The Gospel for this third Sunday of Lent (Luke 13:1-9) invites us to reflect on conversion, repentance and inner change. It presents to us also the reality of God’s patient mercy. Jesus calls for conversion by referring to two contemporary disasters and by narrating the parable of the barren fig tree.

The first of the disasters, Jesus is referring to, is the Galilean massacre caused by Pilate. He was very insensitive to the religious beliefs of the Jews. He massacred some Galileans while they were offering sacrifice, probably in the temple of Jerusalem, during the Passover feast. The other disaster is related to the construction accident at the Siloam reservoir in Jerusalem. In reference to these two disasters, Jesus asked the people around him, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?” (Luke 13:2). Jesus himself replies to his question: “By no means!” (Luke 13:3). Again he asks referring to those who died at the tower of Siloam, “Do you think they were guiltier than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?” (Luke 13:4).  Jesus himself answers, “By no means!” (Luke 13:5).

Having dispelled the common belief existing in the minds of the people that linked disaster with punishment of sin, he declares firmly and openly, “But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” (Luke13:3, 5).  Indeed, good fortune and disaster are no indication of a person’s spiritual state. This reading is a powerful reminder of what we are concerned with during this season of Lent. Jesus sparks fire in every one of the listeners to seek ways of internal conversion.

The last section of the Gospel relates to the parable of the barren fig tree. The gardener requests the master of the vineyard to relent, “Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down” (Luke 13:8-9). Jesus Christ, the true and faithful gardener is pleading to His Father in heaven for us all. The bottom line of this parable is the compassion of the master, in spite of the tree’s fruitless presence.

The parable reminds us of the special kindness of God and at the same time warns that those who persist in their sinful refusal to repent will suffer and eventually be cut down.  It indicates another aspect of God’s compassion by giving comfort to the those who stumble along the Christian life.

Lent is the time for us all as the community of God’s children, to renew ourselves within and to grow externally with greater productive spiritual life. The Christian community is challenged to respond positively to the magnanimous offer of God’s mercy. As children of God, we are privileged to receive God’s love and compassion abundantly. Hence we need to embrace with our whole mind, heart and will the opportunity of salvation through our reconciliation with our Father in heaven.

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

The transfiguration of Jesus Christ as a glimpse of his glory is presented in today’s Gospel (Luke 9:28b-36). It is meant to strengthen the faith of the Christian disciples journeying through death to the glory. With the transfiguration event, we are given an assurance of the glorious completion of the Father’s saving plan for us. Strengthened in faith by the vision of Christ’s glory, the Disciples of Christ can assert with courage that we too will one day attain the glory through Jesus Christ.

Describing the scene of the Transfiguration, Luke narrates that the face of Jesus has changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29). In these powerful images of radiant transformation, Luke wishes to underline the transcendent character of Jesus as the one to be exalted in glory by His Father. The Transfiguration is the anticipated view of the glorious resurrection for the three Apostles who see it for a moment on the mountain, so that they may not lose their faith in Jesus when he will face his passion. Thus the transfiguration is to confirm the faith of his Apostles and to strengthen them for the paschal mystery that lies ahead.

Luke continues his account of the transfiguration stating, “And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:30-31). It signifies that the entire Plan of Salvation, which reaches its culmination in the Glory of Jesus, is in accordance with the spirit of the Law and the Prophets. In other words, it is to fulfill the law and the prophets that Jesus is going to materialize the paschal mystery.

Peter, John and James, are heavy with sleep; nevertheless, they keep awake and see the glory of their Master and the two men standing with him (Luke 9:32). Desiring to contemplate the beauty of the messianic vision, Peter suggests building three tents on the mountain: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah (Luke 9:33). Evidently, Peter, who confessed his faith in Jesus as “the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20), is not able to comprehend that the glory of Jesus has to be preceded by his passion.

The transfiguration event reaches its climax when a cloud covers them with its shadow, and a voice of the Father from heaven speaks, as spoken at the baptism of Jesus, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him” (Luke 9:35). It is a call for us to acknowledge Jesus as our Divine Savior and follow his path of suffering and glory. Only when we bear, in conformity with Jesus, the struggles and the pains of human life, we will attain the glory manifested in the Transfiguration. Only when we bear our share of the pain of Christ, we will experience the splendor of the risen and glorified Christ.

