Friday, July 27, 2012

July 29, 2012

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44
    A man came from Baal-shalishah bringing the man of God twenty barely loaves made from the first fruits, and fresh grain in the ear. "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said. But his servant objected, "How can I set this before a hundred men?" "Give it to the people to eat," Elisha insisted. "For thus says the LORD, 'They shall eat and there shall be some left over.'" And when they had eaten, there was some left over, as the LORD had said.
Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6
   Brothers and sisters, I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15
   Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near. When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little." One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted. When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, "Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted." So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat. When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, "This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus 
   Chapter six of John’s gospel is dominated by the theme of Passover.  The author is trying to connect it in our mind with the original Passover: the time when God liberated the children of Israel from Egypt and led them through wilderness to the Promised Land.  During the wandering in the wilderness he fed them with the bread from heaven. Manna is provided by God in Exodus 16.
   Here the scene is created in such a way as to show that they could not produce food for the people in the desert: 200 days wage would not be sufficient; a single boy has only five loaves and two fish; the crowd is very big, men alone add up to five thousand. Humanly it is impossible to feed such a crowd. Like in the story of Exodus, here too, Jesus fed this great crowd with food from heaven.  This also should be an exodus experience for the participants. It should be a liberation experience. It should be a journey to the Promised Land experience.

Friday, July 20, 2012

July 22, 2012

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
   Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow; there they shall increase and multiply. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD. Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: "The LORD our justice."
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18
   Brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34
   The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus 
   Apostles had just returned after their missionary expedition. They were like good stewards reported the happening. Jesus also invited them to go away to the deserted place to rest a while. For the people of Israel desert was a place of God experience (forty years in the desert after exodus, John the Baptizer was in the desert, Jesus himself was there for forty days etc). It was also place of rest. There was nothing in the desert and there was no one to disturb and hence it was a place of rest.
   But Jesus, on arrival, found the place with crowds of people. Even a place of rest became a place of people with movements. Desert is also the place where one could get lost.  The people who were in big number were of this type. They were not there for rest but they were lost (in their lives). They were like sheep without shepherd. So Jesus turned the place of rest into a place of ministry and activity. He had compassion on them. Compassion makes the desert into beehive of activities.

Friday, July 13, 2012

July 15, 2012

15th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading: Amos 7:12-15
   Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, "Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple." Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth. In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:7-13
   Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick-- no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus 
   The disciples were sent out to preach repentance and do the activities of the kingdom: to heal the sick and to drive out the demons. They were given instructions for the journey as well. They were not to stay long in any one place. They have to be on the move. The disciples were to be nomads (in a sense) and settlers. It is a life of journey with the mission.
   They should not linger in any place trying to win them over or convince them. If they are not welcomed in anyone place; they should move on to another. They should shake off the dust: even the dust of that place should not be with them. If a place does not accept their preaching and the message of the kingdom then the disciples should have nothing to do with them: not even dust.

Friday, July 6, 2012

July 8, 2012

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading: Ezekiel 2:2-5
   As he spoke to me, spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD! And whether they heed or resist-- for they are a rebellious house-- they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
   Brothers and sisters, that I, Paul, might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-6
   Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus 
   Jesus is in his home place. His relatives and friends observe in him the divine wisdom and the divine power working in him. But they were fully aware of his human origin and that he has spent his time before public ministry here among them (he himself was the Carpenter – probably he took the job after his foster father Joseph). His people were offended at this. Jesus’ disciples observed this and this could have been a very good lesson for them too.
   How did Jesus respond to this situation? At first he excused this (A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house). However he did do some good among them. But he could not do much among them. He marveled at their unbelief. Their unbelief was seen in their unwillingness to see God working in and through Jesus. They refused to see God in Jesus. In short they were blind to God. Finally he went about the nearby villages and worked miracles among them.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

July 1, 2012

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15,2:23-24
   God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome, And there is not a destructive drug among them nor any domain of the nether world on earth, For justice is undying. For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15
   Brothers and sisters, as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also. For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. As it is written: "Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less."

Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43
   When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" But his disciples said to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. (At that) they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus 
   Jairus, the synagogue official came to Jesus and asked him to come and heal her daughter because she was at the point of death. Surely he had faith in God and in Jesus and that was why he came and pleaded. (Faith was not expressed openly at this point). The woman afflicted with haemorrhages for twelve years had faith in Jesus and that is the reason she came and touched his clothes. (Faith was not expressed openly at this point).
   Jesus recognized the faith of these two people though they did not express it openly and directly. Jesus recognized the faith and that is why he told the woman: "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."   In the same way Jesus recognized the faith of Jairus and Jesus was aware that the news that was brought about his daughter was making him worry and hence Jesus said: "Do not be afraid; just have faith." Faith is what matters.