Christmas Midnight Mass December 25, 2024
Readings: Isaiah 9:1-6 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14

Christmas is a celebration of joy, hope, peace, and light. It is a feast of joy as we celebrate the greatest moment in history and announce that the saviour is born, the good news is given and newness is proclaimed. The whole atmosphere is also suffused with joy, the joy of the angels and of the shepherds as they hasten to Bethlehem to find the new-born child. Joy is a theme that goes right through Luke’s gospel. It is one of the characteristics of a true Christian. On this day we greet each other, exchange cards, gifts, and sweets. We share with each other this happy moment that even enemies speak to one another and those who are fighting the war will call it a day of truce. They cannot fight on a Christmas day for sure. They will continue the next day. It is a joy of love when God showed his love for us by sending his own beloved son who will continue to live with us forever.

Christmas is the ultimate expression of God’s love as he gives his own son to us. It is the day when the earth is transformed as God is close to us. Hope is given to the world that exists in a hopeless situation and is looking for liberation. The saviour has entered the world; the creator has become a creature, to give the world a new dignity. God has emptied himself to fill us with the newness of life. It is a day of peace to the world that is struggling with conflicts and disturbance. This message of peace was proclaimed by the angels at the birth of Jesus as they announce the good news to the shepherds. Jesus the God of peace will give his peace to us and this peace will remain forever. The birth of Jesus has transformed the whole world.

Christmas is God’s special and personal gift to humankind. On this day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, born in utter poverty and destitution in the eyes of the world but in obedience to God to establish his kingdom on earth. Today the Christmas message is proclaimed to the entire world and the church recaptures it in three stages. First, there is the anxious expectancy expressed by Prophet Isaiah that those who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The king will come and bring peace and justice to the world. The people have been given new hope and joy. Second is the actual coming of Jesus in time, expressed in the simplest narratives of a journey, the helplessness of Mary and Joseph, the birth of a child, and the angels singing and the lowly shepherds being chosen as the first recipients of the good news. The third is the theological reflection that the child expected has come and in him, the Grace of God is revealed and salvation has been made possible for all. God chooses to become part of the human because he loves us and he wants to share himself with us.

Christmas presents us with a situation much different from other divine situations. It is an event that brought about total change and transformation, yet it remained a hard reality for humanity. It is a day when we realize that the whole world has changed with the birth of this divine person. It is a day of happiness and sharing, of love and forgiveness, joy and acceptance. Jesus has come to our humanity to infuse transformation in every segment of life. Today God tells us that we have to change and respond to the one who has become a man. For Mary and Joseph, it was a hard reality. They had to leave their home and go to a strange, totally unknown place. They had to put up with all difficulties and struggles while moving along with the crowds. Even God does not change anything to help his own son. When the child, who is the divine person is born there is no celebration of any sort. There is only simple and meditative silence. Their visitors are the shepherds, simple ordinary persons. We have beautiful statues carved and them carrying the sheep on their shoulders. But they were actually the outcasts of the society, the hired ones as Jesus says, with little concern for the sheep. They were specially chosen by God to be his messengers.

The readings resonate with the theme of light and the baby in the manger is the Light of the World. Light surrounds the shepherds as the angels sing their praises of God: “Glory to God in the highest and, on earth, peace to all who are favoured by God.” The Gospel of Luke tells us about the birth of Jesus placing him at the centre of secular Roman history. Caesar Augustus had called for a census and he expected each adult male to report and register in his home country. Hence Joseph had to go to Bethlehem along with Mary to his native country. There Jesus was born in a manger or a cave because there was no room for them in the inn. The creator of the universe could not find a place for his own son on earth. Today’s Gospel very carefully sets the tone. The town of Bethlehem was filled with people who had come to register themselves for the census. Here Mary and Joseph could not find a decent place to stay. They had to move to an empty stable, a dirty and smelly place. The child is placed in a feeding box as the only available cot. There was no place for the creator of the universe in this little world.

The first reading from Prophet Isaiah speaks of the great light that will scatter all darkness. The Prophet was aware of the vulnerability and oppression of the kingdom due to the misguided policies of rulers. His words paint an image of darkness, gloom, heavy burdens trampling boots, and cloaks soaked with blood. But God has a plan for restoration. The time has come for people to walk with the light of faith. He reminds them of the many blessings the promised Messiah will bring to humanity. There will be a total transformation in society. Weapons of war will be smashed to pieces and military garments will be thrown into the fire. The prophet is confident that God will not leave them alone. The Light is on the way and the people will rejoice and their land will yield a rich harvest.

In the second reading Paul writing to his disciple, Titus, says that the grace of God the Father has appeared in a visible form in Jesus. God’s freely given love, God’s grace, is a power that has entered the lives of Christians and enables them to live a Christ-like life. It trains them to reject whatever would lead them away from God and practice virtue. We are able to reject evil and live for God. We have become people who belong to him eager to do what is good. This first took place at the birth of Jesus. It became more manifest when he gave himself on the cross for our salvation. It continues to manifest itself in the church in its eagerness to do well. The grace given in Jesus for us engenders hope with the conviction that God is willing to save us.

The Gospel tells us that the first to be invited to visit him is the shepherds: their status was much like the nomads found in nearly every society or any other marginalized group. They were the outcasts of society. They were regarded by most of the society people as outsiders, not fit to be part of society. This, in fact, is Luke’s way of setting the stage for Jesus’ future life. Luke likes to emphasize that Jesus came especially for the poor and the needy, for the weak and marginalized. Some people could understand Jesus being on the side of the poor, those rejected by society, the tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. But, as some scholars have pointed out, Jesus loved the poor not because they were good but because they were poor. Today he reminds us that material poverty is not the only kind that exists in the world today.

When Jesus first came into the world about two thousand years ago, his arrival was in fulfilment of the promises of God. Scriptures tell us that from the fall of the first parent’s God promised to send us a redeemer. The people of God waited eagerly for him. Sometimes they showed their fidelity to God and at other times they failed. In spite of this God sends his son to the world. The birth of Jesus is a reminder that God has not forgotten us. It is a reminder of how much God loves us. It is a reminder that God has reached down to us so we, in turn, may reach up to Him with praises and glory in thanksgiving for our salvation. God has become one with the human race and the human race has become one again with God.

Originally, the Romans celebrated a feast on this day, called the festival of the unconquered Sun. Today in the darkness of this night Jesus born as a child shines out as a wonderful light beckoning all of us to realize our full potential. He was born in the manger as wrapped in swaddling clothes as there was no room for them in the inn. He came to give hope to those living in difficult situations. He came to help those who have no one to help, guide, and support. He was present to transform the world.

The message of Christmas is very clear to us. Jesus who had no room saw that we all would secure room in his birth. The presence of Jesus gave room for everyone. Jesus found room for us all by emptying himself. A little girl asked the family’s dinner guest, “Do you like dolls?” The guest said that he indeed loves dolls. Then the girl asked him whether he wanted to see her collection of dolls. He said it would be wonderful and is willing to come with her. The little girl led him to her room and brought out her beautiful collection of dolls. The guest asked her which doll was her favourite. She hesitated for a while and from the collection picked out a well-worn, tattered doll. It was missing a button eye, obviously, it was sewn in many places several times, and its dress was faded and frayed. She hugged the doll to her chest and said: “This is Annie, and I love her more than anyone else.” The guest was surprised and asked her why she loved this doll so much. He was surprised with her touching reply: “Well, if I don’t love her, no one would.”

Once, the fourth-grade students of a school put up a short Nativity play during the time of Christmas. Among the actors there was a boy larger in size, yet kind at heart. He wanted to be a shepherd and carry the sheep on his shoulder; but the teacher made him innkeeper to drive out Mary and Joseph. As the play went on Joseph came in and pleaded with the innkeeper for some room. The little innkeeper loudly told them there is no room and they must leave. He started moving away. Then Mary turned to Joseph and started crying. This made the inn-keeper boy turn back and instead of moving away angrily as in the play, he came back, said softly to Mary and Joseph, look there is no room here in the inn but you can take my room. True the play went off the track but the showed the spirit of Christmas that there is room for everyone if we choose to give it.

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Third Sunday of Advent December 15, 2024
Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18

On this third Sunday of Advent, the church invites us to rejoice and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Saviour. The first word of the Antiphon is Gaudete, meaning rejoice and the entire texts of the Mass are filled with the expressions of joy and jubilation. Even the vestment colour is changed from the original purple to rose or pink. The entrance antiphon starts with the word: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” The Gospel brings the people to the awareness of the expectancy of the coming of the Saviour and the need for the immediate preparation for the coming of the King who will remain among us. Here we have John the Baptist surrounded by an anxious and waiting group of people. They are worried and are unsure about the future. John is there to guide them, to advise them of practical ways, and baptize them. Soon Jesus will come to change everything and fill them with Joy. That is what we celebrate today.

Today’s readings are a continuation of our preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus. This truth can be perceived in three different ways: It commemorates the incarnation of God on earth through the birth of Christ Jesus; it represents our appearing before the Lord at the end of this life; and it represents the final coming of the Lord Jesus in full glory at the end of times. The readings tell us that Christian joy or happiness is deep down in the heart and is not incompatible with physical and emotional pain or difficult external circumstances. Joy is the gift of God to those whom he has specially chosen. It is, as Jesus says it is the gift which he personally gives and it is something that no one can take away from us.

