2 nd SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A

15 JANUARY 2023, 2ND SUNDAY: ISAIAH 49. 3, 5-6; 1 COR 1. 1-3; JOHN 1. 29-34 Thrust: Experience and Witness! Indicative: We are called to see and experience God’s love personally and deeply. That experience should also lead us to bear witness to it 1. Today’s Word of God highlights and revolves around the theme of “Testimony”. In the first reading, the prophet bears testimony. In the second reading, Paul bears testimony. In the gospel, John the Baptist bears testimony. 2. The prophet testifies to his identity as God’s servant, Paul, as an apostle, and John the Baptist, as the baptiser and precursor of the Messiah. Accordingly, the prophet testifies to his mission to “bring back Israel, to raise up and restore them”. It is a mission of becoming a “light to the nations”, so that God’s salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. 3. Paul testifies to his mission as an apostle who helps and sustains the faithful in their being sanctified in Christ Jesus, in living their call to be holy, and in ensuring grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. John the Baptist testifies to his mission as a testimony to the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the pre-existent one. He is the one, overshadowed and filled by the Holy Spirit. He would remain with the Holy Spirit and baptise all with the Holy Spirit. 5. This testimony is marked by conviction, deep humility, surrender, and commitment. None of these, that is neither the prophet nor the apostle nor the Baptiser was puffed up by the greatness of their vocation. The prophet was the mouthpiece of God; the apostle was the spiritual father and leader of the communities; and the Baptiser was the precursor to the Messiah. But they never put on airs. 6. Their life was an unfailing and unceasing act of surrender. Their only focus was doing God’s will. And for that sake, they would set aside and give up all their personal interests and plans. They would willingly accept and bear affliction and persecution. They were totally and unswervingly committed to the mission entrusted to them. 7. Today, the same identity is ours. The same mission is also ours. Our identity is being servants, prophets, spokesmen, apostles, spiritual fathers and leaders, and precursors with the same implications. Our mission in essence is to bear testimony, to testify to the Lord, that is his own identity and mission. Imperative: The living of our identity and mission becomes possible only by deepening our conviction and passion for the Lord (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2023, 03 JANUARY) Thrust: Know and Testify! Indicative: Those who know God and experience Him, will see Him. Those who see Him will become like Him. Those who become like Him will testify about Him 1. John the Baptist knows and proclaims Jesus as the "Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world". He sees him as the Son of God Who is come to save the world. And he bears witness to him as the Lord and Master. 2. Today, we too are specially called by God to become living testimonies for God. We need to personally know Him and see Him. We need to become "light to the nations", showing the Lord and leading many to Him. 3. Here we note that to know God is not merely intellectual. To see God is not merely perceptual or empirical. The world glorifies itself in its magnitude of knowledge. But the true and highest knowledge is to know God and the height of knowledge of God is to belong to him intimately. 4. Therefore, all such knowledge that is prone to alienate us from God, which is prone to sin and bears no testimony to God's love and power, is only empty knowledge and even evil and harmful. We can testify to the Lord effectively to the extent we ourselves personally and deeply know him and see him, and commit ourselves to show him to many and lead them to him. 5. It implies a profound personal familiarity and connectivity with God in terms of an intimate inseparable relationship. This makes us passionately rooted in God and unflinchingly loyal to Him. 6. This sets us to accompany others, to enlighten and guide them. This is further to lead them constantly to the same intimacy and relationship with the Lord. This mission and commitment do not stop with a mere personal closeness and relationship with God. 7. It also sets us on a journey of following God's ways and values. Concretely, it means to part with sin resolutely, to live righteously like God's children who know him, love him, and live his life, and to bear testimony to him, as did John the Baptist. Imperative: Let us not content and pride ourselves with a magnitude of knowledge but be intent and stride on the rectitude of life. The more we are with God and closer to Him, the more we will be like him.

10-11 JANUARY 2023

10 JANUARY 2023: HEBREWS 2. 5-12; MARK 1. 21-28 Thrust: Authority with a difference! Indicative: The authority of Jesus was something totally different from the rest. This must serve as a challenge and corrective for all against all spirit of deterioration 1. People of Jesus’ time marveled at his teaching because he taught with authority. It was a teaching that was straight and direct. It was not teaching that was rhetoric but authentic. It was not teaching seeking to impress others about himself but impress God’s message and word on their hearts. 2. From where does this authority come? It was an authority rooted in God in a deep spirituality, lived in a life of integrity, based on virtue and value, and shown concretely in benevolence through acts of healing and kindness. 3. Exorcism was a concrete instance of this authority. The cause of his authority is the Spirit and power of God. The effect is cleansing from evil spirits. Thus, Jesus’ authority leads to healing. This healing is not merely an individual act of healing. It is much beyond. It is an act of restoration. 4. What is restored? The lost dignity is restored. The lost freedom and inner liberation is restored. The lost grace is restored. The lost relationships are restored. The lost purity and cleanness of the heart is restored. The lost fraternal bonding is restored. The lost power of God is restored. 5. In other words, Jesus’ authority was an authority that was characterised by humility, obedience to God’s will, and solidarity with others. Any authority that is arrogant, does not obey God’s will, and fails to be concerned and solidary with others, is not a godly authority. 6. Today each one must check upon the quality and direction of our authority. Everyone, in their own way, be it in family, company, or community exercises some kind of authority. But the question is, is it a spiritual, integral, and benevolent authority? Imperative: In a world where there is a degeneration of power and authority, we are summoned to exercise and foster the authority of God and good (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 11 JANUARY) Focus: In a time of degenerating authority, we need to rediscover and recapture the right spirit of authority and learn to exercise the same type 1. It is not a sweeping judgment to say that today authority is getting corrupted. It is becoming synonymous with manipulation, discrimination, and domination. The real spirit of authority which is nobility and dignity of character is corroding. The real purpose of authority which is service and benefit of others is sidelined. 2. It is in this context the word of God is resurging the true authority. True authority is to be seen in terms of spiritual tenacity, moral credibility, and authenticity of life. Jesus was totally united with his Father and spiritually vibrant. He was integral and credible. He was so authentic without any trace of duplicity. This was his real authority and not merely the divine power to work some miracles. This was the authority that made him different and distinct from others in authority. 3. Jesus’ authority was thus holistic, both in words and deeds. That is why he could teach and preach powerfully and also could heal and exorcise authoritatively. This type of authority is a serious warning and challenge to those in authority in our present times. 