Year-End - A Meditation on Time:

Year-End - A Meditation on Time:
End of an Year –
Today is the time to thank God for time given,
to hold a time for review.
There was certainly some moments of difficulties this year ...
and all of them we bring to God.

What events have shaped it?
What have we achieved? What has failed?
What changes have there been?
Where are we today?

A year ... it's not just a few days...
It's part of our personal life.
What moved us this year?
(Silent)

Last year, many things happened…
some of them were spectacular, some others not so.
What affected me particularly?
(Silence ...)


As a devout Christian, the past time of the year was a gift from God to deepen my faith.
Whether I had a special experience of faith?

(Silence)



THANKS:

In Ephesians we read, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father:” (Eph 5:19-20)
We have thousands of reasons to thank God ...

I thank God,
... Because You personally love and protect me.
... Because of You I am alive.
... Because I always find people who like me.
... Because (despite some questions) I can believe in You.
... Because even in pain and disease, You opens a chance, to love you deeper.

Yes, my God, I have thousands of reasons to thank you ...
In words and in deeds ... With my life....
Because you are my life giving breath...

Prayer:
Lord of seconds, minutes, hours and years.
You have given me so much time.

I beg you not to give me more time.
But I ask you a lot of patience.
I ask you, that I may find time – for You and me, for the good of my brothers and sisters.

I ask you to care me that I'm not wasting my time.
Lord of our time, bless me this day!
Convert my time into a healing one. Amen!

-

Fr Thomas Kalathil

Blessed Christmas!

I Wish all my Readers a blessed Christmas!

Holy Family - Sermon – Year A

Holy Family - Sermon – Year A

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.
Actually, two words that many people today less concerned about.
“Holy”, “family” ... both of them are losing day to day their role in our society. So is the trend.
Both are "old-fashioned" to many.

In this context, it may be good to think about them little bit, as you who are gathered here, respect them much.

We know ... Some are born rich. Others are rich by their efforts. There are still some who are wasting their possessions and become poor

It is almost the same concerning the Holiness.
“We are all called to Holiness”: So writes the Apostle Paul.
We know no human is born holy. (Except Mary, John the Baptist and Jesus) But we can achieve it. As the family of Jesus did…
We entitle the family of Jesus, the Holy Family.
They were specially chosen by God.

To obtain such a status they had suffered so much.
Their life was risky ...
the whole Christmas story, explains this risk in a way.

That means to be holy and to live so, is a risk.
And who wants such a risk?
We avoid this, if we have an option to do so.
We need a calm and balanced life.

And ... .. not every risk is a chance to holiness.
Then many people like adventure.
Adventurous types of sports, adventurous tourism ...
Some of them can be fatal ...
But many of them do ... It brings fun.
So risk alone is no help for a holy life.

Then what do we need?

My dear brothers and sisters,
as believers acquire again the once lost innocence and holiness through the baptism. Thus we are chosen for God’s grace. And if we take risks to protect this sanctity and innocence, then it helps to holiness.

To believe in and witness God is a risky lifestyle.
It is not only for the many missionaries in foreign countries possible: we can live here this.

If we listen to the voice of God,
if we sacrifice our selfishness for others,
if we act human,
if we help others,
…then we all act like Joseph and Mary.

Family is the best training ground for this...
There, we can help each other,
if I put away some of my benefits for my partner or for my children or for my parents or my siblings consciously and with love…

Holiness needs to a “family”...
Not only at home ... but here in this church, we are a family ...
then we are the Children of God ...

So a family or society is important in order to be holy.
Let us use the chance of life ... then we have a “family” here on Earth.
We have a large family as God's children.

So we can eliminate the boredom.
This brings fun ... fun to live ...
Live for others and for me in the light of God.

May the Holy Family from Bethlehem be our role model. Amen!

-

Fr Thomas Kalathil

Manorama TV

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Christmas Night - Sermon thoughts (Lk 2, 1-14)

Christmas Night - Sermon thoughts (Lk 2, 1-14)

Fist of all I wish you all a very blessed Christmas.

May the remembrance of the new born Christ Child

empower and cherish our lives.

In today’s Gospel we come across with Luke’s special narration of the History. It starts with the description of Augustus the Caesar.

But this does not provide us a full description of that majestic, historical King. A re-reading of the passage will explain us -

this story of the Caesar gives way to another story;

it is the narration about Jesus,

a poor child of poor carpenter and his simple housewife.

And this child seems to be greater than the Caesar Augustus:

and of course he is so.

He is not merely a baby in the crib.

He is the only son of God.

And because of that, Luke describes about this child…more than the Caesar.

There are two histories which we trace out from this passage.

The colourful and powerful history of Kings and Emperors…

A history between Men…Story of Kings and kingdoms…

They are filled with wars and pacts, loss and gain.