In the first reading we have prophet Zephaniah preaching the word of God to the people of Jerusalem. This was a period of religious degradation. The pure monotheism of Moses was forgotten and pagan idols were worshipped even in Jerusalem. Here the prophet announces a remarkable change that is going to take place: that God is coming to be in the midst of the people. This has always been an ideal to the people of Israel. The prophet chastises the chosen people but at the same time gives them hope. With God being so close, the people of Jerusalem break into songs of Joy, a theme that opens and closes the reading. The prophet begins by stating, “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The people are told to rejoice and exult in the most Sacred place of Jerusalem.

In the second reading we have the word of Paul to the Philippians’ community, telling them to rejoice in the Lord always. This joy is because of the fruits of the Lord’s glorious work. Each and every one of us has been called before creation to become the object of God’s Divine Plan. What a joy it is to know that God has counted us among those He has chosen. The reason for the joy is obvious. Paul is looking for the final coming of Jesus. This will relieve our anxiety. Paul further says that their gentleness be known to everyone. Gentleness is one of the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit as Paul tells the Galatians. When others are moved by the gentleness that flows from our humble beings, they are moved by the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Gospel speaks of the expected coming of Jesus. This coming is being proclaimed by John the Baptist as he preaches by the waters of the River Jordan. He preaching of John the Baptist is directed to the crowds rather than to the Scribes and the Pharisees. His message has been one of radical change, a call to repentance, in the face of the coming of the messiah. After having heard what John had to say, the crowd wants to know what repentance requires. Contrary to what might have been expected, John does not want the people to abandon their current lives, flee the world and embrace the strict form of asceticism. Instead, he asks them to reshape their character and behaviour by adhering to God’s call for justice within their current social structure. John the Baptist here confronts three groups of people: the ordinary people, tax collectors, and soldiers.

The preaching of John the Baptist at River Jordan caused a stir all over Palestine. Many thought he was the Prophet. They had no Prophet from God for over 200 years. Others thought he was the long-expected Messiah. The theme of his preaching was a change of heart. He called them to turn to God and to things spiritual and forget every ambition they would have had, be it political or social. His call was to free them from their shortcomings and weaknesses and thus bring them to God. To all those who responded to him asked him of the areas of change he said that they have to be charitable to their needy neighbour and the rest would follow. John had a word to all classes of people but specifically, he calls them to overcome injustices on their part and establish a good and just society. In one word he calls them all to be just in their behaviour.

Luke and other Gospel writers immediately make it clear that John is not the messiah. John, himself, however, vehemently denies any messianic claim on his part and points to the one mightier than himself and who is the Messiah. John will not even be worthy to untie the laces of his sandals – the work of a slave for his master. He never reveals that Jesus as the person of Messiah which will be ultimately revealed by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist says that the One who is to come would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. That fire purifies what is good and destroys what is evil. Baptism with the Holy Spirit represents the Sacrament of Confirmation and the receiving of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It means to be sent forth to preach the Gospel to all. Baptism by fire means to be sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist had just announced his mission to a few Jews who had come to listen to him. He had declared to them that his role consisted in preparing for the coming of the Messiah with a baptism of repentance. Everyone was to prepare for this coming, for this meeting with the Lord: their hearts and souls, along with their bodies and the entire world, were to be made ready to appear before He who IS the Eternal, the Creator of all things in Heaven and on earth. The response of the person depends upon one’s will: man either does or does not want God to come and save him from his sins. If he is willing, then the grace of God gives man the power and strength necessary to obtain salvation.

The mission of John the Baptist was to transform people and shape them in a spirit of holiness to be ready to accept the Lord. This holiness is something practical involving the daily lives of people. Holiness involves sharing our food with those who have none or very little. Holiness is finding those who are ashamed of their poverty and who will not come forward to ask for food. In the practical situation, we may see the children starving because their parents are addicted to alcohol or drugs. These children in reality are hungry because of their parents’ weakness. Holiness is not judgmental! It is full of compassion! It reaches out to those in need, those suffering, and those hungry. Holiness embraces honesty and helps us to become more in the likeness of Christ.

The Jews lived in expectation of the Messiah and awaited his coming. As the people questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all saying that he is baptizing them with water; but he who is mightier than him is coming, the thong of whose sandals he is not worthy to untie; he will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John the Baptist does not hesitate to humble himself before everyone present: he knows that he is not the Messiah. For he is not the supreme Judge: he is but a man, not God. Only God can judge the world, only God can send to the earth the retributive fire of his Spirit. He adds saying that he will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John baptizes with water, water which purifies and which prepares hearts for the coming of the Messiah.

The words of John the Baptist are very much alive even today. We are very much like the audience of his time. They asked him the question as to what they must do in order to change and enter into the divine stream. We have the answer from John and Jesus that we ought to change our lives. Our world of today is full of injustices and sad to say that the Christian countries who profess to be followers of Christ have gone into the abyss of secularism. This has led the community to enter into the celebrations of the year of faith as per the wishes of the Holy Father. Here again, Pope invites us to profess our Faith in the presence of God and become new evangelizes in the world.

A man once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, “Do you need two statues of the same idol?” “No,” said the sculptor without looking up, “We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage.” The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage. “Where is the damage?” he asked. “There is a scratch on the nose of the idol.” said the sculptor, still busy with his work. “Where are you going to install the idol?” The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high. “If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?” the gentleman asked. The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled, and said, “I will know it.” The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone else appreciates it or not. “Excellence” is a drive from inside, not outside.

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Fr. Eugene Lobo, SJ –

Second Sunday of Advent December 08, 2024
Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:3-6, 8; Luke 3:1-6

The season of Advent heralds the coming of Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”. It is the time we realize when our God comes to earth to take on human form and live on earth just as we live. He does it as he shares his life and love with us. When God shares his love with us he invites us to share our love with Him and with others. Advent is the time of waiting as we prepare ourselves to welcome the God who became man and who by example showed us how we too should be able to live like him for others. Advent means waiting. We wait for someone we love and we long to meet that person. In today’s Gospel Luke beautifully places the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry within a historical context. He sets John’s ministry in historical time by telling his audience namely, the leaders were in the region. John’s role was to prepare the way for Jesus and to proclaim a theme of repentance for those who chose to follow Jesus. He also explains the role of John the Baptist in the context of the mission of Jesus.

In the first reading, Prophet Baruch reminds the people of Israel that they have to share the gift of joy with others by calling them to put on the garment of integrity. God is asking them not to be part of the sad story of corruption. In this reading, God is assuring that he will flatten any high mountains and fill any deep valleys in order to make the ground level. This is an invitation to change their external behaviour and reconcile them with the Lord. In this prophetic song, God promised to bring back His people from exile in Babylon. The Reading begins by giving the people hope and confidence, inviting them to stop mourning for the past and prepare to celebrate the future. They should replace the robes of mourning with garments fashioned from the justice and glory of God. The garment of our sorrow and afflictions is the death and suffering that has come upon the Israelites because of their disobedience.

In the second reading, we have the apostle Paul stating that he prays with joy for the Philippians, his loyal partners in the work of evangelization. He was praying for them to be blameless and pure. He prayed that they may have the grace to discern between right and wrong, good and evil. We too like the Philippians must be known to be men and women of goodwill. We can be witnesses to the world and to one another by maintaining our Christian morals and values. Actually, as Paul makes clear that believers will triumph because God the Father will begin and complete his good work in them. Twice Paul says that he prays for his converts that they succeed in their life of love. Unfortunately, many times people look for personal pleasure without Christian responsibility. This leads to a situation of losing the sense of sin. Paul himself a prisoner of the Romans now praises the Philippians for their kindness and hospitality.

Today’s Gospel reading presents us with the words of John the Baptist, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth: and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” He calls out, “Prepare a way for the Lord,” and his words are equally meant for us as for the people he directly spoke to. He comes “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” says Luke. There are three words there which are closely linked – baptism, repentance, and forgiveness. Baptism is the call to be initiated in the life of Jesus and be cleansed from all blemishes. It is a symbolic action through which people expressed their reconciliation with God by their immersion in the waters of the River Jordan hoping that their desire to have their evil past totally washed away. ‘Repentance’ is the forgiveness of sins and is understood as metanoia, meaning change of Heart, not just sorrow for past sins but a total and radical change of outlook in our relationship with God and other people. It calls for a radical and genuine renewal and conversion of heart.

Luke never wants his Gospel to seem disconnected from history, both secular and religious and that is why he gives the details of important civil and religious leaders as John the Baptist comes on the scene. Five of his seven historical figures are secular and the remaining two is religious. Among the secular figures all the individuals mentioned are corrupt, cruel, and barbaric, and depraved in contrast to the righteousness of John the Baptist. In the middle of history that John starts his prophetic mission. He received his call in the desert which reminds us of the original chosen people whose identity was formed in the exodus through the desert. A desert is a place of being alone with God. We go into the desert when we take time off our normal job and household occupation to be with God in church, in prayer, in reading the word of God. The desert is the place where we encounter God. We ourselves must take the first step to go into the desert, to reach out to God.

