SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18: The Sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith.

II Reading: Romans 8:31-34: God did not spare his own Son.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-10: This is my Son, the Beloved.

 

The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Heaven’s Glory, Mk 9:2-13

 

Suffering is a lesson we all find hard to understand and harder to accept. But Jesus gives the true meaning of suffering in the reading of today. Jesus saved us and entered his glory through his death and resurrection. We all have to suffer if we want to enter heaven; there is no other way to be saved. The church invites us to reflect on the wonderful outcome of the sufferings of Jesus and of our own sufferings.

Christians have good reasons to feel encouraged in the times of trial:

i.                Like Jesus, we too are assured of our Father’s love.

ii.              A great good derives from suffering patiently borne.

iii.            Suffering brings us closer to God.

iv.            Just as Jesus’ suffering brought salvation to humankind, our own suffering too helps us and helps others to be saved.

v.              What Jesus said of his own suffering applies also to ours: “I tell you most solemnly: unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.” (Jn 12:24)

vi.            Our suffering prepares our own transfiguration.

vii.          The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain preceded his passion and death. His real transfiguration took place on the day of his resurrection, when his risen body shone brighter than the sun, and his soul was filled with infinite joy. A similar change will take place in us as we die. This transfiguration is hastened for us when we suffer for his sake.

viii.        Whenever we suffer, Christ is by our side to sustain us.

ix.            Abraham never regretted whatever he had to suffer to remain faithful to God. Neither did Jesus Christ.

x.              At heaven we shall rejoice at having suffered; let us not regret having to suffer while we live on earth. At our death, we shall be rewarded with our own transfiguration and our glory will last, not for time, but forever.

The purpose of the transfiguration was to reveal heaven’s glory would strengthen Jesus to bear the cross and strengthen the disciples in their belief that Jesus was God’s Messiah (Mt 17:1-13; Lk 9:28-36). A close study of the transfiguration will strengthen the faith of any believer in his Lord. A Strengthened faith will enable the believer to bear the cross of his own call.

1.    Jesus took three disciples all alone up a high mountain (v.2)

2.    The transfiguration strengthened Jesus (2-4)

a.    His transfiguration: his clothing began to shine

b.    His companions: talked with Jesus

i.                The Great Prophet

ii.              The Great of Lawgiver

3.    The transfiguration strengthened the disciples (5-7)

a.    Helped their shattered faith

b.    Gave them a taste of glory

c.     Struck them with awesome fear

d.    Made them witnesses of God’s approval

4.    The transfiguration gave a unique opportunity to discuss God’s Messiahship (8-13)

a.    Jesus charged the disciples to tell no man about the experience until after his resurrection

b.    The disciples discussed the resurrection: Why must Elijah come first?

c.     Jesus corrected the disciples

i.                Elijah was to come first

ii.              Scriptures also said that Messiah was to die

iii.               Elijah had already come: He was John the Baptist

 

Thought: The believer must often get alone with Christ to have his strength renewed. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God. Belief in Him is absolutely essential (1Jn 5:1).

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 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Genesis 9:8-15: God’s covenant with Noah after He had saved him from the waters of the flood.

II Reading: 1Peter 3:18-22: That water is a type of the Baptism which saves you now.

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15: Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him.

The Spirit that descended with dove-like gentleness at our Lord’s baptism now thrusts him out into the wilderness to do battle with the forces of evil. Mark gives no details of the Temptation (for which see Luke 4:1-13). The number “forty” recalls the years of Israel’s wanderings and Elijah’s experience in the wilderness (1Kings 19:8). There is also the first mention in Mark of kingdom and repentance. The former suggests not only a community, but also the royal rule; repentance is not just regretting an action, but from the two components of the Greek word, a change of heart or mind.

The readings of today are meant to help us understand the importance of our baptism covenant and to live up to following it.

