WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Reflection  

Date 31:03:2021

Is 50: 4-9a; Mt 26:14-25

Today we thank the Lord for giving us the season of Lent to repent for our sins and live as children of God. Today we ask pardon from the Lord for the time we were selfish.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver coin. We do not know what was the value of silver coin in those days but the fact is he betrayed Him for money because he was thief used money for himself from the common box he handled.

According to Matthew 27:1–10, after learning that Jesus was to be crucified, Judas attempted to return the money he had been paid for his betrayal to the chief priests and  committed suicide by hanging.

There is no use in being upset over situations that have already happened and cannot be changed.

A good person thinks of others first. Therefore lets be aware of what/how we think, what we do in our lives because thought converts into action.

May God bless us and help us to live as children of God in days to come. Amen

TUESDAY OF THE HOLY WEEK

Is 49: 1-6; Jn 13:21-33,36-38

Date 30:03:2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

During the Holy week we read about the agony of Jesus, how one would be feeling, knowing that after few days he has to be killed like thief on the cross? Today Jesus says one among you will betray me. Jesus knows who is going to betray Him yet he leaves him alone. Does nothing against him rather says "what you are going to do, do quickly."

Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is ones total submission to the will of God. On Sunday we heard in passion reading  Abba' father, all things are possible for you. Remove this chalice from me. Yet not what I will but what you will." the pain and agony he is going through is his human nature. Because he was both God and human.

The message for us today is,  we also at times betray or someone betrays us. To betray or not fully depends upon self. On the other hand when someone betrays us what would be our response? Can we leave him or her at the hand of God. To do so we need deep relationship with God. In the time of our agony lets be united with God and accept the will of God in life.

May God bless us. Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent// 2021

 

Love your enemies

Deu 26: 16-19 Mt 5:43-48

The book of Deuteronomy speaks about the rules and regulation one has to follow to live a holy, religious and righteous life. After the Israelites reached the promised land God spoke to them through Moses saying; declare that Lord is your God and follow his Commandments then the Lord will honor you above all nations.

Individually all of us need some  recognition in the society or community. But if we do the same what all others do then we are sure to loose our identity. It is our human weakness to love those who love us, hate those who hate us. Jesus gives us another way to be different than others that is  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This teaching differentiates us from others.

The season of Lent is the time to reflect our spiritual life. Consciously we have declared Lord is our God and promised to keep his commandments but do we follow them in our lives?

His words are truth

Reflection                                                                                             Date 23:02:2021

Is 55:10-11

Mt 6:7-15

The first reading emphasizes on the power of the word of God. God said; My words that goes out of my mouth shall not return empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed  in the thing for which I sent it. His every word is powerful and  never fails. His words are truth.

In the Gospel Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.  He teaches them to call his father as our father. Surly God is our father. Lets pray this prayer meaningfully every time we pray.

Today we pray for ourselves that we never utter a word that has no value. May God bless us to be always truthful to our words.

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

Homily                                                                                             Date 22:02:2021

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

Reflection by Fr. Gulsan Ekka

Today we celebrate the feast of the Chair of  St. Peter. It is the feast of  authority rather than the feast of wooden chair.  Jesus asked his disciple who do people say that I am? His disciples answered; some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, some say Jeremiah or  one of the prophets.  He asked to Peter, Peter who do you say I am, He answered You are the Christ, the son of the living God. Jesus replied to Peter; flesh and blood has not revealed it to you but my Father in heaven. You are rock and on this rock I will build my Church. By uttering these words he blessed him and put him in his place as a prince of the apostles.   

St. Peter was the first one to preach after the Pentecost. He preached and defended Christ's teaching.

Today the Pope Francis represents St. Peter. Therefore we should follow his teaching. Today he invites us to built new society based on loving neighbors like good Samaritan.

In the first reading we are reminded of our responsibilities and duties.  St Paul urges us to do our responsibility not by compulsion but cheerfully be the example for the flock we are assigned to look after.

We feel sorry for those time when we misused our authority or neglected our responsibilities. We ask pardon from the Lord when we failed to set good example for others.

God is merciful, He forgives our every sin.  I confess to almighty God...

Compassion of God (Gn 3:9-24, Mk 8: 1-10)

Gn 3:9-24, Mk 8: 1-10

Both the readings speak about the compassion of God. 

When we sin we feel ashamed and afraid as felt by Adam and Eve. Even if we disobey His commandments and sin, He neither punishes nor leaves us alone. Instead he shows compassion when we acknowledge our sins. Instead of blaming one another, God teaches them to accept and take up the responsibility of their own mistake. At the end part of the reading we heard, God made for them garment of skin to cover up their shamefulness caused by sin. So also he forgives us and gives us new life, gives us opportunity to live the life a new, meaningfully. God is compassionate.

In the Gospel Jesus shows his compassion for the people who came to listen to him. He says they are with me since three days and have no food, if I send them away they will faint on the way. A compassionate heart can feel the pain of others.

From both the readings we are invited today to be compassionate like God.

Today we reflect upon;  Am I compassionate towards those who commit mistakes?

May God help us to be compassionate. Amen