A Candle Prayer for "DAAMINI" - Delhi Gang-Rape-Victim

Our Prayers and Apologies... We Indians take the oath daily in the School, that "All Indians are my BROTHERS and SISTERS...." at least for 10 Years.... Still we don't understand the meaning of these words... We are Sorry dear Sisters...

Sermon thoughts- Holy Family – C – Lk 2, 41-52

There are often different reports on ‘family’ in the Media. There were reports on family and career. There were reports on some demographics issues too. Childbearing is for some modern partners increasingly unattractive, wrote a newspaper last week. There were discussions about the adoption rights of gay / Lesbian couples... Yes, in Europe we read a lot about families and its issues. In this context, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family in the Church. - Here is some short note about the history of this feast: the Church started this feast after the First World War in response to the disruption of the families that happened since the industrial revolution. The intention of the Church was to strengthen the values of the family life. I think the family life is threatened even in our time just as (or more than?) the past - in different ways. So to celebrate this feast is important for us. ...read more...
-- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Wish you all a Blessed and Happy Christmas

Dear friends..wish you all a Blessed and Happy Christmas !

25th December – Christmas - Day – John 1, 1-18

Christmas is the birth of Jesus. On this day - in the Gospel of John - we hear, not about the birth of Jesus but more on the theological aspect of Jesus and also on his relative, John the Baptist. We know from our experience that Birth is not some stable and stagnant happening. It is a Process. We know a birth has different stages and process. And this does not end by the birth. It is only another stage of life. It continues. The child grows, learns to speak, tries to move around, and becomes grownup. For me, the Gospel is not the limited narration of the birth of Jesus that is happening in the manger or some other narrations in Bethlehem like the pleasant presence of Angels or the visitors like Shepherds and wise men. The Church tries to teach us that this happening of Birth is a process. A process, which has its growth. It is a growth in the faith. Just as John the Baptist became witness to the light - that is Jesus- we are also growing to the mysteries of God and His Presence. It makes us Children of God and Heirs and successors. It is a growth to understand and be responsible for the tasks and duties as the children of God. ...read more...
--Fr Thomas Kalathil

25th Dec.- Lk 2, 1-14 – C- The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), Vigil –Sermon thoughts

“Merry Christmas”, “Happy Christmas”, “Blessed Christmas” “reflective” Christmas: On Christmas we use such words. Listening to the Gospel will give us another impression: it was not such a merry, happy, reflective day for the parents of Jesus. But it was still a Blessed day, as they could accept the day and the new born baby as a blessing. So the day became a happy, merry, and reflective day not only to them, but to the whole world. The Gospel passage begins with the order of the Caesar- to enrol the people. It was for the administration, for a better census and understanding of the groups of people in the territory, for tax collection and planning of the development of the kingdom. Whether this administration was effective, is a question. People were unsatisfied because of corruption and slavery and were afraid of their leaders. Freedom was the dream of the people. This caused to the extreme groups like Zealots in Palestine. The angels are proclaiming this peace, which was missing for the common, to all. A Freedom, which was really the dream of all the Israelites. ...read more...
-- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 4th Advent C – Mi 5, 1-4a, Lk 1, 39-45

‘Option for the Poor’– this term was great and revolutionary in the recent history of the church in 20th century. The disputed and vast discussed Liberation theology had its background in this context. Last Pope Blessed John Paul II wrote in his Encyclical Letter, ‘Centesimus annus’ Nr 57: “As far as the Church is concerned, the social message of the Gospel must not be considered a theory, but above all else a basis and a motivation for action. Inspired by this message, some of the first Christians distributed their goods to the poor, bearing witness to the fact that, despite different social origins, it was possible for people to live together in peace and harmony.” Our present Pope Benedict XVI also gives due priority to this inevitable theme. “The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the Sacraments and the Word“. So teaches Pp Benedict XVI in his Encyclical letter ‘Deus Caritas Est’, 22. .....read more....
- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - 3rd Sunday in Advent – Gaudete Lk 3, 10-18

The third Sunday in Advent has a special name: it is called “Gaudete” – It means Rejoice… When we are in the Lent there we hear such a term called “Laetare” which means also Rejoice. What does these mean actually? It is a special note on the coming Feast and its happiness. Because, we know each expectation for a celebration brings in us certain Joy. The Church invokes us to make preparations for this soon coming happiness. The third Sunday of the Advent brings us some joyful texts from the Holy Bible of course. In the First Reading we hear the words of the Prophet Zephaniah. Even though the third chapter of Zephaniah begins with the punishment announcements to Jerusalem, this ends with the positive and rejoicing text. In the text today we hear repeatedly the call to be happy and joyful. The reasons are clear: 1. The LORD has removed the judgment. 2....more...
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - Second Sunday of Advent - C - Lk 3, 1-6

Today's Gospel passage from Luke's Gospel is a narration about the beginning of John the Baptist’s preaching. But is that all? Do these words say nothing more than this? Yes we can find some images of contrasts here. At first, we hear about...more...
- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – Christ the King – B (Jn 18, 33b-37)

“When you are a King, what will you do?” If we ask this question to some people we may get different answers. If it is asked to some children, then they may say; “I will make this world so beautiful; will supply sweets and such foods to all for free; will give every one some presents; …” Some teenagers will be answering differently: They can be; “I will give freedom to all, possibilities for free travels and enjoyments will close all the schools and tough teachers…” Some elderly and matured people may have other answers: “I will give job to every one. There will be none without a home. I will distribute enough money and living materials for all. I will peace on the earth”… Yes, to be a King means to keep all such things and more under control. Some one who cannot do that will not be accepted as a good / great Ruler.read more...
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – B (Lk 13, 24-32, Dan 12, 1-3)

The number 13 is not a lucky number at least in some countries. Some avoid this number even in their Hotel rooms. So there will be room number 12 and the next will be 14. There is also a Phobia called “Triskaidekaphobia“ – the fear of number 13. The 13th chapter in Mark is not a good one in comparison with other chapters. It is all about the end of the world, the final Judgement and so on. But it is not a bad chapter completely. We will see the reasons later on. Now when we analyse the readings, the first and third readings have something in common. It is all about the final days. Of course as humans we have certain fear and curiosity regarding the end of the world and end of life. The many science fiction films on apocalypse and end of the world show our varied imagination of this. ...Read more...

