"WHOEVER HUMBLES WILL BE EXALTED"
First Reading: Mal. 1: 14-2:2,8-10
Second Reading: 1 The 2: 7-9 ,13
Gospel Reading: Mt : 23: 1-12
* First Reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. The prophet gives a warning to Priests, that God intend to humble and punish the proud priests for their empty piety, for straying from the true path and for spreading false doctrines. They have turned away from God and made void the Covenant. They are condemned for their favouritism and causing distinctions and divisions among God's people
* Second Reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul reminds them of his love and care for them and how hard he worked to bring the good news to them. He also gives thanks to God for their openness to his preaching.
*Gospel reading is from St. Mathew . Jesus severely criticises the religious leaders- Pharisees and scribes. But what he says is relevant for us too.
Jesus accused Scribes and Pharisees of double standards. They were only pretending to be good. But in reality they were not so. They paraded themselves in public , dressed in fancy robes. They said long prayers and kept rules that were man made. But inside they were hallow and empty. They took every effort to show off their importance and false piety.
Jesus was able to see beneath the appearences and see the real person. What joy it was for him to find a genuine person like Nathaniel. But he disliked false persons.
The moment we try to be what we are not, we become unreal persons. A humble person never tries to be pretender. That is why Jesus says, "whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Feast of Ascension :A
" AS THEY WERE LOOKING ON, HE WAS LIFTED UP, AND A CLOUD TOOK HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT"
First Reading : Acts 1:1-11
Second Reading : Eph. 1:17-23
Gospel Reading: Mt 28:16-20
* First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke gives a brief description of Jesus' appearence to his disciples after his resurrection. Jesus instructed them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit and later they were to witness in Jerusalem, Judea , Samaria and to the end of the world.
After this, as they were talking to Him, Jesus was lifted up to heaven and a cloud took Him out of their sight. This description of Jesus' ascension is to strengthen our faith in the risen Lord.
* In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians, Paul gives us the meaning of Ascension of Jesus. That God by raising Jesus from the dead, he has given Him authority and power to rule over the whole world. Now he is the head of the Church and everything in this world. Those who believe in Him will accomplish great things.
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mathew. On a mountain in Galilee, Jesus gives instruction to his disciples. He told them that all authority in heaven and earth is given to him by God the Father. He also told them to go to the whole world and make disciples. They were to baptize people in the name of Father , Son and the Holy Spirit. He promised them that he will be with them till the end of the world. Thus the Ascension of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus is with his disciples always, till the end of times.
Feast of Ascension should give us hope of life after death and strengthen us by the abiding presence of Jesus among his disciples.
First Reading : Acts 1:1-11
Second Reading : Eph. 1:17-23
Gospel Reading: Mt 28:16-20
* First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke gives a brief description of Jesus' appearence to his disciples after his resurrection. Jesus instructed them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit and later they were to witness in Jerusalem, Judea , Samaria and to the end of the world.
After this, as they were talking to Him, Jesus was lifted up to heaven and a cloud took Him out of their sight. This description of Jesus' ascension is to strengthen our faith in the risen Lord.
* In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians, Paul gives us the meaning of Ascension of Jesus. That God by raising Jesus from the dead, he has given Him authority and power to rule over the whole world. Now he is the head of the Church and everything in this world. Those who believe in Him will accomplish great things.
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mathew. On a mountain in Galilee, Jesus gives instruction to his disciples. He told them that all authority in heaven and earth is given to him by God the Father. He also told them to go to the whole world and make disciples. They were to baptize people in the name of Father , Son and the Holy Spirit. He promised them that he will be with them till the end of the world. Thus the Ascension of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus is with his disciples always, till the end of times.
Feast of Ascension should give us hope of life after death and strengthen us by the abiding presence of Jesus among his disciples.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Ninth Sunday of the Year :A
"WISE MAN ... FOOLISH MAN"
First Reading: Deu. 11-18, 26-28
Second Reading : Rom . 3: 21-25,28
Gospel Reading: Mt. 7: 21=27
* First Reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses exhorts the Israelites to follow the commandments of God. They will receive blessings if they obey God's commandments. But if they disobey them and go after other gods they will be punished.
*Second Reading is from St. Paul's letter to the Romans. Paul tells the Romans that they are justified by faith in Jesus. That they have received it through the grace of God rather than through their own efforts (works of law). And this redemption they received is through Jesus Christ.
"Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mathew. Jesus tells his disciples and us that by merely saying Lord, Lord, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. Our words and actions should match . Jesus gives us the example of two persons. One a wise man who built his house on solid foundation, when the extreme weather battered that house, it stood firm because , it had solid foundation. So also a person who follows the teachings of Jesus and put them in to practice will be like that wise man. He also gives the example of a foolish man who built his house on sand- poor foundation. When the extreme weather battered on it, it fell, because it did not have solid foundation.
Those who listen to Jesus' teaching but does not follow them in their lives are that foolish man. We are invited to be like the wise man and secure our eternal life not by words but by action- following the will of the heavenly father.
First Reading: Deu. 11-18, 26-28
Second Reading : Rom . 3: 21-25,28
Gospel Reading: Mt. 7: 21=27
* First Reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses exhorts the Israelites to follow the commandments of God. They will receive blessings if they obey God's commandments. But if they disobey them and go after other gods they will be punished.
*Second Reading is from St. Paul's letter to the Romans. Paul tells the Romans that they are justified by faith in Jesus. That they have received it through the grace of God rather than through their own efforts (works of law). And this redemption they received is through Jesus Christ.
"Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mathew. Jesus tells his disciples and us that by merely saying Lord, Lord, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. Our words and actions should match . Jesus gives us the example of two persons. One a wise man who built his house on solid foundation, when the extreme weather battered that house, it stood firm because , it had solid foundation. So also a person who follows the teachings of Jesus and put them in to practice will be like that wise man. He also gives the example of a foolish man who built his house on sand- poor foundation. When the extreme weather battered on it, it fell, because it did not have solid foundation.
Those who listen to Jesus' teaching but does not follow them in their lives are that foolish man. We are invited to be like the wise man and secure our eternal life not by words but by action- following the will of the heavenly father.
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