Father's Weekly Message

The Sunday of the Word of God

1/18/2023 

​The Sunday of The Word of God
Pope Francis invites us to celebrate the third Sunday of ordinary time to celebrate as The Sunday of The Word of God. In his Apostolic letter “Aperuit Illis,” Pope writes, “Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year to the word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of his word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.” Catechism of the Catholic Church 105 says God is the author of Sacred Scripture. "The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." The Sunday of The Word of God reminds us to read the Scripture and have great understanding.
Tourists were visiting the famous Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. While they were below ground in the  giant cave, the lights went out. Among those trapped in the darkness were two children: an eight-year-old boy and a five-year-old sister.
The situation was scary, especially for children. Suddenly the little girl began to cry. The eight-year-old brother was heard saying, “don’t worry, Amy. There is a man up there who knows how to turn the lights on again.”
The story is a beautiful illustration of the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading. In the Gospel Matthew says this prophecy is fulfilled: ‘the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen.’ Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
A thousand years before Jesus, God promised King David that his kingdom will last forever (2 Samuel 7).  David’s kingdom consisted of the 12 sons of Jacob and their descendants, which made the 12 tribes of the kingdom of Israel. However, by 922 BC after the death of Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was divided into two - the 10 tribes of the north become the kingdom of Israel with the capital of Samaria and then the two tribes in the south become the kingdom of Judah with the capital of Jerusalem. Isaiah lived in a divided Israel.
Invaders like Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans always came through the north. It was the trade route of    what were. The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were the first two tribes to go into exile. In 722 BC Assyrian exile, most of the tribes of Northern Kingdom Israel were wiped out from the face of the map. In 587 BC the remaining two tribes, and the Kingdom of Judah were taken into exile by the Babylonians. Around 537 BC       Persians defeated the Babylonians and liberated the two tribes in the south. For sixth-century Jews, all of God’s promises were broken, and the kingdom was ruined. Isaiah says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (9:1). Isaiah proclaimed that God’s power is greater than the power of darkness and  assured them of great light. Matthew sees here, through the coming of Messiah to Zebulun and Naphtali this prophecy is fulfilled. Precisely where the exile began is where Jesus is going to start the restoration, undoing the effects of the exile. Jesus started the restoration by announcing, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” The Greek word uses “metanoia” which means a profound change of heart.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus called four of the Apostles-two pairs of brothers to follow him. They left everything and followed him. Jesus told them “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They found the “great light” and learned everything from him.
The question is: How is Jesus going to gather the twelve tribes of Israel? He chose twelve apostles and thought at the Last Supper he going to gather the people of the new Israel. He entrusted the light to the twelve to carry to the end of the world. Today we are counted among the twelve to carry the light to those who are in darkness. Today, we, the new Israel, gather in celebration of the Eucharist, the nourishment for our journey, and send out to proclaim the Good News in our daily lives.
 

Behold, Lamb of God...