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

We have just begun the season of Lent in our liturgical calendar. Lent is a period of fasting which recalls Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness. The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, spiritual growth and conversion. It can be viewed as a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. The Catholic Church expects its members aged 18 to 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, unless a physical condition prevents it. This means only one full meal is permitted on a fast-day. The Fridays of Lent are days of required abstinence, meaning meat and soups or gravies made of meat, are not permitted. Abstinence is required of those aged 14 and older.

Today, on the first Sunday of our Lenten journey, we are asked to reflect on a decisive moment in the life of Jesus: his experience of temptation and subsequent victory over evil. Today’s Gospel reading (Luke 4:1-13) underlines the vital role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus, who conquers evil.  The evangelist Luke narrates: “Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil” (Luke 4:1-2). The Holy Spirit who anointed Jesus for his messianic mission as the Son and Servant of Yahweh at baptism sustained him with power in his victorious struggle over Satan’s temptation in the wilderness and in the ultimate temptation in Jerusalem while Jesus was hanging on the cross.

Luke narrates that Jesus ate nothing in those forty days in the wilderness and when they were over, he was hungry (Luke 4:3). The fast that Jesus takes upon himself is to show that true sustenance comes from God.

The temptations that Jesus experienced in the wilderness were typical of the temptations that Jesus was subjected to throughout his life and the temptations that his followers would undergo. Satan’s temptations were meant to deviate Jesus from the path of filial obedience to the Father who is the true life-giver and sustenance, to instigate him to give to someone else the worship that belongs only and absolutely to God, and to induce him to test the Father’s fidelity rather than go forward in his mission. In all of these, Jesus remained faithful to his filial relationship to his Father.

According to Luke’s Passion Narrative, Jesus was subjected to the ultimate temptation as he hung on the cross. The Jewish leaders jeered at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One” (Luke 22:35). The soldiers mocked him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself” (Luke 22:37). One of the criminals hanging there abused him, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well” (Luke 22:39). In the midst of these temptations, Jesus, the Servant of Yahweh and the Son of God, remained faithful to his fundamental option to fulfill the Father’s saving plan. He died on the cross after uttering the words of trust and surrender: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 22:46).

May The Spirit of God lead us to have a meaningful Lenten season.

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

I would like to delve into all the three readings, because they give strength and encouragement to those called by God for His mission. In the Old Testament reading (Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19), we hear God’s strengthening words “I am with you” to Jeremiah, who was sent to rebuke the chosen people for their laxity and unfaithfulness. The prophet experienced agonizing rejection. Nevertheless, the love of God enabled him to endure all things and to promote the divine plan.

The Gospel (Luke 4:21-30) describes the inaugural mission of Jesus at Nazareth, which began with people’s marvel and praise but ended in violent hostility and rejection. Their resistance seemed to flow from the fact that Jesus was just one of them and from his shocking claim that the messianic prophecy was being fulfilled in him.

Like Jeremiah, Jesus was a rejected prophet. Rev. Eugene H. Maly, an internationally acclaimed scripture scholar and faculty member of The Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West remarks that the similarities between Jeremiah and Jesus are striking: Both were called to be prophets. Both were to suffer the agony of rejection. Both were to proclaim a message that would be repudiated. Jesus endured the most intense cruelty and suffering. Nonetheless, the compassionate love of the Father and Christ’s sacrificial love prevailed over hatred and hostilities, over sin and death.

The Second Reading (I Corinthians 12:31-13:13) is one of the most beautiful and sublime passages in the Bible. Paul’s “Hymn to Love” delineates the life-giving qualities of “love” that ought to animate the Christian community in their baptismal consecration and prophetic mission. God’s gift of love enables the believers to endure all things. Love is the ultimate gift – the one that endures and surpasses all. Love is what characterizes a person and community worthy of being called “Christian”.

