Mother of God

Num 6:22-27;                         Gal 4:4-7;                      Luke 2:16-21

Dear members of the Body of Christ, today it is January 1^st. Another day and another year has begun. I suppose with all the news in the media during the past year on terrorist activities, wars here and there, natural disasters, many must have thought that they would never see the arrival of this year. Well, here it is and a happy Mary, the Mother of God's Feast to all of you my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do you recall the story? Jesus was taking His morning walk through heaven. He met there some nasty people who should be in the other place. Angrily He went to the front gates to bawl Peter out. In his defence, the apostle said, "Lord, when the unworthy come here, I chase them away and tell them to go to hell. But then they go to the back door, knock softly, and your mother sneaks them in." The Christ smiled and apologized to Peter. He promised to go fishing with him soon. Then He whistled softly as He went off to have lunch with Mozart and Bach.

Today's special Feast affirms that we Catholics believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary truly is the Mother of God. This Catholic Dogma finds its origin in a Bible passage that is found in the Gospel of Luke. After the archangel Gabriel had appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Upon her arrival, Elizabeth said to Mary, "And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?" [Lk. 1:43] Through Elizabeth who was full of the Holy Spirit, it was proclaimed that Mary was truly the Mother of God.

When Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, identified the fruit of the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the words, "the mother of my Lord," she was referring to the Lord, the One God of the Old and New Testaments. This one biblical passage is undeniable proof that Jesus is God incarnated, therefore qualifying the Blessed Virgin Mary to the elevated honour and title of "Mother of God."

The second proof also can be traced from the same passage: (Lk 1:41) “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb”. The child in the womb of Elizabeth was John the Baptist. He jumped out of joy in the womb of his mother. To understand this incident clearly we need to go back to Old Testament. Read 2 Samuel 6: 1-5. It speaks about the Ark of the Covenant, which was containing the tablets of Ten Commandments. Whenever it was taken in procession, David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals. And they used to dance and sing joyfully before the Ark of the Covenant, because David and his men realised and felt the presence of God in it.

Similarly, John the Baptist being in the womb of his mother Elizabeth, realised and felt the presence of God (Jesus) in the womb of Mary. That was the reason why he danced in the womb of his mother, confirming that the baby in the womb of Mary is God, and the Mary is the Mother of God. This is again another undeniable proof that Jesus is God incarnated, therefore qualifying the Blessed Virgin Mary to the elevated honour and title of "Mother of God."

Let’s now come back to the concept of New Year. The name "January" comes from the Roman god Janus or Januarius, the god with two faces, each having its own pair of eyes, one looking to the past and the other looking to the future. This is indeed a time to look back at the year that has just ended and to look forward to the New Year ahead of us. How did I spend this one year of my life that has just passed? Did I use it to advance my goals and objectives in life? Did I use it to enhance the purpose of my existence? Could I have done better last year in the way I invested my time between the demands of work, family, friends and society, and the demands of my spiritual life? What things did I achieve last year and what did I fail to achieve? How can I consolidate the achievements of last year while reversing the failures and losses in this New Year? Through soul searching questions like these we find that a review of the past year naturally leads to setting goals and resolutions for the New Year.

There are people who tell you that there is no point making New Year resolutions. Do not believe them. We must set goals and make resolutions as a necessary conclusion to our review of the past year. And we do need to review our lives from year to year because, as Socrates says, the unexamined life is not worth living.

Today's newspapers are full of individual and collective New Year resolutions. Most of those, however, are not resolutions at all but only wishes. What is the difference between a resolution and a wish? A wish identifies a goal one wants to reach; a resolution specifies the steps one will take to reach it. A wish says this is where I want to be, a resolution says this is the road I will take, and this is what I will do to get there. The wishful person says "I want to pass my exams this year" and the resolved person says "I will devote an extra hour to my studies everyday in order to pass my exams." The wishful person says "I will have more peace and love in my family this year" and the resolved person says "I will spend more time with my family at table instead of rushing off to the TV, so that we get to know and understand ourselves better." The wishful person says "I will live a life of union with God this year" and the resolved person says "I will set aside this time everyday to pray and hear God's word." The difference between wishing and resolving is: are we prepared to do what it takes to make our dreams come true, are we prepared to pay the price?