John is now calling for a renewed exodus from the people chosen by God. The people were told to prepare a way for the Lord. They have to straighten the path to receive the power of the Lord. This was how each one was to have the personal experience in our own heart of the saving power of God. John proclaims the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The only baptism Judaism practiced was one for the initiation of the proselytes or converts into the community. Perhaps this was not the mind of John the Baptist. Luke surely had in his mind the idea of the Christian baptism in the early church. This baptism first required the submission of one’s will to God. Second, in baptism, we are invited to conform ourselves to God’s will. Thirdly, it granted inclusion with the restored people of God.

Luke connects the call of John the Baptist to the passage from Prophet Isaiah chapter 40. This is indeed the true proclamation of the new exodus led by our Lord. For Luke, this new exodus will begin with John’s proclamation and it will be fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. What Isaiah says is taken up by John the Baptist and affected by Jesus for the sake of humanity. All people will hear the word of God and see his great works and respond in faith. It will come through Jesus who will heal the sick, who will help the weak, who will forgive the sinner, who will give hope to the hopeless, who will give life, real life, to all who open their hearts to him. Once Jesus comes the world will not be the same and cannot remain the same. John the Baptist challenged them: he called them to baptism, repentance, and forgiveness to receive Jesus.

John’s mission was to preach repentance, to get the people to turn back to God, and it was customary among the Jews to go through the external rites of washing to represent internal cleansing of the heart. The place Jordan was opportune and symbolic of the repentance of the chosen people of God. He was preparing the people to receive the chosen one of God. We are preparing ourselves to receive Christ at Christmas and the prophet tells us how we should prepare ourselves if the welcome we give our saviour is to be sincere and true. Even the best and the holiest among us have to admit that our paths namely our dealings with God have to be smooth and straight. When a king or a person of high rank was to visit another king or the dignitary, the host sent his slaves to level the paths and smooth the roads for the guest’s camels. Similarly, it is necessary for people to prepare their minds and smooth their consciences by wiping away all that can be offensive to God.

The Gospel reminds us that our own role is not unlike that of John the Baptist. Like him, each one of us has a mission to communicate the Spirit of Christ and his message of hope, love, freedom, and peace to others. To help people fill their valleys and make their rough paths smoother. A word of affirmation and encouragement can work wonders. To have a naturally cheerful disposition can be a real witness of Christian joy. John heard the word of God in the desert. Our cities and towns are often such busy places and our lives are often so hectic. We really do need some quiet so that we can hear God speaking to us.

Christmas is the commemoration of the greatest gift of the mercy of God bestowed on this world. The feast invites us to turn ourselves to God in gratitude and repentance and experience his abounding mercy. Christ will come to us with the salvation of God and we can confidently hope to live the coming year with gratitude to our Father in heaven. During the course of this week, let us reflect upon our spiritual ancestors, our saintly brothers, and sisters, who have gone out from Jerusalem so we may share in the joy of the Gospel of Christ. Let us reflect upon their message which has become our message. Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the past coming of the Lord that is commemorated on Christmas day.

When passing through a mountain pass, a villager once came across an old man who was blind and who seemed to be afflicted with various ailments all over his body. It was clear that he was wasting away. He was even paralyzed and was constantly forced to remain in a seated position. The Villager could clearly hear him say, “All praise is for God who has kept me safe from ailments with which He has tested many among His creation, and He has indeed preferred me over many among those that He created.” “My brother!” exclaimed the man. “What have you been saved from? By God? I think that you have been afflicted with every single kind of ailment!” “Go away from me,” said the old man, as he raised his head. “Do I not still have a tongue with which I can pronounce His Oneness, and with which I can remember Him every single moment? And do I not still have a heart with which I can know Him?” These words of the old man were enough for the Villager to repent to God for his sins and ask Him for forgiveness. Remember, there is always someone else who is in more problem than you.

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Fr. Eugene Lobo S.J. –

First Sunday of Advent December 01, 2024
Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Today we begin the season of Advent and with this, we begin the new liturgical year. On this day the church invites us to be ready and prepared to receive the Lord. Advent means waiting and we wait eagerly for someone we love, we care and we are ready to invest our time in him. In the liturgical calendar, the season of Advent means a joyful waiting, waiting for someone with love. Here we wait for Jesus and there is the eagerness within us to receive him as we look forward to this great event of God becoming a man.

During this season we anticipate and await the coming of our Jesus. There are three aspects of Jesus’ coming into the world. We look at the past as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus in History that took place 2000 years ago. Secondly, we look to the present as we prepare ourselves to receive him in our daily lives. We accept him in the Word and in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Finally, we look into the future and await his coming at the end of times in majesty and glory to judge the world.

Therefore the focus of Advent is by no means limited to just Christ’s first coming. An equal, if not more important theme found in the Advent Liturgy is the Second Coming of Christ when he comes again to judge and reunite the world. The name Advent comes from the Latin words, ad venire meaning to come to and adventus meaning an arrival of a person of importance, a king or a prince or a warrior leader, and in this context, it refers to Christ’s coming.

Today three readings from the Holy Bible prepare us to be spiritually uplifted according to these three goals of the Season of Advent. In the First Reading Jeremiah preaches to a Jerusalem that was shaky and insecure. Such conditions prevailed because the kings Jeremiah confronted refused to heed his call for repentance. They neglected the God of Israel and instead looked for security in the earthly resources available to them, chiefly alliances with other nations. While warning the people of Israel of the destruction in store for them, the prophet looks ahead to a brighter future. Further, God was now promising that a righteous Branch would spring up from the descendants of King David, the righteous one executing justice and righteousness in the land. The prophet tells the people that they will have a just king and his policies will bring security to the kingdom and bring them to the right relationship with God.

Today’s Second Reading from the First Letter to the Thessalonians gives sound advice as to how people should prepare themselves. Paul looks forward to the final coming of Jesus. It will be a grand entrance into the world together with all his holy ones. Paul invites all to welcome Jesus into their lives in the here and now which should take place every day. By it the followers of Jesus must both acknowledge his First Coming in Bethlehem and prepare for the Second Coming at an unknown future date. The important task for them is that they live holy lives. This reading reminds us that as the Lord comes into this world the community should abound in love for one another. Their love should not be limited to only their friends, but also should be for their enemies. This is because they too are the children of God formed in his image and likeness.

The Gospel of today speaks in special terms of the end of the world and what we refer to as the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time. He speaks on the Lord’s prophesy and how we must prepare ourselves to meet it. The entire chapter focuses on the events that will accompany the final ends of the world. These signs will be cosmic in nature. “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” This reminds us that our life in this world is a kind of journey or pilgrimage. It is within this context of this final end that the Gospel proclaims the final coming of the son of man. No one denies that this earth is not our final home, yet many live and act as if it were. We have been forewarned and the words of Christ should forewarn us about the things to come. Some happenings have already taken place and there is nothing we can do to change them now. However, they have their influence in shaping our present situation.

The Gospel of today tells us that there will be time for the mission before the end, but this interim period will also involve intense persecution and the fall of Jerusalem. Jesus relates these cosmic signs that precede the Son of Man’s return, to himself when he comes on the clouds in the splendour. Jesus says that awareness of these signs will allow one to know when these key moments of divine history are near. Thus, they are to keep watch and must be prepared. They are to live soberly and pray for strength to endure, so as to be able to stand before the Son of Man. After the discourse, Luke notes that the people listened to Jesus’ daily teaching at the temple. Jesus further explains to the listeners that day of the Lord will come on them suddenly like a trap; for this day will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth.

The Gospel teaches that beyond the end of times stands the Lord who has come among us in the person of Jesus who will come as a judge. Since this will be the time of judgment, the Gospel calls for repentance and service. For Luke, the final end represents the ultimate consummation of God’s plan and that momentous event will be accompanied by the return of Christ. This is all part of Luke’s larger picture of God being the Lord of all history. Hence the day is called the day of the Lord.

Luke places before us the warning of Jesus to be ready and not to be bloated with the pleasure of this world. Living during Roman times meant corruption, immorality, hedonism, gluttony, and cruelty. It was the time of degradation of civilization. What Jesus tells us today is that we have to watch and wait for him. He does not ask us to ignore or despise this earth or this life, but he does ask us to estimate it for what it is for it is the means to prepare ourselves for eternal life. There will be some anxiety surely, and there will be an eagerness to wait for someone we love. There will be expectancy and hope as the saviour will surely come to us.

Since the coming of the Son of Man will be a time of judgment, the Gospel calls for repentance and service. Because the final end is generally spoken of in the future tense, there is a real problem of general complacency. The feeling is that there is still plenty of time to prepare and that there is nothing to get excited about in the here and now. Luke argues against that attitude. No human being knows when the final end will take place and the Son of Man will appear. Therefore one must be prepared for this possibility at all times. Each day should be lived as if it were the last. The emphasis here is on preparedness and not on undue anxiety.

Jesus stated that all the signs mentioned during today’s Gospel Reading were to be fulfilled before the passing away of the generation that lived in his days. All the tasks we humans embrace have an ending. Jesus calls us all to be on our guard so our hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, so the day of the Lord will not catch us unexpectedly, unprepared. No one knows when the end will come. We should be prepared at all times.