In his letter to the Romans Paul has written, “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us (Romans 5:5). The characteristics of love are the opposite of the self-seeking attitude. The poor, the outcast, or the neglected may brood over their injuries, but love will teach them to forgive and hope without condition. Paul instructs that prophecies, tongues, knowledge have limits, but love does not have any limit.  Even the clearest knowledge is like a shadow compared to love. Paul exhorts that by growing in Christian wisdom, we will learn to put aside our childish ways and pursue love as the greatest wisdom, because only love lasts.

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

This Gospel for this Sunday is taken from Luke’s account of the preface to his Gospel narrative (Luke 1:1-4) and the summary of Jesus’ ministry (Luke 4:14-21). Luke states frankly in his preface that he writes an orderly and theological account of events that have been fulfilled by God for human salvation, and addresses it to certain Theophilus.  Biblical scholars think that this name does not refer to one single person but refers to all those who need encouragement in faith then and now. He commits himself to writing the Gospel in order to inspire the readers to respond to Christ with faith and commit themselves to him.

Luke emphasizes that Jesus begins his ministry with the power of God, who anointed him at his baptism in the Jordan: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit … He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all” (Luke 4:14-15). The evangelist insists firmly also the point that Jesus is a very faithful Jew with regard to observing the Sabbath: “He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day …” (Luke 4:16). The scroll of the prophet Isaiah is handed to him and unrolling the scroll, he solemnly proclaims the messianic prophecy, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).

Good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, liberty to the oppressed – these are signs of the messianic age in its fullness. The Gospel ends with the statement that after reading the prophetic passage, he sat down and the eyes of all in the synagogue were intently looking on him. Then Jesus proclaims solemnly, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

This is an astounding revelation and a challenging moment of truth. Jesus of Nazareth declares himself as the long-awaited Messiah and the fulfillment of the messianic yearning through the ages. He radically affirms that the moment of salvation is already being achieved in his person. The reference to the present “today” of the time of fulfillment, should not be understood as a mere reference to the temporal time but to the successive time. In other words, the “today” of Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth continues to unfold the Saving Plan in his public ministry until his death, resurrection and glorification; it then becomes for us the eternal “today” of salvation. The continuous saving presence of the Risen Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit enables his divine Word of salvation to be present to us through time and space.

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

Today we hear the wonderful story of the first miracle of Jesus. In the readings we hear of the covenant relationship God wishes for everyone. Isaiah announces God’s plan for His desired relationship with mankind; one of a spousal relationship. God desires that we be in an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus, in performing His first miracle at the wedding feast shows us the importance of marriage and gives us an understanding of our covenant relationship.

What does God want this relationship to look like? We relate best to things we can see and understand, so God uses this gift of marriage to describe our calling. When couples enter into marriage they make vows to each other. In the Sacrament of Marriage couples enter into a covenant before God. They are asked three questions; have you come here freely and without reservation; will you love and honor each other for the rest of your lives; and will you accept children lovingly and bring them up according to the law of Christ and His Church. This sacramental covenant is not simply a legal agreement; rather we stand in the presence of God and make a solemn agreement of mutual commitment. We offer unconditional love to our spouse which mirrors the Father’s love for us. We give of ourselves freely, not being selfish or holding back. Those who have been married for some time know these covenants take work. We need to communicate well and put time and effort into this most important bond so it remains strong. We spend time together, and our love, along with the blessing of God allows us to be fruitful and produce children. This mirrors the relationship God wants with us. He wants us to build a relationship where we freely give ourselves to him in love. We communicate with God in the sacraments and other prayer. We work on this relationship by spending time with God in prayer, building trust, listening to Him, and being in union with Him. Our relationship with God can be fruitful, bringing others to faith. We then base all other relationships on this solid foundation.

Jesus uses the image of the bride and bridegroom when describing the Kingdom of Heaven through the Gospels. The Church is the bride, Jesus the bridegroom. We as members of the Church are the bride. The imagery of the wedding feast is one we can relate to and a beautiful description of His love for us.

In this first miracle we see another manifestation, one of God’s desire to be in a spousal relationship with all mankind. These last weeks have shown us what God’s plan of salvation is; Christmas makes present God among us in human form, the Feast of the Holy Family opens our minds to the Son-ship of Jesus, the Visit of the Magi manifests God’s plan of salvation for all mankind, not only the Jews; the Baptism of the Lord included the reading from the Acts of the Apostles where the Church became aware of its universal mission and today we hear of God’s desire to be in an intimate relationship with each of us. Each week we have been led to this understanding of the spousal relationship. So let’s continue this wedding feast by participating fully in the sacraments and in giving ourselves to God!