4. How sadly the authority of today is mostly devoid of spirituality, morality, and authenticity! How many today turn their authority into a tool for self-projection, self-promotion, and self-glory? How much does authority degenerate into a means for subjugating and overpowering others? Direction: Unless the present authority regains that lost touch of spiritual fervor and moral authenticity, it will not be powerful to demolish evil and establish good (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021) Focus: Real authority is not a matter of some external power to dominate and subjugate others, but it is the experience and exercise of a deep interior and spiritual power People find Jesus different from their authorities - the scribes and Pharisees. What distinguishes him from them is his authority in his teaching and acting. But, it is not a formal or juridical authority that derives from a certain office or position. For, Jesus had no such power and authority. But he had tremendous spiritual authority and moral authority. It is an authority that is rooted in his communion with the Father. It is also an authority that blossoms and manifests itself in a sound character and conduct. It is this authority that gives his teaching conviction and clarity, and his acting the power of healing. It is the power of God that is seen in holiness and goodness, in spirituality and integrity, in faith and charity, in devotion and dedication. It is the power that challenges and expels evil powers. It is the power that changes one to God and impels and fosters spiritual energies. Precisely it is this power and authority that was lacking in the Pharisees and scribes but was abounding in Jesus. Hence the difference! It is this spiritual and moral authority that is badly needed today by every follower of Christ. A follower of Christ should be a deeply spiritual and moral person. All the more, those in authority must make sure that their role is not a power-wielding tool, but a grace-building channel. Direction: Preaching eloquently and healing evil spirits are not mere matters of special gifts of the Spirit but are to be marks of authenticity. Spiritual and moral authority is much more important than mere juridical authority 11 JANUARY 2023: HEBREWS 2. 14-18; MARK 1. 29-39 Thrust: Destroy evil! Indicative: God subjects himself to death and rises from it. Thereby he frees us from the clutches of sin 1. Jesus, the Son of God became like one of us. He suffered and was tested like us. Therefore he knows our weaknesses and struggles. He does not condemn us or despise us. He defeated the evil. He brought us freedom and life. 2. Jesus’ ministry is extensive and holistic. It is not limited only to his close ones, like Peter’s mother-in-law but all others in that town. It is not limited only to his place but extends also to other places in the whole of Galilee. 3. His ministry is holistic because it comprises both word and deed. He preaches and heals. It is holistic because it is rooted in his deep communion with the Father. He does not excuse himself from prayer or does not substitute prayer with work, like many. 4. No busyness of his ministry comes on the way of his intimate moments with the Father. Rather he finds time in the early morning. He perfectly integrates prayer with the ministry. Receiving Jesus’ message and healing touch, what must be our approach and response? 5. Peter’s mother-in-law gives us some lesson here. She receives Jesus’ nearness. She is grasped by hand by him. She is helped up. As soon as she gets cured, she begins to serve him. Do we also allow him to near us, touch us by hand, and help us up? Do we also serve him as we are cured? Imperative: Integrity of life and integration of mission are the hallmarks of Jesus. Can we imbibe a little of the same spirit as his torch-bearers? (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022, 12 JANUARY) Focus: When we remain close to God, for sure God will touch and transform us; He will speak to us and empower us to be a prophet in His name, as He did with Samuel 1. This is the whole purpose and content of all our vocation and mission: To stay intimately with the Lord, to listen to him attentively, and to be a prophet of the Lord, set on his mission. This is what Jesus did. The gospel text of today places before us one day in the life of Jesus. This gives us a beautiful summary of all the days of his life. It was one whole of praying, preaching, and healing. These were the essential ingredients of his life and ministry. They were a perfect blend and never in conflict. 2. There was no neglecting one or excluding one because of the other two. They were complementing and supported each other. There was no conflict at all between his personal life and public ministry. One flows into the other. It was a mission-oriented life and life-permeated mission. 3. This harmonious life and mission of Jesus is a great lesson for today where often there is a great tug of war between life and ministry. Often, there is excellence in ministry but indifference, indulgence, and incongruence in life. There is so much activity in ministry but without authenticity in real life. Thus, often the spirit and fact do not correspond with each other. Thus, often there is so much neglect of prayer and moral values in preference to the bundles of activities of the ministry. Direction: Life and ministry are not contradictory but complementary. What we are and what we do must go together. Otherwise, people may appreciate us for the work we do but blame us for the life we live (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021) Focus: God became one of us and one like us in every respect except sin so that he knows our fragility and struggle and comes to our rescue Being deeply sensitive to our misery of bondage, God sends His Son to be like us, to make expiation for our sins. He is able to help us because he himself has suffered and been tempted. The whole ministry of Jesus shows this divine sensitivity and solidarity toward the suffering humanity. He preaches the good news, offering comfort and hope to the downcast. He heals the sick. He liberates those in bondage by driving out demons. He cures Peter's mother-in-law of her fever and cures many of their infirmities. Receiving the gospel and the healing from the Lord, what next? What are our responses and duty? When touched and cured by the Lord, we need to share it with others and serve them. This is what Peter's mother-in-law did and those who got healed by Jesus. The world of today needs so much the gospel of comfort and hope. It stands in need of liberation from many oppressing forces. It needs healing from many contagions. The world needs rediscovery, restoration, and re-integration of the lost energies and the lost beauty and joy of life. Only that is the real effect of Jesus' redemptive mission. Direction: It is not enough that we listen to God's call and are healed but we need to immediately share the same with others in constant sensitivity and service.

BAPTISM OF THE LORD

09 – 14 JANUARY 2023: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 09 JANUARY 2023: BAPTISM OF THE LORD: ISAIAH 42. 1-4, 6-7; ACTS 10. 34-38; MATTHEW 3. 13-17 Thrust: Chosen and committed! Indicative: The feast of the Baptism of the Lord indicates on one hand his commitment to the mission of our salvation and on the other hand our own commitment to live our baptismal consecration 1. Today Jesus is baptised. It is not a mere traditional ritual. It is symbolic. It symbolizes three essential aspects: the purification of sins; Insertion into the chosen fold; and initiation into the mission of repentance and conversion. 2. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”. Firstly, this indicates and confirms Jesus’ identity. Secondly, it indicates the kind of relationship with his Father. He is the beloved Son of the Father. There is an intimate and pleasant relationship between them. 3. All the above-mentioned 3 aspects are clear in Jesus’ baptism. Though sinless, he allows himself to be baptized. Thereby he symbolises our own purification. In our place, he humbles himself, to be counted one among us, the sinful lot. Thus, his baptism shows the utmost need for our purification, the cleansing from sin. 4. His baptism shows that he inserts himself in the chosen fold of God’s people. His baptism incorporates him into our human family. He makes himself a willing sharer in our human reality, especially our sin-infection and the struggle for liberation from it. 5. His baptism is the starting point, the launching pad for his mission. His getting into the water for baptism is getting into the waters of the mission. His being baptized is being sent on the mission of cleansing by repentance and conversion. The voice from heaven affirming Jesus’ belonging to the Father is conferring His Spirit for the God-sent mission. 6. All that is spoken in the first reading and the second very much apply to him. Jesus Christ is the chosen one, well-pleasing to God. God is with him. He is anointed with the Spirit and power. His mission is a mission of justice. There is no partiality but fairness and equity. It is a mission of being a Covenant of the Lord, Light, and Restoration of sight to the blind and freedom to the prisoners and captives. 7. Baptism of the Lord also reminds us of our own vocation and mission. it makes us aware of what we are ad what we are to do. We are chosen. He formed us. He grasped us by the hand. He upholds us. He puts His Spirit upon us. Such is our closeness. 