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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Jesus Did it All for us with His Body and Blood

Holy Thursday - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper: March 28, 2024

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14Psalms 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-181 Corinthians 11:23-26John 13:1-15

Today, Holy Mother Church fondly celebrates three significant events which took place 2024 years ago. First: The institution of the Eucharist. Second: The gift of priesthood. Third: Love and Service Commandment.  

1. The Institution of the Eucharist: In the Old Testament, as a remembrance of the liberation from the shackles of Egyptian slavery, the Israelites ate the Passover meal. This pascal meal was an invitation given by God for a new life. This meal was a sign and symbol of forgoing the old self of slavery in Egypt and starting a fresh synodal journey, which called for embracing a new lifestyle in the promised land of Israel. So, each year, “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast” (Exodus 12:14). 

However, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ, as a Jew, was born in this same culture and also desired to eat the same Passover meal with his beloved apostles as a farewell meal. In the Old Testament, the lamb was sacrificed for this pascal meal as we see in the book of Exodus. However, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ sacrifices himself as an unblemished lamb of God on the cross tomorrow, after today’s washing of the feet of his apostles and farewell meal. Hence, the words said at the Last Supper resemble the Calvary's’ supreme sacrifice. That is the institution of the Eucharist we celebrate today. St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 11:23–26 says, "Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread and wine, gave thanks to God the Father, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Do this as often as you eat and drink it, in remembrance of me.”

1.1 Eucharist: Source and summit of the Christian life

Each one of us comes to this earth to live, but in the history of humanity, only Jesus took birth in order to die for our sake and to give us eternal life (Jn 3:16). This life that Jesus gives us in and through the Eucharist each day. This is the new gift that we celebrate on this day. He gave us his flesh in the form of a loaf of bread (Holy Communion) and wine (Holy Blood). Because of this precious gift, which makes us Christians special from all other religions, Because of this experience, the Second Vatican Council, in the dogmatic constitution of the Church Lumen Gentium No. 11, states that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1324 also reiterates the same. Nevertheless, it explains further how the Eucharist is the summit: “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” Hence, Pope Francis, addressing the US Eucharistic Congress, states, “I encourage you to continue your efforts to contribute to a revival of faith in and love for the Holy Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life.”

1.2 Eucharist: Breaking ourselves to align with Jesus

Jesus came to this earth 2024 years ago. However, Jesus’ precious words in the Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me,” continued to be uttered in every Eucharistic celebration by our Holy Mother Church. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life; hence, what is my attitude towards celebrating the Eucharist? Do I come to the Eucharist to fulfill one of the Catholic precepts? What goodness have I received through the Eucharist so far in my personal life as a religious? 

For many, coming to celebrate the Eucharist is a daily routine task and a boring thing. In the Eucharist, Jesus breaks himself and calls each one of us to break ourselves of our pride and ego and share our lives with our near and dear, to the extent to whom we don’t like. Therefore, Pope Francis states, “Indeed, the Eucharist is God's response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for an authentic life, because in the Eucharist Christ himself is truly in our midst to nourish, console, and sustain us on our journey.” 

2. The Gift of Priesthood

Jesus Christ, the new high priest of the New Testament, offered Himself as a sacrifice and bestowed upon us the Eucharist as a precious gift. Reflecting on the significance of this day, St. John Paul II emphasized that during the Last Supper, Jesus instituted both the Eucharist and the sacrament of Holy Orders, highlighting the inseparable connection between the Eucharist and priesthood. Jesus, in establishing this sacred sacrament at the Last Supper, entrusted His apostles with the mission of spreading the Kingdom of God on earth, a mission later carried on by bishops and priests in the history of the Church. 

Therefore, as we contemplate the gift of priesthood, it is essential to understand the role of a priest in the Church today. A priest is chosen by Christ, consecrated among the people of God, to serve and bridge the gap between the Church and the faithful. Priesthood is not merely a profession but a divine calling to be a servant of the Word of God and the people of God, offering spiritual healing and guidance through the sacraments. Just as a loaf of bread is meant to be broken and shared to nourish the hungry, so too is a priest called to selflessly give of himself, sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people, guiding them in their journey towards God. Today, as we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ, we also pay tribute to the gift of priesthood bestowed upon the Church.