God Bless You, Deacon Ray Heitzinger

The concluding event of the Christmas season is the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus, which we celebrate this Sunday. Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit for the Messianic Mission and manifested as the Son of God in a marvelous way at the baptism in Jordan. The evangelist, Luke accounts, “After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22).

If one would read the passage as written by the evangelist Luke, it is noticeable that the name of the baptizer is not mentioned in the event of Jesus’ baptism. Scholars think that the Evangelist has purposely omitted, because he wants to present the Divine manifestation about Jesus as the focal point.

How do we understand the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus at his baptism in the form of a dove? It is understood by the scholars as a messianic event. It means that it is a visible declaration about Jesus as the Messiah. The Holy Spirit anoints Jesus and empowers him for his public ministry as the Messiah. Recalling the baptism of Jesus as anointing of the Holy Spirit, this is what Peter speaks, “… God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; … he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil …” (Acts 10:38).  In later part of the Gospel, Luke also ascertains the same quoting the words of the prophet Isaiah that the baptism of Jesus was a real anointing for his messianic ministry. Luke states, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed …” (Luke 4:18-19).

Following the anointing by the Holy Spirit, the Father in heaven proclaims, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). With this is revealed the true identity of Jesus in relation of the Father in heaven. From now on Jesus commits himself to fulfill the Will of the Father not as a dominant master but as a suffering servant through humble service and self-sacrifice.

Thus the mystery of Jesus’ baptism is a public proclamation of his anointing and the beginning of his mission heading towards its culmination on the cross, to die for the remission of our sins and to reveal the love and forgiveness of the Father.

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, which means the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, who are represented by the visit of the magi, the wise men from the East. The Gospel as accounted by Mathew narrates today about the presence of the star that leads them to Christ. Magi from the East saw the star at its rising. The mention of the rising star would have reminded the Jews, to whom Mathew addressed his Gospel, of the promise of God to Abraham that his descendants would be multiplied as the stars of heaven (Genesis 15:5; 22:17; Exodus 32:13). In the Book of Numbers, there is also a reference of a Star referring to the Messiah: “A star shall come out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17).  Hence there is no wonder that the Magi have seen in the rising star, a sign of the birth of the Messiah.

Having arrived at Jerusalem, the Magi met the King Herod and explained to him, the motive for their spiritual pilgrimage. Then they asked him, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star rising and have come to do him homage” (Mathew 2:2). Eventually on seeing the child with Mary and Joseph, “They prostrated themselves and did him homage” (Mathew 2:11).

The happy event of the Lord’s manifestation, however, has a regrettable side. Exhibiting his usual political duplicity, Herod claimed that he too wanted to give homage to the newborn king of the Jews once he is found. Herod’s real intention, however, was to kill the infant King and remove the serious and ultimate threat to his power.

Indeed, the child adored by the magi as the newborn “king of the Jews” and presented with gifts of “gold, frankincense and myrrh” signifying his kingship, divinity and redemptive suffering, would be proclaimed the “king of the Jews” on the Cross, when he will bring to fulfillment the plan of Salvation.

The feast of Epiphany is a call for us to gaze upon the messianic star, Jesus Christ, and to affirm the dominion of God who wills to save us all. Today we are called to be obedient to the call of the star beckoning us to humble service and mission in the Church and the world. The magi, who stand as a symbol of the universal call to salvation, inspire us to manifest God’s loving dominion and mercy for all. On our journey through life, we are to search for a goal that gives meaning to life. One of the ways we can reach the goal and achieve the purpose of our lives is to be the instruments of Jesus’ epiphany; that is, manifesting to the world in darkness, like the magi, the light of Christ through our witness in life.

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. I offer all the families of our parish and pray for them that The Good Lord may bless them abundantly to remain faithfully in their commitment. I offer in a special way all the families that are struggling with hardship and misunderstanding that they may have peace at heart. May the Holy Family setting a model for all families, be their source of strength and inspiration.