Thus Jesus gives us the warning: Watch at all times and to pray. He does not want us to be caught unawares. On his part Jesus gives us an eminently positive admonition and the guiding step for our salvation. The Christian who listens to the words of Jesus lives in permanent expectation of his coming and will welcome him. He tells us that is the occasion to take things seriously with a positive attitude to life. Secondly, to be on the watch is to be aware each day, through prayer and reflection that the ‘today’ of salvation is here and now. Therefore here in the season of Advent let us live by faith, walk in hope, and are renewed in love so that when Jesus comes at the end time to be our judge, we shall not merely know him, but come to him as a friend.

Once there were two warring tribes constant in fight. One lived on the mountains and the other in the forest on regular terrain. One night the mountain tribe attacked the other tribe and took away a baby from the village. The entire village went in search and however much they tried to climb they were unable to find the normal trail they used. They got their strongest men to do the job and they tried for several days to go the mountain tribe and were not able to. Finally they gave up the search and as they were packing their gears a woman walked towards them and had the baby strapped on her back. She was the mother of the child who had gone to secure the baby and she got it. They asked her how she managed since the best of their men could not. She simply replied, after all the baby was mine and not yours.

We have a little poem by an anonymous soldier who wrote on prayer as a request from God: I asked God for strength that I might achieve – But I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for help that I might do greater things – I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy – I was given poverty that I may be wise. I asked for all things that I may enjoy life – I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for – But everything I had hoped for. Despite myself, my prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed.

The post Homily: Beginning the Season of Advent appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

Fr. Eugene Lobo SJ –

Feast of Christ the King – November 24, 2024
Daniel 7:13-14; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37

On the last Sunday of the liturgical year the church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. This feast expresses the all-embracing authority of Christ as King and Lord of the Universe. This feast helps us to look towards our future and our ultimate future is when Jesus will return in glory for the final judgment and award reward or punishment. This Solemnity is a newer feast in the Catholic Church. The feast of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and is observed on the Last Sunday of the liturgical year as it helps us to meditate on Christ the King and Lord and also on the Second and Final Coming of Christ, the last Judgment, and the end of the world. The Pontiff himself was witness to a turbulent time in the world’s history. The First World War had just come to an end. Secularism was on the rise and dangerous dictatorships were emerging in Europe and beyond. Christ had long been referred to as King, but Pope could see the respect and reverence for Christ’s authority waning in the midst of the unrest during the early part of the 20th century. In response, the feast was set with the intent to reaffirm and refocus faith and respect in the kingship of Jesus. Pope Pius XI felt that nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state. Secondly that leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ. Finally that the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies.

In the world of democracy the titles of “Lord” and “King” for Christ may not be realistic because such titles are borrowed from oppressive systems of government. The kings are often identified with pride, undue use of authority, wars and sometimes even immoral lives. However true these statements might be these individuals miss the point: Christ’s kingship is one of humility and service. Jesus said: You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to become great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. To Pilate he said that his kingdom was one of Truth and for this he was born and for this he came into the world to testify for the truth.

Today’s Mass establishes the titles for Christ’s royalty over men: First of all, Christ is God, the Creator of the universe and hence extends his supreme power over all things; “All things were created by Him”. Secondly, Christ is our Redeemer; He purchased us by his precious Blood, and made us his property and possession. Thirdly, Christ is Head of the Church, “holding in all things the primacy”. Finally, God bestowed upon Christ the nations of the world as his special possession and dominion. Today’s Mass also describes the qualities of Christ’s kingdom. This kingdom is primarily supreme, extending not only to all peoples but also to their princes and kings. Secondly, it is universal, extending to all nations and to all places. Thirdly, it is eternal, for “The Lord shall remain a King forever”. Finally, it is spiritual, Christ’s “kingdom is not of this world”.

During his life Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and openly told the disciples to seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. He indicated that they must put God first in our lives. It was necessary that they came under the rule of this God/King, Jesus Christ. It demanded that they confess Jesus is Lord, and do what he had asked them to do. He alone is King of kings and Lord of Lords. He called his disciples not servants, but friends, and bestowed on them a share in his priesthood and kingship. Though he died, unlike other kings he died willingly to save his people, and his death was not a result of a battle lost or a plan gone awry, but of a glorious victory planned before the world began. He rose in glory, and went to his heavenly coronation. Jesus knew perfectly well the oppressive nature of secular kings, and in contrast to them, he connected his role as king to humble service, and commanded his followers to be servants as well. Christ is the king that gives us true freedom, freedom in Him.

In the First Reading, Prophet Daniel announces a more comforting scene, namely the coming of the Son of man, who has been given “dominion and glory and kingdom”. He comes served by “peoples, nations and languages” and his “dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed”. The scene is filled with brilliance and fire. God carries the title Ancient of Days and God is limited by time as are the ancient rulers. The new king is given power, authority, glory and kingship over all people, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed. The present Kingdom of God on earth, spiritual in nature, invisible to the naked eye, is one that shall remain forever.

Today’s Second Reading from the Book of Revelations presents Jesus as a King of Love. The passage of today refers to the supreme kingship of Christ who founded a kingdom for us. In this kingdom he has made us persons dedicated to the service of God his Father. John tells us that Jesus proved his love by dying to free us from sin. He deserves the honor and submission of all creation. He will come in glory again at the end of times. Jesus manifests his Kingship in a special way by forming a kingdom for priests for his God and Father. Those who believe in him become priests and are to be mediators between God and man. Jesus is our witness to God. He has revealed God to us and God’s plan for us and as a faithful witness he gave his life to prove the truth of what he preached and revealed to us. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is God Almighty, who was, who is and who is to come.

The feast of Christ the King celebrates the fact that he is one who is remarkably different. He came to serve all and his kingdom is divine. In several passages of Scripture, his kingdom is tied to his suffering and death. While Christ is coming to judge the nations, his teachings spell out a kingdom of justice and his judgment is balanced with radical love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness. The Scriptures speak of Jesus as God and also as King. He was born in the royal Davidic family.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand. He said that His Kingdom was not of this world. Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, and he answered that it was already among them. During his triumphant entry into Jerusalem people call him son of David and greet him as a king. Later during his passion when Jesus is before Pilate, he is asked whether he is the king of the Jews. Jesus responds saying he is the king. Finally before his Ascension, Jesus told his disciples that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. He is the king of the universe, ruling over all.

The Gospel of today speaks of a strange confrontation between Pilate, the Roman Governor and Jesus given only by John. An encounter between a man who feels as the chief authority of a colonial regime, that he has unlimited power and Jesus, a travelling preacher who seems to have none. Pilate asked Jesus whether he is the king of the Jews. Jesus who was bound as a prisoner and scourged for no wrong he had done, stood before the governor courageously and asked him whether it is an honest question or a question that arises out of all rumors he had heard. Jesus conversed with him as if they were equal which did not please Pilate. Jesus showed that real power and real authority remained not in positions or titles but in the inner strength of the person. Yet he explained to Pilate that his kingdom was spiritual. Pilate was filled with the wrong idea that the kingdom can only be political and not otherwise. Although Jesus did not explicitly respond to him by saying that he was a King, he did speak very clearly about his “Kingdom” and his “Kingship” and he told him that his kingdom was not from this world.

Ultimately Pilate and Jesus agree that Jesus indeed was a king. The answer Jesus gave to Pilate should not be understood as an attempt to sidestep the issue. When Jesus said he was a King he made it clear that his understanding of himself as a king and the kingdom he ruled was not what Pilate was talking about. Jesus never made a claim to be a secular ruler of any kind nor did he declare any secular nation under his power. The Kingdom of Jesus is defined by his place of origin. He is not from this world and he comes from the Father and therefore he is King of God’s Kingdom and not of this world. Jesus as king therefore was quite different from the conventional image. His presence did not fit into the Messiah-King image portrayed by people. Jesus had no army, no power and no political influence. In front of Pilate at this moment he looked anything but a king.

We express our faith by calling Jesus our King who is the master of our human hearts. The kingdom of God over which he presides consists of the presence of God manifested fully in the reality of Jesus. Whoever listens to the voice of Jesus and believes in him is a member of the Kingdom of God. Jesus is really our King when we consciously become his subjects, when we listen to him, love him, serve him, and follow him. We belong to his kingship when, like him, we have reached that level of freedom which can really let go of everything, even of life itself in the struggle to make our world a world of truth, justice and love.

On the final day of their school year a teacher in a school asked her grade four children to draw something special that touched their lives in the course of the year. The children concentrated in drawing something unique. Some drew a picture of God, another a church, a third, a cow and the fourth a tree with fruits and so on. There was a boy in the class shy and withdrawn and he drew a nice little hand which attracted the attention of all. The drawing was beautiful. Each one tied to explain that it is the hand of God, of the friend, a parent and so on and no one asked the boy what he meant by it. When he was all alone the teacher went to him and asked him what he meant by this hand. The little boy looked up and said: Madam, it is your hand. When I entered the class I was shy and lost and your hand brought me to the class and has guided me throughout. It is yours, my teacher’s hand.

The post Homily: Christ the King! appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ –

Thirty Third Sunday of the Year – November 17, 2024
Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32

Today is the second last Sunday of the Church liturgical year. Next Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. As the church brings its liturgical year to an end, it traditionally presents the knowledge of the end times. This gives us the message that Jesus is the beginning and end of all things, all things exist in and through him. He is the Alpha and the Omega and he is the source of all things.

