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01 SUN(XVIII SUN of the Year)

GUARD AGAINST GREEDRamlet Thomas, SJ

Eccl 1:2; 2:21-22Col 3:1-5, 9-11Lk 12:13-21

Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.

One of the major themes in the Lukan gospel is the right use of material possessions. In thegospel today through a parable Jesus offers us the right attitude regarding wealth, based on thevalues of the Kingdom.

Two things stand out in the parable of the Rich Fool: first , the rich man was aggressively self-centered; he never saw beyond himself. He uses words like I, me, my, mine , etc., exhibiting anattitude of extreme self-centeredness that does not get the approval of Jesus. The Romans had a

proverb which said that money was like sea water; the more one drinks, the thirstier one becomes.The rich man in the story proves the same point the more one acquires, there is the desire toacquire more. The Buddha, too after his enlightenment, taught that desire is the root cause allsorrow, and devised means to deal with endless desire. The parable, secondly , has something to sayto all, those who have possessions and those who do not have: everything is a gift from God - our wealth, health, prosperity, talents, etc. We do our best to make Gods gifts bear fruit, and leave therest to God himself. This radical attitude to possessions is the gateway to the Kingdom of God. The

book of Ecclesiastes too echoes the same idea, but from another angle: there is nothing under thesun that is eternal except the truth of God.

Whatever we acquire by our human effort, on its own, will not lead to contentment. Todaysreadings invite us to examine our own priorities and attitudes, and to take the necessary correctivesteps. Are we ready for such reflection and action?

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02 MON

THE SECRET OF MULTIPLICATIONRamlet Thomas, SJ

Jer 28: 1-17

Mt 14: 13-21

Bring them here to me.

Is not the mission of Jesus spiritual in nature? Should he, then, worry about the material needs of people? Did he not say, after all, that the Son of Man himself has nowhere to lay his head?

Jesus comes to us with the assurance that God the Father cares for all his children. He is seenwelcoming men and women at the expense of his own privacy to show that God accomplishes hismarvelous plans in solidarity with human beings. Jesus is sympathetic to the needy; he showscompassion and sensitivity to the hungry. He does not ignore even their most basic material needslike food but he makes use of the resources from among the people and the assistance of hisdisciples while performing miracles. The miracle of the multiplication of the bread gathered fromamong them is a good illustration of this. It is through human hands that God continues to performmiracles today. We find the culmination of it in the Last Supper where he celebrated his memorialmeal with his disciples, prefiguring his eschatological meal with the whole humanity.

God needs human hands to implement his design for the world and for humanity. God urges thecooperation of men and women to continue his mission of miracles today. He does not demand of us of anything superhuman that we do not possess. Come to me as you are, however ill-equipped;

bring to me what you have, however little, and I will use it greatly, Jesus seems to be telling us.Little is much always in Jesus hands. We are invited to develop a temperament of collaborationwith Jesus in order to perform miracles of multiplication.

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03 TUE

JESUS SAVESRamlet Thomas, SJ

Jer 30: 1-2, 12-15, 18-22

Mt 14: 22-26

Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.

Did Jesus really walk over the water? Our rational mind is naturally skeptical about such stories.What are we, then, to understand of todays gospel story?

The gospel narrative does not provide us with any scientific details of the incident in question. Weneed not waste time either asking whether Jesus walked over the sea or towards the sea. Themessage of the story is quite different: at a crucial moment when the disciples were in need of helpand support, Jesus was there by their side. He imparts courage and confidence in the midst of turmoil and struggle. It was a time when they were feeling forlorn, and the Lord fills them withhope. It is but natural that they had difficulty in recognizing him in such a situation. Thisunexpected encounter with the Lord leads them to deep faith and conviction about their mastersLordship over the sea and the whole of creation.

In the ocean of everyday life we all face situations of storm and rough weather. Often we tend tolose heart and find ourselves lost in the crippling hands of adverse forces. Lifes attractions anddisappointments, conflicts and rejection may adversely affect our enthusiasm and creative energy.In such occasions the picture of Jesus walking over the water can enliven us; it may remind us thatwe are not left alone, and that Jesus hands are ever there stretched out to hold us with unfailing

power. We are invited to stay tuned to him always, to walk with him over turbulent waters withfaith and courage. Are we willing to place our trust in him and hold his saving hands?

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04 WED(St John Vianney)

FAITH THAT HEALSBiju George, SJ

Jer 31:1-7Mt 15: 21 -28

Woman, Great is your faith!

The Canaanite woman communicates to the readers today the meaning and power of faith. Thefocus of the story is on the womans faith to which Jesus responds, and not on the healing whichtakes place. We are invited to see the contrast between her great faith here and Peters little faithin a pervious episode where Peter is rebuked by the Lord, you of little faith, why did you doubt?(Mt 14:31). Whom are we going to identify ourselves with?

The story of the Canaanite woman addresses our false assumptions about the meaning of faith itself.As Christians, we tend to assume that we know what faith is, our main problem being that we donot have enough of it. The woman has been challenged to show that her request is grounded onauthentic faith. Jesus constituted an obstacle for her to overcome (v.24, 26). In this Gentile regionJesus maintains his commitment to fulfill that mission for which he was sent (v.24). Even thoughJesus has a program to complete, he cares to respond to true faith. By healing this Gentile womansdaughter, Jesus demonstrates that he also has an eye on the ultimate ingathering of all peoples.

