Music for the Lent - Easter Joy

Blessed Easter

Sermon thoughts – Easter – A- 2011 – Mt 28, 1-10

First of all I wish you all a blessed Easter feast. May the risen Christ bless us with his ever extending life.

Dear friends,

most of us have some experience in gardening or planting some trees.

We know that not all the seeds which are sown in the same earth will grow.

It is not then the issue of the earth, it can be the defect of the particular seed.

In order to grow, the seed must have a “potentiality of life” in it.

If the seed has this potentiality, it will be powerful enough even to overcome any obstacle above it.

It can come out of the earth or between stones and thorns.

The resurrection of Jesus gives us the same message of such a potential seed.

He had the life which was not passing.

No cross, no grab could hide or prevent this Power.

Yes, he had the power to break the chains of the Death and decay.

He received this power from God, in the union of the spirit.

Sometimes we have some sleepless nights. We cannot sleep if we are undergoing some strain or stress or when some important decisions are to be met.

I think Jesus also cannot be “inactive” or “simply dead”.

He had to rise.

Then he had to hand over His mission to his friends and apostles.

Because his mission was incomplete.

Or his mission ends or gets alive only with this hand-over of the mission.

Resurrection of Jesus is the celebration of Life.

It is the celebration of the continuing life of the divine nature.

It also reminds us the continuing mission of Jesus,

which is entrusted to us through his disciples.

The risen Lord was a very special and different experience for the disciples.

Then the risen Jesus reawakened their faith which was almost fading out.

The good news that their Lord and Master overcame the sufferings and death, gave them at least some hope at their present frustrating lifetime.

The risen Christ and the various experience with him made them stronger and stronger about their faith. They could slowly recognize the teachings of their Master. They can reconstruct and better understand the “hidden meanings” of the Words of Jesus at his life time with them. Slowly they get enlightened. He is living and his message is life.

Thus Resurrection of Jesus becomes the first and very important step in their later mission.

They grow slowly to the courage to proclaim the Risen Lord:

it prepared them to experience the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The Risen Lord teaches us that His Power is mysterious and inexplicable.

This power was not of Human nature but it was divine.

Resurrection is giving power and hope in our life- not only the disciples of Jesus but also to us.

It assists us especially when we are weak and worn out.

It fills us with new life and Hope.

Let us try to get closer to the mystery of this Easter.

Let it reawaken our faith and hope.

May the Risen Lord bless us all. Amen!

-

Fr Thomas Kalathil

Meditation on the Cross and Suffering of Jesus – 2011 – Good Friday.

We hear a lot on suffering and death.

Cross and death are not nice and pleasant themes to hear.

I ask myself in these days a question:
Should I mourn on the death of Jesus? Should I cry about him?

Then I got an answer for this:
On his death, I must not grieve.

Then comes the next question: What does the Holy Week then mean?
Then the liturgies on Holy Thursday or Good Friday have nothing to be sorrow. I am confused…
Can I say that there is nothing to grieve?
Yes, there is something to mourn and to weep.
But it is not on the death of Jesus.
For he said to the women of Jerusalem:
"Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and your children!" (Luke 23:28)

Then Jesus was aware of his way.
He knew what his end.

Therefore he has no regrets. The suffering and death did not weaken him.

Still his warning is there- for me.
As he said to the women, he says, mourn- because of your sins and mistakes. Because of the debt of my world I should repent. Yes, I have to cry about it. Then I, my world of egoism, crucify him again and again. I have to feel sorrow on that.
His death reminds me of my failures against him: Against my human beings.

The cross remains in our midst as the winner. This is the tree of life.
In the church tree has an important place. For Christmas, we see a Christmas tree ... And now we see the tree of the cross. Again the Christ - tree.
It is the Tree of Life - Tree of Love - the tree of gratitude. It stands on the earth. It looks to the Heavens. In him is life.

Christ is my tree of life. He tells me not to cry. Avoid the “situations” that make you cry and repent. Simply said renounce sin.

He stands as the tree of life and love.
He invites me to be happy and rejoice.

Weep not for me, but seek the will of God ...

He says ... Be a tree ... be alive ... giving possibilities of life.
For that you need to carry your cross.

Do not be a cross of the curse and death to others.
But be a cross of life and blessing.
Do not cry ... rejoice and be happy in Jesus. AMEN!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Puthen Paana - Arnos Paathiri : Sung by: Peter Chorus & Molly

Puthen Paana - Arnos Paathiri : Sung by: Peter Chorus & Molly

Sermon thoughts – Maundy Thursday – Year A

We remember the great incident – Passover in today’s liturgy:

it was the great work of Yahweh for his people - who were undergoing the Egyptian Slavery and cruelties.

We know Passover with out the great leader-figure of Moses is incomplete and impossible. It is he who gathered and guided those scattered people – according to the commands of God- together to the Promised Land.

