Fifth Sunday of Easter: B: April 28, 2024

 THE INTIMATE AND ABIDING UNION WITH THE RISEN LORD                                       (The vine and the branches)

First Reading: Acts 9: 26-31

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 18-24

Gospel Reading: John 15: 1-8

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Paul's dramatic conversion and subsequent happenings in the life of Paul are narrated. Paul who was a fierce persecutor of the Christians is dramatically transformed by the powerful intervention of the risen Lord. Paul (Saul) persecuted Christians in and around Jerusalem. But after his Damascus experience and subsequent conversion, Paul wants to join the Christian community at Jerusalem. But he finds it difficult to be accepted by the community because of his earlier life as a persecutor of Christians. So Barnabas a disciple of good repute, introduces Paul to the Apostles.  Paul starts to preach boldly and fearlessly in Jerusalem but the Jews there try to kill him. So he is sent to Tarsus. The early Church grows in strength in spite of much opposition and persecutions. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John instructs us that if we wish to live as God wants us to do, we must keep His commandments. That would mean that we should believe in the name of Jesus and love one another as he commands us to do. Those who keep the commandments are united to Him and the presence of the Holy Spirit is with them.

The abiding presence of the risen Lord in the believer                                                     Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus instructs us about the intimate and deep personal bond between Him and those who believe in Him.  This relationship is compared to that of the vine and its branches. The branches have to be united with the vine in order to produce fruits. If the branches are cut off from the vine, they cannot be fruitful. Jesus also mentions about two types of branches: Fruit-bearing branches which are pruned to produce more fruits; and those branches that do not produce fruits, which are cut off from the vine. We are united with Jesus through our baptism. Hence, if we are fruit-bearing branches, we have to be prepared to be pruned to produce more fruits. But if we are branches that do not produce fruits, it is time to change our ways so that we too produce fruits, lest we be cut off from the Lord. Let our life be always in union with the risen Lord and be like branches that are united with the vine. 

"To start anew from Christ means being close to Him, being close to Jesus. Jesus stresses the importance of this with the disciples at the Last Supper, as He prepares to give us His own greatest gift of love: His sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches and says, 'Abide in my love, remain attached to me, as the branch is attached to the vine'. If we are joined to Him, then we are able to bear fruit." - Pope Francis

Fourth Sunday of Easter: B: April 21, 2024

                      JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

First Reading: Acts 4: 8-12

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 1-2

Gospel Reading: John 10: 11-18

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. The miraculous healing of a crippled person by St. Peter is narrated in detail. Peter testifies to the people of Jerusalem that this miracle happened not by his power but by the power of Jesus of Nazareth whom the Jewish authorities had crucified. He affirms that there is no salvation for anyone except through the power of Jesus although He was rejected by the Jews. 

  *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John tells us that through the love of Jesus, we are made children of God. In our future life, we shall see Jesus as He is. He will do many great and mighty deeds in our lives. 

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. Jesus instructs us that He is the Good Shepherd. To understand this comparison of Jesus to a Good Shepherd, it is important to understand the background of a Shepherd in Palestine at the time of Jesus. The Shepherd is a man who is completely and whole-heartedly dedicated to the care and well-being of his sheep. The Shepherd and the sheep have a very close and intimate relationship. He calls each one by name and they recognize his voice. The Shepherd goes in front of the sheep and the sheep follow him. Often he carries the weak and the very young on his shoulders. To protect the flock from robbers and animals of prey, he has to undergo extreme hardships and in some case even his own life is at stake. Jesus the Good Shepherd cares for His followers. He specially cares for the weak, the least and the lost. The evidence is explicitly seen in the pages of the Gospels. We all need to draw great inspiration and comfort in knowing that Jesus is the Good Shepherd for everyone of us. He is the great leader and saviour we have. He is the one who really cares about us even to the extent of giving His life for our sake. The Good Shepherd does not look for His own comfort but that of His beloved sheep. This theme of Good Shepherd has its echoes in the words of the Lord: " The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20: 28). Let us follow the Good Shepherd who is always ready to lead us and to love us. He tells us: "I know my own and my own know me." - John 10:14.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." - Psalm 23:1

Third Sunday of Easter: B: April 14, 2024

 THE GIFT OF PEACE FROM THE RISEN LORD

First Reading: Acts 3: 13-15 and 17-19

Second Reading: 1 John 2: 1-5

Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 35-48

  * First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Peter courageously addresses the people of Jerusalem. He openly tells them that they have committed a heinous and terrible crime and a grave sin by killing Jesus, the author of life. However, since they have done it out of ignorance, it is time to repent and receive the forgiveness of God. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John assures us that Jesus is our advocate with God the Father. Hence, anyone loves Jesus and keeps His commandments, the love of God is perfected in him/her.