1.    The covenant between God and Noah

2.    The covenant between God and Abraham

3.    The covenant between God and the people of Israel (through Moses)

4.    Were the two parties faithful to the agreements?

a.    God was always faithful, but not man/woman

5.    God promised to establish a new covenant

6.    When was this new covenant established?

 

The Last Supper=Jesus instituted “The Holy Eucharist” “Take and eat this is my body, which will be given for you” (Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:20). “Drink all of you from this: this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant: it is going to be shed for you and for all

men, for their sins to be forgiven.” (Mt 26:18; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20). This new covenant will last forever. Every person that comes into the world is invited to sign it. God is so generous with his promises. This is what He offers: forgiveness of sin, the life in the spirit, and a new promised land, heaven.

7.    We sign our covenant with God at Baptism:

In the second reading of today, Peter calls Baptism “a pledge made to God” (1Pet 3:21). At Baptism, we are given a new life, the life in the Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Spirit makes us members of the New People of Israel which the Church and makes us members of a single body which is Christ (1Cor 12:12-13).

8.    Lent is a time to renew our covenant with God:

God has been faithful to His Covenant; let us be faithful to God during this Lent. This what Jesus preached, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the Good News” (Mt 1:15).

Jesus Christ and His Temptation: Dealing with Temptation, 1:12-13

 The importance of understanding. The believer faces temptation every day of his life. For this reason, he/she needs to gain a thorough understanding of just what temptation is and how it is to be overcome (Mt 4:1-11).

1.    Temptation follows a person’s decision (v.12)

2.    Temptation is used by the Spirit (v.12)

3.    Temptation is a desert or wilderness experience (v.13)

4.    Temptation is of Satan (v.13)

5.    Temptation is met by God’s help (v.13)

 

Jesus Christ and His Message: The Good News of God, 1: 14-15

 

The Good News of the Gospel includes three emphatic points.

1.    Jesus preached the Good News of God (v.14)

a.    In Galilee

b.    After John was put in prison

2.    The time has come (v.15)

3.    The kingdom of God is near (v.15)

4.    Repent and believe the Good News (v.15)

 

Thought: The armor of God is the glorious provision God provides for the believer’s victory over temptation (Eph 6:10-20).

Lent is the time to check where we stand in our covenant with God. Jesus himself invites us to do so in today’s Gospel. We must repent for our sins and believe the Good News by the Gospel he preached.

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 6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-B

I Reading: Leviticus: 13:1-2.44-46: The Leper must live apart: he must live outside the camp.

II Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1: Take me for your model, as I take Christ.

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45: The leprosy left him at once and he was cured.

 

Jesus’ Power over Leprosy and its Impact: Cleansing the most Unclean

 

Leprosy was connected with sin in the ancient times. Sin separates from God and people/friends/church/family/community/society. Leprosy was the most feared disease of the ancient world because of the way it destroyed the body of a person. The leper was considered the most unclean revolting and hideous person imaginable. There was no known cure for leprosy; only God was considered powerful enough to cure the disease. Jesus had the power to cleanse the most unclean, no matter how terrible their uncleanness (1:2,3; Mt 8:1-4).

The first reading of today gives us some of the rules laid down by Moses regarding lepers in Israel. He was not only a religious leader but also a civil leader governing the people of Israel in God’s name. Is there any leader today who works for the spiritual and material welfare of the people?

The second reading talks about Paul as a good leader guiding the Christians of Corinth and becoming a good model to work for people for the glory of God.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus becomes the true, loving and forgiving leader with full of compassion and cures a leper with his loving touch with creative Words. Jesus removes the blind belief, indiscrimination and social untouchability and forgives the sins of a sinner by his power as the Messiah. The purpose of the coming of Jesus was to save humankind from sin and death.