Reflecting on the Holy Family, we learn the importance of the family. The Son of God, by being born in a family, has consecrated the family. In his life spent at Nazareth, he honored Mary and Joseph, remaining under their authority throughout the period of his childhood and his adolescence (cf. Luke 2: 41-52). In this way he followed the wisdom of Sirach that enlightens on the primary value of the family in the education of the person (cf. Sirach 3:1-9).

The Gospel passage (Luke 2:41-52) today presents Mary and Joseph searching for Jesus, who they thought was lost in the crowd which gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover and finally finding him in the temple. This story gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ special filial relationship with God and his paschal mission on behalf of the family of God.

On finding Jesus in the Temple, Mary expresses her frustration saying, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety?” (Luke 2: 48). However, the response of Jesus, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) appearing to be sharp, makes known the meaning of his life and mission on earth.

Jesus’ sharp response to his mother and father stating “to be in his Father’s house”, is not in any way to upset them. He is telling them that it may happen that God’s will obliges the family to make disconcerting sacrifices. Thus he teaches that every Christian family must live in harmony and in prayer, which are the pledges of joy and union. He showed His devotion to His mother and foster father by submitting Himself, with humility and filial obedience towards them.

The Holy Family observed the religious laws of Israel; it went in pilgrimage to Jerusalem every year with other Jewish families (Luke 2:41). The profound vocation of the family is to help each of its members to walk on the path of experiencing God and his plan that he has prepared for each one. Parents then must not ask, “What do I want for my child’s future?” but rather, “What does God want for my child?” Children must ask the same question, “What does God want for me?” Discerning together the will of the Lord, parents should show their children, as Mary and Joseph showed Jesus, how to follow the divine will, seeking first to follow it themselves.

Parents must consider setting an example of faith to their children: Does daily prayer occur in the home? How can children be expected to know how to pray unless they learn it first from mom and dad? How can they be expected to know the Lord unless introduced to him by their parents? This, of course, requires that parents be persons of deep faith and prayer, looking always to the example of Joseph and Mary.

The Holy Family of Nazareth is truly the model of every Christian family which, united in the Sacrament of Marriage and nourished by the Word and the Eucharist, is called to carry out the wonderful vocation and mission of being the living cell not only of society but also of the Church.

May God bless all families

Fr. Arul Joseph V.

I read in one of the magazines that Bradley James, a popular composer and singer was so impressed by Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta, that with her permission, he composed music to her words and prayers. The title of the CD was “Gift of Love”. The feast of Christmas, the birth of Jesus is the visible manifestation of that Gift of love.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, Luke narrates the event of Mary going to visit her kinswoman, Elizabeth. The purpose of the Evangelist narrating this story is to bring out the Christological message in this encounter. Mary takes the initiative in going to Elizabeth’s home. According to Luke: “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah” (Luke 1:39). While it is naturally proper that the younger woman visit the older one, Luke is communicating that Mary, besides manifesting charitable gesture, is bringing the gift of Jesus.

Mary is presented as the bearer of the Good News that God has given through the baby in her womb, the most precious gift of love to the world. The first experience of this gift has been given to John the Baptist, as a baby in the womb of his mother. Therefore he leaped for joy, “… For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” Luke 1: 43-44).

When Mary greeted, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with joy asking, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). This reminds the words of King David, who was rather afraid, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” (II Samuel 6:9). The ark symbolized the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel. But Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant has brought the embodiment of divine love, joy and peace to the world. Hence Elizabeth rejoiced filled with joy.

As the community of his disciples, we too must become bearers of Christ’s love and joy, like Mary. Before becoming bearers of Christ, we must let him be formed in us.

When we celebrate Christmas with family reunions and friends’ get-togethers, we must remember foremost that the cause of our joy is Jesus Christ and he is the one who has given meaning to our life and human dignity through his birth.

Then filled with his presence let us boldly and courageously greet one another “Happy Christmas”, never say “Happy Holidays”.

I wish all our parishioners and visitors merry Christmas and the Lord’s blessings. May you be filled with the love, peace and joy of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Arul Joseph V.