EIGHTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C

EIGHTH SUNDAY: 02 MARCH 2025: SIRACH 27. 4-7; 1 COR 15. 54-58; LUKE 6. 39-45 Focus: The life of a follower of Christ is a life that must be different from the life of the world. It is a difference in the quality of character and in the way of living. Today’s Word of God presents us with a series of contrast pairs. In this way, we are directed on how to live a life worthy of a disciple. These contrast pairs are perishable – imperishable, mortal – immortal, death – life, defeat – victory, blindness – sight, trunk – grain, bad tree – good tree, bad fruit – good fruit, evil person – good person. The message is simple and direct: follow the positive and correct set of contrasts and you will live well and obtain victory and reward. First, focus on the imperishable: We are destined for the imperishable. Therefore, amidst all the perishable that surrounds and misleads us, we must keep our attention on the imperishable. We must always be clear and not confused, discerning wisely and not erring recklessly, well-oriented and not disoriented. In a transitory world, everything that belongs to the earth is perishable. Only God and His grace manifested in faithfulness and goodness are imperishable. Be guided by immortality: While the contrasting pair, perishable - imperishable can refer to the earth and the world in general, the contrasting pair mortal - immortal refers specifically to our human reality. As human beings, we are mortal. This body is subject to death and decay. But we are destined for immortality. This reminds us of our immortal spiritual existence. It is not a dichotomy between the mortal body and the immortal soul. Rather, it is an invitation to create a harmonious blend. It is a blend in which the spiritual sublimates, regulates and ennobles the merely physical. We are "spiritual" and destined for immortality. Strive for Victory and Life: Focusing on the imperishable and immortal, we fight against all the forces of death. We will be determined to defeat the enemy and achieve victory. The enemy is strong. The forces of death manifest themselves relentlessly in the forms of hatred, aggression and violence. But nothing will hinder our march for life in eternity! Purify and magnify your perspective: God hates judgment but blesses understanding and empathy. Many suffer from double standards, one for themselves and one for others. They are so eager to blame others for the dot in their eye, while ignoring the big log in their own eye. Be good and share good: We are called to be good people and not bad. This implies that we grow as good trees that bear good fruit and not bad trees that bear bad fruit. A good tree must bear good fruit! Be a discerning guide! We are called to lead others in the way of the Lord. But for this, first of all, we must know the way ourselves, see the way and walk the way. Otherwise we will be like guides who lead the blind. Direction: Faithfulness and fruitfulness make us worthy disciples. And these are the ways to become like the master, to resemble him. He who does not follow the master, cannot resemble him!

