Category: Reflections

by Jacob Boddicker, SJ

Pope’s prayer intention: Let us pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner. No to plundering; yes to sharing.

In the beginning, God created the earth and everything within it and upon it, bearing us in mind all the while: this world was made for us. When He created Adam and Eve in His image and likeness He said to them “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over…all the living creatures…”. This word “subdue” is a strong one; our instinct is to see it in terms of crushing some manner of resistance. Some see this as God telling Adam to conquer the wilderness outside of Eden, that mankind has a blank check to use the Earth as it sees fit. But this is not so: notice what God does in the beginning. Continue reading “September 2020: Respect for the planet’s resources” →

by Fr Odise SDB

Click here for Sunday’s readings

There was a certain (so called) Christian who went to a Jewish Rabbi complaining, saying that I cannot support any more this Christian life. There are too many rules and regulations, that they are stressing my life. I am sick and tired of all these commandments. They do not say anything else except don’t do this and don’t do that. I cannot afford a life of don’t, don’t, don’t, everything is don’t! So, I want to change religion. What should I do to become a Jew? The Rabbi looking at him, started laughing at him. The Christian man said to the Rabbi, I am not joking, I want to become a Jewish man. The Rabbi continued to laugh even louder than before. The Christian man got a bit upset and asked him, why are you laughing? That is not funny, I am a serious man! The Rabbi answered him, you are complaining for ten commandments. Do you know how many laws we have? The man replied saying, I do not know that, but am ready for any sacrifice… just to avoid these Christian don’ts!
Continue reading “22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A” →

by Fr Odise SDB

Click here for Sunday’s readings

This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20) generally highlight who Jesus is according to the people and according to his disciples. Here we are going to focus on who Jesus is and his authority. Peter inspired by the holy spirit replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you Peter … for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church…” (16-19). This episode defines also Peter’s primacy among the disciples and his role. Jesus’ blessing on Peter draws from Old Testament traditions about the Davidic covenant. The key concepts and images (Christ / Son of the living God / rock / build / gates of Hades / keys / kingdom) are all connected with Israel’s kingdom established under David and confirmed by Solomon and his construction of the Temple (see 2 Sam 7:4-17; Ps 2:7). Although David’s empire crumbled in 586 B.C., but our Heavenly Father will restore it through Jesus Christ as the Angel Gabriel announced that “the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Lk 1:32);
Continue reading “Twenty first Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A” →

by Fr Odise SDB

Click here for Sunday’s readings

Introduction

‘‘The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.’’ In these words of the apostolic constitution MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS (MD) Pope Pius XII, on Nov. 1, 1950, most solemnly described the crowning event of the life of the Blessed Virgin. Thus defining the dogma of Mary’s Assumption, he wrote the final chapter of the centuries-long tradition of belief in this mystery. This article considers mainly the scriptural basis, taking as its guide the apostolic constitution, the theological explanation of the Assumption.

Focusing on the first reading (Revelation 11:19,12:1-6,10) Continue reading “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” →

by Siobhán O’Keeffe S.H.J.M

Pope’s prayer intention: Let us pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families.

The beauty of the sunrise took my breath away. A tall fishing vessel glided over the horizon as it approached the shore. A little while later it yielded up its harvest of 153 beautiful fish. Despite the catch, the nets were not broken. (John 21:11) Fishermen had breakfast on the seashore and gave thanks for the labour of the night.

Sadly, for many a different story unfolds. Inclement weather, poor quality boats and ever changing legislation cripples the fishing industry plunging the families of these good men into poverty and distress. Man’s abuse of creation pollutes the oceans – the seabed is poisoned, fish die. Continue reading “August 2020: The Maritime World” →

by Fr Odise SDB

Click here for Sunday’s readings

In the first reading (1 Kings 19:9,11-13) the question God put, Why are you here, Elijah? is a reproof. It concerns us often to ask whether we are in our proper place, and in the way of our duty. Am I where I should be right now? Whether God calls me, where does my business lie, and where may I be useful? Did Elijah go there to meet with God? Nevertheless he shall find out that God will meet him. God is ready to meet us even in our ordinary places. The wind, and earthquake, and fire, did not make him cover his face, but the still voice did. Gracious souls are more affected by the tender mercies of the Lord, than by his terrors. Our zeal for the Lord, for his people and his creatures should be manifested with our loving-kindness, because “the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God” (Jas 1:20). The mild voice of Him who speaks from the cross, or the mercy-seat, is accompanied with peculiar power in taking possession of the hearts. Continue reading “19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A” →

by Fr Odise SDB

Click here for Sunday’s readings

In our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah (Is 55:1-3) the Lord invites Israel to come and enjoy the nourishing presence of God and His blessings, and thereby experience spiritual satisfaction. This section highlights not only the amazing provisions of God, but also that these provisions are free. In contrast to those who charge the thirsty for a drink, God offers drink to his people, not only water, but wine also. In addition, all these are for mahhala (free of charge) (v. 1). The rhetorical questions (v. 2) continue the previous thought, emphasising the futility of spending hard-earned money on food that will not nourish. God calls His people to eat what is good and rich without charge. The figurative nature of the previous verses is evident in what follows (v. 3). Though physical sustenance will surely be provided, Israel will be sustained through their obedience to the Lord and His provision of the everlasting covenant, a reference to the new covenant (see Jr 31:31-34), guaranteeing God’s ongoing nourishment. Continue reading “Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A” →

by Fr N. Vilakati

Click here for Sunday’s readings

The ultimate treasure is non-other than God Himself.

Once more on the 17th Sunday, ordinary time, we are called to go out, look out for the greatest of the treasures one could ever find. Most of us go for those treasures that could be physically or materially perceptible. Probably someday, we ought to pose questions to ourselves, is everything valuable a physical reality or can there be something more good than that which I see, that which brings me closer to God, and brings solace to my heart. In the gospel, a question arises, as to what is it that one treasures the most or how you keep it from being lost or stolen. From the reading we hear that the man went in his joy to sell everything. He sold everything because he had found a treasure worth possessing above all else he had. He did not, however, had enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough to buy the field. In a similar fashion, God offers his kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We can’t pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare.
Continue reading “Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary time – Year A” →