8. But that does not stop or end there. All this is directed to a mission. We are set as a covenant. We are appointed as a light for the nations. We are sent to liberate the people from their different enslavements. Thus all this is to establish the reign of Justice and Liberation. Imperative: We need to live our baptism. It is not merely to recollect the ritual. It is to re-live our baptismal consecration, that is to repent, be converted and to transform many others (REFLECTION 2) The Baptism of the Lord outlines four aspects: A. Indicates the radical mission of Jesus B. Such a mission is rooted in his communion with the Father C. Initiates his mission D. Reminds our own baptismal consecration and mission 1. The event of the baptism of Jesus indicates his “radical mission”, which is a mission of salvation or redemption. Originally, in the Biblical context, savior or redeemer connotes the idea of one who acts on behalf of or in favour of someone in slavery or in debt, or who is a victim of injustice. Accordingly, a redeemer renders justice by winning over the opponent, or relieving or liberating, by a ransom. In fact, the English term “redeem” evidently means to “make one deemed again”, or to restore the lost dignity. Thus, Jesus undertakes this mission of salvation or redemption from a situation of misery and bondage. 2. So, Jesus’ mission implies an unending story of God’s mercy and compassion toward humanity, which is a victim and slave of sin. It implies his condescending forgiveness of their sins. Further, it also indicates their liberation. This is done through his identification with them, his solidarity with them, and his expiation for them by self-immolation. 3. Now, how this mission is denoted by his baptism? Baptism was needed for those who are beset by sin, who need conversion, forgiveness, and purification. But, Jesus, the Son of God, did not need to be baptised, because he is sinless. But still, he allows himself to be baptised because he keeps himself in our place, he carries our burden of sin, he shares our human weakness, and he gets into solidarity with us in our human situation of fragility. 4. His baptism confirms his communion with the Father, in which his mission is rooted. The obvious signs and testimonies of this communion are: the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the attestation of the Father from heaven, “You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased”. 5. Jesus’ baptism initiates his “concrete mission”, which manifests itself in preaching and healing. This is a holistic mission, viz. of heart, word, and deed, namely, conversion of heart, announcing the good news in word, and healing in deed. His baptism marks the beginning of his ministry. So, on receiving baptism, Jesus immediately plunges into his relentless Kingdom-mission. 6. Jesus’ baptism reminds us of our own baptism and challenges us to renew and live our baptismal consecration. Our baptism is not merely a ritual or a tradition. It is an insertion into the very life of Jesus. It is incorporation into the mystical body of Christ, the community of the Church. It is an imitation and resemblance of Christ. It is consecration to God. This can imply four aspects: We belong to God; we are totally owned/possessed by God; we remain loyal to God and His kingdom; we bear witness to Jesus and his values, through sharing in his own mission 7. What does the baptism of Jesus mean for us today? Is it only a commemoration of a past event in the life of Jesus or the history of the church? Is it only an instance that marks the start of Jesus’ mission? How does this feast summon us to “be daily baptised”, i.e. be charged and animated by the Holy Spirit and fire? How do we constantly strive to grow into the person and life of our Master? How do we grow into spiritual and fraternal communion with the community of the Church? How are we loyal and committed partakers and perpetuators of the same mission of Jesus, which is liberation and integration?

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 2023

EPIPHANY 2023, 08 JANUARY: ISAIAH 60. 1-6; EPH 3. 2-3a; MATTHEW 2. 1-12 Thrust: God reveals! Indicative: God revealed Himself in many different ways in course of history. But when the fullness of time had come, He had revealed Himself in and through His own Son, Jesus Christ 1. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany comes from the Greek word that means “to reveal”. It is the day of God’s revelation. In fact, on the day of Christmas itself, God reveals Himself in His Incarnate Son as the Saviour. But Epiphany marks a special and unique day of God’s revelation. It is on that day the three kings or magi or wise men from the East come and pay homage to him. Thus, God reveals and manifests His divine glory to the whole universe symbolised by the three magi. 2. Epiphany as God’s revelation indicates that God’s salvation through the Incarnation of His Son is open to all. It does not exclude or discriminate against anyone. Though He is born in a particular place and at a particular time, His grace is not limited or conditioned, or restricted. 3. In this sense, Epiphany is a strong caution against all the exclusive, discriminatory and sectarian tendencies and attempts to promote and perpetuate divisions and discriminations, hatred, and hostility, in the name of God and religion. God is not a “private property” of anyone. His grace is for all. His revelation and manifestation cannot be “domesticated” or “barricaded”. Religion is not a prohibited territory where God is safely protected or bound! 4. Thus, Epiphany is a clarion call against all senseless religious fanaticism, and communal violence. It is absurd that some frenzy and highly inflated people claim themselves to be “religious” and act irreligiously. They degenerate into inhuman cruelty inflicting untold violence on others. They install themselves as self-appointed and self-proclaimed ‘saviours’ and ‘protectors’ of God Himself. Who makes them petty “gods” over God Himself? 5. In fact, God’s revelation has not yet reached and touched these people. In the name of disclosing God to others, they are only closing God’s grace. These are exactly like king Herod in the gospel. When he hears about the birth of the Messiah, he is disturbed and agitated. He regards the newborn king of hearts as a threat to his throne. He plots evil to terminate the incarnate God. 6. In contrast, today this celebration of Epiphany invites us to think and act like the three magi. They were truly wise. They see in him the Saviour and Liberator of the world. They long to encounter him personally. They use human resources like intelligence, knowledge, scriptures, astronomy, et cetera to discern and discover his presence. 7. Their spirit of yearning, search, and determination is such that they undertake a challenging journey. They are also docile to accept God’s “special assistance” in the form of a star. God’s ways are so caring that the star guides them to the incarnate Saviour. Commendable is their humility and surrender that they kneel before the Lord and pay homage to him. 8. Their human effort was richly rewarded. They could encounter the Saviour of the world. It was a rare grace and privilege that was not granted to many around him itself. Imperative: Like the three wise men, we are also called to constantly journey toward God in a spirit of search and surrender. Only such a spirit would lead us to a personal encounter and loyalty to God (REFLECTION 2) 1. Epiphany means “manifestation”. The Festivity of Epiphany, also popularly known as the Feast of three Kings (Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar), celebrates the revelation of God in His Son as human in Jesus Christ. The six Sundays which follow Epiphany are known as the time of manifestation. 2. God reveals His Son already to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. But that manifestation is not limited only to them, or only to those moments, or confined only to Bethlehem. Thus God born in a manger manifests Himself to the three kings or wise men from far. 3. God who is beyond all space and time, God whom no space or time can confine or contain, Himself traversed from heaven to earth, not for a tiny place or for a short moment. His grace and salvation are universal, for all, for all times. Salvation embraces all and always. While Incarnation is the first instance of divine manifestation, the visitation of the three kings becomes the second instance of divine manifestation. 4. This is the first point to understand and believe on the day of Epiphany: God’s grace is unconditioned. It has no boundaries or discriminations. His grace is open and manifested to all. How unfortunate it is that some try to put blocks or restrictions even to God’s grace and salvation! What an irony it is, that we who are limited, try to limit the limitless grace of God! How often many try to choke, suffocate and stifle God’s grace, owing to money, power, position, status, and prestige! 