SATURDAY- 13^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17: Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them.

I Reading: Genesis 27:1-5.15-29: Jacob supplanted his brother and took his brother’s blessing.

Jesus Answers the Question about Fasting: Ushering in a New Age and Covenant, Mt 9:14-17

Christ is the bridegroom of the new age, the new life, and the new covenant. He is the bridegroom of the church. There is no need of fasting or crying when Jesus is with us and celebrating the banquet of joy with his disciples.

1.     John’s disciples (v.14)

a.     Questioned Jesus about fasting

b.    Received three illustrations from Jesus

2.     The bridegroom: A new life and age of joy (v.15)

a.     His presence brings joy

b.    His prediction: death

c.      His death shall bring fasting

3.     The new cloth: A stronger life and age (v.16)

a.     The new is stronger

b.    The old is weaker

4.     The new and old wine: A new life and age of more power (v.17)

a.     The new would burst the old bottles

b.    Both are to be preserved

Thought: The new wine would have been lost if it had been put into the old bottles of religion. There would be no new life or age, no hope for man whatever (2Cor 5:17).

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3^rd July, Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle

Patron Saint of India

Gospel: John 20:24-29: The Great Conviction-Thomas’ Confession.

I Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-9: The Word of the Lord was addressed to me..

II Reading Eph 2:19-22: You are no longer aliens or foreign visitors..

The Great Conviction-Thomas’ Confession, 20:24-29

Thomas’ faith in Jesus Christ grew day after day; so should ours, till Christ becomes our Lord and our God forever in heaven. Faith in Christ is God’s gift; only God can give it and we must be grateful for having received it. John mentions Thomas in four occasions:

1. Thomas said to his companions during inner sufferings and conspiracy to kill Jesus when Jesus decided to go back to Jerusalem, “Let us go too and die with him.” (Jn 11:16)

2. Thomas interrupted Jesus saying: “Lord, we do not know where you are going: show how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Jn 14:6)

3. Today’s Gospel.

4. Jesus appeared to the seven disciples and later on Jesus appeared to Thomas when all were there (Jn 20: 27; Jn 21:1-23).

i. Faith in Jesus Christ implies a total surrendered to his plans of love for us.

ii. Faith in Jesus Christ brings to us incalculable treasures.

iii. Our Faith in Christ must grow day after day.

This is excellent study on conviction and confession of Thomas, the one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

1.     Thomas’ frustrated, reactionary spirit (v.24-25)

a.     The disciples testified: Thomas argued

b.    The reason: Guilt-he had forsaken and withdrawn from them

2.     Thomas’ false picture of Jesus (v.25)

a.     He was just an earthly deliverer

b.    He was now dead

c.      Result: persistent doubt for eight days

3.     Thomas’ critical confrontation and confession: Jesus appeared and challenged and convicted him (v.26-28)

a.     The confrontation

1)    Jesus was aware of Thomas’ demands

2)    Jesus warned and called for belief

3)    The strong confession

4.     Thomas’ great lesson for all people.

Thought: To doubt is to be Christless.  “Separate from Christ...without hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). False pictures of Jesus lead to unbelief. Jesus is more than a great teacher, a great prophet, a great man and a great founder of religion.

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THURSDAY- 13^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8: They praised God for giving such power to men.

I Reading: Genesis 22:1-19: The sacrifice of our father Abraham.

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man: Forgiving Sin, 9:1-8

Jesus was deeply touched by men who diligently sought him and persevered in that diligence. These men could not reach Jesus because of the throng of people, but the friends would not give up. They removed the roof and lowered the sick man down to Christ (Mk 2:1-12).

This persistent act gave Christ the opportunity to show his love and power to forgive sins and to demonstrate that he was beyond question the Messiah.

1. Jesus left Gadara and entered His own city-Capernaum (v.1)

2. Jesus’ power to forgive sins was demonstrated (v.2)

a. The friend’s care: brought disabled friend to Jesus

b. The friends’ great faith

c. Jesus’ compassion: forgave the man’s sin

3. Jesus’ power to forgive sins was questioned: silently accused of blasphemy (v.3)

4. Jesus’ power to forgive sins was proven (v.4-7)

a. He revealed something: He knew their rejection

b. He suggested something: A test

c. He did something: He healed the man

d. He commanded something: Go

5. Jesus’ power to forgive sins brought glory to God (v.8)

Thought: All people are disabled and sick spiritually need Jesus’ healing touch. We cannot save our friends but only Jesus Christ can forgive people’s sins.

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WEDNESDAY- 13^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34: Have you come here to torture the devils before time?

I Reading: Genesis 21:5.8-20: The slave-girl’s son is not to share the inheritance with my son Isaac.

Jesus Casts Out Demons: Saving Men, 8:28-34

Jesus had power over devils and conquered the forces of evil. Jesus’ mission was to save the humankind from sin, death and all evils.

