January 26, 2014

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4

   In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

தமிழ்

Responsorial Psalm: 27:1.4.13-14
Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (Response)
   One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple. (Response) 
   I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. (Response)

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17

   I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Kephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:12-23

   When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Reflection: Fr. Sahaya G Selvam
   The gospel text narrates to us the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus in Capernaum. It was one of the principal towns around the lake of Galilee. It is possible that besides the fishing industry Capernaum had a lot of processing units where grains were milled into flours and olives pressed to extract oil. It is interesting to note that it is this bubbling town that Jesus chooses as the headquarters for his three-year public ministry (Mt 4:12).
   The first apostles of Jesus came from around Capernaum: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. It is surprising to note that Jesus encounters them in their work-places, not in a place of worship! And it is Jesus who goes out to meet and invite them. These first disciples were entrepreneurs. They had plenty to leave behind. They were ready to move out of their comfort zones to join this itinerant preacher. They leave everything to follow the Light.

January 19, 2014

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 49:3,5-6

   Thus says the LORD: "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness."

தமிழ்

Responsorial Psalm: 40:2,7-8.8-9.10
Response: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
  I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.  (Response)
   Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.” (Response) 
   “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” (Response)
   I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. (Response)

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

   Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel Reading: John 1:29-34

   John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

Reflection: Fr. Sahaya G Selvam
   John the Baptist had a clear understanding of his mission in life. He knew why he was born during that particular time in human history and in that particular place in the universe. His waiting ends when “the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around theJordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” and saying: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Lk 3:3-4).
   John would prefer to say, “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal” (Jn 1:26-27). And when at last Jesus appears on the scene, John recognises him, and points him out as the Lamb of God. Now he can exist. His full-life will be crowned with a martyr’s death. It is the culmination of his prophetic role in challenging the powers that be.  We may not be called to witness to Christ by our death. But surely we are called to live our lives fully witnessing to Him.

January 12, 2014

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7

   Thus says the LORD: "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness."

தமிழ்

Responsorial Psalm: 29:1-2.3-4.9-10
Response: The Lord will bless his people with peace.
   Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise, Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire. (Response)
   The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters. The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic. (Response) 
   The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!” The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever. (Response)

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38

   Peter proceeded to speak and said, "In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17

   Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   Here the baptism reveals that Jesus is recognized by two persons and they are bear witness to Jesus. This is what happens at every baptism. God recognizes who Jesus is. The voice from the heaven declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” The recognition reveals to where the person belongs to and how he is related to. Baptism shows the belonging and the relationship. Jesus belongs to God and he is the beloved son of Him.
   John (in his person the society or the people) recognizes who Jesus is. John recognizes him to be person belonging to God and hence he is to be treated with respect and reverence and esteem. Baptism makes everyone a person of esteem, respect and reverence. And everyone should be treated so with respect, reverence and esteem because he belongs to God and he is related to God.

January 5, 2014

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

   Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

தமிழ்

Responsorial Psalm: 72:1-2.7-8.10-11.12-13
Response: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
   O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; He shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (Response)
   Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Response)
   The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. (Response)
   For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (Response)

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6

   Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

   When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   The magi arrived in Jerusalem and went straight to the king and asked him about the new born king. In Luke’s Gospel the angel appeared to the shepherds and told them about the child and they went straight to the manger and found the child as the angel had told them.
   The magi who study the signs and stars follow their learning. They are not simple enough like the shepherds to find the new born king in a simple place. They arrive and go straight to the king. They are controlled by their learning and culture that they could not see the king out the context of the palace.

January 1, 2014

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

   The LORD said to Moses: "Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them."

தமிழ்

Responsorial Psalm: 67:2-3.5.6,8
Response: May God bless us in his mercy.
   May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (Response)
   May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (Response)
   May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (Response)

Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

   Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:16-21

   The shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus

   Naming of the child is important in the Jewish culture. The relatives and friends gathered around and made it a celebration. It was to bring the child into the community and in a sense naming was to give recognition to the child among the family members. They would propose a name that would give them a link with the past that is their forefathers.
   Here the name is revealed by the angel. The name was fixed even before the child was conceived. The name was from above and hence it revealed a character that was heavenly. The name revealed a divine mission. Since the child was from above it also had a divine mission.