5. As God manifests His plan of salvation, in His Son, He awaits a response from the human part. The three kings by their visit, respond to this manifestation. This visit as a response is marked by some essential features: 1) They earnestly obtain knowledge about him - his birth, his location, his nature, through all available sources, like science and scriptures 2) They yearn profoundly to see him directly 3) They set out on an engaging journey in search of him 4) They trust and rely on help from above, in the form of a star 5) They allow themselves to be guided by the star 6) They travel far and difficult 7) They reach the Saviour 8) They humble themselves before the mighty God, in surrender and adoration 9) They offer gifts, symbolic of his nature – Gold, representing Jesus’ royal standing (royalty), Frankincense, his divine birth (divinity), and Myrrh, his mortality (humanity) 6. Today, for us, who celebrate this Feast, the message and the invitation are too clear: First of all, be convinced of the all-embrace of God’s grace. Never put boundaries to grace, neither for self nor for others. “The wind blows where it wills”. God wants to grace to all. And everyone needs God’s grace and salvation. Grace cannot be discriminated against or manipulated, on the basis of human divisions or calculations, or prejudices. We have to go beyond the barriers of space and time, to meet the Lord who is beyond space and time. We have to enlarge our mental horizons to receive the salvation which is for all. 7. Then, follow the example of the three kings, and travel the same route of responding to God’s epiphany and encountering Him. Some simple reflections and questions: 1) How much do we try to know about Him, gaining more knowledge and familiarity, through science and scripture, through many sources that are readily available at our disposal? How little is the interest and knowledge of God, in contrast to the immense interest and knowledge of the secular world? 2) How shallow and thin-layered is our desire and longing to see Him directly and personally? Often it is due to a lack of motivation that we fail to see and experience Him. As long as we are bound by indifference and tepidity, we cannot go beyond our self-bounds to the unbounded Lord who abounds in love and mercy. 3) Do we set out constantly in search of Him to find Him? Are we consistent and persistent in our efforts to discover His will, and His plans, in action for our good? 4) Are we too confident, over-reliant, and complacent, on account of our own human capacities and worldly resources, that we neglect to rely on the help and “signs from above” – the star? 5) Are we humble and docile enough to allow ourselves to be guided by God’s signs and ways? 6) How is our journey of faith and charity? Are we ready, prepared, and persevering to continue our travel, though far and difficult? 7) How many occasions and experiences can we really count, to acclaim sincerely that we reached the Saviour, that we are in his presence, that we encounter him? 8) How often our pride and arrogance makes us “stiff and erect” that we are not able to bend before the Lord in surrender and adoration? True adoration is not so much a bowed head, but a bent heart, not a lowered body, but a humble spirit. 9) What are our gifts to the Lord? – Is it the Gold of our loyalty to his royalty? Is it the Frankincense of our surrender to his divinity? Is it the Myrrh of our amiability before the ineffable affability of his humanity?

2-7 th January 2023

02 – 07 JANUARY 2023: HOLY MASS REFLECTIONS 02 JANUARY 2023, 1 Jn 2. 22-28; Jn 1. 19-28 Thrust: Humility and Honesty! Indicative: The world will always try in different ways to deceive us and deviate us from God and truth. In such a context, let us be convinced that as long as we remain in God, nothing can deceive us. 1. We live in a world that is prone to lie, falsity and wrong. It is resentful and resistant toward truth and right. It constantly assails us and allures us with many temptations. They try to deceive and detract us in subtle and disguised ways. Often the temptation for ego- projection, and self-glory is very strong. 2. This is what confronted John the Baptist as well. There was a clear alluring possibility to present himself as the awaited Messiah. The people were already impressed by him and were quite disposed to accept him as the Messiah. Thus it was a bright prospect for him to enjoy cheap popularity. 3. But he resists and overcomes this bait for self-glory. He stands before us as a noble example of humility and honesty. In all honesty and humility, he denies such presumptions and truthfully confirms his role as the messenger and precursor who announces and prepares the way of the Lord. He identifies himself as the mere voice of a messenger in the desert. He confesses that he is not worthy to untie the sandal strap of the Messiah. 4. What a difference and example! Usually, many desperately seek recognition and popularity. They will try every possible means even false and wrong to become and stay popular. But here is one who is riding on popularity but who is humble, honest, and courageous enough to deny the false identities and present his real identity. 5. Even though he knows that he may lose his fame and importance, he discards the false garbs. It is because he is clear and convinced that being truthful is more important than being important. Believe in the truth, abide in him and do what is right - this is the simple route to a faithful life. This was his identity and mission! Imperative: What is really important is to be truthful and faithful, and this is possible only by being humble and docile. This is the only and the right way of being great and important 03 JANUARY 2023: 1 JOHN 2.29 – 3.6; JOHN 1. 29-34 Thrust: Know and Testify! Indicative: Those who know God and experience Him, will see Him. Those who see Him will become like Him. Those who become like Him will testify about Him 1. John the Baptist knows and proclaims Jesus as the "Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world". He sees him as the Son of God Who is come to save the world. And he bears witness to him as the Lord and Master. 2. Today, we too are specially called by God to become living testimonies for God. We need to personally know Him and see Him. We need to become "light to the nations", showing the Lord and leading many to Him. 3. Here we note that to know God is not merely intellectual. To see God is not merely perceptual or empirical. The world glorifies itself in its magnitude of knowledge. But the true and highest knowledge is to know God and the height of knowledge of God is to belong to him intimately. 4. Therefore, all such knowledge that is prone to alienate us from God, which is prone to sin and bears no testimony to God's love and power, is only empty knowledge and even evil and harmful. We can testify to the Lord effectively to the extent we ourselves personally and deeply know him and see him, and commit ourselves to show him to many and lead them to him. 5. It implies a profound personal familiarity and connectivity with God in terms of an intimate inseparable relationship. This makes us passionately rooted in God and unflinchingly loyal to Him. 6. This sets us to accompany others, to enlighten and guide them. This is further to lead them constantly to the same intimacy and relationship with the Lord. This mission and commitment do not stop with a mere personal closeness and relationship with God. 7. It also sets us on a journey of following God's ways and values. Concretely, it means to part with sin resolutely, to live righteously like God's children who know him, love him, and live his life, and to bear testimony to him, as did John the Baptist. Imperative: Let us not content and pride ourselves with a magnitude of knowledge but be intent and stride on the rectitude of life. The more we are with God and closer to Him, the more we will be like him. 04 JANUARY 2023: 1 JOHN 3. 7-10; JOHN 1. 35-42 Thrust: What are you Looking for? Indicative: There is a frantic search in the life of many. But many are not clear and sure of what they are searching for. We need a searching and attentive spirit to discover God's presence. 1. John the Baptist knew Jesus to be the Lamb of God that carries the whole burden of sin in humanity. Accordingly, he directs the attention of two of his disciples to Jesus. Here in him, we see a true leader and guide. He could dispossess even his own followers. He does not keep his followers vehemently as his own possession but rightfully guides them to the greatest source of life. 2. Immediately, the two disciples leave him and follow Jesus. It is not an act of instability or defection in disloyalty, as found abundantly in today's many followers. Rather, it shows their spirit of search for what is true and higher. 3. They were not such followers who blindly cling to John the Baptist. They would also not easily desert their loyalty with self-interested calculations. They just want to discover personally who is Jesus. They have the openness and eagerness to set themselves in search of him. 4. They stay with him and experience him. They discover something profound. They discover the Messiah in Jesus. Their search was meaningful and successful. They found what they were searching for. In fact, they find more than what they wanted to find. 5. They wanted to know where Jesus was staying. But they experience the person with whom they stayed. It is more than a discovery of a place or the whereabouts of a great man. This is a deeper transition and journey. Their experience goes beyond the place to the person. 