1.     Jesus went where no other men would go (v.28-31)

a.     Among the evil possessed

b.    Among the dead

c.      Among the violent

d.    Among the defiant

e.      Among the malicious-devourers-the destroyers

2.     Jesus saved those whom no other men could reach (v.32)

a.     The power of his word “Go”

b.    The result: demons were expelled and exorcised

3.     Jesus was rejected again by covetous men (v.33-34)

a.     The covetous heard of the Lord’s presence and behaviour

b.    The covetous felt nothing in common with him: “When they saw Him.”

c.      The covetous rejected and expelled Him.

Thought: When the covetous sees the Lord, they experience an immediate response: they feel nothing in common with Jesus Christ and His demand for self-denial (Lk 9:23). The Lord’s attitude and demands toward material possessions are stringent (Mt 6:19-24; 25-34). A covetous person is forced either to repent, that is turn from all material seeking or to out rightly reject Christ (Mt 19:16-22).

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TUESDAY- 13^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B

Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27: He stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; all was calm again.

I Reading: Genesis 19:15-29: The Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jesus Calms a Storm: Conquering Fear and Nature, 8:23-27

Jesus proved again that He is the Messiah! The purpose of this event is given in v.27. calming the storm did three things.

1. It demonstrated who He is: The Sovereign Lord who has all power-even power over nature.

2. It strengthened the belief of His followers: belief in Him as the Messiah and in His personal care as their Saviour.

3. It gave to all generations a picture of His care and power-His care and power to deliver through all the storms of life (trails and fearful experiences).

It does not matter what the storm or trail is nor how terrifying it may be, Christ is able to deliver and bring about the most assuring calm. In this experience, God demonstrated His wonderful care and power to deliver believers through the storms of life.

1. A basic fact: True disciples follow Him no matter what (v.23)

2. A fearful experience: A great storm arose (v.24)

3. A terrifying discovery: Man is not able to handle the situation (v.24)

4. A desperate approach: Lord, wake-save us (v.25)

5. A challenging question (v.26)

a. Why are you so afraid?

b. Why so little faith?

6. A strong, powerful deliverance: A great calm (v.26)

7. A marvellous purpose (v.27)

a. To prove who He is

b. To strengthen faith

c. To demonstrate His care for all

Thought: How many are willing to follow Jesus regardless of circumstances, cost and the sacrifice demanded?

Jesus Christ can calm any storm of life for us and He can strengthen us to go through any storm of life (2Cor 1:3-4; Phil 1:29; 1Pet 4:12-13).

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MONDAY- 13^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B

Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22: Follow me.

I Reading: Genesis 18:16-33: Are you going to destroy the just man with the sinner?

Jesus Attracts People: The Cost of True Discipleship, 8:18-22

Jesus attracts people by his exemplary life. Many wanted to follow Jesus so he taught the cost of true discipleship.

1.     The crowd was attracted (v.18)

2.     The scholar was attracted (v.19)

a.     He willed to follow

b.    He was determined

c.      Jesus demanded more

1)    Must accept Him as the Son of God

2)    Personal poverty

3)    Must abandon all

3.     The average disciple was attracted (v.21-22)

a.     He hesitated

b.    He had divided attention

c.      Jesus demanded more

1)    Immediate loyalty

2)    A sense of urgency

Thought: Many are committed, but their commitments are self-commitments not Christ commitment.

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FEAST OF THE APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL

SOLEMNITY

I Reading: Acts 12:1-11: Herod arrested Peter, but an angel released him from his chains, leading him out of prison and into freedom.

II Reading: 2 Tim 4:6-8.17-18: Paul tells us that he has fought the good fight and finished the race. Now only martyrdom awaits him.

Gospel: Mt 16:13-19: When Jesus asked the disciples what identity people attributed to him, Peter answered on behalf of the Church that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

We celebrate today the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Let us thank God for these two apostles the light and strength they needed to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout their life-time, and witnessed to Christ at their death through their shedding of their blood. Both were executed in Rome around the year 67 A.D., that is, some 35 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

These two saints are known as the “Pillars of the Church.” The Church of Christ is built by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ), by the blood of the martyrs and believers. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus fixed his eyes on him and said “You are Simon, son of John; you are to be called Cephas, which means a rock (Jn 1:42).” In today’s Gospel Jesus confirmed and strengthened the faith of Peter and gave him the power and authority to carry out the mission of Christ and nothing should destroy or diminish the mission of Christ while proclaiming the Good News of Christ.

Simon Peter was an ordinary person and illiterate (Jewish mission) where as Paul was the highly educated person (Gentile mission). Both invested their whole energy in Christ and loved him so much and followed him immediately till the end of their lives even unto death. Even persecution and opposition did not stop them spreading the Gospel of Christ. Although they had lots of differences and contrasting characters, still they worked together (Unity) and preached the Good News to the people (diversity) and continued the mission of Christ with a missionary zeal (universal mission for the salvation of souls).

