Waterside Parish Newsletters

No Homily from now on as Mass has recommenced

Sunday 10am St Michael’s, Hythe

Contact Fr Abraham: Tel  02380 843479

Email: waterside@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

               21^st Sunday of Ordinary Time 23rd August

There was a happy family. Husband was an engineer and wife an interior decorator. They built a beautiful house near the city. The plan was of the husband and wife did the interior decoration. The sitting room was so aesthetically done and the wife asked the husband, how it was? He said it was very good. But later he felt that something was missing. Next day when he came home had a picture of the Sacred Heart and he placed it at the middle wall of the room. When the wife returned saw it and felt that the picture was a misfit in there among her decorations. She asked him to remove it from there but he refused. They stopped talking and went on for a while. One day a stranger came to their house. As they were talking to him, noticed that he was constantly looking at the Sacred Heart picture. The husband asked him whether he liked it. The stranger told him that the picture saved him from a big crime. He came to their house few weeks ago with the intention to steal. If needed he had all means to harm them as well. He got into the house and was moving towards the bedroom suddenly he noticed this picture and the eyes of Jesus looking at him and heard someone whispering him not to do it. He could not resist the voice and he aborted his plan and went home. The husband and wife looked at each other as the stranger left. The very next day when the husband came home he noticed something being written and pasted below the picture which read “JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THIS FAMILY”.

To many this may appear to be a lag/baggage of the past and may dismiss it without even a thought but wait. We could tag someone for being outdated or “people of old times” for believing and trusting in these small practices but Is this not the hard engraved belief of thousands of the people to bless their houses and install a blessed picture of the Sacred Heart in their homes? Is it not the faith that many generations lived and died?  I do not know what others think but I know that this is so. It may not suit to so many people and their modern outlook. It is the time of other creatures or figures to decorate our walls. As it is beautifully said, whatever you see when you get up and when we close our eyes to sleep has a long lasting impact on our psyche. What do our children see even in Christian homes? The products and figures of the present day! The times when our homes were decorated with Sacred Heart and pictures of saints are a thing of the past. Today we rarely see such homes. This explains the state of faith that we have reached. We lost sight of all those goodness of faith, simple things that helped us to stay focussed. We are in the pursuit of higher things and big fabulous mind blowing spectacles that we neglect aspects of faith.

Jesus was asking His disciples a simple question. An evaluation of what people think about Him first and then a personal question. They gave Him various answers and finally He asked them a very straight forward question. Who do you say I am?

The place where Jesus asked this question is very important. Caesarea Philippi was known as Ballias long time ago. People of Edom lived there and they built a temple for Baal that is how the place was called Ballias. Later this temple was destroyed and another temple was built for Paan, so the place was called Pannias. Later a statue of Ceaser was erected there so the name mentioned in the gospel today. As they were walking along that way Jesus may have seen the remnants of all destroyed structure and asked this question. To know what they think about Him.

People’s answers reflected Jesus’ personality as they saw in Him. Elijah was a much respected prophet who was zealous for God. He was taken up into Heaven and was commonly believed that he would come before the Messiah. Some said Jeremiah. He was known as the suffering servant of God. He was treated very badly by the people. Jesus was compared to Jeremiah due to people’s attitude towards Him. Some John the Baptist as he was very fresh in their memory. He fought against unjust practices and systems and in Jesus also people noticed this.

Peter had no doubt in his mind and spoke up. His companions may have been taken aback by his answer. Peter at that moment was truly inspired so he could not be in doubt. We may see this inspiration of the Spirit at times in our churches, people who teach us or through our own family and friends whose inspiration causes surprise in us. Peter is one of the most interesting characters of the Gospel. He appears to be a mixture of everything. He shows great affirmation of faith, betrayals, let down and all. Nevertheless, it is Peter that Jesus has chosen to lead and how Jesus shapes him to give up his life for Him. His conversion story is to be a study material for all of us who struggle. Peter was confronted by Jesus, challenged and he had lot of prejudices about pagans etc. and Jesus corrected them all and Peter accepted all of them. Jesus may have chosen Peter to lead precisely to affirm the fact that the Church is a refuge of sinners. The realisation of his own shortcomings made him to trust in the Lord’s mercy than to rely on his own capabilities as the people of our time do.

Jesus was interested to know what His disciples thought about Him. They were with Him for 3 years and their knowledge was important for Him. Peter proclaims Him as the Son of the Living God.

Jesus continues to ask this question to all of us today, who do you say that I am? Our genuine responses will tell us who we are and what we want from our lives. Like the woman in the story at the beginning of the homily, do we consider Him as a nuisance to disturb our peace or her later trust as the Head of our Family at all? Our personal encounter with Him is so important to form an answer. We are built on the Rock Foundation of Peter’s faith expressed in the Gospel through the inspiration of the Spirit.

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN M 16th August 2020

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev.12/1). We thank the Lord for giving us such a wonderful Mother and Intercessor. We ought to submit ourselves like her, “I am the handmaid of the Lord” at every moment of our life. Let us be happy for the great honour she receives from Heaven. She commands great honour due to her obedience to God. May we be close to her so that we too may be blessed like her. Let us join with the happiness of Heaven. As we commemorate her Assumption let us rejoice with the whole world. Let us surrender all those who persecute the Church along with her heart. May she help us to stay away from the guiles of the evil one.

Assumption is a great aspect of our belief and is so close to our heart. Special devotion to our blessed mother developed gradually. Our blessed mother’s Holiness and her unique role in the salvation plan of God is prominent. The mother who bore Christ our Saviour in her womb was preserved from all sorts of corruption is so natural and her body was taken up body and soul into Heaven is great pride for her children. No Christian can truly imagine that such a mother could rot like any other body after death, but was taken up into Heaven without decay. She was assumed into Heaven body and soul as Queen.

The Eastern churches talks about the Dormition, which mean that she fell asleep. The blessed virgin who was untouched by sin, towards the end of her life on earth, God honoured her supremely by taking her into His presence Body and Soul.

This faith is so beautifully based on the Apostolic faith. When the disciples heard that Mary was dying, they all rushed. Before they could reach she fell asleep. When they opened the coffin, found it empty. God specially favoured Mary because she is the Mother of God. All the privilege God gave her is based on this. It was through her motherhood, Jesus was born into the world. Her close association with her Son also is a matter of merit.

We celebrate her Queenship of Heaven. She is not only remembered for her Glory but her sufferings and willingly taking up the cross. She went through all sorts of pain and struggles of life. She suffered along with her Son at every walk of life.

To be a part of Christ’s Glory, she had to make that sorrowful journey. She lived the life of an ordinary person which is described in today’s Gospel. Her life of Holiness is an inspiration to all. Her life tells us what kind of people are favoured by God. So natural is her earthly life that holiness is in doing the ordinary things in an extra-ordinary way. This is a great consolation for us that we too can achieve holiness by living an ordinary life. Her desire to visit her elderly cousin who is in need of her presence and service. She visits her relation with the Good News. This is the spectacle of faith lived in the ordinariness of natural life, which is mostly not understood by the world which expects great things to happen in pomp and show. God’s interventions appear so simple to a world which rarely understands. This is the difference. God who is the Creator appearing in the most simple way to shame the empty show of the world. The Real Owner appearing so simple and the stewards appearing in empty show!

Mary’s life of simplicity reflects God’s favour. Her humility before God’s greatness is admirable. People who are favoured sometimes does not understand this in our times. They start claiming it as a right, which belongs to their capability. Mary is different, very different. She never aspired for special treatment – can we look into our own self and our attitude if we are in her place – are we able to stay calm even in a little recognition and success – Do we not demand special treatment from others? People who look for acknowledgement and appreciation for the little they do and are unhappy if they do not get it - . This is her greatness is, and this is what we need to focus to be acclaimed by God. If we value God’s acclaim only need to bother otherwise it does not apply.

May our Blessed Mother intercede for all of us! Let us be her proud children. Her assumption is a reminder and a hope about our future if we are with God. We do not end up here. God wants us to be where she is! She is our model and inspiration.