True faith must lead to action. This story serves also to challenge the evils of racism, sexism etc.,that are at work in people who look at those of different ethnicity and gender as the other. Thestory invites readers to place themselves in the role of the other and to struggle with their own

perceptions of the other. Let us today learn an inclusive mission lesson from the Lord and afaith lesson from the Canaanite woman.

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05 THU

WHO IS JESUS?Biju George, SJ

Jer 31:31-34

Mt 16:13-23

Who do you say that I am?

The key elements of todays gospel are Peters confession, Jesus response to that confession, andthe programme of establishing an alternative community.

Disciples are well aware of the range of popular opinions about Jesus. But their direct experience of Jesus has led them to a much higher assessment of who he was. Peters confession of Jesus as theMessiah forms the climax of the narrative. The text pictures Peter as playing a unique role in thefoundation of the new community (church). There are three images of the role of Peter, the rock, thekey and as the one who binds and looses. Although Peter is the foundation, Jesus is the builder of the church. Why did Jesus command to tell no one? If the disciples had so little idea of hismission as Christ, what would the crowds have made of it? How difficult it is to grasp Jesus idea of mission and Messiahship! Once his purpose and mission have been revealed, Jesus speaks about the

painful side of the Messiahship: suffering and death. Peter fails to grasp the implications of the prophetic mission of Jesus due to his wrong idea of the Messiah. Yet Peter remains at the centre of the discourse. Jesus invites him to have a renewed and deeper understanding of discipleship (v.23).Get behind me today echoes the words of 4:19 follow me in his first call. Jesus is going to thecross, the disciple is to follow.

The Church is not a fellowship of like-minded individuals. It is a communion of people sent out tocontinue Jesus work, to build an alternative community in todays globalized world.

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06 FRI(Transfiguration of the Lord)

JESUS TRANSFIGUREDAneesh Joseph, SJ

Dn. 7:9-10, 13-14, or 2Pt 1:16-19Lk 9:28b-36

This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!

The transfiguration event of Jesus is a montage of different facets of his life and identity. His passion, death and resurrection mark and in a way configure his identity and mission as thetransfiguration testifies. It was an affirmation of his identity and confirmation of his mission.

Transfiguration follows the pericope of Peters confession of faith. The Gospel pertinently statesthat when the three disciples woke up from their slumber they witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. How do the disciples respond to the strange experience? Dazzled and dazed with this visionof Jesus revealing his glory, the disciples are eager to capture, freeze, enshrine and revel in it. Theywant to build dwellings for commemorating the place. But that is not what Jesus intends to do. Thatis not what Jesus has come for. Jesus has to climb down the mountain and tread the path to thecross. In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna reveals his vishwarup to Arjuna who was disheartenedand reluctant to fulfill his dharma /mission of fighting the war of justice. The vision strengthens himto engage in his duty without desiring for its rewards ( nishkamakarma ).

Do we not all need a spiritual awakening to experience the real Jesus? At the same time Jesusdemands that we do not stay totally absorbed and subsumed in that experience, but draw strengthfrom it to follow him to the cross. Is it not the challenge this feast of transfiguration poses beforeus? We need to be true karmayogi s who follow him in his footsteps to the cross while facing theday-to-day struggles with courage and commitment. This is really a challenge for us as we areliving in a world of self-comfort and self-convenience.

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07 SAT

THE POWER OF FAITHAneesh Joseph S.J.

Hab 1:12-2:4

Mt 17: 14-20

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will move mountains nothing will beimpossible

Once a man had just returned from a space trip. An atheist rushed to him and asked eagerly: Didyou see God in the outer space? The man enthusiastically narrated his experience of the divine.The Atheist said: I knew he was there But if you tell this to anyone I will kill you. Then came a

believer. Did you see God there? The space-traveller wanted to expound his experience but heremembered the threat. He said that he did not see anyone. The believer sighed: I knew that hewont be there because he is not there. An atheist believes and a believer does not.

The experience of the disciples shows that faith is not very easy as we see in the gospel today. Theyhave been with Jesus for quite a while, witnessed his works, listened to his teachings, shared hisdreams, and were trained by him. Yet, they decisively fail to understand him; they still remain partof the perverse generation and not fully grown up to be Jesus new kingdom community. But thatis how humans are! Jesus knows this. That is why Jesus rebukes them but does not condemn themor give up. Jesus challenges them to go beyond the tendency to rely on themselves to to trust inthe power of God manifested in Jesus. He calls them to lead a life of faith in the divine at everymoment of their lives. Trust, after all, is not a destination but a journey interlaced by doubts, struggles and distrust. But thequestion is, whether we are ready to take up this journey seriously. Can we constantly engage inself-appraisal, correct ourselves and go ahead? Then our faith will be qualitatively different, capableof moving mountains.

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08 SUN(XIX SUN of the Year)

BE WATCHFULDolichan KM, SJ

Wis 18:6-9Heb 11:1-2, 8-19Lk 12: 32-48

Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit..

In the gospel the call of Jesus is to get away from anxious worrying. The lifestyle suggested is notone of idleness but instead one of alert watchfulness. It is important that we understand the contrast

between anxious worrying and alert watchfulness rightly.