The risen Lord appears to His disciples                                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. After the crucifixion and death of Jesus, the dreams and the aspirations of His disciples lay shattered. Their world falls apart. Their immediate reaction to these discouraging incidents is to cut themselves off from the hostile world and live behind closed doors. But Jesus the Good Shepherd does not leave them in their confusion, pain and misery. He appears to them and gives them the assurance of His presence. "Peace be with you" are His words of comfort. After experiencing the presence of the risen Lord, once again their hopes are revived. They realize that it is through the sufferings and His shameful death on the cross that Jesus is in His glory. The disciples gradually realize the implications and the meaning of Jesus' sufferings and death. Their broken bond with the Lord is mended. They experience the power of the risen Lord and become courageous and powerful witnesses to the Lord. The peace of the risen Lord releases the disciples from their shame, guilt, fears and worries. This gift of Jesus gradually transforms them to be faithful witnesses and even to die for Him. For us too, the resurrection of Jesus is not something of a past event but it should become a living and hope-filled reality. The risen Lord enters through our closed doors too. He brings His peace into our disturbed and confused lives. He calms our fears and restlessness. He brings us hope and light. Let our prayer be: Risen Lord, help us to believe that you are always with us.

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha

"Peace begins with a smile." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Second Sunday of Easter: B: April 7, 2024

            DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY                                                                            (The healing touch of the Risen Lord and He clears doubts)

First Reading: Acts 4: 32-35

Second Reading: 1 John 5: 1-6

Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-31

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid account of the life of the early Christian community is portrayed. The risen Lord has a decisive and lasting influence on the lives of His followers. Their unity of heart and mind is truly praise-worthy and commendable. It is a community totally faithful to the Gospel values where believers share their faith and share their possessions. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. John. John exhorts the Christian community to live a life of love. He reminds us that every Christian is a child of God. Hence, he/she shows his/her love for God by keeping the commandments of God. 

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe                                                        Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The disciple at the center of today's Gospel narrative is Thomas. Thomas is a deeply wounded and broken man. When Jesus his master and friend is put to death on that tragic Friday, he is in deep pain and leaves the company of the other Apostles. As a result, he is unable to meet the risen Lord when He appears to the other disciples on Easter Sunday. Later, he comes to know about the appearance of the risen Lord and he is deeply hurt by the turn of events. After eight days, when the Lord appears again to all of them, He calls Thomas and shows His wounds to him. They are the proof of His love for them. Then the Lord invites Thomas to touch those precious wounds and be healed of his unbelief. Thus it is by touching and being touched that Thomas is healed of his doubts, unbelief, grief and pain. What Jesus told Thomas that day should ring in our ears whenever we are in doubt: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe". The world today is full of doubting Thomas(es). Many do not believe that Christ is risen and we can truly experience the power of the risen Lord in our lives. They will not be convinced unless they touch His wounds and see the radiance of His face. But this can happen only if the risen Lord is seen in His followers. For that we ourselves need to experience the powerful presence of the risen Lord. 

"The key to wisdom is this - constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning, we arrive at the truth." - Peter Abelard

"Jesus' willingness to accommodate Thomas' unbelief is a reminder that God can handle our doubts."    - David D Flowers

"Doubting Thomas uttered the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible." - Dr. R. F. Wilson

Easter Sunday: B: March 31, 2024

               THE LORD IS RISEN ! ALLELUIA

First Reading: Acts 10: 34 and 37- 43

Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel Reading: John 20: 1-9

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and other Apostles give a powerful and convincing testimony regarding the life of Jesus: His death on the cross on that tragic Friday and His resurrection from the dead on the third day, Easter Sunday. The Apostles had the unique privilege of meeting the Risen and glorified Lord personally; sharing meals with Him and experiencing His re-assuring and life-giving presence. He assures them that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul explains to the Colossian Christian community  and all of us that through our baptism we share in the life of the Risen Lord. Hence we have to set our minds on heavenly things and not on earthly matters. Paul assures us that all who believe in the Lord will share in the glory of the Risen Lord. 

The discovery of the empty tomb and its significance in the resurrection of Jesus                      Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. A detailed description of the happenings on Easter Sunday morning is given. The first visitor to the tomb of Jesus is Mary Magdalene. She finds that the tomb of Jesus is empty. She thinks that the body of Jesus is taken away by someone. She hurriedly goes and reports the matter to the Apostles. Peter and John, two of the Apostles go to the tomb and find it to be empty. The truth of what the scriptures had foretold gradually begin to dawns upon them that Jesus would rise from the dead. The empty tomb by itself is not a proof of the resurrection of Jesus. But it gives a very strong indication that Jesus is not to be found among the dead. Later on, many of the disciples experience the presence of the Risen Lord as He appears to them on various occasions. Their faith is strengthened by those comforting and life-giving experiences. They finally realize that Jesus is truly risen from the dead. In our case too, although we have the testimony of the Apostles and other disciples that Jesus is risen, we need to experience the comforting presence of the Risen Lord personally and be strengthened in our faith.