19^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 9th August 2020

Once a disciple asked the teacher, what should I do to increase my faith? The teacher took the disciple to a steep mountain and asked him to jump. Nothing will happen to you. The disciple gazed at the steep mountain and fear came into his eyes and he replied, I do not have the courage. The teacher told him that there is only one way to increase faith, believe /trust even if you cannot understand its meaning!.

Today’s Gospel shows Jesus’ control over the powers of nature. After the multiplication He went to the mountain to pray and had sent His disciples ahead of Him to the other side. While they were at the middle of the sea, a terrible storm struck. Natural forces can be terrifying at times. Water is essential for life but in an uncontrollable way can be destructive. We have seen it umpteen times of the helplessness we experience before the nature though we claim of huge advancements. We are made so helpless before water, landslides and volcanos. Only people who have seen or experienced such rage. So is Jesus’ disciples, they were so terrified. They were battling with headwinds and storm in the sea.

A question arises, why did Jesus send Hid disciples by themselves? Why did He go all alone to the mountain to pray? Why did He ask them to go themselves?

We know that Jesus has multiplied bread and fed the multitude and it was the genuine hunger of people. After the fall of man, God wished that we eat by hard work and the sweat of our forehead. We see the disciple’s plucking corn, they go to buy food etc. A lazy mind is the workshop of Satan. Due to laziness and nothing to do we can fall into unnecessary temptations so God desires that we work hard to find our food.

After feeding the five thousand, people took that as a chance of laziness. Some of them started thinking that being with Jesus, they can avoid work and walk around Him and be fed. So they even thought of making Him king. Jesus felt pity for the hungry people and did the multiplication but people saw it as an alternative for laziness. This miracle did not lead them to faith but to evil thoughts. And Jesus could not walk free and the miracle, people were looking for Him everywhere, so He send His disciples ahead of Him. Jesus was also pained to see the attitude of people that He wanted to be with His Father all by Himself.

This is the same time, His disciples were into the storm and rage at the sea. Their boat was about to drown. Realising the situation of His disciples, He walked over the sea and reached them. They though Him to be a ghost and was frightened. Jesus calls them and said it is I, do not be frightened. Peter wanted then to go His Master walking on the water and Jesus allows him to do so. Peter in full trust and confidence in Jesus started walking on the water, suddenly there was a violent storm and he was frightened, suddenly realised the sea on which he was walking and its might and fear enveloped him. He cried aloud as he was drowning and Jesus helped Him by extending His hand towards Peter.

One of the important symbols of Christianity in the early Church was, a boat being tossed around in a violent storm. This was at parallel with the sufferings and persecutions, Church was going through, the isolation and feeling of being abandoned. This may be sometimes the experience, not only of the apostolic times but even of our times. Jesus being in the boat that is being tossed about in violent storm, is a powerful symbolism that with Him, everything be set right, no matter what the struggles are. This brings an inner peace and tranquillity and calms which renews the Hope of the faithful.

There isn’t much in mourning about present state of the Church which many do as a weapon to attack due to their hatred, cover their own lack of faithful following of Christ or to cover one’s failure  - to blame it on the other. It may be rocked by innumerable troubles and unanswered questions and so many good people are in panic about the troubled waters and storms. No one is saying that it should be like this, all are concerned and worried but it is made up of human beings, like you and me. When we look at our own lives and our failures so very often in life, we understand why it is so. The Church has gone through much worse situations. People have written it off many times but nothing has happened. As this is made up of Saints and Sinners, Weeds and Good seed and God being so benevolent and wants to save everyone until the last times, it may be so. God is patient with everyone, you and me. So no point of panic. Like Peter we too start focussing on the sea, storms and violence around us. We shift our focus from Jesus to the world and its troubles. It can frighten us beyond measure as it did to Peter. The problem is where our FOCUS is! As long as we FOCUS on Jesus we walk on the troubles without being drowned. Our God will never let us down, humans may fail, as we all do. Bring your FOCUS back, everything will be right, no matter where you are, at the middle of storms, troubles – come back to FOCUS on Jesus – you will not drown.

 People of worldliness and no Godliness, focus on the world and give importance so they see only the troubles and unanswered questions, nothing good. Jesus has promised that He would be there with us till the end of age. The sea may be rough, waters troubled but what is more important for an individual is to put his/her household in order. Before reforming the outside, let it start from inside. The storm of loss of job, brokenness, setback, hurt, upsets are to be tackled first. Stormy marriages, concern for children, sickness that destroy our peace is to be set right. We too are frightened like Peter amidst these storms constantly causing havoc in our family and life. Some run away from it without giving a fight. This constant battering makes some to forget God and His presence in the boat, crying for worldly help alone. Without His reassurance and calms, we will not survive such troubles. Is it not our real trouble in modern times?

If only we hear His promise of being with us till the end! Do not be afraid it is I, in our worst moments! Our lives will be different.

Today’s Gospel is an encouragement to all those who are confused and lost peace of mind with the undue dependence of the world and its powers. It assures us that Our God is with us always, everywhere- He speaks to us in our troubles through various situations, people and circumstances, if only we listen! Take a minute to see into your inner self to see the reasons why you experience restlessness – where have lost the inner peace and happiness. May be our FOCUS is shifted from where it was, or where it ought to be.

Keep Safe – Our God is always with us!

18^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2^nd August

Christ came into the broken world to heal and to restore human dignity. For him every human person was very important and He cared for them. In the pursuit of our own comforts and taking pains for others, humans have a tendency to avoid such situations. Mostly one’s own comforts are of prime importance and very seldom do people come out of their own comfort zones.

Jesus was very different from the existing thought pattern of His generation of people. He went out of His way to come down to the real needs of the struggling humanity, got deeply involved with their sickness, helplessness and troubles. He went out of His way many times for their sake.

Today’s Gospel is a great example of Jesus’ love and concern for the real needs of people unlike many others. Most people neglect or purposely avoid other’s troubles or act as if they have not noticed or seen it.

I remember to have heard of a story of a sage. The young man was in search of a job and was very tired towards the evening, tired. As he was very dejected and sitting in utter hopelessness, a monk came near him and started singing praises of God. The sage talks about the anger this action brought in him that never he felt so much anger in his life. He remembered his family, hungry and hopeless and shouted at the monk to stop it.

Jesus was teaching people in a secluded place and many people gathered round Him. It was evening, people were still listening to Him, neither Him nor people were concerned about anything. His disciples come to Him and ask Him to send the people away as it is a deserted place and evening. Let them go and find out some food and eat. Jesus asks them to provide food for people and they really express their concern. We only have five bread and two fish which may not be enough for us so get away from this trouble. Very practical suggestion, most people use this and justify, we cannot help. Even good people or religious teachers also find this as a REAL reason, justifiable. Do we also turn a blind eye or ear to people’s needs and try to send them off, insentively?  Then Jesus is speaking to us.

This is exactly the difference of Jesus from others. The other person’s needs take priority over His own need. Many even in 21^st century also will not tread on this path. People with real mettle only can dare. We might tell the world something else for not doing so but the REAL reason is something like lack of daring and courage. “NOT ENOUGH FOR US” is it not our excuse as well for not seeing the needs of others? Was it not the problem of the Rich man in Lazarus story?

Jesus’ answer to their argument is an eye opener for all generations of Christians, if we are following Christ. He asks them to make people sit and the greatness of disciples is that they listened to Jesus now. Then we all talk about a great miracle.

Is it a miracle alone? It is surely unimaginable and unheard of it in human history and only God can do this kind of things. We all might feel like appreciating a great miracle worker. A great feeling to commend this action. But is it all about a great magical activity alone in this miracle. We should not forget to see the COMPASSIONATE HEART OF JESUS (bigness). Jesus’ love for the people and His concern and mercy. As the saying goes, compassion flows from a kind Heart. This is where we need to bow our head before Him.