Modern individualistic life is marked by stress and strain. Stress-induced physical and psychological disorders are common and stress-beating strategies have become popular. Age-oldspiritual disciplines like yoga, meditation, chanting of mantras, prayers, retreats etc., are beingappropriated by the modern individualistic life as part of stress-elimination techniques. But anauthentic spiritual life directs the human attention to something more than this-worldly. The call intodays gospel is for a shift from worldly kingdom (understood in terms of pure materialistic gains)to Gods Kingdom. The worldly kingdom is transitory and perishable, and will eventually wear outor will be stolen by thieves or destroyed by insects. It is ones loyalty to this worldly kingdom thatmakes him or her anxiously worrying. In contrast, the Godly Kingdom is eternal and imperishable,and demands an alert watchfulness from each one of us. The mystery of incarnation necessitates andvalidates this attentiveness, and the experience of Gods presence among us becomes the source of human action in the world. Awareness of such a source will help fight frustration amidstinsurmountable social evils all around.

As disciples of Jesus we are called to a life characterized by a watchful alertness to the presence of God and a commitment to Gods reign in the world. It demands of us that we remain free fromanxious worrying born out of individualistic preoccupations. We are meant to be free from any sortof attachments to be free for God in our lives.

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09 MON

TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY TEMPLE TAXDolichan KM, SJ

Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c

Mt 17: 22 27

We do not give offense to them

Man is born free, but everywhere he is in shackles, says Jean Jacques Rousseau. Human beingslive through many restrictions. Pressures from society, family and friends often influence our

behaviour curtailing our freedom. Todays gospel presents Jesus in such a situation, and shows ushow he handles it beautifully

Jesus is asked a question indirectly, is it right to pay the temple tax? It is logical that the Son of God should be free from the temple tax. Jesus poses the question to Peter who has alreadyconfessed Jesus as the Son of God. Although Judge and Lord of all, Jesus submits himself to human

power fixing his eyes firmly on his larger mission. The pericope underscores the ambivalence of Matthews Jewish Christian community about their obligations to the Jewish temple tax. Should thenewly formed community pay the temple tax as the Jews do? The solution seemed to be in favour of paying the tax to avoid any public scandal, following the example of their master Jesus. TheChristian call is to the fundamental experience of being children of God and to experience thefreedom of the children of God. Christian freedom is to be defined in the context of a caringrelationship to the other, and it never intends to harm the well-being of others and the community.

What should be our Christian approach to societal demands and restrictions? Such demands andrestrictions need to be assessed against the wellbeing of the whole community. Obliging certain

pressures and curtailing our freedom for the good of the community is also a way of followingChrist who submitted himself to earthly powers for a greater goal, the salvation of the whole world.

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10 TUE(St Lawrence)

DEATH BRINGS LIFEShibu Joseph, SJ

2 Cor 9:6-10Jn 12: 24-26

Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

It is by losing ones life that one gains it- what an amazing paradox! But it is the truth. It is the heartof Christian living, and the whole Christian spirituality is based on this fact of losing ones life inorder to gain it. If this had not been true, Jesus would not have sacrificed his life on the Cross.

The core of Christian faith is closely related to the rhythm of nature. How beautifully Jesus narratesit! In order to convey the message of Christian love Jesus brings in the story of a grain. It is the ruleof nature that death brings life. Behind each moment of life there is a story of death. It is alwaysamazing to think of those people who commit themselves to noble causes; those who work amongthe poor, the dalits, the adivasis, the refugees, the sick, the outcasts, the abandoned ones, etc. Theseare the people who really lose their lives. Their life is threatened but they are not afraid, their life isin danger but they are still hopeful. They think not of their life but of the many lives that spring upfrom the loss of their life. What would the world be like if there had not been people prepared toforget their lives?

Today selfishness seems to gain priority over other motives, and it increasingly controls peopleslives. Self glorification, self gratification and self interest have become the mantras. In this contextwhat are we to aim at? Remember that the people whom the world admires are the people who havesacrificed their lives for others. Can we too join their fold to give life to others?

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11 WED(St Clare)

MENDING RELATIONSHIPShibu Joseph, SJ

Ez 9:1-7; 10:18-22Mt 18: 15-20

If the member refuses let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector.

It is easy to break a relationship when someone wrongs you, but it is quite difficult to mend therelationship again. Once it is broken it is our duty and obligation to reestablish the relationship inChristian charity. It is not the way we do it that matters, but the attitude with which we deal with it.

If we have differences with someone, there is only one way to settle it talking it over face to face.Conflicts are never settled by resorting to the law or through argumentation. A purely legalapproach may make it worse. The way Jesus proposes is that of Christian fellowship and Christianlove. If dialogue with the person does not bear any fruit then Jesus tells us to consider him/her as agentile or a tax collector. Now we have to ask the question who the gentiles and tax collectors werefor Jesus and how he treated them. We know that one of the main accusations against Jesus was thathe considered himself as a friend of tax collectors and sinners. What the passage tells us is not aninjunction to abandon a person; it is a challenge to win over that person through Christian love.Jesus reminds us again not to consider any man as totally hopeless.

The way of Christ is quite different from the way of the world. We always judge based on themerits or demerits of what a person does. But Jesus way is different; he is concerned more aboutthe very person than about the merits or demerits of his actions. What is our attitude towards thosewho offend us? Do we take the necessary and first steps to mend broken relationships?

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12 THU

TO FORGIVE IS CHRISTIANAntu Xavier, SJ

Ez 12:1-12

Mt 18:21-19:1

Not seven times seventy-seven times.

How many times should we forgive a brother/sister who offends us? True, the Church is thecommunion of virtuous people. But all of us are not saints since to err is human. Should we then fixthe limit at seven or seventy?