6. Still, they do not stop there. Those who truly and personally experience Jesus cannot but share it with others. They share the same experience with others and bring them also to Jesus. Andrew brings his brother Peter also to the Lord. Imperative: True loyalty is never a blind adherence to anything lower and false but a willing search and commitment to the higher and the true. For a follower of Christ, the highest discovery is the Lord himself (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2021, 17 JANUARY) Progression of the journey of discipleship. There is a clear progression and maturation in Andrew’s discipleship. 1. (Verse 35): “Already placed in an initial situation of discipleship”: Andrew was already introduced to the way of discipleship, by having been a disciple of John the Baptist. He was being taught and guided in the conditions and principles of discipleship by John the Baptist. Similarly, a disciple need not always directly and immediately encounter Jesus, know him and follow him. He may be gradually led to Jesus. Discipleship is a progressive ascent, and one should not unduly desire sudden growth and full-scale following. 2. (Verses 36-37): “Led by others, led to Jesus”: At the sight of Jesus passing by, John the Baptist declares, “Look, the Lamb of God!” This is both a simple vocative address of an invitation to draw attention to Jesus and is also a confirmation of Jesus’ identity as the Lamb of God, who carries upon himself the burden of the sins of humanity, in their place and on their behalf. Therefore, an initial disciple is to fix his attention on Jesus who is the Lamb of God. John the Baptist, himself a noble disciple who walks the way of the Lord, like a true disciple does not let the focus fixed on him; rather he shifts the attention of his disciples toward Jesus. This is the nature and the duty of a good disciple: never keeping himself as the centre of attraction or point of focus but with all self-detachment, lead all to Jesus, the real centre and goal of focus. Andrew too like a good well-disposed disciple, he “hears” the attestation of John the Baptist, “looks at Jesus” as asked by the Baptist, and “followed Jesus”. In his discipleship, a disciple may need many to show him Jesus, teach the truth about him, and to lead him to Jesus. There is nothing wrong to take the mediation, guidance, and help of others in his knowing and getting closer to Jesus. At times it can happen that some initial disciples, in their self-complacency refuse to seek and accept the help of others, and at times even may not admit that they were helped by others in their following Jesus. However, this initial following is imperfect because still there is not yet any personal knowledge, experience, intimacy, and commitment to Jesus. This is more a setting on the journey of discipleship in the spirit of searching to know the Lord personally. It is a search for a deeper way of discipleship. 3. (Verse 38): “A spirit of searching to know where the Master stays”: Seeing the two disciples following him, Jesus asks them, “What are you looking for?” and they answer, “Where are you staying?” Jesus’ question and their question in answer indicate the true spirit of discipleship. A true disciple should be constantly in search, looking for the Master. When a disciple ceases to search and to explore, he ceases to progress and mature in his journey. Andrew and the other disciple were not sure and clear of Jesus’ abode, but they were clear and sure of one thing: they wanted to know it. The desire to know where Jesus stayed was not a mere matter of a location, a place of his stay. It is rather indicative of his life situation. Therefore, the question of the disciples was rather a question to see at first hand the life condition, and the ambience of Jesus’ way of life. How many disciples of today really know what they are looking for? First of all, is there that motivation, that spirit of search to know the Lord from close? How many disciples are really interested to get more and more familiar with the way of life of Jesus? Is it not true that the way some of the present disciples live, without sense of purpose and direction, as if they are groping in the dark, shows that they do not really know what and who they are following? 4. (Verse 39): “Go, see and stay with Jesus”: Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ query about his place of stay was, “Come and see”. As an instant response, they go, they see where he stayed and stayed with him. This is a fundamental requirement for any disciple’s progress in following Jesus. They should constantly hearken to the call of Jesus, “come and see”. One who goes and sees where Jesus is, cannot but stay with him. Every day, a disciple of Jesus must go to Jesus, see him intimately, and spend time with him. He must personally experience Jesus. He must share the same life situation of Jesus. It is not a picnic for site-seeing. It is an invitation for a personal encounter and communion. How many pay heed to the ceaseless invitation of Jesus, “come and see”? How sad it is that this invitation is totally drained of its essential content and unceasing call, and is reduced only to the initial stages of formation, the so-called “come and see” program and stage? After that stage, where do the disciples go and what do they see? Is staying in the formation house, or in the parish or convent, or for that matter even a family, really a staying with Jesus? Speaking in terms of regularity to the church-going or fidelity to prayer and spiritual devotions, how many followers of Jesus bother to go to the church, stay a while in the intimate presence of Jesus and participate in the spiritual moments of Word and Sacrament? 5. (Verse 41): “Finding the Messiah, the Christ”: Having gone, seen and stayed with Jesus, Andrew declares to Simon Peter, his brother, “We have found the Messiah”. He experienced something profound and personal. Closeness with Jesus touched him. He was deeply affected by the person and life of Jesus. He could not keep it for himself. The power of Jesus’ experience was so overwhelming that he could not but share it with others. He would not wait or delay for long. That is why “early the next morning”, he found his brother and confessed to him his personal discovery. A disciple’s being with Jesus must lead him to a personal discovery of the Lord as the Saviour. It should deepen his knowledge and conviction about the Master. Years and years of frequenting the church or participating in different sacraments, and hours and hours of staying with the Lord, bundles, and bundles of prayers and spiritual activities – whether all these have led us to find the Lord? Why is it that still many disciples are living lives which are clearly untouched by the Saviour, as if they have not yet met Christ, as if they are still strangers to him? How many disciples today can honestly and confidently say, “We have found the Messiah”? 6. (Verse 42): Following Jesus personally and leading others too to Jesus”: Andrew “brought Simon” as well to Jesus. A true disciple who follows Jesus is not content with his own following the Lord, but in zealous to bring others as well to Jesus to follow him. Discipleship is a discovery of the immense treasure of the Lord but is not limited only to the individual. The personal communion with the Lord is so intensive that it becomes so extensive, striving passionately to extend the embrace of the Lord far and wide, to one and many. There is something basically wrong when the devotion or the spiritual fervour of a disciple becomes more of a private enterprise and does not seek to include and extend to others. A disciple who cares only to maintain and promote himself as a disciple and does not feel concerned to lead others and help them grow in their spiritual journey is rather dubious. In fact, this is the last mission mandate of Jesus at his departure from the earth: “Go therefore and make disciples from all nations” (Mt 28. 19). How many disciples of the Lord today bring others closer to Jesus? Whether they are leading others to the Lord or misleading them away from the Lord? 05 JANUARY 2023: 1 JOHN 3. 11-21; JOHN 1. 43-51 Thrust: Love and Live! Indicative: Those who love, live by God’s own life. Love is life-giving and life-saving. Hatred is life-destroying. Therefore those who hate, do not live in God and they are dead 1. Jesus calls Philip, “Follow me”, and he follows him. The following of Jesus is like a burning fire that spreads its heat to others also. So Philip finds Nathanael and shares with him that he had found the Messiah, awaited and foretold by the prophets. It is Jesus of Nazareth. 