The gospel today presents Mary to us as a model of that new life in Christ that all of us wish for ourselves in the New Year. There we see that Mary was prepared to do something to realize this goal. What did she do? We read that the shepherds, when they went to adore the Child Jesus in the manger, told all that the angels had said to them. "But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Again after the boy Jesus was found in the Temple, we are told that "His mother treasured all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51). Mary was a woman who valued the word of God, who treasured it and made time to meditate and ponder it. It is true that the holiness of Mary is attributed to the grace of God, but this should not make us forget that she needed to make an effort in order to cooperate with the grace of God. She pondered the word of God in order to discern what God was saying to her at every stage in her life as the handmaid of God.

The two examples above of Mary pondering the word of God, namely, after the visit of the shepherds and after the finding in the temple, show that Mary found the word of God both in divine revelation (the angels' words to the shepherds) and in her own experiences (her encounter with her son in the temple). Similarly God speaks to us today through divine revelation (e.g. the Bible, the teaching and preaching of the Church) as well as through our personal experiences, if only we made time to reflect on them as Mary did.

Whatever the situation in which we find ourselves - a hardship, a disappointment, a decision to make - God has a solution, an answer that is right for us. We tell God about it in prayer but we also listen to what God has to tell us about it. Prayer is a conversation with God but sometimes all we do is pick up the phone, read out the list of our problems to God and drop the phone without listening to hear what God has to say to us. Let us today resolve to listen more to the voice of God, to treasure God's word and ponder it in our hearts. Then shall we be able to realize our New Year resolution of a new life in union with God.

I heard a preacher speak of a mother who goes each visiting day to spend time with her daughter in a psychiatric hospital. The daughter has been estranged from her for years. She refuses in the rudest way possible to meet with her mother. Still the next visiting day finds the mother back again hoping to speak with her child. The preacher wisely compared this mother to Mary who never gives up on anyone of us no matter how wretched we are.

Fulton Sheen said whenever there is a decline in purity or the sanctity of marriage, there is a decline in devotion to Mary. When we find increasing number of problems, struggle and stress, then there is a decline in devotion to Mary. He says it falls on us to revive that devotion by reviving it in our lives. As we joyfully and hopefully begin this New Year, let us entrust ourselves and our families into the hands of Mary our Mother with deep trust and faith, and ask her to intercede for us to her Son. Mary is not only the Mother of God; she has been given to us as our Mother as well, so that we can hold her hand and continue our journey in faith. We need Mary as our Mother to support us on our journey through the New Year. We need her faith when we don’t see a way, her hope when we run into a dead end and her love when others desert us. May Mary’s memory never leave us, and may her image always inspire us..! Let us love her and honour her all the times and ask her to lead us to her Son Jesus our Messiah.

AMEN.

  Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

CHRISTMAS SERMON – 2014

Good evening my spiritual brothers and sisters in Jesus. Tonight (today), as I look around, I see so many faces bursting with joy. Why is everyone so happy? It is because a Child has been born for us. On this joyful (evening or day) night, we are celebrating the day of Christmas that commemorates the coming of Baby Jesus into this world and into our lives. Who would have ever imagined two thousand years ago that the Lord God would have set aside His almighty power to incarnate in human form so He could be with us, His creations that He loves so much?

As we gaze at the manger that has been set up in our Church, this reminds us of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Baby Jesus. Because there was no room in the warmth of the inn, Baby Jesus was born in the open under the stars. This makes us wonder, why did He choose such a poor environment to be born in? Surely, as our King, as the King of kings, He deserved better! But this is what Jesus wanted! This was His way of teaching us that holiness is found in poverty, in humility, in servitude, in suffering, etc...

Through this humble birth, the shepherds were privileged to visit and adore Baby Jesus. Had Jesus been born as a King in a palace, only the rich and famous would have been able to approach Him. But Jesus did not come just for the royal and famous. He came into this world for all of us. That includes you and me.

On this special (day) night, by the grace of God, I suppose that we are all glowing with a spirit of joy and peace. This great inner joy and peace is different than what we normally enjoy during the year. There is something special about this spiritual joy and peace. Let us always remember it! May our hearts be soaked in it! Let us cherish it! Throughout the year, we should always strive to draw upon this very special spiritual manifestation of Jesus so we may continue to enjoy it over and over again.