Today when we look around the world, we see so much of sufferings, hardships and pain. There is much corruption, terrorism and poverty. The world experiences the hardships of what is generally termed as the climate change. But here we have a message of hope in the words of Jesus. We visualize the Kingdom of God that offers love, compassion, kindness and mercy, the sign of new hope of the future. Even in the midst of suffering and hardship, the word of God continues to be alive and active. As we wait for the fulfillment of the kingdom of God in Christ and look forward to a just, loving and peaceful world. Today’s gospel anticipates the dramatic events that will take place at the end times. It speaks of a time of suffering, the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light, the stars falling from heaven, and the powers of heaven being shaken. It will be a time when heaven and earth will pass away forever.

The first reading taken from the Prophet Daniel tells us of the protective power of God over all creation and over all people. It tells us how God took care of his people all through the years of persecution and oppression by Persia, Greece and Syria. The last empire received a special attention since it is the one where the people were struggling when the book was written. The author of the book had a purpose of encouraging the Jews, asking them to remain faithful to their religion in spite of their bitter persecution and the attraction for many of them of higher pagan culture of Hellenism. The passage tells us that at that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of the people, shall arise. He serves God by shielding the people in time of distress. This shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence.

In the second reading the author to the Letter to the Hebrews continues to compare the priesthood of Christ with the Jewish priesthood. The Temple priests offered the same sacrifice of goats, sheep and oxen day after day. But those sacrifices could not remove the barriers that stood between Gad and man. Any graces resulting from these Jewish sacrifices were obtained in view of the real sacrifice that was to come. Jesus the High Priest offered the sacrifice once and for all for our sins, as a fulfillment of all the sacrifices. The sacrifice he offered was of infinite value because it is God’s own son who is incarnate offering this sacrifice to God. The task of every priest is to offer sacrifice, standing day after day at the service of God and offering again and again the same sacrifice. They reminded people of their sins and prepared them for purification, for the one perfect eternal sacrifice of Jesus.

As the church brings its liturgical year to an end, it traditionally draws upon that portion of the Gospel that deals with the end time. In the Gospel of Mark, the whole of chapter 13 deals with issues of the end of the world. This chapter is known as the apocalyptical discourse as it speaks in the apocalyptical language though it is not technically a discourse. The Gospel speaking about the Son of Man “coming in clouds with great power and glory” echoes a passage in the Book of Daniel but here the Son of Man is even more victorious. Jesus speaks of the appearance of the Son of Man in glory and the final establishment of the Reign of God. The Son of Man here is understood as Jesus, the man on earth that the disciples knew and loved, but now appearing in all the unparalleled glory of God’s own majesty. His appearance is described in terms usually used in the Old Testament for the appearances of God himself. He sends out his angels or messengers and gathers all God’s people together: acts of God in the language of the Old Testament. Here they are gathered to the Son of Man, who commands the angels to perform the final act for him.

The first half of today’s Gospel leans heavily on traditional language and ideas from the Old Testament. We need to emphasize that the description of events is not to be understood literally as a prophecy of what is actually going to happen. Rather we are to look at the inner meaning of these happenings. The cosmic disturbances about the sun, moon and stars are traditional ways of describing manifestations of God’s judgment of Israel. For Mark it is not the final end of time that will bring to resolution all the human problems and tensions that have been described in the Gospel. The signs of the final end will be so cosmic and unambiguous that the Christian community will know immediately that the time has arrived. The Son of Man will gather all God’s people wherever they are into his kingdom. The focus is on the saving work of the Son of Man and he gives hope to people who are in a situation of suffering and pain. While all these things are being forecast, there is no time frame given. We are not told of the time of the final coming of Jesus as King and Lord of all.

For Mark it is the final end of time that will bring to resolution all the human problems and tensions that have been described throughout the Gospel. The signs of this final end will be so cosmic and unambiguous that the Christian community will know immediately that the time has arrived. Mark depicts the final end as a grand cosmic short circuiting. The cosmic signs will be visible, such as the failing of light from the sun and the falling of the stars from the sky. The entire fold of heavenly powers will be shaken. The Son of Man will be vindicated and God’s people wherever they are will be gathered once again. The focus here is the saving work of the son of man. There is no mention of resurrection and final judgment. The Son of Man here is understood as Jesus, the man on earth that the disciples knew and loved, but now appearing in all the unparalleled glory of God’s own majesty.

Mark does not directly answer the inquiry as to when precisely all this is going to take place. There is the assurance that the end times will come but Jesus clearly says that only the Father is aware of it. What he says is that when these things take place, the believers and the faithful will unmistakably know the signs that the time has come. Even so, the early Christians did expect that Jesus would come in their lifetime. This is reflected in the words, “This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” This was natural for to those who grew up in the Jewish tradition; the end of Jerusalem could only mean the end of the world. Each generation of men and women expects Jesus to return to earth. He has made his promise.

Jesus then gave a short parable or lesson from the fig tree. Fig trees were a prominent and well-known feature on the Mount of Olives, the place where Jesus was speaking. This tree only sprouts its leaves in late spring. When the buds appear they know that summer is near. The obviousness of the time for the coming of the Son of Man will be just as recognizable and certain. So Jesus, in effect, is telling them that although the end of the world is being described with such terrible signs, his disciples were called upon to respond with faith, with hope, with anticipation. The end of the world means good times, summer, for them. It will come and will bring them joy and happiness like every summer providing good times. They are the signs that God is in full control of history but that he is bringing things to a triumphant end. It

Now, at the end of the year, let us revive our confidence in Jesus, our Lord and savior. Let us, we who believe in the Word of God, be confident that the Lord will do everything in order that we might appear before him and hear him say to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” We also will listen to his consoling words: “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Today, in this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus does give us signs that he will come but at an unexpected time and we must be ready to welcome him. On his part he is ready to welcome us and accept us as his beloved children.

A friend asked Samuel Morse, the inventor of Telegraph, whether during all his experiments, he had come across a moment or stage where he did not know what to do next. Morse in reply said it had happened to him more than once. There were anxious moments in his life where he was unable to move. It looked as if all things had come to a dead end. Then how he overcame, asked his friend. Morse replied that in confidence he would tell him that in such moments he would just kneel down and pray to God to give him light and understanding. The friend asked him whether he got that light and understanding from God. Morse replied emphatically yes and he got it every time he asked. Therefore he added when he received honors from America and from Europe on account of his invention which bears his name he never even once he felt he deserved them. He had made only a valid application of electricity not because he was superior to others but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, would have revealed it to someone and was pleased to reveal it to Morse.

The post Homily: Be Ready When He Comes appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ –

Thirty Second Sunday of the Year – November 10, 2024
1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

God loves a cheerful giver, the one who is willing to part with things without any hesitation. Compassion and care for others surely prompt our own giving. To give to the other involves sacrifice on the part of the giver. God lavished beauty, complexity and grandeur in creating the world. God, the creator of all, is responsible for all the blessings we enjoy. Life in this world was given to each of us as an undeserved, free gift. We have unequal physical talents, features, and abilities, plus diverse spiritual and intellectual gifts as well. They vary a lot from person to person, but what they all have in common is that they come as free gifts from God who didn’t have to create any of us. God invites us to live a sincere and honest life in accordance with the will of God. In the Gospel Jesus teaches that ostentatious behavior by religious leaders and large contributions made by the wealthy to the Temple. But a poor widow contributes all she had to God and receives appreciation from Jesus.

The First Reading taken from the First Book of Kings narrates a touching story of a widow during the time of Israel’s famine and she places her trust in God and the prophet. Elijah served as God’s faithful prophet during the reign of King Ahab and he wanted to win from the royal house their fidelity to God. To impress upon Ahab’s dependence on God Elijah imposed a famine on Israel. The conditions were so severe that God sends Elijah to a widow living in the Kingdom of Sidon and directs her to take care of the Prophet. She has her son who depends on her and trusts her. Although there is water in the midst of drought, she has only the smallest amount of food left. Reduced to absolute penury she is on her way to get firewood to cook a last meal for both of them from a little meal and oil and she could see nothing but death staring at them. Then Elijah, the prophet, himself hungry, comes and asks her for water and bread. When she tells him her situation, he still asks her to make a small scone for him. In a generous act of sharing, she does so and she is rewarded by their being enough for all three of them and the jar of meal and the jug of oil does not empty until the drought is over.

Today’s Second Reading taken from the Letter to the Hebrews describes the sacrifice of Jesus against the background of the Day of Atonement. The passage tells us that Jesus died once for all time and for all people when he made his perfect sacrifice to remove sin. There is the major difference in the sacrifice of Jesus. He shed his blood but once and enters into the sanctuary of heaven with his blood for the salvation of the world. His Divine Sacrifice as the Lamb of God on the Holy Cross put an end to the first age, the days of the Old Testament and the Covenant of the Law. His Divine Sacrifice as the Lamb of God opened the new and last age in which we now belong, the days of the New Testament and the New Covenant of grace. When Jesus comes in his glory he will bring salvation to all those who wait for him that they may live fully in him. The living is those who shine as lights in the world, those who shine in love towards God and their brothers and sisters.

