Fr. Mingel D'Souza

Message for the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 02:09:00 +0000

Forty days have gone by of the most joyful season of Easter and on fiftieth day, i.e. Pentecost Day, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now that we have come to celebrate the ‘Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord’ , let us try to see what the Lord told us before he ascended to heaven. He said, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” How shall we do it?

St. Luke is very very amazing when after careful study he give us an orderly account of what the apostles and disciples did. The beginning of the Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 tells us first of all to, wait for “ the promise of the Father...” The promise of the Father is “Baptism with the Holy Spirit.” This means that we will receive the Holy Spirit, and then we can do anything and everything. This is the promise Jesus made when he said, “unless I go I will not be able to send you the Holy Spirit.”

St. Paul’s in his letter to the Ephesians 1:17-23 blesses us with these words, “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.” This is a rich blessing and if we have it we can go out to proclaim and baptize. He further continues the blessing, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe.”

Finally we come to the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 28:16-20, where the Lord gives His command before he was taken up to heaven. As we reflect on this command, let us remember that we have a promise, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Let us also remember that there can not be more strengthening and encouraging words than these because the Lord and Master of life is with us always.

Let us take up the mission the Lord has given us and fulfill it with the Lord and His Spirit.

Message for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 28 May 2011 02:42:00 +0000

Dear friends,

We are still in the most joyful season of Easter. We have celebrated and will be celebrating all thorough the Liturgical year the Easter mystery of Joy. Since we did not have any celebration together with the parishioners of ‘The Church of the Assumption and St. Pius X Church, we have planned to have it on Saturday May 28th. The first and the most important purpose is to come together as one body in Christ and show our love. There will be picnic for all of us with games and many other activities from 1:00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Then we will go to the church for the Thanksgiving Mass followed by Dinner. May 29^th happens to be my 34^th Ordination Anniversary, May 27^th being the last day of the school year. Hence we celebrate. This is what Jesus desires, “that they all may be one, as you Father and I are one."

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles 8:5-8, 14-17 encourages this type of union. We can see as the Apostles proclaimed the Risen Christ with great Joy, prayed together and all received the Holy Spirit. “...they had only been Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” This is how we can come together and be united.

The second reading taken from the first letter of St. Peter 3:15-18 gives us the opportunity to sanctify the Lord in our hearts by being ready to give explanation to anyone who asks us for a reason for our hope. St. Peter says, “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.” He goes on, “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.” This goes to say first of all that we can sanctify the mystical body of Christ by becoming the worthy parts of it, by having Jesus in your hearts. It also has one necessary point that our innocent suffering, if it is according to God’s will, it will also unite us with Jesus Christ and with one another.

Through the Holy Gospel according to St. John 14:15-21 we have the most consoling promise from Jesus, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”

Let us celebrate this most joyful season of Easter by uniting ourselves with Jesus by uniting ourselves with all our family members, friends, neighbors and even the enemies.

Message for the Fifth Sunday in Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 22 May 2011 02:39:00 +0000

Dear friends,

As we are still in the most joyful season of Easter and traveling toward and waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is expressing his strong desire for us, “Where I am, you also may be." Should it not be our final desire? Out of gratitude to Jesus that he is expressing what we most desire, let us learn how to get where Jesus is with the Word which is revealed to us today.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostle 6:1-7 tells us, “so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit …” This indicates to us that Stephen and six others who were chosen were men filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. If we want to be where Jesus is, we need to be men filled with faith and Holy Spirit.

In the first letter of St. Peter 2:4-9 we are invited to go through three steps. The first is to “Come to him, a living stone." Stone, Rock or Petros is an indication by Jesus for the strong faith. The first stage Peter is inviting us is to a strong faith. The second stage is “ to be a holy priesthood.” Our community is a priestly community in comparison with the other communities. "A people set apart." As Jesus the Eternal Priest became the lamb of sacrifice, the victim, so also the Christian community must become the lamb of sacrifice. We must suffer for each other in the family and the community at large. The third stage is “so that you may announce His praises.” This can take place by itself if we strictly follow the first two steps well namely, in order to praise God, if we posses a faith as strong as stone, Rock and if we are ready to suffer, we can praise God in action and thus ‘we can reach where Jesus is !’

In the Holy Gospel according to St. John 14:1-12 Jesus repeats what St. Peter is preaching, “You have faith in God; have faith also in me (Jesus).” As Jesus goes on with His discourse, He also says, “Amen , amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.” This also indicates that if Jesus expresses, ‘where I am you also may be’ he gives us an ability even to bring others where Jesus is. What we need is faith.

Let us wish and pray that where Jesus is, all of us may also be.

Message for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Mon, 16 May 2011 00:58:00 +0000

Jesus, the Eternal Word. The Good Shepherd. The Gate.

Dear friends,

Last Tuesday I visited Eternal World Television Network with my sister Mary, brother-in-law Joseph, together with our parishioner Jaime O’Rourke. I concelebrated with Fr. Mitch Pacwa in the 7.00 a.m. Holy Mass. It is broadcasted all over the world through an antenna called Gabriel. As soon as I came out of the chapel at the studio and put on my cell phone, I found to my pleasant surprise that there were four messages indicating, "we saw you." The persons who had left voice messages were: the first from Bombay, India, my niece Joyce Sequira; the second Penny Abruzzi from Long Island, New York; the third Mary Ray from St. Rose Parish, Murfreesboro; and the fourth Robert Brady from our Assumption Parish.