1/11/2023 

​Once upon a time, there was a boy who spent many hours building a model sailboat. When he put it in the  local river, however, it moved away from him quickly. He chased it along the bank, but the strong wind and current carried the boat away. The heartbroken boy knew how hard he would have to work to build another sailboat. Downriver, a man found the beautiful boat, took it to town and sold it to a toy store. Later, the boy was walking through town and noticed the boat in the store window. He explained the situation, but the shopkeeper didn't believe him and said that the only way to get the boat back was to buy it. The boy wanted it back so much that he did exactly that. Then he looked at the boat and said, "Little boat, now you're twice mine: I made you and I bought you."
God created us in his image and likeness. And when we were lost, He came to bring us back, He paid with His blood. Today John the Baptist introduces Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." In John's Gospel there are so many incidents explained in the backdrop of the Old Testament exodus story.
In the book of Exodus 12, we read the famous story of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. The sacrifice of the Passover Lamb that saved the Israelites from the destroying angel, from the angel of death, and then they were liberated from the slavery and began their journey to the promised land. Jesus is the new Passover Lamb who poured out Blood to save us and to lead us to freedom from slavery of sin.
The ancient instructions for killing and eating the Passover lamb said, "You must not break any bone of it" (Ex 12:46). And so, John says, the soldiers did not break Jesus' legs as he hung on the Cross but pierced him instead with a lance. Later, near the end of the century, in John's apocalyptic vision he saw "between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered" (Rev 5:6) that is, dead and raised up again. We read in Isaiah 53 the prophecy of a suffering servant. Although this was written six hundred years before Jesus, it describes the feelings of God’s people as they look at Jesus on the cross.
St. John the Baptist had his testimony to Jesus as the Lamb of God. By saying “Lamb of God” John the   Baptist affirmed the redemptive sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of all the people. Jesus came to take “away the sins of the world.” In the passage John the Baptist is introducing Jesus, the new Passover Lamb of the New Exodus.
In the Eucharist, at "the breaking of the bread" we proclaim the Baptist’s testimony. Our traditional fraction anthem is the Agnus Dei – “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, has mercy on us/grants us peace.” In this prayer, we give expression to our deepest understanding of the identity and purpose of Jesus Christ as our Lamb and Lord. By his life of love and sacrifice, we believe and affirm that he is the one who came and continues to come into a broken life/world to take our sins upon himself.
John testified that the spirit descended on Jesus and that therefore he is going to be the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. In the 1 Samuel 16, we read the anointing of David on whom the Spirit came. This Gospel passage announces the Davidic servant, Jesus, of whom Isaiah prophesied.
The first reading is from the book of Isaiah: the second Servant Song. Bible Scholars have called this and three similar passages from this section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), the “Songs of the Suffering Servant.”   Isaiah is prophesying about the mission of the servant. Centuries before the birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied that all nations would be included in the blessing of his New Covenant. The Gospels clearly show that the “suffering servant” is Jesus who came to “take away the sin of the world.”
The readings invite us to open ourselves to receive the blessing Jesus brought to us through his passion, death, and resurrection. Every time we gather, he breaks and shares with us, gives us nourishment. Then we are sent out to break and share with others. In other words, we are sent out to live the Eucharist.
 

The Epiphany of the Lord!

1/4/2023 

​Most of the parents may have sweet memories of taking your child to Christmas Mass and kneeling at the manger and telling them stories. You and your child might have marveled at the peaceful manger scene. Most of the time, baby Jesus has his arms reaching out as if to embrace everyone in the world. That image sums up perfectly the meaning of His Epiphany - manifestation, or “shining upon” the earth. The three wise men from the East knelt at the manger and marveled at baby Jesus. God made visible/revealed to humanity.
The wise men are from the East, but from where in the East. There are three predictions about the place. Some predict that they are from Persia; some others say they are from Babylon. The third   prediction is from Arabia. Today’s first reading from the book of Isaiah gives us more approval from the third prediction which is Arabia. In the first reading, we read, “Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.” Matthew is looking at the prophecy of Isaiah which tells us about the non-Israelites bringing gifts to the Lord. In Responsorial Psalm 72, today we read that “The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Sheba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him.”
In the first reading, the light of Isaiah proclaimed to Zion symbolizes the blessing to come to her: the glory of the Lord, the return of her children, the wealth of nations who themselves will walk by her light. If we want to understand the meaning of this passage, we need to look at the background of this passage. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians 57 years before Christ. Fifty years later, the Persians conquered the Babylonians, and they allowed the Jews to return home. They found their city and homeland was ruined and rebuilding was extremely difficult. The prophet was giving them      encouragement and telling them that Jerusalem will become the center of spirituality and light of the world.
As Christians, we understand Jerusalem and Zion to refer now to the Church, which is the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrew 12:22). Isaiah prophesied that when the light shines upon them, all the nations will be attracted. When we read this passage for Epiphany, we can see the Magi followed the star and came to adore the Newborn King.
In the Gospel magi came to King Herod in search of the newborn King, Jesus. Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi were the priestly caste and they were astrologers. It was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall advance from Jacob” (Numbers 24:17). The Magi were not members of the Chosen Jewish People, so the Epiphany today shows Jesus came for all people. The Magi shows us that there is no substitute for an open heart and mind. For Herod, this message about the Newborn King brought fear. He closed his mind and heart towards Jesus, but he pretended to show that he was eager to see him.
The identity of Christ is revealed to different people in different times: First prophets told in general about the coming of Messiah. Then in an intimate way told Mary and Joseph, then to shepherd and magi and later to John the Baptist and then to the disciples. The shepherds represent the poor and   ignorant, and the magi represent pagan believers and intellectuals. The Good News is for everyone. God revealed himself to each one of us. The mission of the Church is to make Christ known to all nations (Matthew 28:19).
 