Sermon Thoughts – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary time – B (Mk 12, 38-44)

We see Jesus mentions two kinds of people in the Gospel today. At first it is the scribes. Now, who were these scribes? They were learned people. They were the professional interpreters of the Law – that is given in the Torah - in the Jewish synagogues even at the time of Jesus. They were considered as the so considered to the ‘upper class Jews’ just as Priests or some Pharisees and Sadducees. So they were respected and accepted by the public. They had an accepted dress code too- their special long coats. But what is wrong in these? Jesus has his clarification for the accusations against them. It is not because of these external matters. But it is because they used all these status and intellectual capacities and abilities only for their own praise and glory. For Jesus this was not according to their call. Their used their long clothes for public attention. They aimed their self advance, loved and fond of applause; they expected salutations in the marketplaces, and presidential seats in the synagogues, and special places during feasts; they loved all these vain fancies and counted them as their popularity. read more...--
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - B - (Mk 12, 28b-34)

Are all Indians computer experts? No… Are all Germans Nazis? No… Are all Muslims, terrorists? No… All Jews are bad people? No… We cannot judge people, in the light of some particular incident. Today's Gospel passage gives us this message. Normally, the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes had no friendship with Jesus. But there are still exceptions just as in the Gospel we see a Scribe, who was friendly and understanding. The Gospel gives him these attributes. In order to understand it we need to have a look at the previous passage of today’s gospelread more...-- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thought - All Souls Day – Nov. 2 – B- 2012

Most of us have experienced some funerals. Or some of us may be mourning over our dead. But it is essential that we must say goodbye to a person whom we like much. Although we believe in God and the resurrection of the dead, we are sad in a farewell normally as we lose someone who loved us or whom we loved. This person is no longer here alive with us and this feeling of loss wins often our faith in the resurrection. I’d say it is quite normal. Today we are in this church and later we will visit the cemetery read more...-- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thought - All Saints - 2012

Today we celebrate the feast of all Saints. We do not know all these saints in the Church. But by hearing this word, ‘Saints’, we usually associate with our patron Saints or patrons of the churches or popular saints like Francis Assisi, Teresa of Infant Jesus or St. Anthony of Padua, St. George, St. Hildegard, St. Elisabeth or even to some places of pilgrimage. On this day I want to deal with three questions: My first question is who are these Saints? We can explain it as easy: saints are those read more...
Fr Thomas Kalathil

30th Sunday in Ordinary time – B (Mission Sunday) – Mk 10, 46b-52

Some people are hesitant in helping others. They ask whether we should help others as we don’t know them. Or some are doubtful of the help itself. They claim, by helping, we are spoiling them. There are so many different opinions regarding helping others. Let me explain it through a small story. There was a young bird which was tied up to a branch. It tried to get free from the tie but was unsuccessful. As it was feeling tired, there came another bird and encouraged it by good ‘words’ and motivated it to do more for the freedom’. The young bird felt a special power in the presence of the other bird. It tried with its full energy and got freed from the tie. read more...

Sermon thoughts - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B (Mk 10, 35-45)

Most of us like to be at first or at least like to be placed or counted equal to others. We can see this mentality once you are in a queue before a theatre to buy a ticket or to pay the bills in a shopping mall… normally we won’t allow others to overtake us. John and James were smart: they had the name the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3,17). We read in Lk 9, 51-56 that Jesus was rejected by a Samaritan village and John and James ask our lord to “tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them “, which was rebuked by Jesus. This show their blind love to Jesus. read more...
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Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time B – Mk 10, 17-30

The Gospel of this Sunday is in the form of dialogue. A young man runs to Jesus very dramatically. He should be in some emergency – this is the first impression we get from his action. To the next step he addresses Jesus as the ‘Good Master’. Jesus is not at all appreciating this addressing. He expresses his dislike by saying: only God alone is good. Jesus wants to avoid possible conflicts with the Jews, by placing himself equal to the goodness God. The further dialogues shows that the young man really wants something – to inherit the Eternal Life. He is in need of this as, his observations of laws and rituals are not giving him complete joy and peace. Jesus has only one thing to advice the young man: if he wants to be complete, then he has to submit his life totally to God. read more...

- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B – Mk 10, 2-16

As children we have learned the Ten Commandments and there we learned: “you shall not commit adultery”. As children this commandment was not applicable for us, but when one reaches maturity and begins a family life, this small sentence becomes a serious rule in our life. The readings of this Sunday deals with the seriousness of this theme of Marriage and its divine nature… Disputes on this life style are seen not only in the scriptures but also in our modern life too. In this sense, we have to understand the readings well.read more...

Sermon Thoughts – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B (Mk 9, 38-43.47-48)

The readings of this Sunday have a common nature even the contexts and persons are different. It is all about to be tolerant in our life; be open and acceptable to others’ goodness. More over it instructs us to deal not in the human temperament and according to human judgements, but to see and realize everything in the Divine Wisdom. When we reconstruct the first reading again, we will see here a very considering and tolerant Person in Moses. We should not forget that Moses is well known for his short temper and angry. This caused his flight from Pharaoh: this anger against Yahweh caused him even the Promised Land. To the normal behaviour, Moses had to be angry against the two men who remained in the tent. more...

Sermon thoughts - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B – Jn 6, 24-35

There are so many people who question the existence of God or divine presence in the Universe. It is not something modern. Such questions and answers to these questions made the philosophy alive.

But there is a truth: God and his Existence cannot be fully proved in discussions. God’s existence or absence cannot be proved in modern labs.
This mystery cannot be proved scientifically. That is why there are so many discussions on God even in our present time. This will never end.

Questions on God’s Prove never ends: the Gospel passage of this Sunday underlines this truth.

We are impressed in the interest of the People as they seek for Jesus. But this positive impression is not that much lasting. Then they ask Jesus again for another wonder…
If we go back to the previous chapters in John, we see that Jesus works some others wonders. In 4, 53 we read that Jesus heals and gives life to a boy, even without his presence. Then the 5th chapter begins with the healing of a paralysed man on Sabbath. On last Sunday we heard the multiplication of the loaves and fish. This is from the 6th chapter of John. The gospel passage is the continuation of these wonders.
That means these people were witnessing all these wonders of Jesus.
And now they ask for another sign, so that they may believe in the Divinity of Jesus.
Jesus knew it is not possible; then if he performs a wonder, they would ask for another wonder.