There is a popular saying what I have heard that we should not preach before a hungry heart as such a heart cannot hold greater truth. A hungry person needs food before preaching. That is the reason the world over Church is involved in works of Charity.  This is why in the story of the sage, he felt angry at the monk. People who hear this might say for their own meaningless excuse that this is the reason they do not listen to faith or preaching. Jesus feeds their need for food – SOUL and BODY – neglect to any is not at all good. Jesus felt compassion for people and their hunger.

We see something interesting here – It is the same Jesus when He was hungry at the Desert during His temptation stood before Satan and send him away. But here instead of feeding them with more Word of God, satisfies their physical hunger. Jesus said love your neighbour – He always had concern for other’s needs and respected it. He could stand before His own hunger but had compassion when people were hungry.

We need to see our God who has tremendous concern and love for us that He gave importance to Human Person than anything else. This HEART OF GOD needs to be recognised. People who disrespect and dishonour human beings for anything else should learn from Him. For Jesus PEOPLE mattered the most. Unjust practices, systems and cultures which gives importance to things and treat humans as commodities should learn from Jesus. Individualism and Self- Centred lifestyle are to be monitored.

For Jesus, food and meals were occasions of COMMUNION and SHARING – not only for self- gratification. They are occasions of hospitality, nurturing friendship, acceptance of the other and for building relationships. We had these things in the societies in the past but in the name of modernism we live in a shell where I only exist, not the other. Meal or sharing food remains a SACRED action in some communities even today.

This miracle for the Church is a pointer towards the EUCHARIST. What Jesus did at the Multiplication – His action- took- Prayed – Blessed, observe closely at the Eucharist you participate. Any similarity?

The deepest needs of a Human Being can only be satisfied by God – not by any man made things or system. Eucharist penetrates to the DEPTH of our being and renews, nourishes, forgives the wounds of sin and God fills our Heart. If it does not happen in the Eucharist we participate, check ourselves, our faith and trust in God with the help of various characters of today’s Gospel.

       17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

26^th July

Jesus tells His disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a Treasure buried in a field. Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St. James who found this Treasure in Jesus after the Pentecost and gave His life for gaining this Kingdom of Heaven. We have heard many people spending their entire resources and entire life for gaining a worldly treasure. Many people in modern history have left their homeland and family for gold and other treasures and lost their life. They were in fact ready to give everything up for this cause.

Jesus in today’s Gospel compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a Treasure that is hidden in the field and a Pearl of Great Value. The one who finds the Treasure sells everything and buys the field. The merchant who finds the Pearl of Great Value sells everything he has and buys it. Likewise, the person who finds Heaven also will forgo/reject everything for it.

Heaven is something people had been so fascinated and many endure the sufferings and struggles of Life to gain Heaven after death. The notion of the reality of Heaven made a life-changing understanding in the history of humans. People have done many to things to gain it.

Some people ran away to the forest fearing that they may sin if they lived among people are seen in human history. But some people lived among others doing good for humanity for gaining Heaven. So we see that the notion of Heaven became a deciding factor between good and evil.

We see Jesus apparently asking us to deny everything of the world to gain Heaven. He says that as a person who finds Heaven sells everything to have it and the merchant who finds the Pearl of great value sells all to buy it, we ought to forgo anything for Heaven.

By talking about Heaven, Jesus means here about the Kingdom of God in all possibility as Heaven is gained after death and he/she cannot have it while living.

He taught us to gain the Kingdom of God for standing against the unjust systems of the world, take up the Cross for the Kingdom of God and to suffer for it. This is a practical suggestion to put aside all the distractions that can take the place of God in our lives and hearts. If we over value the world, its powers, prestige etc. we devalue God. It is simple logic. Nothing should take priority over God and His Kingdom is very logical. There is a Pearl for everyone but it comes with a price and it needs to be paid. What counts when we die is not the possessions we have but the type of person we were when we were alive. Many people paid this price of their own life in the beginning of the Church and they gave it willingly. They had their priorities set right. Our reflection should be that are our priorities set right? We are in the dilemma of real needs and competing wants. Not able to differentiate between both. King Solomon also faced this dilemma and we know his prayer to God.

He invites us not to die for the Kingdom of God but to live for it. Some people over the history has not understood what Jesus meant and did all sorts of things to gain Heaven. When someone lives for the Kingdom of God is when we ought to reject/deny wealth, power and even life itself and gains a hundredfold.

Sometimes in history people thought that Christians needs to hate the world but that is not true. A Christian is a person who loves the world for establishing God’s Kingdom, for e.g. Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa and all those names of our times. They are respected beyond religion for such exemplary love the world has not seen or experienced.

There are people who lost their life or who were cause of others life lost, for this reality. Jesus came down from Heaven to the world for human good. He suffered for humanity’s sake and for the establishment of the Kingdom of God. This is for what we are called as Christians.

                 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

19th July

In today’s Gospel Jesus uses 3 parables to reveal the mystery of the Kingdom of God. In the first He compares it to the Good Seeds a farmer has sown in his field. Secondly, to the Mustard Seed and finally to the Yeast which a woman mixes with flour. For the first one Jesus gives a detailed explanation. After a careful reading to the parables and its explanation, one is left with a few questions, confusions and doubts.

In the first parable Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to the Good Seeds that is sown. While the farmer was asleep, an enemy sows darnel among the Good Seeds. When the seeds started to show up, darnels also appeared among them and the servants informed the master about it. But the master did not allow them to weed out the darnel immediately and in turn asked them to wait until harvest because there is a possibility of the wheat too being weeded out along with the darnel. He asked them to allow the darnel to be with the wheat until then.

Any gardener knows the problem of weeds. They appear from nowhere, overnight and are a threat to the seeds. It is a very delicate affair to weed them out as they can damage the young plants. Addressing a crowd who is very familiar to this exercise does not make the matter simple because the darnel is purposely planted to destroy the farmer. But by the time the weeds are spotted they are already so closely growing with the plants.

Jesus draws our attention through this parable to the Kingdom of God. By this mystery usually we understand of a place where God dwells but after a good reading we come across a farmer who sows Good seeds and this could be a bit of confusion. Yet the parable draws our attention to the fact that the Kingdom of God is not very far off but is among us and this Kingdom of God is established at the Creation. God created and He found everything good. Jesus by telling this parable reminds us of the fact that what God created was very Good. Then a natural question comes up, then why there is bad/evil in the world? Our world is far from being perfect and we are very familiar about the existence of evil in the world. We are aware of the fact that this evil is present in us and even with the best of our intentions we cannot keep them away. We hear about it as a routine through the news and our own experience and the sad part is that evil appears to be everywhere and is triumphed.

Jesus explains to us that the reason for this is the intervention of satan.

Why then God does allows this evil? Why does He not punish the evil immediately? This is a question human beings ask in every generation. Jesus gives the answer through this parable. Because it is present so subtly that there is a possibility of Good being destroyed alongside. But He very clearly tells us that this is not the victory of evil as they will be completely destroyed at the Harvest.

The parable of the Mustard seed calls our attention to the reality of the smallness of the seed but the potential to be a big tree. Jesus changes the whole understanding of God and where He lives in His audience. He tells them that He is everywhere not only in a particular place. But we need to find Him out, when the seeker finds Him out it becomes a reality within himself or herself. When this understanding of God in oneself, others and whole world becomes a reality, we are like that mustard plant giving shelter to so many. Growth of understanding makes to be a shelter for the whole creation.

The third one of the Yeast also goes along with the mustard seed. When a person finds the Kingdom of God like mustard seed, treasure that person becomes a shelter for the world so is the Yeast, it leavens the whole flour. It has a potential to grow beyond its tiny size. Jesus invites our attention to the inner strength, energy and the Power of the Holy Spirit in all of us. Kingdom of God is a reality among us now, we need to seek it out and Heaven is something beyond which is the reward for a Good Life. One can enjoy Eternal Life there. Jesus teaches us to seek the Kingdom which is in everything and everywhere.

