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.