2.1: Priesthood embodiment of Christ in one's life

In today's world, priests are involved in various forms of service, including working in hospitals, to engaging in social work. One of the most fulfilling aspects of their vocation is ministering to the sick through the Holy Communion (Viaticum), making house visits, attending to the sick, and performing the anointing of the sick. However, the most significant aspect of their calling is the daily celebration of the Eucharist. Through this sacred act, priests bring God to the people and lead the people back to God. 

During the Ordination Ceremony, they are reminded to receive the offerings of the faithful to present to God, to understand the significance of their actions, to emulate the sacred mysteries they celebrate, and to shape their lives according to the example of the Lord’s Cross. Therefore, the life of a priest is far from easy, particularly in today's increasingly challenging times, which is why it is essential to pray for them, especially during the Eucharist and family rosary. It is crucial to also pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. These individuals are vital as they are the channels of God's grace and continue the mission of Christ until the end of time.

3. Love and Service Commandment
In John’s gospel, it is said "Jesus rose from supper." He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. This compassionate act profoundly surprised the disciples, as evidenced by Peter's reaction. How could they expect their master to bend down and wash their feet, a task typically reserved for servants in Jewish culture? Jesus humbly assumed the role of a servant by performing this radical act, inviting both the disciples and all of us to embrace humility, service, and love towards others. This new commandment of love is not merely a symbol to be displayed, but a principle to be actively lived out in our community as His followers. 

In today’s modern world, we can embody this commandment through kind words, warm smiles, genuine interest in others’ well-being, refraining from gossip, visiting the sick, and truly listening to them. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He didn’t focus on their outward appearances but saw the purity of their hearts. Just as He lovingly washed feet of all types – clean, dirty, worn, dark, light, tired – He is ready to cleanse our hearts, regardless of their condition. Let us examine our hearts, our inner selves, to ensure they are pleasing to God, as Jesus is always willing to purify and renew them, no matter their state. As we gather for this Eucharistic celebration, let us pray for a fervent love for the Eucharist, reverence and intercession for priests, and the grace to show love and serve others.

- Royston Pinto, SJ
March 28, 2024

Friday, March 22, 2024

Participating in Jesus' Theo-Drama

Passion Sunday/Palm Sunday: March 24, 2024

Readings: Mk 11:1-10Isaiah 50:4–7Psalm 22:8–9, 17–20, 23–24Philippians 2:6–11Mark 14:1–15:47

The passion of our Lord is the passion for the world and its humanity. We are at the threshold of the Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. We begin a very intense spiritual journey with the celebration of this Palm Sunday. We are also commemorating a very historical event that took place in the life of Jesus. By recalling and re-enacting this event which is so powerful and poignant, we are invited to walk with Jesus in this moment of great expectation of salvation. The ultimate sacrifice of our Lord happens on Good Friday, where everything that was planned by God gets accomplished and fulfilled. The liturgical readings of today, take us to that memory of which is still preserved by the Church.

1. Attentiveness to God's voice
On this Palm Sunday, the theo-drama (drama of God) begins and gets enacted in Jerusalem and Jesus is the protagonist. The entire event revolves around the God-Man, Jesus. The passage from Isaiah 50:4–7 offers profound insights into obedience, suffering, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. Hundreds of years ago, Prophet Isaiah spoke about Jesus and how his end is going to be.  Isaiah speaks, "The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary." This verse is a beautiful reminder that spiritual wisdom and the ability to comfort others are gifts from God. It challenges us to ask ourselves how we are using our words. Are we using the right words? Are we speaking life into others, offering comfort and wisdom when they are weary? This verse calls us to be mindful of our speech, recognizing that the ability to uplift others is a divine gift that should be nurtured and cherished.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Time of Judgement of this World!