 

We summarize the readings into three parts:

i.                Lepers in ancient times: untouchable and ostracised, standing 6-8 feet away, torn clothes, covering the face, talking with upper lips only, no combing, pronouncing “I am unclean, I am unclean while sitting or walking or when people pass by.”

ii.              Jesus cures the lepers: because the leper came with humility i.e. kneeling down at the feet of Jesus and pleaded for mercy and Jesus felt sorry for him and stretched out his hand and touched him breaking the law of the people and cured him to live happily in the society. The leper also broke the rule to touch Jesus with his humility and total trust and hope in the power of Jesus.

iii.            An important lesson to be learned from the Gospel of today: when committing sin:

a.    Sin separates us from God

b.    Sin separates us from our brothers and sisters in the Christian community.

 

1.    He was the great hope of the most unclean (v.40)

2.    He was moved with compassion for the most unclean (41-42)

a.    Moved to touch. In the OT nobody touched the lepers-morally and spiritually unclean person.

b.    Moved to speak

c.     Result: it was His Word (Creative Word) of power that cleansed and healed the most unclean

3.    He warned the most unclean to go sin no more (43)

4.    He demanded that the most unclean witness to His Messiahship (44)

5.    He made a great impact (45)

a.    The news spread

b.    His fame forced him to an unpopulated area

 

Thought: like the leper of today’s Gospel, let us hasten to the feet of Christ whenever we feel guilty of serious sin, tell him with faith: “Lord, if you want, you can cure me.” Let us listen to his answer: “Of course I want! Be cured!” A sinner is forgiven in the sacrament of reconciliation when he/she comes back to the Lord with a repentant heart.

When we are forgiven and cleansed, Christ expects us to “stop sinning.” There is no real faith apart from obedience and work. Every cleansed person is to go to church, profess his/her cleansing and become a part of God’s society and family of believers. A cleansed person becomes a living testimony and witness to the power of God.

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 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-B

I Reading: Job 7: 1-4.6-7: Restlessly fret till twilight falls.

II Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19.20-23: I should be punished if did not preach the Gospel.

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39: He cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another.

With the spread of scientific developments, new discoveries, and good education; one may ask to himself or herself; why should man/woman have to suffer, get sick, and die? What is the true meaning of suffering in life? We get this answer in today’s first reading taken from the Book of Job.

In the second reading, Paul has been defending his apostolic position to some who may have doubted it. As God’s slave, he is under compulsion to preach the Gospel without personal reward to serve them for nothing. His reward lies in the blessings of the Gospel.

The Gospel talks about how the ministry of healing continues to demonstrate the power of our Lord amid the needs of a suffering world. The word “immediately” is used more than forty times in Mark, making urgency one of the keynotes of this Gospel. The reading tresses the source of our Lord’s power.

The Book of Job reflects serious concern, after the exile, with the problem of suffering, how to reconcile the misfortunes of the righteous with the justice and love of God. With the spread of education and scientific developments, humans have found the answer to many problems, but not the answer to the question of suffering in life. The wife and the friends of Job misinterpret the meaning of suffering in life. Suffering is a mystery that cannot be explained by human beings except God. Finally, God gives the answer.

 

1.    A problem which Job cannot solve:

As we know Job was a very rich man, he had been blessed with seven sons three daughters, and a lovely wife, he was a sincere honest, and righteous man one who always depended on God. But Job least expected, misfortune struck: his children died, his possessions were taken away and what was worse, a repugnant skin disease covered his body from head to foot. Even his wife turned against him.

 

Job now put a question to himself which practically everyone asks when afflicted by suffering: Why should God allow these misfortunes to have come upon me? Three friends come to discuss with Job trying to find the answer to that question. They made matters worse. Time and again Job burst into the same complaint, especially when his suffering became unbearable.

 

In the end, rather than question God, Job decided to put his trust in him and abandoned himself to his will. In return for his trust, God gave him back whatever he had lost and more, he became a happy man once again. It was God who led him to come to the right conclusion. This is not the story of a real person Job in life, but God prompted someone to write this book that might help people to behave in the time of suffering the way Job did: Trusting God and his goodness.

2.    We discover the meaning of suffering through faith in Christ:

Jesus cast a light on the mystery of suffering.