GOLDEN AND SILVER JUBILEE MASS INTRODUCTION

GOLDEN AND SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION (22.02.25) “Praise to You, O Lord, for our 25/50 Years of Pilgrimage in Faith, Hope, and Love” A very good morning to you, Your Grace, Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto, the main celebrant of today’s Holy Eucharist, our Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Periyanayagam, all our concelebrating priests from various dioceses, all the religious brothers and sisters, esteemed family members and friends of our Jubilarians, and all the faithful gathered here. On behalf of our Provincial Superior, Rev. Sr. Matilda George, I extend a heartfelt and joyous welcome to each one of you! Today, we the cfmss family of St. Francis Province, Delhi, stand in awe of God's abundant grace, as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Sr. Ancy Parayankarayil and Sr. Lydia Joseph and the Silver Jubilee of Sr. Anice Nadumparambil, Sr. Mercy Attarackal, Sr. Shalini D’Souza, Sr. Rani Anthony Samy, Sr. Vineeta Pachapathickal, Sr. Chitra Michael and Sr. Amala Francis. Their journey of 50 and 25 years have been a sacred pilgrimage—a walk of faith, a testament of hope, and an offering of love. To embrace a vocation is to say ‘yes’ not just once, but every single day. A ‘yes’ that is whispered in moments of joy, and in silent nights of prayer. A ‘yes’ that surrenders to God’s will, through sunshine and storm, through certainty and unknown. And today, dear Sisters, your lives speak louder than words—proclaiming that He who calls is faithful. Jubilee is not just about looking back—it is about looking within. It is about recognizing the unseen hands that have lifted, the unseen grace that has strengthened, and the unseen voice that has whispered, “Fear not, I am with you.” Every step you have taken has been guided by this divine assurance, and today, we rejoice in the fruits of your unwavering trust. "A lamp does not speak, but it shines; A candle does not preach, but it gives light; A flower does not teach, but it spreads fragrance." And so too, dear Jubilarians, your lives have been a silent yet powerful witness— A flame that has not flickered, a light that has not dimmed. Through your years of dedication, you have brought Christ to the world—in the classroom and in the convent, in the joys of community and in the solitude of prayer. You have stood before the Eucharistic Lord, offering every joy and pain as an oblation, knowing that true strength is found not in holding on, but in surrendering all. Pope Francis reminds us, “Hope is bold; it knows how to look beyond personal comforts and security.” You, dear Jubilarians, have lived this boldness. You have left behind the familiar, walked the unknown paths, and become bearers of hope to all whom you serve. As we now enter into this Eucharistic celebration, let our hearts be lifted in gratitude. May this day be a renewal of your call dear Jubilarians, a rekindling of the fire that first burned in your hearts, and a foretaste of the eternal joy that awaits those who remain faithful to the Lord. May He bless you with strength for the journey ahead, joy in your mission, and peace in His presence, filling your heart with renewed zeal and boundless grace as you continue to walk in faith and love! May the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi inspire you to live in simplicity and profound trust in God's providence. May the wisdom and light of St. Clare fill your hearts, that you may continue to shine as beacons of faith and humility. And may the zeal of our beloved Foundress, Mother Seraphina, strengthen you, guiding your every step as you continue to radiate God’s love through a life of joyful service. With this sentiments, let us now unite in prayer, as we offer this Eucharist in thanksgiving for the precious gift of the lives of our Jubilarians.

7TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C

7TH SUNDAY, 23 FEB 2025: 1 SAM 26. 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 COR 15. 45-49; LUKE 6. 27-38 Focus: The world of today is desperately missing mercy. It is languishing in overdose of mercilessness and grudge and retaliation. Only mercy out of love is the healing remedy! “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful!” Our society is in dire need of mercy. Jesus is placing before us God the Father Himself as our model par excellence for mercy and compassion. There is always a great craze for great models to imitate. But often the problem is the danger of wrong models. Consequently, there is every possibility for deviation and distortion. All the more, this is a clarion call for fostering a culture of mercy and compassion. And this is very exigent and urgent for our times. We live in a culture where resentment and animosity, revenge and retaliation, aggression and violence have become so rampant and the norm of the day. How sad it is that often “Mercy is abandoned and devalued mercilessly”! Insensitivity and indifference, egoism, and unconcern dominate everyday life, to the extent, sympathy and feeling for the other have become vanishing points. In fact, many think that sensitivity is tantamount to vulnerability; for many to have concern means to be gullible to be easily manipulated. Kindness is taken as weakness. Forgiveness is regarded as a lack of manliness. Reconciliation is mistaken as timidity. Many a time people refrain from compassion because they think that it disturbs their security and peace as well. It is because Compassion for sure demands going out of one’s way for the good of the other. Compassion always demands a certain extent of giving, giving up, and sacrificing. And every giving is painful unless motivated by a higher motive. It is only a higher benevolent drive that embalms and sweetens the bitterness of parting with what is dear and losing. It is in our precise context of a rapidly increasing culture of violence and animosity, there is a desperate need for a culture of mercy and compassion. Only a culture of mercy and compassion can be a redeeming remedy for a world infected so much. In the first place, we must humbly and profoundly realize how ignominiously we are infected by the virulent diseases of division and discrimination, self-centrism, and self-vested interests. However, mercy and compassion are not mere fleeting feelings or passing sentiments. Mercy and compassion are a whole way of being, an entire mode of living. We need such a culture, a way of living that forms and grooms us in an unending mission of mercy, and compassion. Thus, it is a whole mode of being. It is being rooted in a God of mercy and compassion; it is being groomed in a consistent atmosphere of love and fidelity; it is being moulded into a character of listening, patience, and empathy; it is being transformed in Christ-likeness in terms of his virtues and values. It is to be fully imbued with the spirit of love. But, it is not the love in our present times, so shallow and so stooping to gratifying pleasures. Rather it is a love that is so magnanimous like that of David who spared even his enemy Saul even though he had the best chance to kill him. It is a love that is magnanimous like Jesus’ that loves, blesses, forgives, and saves even the enemies who hate him, curse him and persecute him. Further, it is a love that is equitable and benevolent toward all without discrimination like that of the Father who rains and shines the sun upon all whether just or unjust, good or bad irrespectively. It is indeed nurturing and fostering a new culture. That is why Jesus questions, “if you love only those who love you and do good only to those who do good to you, then what is your difference and what is your greatness in reference to the non-believers?” It is a new culture, different and radical. It is a contrast and challenging culture. It is a counter-culture, a powerful stroke against indifference and unforgiveness, a noble antidote to the infections of retaliation and self-centredness. Accordingly, a life of mercy and compassion urges us to strip ourselves of our comfort-seeking and ‘play safe’ attitudes. Such a contrast culture makes an about-turn from our high profile, impersonal, secure, and ‘play big’ ministries. It enables us to commit ourselves convincingly and courageously to those ministries that make us more sensitive and vulnerable to be affected, to be wounded, to be pained by the afflicted, both by sin and suffering. Direction: A culture of mercy and compassion summons us personally and also our communities to become the “tilling grounds” of belongingness and loyalty, oneness and fraternal bonding, tenderness, and touching concern.

6TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C

6TH SUNDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2025, JER 17. 5-8, 1 COR 15. 12, 16-20, LUKE 6. 17, 20-26 Focus: In human life, always two options are placed before us: bliss and curse. It is left to us what to choose. But each choice will have its own results and consequences The Word of God of today encounters us with a radical contrast between being blessed and being cursed. It sheds clear light on both the modes of being, on how one becomes blessed or cursed. It places before us the ways and means how one attains bliss and also how one forfeits the same and falls to curse. Subsequently, it also challenges us to make a choice between the two. The first reading from prophet Jeremiah affirms that excessive trust in human resources and worldly strengths, and alienation from God make one cursed. He is like a desert shrub that is unproductive and fruitless. In contrast, profound trust in the Lord makes one blessed. He is like a tree planted by water and is deeply rooted, ever fresh and green, ever tranquil and fruit-bearing. The same contrast between bliss and curse is furthered in the gospel in the light of the beatitudes. Poverty, hunger, weeping and suffering make one blessed, while riches, having full, laughter and self-glory make one cursed. As evident, there is a clear contrast between the two polarities: Poverty is in contrast to riches. Hunger is in contrast to having full, weeping is in contrast to laughter, and suffering is in contrast to self-glory. But these need more clarity and cannot be understood at their face and surface level. Accordingly, “poverty” is not merely material poverty. It is poverty in spirit. This implies a profound spirit of humility, self-insufficiency, and total dependence on God and surrender to Him. On the contrary, “being rich” signifies feeling and acting self-sufficient, self-complacent, arrogant, materialistic, and money-minded. “Hunger” is not merely the material hunger for food but much more. It signifies a deep hunger and thirst for God, higher things, spiritual concerns, for righteousness and justice. On the contrary, “having full” signifies a lack of this inner craving but being filled with the things and interests of the world. It is “satisfaction” in indifference and unjust “oppression”. In other words, it is to “be drunk” with worldliness. “Weeping” is not merely a matter of feeling sad and shedding some tears. It implies a deep sensitivity, tenderness, and compassion, a positive vulnerability to be moved and even wounded by the plight of others. It would also mean the ability and the willingness to be empathetic and in solidarity with those who are suffering. On the contrary, “laughter” would signify comfort-seeking, seeking temporary gratifications, unhealthy pleasures, unlawful fun, and prohibited deviations. It would also imply deriving happiness at the cost of others, through ridicule, mockery, and making fun. “Suffering” is not merely physical suffering. It would include insult, persecution, and calumny. It is the spirit of self-abnegation and self-resignation. It is rejoicing to suffer something for Christ considering it as an honor. This is in contrast to the applause, flattery, and pleasantries of the world; this is seeking cheap popularity, self-projection, and self-promotion. In short, it is all undue craving for self-glory. Thus, while the positive thrust of the blessedness of discipleship in Luke (Vv. 20-23) is very much similar to that in Mt 5. 3-12, there are some noteworthy differences. There is an addition of a strong tone of curse and condemnation against the non-disciples (Vv. 24-26). A disciple will be blessed with immense recompense on account of his fidelity. The ingredients of this rewarded bliss will be: becoming rich with the gain of the kingdom of heaven itself, being satiated and filled by God Himself, being consoled and comforted, and being honoured and credited in God’s sight. But on the other hand, misery awaits those who follow the world and not the Lord: desolation and discomfort for the rich, hunger and deprivation for those who are full, sorrow and pain for those who enjoy and fun about, discredit and misery for those who ride in self-glory and cheap popularity and fame Direction: Let us not be so short-sighted being caught up with what is present and temporary. Let us wisely steer ourselves to be focused on and oriented to the eternal future

THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME. YEAR C

III ORDINARY SUNDAY, 26 JANUARY 2025: NEH 8. 2-4, 5-6, 8-10; 1 COR 12. 12-14, 27; LUKE 1. 1-4; 4.14-21 Focus: All of us are entrusted with a specific mission on this earth. This mission is the very same mission of the Lord. This is to be fulfilled here and now in fidelity to God and fraternity toward one another 1. Today once again we have in the gospel the famous mission manifesto of the Lord. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor and a year of the Lord’s favor; liberty to the captives and oppressed and sight to the blind”. We had already reflected more than a couple of times on the same passage. Very often the same text is also used on Ordination days or anniversary days. 2. In the first place, this text very clearly lays accent on the mission of every one of us as the followers of the Lord. It ignites a sense of mission and charges us with the duty of mission. It reminds us that we are mission-directed and mission-imbued people. It also indicates that all of us are sharers in the same mission of the Lord and are expected to continue and fulfill the same. 3. This first thought must make us reflect and see the depth and intensity of our sense of mission. How many followers of the Lord are really imbued and animated by the spirit of mission? How many are really missionaries, true to the name? How many can really say that we carry out the same mission of Jesus in word and deed? 4. The Lord affirmed, “Today this text is being fulfilled in your hearing”. How confident and convincing he was! Such confidence and conviction can spring only from a deep honesty and truthfulness. One who is not genuine, one who is not really faithful to his mission, one who is not clear about his mission, cannot be so convincing. 5. How many of today can in all confidence affirm, “Today the Lord’s message, his mission is being fulfilled in and through me and my mission”? How many can really affirm, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; He has anointed me”? How many can really say that I bring good news and good times to the poor, liberty to the captives, and sight and light to the blind? Is it really good news or bad news? Is it really good times or bad times? Is it really freedom or slavery? Is it really light and sight or darkness and unclarity? 6. Unfortunately, today in the case of many, the mission manifesto is mostly limited to the level of proclamation. Mission in the case of many has become equal to mere preaching of the Word. We see a new evangelization almost reduced to eloquence and rhetoric, or some scattered charity or religious activities but devoid of a life-witness. 7. A true fulfillment of the mission manifesto must comprise a humble surrender and fidelity to God’s will and precepts and a profound fraternal bonding and coordination. These are the two aspects that are strongly conveyed respectively in the first reading from Nehemiah and in the second reading from 1 Corinthians. 8. The people acclaim their wholehearted obedience to God at Ezra’s proclamation of God’s word. St Paul emphasizes the oneness and inseparable communion and coordination that exist among the different parts of the body. The limbs may be different, their functions may be diverse but they belong to the same body; all of them contribute to the wellbeing of one and the same body, and the same person. The good or the bad of one limb certainly affects the other limbs as well. Direction: Fidelity to God and fraternity with one another are the concrete manifestations as well as the effective means of an authentic mission and its fulfillment. There is no mission without obedience to God and benevolence to others!