Each one of them said, "I saw you on EWTN." I read something between the lines. They and many others all over the world watch and listen to the Eternal Word Television. They are able to get the message, the ‘Good News’ every day through this most powerful and modern media of communication.

This weekend The Eternal Word, the church passes on to us is Jesus is the good Shepherd, Jesus is the Gate of the sheepfold. The first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14,36-41 telling us, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Does it not say that to receive the Eternal Word, one needs to repent and be baptized?

The second reading from the first letter of St. Peter 2:20-25 gives us a sure confirmation of receiving the Eternal Word by saying, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” Yes, is something that confirms our reception of the Eternal Word, i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally Jesus himself in today’s Holy Gospel according to John 10:1-10 tells us, "...I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” This is that Eternal Word, The Good Shepherd, The Gate. It is not a thing but a person. His name is The Lord Jesus Christ.

We are necessary part, necessary media to spread this Eternal Word. The right process of spreading the Eternal Word is:

1)Repent and be baptized.

2)Be patient when you suffer.

3)Use Jesus as the Gate, make Him your Good Shepherd.

Message for the Third Sunday of Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 08 May 2011 12:21:00 +0000

Dear friends,

After going through the grace filled season of Lent, the Holy Week, the most joyous feast Easter, the Diving Mercy Sunday celebration and as we are still in the joyful season of Easter, as we had and are going to have the May Crowning to mark the month of May devotion to honor Our beloved Mother Mary, the best theme we can think of and meditate upon is, ‘The Experience of the Risen Lord’. The experience the disciples had on their way to Emmaus and many others at many different places. The experience and the recognition of the Risen Lord simply means I have seen the Risen Lord, He spoke to me. I have experienced the Risen Lord. I am rejoicing.

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33 is a powerful speech of St. Peter. He quotes David. David says of Jesus, “I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” What Peter is trying to tell us is David foresaw and spoke of the Resurrection of Christ. What an experience?

The first letter of Peter 1:17-21 says, “If you invoke the Father as Father ……………… He will bless you with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamp.” As part of experience of the Risen Lord Peter goes on, “He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” Here once again Peter is advising us to have our faith and hope in God which will give us the experience of the Risen Lord.

The Holy Gospel, Luke 24:13-35 is one of the most dramatic descriptions of the experience of the Risen Lord when they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us ?”

Shall we work on having ‘The Experience of the Risen Lord’ with faith and hope ?

Message for the Second Sunday of Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:31:00 +0000

It will be almost impossible to think of Divine Mercy Sunday without Pope John Paul II. If you ask me to describe Pope John Paul II in one sentence, I would be forced to say, “A man who has generously distributed the Diving Mercy by being in touch with God’s people through his hundreds of visits throughout the world.” How could he do it ?

The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47 explains it by saying , “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life to the breading of bread and to prayers.” This is the powerful tool Blessed John Paul II, the great used. Be together with the people through communal life through prayer.

The second reading from the first letter of St. Peter 1:3-9 has the best development in the generous distribution of the Divine Mercy when he says, “Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His Great Mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ………..” Hence the only and most powerful source of Diving Mercy is, THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.”

The most important work of the Risen Lord is to pass on that authority of generously distributing the Divine Mercy. In the Gospel of St. John 20:19-31 Jesus says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” What greater fruit of Divine Mercy one can have than have ‘Peace of Christ’ after being forgiven of sins.

I myself experienced on February 9^th 1986 in Mumbai when Pope John Paul II came from Rome to touch me and give me the share of that Divine Mercy. There were hundreds of priests vested to concelebrate with the Pope. As he came in and ascended the altar. First he went to his left side and touched and blessed many priests. I was at the left side. As he came to the centre of the stage, we could read the sign language of Simon Cardinal Pimenta pointing his right hand to the altar suggesting to begin the mass. Pope in turn pointed his left hand towards us priests at his left saying, ‘I want to touch these priests too’. He did come, and I who took my place in the front row was able to touch his both hands and kiss his ring. I said to myself “He came all the way from Rome to Bombay to touch me, distribute ‘Divine Mercy’ to me. He has strengthened us. We too can distribute that Divine Mercy to every one around us.

Message for Easter Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:25:00 +0000

Do I dare say, ‘Happy Easter’???

Dear friends in the Risen Lord,

Let us meditate today on ‘What we should mean when we wish HAPPY EASTER to each other. We Christians believe that Jesus suffered, died and on the third day rose from His grave. This belief in the first place leads to accept that Jesus is God and with His Divine Power He has Risen. He is alive. This belief also connects us with the Hope of rising from our sinful state to the state of pure life in Christ. So when we wish, ‘HAPPY EASTER,’ we should mean that life of hope in the Risen Lord, the life of Eternity, to ourselves and to each other.

The readings of the Holy Mass of the Vigil of Easter , so beautifully explain by telling us about the CREATION, REDEMPTION and SANCTIFICATION. Genesis Chapter One, verse one onwards we have the account of creation. But from verse 26^th onwards we have the account of creation of man, male and female, according to God’s own image and likeness and this is the only creation to whom God gives commands and pronounced His blessing. This goes to say man is somebody compared to all other creation. Only man has eternal soul and it has to go back to God who is in heaven. The rest of the readings from the Book of Exodus, prophet Isaiah, prophet Baruch, prophet Ezekiel describe the Salvation History.