There are two separate incidents in today’s Gospel: Christ warns the people to beware of and not to imitate the hypocrisy of the scribes; the widow whose tiny contribution to charity was in fact more generous than the large donations of the rich. She gave the penny which she could ill afford to give, while the others gave from their superfluity. Scribes and Pharisees are presented today as very image-conscious. It was more important to be seen and thought of as good and holy than in being really so. In fact, scribes, as interpreters of the Law, were deeply respected for their great learning. They were well versed in Mosaic Law but unfortunately, they prided on themselves on this superior knowledge and also on their strict observance of its letter. They despised all the other Jews who knew little about the Law and did not always keep it to the letter. In so doing the scribes were violating one of the two basic precepts of the Law, namely, the love of neighbor. They wanted to be noticed by people as observers of the Law and to be saluted reverently wherever they went among them. Even in the places of prayer they wanted the highest places and seats of honor at the feasts. They wore long white robes as a sign of their devotion to the law and people looked at them with awe. Jesus does not condemn all scribes but those who lived a life of hypocrisy. They played on the gullibility of pious widows of wealth with financial profits to themselves while making an outward show of piety.

The Gospel passage of today places before us the question, who really serves God? This question seems to emerge from the ostentatious public behavior of some Scribes and other learned persons and the contrast between the amount of money given to Temple treasury by the rich people and a poor widow. People can succeed fooling their companions but cannot fool God. Therefore Jesus gives his disciples the vivid example of the sacrifice and generosity of the widow. This picture given in the second part of the Gospel shows a very different picture. In a way, it is a completely different scenario and yet there are connections. The linking word between the two is “widow”. There is a striking contrast between the poor widow described in the second part of today’s Gospel and the Scribes and Pharisees in the first part. The simple piety of this woman of no social standing is contrasted with the arrogance and social ambitions of some so-called religious leaders.

An interesting point we ought to note is that the treasury was actually called a trumpet. This is because it was constructed in the form of a trumpet as if to blow the horn. When the coins were dropped it made a loud noise and all came to know of the contribution a person had made to the Temple. Perhaps the small two coins dropped by the widow did not make any noise but it did not escape the attention of Jesus and he appreciates this great gesture. The poor widow may not even have heard the praises of Jesus and certainly she would receive the reward from God. This poor woman, in a daring act of trust in God’s providence, put into the treasury everything she had — and it was next to nothing. She had two small coins. She put in both. We must remember that in the Kingdom of Jesus everyone counts.

Jesus makes the contrast between the money given by the rich people and the tiny amount given by the poor widow. The point being made by Jesus is that the value of a gift is not necessarily assessed by its quantity. Even concerning money sometimes less is actually more. When this is put within the context of contributing to the Temple treasury, somehow symbolizing service to God, then the poor widow comes out ahead. In a sense she gives out of the little she had and nothing to say that she was rich or had possessions of her own. Some commentators feel that Jesus is actually criticizing this practice and objecting that the Temple treasury would accept an offering from a poor widow who obviously could not afford it. While that is an interesting point and not out of character with the concerns of Jesus, it does not seem to be what Mark is emphasizing.

God always rewards those who persevere in their living faith. No one goes by unnoticed. If a person is proud, he will be noticed; if he is humble, he will also be noticed. If a person is humble like the poor widow whose name no one knows, God will notice him and raise him and reward him according to his sacrifice. Thus in the Gospel of today, Jesus is already judging those among the scribes who act for the sake of their own glory instead of seeking that of God. Already, he glorifies the poor widow who put into the Treasury of the Temple that entire she had her entire means of subsistence. How misleading are appearances. If God gives us the grace of admitting us into Paradise it will be because of our humility and nothingness before God and the generosity to give on our part. Jesus tells us that only poor, detached and humble persons will find a place before God.

A man named Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. When he came out of his office a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car and admiring it. “Is this your car Mister?” he asked. Paul nodded and told him that his brother gave him for Christmas as a present. The boy was astounded. He asked him truly if his brother gave it to him and it did not cost him anything. Then he said loudly, oh I wish the same could happen to me. Paul knew what he was wishing for. He wished he had a brother who would give him a gift. But what the boy said again surprised Paul. The boy repeated that he wished to be a brother like that to give freely. Paul looked at him with surprise and impulsively asked him whether he wanted a ride in this new automobile. The boy agreed easily and said he would love a thing like that. Paul smiled and thought that the boy wanted to show the neighborhood his ability to be in a shining new costly car. Bur he was wrong. The boy asked him to stop where there were 2 steps and quickly ran into the house. He was back in a moment carrying his little crippled brother and told him as they sat on the step. “Look, his brother gave it to him for Christmas and it cost him not a cent. One day I am going to give you something like that.” Paul had tears in his eyes. On an impulse he came carried the boy to the front seat and took them for a ride in the town.

The post Homily: The Question Before Us Is Who Really Serves God? appeared first on Indian Catholic Matters.

By Fr. Eugene Lobo SJ.

All Souls Day November 02, 2024
Isaiah 25:6-9; Rev 22, 1-7 (1 Corinthians 15:12-26); Matthew 11, 25-30 (Mark 8:27-35)

Today is the feast of All-Souls, when we commemorate all those who have gone before us for their eternal reward, those who have died, marked with the sign of faith. We already commemorate the dead at every single Mass, as part of the Eucharistic Prayer, and we will hear these words again today. We recognize that they are part of the mystical body in the church. But today we reflect in a special way, not so much on the dead, but those waiting for their reward at this moment.

The topic may sound morbid, but in fact it contains a secret to tremendous joy. Unless Jesus happens to return in glory first, we will all have to face death, whether our own or that of some close to us. And our faith has a direct impact on how we face this ultimate moment.

The celebration of All Souls ‘ Day is based on the theological basis that some of those who have departed from this world, have not been perfectly cleansed from venial sin, or have not fully atoned for their past transgression. As such, being temporary deprived of the beatified vision until such time as they have been completely sanctified in Christ; these departed souls are to remain in Purgatory. To assist them so that they may be freed from Purgatory, we, their spiritual brothers and sisters can help the Faithful Departed who are also members of the Body of Christ, through our prayers, our pious deeds and most important of all, through the sacrifice of the Holy Mass.

The Scripture readings for today give rich matter for reflection and touch on the reality of death in general, something we will all have to face some day and for which we should be ready.

The Catholic teaching on Purgatory essentially seen in our belief in two realities: First, that there will be a purification of believers prior to entering heaven and Second that the prayers and masses of the faithful are sure to benefit those in the state of purification. As to the duration, place and exact nature of this purification, the Church has no official dogma, although Saint Augustine and others used fire as a way to explain the nature of the purification.

Many faithful Catholics, including Pope Benedict XVI, grant that Purgatory may be best thought of as an existential state, as opposed to a temporal place. In other words, because Purgatory is outside the confines of created time and space, it is not necessarily accurate to speak of a location or duration of Purgatory. Nonetheless, the prayers and Masses of the faithful do have an impact on the purification that the faithful are undergoing in Purgatory. Some spiritual writers in the past described “Purgatory” in vivid details.

From the early days, Christians have prayed for the dead and have undertaken works of penance and mercy on their behalf. There is scriptural basis for this intercessory prayer for the sins of others and for the dead in the Old Testament. Job’s sacrifices purified his sons. Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead that they are delivered from their sins.

The tradition in the Church of having Masses said for the dead began in the earliest times. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead. The pre-Christian Roman religion, which held that some form of life continued after death, gave votive offerings to the gods on behalf of the dead at three specified times: the third, seventh and thirtieth day after death. This practice of praying for the departed on these same days was adopted by the early Christians and this practice continued in the Church.

The Church prays for the faithful departed throughout the entire year during mass. However, All Souls Day is the general, solemn day of commemoration, when the Church remembers, prays for and offers requiem masses for the faithful departed, now in their state of purification. Typically Christians will reserve this day to offer prayers on behalf of their departed relatives and friends.

Tradition tells us that Christians have always been praying for their departed brothers and sisters to remain in communion with them. Early liturgies and inscriptions on catacomb walls attest to the ancientness of prayers for the dead, even if the Church needed more time to develop a substantial theology behind this practice. Praying for the dead is actually borrowed from Judaism, as indicated in the second book of Maccabees.

In the early days, departed Christians’ names were written on special parchments to remind people to pray for them. In the sixth century, Benedictine communities held commemorations for the departed on the feast of Pentecost. All Souls’ Day became a universal festival largely on account of the influence of Odilo of Cluny in AD 998, when he commanded its annual celebration in the Benedictine houses of his congregation. This practice soon spread to the Carthusian congregations as well. The praying for the departed was celebrated on different days, as it was October 15th in 12th century Milan. Today all Western Catholics celebrate All Souls’ Day on November 2, as do many Anglicans and Lutherans. Initially many Protestant reformers rejected All Souls’ Day because of the lack of theology behind it but it is now celebrated in many Protestant communities, in some cases with the Catholic theology of Purgatory. The Eastern Churches lack a clearly defined doctrine of Purgatory, yet they regularly pray for the departed.

On this day we remember and pray for all our dear departed members. Death is painful and can awaken feelings that are powerful, changing and compelling. The experience of death hurts us as it invites the person to imagine the afterlife, the longing to be with the divine and to enter into a new experience. On this day we are faced with the mystery of death and we are reminded of the promise of resurrection and eternal life.