MAY THE RISEN LORD BLESS YOU AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH.                              WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY EASTER!

"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison but a passage into God's presence. Easter says, you can put truth in a grave but it won't stay there." - C. W. Hall

"The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it DOES NOT CONTAIN" - S. Morris

"Christ the Lord is risen today. Sons of men and angels say: Raise you joys and triumphs high! Sing ye heavens and earth reply." - C. Wesley 

Palm Sunday: B: March 24, 2024

HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID (The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem)

Processional Gospel: Mark 11: 1-10

First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11

Gospel Reading: Mark 14: 1 to 15: 41

   *With Palm Sunday, we begin the Holy week celebrations. Today we recall to mind Jesus' entry into the city of Jerusalem to accomplish the Pascal mystery. The memorial of that historical event is celebrated during the holy Mass with the blessing of palms followed by procession. Gospel from St. Mark gives us a glimpse of the events of that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Pascal Feast. Thousands of people are in the city. Jesus begins His journey from the village of Bethsaida. He sits on a colt and enters the city with people shouting : "Hosanna to the Son of David". Jesus openly acknowledges  that He is indeed a humble King and the long-awaited Messiah (the anointed one). By His triumphant entry, Jesus invites us to acknowledge Him as our King and Messiah.  

   *First reading is from the book of Isaiah. Prophet Isaiah speaks of the suffering servant of the Lord God, the one who in spite of sufferings and rejection, carries out his mission. He totally trusts in the providence and the guidance of the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. Paul firmly asserts that Jesus was indeed in the form of God. But He becomes human and He humbles Himself and becomes obedient unto death so that we all might be saved. Jesus accepts death on the cross but the Father has made Him Lord of heaven and earth. Paul reminds us that humiliation, sufferings and death are necessary pre-condition to enter into heavenly glory. 

The Passion narrative                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark's narration of the passion and death of Jesus. In the first part of today's Gospel, we have the scene from the Last Supper where Jesus institutes the Eucharist and gives Himself to His beloved disciples in the form of bread and wine. In the second part, Jesus prays at the garden of Gethsemane where He is deeply disturbed and troubled. In the garden, Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and later Peter denies Him three times. In the third and final part, Jesus is condemned to die on the cross by the Roman Governor Pilate who was pressurized by the Jewish authorities. When Jesus hangs on the cross, He is derided and ridiculed. At the point of death of Jesus, a Roman soldier makes a profession of faith in the crucified Son of God. The happenings of the Holy week give us an opportunity to look at our own lives. We must accept our many sins and failures. Let us stop blaming circumstances and other people. What shines out from this dark week is the bright light of Christ's love for us. LET THE PASSION STORY INSPIRE US TO TRY IN OUR OWN WAY TO IMITATE THE CHRIST CRUCIFIED. 

"Palm Sunday tells us that... it is the cross that is the true tree of life." - Pope Benedict XVI

"Ride on... ride on in majesty. In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, thy triumph now begin O'er captive death and conquered sin." - Henry H Millman

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent: B: March 17, 2024

THE GRAIN OF WHEAT MUST DIE TO BEAR FRUIT

First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 7-9

Gospel Reading: John 12: 20-23

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah assures the people of Israel that the Lord God will not forsake them. He tells them that the Lord God will make a new covenant with Israel. The knowledge of the Lord God and His unconditional forgiveness will be the hallmark of the new covenant. The new covenant will be written in their hearts and the Lord God will not remember their sins anymore. This is the wonderful assurance given by the Lord for everyone of us. 

   *Second reading is from the book of Hebrews. A detailed account of the passion and the anguish which Jesus had to undergo is given. He prays with loud cries in moments of His painful sufferings especially during His passion. In this way, He not only gives us an example but also because of us, Jesus becomes the source of eternal life. By His sufferings, Jesus atones for the disobedience of humankind. 

Gaining and losing life                                                                             Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. The imminent death of Jesus is predicted. Jesus knows that He has to suffer and die. He must face the loss of His freedom, the loss of His friends, the loss of support from the heavenly Father and finally the loss of His own life. He knows that His pain and losses cannot be avoided if the Father's name is to be glorified. Jesus' radical act of self-giving stands at the center of our lives. Jesus compares Himself to a grain of wheat that dies in order to bear much fruit. The great loss of Jesus' life has become the very ground of our hope. Often, we too are at a loss to explain our own losses: Our sufferings, pains and rejections.  Dying to one's own self would mean sacrificing ourselves for the sake of others. Dying to self is a gradual process. It can be expressed in the following words: "Every act of love involves dying to selfishness. Every act of kindness involves dying to meanness. Every act of courage involves dying to cowardice. Every act of forgiveness involves dying to bitterness." -F. MaCarthy

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd"  is available on YouTube. The link is : Fifth Sunday of Lent: B)