Passover is not only this certain day of freedom. But it is enclosed with the various mighty works and wonders of Yahweh for the liberation of his people.

Yes, it is the celebration of the powerful victory of God: A victory not only over his “enemies” and “gentiles” but also on his own people. The great wonders were also somehow occasions to convince the wavering tribes of Israel.

The next figure close to Moses we see today, in the readings, is Jesus. We can say he is simply contrary to all the great wonders in the Old Testament. He is doing no great miracles to seize the audience. His works are simple and humble.

Washing of the foot was actually not a great service at all. It was the duty of a “slave” at that time.

Presiding over the table was also not something great in this context. Then Jesus had nothing to claim there. The meeting hall belongs to some one. We don’t know how they arranged the food. Any way we cannot expect a big financial support from Jesus for the same.

And to supply the bread and chalice was normally the duty of the eldest one in the family or in the group (if is a Passover-Meal). May be Jesus breaks the rule again for the last time?

There is in any matter nothing great to be claimed. But Jesus and his actions are commemorated at large than that of Moses or any other Old Testament figures. Why?

There is only one answer for it. Jesus did it with great love…

There is no God Figure who was so close to the man as Jesus was.

There is no God who was so down to earth to serve his fellow beings.

Yes, what he did was simple things, but the great streams of love towards his heavenly father and for the needy men and women surrounding him, made his works great. All his deeds were divinely sealed and they became lively and living to the generations. This power of love gave life to the dead, sight to the blind, strength to the weak and crippled, food for the hungry….

Passover of Jesus becomes great in this factor.

There are several theological and historical discussions regarding the day of the celebration, whether it was a Thursday or Wednesday, whether it was a normal gathering at table before the Passover feast or it was the Passover meal…

My dear friends, I would say, there is nothing serious at all.

It is not the day or the historical correctness that makes Jesus important in this world. It is his Mission and Vision.

His life and living message is important than any minor or major details and theological correctness.

Jesus is important for me and you, only because he loved the world so much as nobody loved. He loved not only his contemporary but his love leads to me and to you. It goes back to the history too. Then he was before “Abraham”. Yes, his love will go beyond time and space and cultures and languages.

Then his message is love and life.

He gives the message, that god is active and living. He is not a visitor on a Passover day. He is more than that a living experience in my life. He is living through my actions and words. The service of Jesus – washing of the foot and breaking the bread - to the disciples becomes a sign and symbol for my daily life. I am partaking in his Passover with my humble service to the humans- by opening the opportunities of caring and life-giving love.

Let us not miss the great chances of our life. They may be so simple and humble works. But let us do them with great love and dedication.

Let it change my life, my family, my community and my world:

That is the message of Jesus for me and you in this Passover.

Let the Angel of God pass over our lives.

Let him annihilate what is unnecessary in my life.

Let him replace a loving and caring heart and a God-trusting faith.

Let us not seek the special and extraordinary works, but fulfil our simple missions in love. May God bless us all with his love. Amen!

--

Fr Thomas Kalathil

Music for the Lent - Holy Week

Sermon Thoughts - Palm Sunday – Year A

We are entering in to the Holy Week. The seven days starting and ending in Celebrations and joy. “Hossana in the highest” – the crowd welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem with such expectation and pleasure.

Jesus is also enjoying the celebrations, not because he likes it; but he knows he is around his aim. He was like a pilgrim who, after a tiresome journey, comes to his end station.

We too experience this once in a while in our lives.

It can be the nearing of an expected holiday, or a pleasure trip, or some visits, or even the results of some exams….

Yes, one who is well prepared for it has no fear at all…

Jesus seems to be - no he was - well prepared. These days in Jerusalem and the Hossana and Crowd was not pleasure-giving one for Jesus, but his feeling, that the days are so near;

the days to show his great love and dedication for human -

even in their resignation and denials and betrays….

He was well prepared for the various experiences that are to come…

And the great achievement behind these days was his motivation.

These are days, actually, to rejoice in the Lord.

We should not be carried by emotions and feelings of Jesus death and sufferings. It is all there, but it only a part of his glory.

If we are remaining under the crosses and pains, it shows,

our lent is not yet fruitful at all.

Then the Holy week ends not in the crucifixion and grave.

But it leads to the resurrection.

Here in this Palm Sunday we are entering in to the mysteries of Jesus deeply.

It is guiding us from Joy to Joy through the sufferings.

It teaches the great natural truth: there is no joy without pain.

Let us praise Jesus not only with our lips but also with our hearts.

May these days lead us to the real joy in God. Amen!

-

Fr Thomas Kalathil

Music for the Lent -Week 5

Listen Some more songs in this 5th Week of Lent:

Sermon Thoughts – 5th Sunday in Lent (Jn. 11, 1-45)

”There is no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends” -
We read in John 15, 13 and that was the life-conviction of Jesus.
From this conviction, Jesus speaks today, come “let us go to Judea.”
Jesus did anticipate more than his disciples, that the Jews wanted to stone him. He knew the expected risk in Judea.
But the friendship, the love for Lazarus and in particular the urge to complete his mission was stronger. He also knew he could not change his end.