It is Holy Saturday morning when I am typing this message. This makes me think of the ‘First Holy Saturday’ when the body of Jesus was in the grave. One thing was sure to those people that no body has come back to life once it is placed in the sepulchre. Everybody must have been in great anxiety. Satan must be extremely busy telling ‘He is not going to rise’. The Apostles, disciples, the authorities of the Jews and everyone who might have read or heard that, He said, he would rise, must have been confused. One can understand to some extent the anxiety of those people on that ‘First Holy Saturday’. How about us ? When Jesus has proved as Risen, Living and Loving Lord for two thousand and eleven years, shall we still leave in that anxiety?

If I wish one ‘HAPPY EASTER’ and doubt about at the next moment the words of Jesus, “I am the Resurrection and the Life”. What best wish that could be?

In that case, ‘Do I dare say, Happy Easter???’

Message for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:41:00 +0000

Dear friends in Christ,

We have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of Our Lord’s paschal mystery. On Palm Sunday we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world. As we are united in heart and mind in union with God and one another, we are well prepared to enter into this paschal mystery which leads us to the most joyous feast of the resurrection.

As we bless the palms we read the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 21:1-11, which describes the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’ hosanna in the highest.” This entry is to celebrate the paschal mystery. This entry is to suffer, die and rise. This entry is to perform the act of salvation and freed us from the bondage of sin.

The first reading of the Holy Mass on ‘Passion Sunday’ is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 50:4-7 which describes and prefigures for us the act of salvation. Though the Lord was treated so badly, still he says, “The Lord God is my help. Therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” With these words the Lord of life even encourages us when we walk the countless stations of life.

One of the most beautiful passages which explains the beauty and sublimity of the act of Jesus while he brought about Salvation is from the letter of St. Paul to Philippians 2:6-11. This lovely little passage brings us to the knowledge that,

“Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.

Finally the Holy Gospel, the Passion of Our Lord Jesus according to St. Matthew 26:14-27:66 is the actual description of Our Lord has done for us. Let us do it in His memory.

Wishing you a very fruitful Holy Week.

Message for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:35:00 +0000

My dear friends,

Last Sunday four of our candidates from the Church of the Assumption and six of our candidates from St. Pius X Church received their Sacrament of Confirmation. Saturday April 9, 2011 at 5.30p.m. Mass nine and on Sunday May 8^th at 8.30a.m. Mass eight of our lovely little children will make their First Holy Communion. As these children grow in our company we must also see to it that their sacramental life flourishes. That is what Jesus is telling us today, “I am the Resurrection, I am the life.” Let us try to meditate on how to achieve it.

Today’s first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel 37;12-14 is promising us that, “I will put my Spirit in you that you may live.” And he continues that promise, “ Thus you shall know that I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it says the Lord.” In this promise of Our good and faithful Father, we must believe and that faith will be the beginning of receiving the life from Him.

St. Paul to the Romans 8:8-11 confirms that promise when he says,

“ …The one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you.” Let us claim this promise in faith and love.

The story of raising of Lazarus in the Gospel of St. John 11:1-45 is a powerful example of what Jesus can do those whom he loves. What else do we need than the life in Christ? Shall we say with Martha, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world”? This kind of faith will give us the experience of the kind Martha had. She could see her brother coming out of his grave after being there for four days. Lazarus receives back his life and Martha, who believed Jesus as Resurrection and life, sees it instantly.

What is life? Who is life? Jesus is our life. Let us learn to live in perfect communion with Jesus and enjoy life.

Message for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:35:00 +0000

Welcome to the Laetare (“Rejoice”) Sunday. The fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally known as ‘Laetare Sunday, so-called from the first word of the antiphon at the Introit. Laetare, taken from the Latin translation of "REJOICE with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; Exult, exult with her all you who were mourning over her!" Is. 66:10-11, sets the tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery, as does the permitted us of rose-colored vestment. Likewise, musical instruments may also be played at Mass, and the altar may be decorated with flowers. All this goes to say that our three weeks observance of prayers, fast and almsgiving has brought us the joy of Easter. Hence we must BELIEVE AND WORSHIP Our Lord Jesus Christ to possess this joy.

The first reading from the first Book of Samuel 16:1,5-7,10-13 says, “ Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” If we want to believe and worship, we should be able to show our hearts as pleasing to God.

The Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 5:8-14 describes Jesus as Light. “ ……….. for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” If we want to see Jesus the Light, we need to come close to Him.

The Holy Gospel according to John 9:1-41 describes the long story of the blind man. There were many objections to the act of Jesus on the Sabbath day. They tried to prove whether it is the same man. The man who came in contact with Jesus, the man who saw Jesus as prophet, Messiah and Light was able to see Jesus as He should be seen. He had courage to admit that Jesus is the one who gave me sight. “I do believe Lord,” and he worshiped him.

He came among us to lead us from darkness into the light of faith. Only Christ can give us His light and enable us to see and REJOICE.

Message for the Third Sunday in Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:47:00 +0000

Today’s readings talk about the LIVING WATER. All of us know the great use of water. It is a commodity which God has made available in abundance for our use. In this meditation we will focus on the spiritual side of its usefulness.

In the first reading the Book of Exodus 17:3-7 is telling us of the thirst for water and how God through the great leader made it available. Let us make it as our constant effort to call on to God who listens and provides. We should never complain or accuse but trust and enjoy his blessings of Him who stands besides us. “I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb”. This is the promise of love. Hence we will not limit it to our physical need but ask for the living water which can refresh our spiritual life.

St. Paul to the Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 is telling us of the ‘Apostolic Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love’. He says, “Since we have been justified by faith, ……… And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” This is the core of the message as we expect God to provide the Living Water’. The faith in God will take us to the hope for everlasting life and it is made available by loving God and others.