(This evening or today) Tonight, we get the impression that we are surrounded by a bright and powerful light, a light of shining love, the light of Jesus. Although through our physical eyes, it does not appear that much is different in the Church tonight compared to yesterday or last Sunday, yet in our hearts, we know that there is something very different. Baby Jesus is really present here with us (this evening or today) tonight. So is the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, many of the saints and endless angels. All are commemorating the Birth of Jesus. (This evening or today) Tonight, we are surrounded by the Divine light of love that is intended to unite us all closer and closer as one within the invisible Mystical Body of Christ.

Now I would like to draw your attention towards the crib that we have made. Hope you all have seen the crib very closely. When we look at the crib it really brings us a kind of joy as if Jesus is indeed born in our own place. But whenever I look at a crib, it makes me a little sad, because one of my favourite person, who really deserves to get a place in the crib, is not found in that crib. Can anyone guess...? He is the owner of the stable and the manger. No one remembers him. Joseph and Mary knocked the doors of many rich and royal people to get a place for Jesus to be born. But no one offered a place. Probably Joseph and Mary’s outward poverty is the guardian of this mystery. If Joseph and Mary had looked as if they were rich, people would have made room for them in their houses or at least in the inn, because of Mary’s condition. They would have turned out other less important guests; they would have found a way to keep them. Since Joseph and Mary looked poor, they neglected them. But another poor person comes forward to offer his small cow-shed all that he had for Messiah to be born. No one knows who that person was..! Nothing about him is recorded even in the scripture. Why..? Probably because he was a very poor man and might be an outcast. That is why no one minded him and no one bothered to remember him. If it were to be a king or royal rich person offered a place in their house or palace, I am sure his name would have been known very popularly now and even his name would have found a place in the scripture. Whomever God chose and included in his birth, they are neglected by the world (by us) today.

Friends, I am not trying to find fault or blame someone now. But I would like all of us to reflect on this truth. This crib belongs to that poor person, where as we forgot him and denied a place in the crib. We just forgot and neglected him and did not mind giving him at least a corner place in his own crib. Once again I am not here to blame anybody, but trying to point out the attitude of the whole humanity. 2000 years before people had the attitude of neglecting the poor and needy and the same attitude has not been changed very much even now. Jesus always wants to be born in similar poor and humble situation.

Christmas is the time to remember family, friends and all our dear ones. We send them a card and exchange gifts and even wish them “Happy Christmas” by hugging and shaking hands with them. But do we mind remember the poor, needy, homeless and the so called outcast? If we don’t include them in our Christmas celebration, I believe our celebration won’t be a meaningful one.

The Messiah chose to be born in a poor man’s place and He said that he came for them. But if we have no time to care for them, then our celebration won’t be a meaningful one.

I just remember a story about a father and his son.

After his office work, the father usually returns home very late in the night around 10 p.m. His little son, who is normally asleep in bed by then, keeps awake that day. As the father enters the house, he stops him at the door and asks, “Daddy, what is your salary?”Shocked at this rude question, he shouts at the child and goes to have a quick shower. As he comes out, the son again asks, “What is your salary dad?”Annoyed by this, the father replies, “100 Rupees per hour, is that enough?”  “If that is the case, Dad, can you give me 50 Rupees?” Now the father shouts at him more and chased to his room and sits to watch television. The son went to his room with eyes full of tears. On second thoughts, the father was wondering whether he was too hard on his son. So he returns to his boy’s bedroom only to find him still awake and sobbing. To calm him down and make peace with him, the father asks politely, “son, why do you need 50 Rupees? Did they ask you in the school?” “No, Dad. Didn’t you say that you earn 100 Rupees per hour? I still have the $ 50 you gave me as pocket money the last month. Now if you give me another 50 Rupees, I can add that up and give you back 100 Rupees. This will help you to spend an hour with me. That’s why I asked for 50 Rupees.” Touched and ashamed by his reply, father affectionately embraced the son. For the son, the father’s love is very important. Love longs for the presence of the loved one.

Christmas is the occasion to remember and celebrate God’s presence among us. Christmas is also the time when we must reflect about our willingness to be present to the others. There are many opportunities to help others who are poor, feeling down and excluded from the families and others. These people of God need our care, concern and support. They are our Christmas blessings. Let us include them also in our Christmas celebration. Christmas is also a time for gifts and sharing. This is simply because God gifted us His only son Jesus Christ. During this Christmas, it is possible to receive this precious gift and treasure it in our hearts.