Jesus answer knows no ambiguity: there is no limit, as todays gospel story affirms. God is readyto forgive even when we fail. If we do not forgive the faults of others, God may not be able toforgive us either. Gods forgiveness is a commitment to graciously pardon those who repent and

believe, so that they are reconciled with him. Forgiveness is a commitment to restore broken or disrupted relationships. It is a letting go of the anger or hurt that has been caused; it is acommitment to no longer hold an offense and its moral liability against a person. Forgiveness is one

persons response to another persons repentance. Let us not forget that forgiveness presumes thewillingness of both parties involved.

We lead a social life; conflicts and misunderstanding may become part of life, but that need not leadto enmity. There is truth in this anonymous saying: Every person should have a special cemetery

plot in which to bury the faults of friends and loved ones

Though justice be thy plea, consider this,That in the course of justice, none of usShould see salvation, we do pray for mercy,And that same prayer doth teaches all to render The deeds of mercy. ( The Merchant of Venice)

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13 FRI

FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOMAntu Xavier, SJ

Ez 16:1-15, 60, 63 or Ez 16:59-63

Mt 19:3-12

What God has joined together, let no one separate.

It is said that marriages are made in heaven and celebrated on earth. The popular belief is true to agreat extent, because it is a special bond shared between two souls who tie the wedding knot after

promising lifelong companionship. It is the physical, mental and spiritual union of two persons. It brings stability, substance, and completeness to human relationships. It plays a key role in culturaltransmission linking one generation to the next, ensuring continuity and prosperity to human race.The institution of marriage is the foundation for the family, which in turn is a basic building block of human society.

Marriage is a covenantal relationship. The key to successful marriage is love, understanding, mutualrespect, and a spirit of self-sacrifice. Many couples are able to find the key ingredients in their marital relationships, although one or another element may be missing in most cases with grievousconsequences. One of the visible reasons why some couples find marriage an intimidating affair isthat they leave the missing links and the emerging problems unattended. Lack of trust, loss of respect, drying up of love, creeping suspicion all these can contribute to an unfortunate maritalsituation.

The phrase what God has joined tells us that it is the work of God, and so is holy. The law of divorce is a concession to Israelites hardness of heart, a deviation from the original intent of theCreator. Marriage is a call to lead a divine life; it is a vocation. And we need courage and grace tolive it. As John Graham says, Even if marriages are made in heaven, one has to be responsible for the maintenance.

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14 SAT(St Maximilian Kolbe)

FREEDOM TO BE FREERanjit George, SJ

Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32Mt 19:13-15

And he laid his hands on them

Jesus presents children as true inheritors of the Kingdom of God. Have you ever thought about thewhy of it? Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother saw him that hed set hisheart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded,she went to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.Guess what Mom, he shouted, and then said Ive been chosen to clap and to cheer.

Like Jamie, children bring life, at all odds of life. They transform and go beyond all setbacks in lifewith un-assumed spontaneity and unparalleled excitement. It is often noted that the young ones arethrilled to embrace the new as new. Jesus also highlights this nature of children who have fresher eyes to grasp the new teachings of Jesus as well as to take his message in to their hearts. Having no

prejudices against Jesus they approach him with open arms. They are neither upset with the changesthat are happening in their lives nor afraid of the risks and sacrifices awaiting them. They are indeedlike Jamie who found a new opportunity when he failed to find a part in a school play. Children-the fruit of the seeds of all your finest hopes, says Gloria Gaither

This approach to life would definitely surprise the knowledgeable adults who take calculative stepsto attain the best for themselves in life. Here children invite us to be freed from all our

preoccupations and worries which prevent us from embracing life with all its surprises.

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15 SUN(Assumption of BVM, Independence Day)

BE A BLESSING AND BE BLESSEDRanjit George, SJ

Rv 11:9a, 12:1-6a, 10ab1 Cor 15: 20- 26Lk 1: 39-56

The Mighty One has done great things for me.

Mary is addressed by Elizabeth Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. What does it mean to be blessed?

A farmer, whose corn always took the first prize at the State Fair, had the habit of sharing his bestcorn seed with all the farmers in the neighbourhood. When asked why, he said, It is really a matter

of self interest. The wind picks up the pollen and carries it from field to field. So if my neighboursgrow inferior corn the cross-pollination brings down the quality of my own corn. That is why I amconcerned that they plant only the best. (Tony de Mello) What is the message? All that you give toothers you give to yourself. In other words be a blessing to others to be blessed abundantly. Mary

became a blessing by sharing herself with and for others. Her readying to be the handmaid of theLord in shaping His Kingdom, took active form in sharing her time and energy with Elizabeth. Thusshe became a blessing to Elizabeth. In turn she was blessed abundantly by the Lord, who raised her from lowliness and all the coming generations marveled at her and called her blessed.

On this special day let us examine for a while to check whether we are a blessing to our nation. Arewe ready to share ourselves for the wellbeing of others? As Christ said, it is in giving we receive

and it is in losing we gain. It is not what we get but what we give that would make our lives a blessing, and in turn blessed.

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16 MON(St Stephen of Hungary)

DIVINE LIFEHenrick Immanuel, SJ

Ez 24:15-24Mt 19:16-22

What do I still lack?

In todays world many people are after money and power all the time. They believe that money can buy them anything in life. They want to enjoy all the comforts of the world. They store plenty of riches on this earth and thus forget to prepare themselves for their heavenly reward.

