17th Ordinary Sunday

TRUSTING IN GOD’S CARE

In today’s gospel we have the beginning of Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life. It is fitting that the discourse begins with the multiplication of the loaves. Jesus has actually gone up a mountain with his disciples to be with them. But he sees a large crowd of people coming towards him and wants to provide food for them. Five thousand people eat and twelve baskets full of leftover fragments are gathered so that food is not lost. It has not been possible to buy bread because of the sheer number of people gathered. The multiplication takes place when a boy brings some barley loaves and fish. The boy offers them to Jesus and Jesus multiplies them. In the First Reading Elisha multiplies the twenty barley loaves which a man brings to them. Hundred men eat of them and are satisfied. In the Second Reading Paul writing from a prison begs the Ephesians to live a life worthy of their Christian vocation.

Liturgical materials for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1P2QhuDVaqidDeo4eY-MhAJFF1I91Sbi6?usp=sharing

Tamil Response Hymn - https://youtu.be/Xux1KznNdbc

16th Ordinary Sunday

JESUS' COMPASSION

The hours of work in an established and professional set-up is usually eight hours but in unorganized set-up they can be ten to twelve hours. Naturally workers in both organized and unorganized sectors feel very tired after their long hours of work. That is the reason workers look to weekends and other holidays to relax and to recover from tiredness. After returning from the missionary tour the disciples are also very tired. Knowing their physical and mental condition Jesus takes them to a lonely place where they can rest. It so happens that the people in large numbers are seeking Jesus and so Jesus feels compassion for them and starts teaching them. We too face similar situations. There will be occasions in our lives too when we have to abandon our rest and leisure for a more important work. Sometimes it may involve helping a person in need or sick. In the First Reading Prophet Jeremiah comes strongly against the shepherds who scatter the sheep but foresees a better future for the people taken into exile. In the Second Reading Paul writes that Christ has broken the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

Liturgical materials for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b77ucRTs9tlJS2z4uodHwT1SZ0LKW4hp?usp=sharing

Tamil Response Hymn - https://youtu.be/p_jYy7Zazfo

15th Ordinary Sunday

CHOOSING OUR JOURNEYS

There comes a time when we have to take responsibilities for our lives. Till the time we reach adulthood our parents take care of us but after reaching a certain age we have to stand on our own feet. This is what Jesus also does with his disciples. He has chosen them and they have been with him for a considerable amount of time getting trained for the work they have to do. We know that the work of the disciples is to continue the mission of Jesus. Jesus feels the time is ripe and he sends the disciples on a mission. He instructs them on what to take for their journey and what to avoid. They have to go with total trust in God who will take care of their needs. Going with practically nothing and almost empty handed, the disciples are hugely successful. They preached that people should repent, and they were able to cast out demons and heal many. In the First Reading Amaziah, the false prophet, does not want Amos to prophesy in the Northern Kingdom, but Amos confronts him. Amos is aware that he is chosen by God and so cannot be intimidated. In the Second Reading Paul tells the Ephesians that God has chosen them before the foundation of the world.

Liturgical materials for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LksC6oFEAjWT4pSoWXN6XKiIEvVb-fJf?usp=sharing

Tamil Response Hymn - https://youtu.be/ZQ_1q_oaJeU

14th Ordinary Sunday

POWER MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS

Jesus can do no mighty work in his home town because he receives no support from there. In fact, we see his own people asking him a series of questions about the knowledge he has acquired, about his antecedents, about his parents and brothers and sisters. Naturally, any person returning to his/her hometown after having achieved success elsewhere would be heartbroken when he/she hears such remarks. We know well that for us to succeed and go about in our normal activities we need at least minimum support from others. Governments of democratic countries fall when they lose support of the elected members of parliament. Marriages go for a spin when husband and wife do not support each other. Jesus goes about doing mighty works elsewhere and does not give up his ministry on account of setback in one place. He moves on with his life and work. In the first Reading Ezekiel is told that he will be sent to the Israelites, a stubborn people in constant rebellion against God. In the second Reading Paul speaks about his weakness. He has prayed over it and the Lord has told him that his grace is sufficient for him.

Liturgical materials for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Zl9NoUg5YlewV8936PyZlPYM97HHYyqm?usp=sharing

St. Thomas the Apostle

STRETCH YOUR FAITH

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. I welcome you all to this Eucharistic celebration which is the spiritual nourishment to all of us. Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle.

The Evangelist St. John states that St. Thomas doubted the risen Christ. Though St. Thomas has been branded as “Doubting Thomas” for more than 20 centuries, he has made certainly the most explicit statement of faith in the New Testament: “My Lord and My God” a prayer that will be said till the end of time. Having seen and experienced the risen Christ Thomas became courageous to preach the life of Christ. Certainly, there were moments when we behaved like the doubting Thomas too. Like St. Thomas we should also surrender ourselves totally and completely to Jesus Christ.

As the Lord invites Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands: Stretch out your hand and put into my side”, it is also an invitation to all of us to take part in the pain and suffering of Christ. Our Lord invites us all, to remove all our doubtfulness and thus we might be strengthened by the faith we have in Christ Jesus. Let’s ask the Lord for the graces that we might become men of faith and be a source of inspiration to our neighbours.

Liturgy for the Feast -

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1THv4SWXZX3PthYKaypyxVmawuaGmmu6c?usp=sharing