Yes, how often we thought of giving ourselves to others? Giving ourselves implies spending resources, time and talents for enhancing the life and happiness of others, especially for the poor. Christmas is a season of giving and the measure of being a Christian is to show our love and care to others. True love consists in what we give and do for another. Buying a gift is often much easier, but sometimes just being present there and being supportive can bring so much joy and happiness to others. In some case, presence and emotional support are better than monetary and material gifts. So let us present ourselves along with the presence of God to the people who are really in need of. In our given situation today we could include just one poor person and give him a meal and cloth him. That will bring the real joy, peace and hope that Jesus brought to us today. This is how we are giving a place for the poor owner of that stable in our crib.

As we continue to worship Baby Jesus during the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us remember that "a child has been born for all of us." Try to have a meaningful Christmas. May our new born Child Jesus bless you with joy, peace and hope & keep you safe forever.   

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS.

Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

4^th Sunday of Advent – Year B

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16            Romans 16:25-27               Luke 1:26-38

Some nursery school kids were preparing a Christmas play. Little Cynthia did not like the part she was assigned to play. She wanted to change parts with her friend Monica. When the teacher asked her why, she answered, "Because it is easier to be an angel than to be the mother of Christ." The little girl is certainly right. To be the mother of Christ is no light matter. Yet difficult as it sounds, that is exactly what we are all called to be. In fact, we could say that even though Jesus was born in Bethlehem, his real desire is to be born in the hearts of believers, to be re-produced by believers.

On this Sunday before Christmas we contemplate the mystery of divine election. We hear today the stories of the choice of David to be a king and Mary to be the mother of God. God chooses an unknown poet from a remote shepherd family to be a king. God chooses an unknown woman from an obscure village to be the mother of the messiah. God seeks out humble origins for his exalted purposes.

Three similar details surround the choice of David and Mary:

(1) They come from humble origins. How frequently the famous and powerful in Church history are said to be “of rich and noble families.” David and Mary come from good stock, but not families in the power centers. God identifies with the humble and the poor.

(2) They must personally agree to the mission. Questions are asked. Invitations extended. Their freedom to accept or refuse is left intact. The success of their mission depends both on God’s grace and their heartfelt commitment. Hence David’s “Yes” and Mary’s “Fiat.”

(3) God’s Spirit envelops them. Once there is an agreement, an ecstasy of Spirit floods their souls. Far deeper than a diplomat’s handshake, this is a divine embrace of love. David thus becomes a charismatic king. Mary becomes the exalted mother of God.

All of us have also been elected by God. Most of us in the humble state of infancy. We made our personal agreement through our godparents, and later on at our confirmation by our own lips. We have known the Spirit’s power from time to time. Let us live again today in the story of David and Mary our own personal pact with God. What better way is there to get ready for Christmas?

Preparation for Christmas can be difficult: difficult for Mary, for Joseph, for Mary's mother, Anna, for Elizabeth, and for us.

Are you ready for Christmas to come? cookies baked, house cleaned for guests, travel arrangements in place? gifts purchased and wrapped, tree decorated? I confess I'm behind on all those things; and probably some others I've yet to remember. During Advent we talk a lot about remembering to prepare for Christ to be born in our lives. And I'm way behind on that one too. My "spiritual house" is still a cluttered mess though I've tried dutifully to practice what I preach.

After reading today's lessons, I wonder and meditate where Jesus will choose to be born? -- Will it be the well-prepared house with all the perfect color-coordinated decorations and the tastefully wrapped gifts? Is Jesus looking to be born in the soul that is really prepared for his birth? The one who has neatly ordered his spiritual life? Does our God search out the people and places who are perfectly prepared and in control of things?

Listen to our readings for today: God doesn't seem to be showing up at those places that are highly regarded. He chooses a place where there is true humility, simplicity and obedience. Both David and Mary had humble and simple origin. When Mary confessed her humility and obedience she was exalted to the Mother of God.

Today we need to meditate upon the Christian virtues of humility, simplicity and obedience. All these virtues are to be learnt both from our Mother Mary and Lord Jesus.

As we meditate upon the virtue of humility, once again we should ask ourselves, to what extent one need to humble oneself. Look at how much Mary humbled herself. She said, “Here am I, the slave (அடிமை) of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”.