EPIPHANY 25

EPIPHANY 2025, 05 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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! 6. 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. 7. 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? 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. 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. 11. 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

ADVENT FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 24

4TH SUNDAY ADVENT, 22 DECEMBER 20241: MICAH 5. 2-5a; HEB 10. 5-10; LUKE 1. 39-45 Focus: The mystery of Christmas reminds us that God saves us not through mere sacrifices and offerings but through personal self-offering in the incarnation of Christ 1. We are at the threshold of the holy Christmas. In this last stretch of our Advent journey in preparing ourselves fittingly, we are presented with the figure of Mary in the scene of her visit to Elizabeth. Indeed an Image and an episode, so pregnant, indicative, and significant! 2. She stands for the self-sacrifice and self-offering of God Himself. She symbolizes the very purpose of Jesus’ incarnation. This is very clear in the words of the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews: “Behold, I have come to do your will, o God!” 3. This Visit of Mary was not a mere courtesy visit. It is indeed a "Visitation". In the Bible, in the light of the Old Testament, Visitation of God is always an occasion, an encounter, an experience of God's intervention, especially in times of struggle or disgrace or a special plan of God. 4. God's visitation assures His accompaniment, His guidance, His support, direction, and accomplishment. It may be to remove that particular difficulty or to realize the special purpose. 5. God "visited" Elizabeth. Thereby He removed her disgrace of sterility, and graced her with a son, even in her old age. Further, this visitation was also perfectly oriented to God's salvation plan; because, this son, John the Baptist, was predestined as the Precursor of the Messiah, chosen to prepare the way of the Lord. 6. God "visited" Mary at a young age. Apparently, this invited her to the "disgrace" and challenge of motherhood, even without marriage. But this visitation is perfectly in tune with God's plan of the Saviour in the womb of Mary. Son of God as the son of Mary, without human intervention, is totally the sign and fruit of God's intervention in human history. 7. Thus Mary, being "visited" - graced and made a partner in God's plan of salvation, in turn, sets herself on visitation to Elizabeth. What a simple and powerful lesson: One who is graced by God, cannot remain stagnant. One who is visited by God's grace, cannot but visit others. Grace is always positively "contagious". 8. In other words, Faith manifests in Mary's total docility and surrender, at the annunciation of the angel, and filled her with the Holy Spirit, moves her to Elizabeth. Yes. True faith is never static, but ever dynamic and mobile. Faith moves to others on the wings of charity. 9. Seen in this divine and spiritual perspective, charity is not merely something human, purely psychological or emotional. It is not only a positive human action and interaction but much more a spiritual divine intervention. True Charity is God's own face turned towards the humans, a portion of God's own benevolence. 10. Perhaps, we can delve a little deeper into the richness of true charity, in the light of Mary's spirit of Charity, so as to check upon our own frequent practices of a shallow charity. 1) There is "sensitivity", - feeling for the other, being empathetic toward others in their plight and struggle, sensing others' needs, even without being asked. Elizabeth was in need of Mary's assistance, and Mary anticipates it. 2) There is "magnanimity" - Mary's spacious heart makes space for Elizabeth, and so moves beyond space, cuts across distances, and visits Elizabeth. 3) There is "nobility" of character - she is not puffed up, she does not put on airs, feeling great that she is the mother of the Savior. Neither does she think low of Elizabeth as a "poor old woman". Rather in her nobility, she treats Elizabeth with respect, dignity, and concern. 4) There is "availability" - Mary is not concerned only with herself, not centered on her own needs and interests. Rather, she sets aside her time and energies. She is not closed on herself. She is open and disposed to others. 5) There is "generosity" - that which is willing, prompt, and happy to give to others, that which does not count the cost in doing good to others, that which wants to do abundant and maximum good to others. 6) There is "serviceability" - the benevolence of heart, nobility of spirit, and generosity of relation, concretely become service in action. Mary puts herself totally at the service of Elizabeth. 11. Now, let us dwell directly on the scene of visitation. Mary meets Elizabeth and greets her. At that instance, two things happen: Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the babe in her womb, leaps with joy. This is the Beauty of Faith and charity. 12. At the presence of Mary, who embodies faith and charity, Holy Spirit and Joy are transmitted. In other words, Mary gives Spirit and Joy to others and moves others with the same. But this giving, this transmission of Holy Spirit and Joy was possible because Mary had Jesus within her. When we have Jesus in us, we will give others Holy Spirit and Joy. Direction: In fact, this is the simplest and the most fundamental duty and mission of each one of us: Bear Jesus and share Jesus to others, in giving Holy Spirit and Joy. The simplest question: What do I transmit to others - Holy Spirit or evil spirit? Joy or sadness?