Some rulers were really good in serving their reign.

And some lived at the cost of others.

Any how this reign of Humans did never quench the thirst of many.

They were still in search of a better “reign”…

Here we see the second history: the Salvation History.

It is a History of God and Man.

Surely this Kingdom cannot satisfy “some” of the human physical needs. Because this King deals with the Heart and Soul of the people.

The history of this world needs a divine intervention.

It is then only complete- this narration can be explained in such a manner:

Here is the importance of Christmas!

God incarnates means; he is “taking flesh” in to the history of me and you.

He is becoming an “experiencing reality”.

Not like in the Old times…

He comes not to show his might and power, but to save me and you;

To save all of us.

He comes not with law and sword or with his soldiers.

He comes with love and justice and his message is peace, joy and justice.

My dear friends,

Christmas is a call to recognize our Stories, our history.

Then our history is not a mere earthly history.

It is blessed by the incarnated God.

He is Emmanuel, the God who is with us.

We realize from the Bible that,

people were not satisfied at the time of Jesus. It was the same before Jesus.

They were unsatisfied even Yahweh was guiding them.

It remains same in our time too.

In that sense all these Christmas celebrations of

God’s incarnation alone cannot solve all our issues.

One can achieve the grace of this wonder,

if he is ready to accept God, in to one’s life.

Our participation is required and it is a must to experience God-incarnated.

And it is God alone, who can fill the “Islands of Unsatisfactions” in our lives.

Christmas is a call to connect our story with “His” Story.

He can transform our stories of unhappiness to a blessed one.

He can transform our Families to a place of happiness and Peace

He can transform our Churches to places of brotherly love and joy.

Christmas is accurately this call to get transformed.

It is not something that happens externally.

But it should happen in the spirit and faith; in thoughts and deeds.

As “the Word was made Flesh”…

Then it is Christmas…a real “to be with God”…

Let us experience this Christmas Season in this new Transformed Spirit!

Amen.

-

Fr Thomas Kalathil

4th Sunday in advent - Sermon thoughts - Matthew 1, 18-24

4th Sunday in advent - Sermon thoughts - Matthew 1, 18-24

What we heard in the Gospel is about the family of Jesus.

We see his parents: they have a problem, a big problem.

Mary stands helpless, because she is conceived by the Holy Spirit, before her marriage. Who can understand their innocence?

We also see her husband Joseph.

He is perplexed: his future wife is in a difficult situation.

The Gospel calls Joseph as a righteous man.

It suits him very well, because he ...

... does not make any quick decision.

... acts not for his right, but has a human concern.

Joseph takes no decisions at the beginning. This seems to be very important in the further development.

The situation bothers him very much ... But he is sober and thinking,

before he acts.

He had right to refuse to Maria:

but he knew what would happen if he does so.

The people will stone Mary with her child. That was sure as that was their rule!

So, Joseph gets in the nightly rest his advice

God comes for his help in vision.

Matthew expresses God speaking to Joseph: “Joseph, son of David! Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife!”

It was not a mere dream for him.

He “heard” in this vision, the voice of God.

And he could not contradict God.

After this experience, everything get changed...

The child and Mary are no longer a "problem" for him.

He perceives everything differently ...

The angel tells him that the child is God's son.

Now he gets a great and important task ...

He must protect this divine life ...

And he is happy to do so...

Joseph is a great person.

He “gives” God and man a chance for life on Earth.

He solves the puzzle so fine ...

Our world is in a hurry. Everything must be done quickly.

Everything that is slow may not fit into our world!

A slow car or a computer ... we have enough examples ...

And Joseph distinguishes us here.

Joseph tells us today, there is always a solution for every problem ...

You have to take time for yourself ... to think ...

seek and get Advice and help from God and people...

The evangelist says Joseph “was righteous”.

He saw not only his right but the right of Mary to live further.

He saw not only his problem: he saw the problems of Mary and the child.

He acted just, not just self-righteous!

Joseph is a role model for many of us.

He gave God an important and worthy place in his life.

He listened to God’s Voice. He realized it…

He acted fairly and humanely.

Above all, he says to us silently:

“See the hidden possibilities and chances, behind the problems that seem to be preventing your life.”

We need mature decision ... For God, for men and also for us ...

This will lead us to life, peace and joy.

May this Advent season help us all. May St Joseph intercede for us. Amen!

--

Fr Thomas Kalathil

3rd Advent Sunday – Sermon Thoughts – Mt 11, 2-11

3rd Advent Sunday – Sermon Thoughts – Mt 11, 2-11

In today's Gospel we hear actually an interesting point.

This passage has 3 parts.

First, comes the question of the disciples of John the Baptist.

Then Jesus' answer to it.

Then the (praising) words of Jesus about John.

John sent his disciples with the question, "Are You the promised Messiah?" A question that may question the faith of John?