05th Sunday of Lent: March 17, 2024

Readings: Jeremiah 31:31–34Psalm 51:3–412–1314–15Hebrews 5:7–9John 12:20–33

The judgement comes at the end. However, there is a preparation and time for judgment. All that starts well not necessarily must end well. Often a bad starting will have a bad ending. Still, a bad end is not a real end in terms of the life of Jesus. As we inch closer to the final days of Lent where we recount the journey of Jesus namely his passion, death and resurrection, on this fifth Sunday of Lent, the Church invites us to look at the reality of life in its wholeness. What is that making our life meaningful? Where is the ultimate prize for our earthly life? These are the questions, the liturgical readings of this Sunday evoke in us.

1. The desire to see Jesus and the paradox of Christian discipleship

The passage from the Gospel of John 12:20–33 presents a rich ground for spiritual and contextual reflections. The Word of God captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, namely sacrifice, service, glory, and the paradox of life through death. The passage begins with some Greeks, representing the Gentile world, expressing their desire to see Jesus. There is certainly universal appeal of Jesus' message and his popularity has grown even beyond the Jewish community.  Even the Greeks are longing for something spiritual, to connect with the divine, to find meaning and purpose in life. Jesus seems to be their answer.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Cross of Christ: A Way to Salvation

04th Sunday of Lent: March 10, 2024

Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14–1619–23Psalms 137:1–6Ephesians 2:4–10John 3:14–21

When there is so much good in the world often people seem to be choosing not-so-good things. Darkness seems to be more desired than light. You want to choose good but land up taking up things that are unholy and bad. Everyone knows peace, harmony and reconciliation give life and prosperity but often people and nations choose the path of anger and jealousy and end up fighting and waging wars leading to only destruction and death. Even though human history and experience tell us that certain moral and ethical paradigms have been set up for a better and happier life, yet when circumstances arise people forget such things and end up in destructive things. The liturgical readings for this Sunday invite us to choose the right path in place of destruction and death. Moreover, they tell us to learn from history and lead a life that is pleasing to God.

1. Long, loving look at Christ on the Cross

The passage from John 3:14–21 contains some of the most profound teachings of the Christian faith, highlighting themes of salvation, judgment, and the nature of belief. Jesus speaks about how salvation is brought to the humanity. "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up." A reference to the Old Testament story (Numbers 21:4–9) where Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent to be healed. Similary, Christians too must look to Christ on the cross for their salvation. The long and loving look at Christ on the Cross in fact his sacrifice will lead for the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of our relationship with God.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Following the Lord and His Mission!

03rd Sunday of Lent: March 03, 2024

Readings: Exodus 20:1–17Psalm 19:8–111 Corinthians 1:22–25John 2:13–25

Howard Thuman famously said, "Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Living in a digital world surrounded by the euphoria of AI, ChatGpt, and Machine Learning (ML), we are in the midst of a transition. The change has been very quick and fast evolving. Those who embrace the race will not be the losers. However, we are invited to be part of it because it is our invention. It depends on us whether we would like to control technology or allow technology to control us. Unless we come alive, the world will be dormant, marginalized, and impoverished. The people of Jesus' time never realized the Messiah amidst them instead they saw in him a disturbance, a threat to their corrupt practices. On this Third Sunday of Lent, the liturgical readings invite us to accept the precepts of God wholeheartedly so that we come alive fully to carry on in this world. 

1. Necessity of Blessed Rage for the House of God

The passage from John 2:13–25 recounts the incident where Jesus cleanses the Temple in Jerusalem, an event that is significant both to Messianic work as well as the Jewish community as a whole. Jesus' actions in the Temple demonstrate his deep passion and reverence for the house of God. His zeal is not merely for the physical structure but for what it represents: a place of worship, prayer, and connection with the Divine. Therefore, our faith must move beyond witnessing miracles or signs but more of a personal relationship with God that is rooted in trust, love and commitment. 

Friday, February 23, 2024

If God is for us, who can be against us?