Lazarus of Bethany was a good friend of Jesus. His illness and death is at first a personal worry for him then another instance to show the faith in God.
We see a certain repetition of the message that we have heard on the last Sunday too: Disease and death is no cause to complain against God or lose faith in Him, but are ways to glorify God. Such repeated activities of Jesus had only one goal. To male People especially his disciples vigilant on His mission and objectives!

We see faith - at least not on the side of Lazarus, but by his sisters. We can discuss whether their faith in Jesus, really strong or not strong was. Any how they had some trust in Jesus. Now Jesus accepts their trust and acknowledges them with his presence and then through his miracle.

My friends,
we experience every day different situations of trails and sorrows.
Some can separate us from God: some can bring us in doubt.
Today's Gospel is surely a help for us, for such people who can no longer trust in God. It can help us to carry our heavy loads.

We need simply a trust or a deep friendly relationship with Him.
Our faith should be at least “as large” as a small mustard seed.
This can work wonderfully as the sisters of Lazarus enjoyed the fruits of their faith. Jesus surely recognizes that trust.

One sentence in this Gospel is important:
”Take away the stone” that is the only command of Jesus.
Yes, there are many stones in front of our relationship with God.
These hinder our faith.

Are we ready to discard them,
and then we come in contact with God.
Then we can listen His words.
Then we can come to His light and life.

”Lazarus miracle” has to happen in all people, in me and in you.

It is simply the friendly and lively meeting of God's love and faith.
Such encounters of God will lead us to life.

If we confess Jesus as our guardian and guide and friend,
then we say that we are immortal ... we are strong, we got the power.

Let us experience God closer and friendlier in this time of Lent.
God bless us all. Amen!
--
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Way of the Cross - Kurisil Marichavane (Fr Abel CMI)

Have a blessed Lent

Music for the Lent -Week 4

Listen Some more songs in this 4th Week of Lent:

Sermon Thoughts – 4th Sunday in Lent – A - (John 9, 1 - 41)

In the healing of the blind we hear the question: Who sinned?
To be sick by birth was a sign of God's punishment in Judaism or generally in the eastern religions. Not only disease, but some unexpected “disasters” are also counted among them. And many believe that still.

Recently I have read, some Christians explaining the events in Japan - the tsunami and the nuclear disaster - or war and unrest in some countries in this manner. The suffering of many people is interpreted as God's punishment and as a sign of the end of the world. Many are still looking for a cause - "who has sinned."

Can it really be so? It is clear that mankind is doing much against the order of nature created by God. But is every disaster really coming from God? In know it's certainly a complicated question.

One thing we can understand from today's Gospel:
Jesus takes distance from such theories.
He is not going in search of the “cause”.
He teaches us to think and act - differently today.
For Jesus, disease or suffering is not an opportunity to separate people from God. But he understands their needs (especially the comfort of God, when people are denying it) and uses it as an occasion for the glorification of God.
God is not the cause of certain disease. But he can really heal them.
This is the teaching of Jesus.

Why are we looking again and again a "Scapegoat"?
The Jews celebrates a ritual every year- the Day of Atonement.
„And putting both hands upon his (goat’s) head, let him (Aaron) confess all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their offences and sins: and praying that they may light on his (goat’s) head, he (Aaron) shall turn him (goat) out, by a man ready for it, into the desert. “ So we read in book of Leviticus 16, 21.

Many are fashioned like this. I think here in the gospel, we see this mentality. Not only then but even today we often seek a "scapegoat".
But the most important task is forgotten, that is shown by Jesus. Namely, we should help each other. They refused to do good. They refuse even a good action by Jesus. The neighbours and the Pharisees in the Gospel represent a certain kind of people, our world.

Jesus will bring the Good News.
The opposing opinions and criticism do not make him tired.
He seeks and finds God's will.
Here it is the healing of blind man.
Therefore Jesus was a prophet for the healed Man, as Jesus was courageous. His logic is sound and correct, because he experienced Jesus and his salvation personally.

Jesus brings before us so many questions, especially during this Lent.

What do we do? What do we prevent?
Are our activities and thoughts positive and encouraging?
Do we strive to help people in need?
Or do we seek a “cause” for their suffering and we explain it as punishment from God - punishment for their lives?
Are we avoiding these people?

Lent is an invitation to be more and more human.
This is the Good News of Jesus for us.
In humanity, we recognize not only people but also our God, closer and deeper ... as merciful Father ... as the healer and Saviour.

Let's try to be positive and helping in our thoughts and actions.
That should be our special goal in this 4th Week of Lent (Laetare).
This should give us the real "joy".
May God the Father of Mercy bless us all and be close to us. Amen.
--
Fr Thomas Kalathil