Happy New Year! Happy Feast of Mary, Mother of God!

12/28/2022 

​Happy New Year! Happy Feast of Mary, Mother of God!
First of all, I wish you a Blessed and prosperous New Year 2023! On New Year’s Day, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Gospel and second reading are more closely related to Mary. The first reading from the book of Numbers is a famous passage in the Jewish tradition. It’s the traditional high priestly blessing. It is a very common blessing in Jewish circles. Let us bless each other as we embrace the New Year:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
 
It is an excellent opportunity to begin the New Year by reflecting on the Mother of God and our mother. After Vatican II, Pope Paul VI transferred the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God— which used to be from October to January 1st. Prior to the Vatican council, the feast of the Holy Name was celebrated on January 1st. Holy Name was removed from the calendar after Vatican II and St. John Paul II restored it to January 3rd. January 1st we pray for World Peace. To ensure peace in the world, we have to be like Mary, "Hear the Word of God and treasure it." To be the Mother of God is to be a carrier of the Prince of Peace.
When a child is born a mother is born. When a child is born, its mother begins to be a mother. Even if she was already a mother to other children this new child makes her a new mother; a new chapter in her mothering begins. In the birth of the Son of God, Mary begins her role as Mother of God.
In the Gospel of Luke 1:43, when Mary visited, Elizabeth says, “And how does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Mother of the Lord, reveals two mysteries, the divinity of Christ and Mary’s divine maternity. In A.D. 431, the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus defined Mary’s unique relationship to Christ and honored her with the title, “Mother of God.” In 1964, Vatican II, (Lumen Gentium, 53), reaffirmed this dogma. This is the first Marian dogma expounded by the Church.
The Gospel passage for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is from Luke 2:16-21. Luke was not an  Apostle and never knew Jesus, but he was a traveling companion of St. Paul. Luke tells us that he has talked to all the key eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life (Luke 1:1-2). Luke gives us a detailed version of the birth of Jesus. He tells us of the visits of the Archangel Gabriel both to Zechariah and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Luke gives us a precise recounting of the birth of Jesus: the Roman census, the  journey to Bethlehem, the visit of the shepherds—even the intimate moment of the child being wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. He also tells of Jesus’ circumcision as an infant and the finding in the temple at the age of 12. We note in today’s Gospel passage that “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 1:19). Luke’s insight sight    suggests that Mary is either a direct or indirect source of information. Many saints and theologians throughout the centuries have believed that St. Luke consulted with the Blessed Virgin in the writing of his gospel. At the end of the Gospel passage, you might have noticed that it says, “At the end of eight days he was circumcised and given the name Jesus” (Luke 2:21). January 1st is the eighth day after Christmas.
The second reading ties to the Gospel passage, which emphasizes Mary’s role in the birth of Jesus (“born of a woman”         Galatians 4:4). We see in the Gospel and the second reading that followed the law which shows the solidarity with God’s     covenant people.
We honor Mary, respect her, love her and seek her intercession, praying, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners."  We honor her primarily because God honored her by choosing her to become the mother of Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity when He took on our flesh. I pray that the Lord Jesus and his Mother Mary may enrich your lives during the New Year 2023 with an abundance of God’s blessings.
THANK YOU! I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who made Christmas beautiful in our cluster by donating    flowers, trees, wreaths, and so on, sharing your time and talents to decorate, and all other ministers: music, greeters/ushers, servers, Eucharisic ministers, and all those who coordinated and participated in the children’s program . A special thanks to our children and youth. The list goes on...All three parishes were well prepared. Thank you! Also my gratitude to all those who sent cards, gifts, and goodies. It is much appreciated. Thank you!   Fr. Shaji
 

Merry Christmas!