To lower oneself to the level of a slave is never easy. No one wants to leave or lower their status in today’s circumstances. Will a manager or officer take up a broom to clean up his office? Will a headmaster in a school do the work of a peon or attender? Who wants to lower their position and status today?

Remember, without humility one cannot prepare a place for Jesus to be born.

Everyone wants Jesus to be born in their hearts. To clean up and prepare your heart you need the humility. Yes, if you have that true humility, you will humbly receive the Sacrament of Confession. Not many go for confession these days, because they lack humility; they do not understand that it is sacrament.

Anybody who receives any Sacraments in right manner, he/she receives “SACRAMENTAL GRACE”. Sacramental grace is the unique grace that brings true and permanent changes in the person who receives a sacrament. Now all of us are seeking for some changes in our lives. If those changes are needed to be permanent and true, then the changes should come through the sacraments. Mary confessed that she is the slave of the Lord, and a permanent change came to her. An ordinary simple and poor girl was changed into the Mother of God.

My dear brothers and sisters, as we have only few more days to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us prepare a place for Jesus to be born through a good confession. To make a good confession we need the humility first to accept that we are sinners. If we humble ourselves in the sacrament of confession, we will be elevated to a position to offer a right place for Jesus to be born in ourselves.

Jesus definitely wants to be born in a truly humble and simple place. Look at the nativity scene. It was a simple and humble place where Jesus chose to be born. The people surrounded when Jesus was born were simple and humble people. The birth of Christ was announced first to simple and humble shepherds. And God chose to be born through a simple woman called ‘Mary’.

Let us keep this simplicity and humility in our lives. Let that humility be exhibited through a good and genuine confession before Christmas. Let us all make good confession and get ready to receive Jesus. For many of us this could be difficult (like the little girl who found difficult to play the role of Mary in the play); but remember it is always not an impossible one. Let this fourth week of advent be a time of good preparation through confession. Let spiritual preparation be given priority in these days.

AMEN.

Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

3rd Sunday of Advent – Year B

Is 61:1-2,10-11                          I Thes 5:16-24                     Jn 1:6-8,19-28

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There is a story told about a man from Louisville, Kentucky, who had to travel to St. Louis on business.  This was years ago when Christians kept Sunday as a very special day.  For this man, "keeping the Sabbath," also meant not riding the trains on Sunday.  Thus, after he finished up his business late Saturday night, he had to stay over in St. Louis until the following Monday morning.  On Sunday morning, he left the hotel looking for a place to worship.  The streets were quite deserted, but finally he saw a policeman and asked him for directions to the nearest church. The stranger thanked the policeman for the information and was about to walk off when he turned and asked the policeman: "Why have you recommended that particular church? It looks like a Catholic church.  There must be several churches nearby that you could have recommended."  The policeman smiled and replied: "I'm not a church man myself, but the people who come out of that church are the happiest looking church-people in St. Louis and they claim that they have received Jesus and they are happily taking him to their homes.  I thought that would be the kind of church you would like to attend." 

Today is Gaudete Sunday because today’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon: “Gaudete in domino semper,” i.e., “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Today we light the rose candle, and the priest may wear rose vestments to express our joy in the coming of Jesus as our saviour. The common theme running through today’s readings is one of joy and encouragement, and they stress the need for patience in those awaiting the rebirth of Jesus in their hearts and lives.  They give us messages of hope—for people almost three millennia ago, for people at the beginning of the first millennium and for people today.

I would like to recall a number of times when we see Jesus being happy and joyful. Did Jesus feel cramped and hindered? Not according to what we read in the Gospels. In John 15:11 we read Jesus saying, “I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.” Jesus was joyful and wanted his disciples to share his joy, “I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.” Jesus attended many dinners: the one given him by Matthew/Levi after he called him (Matt 9:9-10; see Mark 2:13-15; Luke 5:27-29); at Zacchaeus’ house (implied in Luke 19:7); and Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner (Luke 7:36; 11:37; 14:1); and there was dinner at Lazarus’ house (John 12:2). At Cana (John 2) Jesus changed between 120 and 180 gallons of water into wine so that the wedding guests could continue to enjoy themselves, and it was wine of the best vintage. That was a lot of wine, but we must remember that at that time the wedding celebration lasted a week which explains why so much wine was needed.