A young man comes to Jesus with a question: what good deed must I do to have eternal life? InLuke the question is answered by the parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus tells him to keepthe Decalogue commandments. The man realizes that he has kept all these commandments and he isaware that there is something still lacking in him to have eternal life. Thus he asks Jesus, What doI still lack? Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give them to the poor and then come and followhim. This love commandment of Jesus seems to be harder than following all the Decaloguecommandments. The rich young man goes away sad.

One may strictly follow the rules and regulations of his/ her religion. But that is not enough toobtain eternal life. Eternal life is given to those who patiently persevere in doing good. For he will

pay according to each ones deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life (Rom 2:6-7). Are we generous, kind and charitable in our words and deeds? Jesus is the giver of divine life. It is only by believing in him and following in hisfootsteps that we can have life in fullness. Are we faithful to his commandments in our daily lives?What do we still lack?

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17 TUE

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR GODRakesh Toppo, SJ

Ez 28:1-10

Mt 19:23-30

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

What attitude do we have towards wealth? Wealth is indeed needed to look after the basicnecessities of life, to overcome our difficulties and to fulfill our responsibilities towards one another and yet we must also ask ourselves whether we are addicted to wealth and are enslaved by it. Doesit make us proud and arrogant in our relationship with one another or do we use it in the right wayto protect and preserve life in every form?

Wealth becomes a burden or a block in our effort to become true children of God if we start trustingin it more than in anything/anybody. We must realize that wealth is a blessing from God andtherefore we are accountable to him. We are answerable to God for what we do with it. Wealthmust help us to become persons of good character and it should lead us to God. It should be usedfor the glory of God and the good of all. It should make us happy, gentle, generous, humble andloving in our relationship with one another.

A person once asked God, What surprises you most about humankinds? God answered him atonce, Human beings lose their health to make money and lose their money to restore their health.In our lives, we are either very anxious about the future or worried about our failures andfrustrations of the past. We forget to live (in) the present. We live as if we will never die, and whenwe die, we die as though we have never lived. Let us then turn our lives in conformity with thecommandments of God. Are we ready to live in the present?

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18 WED

JUSTICE REDEFINEDJames Samad, SJ Ezek 34: 1-11

Mt. 20: 1-16

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?

Todays gospel reading redefines the concept of Justice. In our ordinary understanding, we define justice as being fair and treating someone for what he/she is or does. Our laws, rules and regulationsaim at rewarding those who fulfill their duties and punishing those who do not confirm to itsdefined way of living. Justice simply consists in giving to each one what he/she deserves. Wefunction with this understanding of justice. Whereas Jesus in todays gospel surprises us with aradically different notion of justice. When we read the parable, at first thought, it seems unfair thatthe master gives the same reward to everyone without taking into consideration the time that theyhave spent in labour. Justice for Jesus does not consist in doing what each one deserved but infulfilling what each one needed. The master was aware that the servants who were employed in theevening also had families to attend to. They remained unemployed until evening not because theywere lazy but merely because there was no one to employ them.

For Jesus what a person does alone does not matter. He respects a person for being the image of God. Justice therefore consists in treating a person for what he is, not for what he does. Can we toothen treat each other as images of God? Can our justice then operate on love instead of laws andnorms? This is the challenge of the gospel today.

Lets pray and draw strength from our Master that our efforts and endeavors may always beoriented towards the good of others, so that the weak and the deprived may feel that they are

precious in the eyes of God.

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19 THU

COVENANT CLIMAXEDA. Aruldoss, SJ

Ez 36:23-28Mt 22:1-14

The wedding is ready, but those invited were not ready.

Todays first reading is the summary of the covenant that God made with the Jews. He promisedthem that he will be their God and they will be his people. God remained faithful to His promiseand walked with them as a companion in their history. The chosen people, however failed in their faithfulness to God and subjected themselves to miseries of oppression, captivity, diseases, famine,etc., and still God did not let his covenant go.

Gods covenant with the chosen race was made universal in the person of Christ. In Christ, thewhole humanity has been invited into the Kingdom of God. However, do we heed to the call of Godor do we follow the path of the chosen race, rejecting the love of God? This is the question that thegospel raises for us today. Are we Christians merely in our rituals and practices or do we live asChrist to our community? The Gospel invites us to examine whether we live a life of justice,honesty and trustworthiness. This is the festal garment that Christ has clothed us with. We are madeto live a holy and just life in God's continual presence in and through the sacrifice of Jesus on thecross. God has embraced the whole humanity in fellowship in the person of Christ.

Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege and our only way for salvation. The refusal to be part of the wedding feast shows our refusal to surrender to God. What hinders our path to God isour selfish motives, misplaced trust and narrow vision. Let us allow Gods grace to take complete

possession of us and enable us to live a life worthy of a Christian disciple.

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20 FRI(St Bernard)

EXISTENCE OF FLESH AND BLOODPravin Solanki, SJ

Ez 37:1-14Mt 22: 34-40

Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost.

In the first reading, Prophet Ezekiel shows to us the power of the Spirit of God. He uses the Hebrewword rua h to denote the Spirit. This word can either mean spirit or wind and it can also meanbreath. In this vision, the prophet employs all these three meanings to bring hope in the minds of the Israelites. The people of Israel are now in exile and Ezekiel through this passage gives themwhat they need the most: hope. Ezekiel reports that the Lord's Spirit showed him a vision of anentire valley filled with dry bones. This vision is an echo of the people's lament while in exile. Thequestion is, "Can these bones live?" The key to the unfolding story, of course, is that in order tolive, they need not only flesh, sinew, and skin, but also breath: "I will put breath in you, and youshall live".