12/20/2022 

​One special evening in a small town everybody was very busy. There were lots and lots of people traveling towards that town. Families were busy receiving relatives and friends and finding accommodations. The   houses were full, there were no rooms in the inns, and people were everywhere. Everyone was trying to find a comfortable place to lay their heads that night. A poor family couldn’t find a place to stay in town, so they had to rest in a cave in the countryside. On the other side of the hill, shepherds were “keeping the night watch over their flock” Luke 2:8. Angel said to them, “…For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord” Luke 2:10. The multitude of the heavenly host with angels sang: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” Luke 2:14. When the shepherds came, Mary and Joseph were with the Newborn Baby in the cave. Animals were their company. Magi followed the star and came from the far east. The rest of the world was busy, and they missed the Newborn Baby.
We were in four weeks of Advent, waiting and preparing. In our busy time, let us pause for a moment,      meditate on these beautiful readings, and be ready to adore the Newborn King.
The first reading for Christmas Eve, and Dawn is from Isaiah 62. Isaiah uses imagery to describe the          conversion of Israel from gloom to joy. The prophet tells them that their God is a saving God who extends his redemption to the Holy City. The incarnation represents the marriage of divine and human nature. This passage expresses the joy of the bridal people of God at the arrival of Christ, our Bridegroom.
The first reading for Christmas at midnight is from the book of Isaiah (9:1-6). Isaiah says that people who walked in the darkness, oppressed by Assyria, eventually will see the light and restoration of Israel. Prophets brought hope to the people of the Israelites. Gospel of Matthew 4:12-23 records the fulfillment of the prophesy, as Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, the tribal territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, the territory destroyed by  Assyria. They were the first people to witness the spiritual restoration of Israel through Jesus Christ.
The first reading for the Mass during the day, Isaiah (52:7-10) proclaims the good news of the coming of the Lord. In the incarnation, that prophecy is fulfilled, and it is fulfilled literally in God coming in person, in the person of his son to Jerusalem as a man in the person of Jesus Christ. And that truly is good news.
Gospel readings are from Matthew, Luke, and John. On Christmas Eve Mass, we read the genealogy of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel summarizes and tells us that Joseph is from the family of   David, and Jesus is from the stump of Jesse, Jesus was born into a royal family. Joseph was a carpenter by day, but he belongs to Davidic royal family.
The Gospel of Luke emphasizes the role of Mary. How she listens to the message from the angel, obeyed, sharing that joy with her cousin Elizabeth. While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the birthplace of David, Mary gave birth to Jesus.
We have the reading from the Gospel of John for the Mass of the day. John says, Word was with God, Word was God, and referring to that he was the eternal word of the Father. John says Jesus is the Eternal Word through whom everything was created and in the fullness of time Word made flesh.
This Christmas again God is looking for the hearts to be born. Let us invite him into our hearts, homes, our parish, and every aspect of our life. Listen to Him…! Don’t miss Him! I pray that each of us finds Him this Christmas and watches his smile, listens to his whispering, and experiences his love, forgiveness, and healing. Christmas is not just on December 25th, but it should happen every day of our life.
THANK YOU! I would like to express gratitude for so many people thinking of me during the Christmas   season, sending cards, and gifts, bringing goodies, and so on. It is much appreciated. I didn’t get a chance to write to each one of you. Thank you, everyone, I keep you all in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.                 Merry Christmas!
 

A great sign....