But he asserts that there is only one sign that can lead them to God.
That is the sign and miracle of Jesus himself.

When we analyse the signs in the multiplication of loaves we see the sign of Bread and Fish: both represent Jesus. It also denotes about the Eucharistic Wonder to certain level.

Yes, my friends,
The life of Jesus is the greatest sign and miracle that has to help our faith.
There is no greater sign and “name” under the heaven as of Jesus.
He wants to assert it with all his teachings this truth. But the people around him cannot accept it. They are really taken by the wonderful experiences and not entering to the real mysteries, which is disappointing.

We can ask so many questions; we can question any statements and creeds of faith: there can be no limits for that.
But recognizing the mysteries is much greater.

We may remember the words of St Augustine:
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”

These words are supporting the gospel passage of this Sunday.
We have a restless life still we reach the real aim;
The aim is the unmovable faith in Jesus.
We should be able to realize Jesus as the greatest sign in our life.
All other signs and wonders come under Him.

This faith will answer all our questions of life.
It will reveal more mysteries…

Let us not look for the small signs and wonder, but let them take us to the origin of all wonders - to God through Jesus our Christ.

May this faith give us peace and blessings that may last for ever. Amen!

--Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – 17th Sunday in Ordinary time - B – Jn 6, 1-15

Wonders or super natural happenings: they attract every human being.
Almost all of us will ask some questions like
“how it happens?”, “how can it happen?”…
We name many such happenings in our lives as “wonders” or “miracles” too.
For Example if some one who was seriously sick gets healed and starts a normal life or if some one changes his/her attitudes and behaviour all on a sudden or if some unexpected things happen, then we categorize them all as “wonder/ miracle”.

Last week I read two such news from India.
From Delhi it was reported that,
Tears of blood rolled down the statue of Mother Mary.
Also there was news from Mumbai that “a crucifix was sweating”.
In both cases, people were coming to these places without any control at all.
We hear much news on such unnatural incidents.
And we see people gather there to watch them:
some come under faith and some other just to dispute.
I was trying to say that, where there some unnatural things happen, people gather automatically and speak and spread them as “miracle”.
It is a truth that many of such “miracles” have very small span of existence.

The Gospel too describes some miracles- which are more genuine and have authority. Because, the performer of these wonders is the Son of God himself. We notice that Jesus gets more audience, because of his wonders.
These happenings attract them as they are unnatural – these are wonders for those who have faith in Jesus.

Some of the actions of Jesus are reminding them of their old prophets.
In that manner Jesus is considered as a prophet or even as a reincarnated prophet. There were some others, who were expecting a ‘messiah’ who will free them politically; they felt in Jesus their political idol who could free them from their long slavery and also provide them a joyous and effortless life. And these people are trying to make him King of Israel…such are the people gathered around Jesus…


But Jesus is doing the miracles with some special intention.
He wanted to get people around him, not for his fame or position or power, but to proclaim the goodness of God, greatness and authority of God.
His aim was to raise their hunger and thirst for justice and peace;
faith and goodness and such human and divine values.
And the ultimate goal Jesus had was the change of their lives and life styles.

Yes, the healings, the feeding of the hungry, the rising of the dead…
all such wonders of Jesus in the Gospel had only one aim.
To draw these people – also me and you- to the faith and power of God.
The next step of this faith is some thing great: any one who lives according to this faith will be the living sign and wonder of God.

That means Jesus wants us to return to our original nature.
Then we are all created in the image of God.
This is the life filled with the Divine Grace and authority.
This is the life in the Kingdom of God.

Wonders and signs are not for miracles sake;
they are to change us and keep as the children of God.

We can work wonders from our human level.
As the children of God we have the authority and mission to do small wonders in our life.
We can perform them by helping the needy; by feeding the hungry;
by being merciful to others…Yes there are so many ways to work wonders and proclaim the divine love towards the world.
Yes, we can be the wonders of God by realizing and acting according to the will and glory of God.

My friends,
Jesus’ wonders have such greater inner meanings and applications in our daily life. Let us make use of our time and opportunities of our lives to be the Wonders and Signs of God.
God Bless us all to be his living wonders. Amen!

--Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts -16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B – Mk 6, 30-34

“Mens sana in corpore sano”(a sound mind in a healthy body). This centuries old wisdom says one need a balanced life of both healthy body and Soul; balance of both physical and spiritual health.

Jesus is following this method. We see at least the attempt for a balanced life in the Gospel. Jesus is proposing his disciples to take rest.
Then the apostles were just back from their first big mission. Jesus knew that they were weak after this mission. So he tells them to move to the other side in order to take rest.
We see in the Gospel that this attempt is not fully accomplished, as people gathered around them. Jesus has compassion for them and is remaining with the people, teaching them.

Still the thought to take rest is worth discussing, especially in a world where people are so busy with many things in their live and find less time for rest and relax. What is the role of rest and relaxation in the spiritual life?
Do we need to work 24 Hours a day; 7 days a week and 365 days in a year?

Jesus’ Gospel asserts that each one needs rest according to his work.
It is not to keep people lazy but to acquire enough power for their next mission.

We see this thought in the creation narrations in the first chapters of the Scripture. God worked 6 days and took a day rest. 6 days represents not only the week days, but the engaged working days of each one. The concept of Sabbath as the day of rest has not only its religious meaning and means but also a natural and physical character too.

This concept of rest should be a healthy and balanced one.
That is the message we get in the readings of this Sunday.
Then we hear not only about the working and weak apostles.
The first reading (Jeremiah 23, 1-6) gives another picture of lazy shepherds of Israel. They were not caring and faithful pastors. They were easygoing and looking for their own happiness alone. God is promising a right shepherd – the lord of Justice - who will save the Israel.


Through these two contrast pictures of the lazy shepherds and hardworking, weak but compassionate Jesus, the Church tells us to have a balanced life.
One should work for his life, for his family, for his children, for his community, for his country and for the good of others.
But one should not be workaholic.

There are so many people who are so engaged in their lives;
they work 7 days a week. They don’t have time to visit church.
They have no time to spend with their family, partner, children, parents or friends.
This will slowly ruin their health – both physically and mentally.
This will not give them satisfaction in their life.
Because money and business are their aim. Who can put a limit in these matters? The truth is, in the search of such things, they miss many other great values such as to be with God, to be with the family and so on. Yes, many lack the balance in their lives.