The conversation of Jesus with the Samaritan woman in John 4:5-42 is the best example of how the Living Water can spiritually nourish us and bring us into the company of the best believers. Jesus is not only the source and giver of the Living Water but He is the Way, the Truth and the life. He is the living water.

1) The Samaritan woman came as a sinner who avoids human company. She was only thinking of the water which will quench her physical thirst. If somebody gives her water which can quench her thirst once and for all and she does not have to come to the well again, she would be happy , this was her attitude.

2) The meeting with the Lord who is the giver of life who reveals to her all that she did and all that she is, totally changes her outlook towards life. She becomes the missionary of that Living Water.

3) People from the village come in contact with the giver of Living Water and come to a conclusion, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

Shall we draw from Jesus that ‘ Living Water’ for our spiritual nourishment ?

Message for the Second Sunday of Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:11:00 +0000

Dear friends,

As in this holy and grace filled season, we go deeper and deeper in the mystery of love of the Father through the Son in the Spirit, we are told today that Jesus is THE BELOVED SON, IN WHOM GOD IS WELL PLEASED, WE MUST LISTEN TO HIM. Let us take the help of today’s readings to find out how we too would become God’s beloved sons/daughters, in whom He is well pleased.

The first reading from the book of Genesis 12:1-4 God tells Abram, “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” And, “Abram went as the Lord directed him.” This is the most basic thing we need to do so that we go where God tells us to. Thus we become the beloved of the Father, in whom He is well pleased. Yes, Abraham did become His beloved and God was well pleased with him. He even obeyed God when he was told to sacrifice his only son.

St. Paul takes us still deeper and more in communion with the life of Jesus when he says in Timothy 1: 8-10, “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” Why does he say to us ‘your share’? Yes, it is a matter we need to take seriously. If Jesus is the head of the body and if we are the parts of that body, it goes without saying that we need to ‘bear our share.’ Let us willingly and joyfully suffer with Jesus. That can certainly make us beloved of the Father.

The Holy Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 gives us the description of the TRANSFIGURATION. Why did Peter feel and express that, “Lord it is good to be here”? Because it was good to be there. Why ? Because the Transfigured beauty of Jesus, reveals the heavenly glory . To feel it is good to be there is to feel it is good to be in heaven. This privilege is given to those who are, “ beloved to the Father, in whom He is well pleased."

What a powerful and yet sublime path to become the beloved sons and daughters of the Father and confirm our seat in heaven!

Message for the Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 06:02:00 +0000

Dear friends,

Thanks to your prayers and best wishes. I had very refreshing vacation. After a word of welcome, almost each one of you asked me about my vacation. In the course of time I will surely share with you the good things I experienced during my vacation.

Today I wish to tell you just one thing and that is, ‘I prayer for you.’ What is a great thing about it. I prayed for you at the shrine and tomb of St. Alphonsa, the Second saint from India. St. Gonsalo Garcia is the first. As per God’s love and the faith of the simple, humble people, Christians and non-Christians, lot of miracles are taking place at this shrine. I spent 45 minutes in prayer uninterrupted. What I asked for you through her intercession of St. Alphonsa is that all of us may ‘DO THE WILL OF GOD’ and become ‘GODLY MEN’. This is what the holy Gospel tells us today. Do the will of God and all of us will enter the kingdom of to heaven. This is the promise of love from Jesus. This is our theme today and we will meditate on it.
The first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy 11: 18,26-28, in the first place asking us, Take these words of mine into your heart and soul.” In other words Moses is asking the chosen people of God to take the word of God seriously. Secondly it says, “Be careful to observe all the statues and decrees that I set before you today.” This will be the best way of ‘Doing the Will of God.’

The second reading Rom. 3 : 21-25, 28 further enables us to do the will of God by asking us to do everything for the ‘Glory of God’. This is done, ‘through faith in Jesus Christ’. This will all the more take us closer to do the will of God.
Finally we see St. Matthew 7:21-27 . from the sermon of Jesus on the mount. Jesus is not only showing us the best way to do the will of God. During the great flood in Nashville in May 2010 we have closely watched the houses moving and falling down and has caused too much of loss of property. A powerful suggestion Jesus makes today is to ‘BUILT OUR SPIRITUAL HOUSE ON ROCK’.

Shall we take seriously these words of Jesus?

Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 06:09:00 +0000

Among the joyous feasts like the ‘Feast of the Holy Family’ and ‘Mary Mother of God’ during the Christmastide, the ‘Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ’ comes as the conclusion of the season. If Jesus was without sin, as we believe, why did he seek out John the Baptist? Why did he undergo baptism at his hands? Why did Jesus participate in this ritual of repentance?

Without doubt Jesus had several reasons. First of all, Jesus wanted to show his appreciation of the preaching of John the Baptist. He wanted to support his witness, to acknowledge the truth of his message. In this way Jesus showed that God himself was speaking through this prophet, the teacher. Second, certainly Jesus wanted to give us an example of humility, an example of what we too should do. It is a great lesson to us. It shows what Baptism can do for us. What happened when Jesus received baptism from the hands of John the Baptist? Certainly it does happen when we receive Baptism. Three things.

1) The heavens were opened for Him.

2) And He saw the Holy Spirit of God descending like a dove.

3) And a voice came from the heavens, saying , “This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.”

This is what has happened when we received our Baptism. We come to know that the Father expects us to be HIS BELOVED SONS AND DAUGHTHERS, IN WHOM HE IS WELL PLEASED. How can we become beloved sons and daughters of the Father?