2. Nathanael does not hide his apprehension, stating, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Still, at the invitation of Philip, “Come and see”, he proceeds to meet Jesus. Here we can appreciate openness of Nathanael. He is not clung to or closed within his preconceived idea about the Messiah. 3. This is already an essential ingredient of faith. Such openness can come only from a heart without duplicity and guile. At the encounter with Jesus, this is the compliment he receives from Jesus, “Here is a child of Israel in whom there is no malice”. Indeed, the biggest and the best compliment that one can receive and that too from Jesus. 4. The encounter is not a casual meeting. It becomes transformative. Nathanael confesses his total faith in Jesus, saying, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel”. He too becomes a disciple of Christ. 5. Encounter with Jesus and personal experience of him cannot but transform the person. For that transformation, a guileless heart becomes a pre-requisite. And loving others becomes the effect and fruit of it. This is a quite valid process and journey. 6. In love, Jesus died for our sake and gave us life. Therefore, whoever believes and loves Jesus will certainly have his life. This life will manifest itself in sharing the same love and life with others. One cannot love Jesus and live in him but remain without loving others. Those who hate others are destroying the life of Christ and thus they become murderers. Imperative: The beauty of Christian faith and devotion is that it necessarily leads to charity and dedication concerning others. In fact, love for others becomes even the proof and testimony of faith in Christ. 06 JANUARY 2023: 1 JOHN 5. 5-13; LUKE 3. 23-38 Thrust: God in history! Indicative: God becomes man. He is born into our human history. He shares in our human lineage. Thereby, his divinity is humanised and our humanity is divinised 1. God gives us eternal life and this life is in His Son. Whoever believes and abides in the Son will obtain this life. To give us this life, the Son shares our human life becoming one of us. The eternal God takes upon himself the temporary human flesh. He inserts himself into our human history. He becomes part of a genealogy, narrated painstakingly in today’s gospel of Luke. 2. The detailed listing of the genealogy is an authentic indicative of God’s condescending love for us and His eternal plan of salvation through the incarnation of His only Son. This is an essential tenet of faith to believe in: that the Son of God has incarnated himself as Jesus of Nazareth in the human womb of the virgin Mary. 3. This is something so great and worth-rejoicing. Just imagine that God Himself is born as one of us! Thereby our sin-tainted humanity is certainly elevated. This exaltation takes place already at incarnation itself and thereafter during his life struggle. And at the end of his earthly life reaches its climax and peak in the sacrifice on the cross and the victorious resurrection. 4. As John attests in the first reading, God Himself bears testimony to this truth. Wherever God steps in, it gets transformed. God enters our human history and so it becomes sacred and salvation history. He comes and walks on the earth and it becomes a pilgrim land and abode. He puts on human flesh and nature and they become divinised. 5. The genealogy shows the divine encounter with the human. His sharing in our humanity is not a limitation or restriction on the infinitude of his divinity. Rather, it can be seen as an explicit explication of perfection. He shares that very humanity that he himself has created. The very fact that he subjects himself to time and space is not again an imperfection. Rather, it shows his perfection to make himself part of the imperfection without losing his intrinsic perfection. 6. The variety of names in the genealogy is composed of persons with their own inadequacies. This again shows us that in God’s eternal plan, nothing is despicable or discriminated. Though as a human, he may be confined to a place and time. But as the incarnate Saviour, he is not bound by any category because his salvation is for all. Imperative: We are destined for the life in eternity. We have access to this through the incarnation of the Son of God. And we will possess this life when we believe him and live in him 07 JANUARY 2023: 1 JOHN 5. 14-21; JOHN 2. 1-11 Thrust: God hears! Indicative: We are living in a world that is predominantly under the power of evil. For sure we will be attacked and disturbed. But as long as we belong to God and adhere to Him, evil shall not strike us down 1. In the gospel, we have the miracle of the wedding in Cana. When the wine ran short, Jesus intervenes at the mediation of the Mother Mary and changes water into wine. As we are just at the beginning of the New Year, this miracle can be a great assurance and comfort in our journey in the new year. 2. Four aspects can be highlighted: our own life situation; the power of Mary’s intercession and mediation; Jesus’ intervention and transformation and our response and cooperation to God’s action. 3. The wedding at Cana is very symbolic of our own life situation. We too come across similar experiences. There will be moments of scarcity and lack. Our resources will run out. Our efforts will fall short. There will be pressing situations of fear, problem, uncertainty, failure and disgrace, shame and dishonor. 4. In such situations, Mary comes to our rescue. There is a sense of sensitivity, solidarity, and remedy toward the wedding family. She senses their problem even without being told. She anticipates their need even before being requested. She becomes one with them. She feels their difficulty. She takes the initiative to remedy their problem-situation. 5. She turns to Jesus. She recommends and pleads on their behalf. She has the freedom, confidence, and intimacy to approach her beloved Son. She does not seek self-recognition. She is not attention-seeking. Rather, she turns everyone’s attention to Jesus. She directs the servants to do what the Lord tells them to do. 6. The power of her intercession and mediation is great. Jesus loves her and respects her. So he does not reject her request. He anticipates his “hour” just for her sake. He intervenes in their desperate situation. He changes water into wine. It is not just a miraculous happening. There is Restoration and transformation. Honour and dignity are restored. Scarcity is replaced by Abundance. There is a solution in the place of the problem. Fear and uncertainty turn into confidence and assurance. Failure is changed into success. 7. There is also something to be done on our part. We need to “fill the jars with water to the brim”. This is highly suggestive. The jars with water stand for our life with their human capacities, resources, and efforts. God is certainly willing to intervene and transform our life situations. But he wants our human cooperation. That too, he wants to the brim, in full measures. He wants us to cooperate with His grace to the best and the maximum. Imperative: Many problems and fears may continue to haunt and torment us in the New Year too. But we need not be worried too much. Because we have the sweetest Mother Mary to intercede for us and mediate on our behalf. Jesus is always there to intervene and change our life situations for the better

NEW YEAR 2023

THE NEW YEAR 2023 REFLECTION Thrust: Newness with new breath! Indicative: We enter another New Year. Anything new brings a lot of excitement and freshness. And we have every reason 1. At last, we made it. We could step into another New Year. We could sail over storms and strong winds. We could cut across mountain-like boundaries and barriers. We could walk ahead along the rugged and hindered road. We reached the new shore, the new station 2023. 2. The very fact that we have made it despite the fears, challenges, uncertainties, and vicissitudes, is a thing to rejoice about. That we are able to see the dawn of a new year in the history of our life, is something great and worth-celebrating. 3. At this point, I place before you a few indicators for our journey 2023: Gratitude, Certitude, Plenitude, Rectitude, and Beatitude. The entry into the new year must well up within us a deep sense of gratitude to God. It is only because of His love, care, mercy, light, and power that we are in 2023. 4. How right is the psalmist in psalm 227: If the Lord does not build the house, in vain the labourers labour. If the Lord does not guard, in vain the guards keep vigil. Yes, if the mercy of God does not flow on us, in vain will all our efforts and plans be. 5. So we shall thank God and we shall remain ever grateful to Him all through. Along with God, let us also be thankful to every person that accompanied us along the journey of 2022. There are so many that directly or indirectly supported us, sustained our steps, and strengthened our efforts in one way or another. 