Some people are looking out for a perfect church to belong and in this endeavour are very disappointed and unhappy. There is no perfect community anywhere, it will be a mixture of good and bad, saints and sinners alongside. Flawless society is just an illusion but still we mourn for the unreal. If God is patient with them and show mercy, who are we to condemn them? Some humans are more judgemental than God in the society. God does not expel someone so soon because He has the care for them in His Heart. They can change and conversion is quite possible. He is very slow to condemn, full of compassion for the wayward. Jesus never said that the Church will instantly change everyone but at the Harvest time. The offender cannot also go on eternally but only until the Harvest time.

We as a Church is called to be inclusive than exclusive, more forgiving, open and inviting. God is not in a hurry, in His great Love and Compassion is very kind and patient. His concern extends to everyone and all creatures.

We as Christians are called to be messengers of this Kingdom of God that it needs to be proclaimed to all. We are to be seekers of this Kingdom in ourselves and to live for it.

                     15^th Sunday of Ordinary Time Homily

15th July 2020

Faith is a gift of God. It grows when it is given proper circumstances to grow. Jesus uses parables which are at times disturbing stories, which awakens hearts and minds that have grown weary and dull. Jesus uses common stories which are easily understood by His listeners, connecting to their day to day experiences. Land, sowing and fertility of the soil are common man’s knowledge of His time at Palestine.

It may be in our time like parents who love and cherish their faith, finding it hard to pass on to the next generations. Some have done everything possible and within their capacity failing miserably due to lack of interest from children. We find various reasons which are responsible for this. Sometimes due to lack of good models, poor catechesis, not giving enough care in passing on faith, may be a catholic school not being there etc. In circumstances where better climate for faith like regular mass attendance, family prayer and other pious practices are prevalent, faith is vibrant. Sometimes unusual things are noticed that in good circumstances also faith does not grow in modern times. Where no care is given, sometimes faith grows as well. This is why we call faith mysterious.

The sower was out for sowing, while he was sowing, some fell at the roadside. The birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, they sprouted soon but dried when sun came up. Some fell among thorns and they were suppressed by the thorns. Some fell at good ground and it produced thirty, sixty and hundredfold.

If we need to understand the parable well, we need to understand the nature of the cultivating fields and the way they cultivate in Palestine. Planting happens before ploughing. The sower sows the seed lavishly everywhere and once that is completed is when ploughing is done. And the growth of the seed will heavily depend on the soil. The land was such that there were all the Gospel mentioned situations in cultivating fields.

They used to sow in two ways. They would fill a sack full of seeds with holes and it would be tied on a donkey’s back and it would be made to walk, next one the farmer would throw seeds around. As the place was windy, seeds would be scattered all around. This is the reason why the seeds fell at all these places. The seeds that fell in different places had different result at harvest.

Jesus gives an explanation in today’s Gospel. The seed is the Word of God and the Sower is God, the different places where the seeds fall are people with different mind sets. The seeds that fell at the roadside are those who close their ears to God’s Word. There could be various reasons for doing this, one of them could be the immoral way of life one leads, and such a person cannot listen to the Word of God as it pricks his/her conscience and will ask the person to change. It is very difficult for the person so he/she though listens to the Word of God, does not allow it to go to the heart. So disowns the Word and the evil birds will gather them.

The ones that fell on rocky ground is different. They are ready to listen and will accept it but such persons with a rocky heart does not think seriously so the Word does not take root in their heart. When hardships and struggles of life beckons, they disown the Word.

The Seed/Word that fell among thorns are the ones who live in utter worldliness. They have so many things to do in life. They are like bees, so busy. They do not get time for anything. In their busy life, they hardly find time to live the Word and so do not bother at all. Therefore the Seed/Word that they have received joyfully is suppressed by the thorns.

The Seed/Word that produces good harvest are the ones who meditates on it and apply it to their life and live by it.

Jesus had two types of people in His mind, one group of people who preach and second those who listen. The Seed/Word has the potential within it to produce fruit but still it needs a fertile ground where it needs to fall. The same way though the Word of God is alive and active and can produce the desired fruit, the ones who listens to it needs to co-operate. If the one who listens rejects the Word, it cannot produce any fruit. For the ones who preach the Word of God, Jesus says that sometimes there may not be any fruit immediately though what is sown is the Word of God. The preacher should not be dejected and stop preaching.

Jesus was saying this from His own experience. He was preaching the Kingdom of God, Word of God, still many considered Him as their enemy. Even religious leaders were against Him and was not allowed in their Synagogues and He had to preach on hilltops and seashores. Many came to listen to Him and those who listened, some became His enemies, some disciples, some people felt that His Word was very hard and left Him. Jesus was talking to His disciples who were dejected by the result of the preaching and people’s response.

We, Christians are listeners of the Word of God. Word is not for ears but for the Heart. It is not for listening but for living. This is what Jesus tells us through this parable.

God is the Sower, so the seed cannot be bad. Then why in some people/places the Word does not produce fruit, it is not the fault of the Sower but the ones who does not receive it properly. So despite all our frustrations and troubles of life be docile to the Word of God which has the power to produce. Let us tirelessly prepare our soil and be fruitful.

14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily

5th July 2020

I remember to have read a news in the Washington Times which was titled as, “Letter to Jesus”. The address was as to the Son of Joseph.

The content of the letter summed up like this. We have heard that you have begun an organisation. But the 12 people you have chosen are not very capable. Peter is only an emotional human being, not at all capable. He only knows to get angry at times. Peter’s brother Andrew also does not have any leadership skills. James and John, sons of Zebedee are very selfish. Thomas only knows to ask some questions and waste time. But you have little respite in the fact that you have Judas with you. He is a real prospectus. If you make him the leader of the group, you will never have cause for regret. He will make a good leader.

In today’s gospel we see Jesus making a statement thanking the Father for revealing these things to mere children and hiding it from the learned.

When we look at the disciples from a worldly point of view, there may not be someone so exceptional among the bunch. By age Peter was the senior most. When we read the gospel thoroughly, it may appear to be true. He was a poor fisherman who made a living fishing. He was short tempered, bit proud and at times bit child- like. Take any from the 12, no one with high leadership skills.

We may find it bit confusing about the selection as if there are no criteria. Peter was advanced in age, senior to even Jesus. Nathanael was very young. Peter and Andrew were very poor, sons of Zebedee, though fishermen were slightly better off. Mathew was the richest among them all.

Religiously they were all Jews, but not very learned at all.

On Social status, they did not weigh much. They lived a silent life, not involving in political matters either. This was true of Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Judas and Simon were Zealots, who believed in bit violent activities. Mathew was a tax-collector, who was hated by the Jews.

From the worldly perspective, there wasn’t anyone socially, financially, politically, and religiously better off among the 12. That exactly is the meaning of the statement made by Jesus in today’s gospel.

The words following are a promise. Jesus says that anyone who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy.  He promises rest to all who are burdened. He goes on to say something just opposite that take my yoke and learn from me. This is the importance of the call to discipleship. He does not give any appeasing promises to the prospective disciples. He reminds them of the sufferings they may have to face, following him. He has bluntly told the young man that the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Another time he says that anyone following Him will have to bear crosses. But He promises that He will give them rest and will not leave them on their own.

All of us Christians are called to this discipleship of Christ. If we live as true Disciples of Christ, we will face many hurdles and sufferings, we may have to lose many things. But our present loss will turn out to be our gain. This is very true of the disciples who were so very ordinary when they were called, but by the merit of the One who called them, they became exceptional people, who ashamed the “so called” better ones of their time. God chooses the lowly to shame the world. We need to understand the Mind of God and the mind of the world. The world goes by externals alone, but God looks the inside of the person.

It is the same 12, who were just ordinary who could not be in any leadership positions who championed the biggest organisations of the world. This is the work of God. This is the God who promises to give us rest. It is not like the false promises of the world. The world promises something and does something else.

The speciality of Jesus is that He calls us by telling us the TRUTH, unlike the world. Many people go behind sweetened lies in the guile of being truth and spoil their life. The life of falsehood appeals to most people as it allows them to live a life of so-called freedom and licentiousness. By the time one comes across the truth of it, may be too late for a comeback. When we live a life of the Present only and not bothered about higher realities of life, it may appear to be enough.