By the disobedience of our first parents the heavens were closed for the whole humanity. Jesus took up all our disobedience on his shoulders and offered Himself. The waters of Baptism flowed from His side and the first Sacrament of the Initiation was instituted for all of us. Thus the heavens opened for us when we receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Secondly, God Himself takes an initiative to give us His mighty Holy Spirit in the form of a simple, humble and harmless bird, ‘DOVE’. The moment we are baptized, we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. We posses the mighty power of God. We need to make use of the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, the voice that came from the heavens declaring Jesus as the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased. We too will be able to hear the same words from the Father, provided we try to enter the opened heavens with the help of the Holy Spirit. We too can and should become the beloved of the Father.

In our generation, we need to remember the example of Jesus at his baptism. We need to look into our hearts, to examine our conscience, to see what we failed to do. Above all, we resolve to focus on our eternal destiny, to take on the spirit of Jesus, to come alive in our study of the Scripture, to be filled with gratitude for all the gifts we have received, to lift up our hearts, to give thanks to the Lord our God.

Feast of Mary, the Mother of God

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 06:10:00 +0000

What connection the Mother of God has with the New Year and the Wise Men? This is what we are going to find out with the help of the Word of God. The Eucharistic Lord gives us the theme,

“DON’T COMPROMISE IN PAYING HOMAGE TO HIM”.

This solemn feast has on the stage, Jesus as the central figure together with his Virgin Mother Mary and foster father Joseph. Then we have three wise men, we have king Herod and subsequently he assembles even chief priests and the scribes of the people to ascertain about the king of the Jews.

The first reading from the book of prophet Isaiah 60:1-6 hundreds of years before Jesus was born, gives us very beautiful reasons as to why we should pay homage to Him. “Your Light has come, the Glory of the Lord shines upon you. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” So we ought to pay him homage, we have no choice but pay Him homage. No compromise.

St. Paul writing to Ephesians3:2-3, 5-6 says, “You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” The Biblical stewardship means, ‘Growing the kingdom of God by using Biblical principals.’ Here is the best way of paying homage to Jesus, without compromising with the Biblical principals.

Finally we have the very dramatic picture painted in the Gospel of St. Matthew in 2:1-12. We do not know specifically what the chief priests and the scribes did, whom Herod gathered in his court to find out about the King that was to be born. But we know for sure how King Herod compromised with Satan and what heinous acts he performed. Let us not go into the depth of Herod’s behavior who was so much worldly minded. Let us study in depth the so called ‘Wise Men’, three kings from the East. There is no doubt that God was with them. They were co-operating with God. God once again sent His star as we would call in today’s language GPS. “And behold, the star that they had seen at it’s rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.” And “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The best way of paying homage to Jesus.

On the New year’s day we celebrated the Solemnity of ‘Mary Mother of God’ because she fully co-operated with God and paid the best homage to her Son by playing her part in the act of salvation. She can guide us all throughout the ‘New Year’ and always with her powerful intercession, which she has earned for us by hard way and make us ‘Wise Men’.

Feast of the Holy Family

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 06:12:00 +0000

CHRISTMAS, EMMANUEL, GOD IS WITH US AND THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH.

As we have celebrated CHRISTMAS and today as we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph let us meditate, ponder, reflect and find out how we could make our families as HOLY FAMILIES.

The Holy Family is holy because of the presence of Jesus in it. Our families too can be holy if we allow Jesus to be in our families and never loose Him. As we see in the Holy Family that Mary and Joseph took utmost care of Jesus, though it was so very difficult responsibility. As an example we look at today’s Holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23. Here we have the most difficult, dangerous and laborious journey from Bethlehem across the border of Egypt. Recently I did see the hill country of Judea and the border of Egypt. If today it looks so scary in spite of the modern facilities, how difficult it must been for Mary and Joseph to take up the journey. They did it. It is all only to see that Jesus is not lost from the family. Once the family looses Jesus, it ceases to be Holy. The central figure of the Holy Family is Jesus.

As the joy of Christmas is fresh in our hearts, can we allow Jesus to continue to be in our hearts, minds, soul and body ? Can we work like Mary and Joseph to have Jesus always and everywhere with us and with our family ? Unfortunately, right from the days of the birth of Jesus till today we see that there are efforts to persecute Christians. Probably you may be aware of many such examples, I would like to give an example which I have closely watched. Here we see the families who tried to keep their families holy by having Jesus in their families. Just three years ago, there was a well planned attack on Christians by the Hindu fanatics in India on Christmas night. A place where my our cousin, Fr. Philip D. D’Souza was a Parish Priest. Through some sources the pastor was made aware that there would be well planned attack on Christians during the midnight service. The word went round to the Christians that it would be safe not to be present for the midnight but flee to a safer places. Some did follow the advise. Yet some very staunch Christians, as confirmed by Fr. Philip, wanted to express their faith and celebrate the birthday of their lord by being present for the midnight service and did not want to leave their parish priest and sisters alone. That night the attackers came as soon as the service began and killed first many men and children, then young girls, women and even sisters were raped, burnt the church. Fr. Philip and other priests together with other members of the Christian community together with the press reporters went round and surveyed the places and interviewed these suffering, wounded, raped Christians. They were happy to say, “We lost everything, but not Jesus. They meant without saying that our family is a Holy Family.

We have many many examples in the Old Testament, New Testament and today our Christian brethren all over the world are suffering. Yet at the same time we have many of our members of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, where we see the holiness in the families.