Jesus gives us a very balanced example to follow.
Even though he was some times forced to do some works in the cost of his rest, he advices us to have time for ourselves.
Time to rest means time to regenerate us,
time to find our energy for the further works.
It is the time of “Recreation”; being a “new creation”.

We are having various ways to regenerate. Some do it by travelling distant areas, some by reading books, some by visiting friends and family, some by doing nothing…
The methods can vary, but the ultimate aim is to be fit and fresh for the next work.

Gospel questions us, how we make use of our free time, our time to rest and to regenerate. Do we find a balanced use of time in our lives? May this vacation time gives us a balanced experience and a fresh mind and Body. God Bless us all to make use of the time given by Him. Amen!

--Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B – Mk 6, 7-13

Jesus is very caring and loving in nature. But is it fully right?
‘The Mission is very hard and the call to it is rigid.’ This is the impression that we get from today’s Gospel Passage. And Jesus is very strict in this mission.
Our first reaction towards the Apostles will be, “Poor Fellows”…then they were simply sent for their mission. There is nothing to assist them, except their walking stick. Is that all? No, there are two more great gifts from Jesus: First of all the companionship, then they were sent not alone but two by two.
More over Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits.
Jesus knew these are enough for them in their mission: the Communion among them and one another and the Blessing of God can work wonders.

This rigidity in the mission has some more meanings:

1. The apostles were strictly prohibited to take some thing for their life. He is teaching them some great lesson through this action: to trust in the people, to whom they are sent. To trust them positively, that their preaching will be accepted first. And their labour will be paid according to their necessity in terms of Food, shelter, money, clothing and more…

2. The second lesson they are to learn in this mission is the Rejection and refusal. This is some thing future oriented. They must learn that the Gospel is not always and everywhere well accepted and welcomed. It is a reality. Even Jesus himself experienced this rejection in his home town (remind Last Week’s Gospel) and from his own people. Cross and death is the culmination of this rejection. But nothing reduced his spirit in the preaching.
Jesus is training them, through experience. They will learn that, all preaching may not bring repentance and followers. But they can expect the rejection at any time and anywhere.

3. They are having a fruitful preaching, even without the so called “necessary materials of life”, such as food, shelter, money and clothing. The commonsense of the apostles will tell them, there is something great that they have. It is the Blessing of God. It is the authority and power given by Jesus. It is greater than anything. They will surely give glory to God and will trust in the Divine Power than any human power.

Yes, Jesus is teaching them through their own experience. He is providing them chance to realize what is necessary and what is not.

We have so many examples before us, who lived this Gospel and proved it true.

The great St Francis of Assisi, who accepted his mission of “Rebuilding the Church”, had a life of poverty and simplicity.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the promoter of Love and Peace started her great mission in India with no great capital.

Our then - Bishop Late Dr Joseph Kureethara used to tell us seminarians, that he started many of his ventures as adventures and he had only one capital – it was the Divine Providence.

Yes, we can meet so many faithful in our daily life, who trust in the Divine Providence.
Jesus is asserting this same faith in his followers.

He tells us preaching, being God’s Witness is not some easy. It is some thing risky. It wants from us the trust in Men, trust in oneself, and great trust in the providence of God.

Let us try to be the Witness of God by trusting and loving each other, by being open to the rejections and risks in our life, and more over trusting and dedicating everything in the Divine Providence.

May the caring and loving God Bless us all in this Mission. Amen!

--
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – 14th Sunday in Ordinary time – B – Mk 6, 1b -6

It is a truth that we enjoy the unique beauty of our nature.
When the weather is fine, we go for a walk. Such walks give us very good impressions of the nature.
Some times we see beautiful flowers, growing among other weeds and plants and wonder on their beauty. We appreciate and consider its growth in such an atmosphere positive and seldom criticize the weeds and other plants nearby.

Yes, we are often generous in such matters, because we have a good and generous heart.

But many a times this tolerance and generosity towards our nature and other living beings are not shown to a human being, to our neighbour. We criticize them in their weakness early and faster; we come to some conclusions without realizing the real background of these people…

The Gospel of this Sunday gives us such a narration, mixed with both positive and negative remarks.
It happens in the home town of Jesus.
The first part is ok. We hear that Jesus teaches in the Synagogue and people wonders on his wisdom.

But then comes the real issue.
The people in the home town of Jesus were seeing only the son of a carpenter in Jesus. Yes, they fail here. The openness with which they astonished on his teachings is missing in this part. They are rigid in their prejudice that, the son of a carpenter must remain a carpenter only. He is not supposed to be a prophet…

Here they are producing the contra effect of the proclamation.
They take offence in the teaching, rather than believing in him.
(Jesus’ proclamation was also not that fruitful. Even he couldn’t convince his own people.)

But they are deliberately forgetting their history: many of the great figures in their history were born and lived a normal. Moses had an unsafe and bad childhood; David the great king was a simple shepherd.

Take the case of any other personalities in the Old testament such as Jeremiah, Gideon…they were not having some glorious childhood or youth. Their lives after their call made them great.

Jesus was a carpenter. He cannot change that. He also was proud to be a worker.
But his works were not only of a carpenter.
The people around him had enough testimonials to believe in the extra ordinary power of Jesus.
But sadly, these are not leading them to faith, but to a painful rejection.

But it is a loss for them alone. Then they miss the wonders of Jesus.
And the Gospel narrates nothing more positive about them. Nazareth gets glory and fame, not because they believed in Jesus, but only by the presence of Jesus.

The experience of Jesus narrated in the Gospel is a message for our life in the present time:
It teaches, accepting the goodness of others is a great gift.
We must be able to see the good qualities and sides of others.
We have to promote the goodness more than their demerits.
This will increase our human relations positively.
This will help us to trust one another.
Yes, this is one of the many great Keys to the future world in peace.

Rejection of these may cause a big loss in our life.
The great feeling of God, goodness, friendship and healing will be strange to us.

Let us cultivate the new culture of trusting others. Let us promote and encourage the goodness in others. Let the world be filled with peace and friendship and all the more be blessed with the presence of the Goodness of our God. God bless us all. Amen!
--
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 13th Sunday – B - Mk 5, 21-43

We know Gospel is called Good News, as it brings generally positive messages. The Gospel passage of this Sunday is also Good News in that way, as Jesus heals two people; two women: one is old the other is child.
Yes, being healed or getting life after death is a great thing. And there is no doubt; these are good news for many.