As disciples of Christ let us try to understand the meaning of the saying of Jesus and find rest in Him, who alone can satisfy the innermost needs of a human being. May God Bless us.

                 12^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

21st June

There was beautiful girl who just died at her prime youth. Her body was in the tomb nearly a month. One day she heard the noise of someone digging on the grave, she wondered as to who it is. She thought for a moment, is it my boyfriend? May not be him! He may have already forgotten me and befriended someone else. Then who it could be, parents or siblings, no, they may have forgotten me already. She exclaimed, who has time to remember the dead. Then who could it be? Finally she thought, it could be my pet and she was right. I loved him so much while I was alive. At least my pet remembers me! But her joy was short lived. She thought that the pet was searching for her out of love for her. The pet told her, that he was trying to hide a bone that he found on the way. As he was full and did not want to eat right away, he was trying to hide it. This is from “Are you Digging on my Grave” by the famous poet Thomas Hardy.

In today’s gospel we hear about God’s love and care for humans. Jesus affirms the fact that we are precious in the eyes of God. Jesus came to the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God. But it was not easy for Him and His disciples. They were opposed by both the spiritual leaders, the worldly leaders and even from the people.

Sometimes we wonder as to why they were opposed. For this we need to understand what it means by the Kingdom of God. Many people think that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. They both are two different realities. Heaven is that place or state of life gained after death as a gift to those who lead a virtuous and upright life. Kingdom of God is reality of this limitless universe. It is here and there, everywhere. It becomes a Kingdom of God when goodness is prevailed. Then only we can call it the Kingdom of God. This is the purpose of evangelisation, to make it a place of goodness and virtue.

The worldly authority opposed Jesus and His work on a misunderstanding that He was trying to oust them and capture worldly power. Therefore they tried to stop Him from the beginning. If Jesus’ Kingdom of love and goodness is established they were scared of their meaningfulness.

The spiritual authority was against Jesus and His work because the new understanding proposed by Him was not of their liking. Jesus taught that God desires Mercy and Love not Sacrifice. This would directly affect their importance. A God who is appeased in sacrifice was beneficial to them. So they vehemently opposed Jesus.

Jesus and His disciples were constantly attacked by both these powers. Jesus and His disciples were a puzzle to them. The loyalty of His disciples to Him and His values were a cause of wonder. They ignored the lure of easy going way of life proposed by the leaders of their time and objected paganism. We too are constantly confused with the worldly values with values of Christ as we live in the world. This is a pressure that we all experience in our daily life. Jesus’ disciples were opposed at every step they took towards the Kingdom of God. On their provocation many times people tried to manhandle them. This is what will happen to anyone who is involved evangelisation even today.

Jesus was reassuring the disciples who may have been tormented by the attitude of the authorities and the people. Jesus told them that God considers them precious and their hard work be rewarded by Him. The present situation is only limited to this world and their aim is beyond the limited world. They can only harm them physically but our life is not limited to this world.

The authorities tried two ways, 1) They tried to physically eliminate them 2) with the lure of worldly comfort and pleasures tried to drive people away from the Kingdom of God. For this they tried to kill some and secondly those who malign both body and soul. The second is more serious and needs to be very careful.

Jesus’ disciples may undergo many struggles and pain and they need to keep up their spirit on the fact that God is their hope and protector. They are very precious to Him. In God’s eyes we have a worth and value beyond counting. He promises to see us through and invites to live on His values unashamedly. 

The poet in the beginning of the homily was not a believer and he was trying to prove that life is worthless. No value for love and memory, so on. They are mere words and do not mean much. Once we die everything is over. No one will be there to remember anyone after death. We do not need to be hopeless as the poet. We have a God who never forgets us. Even if your mother forgets you, I will not forget you is what He has promised us, not even a hair falls down without His knowledge, I am in safe hands with my God no matter what happens.

When the world frightens us let us remember these words of Jesus and with a renewed vigour walk in His ways.

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

CORPUS CHRISTI - HOMILY

14th June 2020

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The sacrament for our Eternal Life. The greatest gift Jesus has given to us, His own self as food and drink for us for our sustenance and nourishment. What an amazing and wonderful gift, it can only be given by a loving God. Therefore every Eucharist is an invitation towards this love. He was wounded to heal our wounds. We remember the ultimate love of Jesus for each one us on this day.

When Jesus was teaching in Capernaum he said, “I am the living bread that came down from Heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world”. This caused great unrest in his listeners, even His disciples. Many left Him because they could not digest His words, even today many people struggle in understanding the Eucharist. Many people have a superfluous understanding on the Eucharist than a real understanding.

There were many reasons why His Jewish listeners struggled as it did not corroborate with the OT understanding. When Jesus said this is my body… they could not accept it because He was claiming to be God. They understood it quickly. They had the understanding of the offering and how it becomes Holy when it is offered to God in offering and who gives it to them to be eaten. They could not accept Him to be God, only a man. So they left Him.

In the book of Leviticus, they were forbidden to eat blood. Jesus also said that it is of higher degree than MANNA which their ancestors ate in the desert. For them MANNA was the best Food ever given to them, as it came from Heaven. So Jesus’ claim was a blasphemy for them.

Jesus was born to redeem us from sin by becoming an oblation. St. John introduces Jesus as the Lamb of God who has come to take away the sins of the world. When the lamb is offered in sacrifice only it can take away the sins. When the person who brings the lamb offers and eats of the sacrificed lamb is when he receives remission for his sins. Jesus is that Lamb of God who has come to take away our sins. So He needs to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. And as the OT understanding renewed anyone who eats and drinks the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ will be saved.

In the sacrifice of Jesus there are some marked differences. In the offering of old the lamb and the one offering are different but in Jesus both are the same. The old sacrifice only benefitted the offeror and the one who eats of it but in the sacrifice of Jesus the entire world and its people are benefitted. This sacrifice remains forever, no more sacrifice is required, once and for all. In the Eucharist we do not offer any more sacrifice but remembers the Sacrifice of Jesus, commemoration of the Sacrifice of Jesus. At every Eucharist the one who offers the Sacrifice is Jesus Himself, in Persona Christi. It is the power of the same words that Jesus uttered that the bread and vine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The priest repeats the same words. When we receive this Sacrament of Eternity in Faith and disposition it becomes Eternal Life for us. A worthy reception is absolutely necessary if it has to become a Sacrament.

At every Holy Eucharist Jesus invites us to the Sacrament of Eternal Life. He wants to make us strong and nourished. The Eucharist nourishes our body and spirit, which is a requirement on our pilgrimage to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Communion is an invitation to be together with one another in our Christian community. He is really and truly present in our brothers and sisters. Eucharist heals wounds that are caused by our interactions with one another and fills us with compassionate love of Christ. Eucharist is an invitation to care and to share. His presence is experienced in Faith and it makes us to grow and live in unity. The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus is an invitation to become life-giving to others.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is an invitation to the Love of Christ in the Holy Eucharist and learn to share that Love with one another.

Quotes of Mother Teresa:

“To give us Life, He has become the Bread of Life. He is there- night and day. If you want to grow in Love, come back to the Holy Eucharist, come back to Adoration”.

“The moments I spend with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is the best time I spent on earth”.

St.Francis of Assisi

“Only in the Body and Blood can my naked eyes see the Son of God on earth”.

                            HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY

7th June 2020

Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity is embedded in our whole being from very early stage of our life. Long before we had our introduction to various religious lessons, we learned to bless ourselves with these words of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We bless ourselves and others in the name of the Trinity. One God, in three persons. One in Unity and Love. The insight into the relationship of the Trinity was revealed to us by Jesus. God is so Great a reality and mystery that we can never unravel fully. The small little boy at the seaside trying to empty the deep ocean into the small pit that he has made on the shore and St. Augustine wondering at his silly action whereas he himself was trying to understand the deep mystery of the Holy Trinity with his human intellect. Both are trying to empty the vast ocean into man made pits. We will fail.

The Holy Trinity is engraved into Christianity in such a way that it is inseparable. Faith in the Trinity is so central and vital to our faith. Profession of Faith is an acknowledgement of this fact. Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The mystery of the Holy Trinity is the mystery of Christian Faith and Life”. This is the mystery of God about Himself.