No persecution can destroy the Church; whereas the lack of unity and integrity can destroy the lives of the faithful in the church. 

Let us ask for God’s grace to strengthen our faith in Christ and imbibe the spirit of these two saints to continue the mission of Jesus Christ despite persecution, rejection, opposition and temptations in our lives.

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SATURDAY- 12^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B

Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17: Many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.

I Reading: Genesis 18:1-15: Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? I shall visit you again and Sarah will have a son.

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant: Receiving and Rejecting Men, 8:5-13

This passage shows that Jesus is definitely the Messiah (v.13). He also has the power to reject the unbelieving (v.12). Jesus had the messianic power to do the mission of his Father receiving any person, regardless of the barrier. He could span every conceivable barrier.

a.     The ideological barrier: the centurion was despised, rejected and hated by Jews.

b.    The physical barriers: the centurion’s servant was ill.

c.      The spiritual barriers: the centurion was a Gentile.

Jesus receives any person who truly believes, but rejects those who do not believe, no matter who they are.

1.     Jesus’ great power was aroused to receive the rejected (v.5-9)

a.     By the centurion’s humility

1)    Begged a Jew

2)    Called Jesus Lord

3)    Jesus’ response: “I will”

b.    By the centurion’s sense of unworthiness

c.      By the centurion’s love for a slave

d.    By the centurion’s great faih

1)    In Jesus’ supreme authority and power

2)    In Jesus as Sovereign Lord (v.8)

2.     Jesus’ great power was aroused to embrace believers of every nationality (v.10-11)

a.     The Roman centurion

b.    The “many” from every place, from all nations

3.     Jesus’ great power shall reject the unbelieving (v.12)

4.     Jesus’ great power proved his Messiahship (v.13)

Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Jesus’ Power and Its Purpose, 8:14-17)

One of the purposes for which Jesus came to earth was to meet the needs of individuals and families. The experience in Peter’s home shows this.

1.     Purpose 1: To meet the needs of the individuals and families (v.14-15)

a.     He visited Peter’s home

b.    He healed Peter’s mother-in-law: she arose and served

2.     Purpose 2: To meet the needs of the large crowds (v.16)

3.     Purpose 3: To prove his Messiahship (v.17)

a.     He bore the ultimate cause of disease

b.    He bore each fresh illness

Thought: No individual or family is too poor or unimportant for Jesus to visit and help. He cares for all.

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FRIDAY- 12^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4: If you want to, you can cure me.

I Reading: Genesis 17:1.9-10.15-22: All you male must be circumcised, and this shall be sign of the covenant. Sarah shall bear you a son.

Jesus Heals the Leper: CFRIDAY- 12^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B

Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4: If you want to, you can cure me.

I Reading: Genesis 17:1.9-10.15-22: All you male must be circumcised, and this shall be sign of the covenant. Sarah shall bear you a son.

Jesus Heals the Leper: Cleansing the Most Defiled

This passage is beautiful for spiritual cleansing. The power of Jesus to heal and cleanse the most defiled person in clearly seen.

1.     The large crowds followed Jesus (v.1)

2.     The leper: the unclean and most defiled person (v.2)

a.     He came to Jesus

b.    He worshipped Jesus

c.      He asked and trusted Jesus for cleansing

3.     The Lord Jesus (v.3)

a.     He touched

b.    He said, “I am willing”

c.      He cleansed

4.     The cleansed man (v.4)

a.     He must beware of pride, of boasting

b.    He must obey the law

Thought: “I am willing.” The mission of Jesus Christ is to seek and to save that which is lost, no matter how defiled (Lk 19:10; Mt 9:12-13; 20:28). The Church is called to the very same mission (Jn 20:21). Jesus said go-go to “all creation,” to every human being (Mk 16:15; cp. Mt 28:19-20).

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.comleansing the Most Defiled

This passage is beautiful for spiritual cleansing. The power of Jesus to heal and cleanse the most defiled person in clearly seen.

1.     The large crowds followed Jesus (v.1)

2.     The leper: the unclean and most defiled person (v.2)

a.     He came to Jesus

b.    He worshipped Jesus

c.      He asked and trusted Jesus for cleansing

3.     The Lord Jesus (v.3)

a.     He touched

b.    He said, “I am willing”

c.      He cleansed

4.     The cleansed man (v.4)

a.     He must beware of pride, of boasting

b.    He must obey the law

Thought: “I am willing.” The mission of Jesus Christ is to seek and to save that which is lost, no matter how defiled (Lk 19:10; Mt 9:12-13; 20:28). The Church is called to the very same mission (Jn 20:21). Jesus said go-go to “all creation,” to every human being (Mk 16:15; cp. Mt 28:19-20).

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