12/13/2022 

​A great sign...
During Advent, we are looking in two directions – looking back to the first coming of Jesus at Bethlehem 2000 years ago and we are looking forward to the final coming of Christ. On the first Sunday of Advent, we meditated on the second coming of Christ. On the second and third Sundays, we were meditating on John the Baptist who came to prepare the way for the Lord. On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel reading is the infancy narrative according to Matthew, where Joseph is the principal character. Last year we read Luke’s infancy narrative where Mary was the principal character. Luke’s infancy narrative is filled with joy, which contains several joyful hymns – Mary’s hymn: Magnificat; Zacharia’s hymn:  Benedictus; Angelic hymn: Gloria, in Excelsis Deo; Simeon’s Canticle: Nunc dimittis. The mood of the infancy narrative in Matthew little bit dark side with the climax of King Herod’s plan to kill the child,   Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-24 is the account of the birth of Jesus Christ, his virginal conception, and birth through the  Virgin Mary. When we read this Gospel passage, we may be tempted to compare the betrothal of Joseph and Mary to an engagement in our time. In an ancient Jewish setting, a man and a woman would become legally married through an act of betrothal. But they won’t live together until the wedding ceremony took place. It’s different than an engagement in our time.
Joseph was a righteous man who committed to living the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 6:25) and decided to divorce Mary quietly because he didn’t want to expose her to shame. Under the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 22:22-24) the punishment for adultery was death.
When Joseph decided to divorce Mary, the Angel guided him to take her into his home and accept the child as his own. The angel appears to him and says, “don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife”—meaning take her into your home — “for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 1:20). Matthew says that the prophet Isaiah’s prophesy is fulfilled: “The young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14), which is the part our first reading.       Catechism of the Catholic Church 497 says God chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary and the       custodian of the Holy Family.
In the first reading, Isaiah is telling King Ahaz, “Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!” (Isa 7:11). Look at the Ahaz reply, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
When we read this passage, we need to know the back story. God had promised (2 Samuel 7:14) an    unending dynasty to David. We know under the leadership of David the northern (Israel and the southern kingdom (Judah) came together (2 Samuel 5:1). But after Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom (ten tribes) and Southern Kingdom (two tribes). Judah, the southern kingdom ruled by the descendants of David. Ahaz, a descendant of David, was a weak ruler. During Ahaz’s reign, God asked the prophet Isaiah to urge the people of Judah to return to fidelity to the Lord. Isaiah encourages the king to stand strong in the face of the foreign threat and even offered a miraculous sign to strengthen his faith. But Ahaz express falls humility by saying, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” But God gave him a sign, “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him    Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
Matthew, in his Gospel passage, tells us that this passage came true in the Virgin Mary. She conceived a son through the Holy Spirit. Prophets waited to see the birth of Messiah. The entire Jews waited for the precious moment. Now we are waiting and preparing for the celebration of Christmas. Let us remain    reflecting on the great sign, which is revealed to us every day through the birth of Jesus.
 

Gaudete Sunday!

12/8/2022 

​Gaudete Sunday…
The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Joy. It’s called Gaudete Sunday and today’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” The theme for this weekend is joy and          encouragement. We light the Rose Candle and rose vestment, a sign of joy.
The prophet Isaiah, in the first reading, encourages the exiled Jews in Babylon to believe that God is   going to save them and transform their lives. The desert shall blossom; the blind, deaf, lame, and dumb will be healed; the ransomed of the Lord will be returning with singing to Zion. Isaiah promised them a new exodus and gave them hope. The assurance of this second exodus is chosen for Advent because both Exodus events foreshadow the coming of the Messiah.
In the Gospel of Mathew 11:2-11, when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, and he knew the messianic prophecies, so he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” He knew the prophecies, and it looks like Jesus quotes our first reading (Isaiah 35:4-6), telling John’s disciples that the prophecies are being fulfilled before their eyes, indicating the kingdom of God has arrived. We see similar prophecies in the book of Isaiah 26:19; 29:18; 61:1-2. The people are rejoicing, because they can see, hear, talk, and walk. They are healed and restored     physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They are rejoicing.
As John’s disciples left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a    prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” John the Baptist’s ministry recalls Malachi 3:1 “Now I am sending my messenger-he will prepare the way before me, and the lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple; the messenger of the covenant whom you desire-see, he is coming! says the LORD of hosts” As in Isaiah 40:3 (Matthew 3:3) the messenger is the Lord’s forerunner.
Malachi’s prophecy is associate the Lord’s forerunner with Elijah, the great prophet of the Old Testament Malachi 3:23. Jesus views John the Baptist who preaches repentance in the spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Jesus says John as the greatest prophet of the Old Testament, “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." In the heavenly Jerusalem, they are greater than John, because they see God face-to-face.
In the second reading, James encourages the early Christians to be patient, “because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” He says, as an example of suffering and patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (James 5:10).
Now, why are the prophets an example of patience? Two key reasons. First, most of them never saw their prophecies come to fulfillment. That’s the first thing. So, think about Isaiah, Ezekiel, or Jeremiah’s prophecies of the coming Messiah. They all died before any of those things ever came to pass.
On this Sunday God invites us to embrace the joy he shares with us. He is with us to heal, liberate, and to  renew. In this Advent, let us approach him with open hearts and minds, he will bless us and send us out with a mission to bring the Good News to others.
As St. Teresa of Avila would say, “Christ has nobody on earth now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the earth. Yours are the feet by which He is to go about doing good and yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now.”
 

Let us prepare for the birth of the Newborn King...