I have come across some grandparents, parents and elders who tell me painfully, that their families are not holy because Jesus is lost in their families. None of their children practicing Catholic discipline. They feel very sad about it. They want their families from generations to generations , to be holy.

I have two suggestions to these suffering parents, grandparents and even great grandparents who have very faithfully followed their Catholic discipline and kept their family a holy one.

1) If you think that you have failed to give the best example by practicing your faith as your children were growing. If you think that you have failed to teach them about it to the best of your abilities, the please be sorry and make a good confession about it.

2) If you think that they were alright till they were with you, but the high school, college, communication media, friends, the neighborhood or any other factor has taken them away from the Catholic discipline and subsequently away from Jesus, and made your family unholy. Please take the position of St. Monica. Pray, pray on your knees if possible, pray without ceasing, pray fervently with patience and perseverance. Our God is faithful. Not a single Hail Mary of yours will go waste. God will answer your prayer as He did in the case St. Monica You will see Jesus back in your family and you will find your family a Holy Family.

Message for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Let us be concerned about the sins of omission. We say at the very beginning of the Holy Mass, ‘I am sorry for what I have failed to do’. Our concern should be ‘what good we have left undone’. At the very beginning of Advent, we reflected on, ‘repentance’. The true repentance has helped many of us to make a good confession. We moved to ‘Prepare the Way for the Lord’. This helped in a deeper way to be concerned about the good we can do. The third, the ‘Gaudete’ Rejoice Sunday brought us the glimpse of the joy of Christmas. Therefore let us now experience ‘Emmanuel’ ‘God wish us’.

In the first reading the prophet Isaiah 7:10-14 is prophesying, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” This sign is enough and more for us that, as per the fulfillment of time, virgin will give birth to a son’. This is our loving Father’s assurance of Emmanuel, God with us.

The letter of St. Paul to the Romans 1:1-7 begins, ‘Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,’ regards the greatness of Jesus. We are like slaves before Him. A slave does not have any power, any rights but does what the master tells. We too like St. Paul, are totally helpless without Jesus, the God who is with us. But once we know our limitations, we, “who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, once we belong to Jesus Christ, we will be holy and Grace and Peace is assured to us.

St. Matthew 1:18-24 assures, “do not be afraid”. The one who does love is never afraid to co-operate with the plan of God, because, “Everything works out unto good with those who love.” Rom. 8:28 . It also tells us that all this is taking place, ‘through the Holy Spirit’. There can not be anything more certain and confident than what works out ‘through the Holy Spirit’. Thus we reach prophet Isaiah, “Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” Our Christmas Joy is having, ‘God with us’. He is available among us,

easily approachable

and being divine able to help us in what we need.

Let us make best of His being with us.

Message for the Third Sunday in Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

As we enter the third week of Advent, traditionally known as ‘Gaudete’(‘Rejoice’) Sunday, so called from the first word of the antiphon as the Introit. Gaudete(Rejoice) taken from Latin translation of Phil 4:4-5 sets a tone of joyful expectation for the Lord’s birth and Second Coming, as does the permitted use of rose-colored vestments. Hence we ‘Joyfully prepare the way’.

Prophet Isaiah 35:1-6,10 speaks about, “They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.” This assuring mighty prophesy and promise of God sets sure tone of rejoicing among the chosen people of God. Isaiah goes on with further promise, “……….. Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet the joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.” These are certainly the words which brings about sure rejoicing.

On the other hand the letter of St. James 5:7-10 advises us, “Be patient, brothers and sister, until the coming of the Lord.” He gives the example of our day today experience of the work of farmers and goes on to say, “You too must be patient . Make your hearts firm, because coming of the Lord is at hand.” Here we may look back and verify in our own personal life, how much rejoicing we have lost due to lack of patience ? Patience is the sure way of reaching and entering into the joy of the Lord.

Furthermore in St. Matthew’s Gospel 11:2-11 a question posed by St. John the Baptist to confirm, who is this man working miracles. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” The answer by Jesus is very beautiful and will enable us to see the Messiah and will confirm his coming in our midst. It will also quench our own personal thirst of seeing Jesus. “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” As Jesus puts the disciples of John in a challenging position of see and believe, we too have challenge, as to whether our faith in Jesus enables us to hear and see what Jesus can do ? Similarly Jesus describes the work of St. John the Baptist and quotes prophet Malachi, in the verse 10 of the 11th chapter, “Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.”

Ultimately this is what we need to do to complete our joy and always ‘be rejoicing’ in the Lord. So PREPARE THE WAY. JESUS IS THE WAY.

Message for the Second Sunday in Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

I concluded my message, on the occasion of the First Sunday of Advent, as I appealed to you in the name of Our Lord Jesus to repent and make a good confession. That is how our preparation always begins. At St. Pius X Classical Academy and parish will have ‘Penance Service on December 10th at 9.30a.m. At the Church of the Assumption we will have Fr. Ben Cameron, of ‘The Fathers of Mercy’ to lead us into ‘Parish Advent Mission’ from Dec. 12 through 16th. Please make best use of this opportunity. You are even welcomed to invite parishioners from the other parishes.

Now as we move into the second Sunday of Advent let us progress in our preparation and see how we could, “Produce good fruit as evidence of our repentance.” Mt. 3:8 Let us see with the help of today’s reading, how best fruit we could produce.