Among these good news, there are some bad news too.
Let us take the crowd in consideration.
There are too many followers surrounding Jesus.
Many were so close to Jesus, so many were touching Jesus.
But none of them, yes even the closest followers were not feeling the power of Jesus. The counter question proves that.

Why couldn’t they feel that power of Jesus?
Was it the problem of Jesus?
No. It was not his problem. His power was for all. We should redefine the “all” here following: “all those who really looking for the healing power of Jesus”.
Many were just “audience” and were moved by the many signs of Jesus.
They moved with him only to see these signs.
They were moved externally only.
They touched and were near to Jesus in the external sense only, but lacked the openness to receive the power of Jesus.
Only this one woman had the external and spiritual openness to receive the Power of Jesus to her life, because she had deep faith in Jesus.

Now let us study these two healed people.
One was a woman and the other a girl-child. Women, Girl, Child: all these were not much considered in that Jewish community. (The present situations in many oriental countries are not much better.) They had not much power in their social lives. Yes, both of healed persons in the gospel represent the weak and rejected group. Jesus is considering their powerlessness.
No, he is really accepting their power in faith. This is the great and Good News!


Now let us look at their physical state: the woman had a ‘lifelong’ bleeding: The child was dead as Jesus reached the home of Jairus. The scripture tells us Jews used Blood of the animals as offering and used it for purification of altar and people in their worship. But contact to the bleeding women or injured person will make one unclean! (What a paradox!)

Gospel is actually saying,
according to the Jewish customs,
Jesus becomes unclean by being touched by this woman;
by touching the dead child.
But how can an “unclean” person heal someone, give life to the dead?
Through these actions Jesus is criticizing the customs and practices of the people in a way. He proves, the purity remains in the heart mainly; and not only in the external matters.
He is challenging them to realize the human needs.
Jesus really understands the necessity of the people.
He was able to realize their inner dispositions.
That was a great gift, Jesus had.

My dear friends,
Jesus was followed by many.
But only some people could really touch the core of Jesus.

Many were around him as his ‘followers’. But he only chose 72 people to proclaim his Kingdom of God. And from them he chose again 12 as his Apostles. And even then one of them didn’t reach his target – Judas Iscariot.

The Gospel questions our many customs and practices too.
The Gospel and Jesus are saying very obviously being in the group will not heal you. Faith is not something only to demonstrate.
It is meaningless if one fail to live it in the spirit, in the fullness.

Are we simply the crowd around Jesus? Just following the external signs and fulfilling the customs only? Or can we say in heart that we are really following him. We may be weak to fulfil every Word of God, but remember Jesus decided for the weak and needy and helped them. God bless us to remain humble and remain with him and feel his powerful touch in our lives. Amen!

--Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – 24th June - The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist – B

Today we celebrate the birth of the great NT Prophet John the Baptist.

It was really interesting for me to observe some readings of this week;
because in this 11th Week, the Church was exposing some of the prophets.

Tuesday’s reading was from the 1st Kings 21:17-29.
It was on the Prophet Elijah.
He was sent to the King Ahab, to proclaim the (Punishment) Message of the Lord - “I am bringing evil upon you” - as he murdered Naboth and took possession of his vineyard.
We see there that Ahab repents and gets the mercy of the Lord.

The Wednesday’s reading from the 2 Kings 2:1.6-14 was about the Prophets Elijah and his follower Elisha. Elisha follows Elijah- his master, with immense faith and gets the power of his master.

The Thursday’s reading from Sirach 48:1-15, is a Praise of the Prophet Elijah, the one who “by God's word shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire“ …“brought a dead man back to life … by the will of the LORD”

The Saturday’s reading from 2nd Chronicles 24:17-25 tells about the Prophet Zechariah, against whom the people of Israel conspired and stoned to death at the king's order in the court of the LORD'S temple.

Today, (in this Saturday evening Mass)
we hear on the call of Jeremiah (Jer 1, 4-10).
His reply to the call is very genuine. “I am a child”.
The figure of speech - ‘Child’ corresponds not only the age,
but it denotes also the state of understanding the divine will.
We see here the God, who motivates Jeremiah, telling:
“I have chosen you before your birth.”
“I blessed you in your mother’s womb…”
These positive words of God strengthen Jeremiah.

Almost the same message is heard about the great prophet Isaiah (49, 1) on Sunday’s (Day liturgy) reading: “The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name“
Also the Gospel passages (Evening & Day) of the liturgy
are about the birth and call of John the Baptist.

What is common in all these Prophets?
Or what made them Prophets?

We will say with out a second thought, that
A Prophet is always labelled as criticizer.
He is some one who cannot compromise with the opponent.

But was it their personal interest?
A thorough study on their lives may tell us:
All these Prophets were not originally criticizers.
They were mainly the witness of God.
In order to witness the God they experienced, they had to criticize many social practices at their time. It was their mission. It was the will of God in their call.
Except that, the prophets were normal people.
They became special or great, by recognizing the call of God in their life.
They became prophets by recognizing their responsibility to the society and God, for this they received Help and courage from God.

Now the question is; is this – being a prophet -
a concept too old for our time?
Or does it mean something to my present faith and life?

Yes, we aren’t different from these great prophets in our call.
Then basically we too are called to witness God and his Values from our birth itself. We received this great call in our Baptism. Yes, that was not only a sacrament to follow Jesus but it makes us His witness in our life.
Carrying the name “Christian” is some great mission as we follow Jesus.
God asks from us more witness, than some superfluous and external matters.
He asks more deeper and living witness by life, in actions, in thoughts, and words. This is a challenge! Let us accept this challenge and make our call meaningful. Let us find the prophet of God in us! God Bless and empower us through his prophets. Amen!
---
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time –B- Mk 4, 26-34

Today we hear two of Jesus' parables and both of them are about the kingdom of God. Jesus’ stories and parables are normally complete and contain many details. That makes his teaching- the Gospel, some thing special.

But we can find some lacking of details in the first parable.
In the first story we hear about the man, who scatters seed on the land. Jesus says, the seed grows in the day and night. More over he says, the man doesn’t know how they grow up. There is little reference to the human work for the cause.
For the first time we will ask, how can it happen. We are sure that, Jesus was aware of the hardships of the works and he respected all. That means the silence of this human part has some other greater meaning.