12/1/2022 

The First Sunday of Advent has given us the message of the Second Coming of Jesus. On the second Sunday of Advent, the focus is on the first coming of Jesus. John the Baptist is inviting us to “Prepare the way of the Lord.”. God the Father sent his Son to bring us salvation. Salvation is a gift from God, but God gave us the freedom to accept or reject it.
In the Gospel reading from Matthew, we see John the Baptist preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” When Jews heard these words, they might have gone to the prophecies of the Old Testament.    Matthew tells us by quoting from Isaiah 40:3 “A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
John the Baptist was preaching in the Judean desert by the bank of Jordan. It was not far from Jericho. Jericho was a significant trade root, so there was an opportunity for a lot more people that could come and listen to John the Baptist. John asked them to prepare for the new exodus. We know the Old Testament ended by the Jordan and they entered the Promised Land. John heralds the coming of the new exodus. People kept coming to listen to John and receiving the baptism of repentance.
John was the new Elijah. The Jews expected Elijah to return prior to the coming of the Messiah (Mal 4:5). The way John dressed was similar to Elijah which we read in 2 Kings 1:8, “He wore a hairy garment with a leather belt around his waist.” Jesus himself affirmed John’s role when he said, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things, but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands” (Mt 17:11-12).
John was proclaiming about the one who is to come and invited them to prepare the way of repenting and bearing fruit. He told them, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” He said, “…the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.” In those days, the slave is the one who carries the sandals. Here John was saying he is not even worthy to be Jesus’ slave. John points to Jesus and says, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
The first reading from the book of Isaiah is the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah and speaks about   Jesse, who was the father of David. A shoot from the stump of Jesse is a metaphor for the Kingdom of David. The kingdom of David is destroyed by Babylonians and Assyrians, but a branch is going to come from the house of Jesse and that branch is the Messiah. The new king, the Messiah would be filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The weapon of the new king is His Word. In revelation 1:16, we read, “A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest.” And St. Paul brings the image of the Word of God in Ephesians 6:17.
Isaiah says, in the new kingdom there will be peace and harmony, “the wolf shall be a guest of lamb….” It is an image of returning to the original peace of the Garden of Eden Genesis 1:30). The animals were present in the cave with the newborn king: a kind of new Eden on the night of Jesus’ birth. Jesus is our new Adam who brings back to Eden. He made it possible to have access to the Tree of Life through the Eucharist. Moses led the Israelites from slavery to the promised land,.Jesus is the new Moses, who led us from slavery of sin to freedom.
As we prepare for Christmas and ultimately for the Second Coming, we need to listen to John the Baptist and embrace the invitation for the baptism of repentance. It is a call for a change of mind and heart. Every day, we need to allow our newborn king to be reborn in our minds and heart. We listen to John the Baptist, and at the same time, we are sent out to proclaim the Good News and invite others to celebrate the birth of the  newborn king with us.
 

Advent...A Season of Hope!