The first reading tells us that we should rejoice because our Messiah is going to come to deliver us from all bondages. He says, "I rejoice heartily in the Lord; in my God is the joy of my soul." In today’s Responsorial Psalm, Mary exclaims:"My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior." Paul writes in the second reading, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ” (I Thes 5:16). He continues to write that one can achieve that JOY by submitting oneself totally to the Lord. Today’s Gospel tells us that John the Baptist came as a witness who would testify to the Light, i.e., Jesus, and the coming of Jesus the Light into the world is the cause for our rejoicing because  he removes the darkness of sin from the world.  We have an additional reason to rejoice because, like John the Baptist, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the world.

Talking about happiness, today the world gives varieties of happiness. However they are all short-lived and temporary. But the true and permanent happiness could be received only from the Lord. Today’s gospel (Jn 1:6-8, 19-28) very clearly tells that “Humility” is the basic source of true happiness. John the Baptist teaches that humility to the humanity.

Bible scholars generally agree that the prologue (1:1-18) in John’s gospel is a hymn, the overall purpose of which is to highlight the historical and theological significance of Jesus' origins as "Word," "true Light" and the "only Son."  Verses 6-8(9) introduce John the Baptist in a manner that clearly distinguishes him from Jesus – “John himself was not the Light, but he came to testify to the Light." Some scholars maintain that the author of the Gospel may be making such a forceful differentiation in order to counter a sect claiming that John the Baptist was the light and the Messiah, and not simply the one testifying to the Light.  In John's Gospel, however, recurring references to the Baptist suggest that Jesus and John preached and baptized concurrently for some time (see John 3:22-30; 10:40-42).  But, in all he did and said, the Baptist always bore witness to Jesus and his Messianic identity (John 1:6-8(9). “A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the Light.”  John 1:19-28 is an Advent text that calls us to remember the origins and purposes of Jesus with the kind of devotion that challenges us to be witnesses for Jesus.  John the Baptist demonstrates what it means to bear witness to the true Light coming into the world.

John humbly declares that he is not the Messiah; but only a man who came to prepare His path. However we need to notice to what extent he goes to humble himself. This is the key in the gospel. His statement “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal” is the verse to be meditated today. To understand this verse, we should learn about ‘slaves’ described in Bible. The primary duty of a slave is to sit in front of the house and whenever the household people go out and comeback to their house, the slave will have to bend down on their feet, pour water and clean their feet. This was considered as a very degrading work. Except a slave no one will do this undignified work. In those days in any society ‘slave’ is the last category of people. There is nobody below them.

We need to remember that Jesus humbled himself to that point of a slave. Jesus bent on his knees to the feet of his Apostles, and washed their feet clearly teaching them that he humbled himself to the extent of a slave. He also asked them to follow that example. He clearly taught them that every disciple of Christ should practice humility and that too to the point of a slave.

But John the Baptist goes even beyond that. He humbles himself even below to the level of a slave. He says he is not worthy even to be his slave. Thus John the Baptist humbles himself even lower that of a slave by telling that, “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal”.

Dear friends, this is the type of humility will bring true and permanent JOY. So we need to set our priority in this world. We should not give the first priority to the peripherals, but to the things that really matters. What really matters a lot for both spiritual and social life is ‘true humility’ that was taught by John the Baptist in today’s gospel.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, Spouse, children, health, friends, and favourite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- The small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,’ He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your Spouse. Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.' !!!

We remember again the words of Paul, “Rejoice Always”.

AMEN.

Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

2^nd Sunday of Advent – Year B

I Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11;                        II Reading: 2 Pt 3:8-14;                           Gospel: Mk 1:1-8

Introduction: Homecoming is the central theme of the Scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. All three readings focus on the absolute necessity of our getting ready for Christ’s coming by true repentance, reparation and the renewal of our lives. They also remind us that the past coming of Jesus 2000 years ago, the present daily coming of Jesus into our lives through the Eucharistic celebration, the Scriptures and each other, and his future coming or the Second coming are actually the fulfillment of God’s saving plan for us all from all eternity. 

Today I would like to analyze the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”. The words spoken by prophet Isaiah once were the same words used by St John the Baptist many centuries after. And now we hear the same words again after many centuries. Still they are very relevant to us.

These words very clearly show us what type of world or society Jesus wants to be born now. Jesus is not going to be born everywhere or in every person, but only in a prepared world or place or heart. That is why Isaiah says, prepare the way of the Lord. He also tells us how we should prepare.