6. The more we nurture a grateful spirit, the more life will be joyful. Because gratitude is not merely a matter of listing the favours received or great things enjoyed. Real gratitude is a blend of faith, love, and hope. 7. One can be grateful to God because he believes in God, trusts in His goodness, and cultivates faith in good. A faithless heart can never be grateful because it does not see and recognise the good. 8. One becomes grateful because he sees with love. He sees the presence and action of love. He sees the power and effect of love. Experiences of love lead to real gratitude. Gratitude is nothing but rejoicing over the beauty of love. 9. A grateful heart is also deeply hopeful. Hope renews our aspirations and expectations, dreams and ambitions. Hope instills new vision, vistas, and horizons. Hope commits us to new efforts, new initiatives, and new challenges. Hope recharges us with new vigour and energies. 10. Thus, true hope is something divine and lofty. It is not merely wishing good and aspiring high. Hope is essentially a benevolent spirit that perseveres and travels ahead and beyond. So true gratitude arises only because of such hopefulness. 11. Then, the new year becomes new because of certitude. True it is that problems and difficulties will not totally disappear. Fears and worries will not completely leave us. But certitude leads us ahead. We are sure and certain that God will never abandon us. 12. In the light of today’s naming of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary, we are sealed in the most sacred name of Jesus. We are safe and secure in his powerful name. No harm or evil can befall us and knock us off because we are entrusted to the divine maternity of Mary. We are assured of God’s grace. 13. New Year is new because of the plenitude and plentitude of blessings. That is what the first reading from the book of Numbers proclaims and promises. Evil may abound but grace will superabound. Fears may assai but confidence will prevail. Failures may pull us down but successes will raise us up. 14. Disappointments may trouble us but reinforcements will console us. Darkness may surround us but rays of light will abound around us. Falsities may frighten us but truth will lighten and enlighten us. Confusions may blur us but clarity and insight of the Spirit will clear our path. resentments and hatred may distress us but love and compassion will redress and fortress us. 15. Aggression and violence may knock us down but meekness and tolerance will unlock the streams of peace and serenity. Selfishness may strike us hard but selfless generosity will hike us aboard. Pride and arrogance may throw us down but humility and magnanimity will row us up. Anger and fury may disturb our spirits but patience and gentleness will give us superb solace. 16. New year is a call for a new life of rectitude. Think right, speak night, act right. Then all will be alright. Then life will turn into a beatitude for others. We not only give blessings to others. Rather, we ourselves will become blessings to others. Imperative: With genuine gratitude, selfless surrender, and undying hopefulness, we shall walk ahead, sheltered under the wings of the sacred name of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary. (REFLECTION 2 FROM 2022) Focus: The New Year that we step in opens up for us new avenues with new hope and assurance, with renewed confidence and courage, for God is with us 1. We are stepping into another new year. At these first moments of the new year, let us first warm ourselves with a warm sentiment of gratitude for the whole of the last year. No doubt that it had its own woes and struggles. But it shall not blind us to the positive and the blessings. 2. There are very many things to thank God and others for. The experiences of God’s protection, care, love, guidance, nourishment, and power that gave us the taste of success, satisfaction, joy, and strength have been constant and deep. The experiences of the goodness of others through concern and support are too numerous. We have many reasons to be grateful. The very fact that we are able to celebrate this New Year is a clear sign of God’s blessing. 3. Of course, we want to be realistic. The New Year is not a magical rod that will vanquish all fears and problems. It will be foolish to think so. Most of the same old challenges and burdens will travel into the New Year as well. But, what makes the difference is when we carry God also into the New Year along with all these. 4. At the threshold of this New Year, we are assured of God’s company and blessing. We hear in the first reading from the book of Numbers, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace”. 5. This blessing by God is symbolised by celebrating the naming of Jesus and the Motherhood of Mary. Thereby we are assured that the New Year will be blessed because we are sealed and shielded by the powerful name of Jesus. We shall march forward and surge ahead because we walk in his holy name and under his sacred tutelage. The name and the power of Jesus shall be our identity, our guide, and direction, our weapon, and our security. 6. Further, we are entrusted to the motherhood of Mary. All our New Year shall be specially mothered by her. She will take care of us with a mother’s tenderness. She will direct us closer to her divine Son. She will obtain forgiveness for our faults and wrongs. She will obtain for us the needed graces to live authentically and fruitfully. Direction: All that is needed to experience the newness of life in the New Year is to be constantly aware of the dignity of our vocation as the sons and daughters of God, to find him in the manger of our hearts, and surrender our lives to the holy name of Jesus and the sweet mothering of Mary (REFLECTION 3 FROM 2021) Focus: We begin the new year, filled with gratitude and geared by hope and vigor. Newness is not the absence and total vanishing of all the old problems but is a new way of looking at them, and approaching them 1. Another year! A new year, full of aspirations and visions. Lots of plans and programs on the slate. Certainly, we hope for the better and we must. The reason for our hope and confidence is God. As we venerate Mary as the Mother of God and celebrate her divine maternity, as we celebrate the naming of Jesus, we entrust ourselves to them. 2. We are assured of the maternal affection and guidance of Mary, and the security and power of Jesus. With the Mother holding the responsibility for us and entrusting us to the safest and most powerful name of Jesus, we can always hope against hope. We can always do better than before. 3. Perhaps the reality may not change much. Perhaps the same fears and problems will persist. But what can change and make difference is our attitude, our approach, and handling. Newness is all about a new heart, renewed attitude and values, and approach. What is old in the biblical sense must change. That old man, that old nature, that old garb, that old leaven must cease (cf. Eph 4. 19f). Our old spirit of ingratitude, of pride, of jealousy, of selfishness, of the loose tongue, of impatience, of insincerity, of crookedness, of revenge and grudge, of aggression and hurt, of greed, the indifference of unconcern – only to mention a few – these must change. 4. Therefore, naming the Lord, Motherhood of Mary, which we celebrate in these first moments of the new year, clearly gives us the greatest courage and hope. In the name of the Lord, accompanied by his powerful name and power, cared for and guided by the Mother’s love, we are safe, secure, and serene. Direction: Nothing can take away our hope as long as we are with God. The new year is the greatest assurance that God will never fail us. Safe, secure, and serene shall we be when we surrender ourselves to God (REFLECTION 4) Focus: Safe, secure, and serene shall we be when we surrender ourselves to God 1. Every New Year brings us new aspirations, new expectations, new hopes, and new plans. The previous year might have left back its own fears and challenges. But life can go ahead and become beautiful only when it is hopeful. The more one loses hope, the more life becomes tasteless, meaningless, miserable, and energyless. Of course, certainly, life has no guarantees, and it is full of uncertainties and adversities. 2. What is it that injects and instills new hope and energy into us, despite and in the midst of all perplexities? It is trust in God, surrendering to His holy name, and entrusting to the divine motherhood of the Blessed Mary. At this entry into the New Year on this first day, we are invited to trust in God and entrust to His care through Jesus' holy name and Mary's maternal affection and guidance. For sure we will be blessed and strengthened. Direction: We thank the Lord for His love and mercy, in which He has benevolently sailed us to another new year. We shall surrender and entrust ourselves and all that worries us as well as all that ignites us. With God beside us, no harm can betide us!