11/21/2022 

Today, the First Sunday of Advent, we begin our yearly pilgrimage through the scenes and events of our history of salvation. This year we return to the A cycle readings, with the Gospel focus mostly on the Gospel of Matthew. The first Sunday of Advent, the ‘Sunday of Hope’ in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, through whom God has promised to save and redeem His people.
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Their light represents Christ himself, who is the light of the world. We light the candles gradually throughout Advent because we know that the joy of salvation doesn't come fully into our lives all at once. Our life is a journey, a relationship with Jesus that has to be constantly renewed, just as a new candle is lit each week.
In the first reading eschatological vision Isaiah reports the pilgrimage of nations to Mount Zion as       described also by Micah (4: 1-3). In the vision of Isaiah, Judah is shown as the place to which all      nations will come for “instructions in righteous living.” The result will be universal peace. This        prophecy which explicitly concerns the restoration of Jerusalem, at the same time it applies to the one true Church founded by Christ. The new Temple would not only serve the Jewish people but also draw Gentiles.
Jesus teaches us in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Christ’s second coming would take place without much or any warning at all. Therefore, we should be vigilant and ready to meet him any time. The lesson from the flood is an unexpected catastrophe upon those who were unprepared for it. Noah and family were ready, but the rest of them were distracted by the concerns of the world and were destroyed in God's judgment. Again, Jesus explains, “one will be taken…one will be left” means the righteous will be left like Noah and his family were spared and the wicked will be taken like the rest of them taken in Noah’s time.
The only thing we have to do, according to the conclusion of the first reading, is walk in the light of the Lord. The second reading St. Paul clarifies this in today’s second reading from Romans. Paul provides the motivation for the love that is encouraged in Romans 13:8–10 to follow the commandment of love. The moral law must be kept, but we should do so out of love for God and neighbor rather than merely out of fear or obligation.
God comes again and again in special ways throughout our lives. In order to meet him we need to walk in the Light of the Lord. We need to grow in the law of love. We need to stay awake and be ready.   Advent reminds us of and helps us to grow in love and walk in the light of the Lord. Each week when we light the light, it removes the darkness, brightens our life, and prepares us to celebrate Christmas. Let us prepare for it.
On Sunday December 12, 2021, Pope Francis in his Angelus told his audience, “The Season of Advent is meant for this: to stop and ask ourselves how to prepare for Christmas. We are so busy with all the preparations, with gifts and things that pass. But let us ask ourselves what we should do for Jesus and for others!” Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Whatever you do in your family, for your children, for your husband, for your wife, you do for Jesus." The Advent reading tells us to stay awake. Stay awake in doing good to others and Jesus prepares for the coming of the Child Jesus. Stay awake in   living the love of God and sharing for the end of time. Stay awake in sharing the good news for the end of our own times. Walk in the light of the Lord.
In the first reading we have this beautiful invitation: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.”
 

Christ the King! King of our Heart! Happy Thanksgiving!

11/16/2022 

Happy feast of Christ the King! Thirty-Fourth Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King! In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King at the close of the liturgical year and he proclaimed: “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (“The peace of Christ in the reign of Christ”). This feast asserts the sovereignty of Christ the King. The disciple of Christ, the citizen of His Kingdom, is called to obey the commandment of love: love your God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31).
In the first reading from the book of Samuel, all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, David made a covenant with God, and he was anointed as the King of Israel. Soul was the first King, and he disobeyed God, so God chose David. David was anointed King of Israel with all the tribes united under him. In this role, he was the type of Christ who all bear the title the King of Israel although his Kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36).
The Gospel reading reminds us that Christ’s kingship in this life is manifest by the suffering of the Cross. Jesus willingly accepted the punishment of humanity’s offense and through his sacrifice brought to us redemption. Our King is he who laid downs his life for his people. Throughout the Old Testament, we can read the messianic prophecies. At the royal entrance to Jerusalem, the people shouted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38). Later when Jesus was arrested the same people shouted, “Crucify, Crucify him” (Luke 23:21). Based on the Gospel of Luke one of the criminals who were hanged railed at Jesus, but in the Gospel of Mark 15:32, both railed him. But the penitent thief receives salvation through the crucified Jesus. Jesus’ words to the penitent thief reveal the destiny of the Christian is “to be with Jesus.”
Jesus invites us to establish his kingdom in our hearts, in our homes, in church, community, and so on. It is an invitation to live in the presence of God. The curtain in the Temple separated the presence of God in the Holy of Holies from the people. It's tearing from the top to bottom signifies that the sacrificial death of Christ opens the path of the people to the very presence of God. While we are here, we are called to establish his kingdom in our hearts, but through our union with the resurrection of Christ, the gates of paradise are open for us.
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving! Mother Teresa told this story in the National Prayer Breakfast address in 1994. “One evening several of our sisters went out, and we picked up four people from the street. One of them was in a most terrible condition. So, I told the other Sisters, ‘You take care of the other three: I will take care of this one who looks the worst.’ So I did for the woman everything that my love could do. I cleaned her and put her in bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hands and said two words in her language, Bengali: ‘Thank you.’ Then she died. I could not help but examine my conscience. I asked myself, ‘What would I say if I were in her place?’ My answer was simple. I would have tried to draw a little attention to myself. I would have said, ‘I am hungry, I am dying, I am in pain.’ But the woman gave me much more; she gave me grateful love, dying with a grateful smile on her face. It means that even those with nothing can give us the gift of thanks.” Happy Thanksgiving!!
I would like to take this opportunity to say, “THANK YOU” to all our cluster parishioners, councils and committee members, people serving as different ministers, Cluster staff, benefactors, and well-wishers… “THANK YOU!”