For a Christian it is part of his life-long profession, from the beginning till the end that they believe in God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Even the church bells are rung in this rhythm of the Holy Trinity, 3 times each reminding the faithful about the Holy Trinity. We bless ourselves with the sign of the cross in the name of the Trinity. The priestly blessing also in the same way.

The shadow of the Trinity is shed on Family in a special way. They are not two, but one body ( Mk.10/8). This understanding is Trinitarian. The Mystery of “ Two becoming One” (Eph. 5/31). Unity and Indissolubility is the basis of Sacramental Marriage and this is again Trinitarian. The beautiful explanation of the Scriptures about the Church is again points to the Trinity. 1Cor. 12/12 says, “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ” is how St.Paul beautifully describes about the Unity in Diversity. The foundation of the Church is Trinity. The One Holy Catholic Church is also Trinitarian. Oneness of 24 fully Catholic Traditions together are called as ONE, HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH. This is not the ordinary mathematics of the world which our generation is accustomed to. This why we find it hard to understand matters of faith.

We are part of a culture which does not understand the concept of Mystery, we are not at all comfortable as people of technology. Mystery talks about things that we cannot physically see. It is so strange that we refuse to believe in things that we cannot see whereas we are fighting with things that we cannot see mostly and have no control. But they do exist. People happened to think that there is no limit to physical knowledge and no need to bother about things of Heaven.

Trinity Sunday reminds us of God, the Father, Creator, Son, the Saviour and Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit in whose love we live. We are the image of this Trinity and its love. In whose love and unity we live.

We need to learn to live as the Trinity. In the Most Holy Trinity One is closely related to the other, complete love and unity is the trademark of the Trinity. Everything is common between them, everything belongs to everyone. It is a Communion, inter-relationship is so perfect. The Unity is so great in them. When we live in love, greater the Unity.

This Trinitarian Love and Unity needs to be applied in our personal life, family and social life. The attitude of every relationship is one of Self-Giving. When self-giving is missing in any relationship, selfishness creeps in. Lack of love is the reason for selfishness. Even in family relationships there exists selfishness and we keep an account of things done to each other which reduces love. Family relationships lose that warmth it is just a business, if account is kept in relationships, the result is hopelessness and despair.

We are called to be people of Communion, so let us live a life of communion.

PENTECOST SUNDAY HOMILY 31^st May 2020

Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The day on which the Holy Spirit came down on the frightened disciples who were locked up in the Upper Room for fear of Jews and they were made new from that day.

There are young people who live without bothering about their bright future, people of our generation who live without proper Christian understanding/outlook, some people of older generation who live without any Christian Hope. This is one of the most pitiable state of Christian life that we see today.

On the other side as Prophet Joel ch.2/28-29; “Then afterward I will pour out my Spirit upon all mankind. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”. Pentecost is the fulfilment of that promise. We need to be anointed by the Holy Spirit so as to come out of fear, hopelessness, and lack of proper understanding, right dispositions.

Christ is the centre of the WORD and it is the Holy Spirit who strengthens and awakens to right understanding. And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation, says John 16/8.

The effect of the coming of the Holy Spirit is the change in the Life and Attitude of the disciples. Holy Spirit comes into communion, where Mother Mary along with the disciples were in prayer. Also note, when Holy Spirit and Mary met for the first time, Christ was formed in her Womb, now when they meet the Church was born. The people in the Old Testament who lived near Shinar valley tried to build the Tower of Babel in their pride and arrogance and selfish attitude and God dispersed them as they failed to understand each other but here in the Upper Room when the Spirit of Unity comes people of different cultures, language and traditions understand each other. This is the miracle; it is not language and culture that alone unites us but the Spirit of God above all these. Sometimes we have same language, culture and most things in common but no unity, peace and cohabitation. Family is the best example for this. At Pentecost, people of different cultures, languages are being united, and they understand each other very well though they spoke various languages. The people who refused to stay in communion are dispersed. Therefore, the importance of Ecclesial Communion.

Holy Spirit is the spirit of Unity, it is the sign of communion. When the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is weak, such a community cannot stay in unity. Act of the Apostles so beautifully says that the community of believers lived as one in heart and mind. This was affected by the Holy Spirit. So, for any Christian community to live in unity and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit is necessary. If our families struggle to live in unity and peace, one of the most important reason is the absence of the Holy Spirit. He unites people so the families filled with the Holy Spirit lives in unity and there will be communion. When the Spirit is weakened in a family, it starts to be divided.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the sense of sin and justice and judgement. The biggest fault of the world today is not about sinning but losing the Sense of Sin which is very dangerous, and it can lead to destruction. This is again the absence of the Holy Spirit who gives a sense of sin. So, the need to be anointed.

I remember a small little story. A family was travelling by bus. The man who was giving out the tickets came and the mother said half ticket. Then the man asked how old he was and the mother said ten (as per rule children below 10 travel on half ticket). When they dismounted from the bus the son asked, am I not thirteen? The mother gave a stern look at the son. As her reply. She taught a great lesson to the child that day.

For money we can lie, even for a little.

We all want our children to be good. It is a good thing. There is no scarcity for principles and values but for good models. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us about sin, justice and judgement. If He is absent we lose the Sense of Sin and it can be destructive. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will lead you to the fullness of Truth (Jn.16/13).

When in our families, Church Communities and parish the work of the Holy Spirit is not up to the mark, what happened to the Tower of Babel repeats. We do not understand one another though we speak the same language, no depth in relationships and the result is division. Such a unit will lack Love. Lack of energy and life in Christian worship is the result of the absence of the Spirit.

So let us pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit who gives unity come down on us and give us Peace and courage.

                           7^th SUNDAY OF EASTER

24th May 2020

We are very near to the great feast of the Pentecost. The Ascension of the Lord brought some sort of sadness experienced by the disciples as the Lord ascends to Heaven. It is a perfect setting for the joy of Pentecost. The disciples did not understand the ascension so they were still looking upwards. Every departing and separation is painful so the pain of the disciples is understandable from the perspective of common life. But from the perspective of Faith, we need to grow towards Christ.

In his farewell discourse to the disciples Jesus prays for them as His time was very close. He was about to be handed over to the enemies and the mission was to be carried on by His disciples. As He was going away from them, His main concern was for the apostles who He was leaving behind. The disciples had to carry on the mission without his physical presence which would be difficult for them.

The future ministry will require their greater participation and involvement. Jesus was entrusting them to His Father so that they fulfil their responsibility. They were to give witness to Jesus and the spreading of the good news was in their hands. Jesus was very much aware of the difficulties and struggles they would face in their work. He entrusted them to His Father.

Jesus’ prayer at this difficult time is an invitation to us to reflect on our prayer. Do we spend time in prayer in our most difficult time? Do we try to know the will of God, even in such critical moments? Do we turn towards humans rather than God to find solution to our problems? The intensity of prayer and meditation helps in our most difficult moments as Jesus do. He finds consolation in His Father. We need to learn this for life as we struggle in the world on a regular basis. We might easily blame God for this, but is it of our making and lifestyle rather than someone else who needs to be blamed, is a million pound question. No one accepts responsibility for the life they choose but blame only towards one direction whereas they never listen to God or His ways.

If only we reflect, we encounter such trivial questions and find certain answers. On this 7^th Sunday of Easter, Jesus by praying for His disciples teaches people of all generation how they need to conduct their life. We need to be prepared for the mission and the mission will only be successful if we are One as the Trinity. If we are to be witnesses of Christ in the world, it is not an easy take.

Even in the absence of Jesus, the disciples has to take His presence everywhere. His presence has to fill each and every corner of the world. Let us all prepare ourselves for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost as many people are already on great preparation. We need the outpouring of the Spirit more than ever as it is only His coming that can give us courage, fortitude and understanding. It is the coming of the Holy Spirit that opened the doors of the Upper Room for the frightened disciples to come out without fear to proclaim Christ to the ends of the world. May the Spirit help all to come out of fear and proclaim Christ with conviction and courage.

