short-lived. The Final smile is of God and of good. 2. Thus the Easter Feast is truly a Victory Day. It is not something peripheral or superficial. It is not just God’s victory over Satan, not just Saviour’s victory over the Evil one, not just the Holy Spirit’s over the evil spirit. It is not a “personal score” that is settled between God and Evil. But something fundamental and foundational, crucial and essential. 3. The victory of Easter involves the whole creation, the whole humanity. It touches upon the whole life, the whole person, the whole destiny. It is a comprehensive and holistic victory. It is the victory of all of us. It is the victory of our faith. It is the victory of good over evil, of love over hate, of mercy over violence, of benevolence over condemnation, of humility over arrogance, of patience over fury, of altruism over egoism, of generosity over greed, of sharing over accumulation, of giving over grabbing, of detachment over clinging, of nobility over fragility, of forgiveness over revenge, of loyalty over disloyalty, of stability over instability, of conviction over compromise, of authenticity over duplicity, of integrity over guile, of truth over falsity, of the spiritual over the unspiritual, of the above over the below, of light over darkness, of life over death, 4. Thus, in this victory of God’s life over the death imposed by evil, first of all, we have the greatest comfort and encouragement that God never leaves us. God who rose to life, will not allow any forces, any pressures that stifle and choke life, that diminish and destroy life. It is true that many times, in our society, in our times, in our lives, evil seems stronger than good. Wickedness and insincerity seem more advantageous, while goodness and honesty seem to be boring, tiring, and useless. In those situations, one can easily feel that entrusting oneself to God and dedicating oneself to good, is useless. One feels that it is better, safe, and advantageous to follow the world, to walk according to the wind, and to compromise with evil and false values. 5. Precisely in those moments, we must turn our gaze on to the cross, and to the crucified Lord. The battle he made to the end, in confidence, courage, and perseverance, is never useless. Trust in good, trust in God is never wasteful. The struggle of the good is only temporary. There is no defeat, there is no fall, there is no loss, for those who trust in God and walk in good. The last victory is always of God, and good. Clouds will not be permanent in the sky but only for a while. The darkness will not be long forever but the light of the Lord shines. Good Friday, darkness, and pain are only for a few hours. But the glory, the joy of the resurrection is forever. 6. Jesus asks Mary Magdalene weeping at his tomb, “Woman, why do you weep?” (Jn. 20.15). Yes, the same question is posed to each one of us, especially to those who feel down and let down, those who despair: “My brother, my sister, why do you weep? Why do you lose your heart? Am I not with you? Have I not walked the way of the cross before you and for you? Will I not walk with you now? Will I not wipe away your tears? I died for you and rose for you, to be with you forever. Trust me and live with me. Peace and joy shall be yours.” 7. Let the risen Jesus constantly raise our fallen spirits toward heaven, toward what is high and lofty. Therefore we pray that the risen Christ constantly resurrects us, and raises our lowered spirits towards heaven, towards what is high and noble. 7. Let us become “living temples” and not “empty tombs”! Let us constantly die to sin and rise up from our fallen state, rise up from our dissipation, and live to grace. Let our daily life be a daily resurrection giving us a foretaste of that final resurrection.