The prophet's repeated use of the word ruah drives home his central message: God's spirit is thekey to life. The fullness of life is attainable only through the Spirit of God. Without it, existence is

just flesh and blood. Are we as Christians inspired by the Spirit of God? How do we discernwhether the Spirit of God is active in our lives?

The Gospel presents the clue: if our lives are motivated by love, then we can be sure that the Spiritof God is active in us. Jesus gives love as the greatest of all commandments which is the fulfilmentof all law and prophets. We can live only if we are united with the Lord in love and motivated bythe Spirit of God to love our neighbours.

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21 SAT

SERVANTS AND SERVICEErenius Toppo, SJ

Ez 43:1-7a

Mt 23: 1-12

Do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do

Todays Gospel speaks about the chair of Moses occupied by the Pharisees and the Scribes. Thischair of Moses is a metaphor that stands for the authority to teach, preside over ceremonies,sacrifices, etc. as heirs to the leadership of Moses. The Pharisees, however, forgot the real purposeof their authority. While Moses exercised his authority to shape the Israelites as a nation of God, thePharisees and the Scribes used their authority for their own selfish motives.

A suitable parallel of this phenomenon can be found among our politicians. These servants of the people have become our greatest exploiters. Like the Pharisees and the Scribes, they preach whatthey do not practice. It is often easy to point our fingers at all these people and what is difficult is tosubject ourselves to a scrutiny and check as to where we stand as disciples of Christ. Do we, like thePharisees, Scribes and our own politicians, seek recognition and honour? Jesus reminds us that weare children of one Father and that we shall not create divisions of superiority or inferiority amongourselves. The first reading exalts God as a king seated in the temple. He lives among us as our onlyking and we are subjects of his Kingdom of Love.

A true servant is someone who is humble and selfless. He/she puts forward the interest of the populace whom s/he serves and not his/her own selfish interests. To be Gods servant, one must bethe servant of all; one must be a friend to all people regardless of their state; and, one must be ahelper to the needy. Are we such leaders in todays Church?

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22 SUN(XXI SUN of the Year, Justice Sunday)

'JUST' JUSTICEFelix DSilva, SJ

Is 66:18-21Heb 12:5-7, 11-13Lk 13:12-30

Lift your dropping hands and strengthen your weak knees

We celebrate this day as Justice Sunday. What does justice mean in our dehumanized world of today? Does it merely mean following the rules and regulations of the Church and the Country? Dowe become just by merely following a set of laws? The answer is in the negative for justice intodays world is to accept the challenge of the Gospel: to walk through the narrow door; to foregothe comforts of our lives and reach out to the dehumanized.

To be just in the light of todays readings requires us to participate in the lives of the poor, themarginalized and the suffering masses. Isaiah, in todays first reading says that God comes to gather

people of every nation and language into his Kingdom. Thus a 'just' country is one in which all itscitizens, irrespective of their language, caste and region are treated as dignified human persons. Thesecond reading reminds us that we are sons and daughters of God and he corrects us when wedeviate from the path of justice. He does this out of his love for us. The gospel today explains the

justice of Jesus. A daughter of Abraham who was in bonds for eighteen long years is released fromher bondage. The justice of Jesus of letting the oppressed go free takes place in a context of opposition.

The Kingdom of God comprises of justice, freedom and fellowship. As Christians, we havereceived a mandate from Christ to give good news to the poor and the oppressed of the society. Thismandate can be achieved only if we transcend our divisions and differences. Let us allow the graceof God to lead us to work for justice.

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23 MON(St. Rose of Lima)

WE ARE PROPHETSSamir Dungdung, SJ

2 Th 1:1-5;11b-12Mt 23: 13-22

Woe to you...

A prophet is one who applauds what is good and denounces what is evil. In todays readings, wefind examples of such prophets. Jesus, in todays gospel, denounces the Scribes and Pharisees for exploiting people. He does so because their words and actions do not match. This courageous act of Jesus was an outcome of his love for the people. He chooses to defy the authority of the ruling elitewhen they become oppressors of the poor and the marginalised. If we, who are prophets today, donot practice what we preach will Jesus applaud us or denounce us as he denounces the leaders intodays readings?

Todays second reading presents Paul, Silvanus and Timothy as further models of true prophets.They appreciate what is good in the Church of Thessalonians. They thank God for the brothers andsisters of Thessalonica for their goodness and for growing in faith abundantly. They commend themfor their love for each other.

As Christians, each one of us is called to be a prophet in simple ways in our respective communitiesand at our places of work. Do we realize that we are prophets? Do we appreciate what is good inothers and denounce what is evil? Often it becomes easy to point out the mistakes of others butdifficult to appreciate others for their good. To be a prophet of our times, we need to be motivated

by the love of God. Let these words of the Bible always resound in us You shall go to all to whomI send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am withyou to deliver you, says the Lord. (Jer 1:6-8).

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24 TUE(St Bartholomew, Apostle)

PREJUDICE TO FAITHI. Valanarasu, SJ

Rev 21:9b-14Jn 1:45-51

Come and see

Nathaniel: Can any good come from Nazareth?Jesus : Here comes the true Israelite!

Todays gospel portrays the encounter between Jesus and Nathaniel. In this encounter, Jesus and Nathaniel take two different approaches to 'the other'. Nathaniel makes a prejudiced remark aboutJesus coming from Nazareth, but is quick to withdraw it after he has encountered Jesus. Hisexperience of Jesus touches and transforms him and enables him to testify that Jesus is the Messiah,the King of Israel.