Analysing the first reading may help us to understand the context. We may see some resemblance between the first and the Gospel passage.
Both explain the divine interference in the life of his Folk.
Very specially the first readings shares some intensive caring God. We hear that “I will take it” “I will plant it”.
The repeated “I, the Lord” explains, the invisible but important role of God in the life of Israel.
The first reading is all about this personal care of God towards his beloved chosen people.
This same personal touch and care are strongly asserted in a hidden way in the Gospel parable.
And considering the first reading with the Gospel we get the explanation that it is not the human work alone brings fruit. But the personal care of God too is very important.

It doesn’t mean that our works are overlooked or they are unimportant.
God surely asks from us the initiative and perseverance.
But God himself has the greatest role in the Kingdom of God.
God has his plan and his Will.


How the readings are connected with our daily life?
We are so distressed about the many criticisms, persecutions against the God or Church or his followers. We are dubious of the future of the Church as the faith and faithful and pastors are decreasing.

I do remember a comment of a friend, as there was some issues in a particular church:
“Why should you make so many plans about Church and faith? You say that you believe in God. Then why don’t you believe in his Providence? Why don’t you accept the will of God?”
Sincerely, I had no answer for this sincere friend.

Yes, we believe in God.
But some how there are some issues in accepting his Omnipresence in our life. Many of us are not fully aware of the main role of God in our lives.

Our aim is to grow in this wonderful faith;
just as God provides necessary surroundings for the growth of the seed,
he will provide us with his gifts.
Just as the sower did his part, God too fulfils his role in the growth.
We have to trust our life in the hands of God.
It is the challenge for us in this new era of self-confidence and over confidence.
Let us try to be aware of God’s role in our life. God Bless us all. Amen.
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 10th Sunday in Ordinary time – B – MK 3, 20-35

Who are the dangerous enemies of the church? Are they some atheists or some sects or any other religion?
Of course some of these groups are trying to destroy the church through their own way. Still they are not the real enemies of the church.
But it is some of the faithful in the church itself. Their scandalised life and provocations can be more dangerous than other enemies.
This is not a new finding. Our history is it’s simple but concrete witness.

Also this is not some thing experienced in the past middle ages.
It happens in the present era too.

In these days we hear about the „Vati- Leaks“: about the butler,
who stole some private documents of Holy Father Pp Benedict XIV.
Many newspapers and news channels discussed about this in various manners. But the words of Pp Benedict on May 30, 2012 was very special:
He said: “The events of recent days involving the Curia and my collaborators have brought sadness to my heart. However, I have never lost my firm certainty that, despite the weakness of man, despite difficulties and trials, the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit and the Lord will ensure she never lacks the help she needs to support her on her journey.“
These words come from the experience of Centuries; more over it underlines the unmovable faith in the Divine Providence.

Why should I tell all these on this Sunday? To tell, not only we faced such obstacles. We hear Jesus too facing some problems in his life. The Evangelist Mark tells us, Jesus had a very busy day. He and his followers had no free time. They even had no time to have food. This is not a problem at all in itself. But these hard works are not well accepted by many.

More over the scribes from Jerusalem accuses:
Jesus “has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.”
Yes, the good hard work of Jesus was not only rejected as it was, but it was misinterpreted. Jesus was accused to be a follower of Evil Spirit.

Jesus was not astonished over such denials. He never expected an encouragement from such people.

But the denial of his family members might have hurted him a lot.
Their comments on Jesus works was:
“He has gone out of his mind“.

But all these hindrances couldn’t stop the works of Jesus.
They couldn’t diminish his motivation.
Because, Jesus had great faith in his Father.
He believed in the work of the Spirit more than any human recognition.

My dear friends,
just as Jesus, our church too faced so many accusations and difficulties over these centuries. It is still continuing through many other modern ways. The Church is still a persecuted church in many part of the world.
But nothing could and can stop her motivation.
Nothing could/ can decrease her faith in the Holy Spirit.

We too are living in a world of criticisms.
Crises are not new in our lives.
There can be many obstacles in our lives.
Our dedication may not give us attractive life circumstances.
We may lack many advantages in our lives.
We may have to sacrifice many life pleasures.
And these sacrifices may not be counted positive too.
We may not even get the minimum support – from our family or near ones – in our mission. But never forget: Jesus, Our Master too had such a life.
He will support us with his power and Holy Spirit.
Jesus exhorts us today to have faith in his word.
He teaches us to believe in the Holy Spirit.
The experience and example of Jesus and his disciples and our church are encouragement to face our life and faith in the Good Spirit.

Let us believe in him completely.
God Bless us all. Amen.
--Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts - Corpus Christi -2012-B

“Rules are to violate”; one get such impressions by watching some politicians or some Far right /left Followers.
One may get such an impression in the Old Testament.
The Israelites are always connected to God through the covenant.
But shortly after they hurt him, they forget the covenant with God.

In the first reading they promise:
“We will do everything that the LORD has told us“.
As always, God recognizes their promise. He makes a covenant with the Israelites. As its sign, Moses blesses and cleanses the altar first - then the people with the blood of the sacrificial animal.

We know people include in various agreements in their life. All these agreements will not always be holy.
But the covenant between God and Israel was not something usual.
It is holy. Therefore, it should be clean.
But by the time, it becomes loose.
And after the temple was built, this bond became laxly.
Because for many God is no longer the PRESENCE among them, but some RULER who is in the temple of Jerusalem.

He finds the cause of sin and dissipation.
Jesus understands this distance of the hearts.
Because for many God is not close enough to their lives.
That was not the case in the beginning;
then the God lived among the people in the Ark of the Covenant - in the tent.
But he is now in ‘Jerusalem’ or in the ‘Heavens’ – so far away from people.

The Covenant Jesus makes is a new one.
It does not seek another sacrifice for the bond with God.
He himself becomes the victim. And it is a sign. The Sign of self-sacrifice.

It says, I'm ready, to offer my self – as sacrifice and I offer own will to.


Jesus used an everyday character:
Bread and wine - every man must eat and drink.

Jesus gives a new meaning to the Sacrifice / offering.
He does not mean everything that gladdens us, must be avoided. No:

It's more than that - a sign that I am connected with God daily and fully.