 

The Gospel of today offers us the picture of an ordinary day in Jesus’ life at the time of his preaching:

Jesus preached: the Good News everywhere

Jesus healed the sick: those who came to him because he had compassion on them and to lead them to witness his wonders to faith in him. The prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled in him as the Messiah (Is 53:4; Mt 8:17).

Jesus prayed: early in the morning in a lonely place before dawn.

 

Jesus taught us that bitter lesson by himself suffering and dying so that we may learn to suffer and die with him. Wise people and doctors know how to obtain medicines from bitter herbs so also our life should be.

3.    A few points for Christians to keep in mind regarding suffering:

a.    Any kind of suffering or sickness is not the punishment of God but God’s glory (Jn 9:2-3).

b.    Suffering is a mystery that cannot be explained, sometimes only God has the reasons for this.

c.     Sickness is meant to bring us closer to God.

d.    Sickness brings God closer to people.

e.     Sickness brings us closer to our brothers and sisters/neighbors.

4.    Our Christian community ought to bestow its love on the sick in their midst: our care should be expressed in deeds and not just in words.

Thought: Suffering in all its forms will continue to afflict humans as long as we live in this world. Sickness is one of the many bitter fruits that sin brings about. We all get sick. During his preaching, Jesus healed many sick people and even he raised the dead, but he did not altogether take away sickness from the world.

What is most important is to bring people closer to God and God bestows his love on the sick in a particular way. Jesus gives the true meaning of suffering, death, and sickness in life. Let us believe in the power of Jesus listen to his words preaching, and teachings, and take part in the healing mystery of Jesus.

When a person truly worships the Lord and invites Him into his/her home, the Lord will enter and fellowship therein. He willingly becomes a guest of anyone who extends the invitation.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

 THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

2^nd February, Feast

I Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. The Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple.

II Reading: Hebrew 2:14-18: It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40: My eyes have seen your salvation.

 We are celebrating today an important event in the life of Jesus: his presentation to God in the Temple of Jerusalem by his parents, forty days after his birth. This is a very ancient feast, one of the oldest in the church it was celebrated in Jerusalem less than four hundred years after the birth of Jesus Christ that we celebrate today. This feast contains a special message for all Christians. Let us try to discuss this message in the readings of today.

1.    A prophecy of Malachi: Yahweh made a solemn announcement through the prophet Malachi:

i.                He would send a messenger to prepare his way; he planned to come personally to the Temple. He would do so in the person of the Messiah.

ii.                He would cleanse priests and people of their sins to enable them to offer a sacrifice worthy of Yahweh. But his offering would not made in Jerusalem alone; it would be carried out “from the farthest East to the farthest West”, that is, by all nations throughout the world. (Mal 1:11)

That is to say: the Messiah would come; He would indeed be the Messenger of Yahweh to all mankind; he would cleanse them of their sins, and lead them to worship God worthily. This is the content of today’s first reading.

2.      The prophecy of Malachi was fulfilled as Jesus was presented in the Temple: it took nearly 500 years for God to fulfill what he had announced through his prophet. After the birth of the first child, presentation to the Lord, for forty days for the male child and for eighty days for the female child, the mother was permitted to attend in the public service. (Lev 12:1-8; Ex 13:12-14).

3.    What did really take place at the presentation of Jesus to God in the Temple?

·       The surrender to the Will of His Father which he had carried out at the very moment of his conception in the womb of Mary (Heb 10: 5-7).

4.    Simeon and Anne: only the Spirit of God can lead a person to discover who Jesus is and to accept him as one’s own Savior.

5.    Mary and Joseph were led to accept God’s plans to save the world (Lk 2:33-35; 1:38; Mt 1:20; Heb 2:18)

Thought: Jesus is our light of everyone (Jn 1:9). His presentation in the Temple teaches and leads us to a complete surrender to God’s plans in our lives as Mary and Jesus did the Will of God in their lives.

Today’s feast conveys a particular message to parents, namely that, their children belong to God more than to them; they must therefore lead them not only to the Temple or Church, but to God.

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