In the first reading prophet Isaiah (11:1-10) talks about ‘shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse…’ Here he announces that as per the fulfillment of time there will be the appearance of Jesus in the family of David and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit will be with Him. “ The Spirit of wisdom, and of understanding , a spirit of counsel, and of strength , the spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and His delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” With the help of these gifts, “……… Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” Hence this will be the fruit of his work among us. This will be our fruit too, justice and faithfulness.

By St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 15:4-9 what is revealed to us is, ‘ENDURANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT. This will enable us to produce the fruit of justice and faithfulness. St. Paul continues, “Welcome one another , then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.” In the most practical situations of life this should be our fruit, that without any discrimination we must welcome one another for the glory of God.

The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 3:1-12 says, “Produce good fruit as evidence of our repentance,” so that we will be “gathered as good wheat in into his barn(heaven)”. What an assurance from our Lord, of our entry straight into heaven. Some people are afraid of having some time in purgatory. But here Jesus is assuring straight entry into His barn which is heaven, if we produce always good fruit as evidence of our repentance.

Message for the First Sunday in Advent

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Thanks be to God. He has taken us successfully through one more Liturgical Year. Welcome to walk in the new Liturgical year from November 28th, the First Sunday of Advent. As I welcome you to begin to new liturgical year, I appeal to you to be concerned about the good we have left undone. ‘What good have we left undone?'

My theme for the First Sunday of Advent is a taken from today’s Gospel ‘stay awake’ ‘Be prepared’. We shall try to learn as to how we could do it with the help of today’s readings?

Prophet Isaiah (2:1-5) is advising us to climb the ‘highest mountain’ so that

a) we may instruct us.

b) we may walk in his paths.

and c) we may walk in the light of the Lord! This is the Catechism we need to go through. This in the first place will enable us to stay awake and be prepared.

The second reading taken from the letter of St. Paul to Romans 13:11-14 has more specific words, ‘it is the hour for you to awake from your sleep’. If we have not yet realized what Jesus can do for us, it means we are still asleep. ‘We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ’. What does that mean ? It simply means in St. Paul’s words that , ‘for us to live is Christ and death is gain.’

The holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 24:37-44, in the first place makes us think of the days of Noah. “They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away”. Yes, they did laugh at Noah when he was building the Ark. What Jesus is warning us about is, “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Here certainly Jesus is giving clear warning to stay awake and be prepared to welcome Him.

Let us remember that every liturgical year instructs us and informs us about what God wants us to know. Let us try to be attentive to every day’s and every Sunday’s ‘Word of God’ and stay awake and be prepared.

Message for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 05:00:00 +0000

My dear friends,

Salvation is our final aim in life. ‘Salvation has come to this house’ was the best compliment Zacchaeus from Jesus. How can we bring salvation to our house ?

The Book of Wisdom 11:22-12:2 in the first place tells us how great is the Lord , “Before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain from a balance or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. …………….. You overlook people’s sins that they may repent.” Hence repentance is the first step towards the ‘Salvation to come to our house’. The author of the book of Wisdom makes a prayer in these words “…………., that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord !” This is the very message of Jesus as he began His public ministry when he said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” Mk. 1:15. How important is ‘REPENTANCE and BELIEVING’ is to bring salvation to our house ?

The reading from second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians 1:11-22 begins with, “We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of Our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” This little paragraph brings out the whole process for salvation to come to our house. What else we need to do than pray for one another so that we become worthy of our calling and thus bring to fulfillment the purpose for which God has created us. By all this the name of Our Lord Jesus is glorified. This will certainly assure the coming of the salvation to our home.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 19:1-10 relates the story of a short man Zacchaeus. What a change in him because of the presence of Jesus in his house? What is ‘repaying’ he is talking about ? Because he had stolen ! If he pays four times what will be left for him. Jesus !

Repaying, restoring or paying back is the sign of true repentance. With true repentance if we repay, God surely forgives. Four times repaying lives him with Jesus. “For me life is Christ ……….” Says St. Paul to Philippians 1:21. ‘The Lord Jesus Christ”, who is enough and more. Let us repent, restore and possess Jesus. He alone suffices.

Message for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 05:00:00 +0000

Dear friends,

The tax collector went home justified. So we too will try to ‘Go Home Justified’ as we come to pray. It is our need when we come to the church to pray. Let us see how we can do it with the help of the readings.

The first reading from the Book of Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 tells us that ‘ ……… the prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds’; Let us try to understand the real meaning of how to be lowly. Mt. 11:29 tell us that Jesus made himself lowly, “ ……………… for I am meek and lowly of heart.” Jesus becomes as lowly as man. I mean it is a position lower than angels. To be lowly is more than just humble oneself. It is to bring oneself lower than one thinks that one is. It is to recognize our position before God who is so great. For us men it is worth and necessary to become lowly before God, because, ‘the prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds’. In other words, the prayer of the lowly reaches the highest heavens.

In the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 what is assured to us is even everyone deserts us says St. Paul, “………. But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and the Gentiles might hear it” Yes, the Lord will stand by us if we make ourselves lowly before Him and pray.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 18:9-14 is a dramatic scene of two men coming to the temple to pray. One is proud and the other makes himself lowly before God. Let us focus our attention to the picture Jesus paints for us of the tax collector. “But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ The attitude with which he came in, the physical position that he took , stood off at a distance at in the temple, would not even raise his head but beat his breast and used the words to pray, explains to us how one should lower oneself before the most high God.

It is not necessary to take our position at the last pew. Practically it is good to start filling the benches from the front so that those who come later can occupy the back benches. What is important is with what attitude we enter in to pray, what is our frame of mind when we pray and how do we express ourselves.