From the Life of Jesus, we understand that he was a relaxed and normal human being except sin. He ate, slept and talked to people worked:
But everything, he kept his commitment and relation to God.
He had not violated the bond to the people.
He also had a healthy relation to the nature.
This is a covenant. Always and in any situation in life be connected with God, man and nature.

Jesus established this new covenant is not in the synagogue or temple.
It happens when eating Pasha Meals.
Yes, he has not completely contradicted the religious atmosphere.

Moreover Jesus knew the following meals of his disciples will not be like before.
They will remember their Master, when they come together; when they are around the table.
Then they will remember his words.
Then, they remain united in his name. This will shaped their life.
Not only physically, but also spiritually.

This is Meal is a living covenant - an effective one.
From now on, God is / should be a living PRESENCE for humans.

On today's feast we celebrate the same.
We commemorate Jesus, not only present in the Church and the sacraments; we remember Jesus, who is also in our lives. He is the living covenant.
He, this covenant connects me with God and people. He makes me to live responsibly for the nature around me.
May this living Covenant of Jesus be stronger in us. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – Most Holy Trinity – B – 2012

A well educated man came to a priest and criticized:
“You Christians have some logical and mathematical problems.
You think 1 +1 = 1: It is about your teachings on married life.
For you one man plus one woman makes not two persons, but one.
Then you teach 1 +1 +1 = 1: that's about your God:
God is Father, Son and Spirit. So they are three.
Still you count yourselves as monotheist.
Not only that: You teach God incarnates as a man.
And this man has been crucified as a criminal.
And you believe him as the Saviour and claim that he is risen from the dead.
But can any dead live again?
No history, no science, no logic can confirm it; So I remain an atheist.”

The Priest asked quietly: “How many close friends do you have”?
“Many”. “Ok, do you know every thing about these friends?”…
After a silence he replied: “not every thing, but almost”…
“You claim, you are good friends, but you don’t know fully about them.
How can we, then know about God, who is supreme than humans?”
The man returned in silence…

My dear friends, many people think like this man today.
For them God must think and act always according to our human logic and calculation. And this is the problem in understanding God.

If I listen to a lecture on modern technology without having basic information I may not understand any thing.
Or just take the example of daily life. We use so much electronic products. Are we using them with complete know how?
The Desire to understand is surely a good and positive approach but the truth is that, you can not understand every thing.
In such a way it is not easy to say we want to understand God.
Then God is greater than all the sciences and technology.

All we can do is to do some attempts and move closer to God.
The Holy Bible is a great help to understand some aspects of God, of course with in the limits of our human reasoning.


In that way the first Reading reminds us about the greatness of Yahweh.
We see him acting as a Saviour and liberator of his people. He reveals himself as a merciful God. This is a new face of God for them.
Then they previously knew only the gods who were arrogant and violent.

The second reading from the Romans, is more acceptable for us. God is called as Father - Abba. Because we are all connected to God through Jesus Christ, His Son.
As the apostle Paul says, we are not only the children of God but also heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
This picture is closer than the first.
We can now approach God without fear and inhibitions.

And those who believe in this God through Christ, becomes God's child and is freed by the Holy Spirit. This is the message of the gospel to the disciples. The disciples have to bring this good news of liberation in God to all people and thus save humanity.

We believe and celebrate the presence of God in the Triune God. Then Jesus says: “I am with you always, until the end of the age“:

My dear friends,
Trinity is not a feast of confirming the authority of God.
It gives us the message of acceptance, participation and sharing.
God shares His divinity with Christ and the Holy Spirit.
This God welcomes us human, as his children.
This is the very special matter of the trinity.
Our God is not the only Ruling God.
He loves and lives communion and unity in peace and joy.
There is no place for human logic and mathematics in this love.
Because, real love is blind and God is Love.

Trinity is the egoless love between God the Father, Son and Spirit and we are blessed by called to participate in this love with others and our nature as well.
Let us open our hearts to receive that love.
May the triune God bless us all. Amen.

-
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts - Pentecost - Year B - 2012

Today we celebrate an important Feast. Pentecost is the feast of the Holy Spirit, one of the most important persons of the Triune God.
Holy Spirit has different names.
Often the spirit is called as the Wind from God, Spirit of God, Spirit of Truth, Ruach (Hebrew), Pneuma or Paraclete (Greek).
In Acts, we hear about the Spirit around 68 times and among that 37 times is in the first 12 chapters. Yes, the spirit is often present in the New Testament- We heard more on the Spirit in the New Testament.

But the Scripture begins with an account of the Holy Spirit.
„In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” (Gen. 1:1-2): we hear this in the first Tradition of Creation (Priestly Tradition which contains Gen 1 and some other parts in the Genesis, Exodus and Numbers and all of Leviticus).

Also in the 2nd Creation Tradition (Yahwist tradition), we hear more intense and closer action of the Spirit in the creation of humans.
We read in Gen. 2, 7: “then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being”.

A Spirit that Transforms the shape of the Earth together with God;
A Spirit that is fills the breath of God in people and spreads the life.

This is the same Spirit that strengthened and worked in the Prophets and many leaders of the Israelites.
This is the same spirit of God who dwelt in Mary and gave us Jesus our saviour. During the baptism of Jesus we see this Spirit of God again in signs and symbols.

At the end of his Life, Jesus promises a helper, an advocate for his disciples: The same Spirit above mentioned will assist the apostles.
That's what we hear in Acts, in the first reading today.
They are becoming new Men – A new creation of God in the Holy Spirit.


The disciples were in "Chaos", in the fear swallowed them.
They were so afraid of the Jews and others.

Now, by the presence of the Spirit of God, the disciples receive power and form. They can courageously preach the life and the Gospel of Jesus.
That could cost their lives. But they were no more cowards.
Because, they felt the spirit of God in them. They felt the promise of Jesus in their inside. Not only the Apostles get their form, slowly the church, too gets her form in the Spirit.

In the Gospel of John (20, 22), we hear another narration of the Holy Spirit. Here it is Jesus himself who gives the Spirit to his Apostles by “breathing on them”.
This again reminds us of the creation story... This reminds us the God who breathed his Spirit to the Human.
This gives us picture a God who is so close to his followers.
This promises us, his disciples the Divine Courage and Life.