                   6^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER  HOMILY

Continuing with the Last Supper conversation where Jesus talks about His imminent death and the shock experienced by the disciples and Jesus’ promise that He will not leave them orphans but send an advocate to help them through life is an important message for all. Last Sunday we heard the disciples’ confusion that they do not know the way where He is going.

Jesus promises the Spirit of Truth. Who is this Helper or Spirit of Truth? Every Christian knows that is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. What is it that the Holy Spirit going to do in the world in the physical absence of Jesus?

In the birth of Jesus, we see the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is by the work of the Holy Spirit that the Virgin Mary gives birth to Jesus. So the beginning of Human Salvation is from the Holy Spirit. At the beginning of Jesus’ public life we see the Holy Spirit guiding Jesus to the desert. When Jesus is baptised from John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit comes upon Him in the form of a Dove. When Peter proclaims Christ as the Son of the Living God, Jesus answers that it is the Holy Spirit who revealed him to proclaim this truth. So we can find out the presence of the Holy Spirit in all these activities. Then why does Jesus say that when he has gone, He would send the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit was already present, what does it mean to send Him?

It is true that from the beginning of the birth of Jesus, in the life of Jesus and His Apostles, there was the presence of the Holy Spirit. But while Jesus was in the world, His presence was felt only in those moments. The Holy Spirit’s presence fully was felt from the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles.

A question may rise in our minds as to what can the Holy Spirit accomplish what Jesus could not. The main purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world was to save them from the Slavery of Sin and make them heirs of Eternal Life by His suffering, death and resurrection. This is for all eternity. If everyone has to be a part of it depends on the fact they need to know, and this was the reason Jesus has chosen the apostles and taught them.

If we reflect on the life of the apostles, they have not understood the truth what Jesus taught them. Jesus told them that He and the Father are One but they still ask show us the Father. Jesus tells them that He is the Bread came down from Heaven and they have no idea. They were at a loss when Jesus speaks about His death. All their doubts vanish when the Holy Spirit comes down on them, this is what Jesus promises. So the Helper’s responsibility to make them aware of the Mysteries of God.

The Apostles were hopeful and courageous in the presence of Jesus but when He is gone they will be shattered. They will feel abandoned. To keep them in Hope and courage, they will definitely need a very powerful presence. The purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit is to fill the hearts and minds of the apostles at this crucial moment. We will find it difficult to describe the change that happens to the shattered disciples when the Holy Spirit comes is what Jesus foretells them. They were filled with a new vigour and enthusiasm as never before.

The Good News Jesus proclaims is not limited to the geographical area or boundary, it is for the whole world. It is to reach to the ends of earth. This is for all generations of all people. Jesus’ disciples were ordinary people, simple people who could not accomplish all that we said above on their own. So they need to become people who are filled with the Spirit of God and this is the ultimate purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

10th May

5^th SUNDAY OF EASTER

There lived a Holy Man who was very popular as he never said a lie in his life. Once when he was in meditation in a dense forest, he heard the cry of the frightened villagers who were running for their life from a giant. They pleaded with the Holy Man to save them from the giant who was coming to destroy them. When the Holy Man heard their plight, he hid them in his cave. After sometime the giant also came and enquired about those people. Now the Holy man was in confusion as he never said a lie before. If he said the truth then they will be destroyed and if he lied it will be untrue. He could not even think about lying and then we know what happened.

We hear in today’s Gospel Jesus proclaiming that he is the way, truth and life.

Jesus was on the face of His death. In his farewell to His disciples, He consoles His companions that they do not need to be sad at the fact that He was going away from them, because He was going to the Father. Therefore they need to be happy for He was going to prepare a place for them.

Now the disappointment of the disciples is so genuine (as we often say when our plans are shattered) that they followed Him thinking that He will be the Messiah who will establish a kingdom and that they will be part of this plan. Now the announcement Jesus made almost shattered them to the core. They were lost, faces downcast, disappointed. Jesus spoke the Good News of hope to them.

Peoples from antiquity has given God various attributes, one of the best is that God is TRUTH. So fitting for God. If we are given good and evil and ask which is true, without doubt we will say that what is good is truth. But if we are asked to choose between Life and Death as to which is true, we will sweat a bit to choose. Both are true. We get one of the best insight in this choice of the Ultimate Reality called God who is THE TRUTH which is unaffected by both. So we must say that He is the Ultimate Good, Eternal Life and so on. The way to this Truth is Goodness and Virtues, this way of Virtue leads us to Eternal Life. This is why in the context of death too, this passage gives us great consolation that we are going to that Truth.

Jesus by reassuring his disciples with these words that, “Do not let your hearts be troubled… Trust in God, and trust in me… where I am, you may be too…I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. By these words Jesus was revealing His identity as GOD. When Jesus says that He is the Way, it may or may not ring any bell for us but for a faithful Jew knew that Messiah be born on earth and do the reparation for the sin of Adam then only they can enter Heaven again. When Jesus says that He is the Way this is what He telling them. He is the only way to reach the Father. There lived so many people before Him but they could not lead people to the TRUTH, to HEAVEN. By the death and resurrection Jesus opens the way to Heaven. Our Profession of Faith and the Resurrection Night Vigil proclaims all these beautiful thoughts. How Jesus the Way, by dying and by His resurrection opens Eternal Life to all people of all times.

Jesus is telling them though it is sad and painful for them, it has to happen for the Salvation of the world. That is why Jesus says that He has to return to the Father for their Good. Unless I go to the Father, a place cannot be prepared for them. Sometimes when in life misfortunes happen, we are upset and shattered as we cannot see the full picture but God can see it so Jesus’ words, Trust in me is to be taken very seriously. Everything that happens in life has to be evaluated in Faith to understand its real meaning, which many in today’s world fail to recognise.

If I take you back to the story at the start of the homily, the Holy Man was a good man, spoke the truth but still he could not save people, his truth brought death to the people who trusted him and hid in his cave. Therefore our  escapism most of the time, saying someone is good though they do not know, acknowledge or worship God because it does not suit their life style, does not lead us to Life but to death. The Way that Jesus shows only can lead us to Life Eternal which alone is The Truth. The Truth in Jesus was not like that of the Holy Man or of the world but He was GOD, THE TRUTH, itself.

This is what St. Peter talking about the Living Stones in the first letter of St. Peter, ch.2/4-9, the Church is made by the Living Stone which is Jesus Christ Himself.

For us Catholics, Christians, if Jesus has to become the Way, Truth and Life, we need to accept, acknowledge and put into practice the Truth, taught by Jesus. We need to walk in the ways of the Lord and merit Eternal Life.

From Fr Abraham 26th April 2020

3^rd Sunday of Easter Reflection

Today we see two disciples of Jesus on their way to Emmaus. They are distressed and is in fear. The emotion that was ruling their hearts was one of FEAR. Overwhelming situations and excessive fear can blind the reality. Shattered dreams and disappointments can have an influence on the way we look at things. What we reflect on this Sunday is the PRESENCE of the RISEN LORD who opens their unbelieving hearts to belief.

They were on the way to Emmaus-trying to avoid the harsh realities of life. How so very often do we do this in life- escapism - from harsh realities of life – avoid unpleasant situations and fly to the safety. Many times we too are on the way to Emmaus – walking /running away from the problems of daily life. When our dreams are shattered, when things happen unlike our plans, this is what we do. We can identify a lot of ourselves in these disciples on their way to Emmaus.

We hope for what we hope and something else happens, can be a harrowing experience. Personal tragedies, death, hardships could be such situations. Life can be difficult amidst disappointments and sorrows. Inner emptiness could be a reason for Emmaus and this can only be filled by the Presence of GOD.

 He intervenes in many and varied ways, could be the neighbour who comes to help in our need, a friend who comes out in our desperation, loss and so on. They are the ones who comes out in our difficult times to console, talk like Jesus on the way to Emmaus. He walks with us when we are in confusion, distress. He can change our entire outlook towards life, death and all that happens around us which we have no control over. In our fears and problems we ought to look up to Him and His Encounter can empower us.