Today we see world with many ups and down, discrimination, favouritism, inequality and bias in the name of caste, creed, language, colour, wealth, money and so on. Jesus really wants to be born in a society where there is equality. He just wants to see a new creation and new universe where everyone feels equal to each other. He really does not like inequalities. That is why Isaiah says, Every valley shall be filled – means all those downtrodden, outcaste and unwanted, who are all pushed and kept under like in the down valley, should be brought up to the level. He does not want anybody to be in the deep down valley; rather he wants them to be brought up to the level of other people.

Next he says, every mountain and hill shall be made low. In deed we see in today’s society in which we live many people claim themselves that they are superior to everyone in terms of caste, creed, language, colour, culture and money and try to sit on the top of the world. They keep themselves on the top of the mountain and hills. Jesus wants them to come down to the level of the other people. He really wants them to be made low. People, who sit on the top of the world with pride and arrogance, should humble themselves and find themselves with other common people.

Next, the crooked shall be made straight – means our crooked hearts should be set right. Sometimes we are jealous of others and try to put them down. We try to spoil their good name and reputation. We do not even respect them as human beings. This type of attitude should be changed and set right. That’s what Isaiah says, the crooked shall be made straight.

Next, the rough ways be made smooth – means our rough behaviours like unkind, mean, cruel and unloving attitudes should be also changed. Only then we can create a world or society where there will be equality. Isaiah ends his words with “All flesh shall see the salvation of God”, which he meant that the salvation is for all and Jesus is for all and Jesus really wants to be born for all.

Therefore today, the gospel tells and reminds us that Jesus will be born in an equal and just Society; and it is our duty now to prepare a place for him to be born. We need to fill up the valleys and bring down the mountains and hills. It is easy! We need to sacrifice and indeed struggle to straighten up our lives and the society.

Here, I am afraid, you begin to wonder whether Advent is a joyful season or a penitential period! Well, as the French proverb goes, “great joys weep and great sorrows laugh”, for life itself is made up of marble and mud. It is true that Advent has joyous strains, but it also calls us to struggle in straightening up our lives, using those sources of help that are available. There is help through the Sacraments, with an emphasis on reconciliation; there is help through prayer in which we seek sincerely the Lord; and there is help through Jesus’ people around us through whom God speaks. Thus the rough ways, the twisted roads and the steep paths are negotiable for he is coming.

Dear friends, let us be reminded of Jesus’ words, “Repent and Sin no more”, and let it be fixed in our mind throughout this Lent.

Jack, the painter, often would thin his paint so it would go further. So when the Church decided to do some deferred maintenance, Jack was able to put in the low bid, and got the job. As always, he thinned his paint way down with turpentine.

One day while he was up on the scaffolding -- the job almost finished -- he heard a horrendous clap of thunder, and the sky opened.

The downpour washed the thinned paint off the church and knocked Jock off his scaffold and onto the lawn among the gravestones and puddles of thinned and worthless paint.

Jack knew this was a warning from the Almighty, so he got on his knees and cried: “Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?”

And from the thunder, a mighty voice: “REPAINT! REPAINT! AND THIN NO MORE!”

“REPENT ! REPENT ! AND SIN NO MORE”

AMEN.

Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

Advent - 2014

Advent Wreath and Candles   

Set on the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

1.    On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" (Candle of HOPE) in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah. 

2.    Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," (Candle of LOVE) symbolizing Christ's manger.

3.    On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" (Candle of JOY) and it represents joy.

4.    The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," (Candle of PEACE) represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

5.    On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

Fr. A. Christopher, HGN

Lighting Four Advent Candles at Home

In family practice, the Advent wreath is most appropriately lit at dinner time after the blessing of the food. A traditional prayer service using the Advent wreath proceeds as follows:

On the First Sunday of Advent, the father of the family blesses the wreath, praying: “O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth Thy blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from Thee abundant graces. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” He then continues for each of the days of the first week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The youngest child then lights one purple candle.

During the second week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The oldest child then lights the purple candle from the first week plus one more purple candle.

During the third week of Advent, the father prays: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The mother then lights the two previously lit purple candles plus the rose candle.

Finally, the father prays during the fourth week of Advent, O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.” The father then lights all of the candles of the wreath.

Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath and its prayers provide us a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this good tradition helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.

Fr. A. Christopher, HGN