On the other hand, Jesus is in all praise of Nathaniel even when he had not met him. Heacknowledges him as a true Israelite, a honest human person of sound character. In him Jesus findsan upright and godly man in whom there is no guile. Jesus knew Nathaniel and was able to see hisgoodness free from all prejudice of his identity. He respects and loves Nathaniel for what he is andnot for where he comes from. These two different approaches invite us to challenge ourselves andrealize our own prejudices about others. How often do we label people even before taking any effortto understand them or enter into their shoes?

Jesus does not ask his disciples to announce him to others. But he allows them to follow their inner urge and to share their experiences and discoveries with others and brings them to him. Andrewdeclares his Messianic discovery to his brother Simon (Jn 1:41-42) and Philip proclaims Jesus asthe promised eschatological prophet to his skeptical friend Nathaniel and Nathaniel accepts Jesus asthe expected. Have we experienced Jesus personally in our lives?

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25 WED

LEGALISM, RITUALISM VS. LOVESuresh Botcha, SJ

2 Th 3: 6-10, 16-18

Mt 23:27-32

inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

The chapter twenty-three of Mathews gospel gives us a long and vehement denunciation of theScribes and Pharisees sharply critiquing their leadership and inauthentic life style. This sharpcritique comes as Jesus response to the lack of openness and unremitting opposition of thereligious leaders. Hypocrisy underlines insincerity and lack of integrity. Jesus openly denouncesthese people as they were like white washed tombs, who gave importance to the external ritualism.The false piety of the Scribes and Pharisees is critiqued for their being outwardly righteous,inwardly hypocrites. The final woe castigates the leaders as those who violently rejected Godsmessengers. Do we also, like the Pharisees and Scribes, fancy that we would have believed in him if we had lived in the time of Jesus and thus testify against ourselves?

Jesus is not against laws and rules. He did not come to abolish but to fulfil them with anunconditional love. He did it by bringing about Gods intended meaning in what is written in thelaw. Love is the essence of every religion and what counts most is the attitude the interiority, andthe spontaneity and sincerity. We need to be perfect as God the Father is perfect. It does not meanthat we should be flawless and perfect, but rather be wholehearted, single-minded and undivided inour love for God and neighbour, just as God is undivided in loving us.

Thus, Today Jesus challenges us to follow the more important matters of the law. Let us not throwaway rules and regulations, but give meaning to them as they help us to work together for progressand for the common good.

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26 THU

READINESS TO RECEIVE CHRIST! Inna Reddy, SJ

1 Cor 1:1-9

Mt 24: 42-51

The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Once a saint was asked a question while he was playing football, If the Lord tells you now that youare going to die in few minutes, what you would do next? I will continue to play football, wasthe quick reply from that saint. He was ready to receive the Lord at any abrupt moment. That washis preparedness. In our daily lives most of us like to postpone things. If something can be donetomorrow why to do it today? seems to be a general attitude and this leads us to procrastination.We wait to do things at the right time forgetting that every time is the right and opportune moment.We are so lethargic that we wait for tomorrow leaving and not living today.

Today the Lord calls us to be watchful and be ready for the return of Son of Man at an unexpectedhour. We need to cleanse ourselves and be ready to receive the Lord any moment. you are notlacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1: 7). He

blessed all of us with good things and plentiful graces and he does not test us beyond our capacityto cope. He wants us to live like him and love like him. When love is the guiding principle of life, itmakes us ever ready to receive Lord. With time and patient endurance the mulberry leaf becomes asilk gown (Chinese proverb)

Let the love for Christ be manifested in our love for the poor and marginalized. This will facilitateus to be ever ready, no matter when he comes, because we are already with him when we are withthe poor.

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27 FRI(St Monica) TO BE AWAKE AND WATCHFULTheodore Kujur, SJ

1Cor 1:17-25Mt 25:1-13

and the door was shut.

The coming of the Son of Man will be sudden, unforeseeable, and unknown and so we need to beawake and watchful. Jesus tells a number of parables regarding watchfulness and being alert for hisreturn: the servants for the return of their Master, and the ten bridesmaids for the arrival of theBridegroom. Todays gospel has the parable of the ten bridesmaids. The bridegroom is Jesushimself and the ten bridesmaids are the souls of each one of us.

When a bridegroom leaves his parents house to fetch the bride, he is often delayed by his brothers,relatives and friends trying to hold him back. At the brides house, they eagerly await for the

bridegroom to give him a festive welcome. The bridesmaids add brilliance by receiving him with burning lamps, gracefully dancing as they lead him into the house. What if the bridesmaids are notready upon the arrival of the bridegroom? What if their lamps do not have oils and their lamps arenot burning bright? It may be too late to go out to buy oil or come back late to knock on the shutdoor of the bridegroom. These telling details exhort us to be vigilant at all times for the return of theSon of Man.

Midnight perhaps emphasizes the unknown hour. The ten virgins symbolize the Christiancommunity. The spiritual meaning of oil is prayer, devotion, faith, good works, fervor etc. Eachone of us has the responsibility of living according to all that Jesus commanded in order to enter the kingdom of God. Let not Jesus shut the door on our faces and we be left out in the cold dark night all by ourselves.