CHRISTMAS - MEANINGFUL REFLECTION

*✝️ REFLECTION CAPSULES FOR THE DAY – _Dec 25, 2022: Sunday_* *"Making our hearts a 'place of party' to celebrate God's love and mercy!"* *(Based on the Solemnity of Christmas - the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, _Cycle A)_* Tony Campolo, an American author in his book, “The Kingdom of God is a party” narrates a heart-touching experience… One, very early morning, Tony sat in a cafe. >> As he was drinking coffee at the counter, a group of prostitutes walked in and took up the stools around him. One of the girls, Agnes, lamented the fact that not only was it her birthday tomorrow but that she never had a birthday party in life. >> Tony thought it would be a great idea to surprise Agnes with a birthday party! He got the necessary information from the café owner that the girls came in every morning around 3:30 am. >> They both agreed to set up the place for a party - a surprise birthday party for Agnes! Word somehow got out on the street, so that by 3:15 the next morning the place was packed with prostitutes, the cafe owner and his wife, and Tony. When Agnes walked in she saw… … banners and balloons; the Café Owner holding a birthday cake ... and everyone screaming out “Happy Birthday!” Agnes was overwhelmed with deep emotions! >> She was stunned and shaken >> Her friend grabbed her arm to steady her Tears poured down her face as the crowd continued to sing “Happy Birthday to you….” It was a party that was hard to believe… … a party that celebrated Love - inviting all to know that God wants everyone to come to His Heart of Love! … a party that celebrated Mercy - acceptance of human beings as images of the Loving God! Am I willing to make my heart a “place of party” to celebrate love and mercy… … by accepting the unwanted, the rejected and the lonely? … by sharing the precious gifts of God’s Mercy and Love to all? Christmas is the beautiful feast of God becoming man, and hosting “a Divine Party - celebrating His Love and Mercy!” Christmas is the holy and happy day when we celebrate the coming of God’s Son into the world - the incarnation of God (Cf. Jn 1:14)… … celebrating His intense and saving love for us (Cf. Jn 3:16) St Mathew presents the narration of the Birth of Christ with the account of the genealogy of Christ (Cf. Mt 1:1-17) This is one of the passages of the Bible that many of us tend to skim through or altogether skip it! >> The very long list of hard-to-pronounce names; the mention of some dubious personalities; the lack of awareness of the lives of many of those persons… … all of these may cause us to “omit the reading and reflection” of the Genealogy! But St Matthew very purposely introduces us to the Person of Jesus Christ - the Saviour of the world - by spelling out His genealogy! >> This is his way of saying, “What I’m going to tell you is something that has actually occurred in history - in time and space!” And this brings to us an important and distinguishing characteristic of Christianity: the core of Christianity is not a set of teachings, but it is about what God has done for us - our redemption from sins!   >> This is expressed in the very meaning of the name Jesus: JESUS means “God saves!” (The name JESUS, is the shortest and simplest prayer that we can make – as we call on the salvific power of God [Cf. Rom 10:13]) Christmas, therefore, comes with the strong message that “every external act of festivity ought to be accompanied by an internal surrender of one’s life to Christ, our Saviour!” >> The decorations that we do, find authentic meaning, when we allow Christ’s Love to glitter our life! >> The sweets, cakes and other food that we prepare, have real value, when we allow our faith in Christ to nourish and nurture us! >> The stars we put up and the carols we sing, find true importance, when we allow Christ’s Mercy to radiate and harmonise us! That is why, the greatest and the truest act in the celebration of Christmas is accepting Jesus as the Saviour of our lives! >> All other external expressions ought to flow forth or lead towards this sole requirement: Jesus is to be born in our hearts! We are also called to reflect on some other essential messages of the Solemnity of Christmas . 1. Christmas is the beautiful saga of God humbling Himself, and as the Good Shepherd (Cf. Jn 10:11) going to any extent to win us back to him >> Birth in the manger demonstrates the abasement of the Divine >> Baby Jesus, lying on the manger is also a prefiguration of Jesus dying on the Cross, fulfilling the act of humiliation signified in Incarnation! (Cf. Phil 2:6-8) 2. Christmas is the amazing story of hope and courage >> Joseph and Mary displayed tremendous hope and courage as they join hands with the Will of God (despite the many challenges and obstacles that came their way)! >> Zechariah and Elizabeth exhibited much hope and courage, as they held fast in faithfulness, to experience the miraculous birth of John, the precursor of Jesus >> The shepherds and the wise men showed much hope and courage, as they boldly trusted in the signs given to them, which culminated in their offering of service and worship. 3. Christmas rings in the good news that “the one who trusts in God” will always be blessed! (Cf. Ps 146:5) >> Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, Elizabeth, the shepherds, the wise men - everyone experienced tremendous blessings because they “chose to trust in God!” Life often takes us through crossroads and dangerous curves >> Are we ready to make a choice - of trusting in the Lord… … and thus experiencing His mighty blessings! Christmas is indeed history - HIS story … the fantastic story of Him Who loves us immensely … the fabulous event of Him Who is born for us - for our salvation This Christmas, let us make our hearts a “place of party” to celebrate love and mercy… … by accepting the unwanted, the rejected and the lonely! … by sharing the precious gifts of God’s Mercy and Love to all! >> With much faith and joy, let us celebrate God’s intense and saving love for us! *Merry Christmas to you all!* *