But we do know he has already recognized Jesus the Messiah, and accepted his greatness ... The Baptism of Jesus, was the sure reference.

Now what about the question: the experts of the Holy Script explain it, as a general question. The people of Israel are in waiting for the "right" savior.

In all the prophets they searched for this Messiah who would liberate them.

They have tried unsuccessfully in John ... but he said precisely that he was not the Messiah ... He was to prepare the way for the Messiah.

Thus came Jesus, then “he must be” the one who saves the people ...

But he does not say anything regarding it...

His activities gave no such hints for it ...

Of course there comes the question: Are you the one? Or should we wait for the right one? And that means, “shall we continue in this slavery"?

We can understand the feelings of the mass to some extent...

Because they suffered from the Romans a lot...

Now the answer of Jesus explains all ...

Many things written in the Psalms and from the prophet Isaiah comes true.

So Jesus clearly "admits" himself as the Messiah.

But unfortunately, People want only wonders ...they are moved the superficial events… they severely lack a deep understanding of the prophecies...

First and foremost the question John is resolved ...

John understands Jesus as the Messiah.

One can say: He confirms it again ... through this passage too.

The question and answer is really for us to awaken our faith ... to increase it to question it again and again…

Is Jesus the Christ? And how?

Is he light in my darkness (of faith)?

Is he a help in my life (path)?

If he is healing for me? How do I feel him?

Can I recognize his voice?

Jesus praises John, because he sees in Jesus the Messiah and welcomes him so. John is blessed because he understands the Messiah not as a political liberator ... Rather, a liberator of the soul ...

Yes, Jesus is the savior, who came to liberate us ...

Not a political freedom of the soul ...

He offers the peace and joy in and with God.

Advent is the time again to address this core issue.

Light, life, healing, joy.... immerse everything in God ...

This should be the supreme discovery of the time ...

This does not mean that we have a life without suffering and burden.

No, God promises us no such life.

But in everything- in sufferings and burdens

we must not leave the “Hand of God”.

He gives us strength and joy to continue to live and go.

On this third Sunday of Advent, we remember it specially,

that we have a God who goes with us ...

who strengthens us, lights our paths and heal our souls.

We are happy about that too…

May His peace and joy be with us. Amen.
--

Fr Thomas Kalathil

Christmas With Jim Reeves

2. Advent Sunday – Mt 3, 1-12 - Sermon Thoughts

2. Advent Sunday – Mt 3, 1-12 - Sermon Thoughts 

We make decisions daily.
Many of them are for our sake. Some decisions are for the others too.

We are also very happy to do the second than the first.

Because decision is not only a passing of opinion,

it is a kind of Judgement too.

And it is easy to judge others as ourselves.

And now for a good decision, one needs time.
Many rapid decisions can be immature most of the time.

Some are used to them too.

Today’s liturgical readings could be understood in this perspective.

The Gospel is conveying it direct and clear.
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”.
It is none other than a strong appeal to take decision on one’s life.
And this decision is not something for the life here, but it exceeds that.
It proceeds to a life – the Life with God in the Eternity.

It is our decision for God and Life: John the Baptist appeals for that.

The readings also points out to some other decisions.
It is not our decisions. They are the decisions of God.

“Axe lies at the root of the tree, winnowing Fan” are some symbols for the decision of God on us.

Also Old Testament describes some decisions of God:

“a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom”

New branch and life in the reading from Isaiah is not a Dream of God, but his decision for our Life. Justice, Faithfulness, Peace…

All these are prepared for us - Some positive and caring decisions of God.

This positive decisions regarding Life, Peace, faithfulness and Justice are the special nature of God’s Kingdom.

And when John appeals for it, it may sound little hard to many:
Not only to us but also for his audience too.
To move the minds of the Pharisees and Sadducees were not a simple task.

These groups in Israel had their positions - in decision making and taking.

They believed and remained in their religious and social decisions.

And John the Baptist preaches in such a society.

Yes, that was “desert”… He cannot expect much fruits there.

Still he appears as the Hermit…
Weak in appearance…But ultra power-packed in the Spirit of the Lord.

He stands there as the Last Prophet, unmoved in his Decision towards God, and his mission.

‘Decision- Taking’ in the religious sense is call to Divine Life.
God has his upper hand in all the decisions.

It is more or less expressed by John the Baptist.

“I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.”

Advent is small period of time to rethink on our lives; on our certain decisions.

It helps us to light a new candle in our life.

It helps us to take new decisions in the Spirit of God.

This must bring more light in our life and in our community;

In our families and Church….and in daily dealings.

May this Advent help us all to decide for God, his Peace and Righteousness.

May it help us to give God his right position in our lives. Amen.

 - Fr Thomas Kalathil

Christmas With Boney M

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