This will enable us to "Go home justified."

Message for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 02:09:00 +0000

Dear friends,

Today we will meditate on the necessity to PRAY ALWAYS.

In the first place, the first reading from the book of Exodus 17:8-13 is talking about the continued prayer of Moses for the fight against Amalek. “As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight...” Raising hands is very, very symbolic for us as Christians. The priest raises all the good works we bring every weekend which we have done throughout the week. The priests hands are lifted up to offer praises, gifts to God, and also with the raised hands, he receives the blessings from God and distributes to God’s people.

The second reading from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy 3:14-4:2 says, "...so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Here, St. Paul declares the purpose and fruit of the ‘The necessity to PRAY ALWAYS’. This we can do, says St. Paul, “proclaim the Word, be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient, convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” So we need to do this by praying always.

The holy Gospel according to St. Luke 18:1-8 has it, “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?" Yes, ‘day and night’.

What is needed to Pray Always, is not stand in front of a statue, picture or any image of Jesus, Mary or any of the saints and go on saying prayers. What is needed is not whole day praying, ignoring our duties and responsibilities. Morning prayer, night prayer, grace before meals, a little prayer before beginning journey, family Rosary is enough. What is needed is not daily Mass, if possible it is good to begin or end the day with Holy Mass. What is meant by ‘Pray Always’ is raise everything in prayer. Your night rest, your breakfast, your traveling towards the place of your work, your duties and responsibilities done with utmost care and love and every smallest deed to God in prayer. Raise your heart, mind, soul and body. Do ordinary things with an extraordinary way. Do small acts with great love. Then, bring all this and put it in the ciborium and chalice, to be offered by priest at the weekend Holy Mass you are present.

Thus, PRAY ALWAYS.

Message for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 02:22:00 +0000

Dear friends,

As we celebrate the Oktoberfest – 2010, the Rosary month and as we are now in the twenty-eighth Sunday of the of the Ordinary time of the Liturgical Year, “Give Thanks to The Lord” is going to be our thought and theme. Why do I say "as we celebrate the Oktoberfest"? Because this event has been a home-coming event, this event has been a matter of expressing our gratitude to the Lord. Church of the Assumption, St. Pius and United Methodist Church and the Germantown Association have celebrated deep gratitude to God for many many years.

With the help of the readings of today, let us learn to give thanks to the Lord in a most perfect way. The first reading from the second book of Kings5:14-17 has in the first place that Naaman ultimately admitted, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.” Similarly we too must admit, believe and have profound trust in Him alone. This trust will be most basic expression and manner of giving thanks because He alone is our God. This reading also suggests as Naaman has decide to do is, “ I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord.” This is the best form of expressing our thanks and gratitude, because any idol worship is never tolerated by the true God and he deserves all our worship.

The second reading from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy 2:8-13 confirms in the first place that, “Jesus Christ raised from the dead...” He goes on to say, “Such is my Gospel for which I am suffering” and “I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen.” All this simply confirms that one must recognize that Jesus has risen from the dead. If one wants to proclaim this gospel, one has to suffer and that suffering is both for taking up our share from the cross and for those who are suffering. The innocent suffering is one of the best ways of showing our gratitude to God.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 17:11-19 is a parable which depicts how man shows his gratitude to God. The only one out of nine who came to give thanks happens to be a foreigner. He expresses his in a best manner. The moment he realized that he is healed, "he returned, glorifying God in a loud voice." Secondly, "he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him." This goes to say that he employed his total self to thank Jesus.

HOW ABOUT US?

Message for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time

noreply@blogger.com (Assumption Church Nashville) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Dear friends,

Lord, “Increase our Faith” will be our request to the Lord on twenty-seventh Sunday of the Liturgical Year. The saints of yesteryears had their faith bigger than the size of a mustard seed. That is why they could do greater things than just replant a mulberry tree in the sea. Let us ask for an increase in our faith at least the size of a mustard seed so that we too can replant our own life and the lives of all around us into the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the sea of love, mercy, kindness and joy. Because “Faith is the assurance things hoped for and conviction of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1 Do we have faith which ‘assures’ the things we hope for and ‘convinces’ of things we have not seen?

The first reading taken from the Prophet Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 explains violence, ruin, misery, destruction strife and clamorous discord. It is not only at the time of Prophet Habakkuk, but today also we are very familiar with these things. Says the Prophet, “Then the Lord answered me and said, ‘Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint’ if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash one has no integrity’ but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.’” Let us try to be just. Let us show our faith. Let us increase our faith and experience the fruit of it.

The second reading taken from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 has three stages in the process of the increase in faith.

The first stage is ‘stir into flame the gift of God’.

The second stage we will realize that ‘God did give us the spirit of power and love and self-control’.

But then at the third stage we will surely follow, ‘bear our share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God’. This is the sure sign of ‘increase in our faith’.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 17:5-10 has in the first place the right request of the apostles to the Lord, “increase our faith.” It is not only mulberry tree but even ‘mountain’ (Mt. 21:21) will move from our way if we have faith of the size of a mustard seed. Jesus is not so much interested in moving mulberry tree or a mountain with the help of our faith of the size of a mustard seed but he is interested in moving the obstacles and hurdles which Satan puts on our life of faith. One of the obstacles I wish to mention here is we claim, we justify that so much we do for God. What God is doing for me? The answer is, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what were obliged to do.” Let us realize what we are in front of God and increase our faith.