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28 SAT(St Augustine)

TRADING TALENTS John Tirkey, SJ

1Cor 1:26-31Mt 25:14-30

Master you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more

Jesus story of the talents teaches us to boldly prefer taking active risk in our lives over passivecomplacency. The standard of Gods judgment of every person is relative to the talents given: thegreater the gifts, the greater the responsibility. We are not all equal in talents, but we are all calledto collaborate in the work of the Gospel according to our personal talent in given opportunity, withfull ability.

The parable has an eschatological orientation. Before he leaves on a long journey, the master givessome talents to each one according to the ability of his servants. The masters taking care to giveamounts to the servants only according to their ability reveals that he does not impose a burden onthem but only what they are capable of taking care of (George Keerankeri). While waiting for thereturn of the master one is invited to be actively and imaginatively involved in carrying out the task given to him/her. Should we be proud then that God has chosen us for this eschatological task? Paulreminds us in his letter to the Corinthians that we are chosen not because we are of noble birth, or we are powerful or wise, but God chooses the weak in the world to make them strong. If we want to

boast then says St. Paul, boast in the Lord.

Each of us is in a business business of trading the talents one has been entrusted with. We must produce some results before the Lord comes to take account. If we trade them well and diligently,we shall be appreciated and rewarded by the Lord. Jesus wants us to know that salvation will cometo those who are prepared to risk their lives for him.

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29 SUN(XII SUN of the Year)

SERVICE AND HUMILITYA. Aruldoss, SJ

Sir 3:17-20, 28-29Heb 12:18-19, 22-24aLk 14:1, 7-14

Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind

A rich person hosting parties is not a new thing. While preparing the guest-list, the host usuallygives preference to those from whom he/she can benefit or gain something. Much of our giving or hospitality too is discriminatory and profit-oriented that finally evades our true humility andhospitality.

Todays gospel asks us to do the contrary. There are lessons for both the guest and the host. Thereading exhorts us to shun honour and recognition and invites us to be humble. It is in being humbleand generous that one attains honour and praise. Jesus proposes something revolutionary here anew invitation list in which the poor and powerless (the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind)are included. He cautions against selfishly seeking places of honour, lest we be humiliated later. Hemeasures greatness in terms of service, not status or honour. God determines our greatness by howmany people we serve, not by how many people serve us. This is so contrary to the world's idea of greatness.

True, thousands of books have been written on leadership, but only a few on the servant ladershipEveryone wants to be a leader and not a servant. We try to make ourselves the centre of everything.We become highly attention and honour seekers whereas the real honour never comes when it issought for. We have to remember that God will exalt the humble and humble the proud. Onlythrough the deeds of goodness and humility, we receive true honour. Therefore, humility is what wehave to strive for as the Lords disciples. It is indeed the mark of a disciple. No man stands as tall aswhen he stoops to help someone.

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30 MON

FINDING THE SPIRIT IN CHAOS J.A. Dass, SJ

1Cor 2:1-5

Lk 4: 16-30

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

The key sentence of todays gospel The Spirit of the Lord is upon me may look like a soothing passage but indeed it is a challenging one. Jesus firmly recognizes the presence of the Holy Spiritonly in the midst of temptations and rejection. If we closely look at the previous passage in thesame gospel, where Jesus is put into temptation and the succeeding passage where he is ruthlesslyrejected, we could clearly find the presence of the Spirit leading Jesus towards greater union withthe Father. Perhaps it may be easy to realize the presence of the Spirit in the midst of comforts andconsolations but the real struggle is in the context of temptations and rejections.

St. Paul's strong determination to follow the crucified Lord, despite barriers, is the hint to realize theguiding presence of the Spirit. He proclaims it openly, ... I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power A lesson welllearnt from his Master. As Jesus is determined to know and obey the will of the Father, St. Paul isalso determined to follow the crucified Lord at any cost. In fact, there is no saint in the world whowas not being tempted and rejected in his or her life.

Therefore, let us admit that none of us are free from temptations and rejections. The important thingis to examine ourselves to see how far we withstand trials, temptations and rejections. Like Jesus,we may realize the liberating presence of the Holy Spirit to carry on the liberating mission then wetoo can say with meaning the Spirit of the Lord is upon me.

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31 TUE

THE SPIRITSTheodore Kujur, SJ

1Cor. 2:10b-16

Lk 4: 31-37

We have the mind of Christ.

After he is rejected in Nazareth, Jesus goes to Capernaum and performs his first miracle in Luke, of curing a demoniac. Notice the paradox: The unclean spirit recognizes him as the Son of God and the

people are astounded but his own people at Nazareth fail to do that. Not only do they fail inrecognizing him but they try to hurl him off the cliff. People in Capernaum respond withastonishment because Jesus speaks with authority and the demonic is cured. By portraying Jesus asan exorcist, Luke shows that the day of the Lord is at hand. The people of Capernaum are firstinspired by Jesus words especially the authority with which he spoke. This authority only getsassured in the miracle of curing of the demonic.

Are we too under demonic spell? If anyone allows filthiness in ones life and mind, he/she invitesthe unclean spirit to take up residence. And once again, the all authority of Jesus and his words canhelp us come out this demonic possession unharmed.

The letter to the Corinthians speaks of another spirit, the Spirit through which God revealedhimself. This Spirit helps us understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. It helps us searcheverything even the depths of God. The choice is ours: do we wish to be possessed by the Spirit of the Lord or by the demonic spirit? We can pray with St. Augustine: breathe on me, Spirit of God,that I may think what is holy. Drive me, Spirit of God, that I may do what is holy. Strengthen me,Spirit of God, that I may preserve what is holy. Guide me, Spirit of God, that I may never lose whatis holy.