Today’s liturgy emphasizes the paschal character of Christian death and places in relief the resurrection of Christ as the hope of our own resurrection and new life. St Paul assures us, as he instructs the Thessalonian converts that we believe Jesus died and rose again and likewise our dear ones also will rise. We believe that God will bring with Jesus all people to himself, persons who have died believing in him. When a person dies and the body is buried it is mortal. But when raised from the dead it will be immortal, a spiritual body.

The Scripture readings of today provide rich matter for reflection and touch on the reality of death in general, something we will all have to face one day and for which we ought to be ready. The Scriptures tell us that the Lord will come quietly at an unexpected moment “like a thief in the night”. We do not want to have the door closed in our face and hear those terrible words: “I do not know you.” The Scripture constantly warns us to be ready to meet our Lord at any time. The readings of today also acknowledge the complexities of life.

Sometimes, when we experience the loss, we feel the absence of peace. Then we are confused and overwhelmed. We await God’s mercy and his compassionate love. The gospel of John tells us of the glorification of Jesus and that when he is raised up he will draw all people to himself. The word draw is a special word that involves a sense of attraction and it is Jesus who will take us all to himself. In the Gospel of Mark we have the confession of Peter who professes that Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus in response tells the disciples that he will suffer and die and will be raised from the dead. The First Letter to the Corinthians renews that confidence.

There are many customs associated with All Souls Day, and these vary greatly from culture to culture. In Mexico they celebrate All Souls Day as “the day of the dead.” Customs include going to a graveyard to have a picnic, eating skull-shaped candy, and leaving food out for dead relatives. The practice of leaving food out for dead relatives is interesting, but it is not exactly Catholic Theology. In the Philippines they celebrate “Memorial Day” based loosely on All Souls Day. Customs include praying novenas for the holy souls, and ornately decorating relatives’ graves. On the eve of All Souls (i.e. the evening of All Saints Day), partiers go door-to-door, requesting gifts and singing a traditional verse representing the liberation of holy souls from purgatory.

On this day the Church is asking of us to pray in a very special way for all the deceased, for all those whom we knew, but also for all those who have died without their going away ever being communicated to us. We know only a minute part of this multitude of people who died since the creation of the world, but God on the other hand, knows them all and each person in their individuality. God knows all things: he knows what we are doing now because he watches us, he listens to us. He waits for us to turn to him with the simplicity of a child who confides in his Father full of love and tenderness. Today Jesus repeats the same words for us: “All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.”

On All Souls’ Day, we ask God for mercy on those who have died. We pray for an ever deeper and abiding awareness of the steadfast love of God expressed through Jesus Christ. God’s love made known in Jesus Christ is the reason for our hope. Today is a day of solidarity between all Christians. It is a celebration of what we call the “Communion of Saints”, where ‘saints’ signifies all persons baptized in Christ. Our love and sense of duty do not permit us to ignore them. They are all our people some of whom are intimately known to us. They call out to our help and one day we too will need help from others. Let us, then, make the prayer of today’s Mass our own: “God, our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and returned to you in glory. May all your people who have gone before us in faith share his victory and enjoy the vision of your glory forever.” Amen.

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Fr Eugene Lobo, SJ –

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year – October 27, 2024
Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

The Gospel presents us with the mandate of Jesus namely, the commandment to love. Jesus was asked which the greatest commandment in the Jewish Law was and he gave not one but two commands, though the two are really one: Love God and love your neighbor. If we believe in God, then we must live by these commandments. But this makes us confident and happy. We know in Jesus that to know that God is love, and those we should respond to him in love. For us he is a source not of anxiety, but of great comfort, great hope, and great consolation. To love God is to acknowledge the source of meaning and purpose of our existence, to embrace the truth, to wonder and admire at all that he has made. Believing in God does not make us anxious or worried but encourages us in our lives. He guides us in the decisions we must take. He challenges us to love one another so that we bring happiness not only in our lives but in the lives of our neighbors. He gives us comfort when we are sad, gives peace when desperate and hope when in trouble. He gives us joy and blessings as we live our life according to his will.. In the Gospel we have the healing of Barthimaeus, the blind beggar to receive the new light and vision from Jesus to be his disciple.

In our First Reading we heard the prophecy of Prophet Jeremiah revealing that a remnant of loyal and faithful Israelites will one day return to their homeland from all the places to which they were scattered by warfare and exile. Here the prophet is speaking about those who suffered at the time of the collapse of the northern kingdom of Israel in the sixth century B.C. Purified through their exile; they were the new Israel, faithful to God. The prophet told them that they had brought on themselves all the pain and sufferings because of their disloyalty to their kind God who had given them the Promised Land to be their home. Through suffering, the people humbled themselves and turned to God with sincere repentance. The reading is a hymn of praise and rejoicing because of what God is going to do for his people. In this joyful moment, the people sang with gladness, displaying endless echoes of thanksgiving to God who had delivered the weak, the lame, those with children and those in labour.

In our Second Reading, we heard that while every high priest is chosen from among mortal human persons, their own people. But he is chosen and appointed by God himself to be in charge of things in relationship with God. He is to offer sacrifices on behalf of people as they too must offer sacrifices for sins because they all are subject to human weakness. Since they were weak and prone to sin, they were able to be patient with sinners. The Letter reminds that a high priest is not appointed by a person himself or in any way appointment by man. It is a calling from God, just as Aaron was called. Equally, Jesus, although he is God-man did not seek glory by elevating himself as the high priest. It was the Heavenly Father who appointed Him when he said to Jesus, “You are My Son, today I have begotten you and am pleased with you.” Elsewhere, He said, “You are a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” Christ is our High Priest, our intermediary with God.

The Gospel passage of today is actually the final miracle story recorded in Mark. It comes at end of a long section where Jesus is forming his disciples. Jesus was already instructing them on the nature of the discipleship and his own identity. Throughout these narratives the disciples appear to be blind as to who Jesus really was and what it means to accept the demands he had made from them. Jesus indeed points out to the necessary abilities of the Christian disciple: to hear and understand the Word of God and to share the message with others. All this now is contrasted with the healing of Bartimaeus. It is very unusual to have a name given to a person Jesus heals. The action of the story is begun by Bartimaeus himself who heard that Jesus was near. He cried out to him using an Christological title, Son of David. We are not told whether the man understood the meaning of the title but he was able to draw the attention of Jesus. There was the two-stage healing of a blind man. This story clearly indicated the gradual opening of the disciples’ eyes as to the true identity and mission of Jesus. The section ends with the healing of the blind man which is not merely coincidence.

The blind beggar on the road side cried out the words, Son of David has Mercy on me using this unique messianic title of Jesus. He must have heard stories about him as a marvelous healer. For him this was a great opportunity, a moment of hope to get him healed. The disciples and the crowd think it was unseemly for a lowly beggar who was also blind, bothering Jesus the Rabbi. In a similar way they thought that children should not come and disturb Jesus when he was tired. After all, Bartimaeus was only a poor blind beggar. He could not and should not disturb an important person like Jesus who is respected as the rabbi. But Bartimaeus was not being put off so easily. He tried to draw the attention of Jesus by calling out even more loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” But the people around told him to be quiet. Jesus by now had already heard the shouting of the blind beggar and stopped. He over ruled the disciples and called the blind man to him and asked him what exactly he wanted Jesus to do for him.

It was an interesting moment of response of Bartimaeus to the call of Jesus, who threw aside his cloak and came forward to meet the master. Many commentators think this action should be understood more symbolically than literally. It represented Bartimaeus casting off his old life in order to take up a new life of discipleship. Part of the requirement for being a disciple of Jesus was to give up possessions which this blind beggar quickly does. This indeed was the moment of hope for him. He seemed to be sure of receiving a great gift namely his sight. So Bartimaeus gives Jesus very simple answers that he may have his vision and that he may see. This was a very simple question and Jesus receives a humble and simple reply. It is the type of Christian prayer, a prayer of petition with the understanding, ask and you shall receive.

Mark in the gospel passage wants to show his audience an irony. At the beginning of the story we saw a blind, an impoverished beggar sitting by the roadside and asking for help. He now reaches out to Jesus. Jesus does show a contrast here between his chosen disciples and the new disciple in the blind beggar. While his handpicked disciples were not physically blind and had seen Jesus in action for a long time they were spiritually blind as they did not understand who Jesus really is or what following him really means. They had never used the title Son of David at any time while addressing Jesus.

Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah so much expected. This blind man, seated there on the side of the road, understood it. Certainly, he did not see what Jesus had previously done. He did not see the multiplication of bread and fishes and the recovery of so many bags of leftover scraps, nor did he see the number of sick persons whom numerous crowds have brought to Jesus, the Son of God becomes a Man. But first he believed in that which some people who surrounded him said about this Man of whom he had heard so much and whom they praised as a man of very great goodness. He lived first this mere human faith, and knew that this man who passed by was Jesus of Nazareth, the healer. Hearing him passing by, the simple human faith of Bartimaeus was transformed into a divine faith. His faith inspired him to ask the Lord what he wanted him to do.