 2nd Sunday of Lent: February 25, 2024

Readings: Genesis 22:1–29–1315–18Psalm 116:1015–19Romans 8:31–34Mark 9:2–10

The sacrifice of Issac

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/XyfBnIQDVnM 

The absence of imagination in the world of intelligence then knowledge is poor. Both imagination and intelligence must go hand in hand. When intelligence stops, imagination must take its course. The world that we live in lacks both. We know the tree by its fruits. The results the world provides to us are not so optimistic and hopeful. There is so much violence and wickedness because humanity is taking the world as it is. The lack of futuristic thinking is affecting us. The life of tomorrow can be guaranteed by wise decisions and actions of today. The mistakes or blunders of today can cost us tomorrow dearly. The small and bigger wars are going on inside the country and between the countries. The dominance of right-wing politics without a philosophy of a better future, harmony, and consensus is causing more harm than good. In this context, we must read the liturgical readings of the Second Sunday of Lent. The imagination of Abraham, Jesus and Paul are uncontainable in fulfilling the will of God. They are models for our earthly life.

1. Transfigured nature of Jesus - Human to divine

The passage of Mark 9:2–10 describes the Transfiguration of Jesus, an event where Jesus reveals His divine glory before three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John, on a high mountain. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus in His divine glory, affirming His identity as the Son of God. This event not only confirms the divinity of Christ to His disciples but also to us as readers, inviting us to recognize and honor Jesus as both fully God and fully man. It challenges us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is and to appreciate the mystery of the Incarnation. During the Transfiguration, a voice from heaven says, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." It underscores that listening to Jesus must be a paramount urge within us.  For a Christian, true wisdom and direction come from Christ, and we are called to listen, discern, and follow His words in our daily lives.

Friday, February 16, 2024

Never Abandoned and Eternal Promises of God

First Sunday of Lent: February 18, 2024

Readings: Genesis 9:8–15Psalm 25:4–91 Peter 3:18–22Mark 1:12–15

We are, already, in the Season of Lent. Every liturgical season like Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter brings something unique to us so that we can delve deeper into the mystery of Christian life. This enables us to meditate, contemplate, and rethink about ourselves and the significance of the person of Jesus Christ to each one of us. Every spiritual aspect that we delve into has a significant meaning to our faith life. It might give us some insight into where we are and where we are going. It might also help us to choose the path that we want to take. As we delve deeper into the mystery of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, during this season of Lent, perhaps we can make a commitment that enables us to be a better human person. Thus the humanity within us really opens itself for the good of all. Let us see now how the liturgical readings for this Sunday open to us. 

1. Ultimate promise of God and our stewardship
Genesis 9:8–15 recounts the covenant that God established with Noah and all living creatures after the flood. The covenant in this passage underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His creation. Despite the chaos and destruction of the flood, God remains committed to His people and the entire Earth. This serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of life's storms, God's faithfulness endures. It prompts us to reflect on the constancy of God's love and promises in our own lives, instilling a sense of trust and reliance on the Divine.

Friday, February 9, 2024

No Offence: We Need Healing

 06th Sunday of Ordinary Time: February 11, 2024

Readings: Leviticus 13:1–2, 44–46Psalm 32:1–2, 5, 111 Corinthians 10:31–11:1Mark 1:40–45

Healing is a process. Healing needs a good environment. If the world outside of the person is corrupt, unclean, and unhygienic, instead of healing deterioration takes place. Very often, we sing that beautiful hymn, "The world stands in need of liberation." When there is no true freedom both inside and outside, healing delays or illness deteriorates. Only when there is fulfilling and gratifying environment, the healing takes place. The liturgical readings on this sixth Sunday in Ordinary time speak about leprosy and healing. If Moses appears to be anti-leper, on the other hand Jesus is a friend and healer of lepers. Perhaps it is opportune for us to know who exactly we are. Are we the healers or victimize those who are still suffering? What you have, many can have but what you are, no one can be.

1. Illness needs acceptance and humility

Mark 1:40–45 recounts the healing of a man with leprosy by Jesus, offering profound insights into compassion, faith, and the transformative power of divine intervention. The narrative begins with a leper approaching Jesus, kneeling and imploring him to heal his condition. This act of humility and desperation reveals the social and physical isolation lepers faced during those times of Jesus. The leper's plea reflects a deep yearning for both physical healing and societal reintegration. In the healing of the leper, the power of inclusion and acceptance is celebrated. In the context of social justice, we are challenged to actively work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.