We are all in lockdown and are a bit in confusion, some in fear, there is uncertainty, dreams shattered, best of our plans are overturned, not sure of what is in store for the future and everything is in chaos. Our Faith in the Risen Lord can give us the serenity and peace at this time. Our encounter with Him can help us to face the situation. This is the Emmaus experience which sometimes prompt many to walk away from the reality but the answer is to face it with the Risen Lord that He will see us through life.

May the Risen Lord protect us and keep us safe.

From Fr Abraham 19th April

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Today we celebrate the Divine Mercy Sunday. This year we celebrate the feast and talk about mercy when we are at a very difficult time where people are questioning about God’s love and His presence. Jesus’ promise to Sr.Faustina that, “The Soul that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the Divine floodlights through which Graces flow are opened. Let no Soul fear to draw near to me, even though its sins be as scarlet”. Divine Mercy is the last Hope of human Salvation. Divine Mercy Sunday promise is complete forgiveness. Our souls are cleansed on this day if we follow the criteria, the same way as at Baptism. Then we might ask a question how this can be possible at a time when confession and reception of Holy Communion is not possible for people. Catechism of the Catholic Church says in 1451 that true contrition will help with the promise to go for individual confession at the immediate possible time and Spiritual Communion at this time. Everyone can receive forgiveness at this extraordinary circumstance.

We need to pray for God’s Forgiveness.  Trust in God’s abundant Mercy. We need to be merciful to everyone in such a way as a medium of Mercy to flow. This is in view of Jesus’ desire to shower His Mercy.

In the Gospel, Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe”. “ Thomas answered and said to him, “ My Lord and my God!” (Jn.20/27-28). St. Thomas’ cry is not one of Hopelessness but of Trust.  Jesus fills the emptiness/weakness of disciples by Love.

Jesus’ disciples were in fear and were locked up in a room when Jesus came. The entire last week from the Acts of the Apostles we see how they all struggle to believe in the Risen Christ and gradually come to belief. This time St.Thomas was not with them and he says that he would not believe unless he sees Jesus himself. Conceding to St.Thomas’ request Jesus appears before them, wishing them “PEACE”. For fear there is only one answer- Peace of the Risen Christ. What today’s world need also is PEACE. The biggest gift Jesus has for the world is PEACE. This PEACE is to be shared among all.

The one who cries out as My Lord and My God announces his Faith publically. We can reflect whether You and I make use of all the opportunities to witness/announce Him publically. St. Thomas was able to give his life up for Him. He was ready to go the farthest end of the world to share this faith. To introduce Christ to the world and to witness  His WORD he goes. When the world loses its Hope and Faith in everything, we need to Trust in Him and fill the world with the Risen Christ. God’s Peace is what Risen Jesus has to offer. This Peace is what we need today for our families, unless we get it we will be a lot poorer amidst affluence. When we share God’s Peace in the world we become the face of God’s Mercy.

Today we can see many of our sisters and brothers has the face of Mercy. Today amidst Covid19 when people lose hope, they instil hope in many people. God has chosen health personnel as the ones to discharge His Love and Mercy to people. For many suffering people see God’s face in them. God acts through them today. We ought to be dischargers of God’s Mercy at all circumstances.

Wish you all Happy Feast.

From Fr Abraham 6th April

Dear All

Hope all of you are fine. I am keeping fine.

It could be a really hard time for most of us, our movements are restricted, we cannot socialise, meet friends and family. I am also aware of those parents who cannot get the visit of their children, grandchildren. People who are in Isolation/ Quarantine, it is an intense time.

Isolation or Quarantine Spirituality Thoughts

The core of Christianity is Love for Humans. Love of God and Love of Neighbour. This is a time where we need to aim at Common Good. We are in the season of Lent where we try to detach ourselves from worldly things and keep close to God. Time where we lock ourselves from external to be with the Father.

Quarantine is a state of life, a special time where external involvement is restricted, there is a stop to socialising. It controls our movements, but it is not cutting us off from others. We need to support all these efforts of social Distancing and Physical Distancing for our Love of the Neighbour. We need to protect ourselves and others as well, this is what happens at Physical Distancing.

Quarantine, Isolation, social distancing, physical distancing are all important time of our life. It is a time for some to be with family, though we are physically distant, all modern means of technology could be used to keep in touch. So Social Unity could be maintained Spiritually it is a time to look inwards, return within yourself. God lives inside us and it is a time to do a soul searching. In our world of today, interiority suffers greatly. By self-Isolating we are sending a strong message that we will in no way help the virus to spread. We need to break the chain of the spread by distancing. Let this be a positive thought, though difficult, when the Sun is brightening up, we will have all temptations, but we need to hold for the sake of ourselves and others.

Please listen to the authorities and keep safe. We shall overcome.

Fr Abraham

Fr. Abraham writes (4th April) :

This weekend, as we celebrate the Palm Sunday, we enter into a momentous week when we recall the passion of Christ. It all begins with a triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the tragic incidents that occur and ultimately the death of Jesus on the cross and His Glorious Resurrection.

Jesus was amidst all sorts of emotions and feelings, acceptance, rejection, sadness, grief, loss, emptiness, anxiety and hope as He made His last journey of His Life. This all ends in something beautiful- Risen Life forever.

This year as we journey along Jesus, we are in a very difficult time of our Life. We need to celebrate and yet reflect on the happenings ever more meaningfully than ever. We are in such a time as never before, which we will remember for a long, long time, perhaps as long as we live. We have never seen something like this before. Every passing day has its share of uncertainty, sadness, grief, loss, brokenness, isolation, emptiness, anxiety and sometimes a glimmer of Hope amidst all these. We need to keep up our Hope ever more brightly at this time. Covid-19 has put us into Physical Isolation, but we need to keep our Social Unity at this time by praying for each other, by keeping in touch and supporting in whatever way possible.

Sometimes things unravel so quickly that we are very unprepared to face it. As we see in this Holy Week, joys are short lived, tragic things are like the two sides of the same coin. Contradictory things do happen at the spur of the moment. In our human life this is how we often see life on a daily basis. We are so unprepared sometimes for all that happens in life. We can identify ourselves with Christ so much as He go through all these things. The personalities that we meet over and again in this week leave a deep impression on us as we see a replica of ourselves in each of them at various stages of life.

But in this most difficult time of our Life, let us walk with Christ as He is our Hope. Let us enter into this momentous week like Christ to go through everything as the Will of His Father, and with a belief that whatever the Father does is for our future Glory. Let us pray that we get over fear and anxiety with the Hope Jesus gives to each one of us.

My heart goes out to all my parishioners who are isolated, housebound and are sick.

God Bless and Protect you all. Fr Abraham.

THE TIMES OF HOLY WEEK SERVICES.

YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE WITH FR ABRAHAM IN CHURCH, BUT YOU CAN BE WITH HIM SPIRITUALLY AT THESE TIMES:       

Monday 6th April                           Mass                 9.30 am

Tuesday 7th April                           Mass                9.30am       

Wednesday 8th April                      Mass               9.30 am       

MAUNDY THURSDAY      Mass  of the Lord's Supper    7.30pm                           

GOOD FRIDAY                  Liturgy of the Lord's Passion    3 pm                                                                                              

HOLY SATURDAY               Easter Vigil                      8 pm                         

Easter Day                            Mass                            10 am

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Fr. Abraham’s father sadly
passed away after a short illness.
May God grant him Eternal Rest.
Please keep Fr.Abraham, his family and friends in your prayers at this sad time

Refer to newsletter for times of weekday masses.

Please note: 

Fr Abraham will be away on Pilgrimage then annual holiday until mid-May.

During this time there will be no weekday Masses at Waterside, but Deacons Steve and Ian will be leading Services of Word and Communion on Tuesdays and Fridays at St Michael’s at 9.30am.

Fr Quarmby will be celebrating Sunday Mass at the usual times:

9am St Bernard’s Holbury, and 11am St Michael’s, Hythe.

Pease refer to newsletter from 12th May for times of weekday Masses.