The request of the blind man is a model prayer for us: the Christian Prayer, the Prayer of Petition. We ask the Lord in faith for something we need and the Lord will grant it to us. Perhaps Jesus had seen the blind beggar several times as he went about preaching and he must have been busy collecting alms from people. Only when he opened himself in faith and asked the Lord for healing did he receive that gift and the greater gift to be his disciple. Like Bartimaeus we too may be busy sometimes collecting petty alms and paltry donations and have not collected the real graces from the Lord. This episode is a summary of the Christian’s life and pilgrimage. While physical sight is desirable, spiritual sight is an absolute necessity for our salvation.

A 92-year-old man, who was fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock with hair fashionably combed and face perfectly shaven, even though legally blind, moved to a nursing home. His wife of 70 years passed away recently, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, the nurse provided a visual description of his tiny room. “I love it,” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year old having just been presented with a new puppy. “But Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait.” “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged … it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the parts that do work. “Each day,” he continued, “is a gift, and as long as my eyes open.”

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Twenty Ninth Sunday of the year – October 20, 2024
Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45

God has a prominent place in the life of every individual. He is the one who has created every person and given life and sustenance, continually has given his protection and care. He is the one who is all powerful, all knowing, unchangeable, omnipresent and perfectly good. He is simultaneously transcendent and immanent, creator of the world, distinct from and superior to it and at the same time present to human persons and to every smallest particle of creation. He loves us abundantly and he has sent his son for us as his generous gift towards each individual. This God who is supreme and generous always makes demands of us. He calls us to be humble and to live in the service to others. He is present there in the midst of all pain and suffering with his guiding hand. All the three readings of today touch the theme of suffering.

In the Gospel Jesus teaches James and John and the other disciples that the real pathway to glory and honor is service and becoming a servant. The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Our Christian life can be summarized as a call to serve.

Prophet Isaiah in the first reading speaks of the sufferings endured by the servant. This reading is taken from the closing verses of the servant song in Isaiah where the poem begins and ends with the testimony from God about the accomplishments of the servant. His personal self reflects of his life telling us how generously and submissively he gave himself up. There is the admiration of the sacrifice made by the individual for others. They marvel at the wonderful things the Servant accomplished even though the Servant could be summarily dismissed by the world. This servant suffers and is crushed. He faces the hatred and rejection from people. In the context of Isaiah, the Servant represents the ideal Israel, repentant of the sins of the past and now ready to serve God in the world. In their ignorance the Servant’s contemporaries tormented him, killed him and buried him among the wicked.

The Second Reading from the letter to the Hebrews urges us to stand steadfast in faith, for our Leader and High Priest is none other than Jesus, the Son of God. As a High priest he is chosen to be the mediator between God and man. In Jesus we have the Supreme High Priest who has offered full atonement for us and has suffered more than we ever can. He understands our weaknesses and our needs. He is the Son of God and can accomplish great things for us. He is also human and knows what it is to be tested. Therefore he can sympathize with us in all our struggles. He carried out the expiation rites on the Day of Atonement to sprinkle the ark with the blood of the sacrifices. No other priest could enter there but Jesus has gone into the Holy of Holies with his own blood and has sprinkled it on the altar for the forgiveness of sins. This High Priest was tempted while on earth but he never gave in to any of these temptations and therefore emerged victorious over the human fear of suffering.

This Sunday’s Gospel recounts a dialogue which took place between Jesus and the sons of Zebedee: James and John. These disciples desired at any price, to sit next to Jesus in Paradise. Indeed, this episode is reported differently by Saint Matthew. According to him, it is the mother of James and John who requests this favor of Jesus for her two sons. This may reflect the respect the Apostles held by the time Matthew wrote the gospel and he places the disciples in the background. At this juncture it looks as if the two brothers were responding to the third prediction of Jesus regarding his passion and death. This pronunciation follows the two previous predictions of Jesus about his passion, suffering, death and Resurrection. In each case the response of the disciples manifested a basic misunderstanding of what Jesus had been talking about.

Jesus was talking about his suffering death and service while the disciples were constantly focused on power fame and glory. Jesus attempted to counter their misunderstanding with a corrective teaching regarding the meaning of discipleship. Here we have the two brothers, who belong to the innermost circle of Jesus’ disciples, trying to exert their influence on Jesus and snatch the power they were looking for. They came to Jesus with their request the moment Jesus had finished telling them about his suffering, death and his resurrection. Their opening gambit seemed a quite modest request as they asked Jesus for a favour. Jesus was not so easily duped and would have understood their intention. Yet he asked them a question to explain clearly their demand. It was much like the question he asked before healing the blind man and the leper. The two brothers had heard Jesus speaking of suffering, death and new life. They had recognized Jesus as the Messiah-King of Israel and heard him refer often to “his kingdom”.

Jesus probes them a bit, asking if they can undergo the sufferings he will have to undergo. Quickly they responded that they were willing, but we know immediately that they were unable to. They responded to him without any further understanding that it was possible for them to drink the chalice of Jesus. Their response may have been very genuine but it was clear they had no understanding of how this King would triumph by emptying himself to the lowest human level and only then enter his kingdom.Ironically, the places on the right and left of Jesus will end up being crosses just like the one he will hang on. The only concession Jesus made was to affirm that James and John will indeed drink the cup and be baptized into his sufferings. But they are not granted the places of honor they requested. Jesus told them clearly that they would indeed be ready to drink the cup that he drinks and accept the baptism, with which he is baptized, but to sit at his right hand or at his left is not for him to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by the Father from eternity. Jesus spoke of his Passion and he spoke first as a man, though he is also God and Lord, the equal of the Father.

Thinking that James and John will get those places of honor the other ten disciples were upset with the two brothers. They too may have been seeking special places and highest position around his heavenly Throne. Understandably, when these ten heard of the ambition of the two brothers they were very angry. It was not because they disagreed but because they felt cheated. These two had gone behind their backs and pulled a fast one. They too had totally missed the point. Jesus makes the point once again with his corrective teaching about true greatness not being centered in authoritarian ruling but in service. As he brought them all together, he explained to them his view of greatness and success in life. There is only one way to greatness and it is his way.

Greatness consists not in what we have, or in what we can get from others but in what we can give of ourselves to others. In our own time, I suppose Mother Teresa has been an outstanding example. Her greatness was in the giving of her whole self to the very lowest, treating them as brothers and sisters and living close to them and like them. And the people of India recognized that. Her greatness was not in her fame or even in her reputation for holiness but because of her spirit of service to those most neglected and to those in need. Mother Teresa was a great missionary bringing the Gospel message of service to the very poorest. She and her sisters went on missionary work to New York and Los Angeles, to London and even Rome. Like James and John and the other disciples, like Mother Teresa and many others, we are all called to be missionaries.

Thus to be a disciple of Jesus we must accept our call to serve others as he served. At the Last Supper Jesus gave the example and washed the feet of his disciples and told them that they too ought to do likewise if they choose to be his disciples. At certain times the disciples of Jesus had the basic misunderstanding of his mission and message. While Jesus was preaching on the Gospel of suffering, death and service, they were looking for power, fame and glory. We all know the story of a twentieth century saint Kolbe and his sacrifice. On August 14, 1941, Saint Maximilian Kolbe died of starvation in the place of a young prisoner and a family man so that he may live. We view this act of self-sacrifice as extremely beautiful Christian love.

In our society the word service has many meanings; but today as we celebrate the Mission Sunday it includes the efforts of men, women and children who work to spread the Gospel and offer Christ’s healing and forgiveness to those who have never encountered him. Hence service is an essential component of Christianity. Believing in God and acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and master are important as are study, prayer and meditation; but the true mark of our faith is how we treat others in life. As Christians we are all called to follow Christ with an attitude of service towards others. As many in our society strive for success, fame and wealth, followers of Christ are called upon to look for opportunities to serve others. Our celebration of this Eucharist is an acknowledgement of our dependence on God and each other and our willingness to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

James and John wanted to be the first at Jesus’ side in Heaven. The ten others were indignant at such a request. The Lord as he spoke to them ordered and told them to put everyone on an equal footing: the master must become the slave; the first must be the last. In this way, everyone will be happy. In heaven, it is the same. Certainly, there is an order among the elect of God and each is in his place, but none of them can express any dissatisfaction at all: each person is perfectly happy in the place which he occupies. It is precisely this same place, this precise order which produces the happiness of the elect of God in Heaven. For, this place, this order, allows the realization of a perfect and structured edifice: the House of God.This ideal is important for us as we celebrate the mission Sunday today. World Mission Sunday highlights our responsibility to help and spread the message found in the scriptures. We do not have to be experts in evangelization. We all of us are called to work with our brothers and sisters to build the kingdom of God here on earth. Our mission work has to be one of service as Jesus calls us do.

In a certain village in Umbria (Italy), there lived a man who was always bewailing his lot. He was a Christian, and found the weight of his cross too heavy to bear. One night, before going to sleep, he begged God to let him change his burden. That night he had a dream; the Lord led him to a warehouse. “Go ahead and change it,” he said. The man saw crosses of all sizes and shapes, with the names of their owners. He picked an average size cross – but when he saw the name of an old friend written on it, he left it aside. Finally, as God had permitted, he chose the smallest cross he could find. To his surprise, he saw his own name written on it.

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