The Gospel of last Sunday is the Prayer of Jesus for his disciples – He prays for the unity too. And it is very interesting to watch the happening at Pentecost. We see the prayer of Jesus is coming true today.
At first we see the unity of the disciples in the Spirit of God.
Then the unity of the people: because they understand the Gospel in their own language. God is glorified in all these: Yes, the prayer of Jesus comes true from today onwards.

And the disciples of Jesus are gathering such an experience right at Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit makes Jesus' disciples - not only the 12 apostles - and all who believe in him- his inspired apostles and messengers.
He gives us his strength and courage; he unites us all in Jesus.
He now gives us a common language for different receivers.
This is the language of God who created everything.
This is the language of Jesus, who healed people, comforted them;
This is the language of love that unites us.

This is what we celebrate on this Pentecost. We rejoice in our God who is near, who is with us. He strengthens and makes us a new creation in his Spirit. I wish - like the disciples of Jesus - all of us a new beginning in the spirit of God. God bless us all. Amen.

-Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - 7th Sunday in Eastertime –Year B – John 17, 6a. 11b-19

Once I was taking class in a Sunday school (instead of another teacher). I just asked a child in the class, how he prays and what he prays. His answer was so interesting… It was so:
“dear Jesus, make my maths teacher sick tomorrow….”
And I asked why only the maths teacher?
Then he told, he couldn’t finish his homework for Monday and if he appears with out doing them, he gets some punishment.
He had “his good reason” for the prayer…

The Gospel passage of this Sunday explains Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. Not like the prayer of the child, of course. It is a prayer before his departure.

Jesus as the Son of God was really not in need of the help of his Father. Still he maintains here a certain politeness. Gospel says: Jesus is lifting his Eyes up to heaven…By this gesture Jesus is accepting the power and greatness of God the Father.

We should also recall: Who looks up? Certainly, the one who is smaller than the other has to do that. In Prayer life, one has to be “smaller or humbler”. Let us not forget the parable of two praying men in the temple: The Pharisee was pride, the Tax collector was humble. And the prayer of the humble tax collector was heard (Lk 18, 14). Yes, in our prayer life, the proper disposition of Heart is important. Prayer requires more humility than pride.

My dear friends, accepting the greatness of God in prayer is not a wrong step at all. Becoming humbler in prayer doesn’t mean, becoming slave or sacrificing one’s human dignity. I surely believe that Jesus doesn’t what to humiliate us. But we can perceive this “position”/disposition from another positive angle, which is; accepting the greatness of God means accepting his goodness…


We see Jesus glorifies his father (both in our father and here). But he also prays for others:
He prays not to save/free his friends from the world,
but to secure them from the evil in the world.
This is not only a Powerful prayer to resist the temptations in life but it is a realistic prayer. Jesus tells us to accept the life with faith and God’s help. We have to face the problems and trails, not run away from them.

More than that Jesus is not praying here for any material good.
All the more he prays for spiritual good.
Does that mean all our prayers for material good are wrong?
Of course we should pray for good health and good life etc...
But they should be according to the will of God. We should allow God to do his Will, not to fulfil our will and wishes.

We pray a lot … so much. I don’t know really, how many prayers do we have? How many prayer books do we have in our families or how many prayer services daily we have?
How much Rosaries, Holy Masses and other prayers are offered daily, for the sake of peace, health etc...
Still many things remain unchanged.
Why? Is there any reason for it?
I think we should be more serious in our prayers and have to find some answers.

We may find that Jesus’ prayers were very special.
It is mainly because; the Prayers of Jesus are emerging from his life situations.
This should inspire our prayer lives.
Our Prayers should have real connections to our lives.
Or we must relate between our prayers and our lives. That will surely make the Prayer an experience.
I wish and pray such a good prayer life for all of us.
God bless us all. Amen.

--Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – Ascension of Our Lord – Year B – MK 16, 15-20

Children have a very special nature. Normally they trust their parents in any circumstance. This trust makes them secure and powerful.
And of course not only children but every human, like to be secure in life.

The Gospel on this feast day really provides us such an assurance of the Divine Guardian- God. Jesus is having his last speech to his followers.
It is not like the speech at the table of last supper.
Even though Jesus is ascending to Heaven, it is not shadowed by a feeling of separation, all the more the promise of His presence and guidance all through their lives is felt powerfully.
Jesus is not hiding the persecutions they are to face by remaining faithful to His Gospel. But through the apostles aren’t scared, because the words of Jesus give them assurance and power in these tests.
Yes, they are like simple children who blindly trust in their parents.
The Apostles trust in Jesus (more than ever) and are - as the Gospel says-
on their mission of proclamation.

This proves with out doubts; the Gospel is really Good News.
It is good news because it rediscovers and reinstates the faith of the apostles.
It assures in them - also in the lives of believers - the Omni-presence of God.

Still for some the Gospel of the day can be little confusing.
Then the gospel says Jesus ascends in to heaven.
But the last sentence says that the “Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” (Mk 16, 20)
How could it be possible:
to be in heaven and at the same time being with the apostles?

There come these questions:
Where is God? Is he in heavens?
This question can disturb not only an atheist but also a believer,
who has to undergo sufferings and difficulties in his lives.
Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut, the first human in outer space and the first to orbit the Earth, was asked: „ Did you see God there (in space)?
His answer was “I did not see any God up there”.

Sure, we believe that there is a Heaven, but where and how it seems to be, is not sure to any one. Even the Holy Bible says he is not “up” there.
We can read that in the Acts:
“While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1, 10-11)

We have to admit that there are linguistic limitations in understanding the Word of God – of course the term “Heaven” too.
Heaven in the Bible is not the sky or the space above us. It is more than that.

The Ascension of Our Lord is not some travel in to the space where no humans are living. It is a great entry into the lives of the apostles and his followers in faith and action. In this manner we can surely call this feast as “Jesus entry in to the human Hearts and lives.”

More over is not the feast of departure and absence, but it is the feast of God’s presence; The Feast of Our God who Incarnated – became Emmanuel - God with us.

He is present in our lives, if really believe and acknowledge him.
If he is in and with us, everything we speak will be ‘Good News’,
because it will be His Spirit speaks in and through us.
If our hearts are filled by His presence and love,
there can not be other message than His.
If he is with us, no fears and persecutions can suppress us.
St Paul witnesses: “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Phil 1, 21).
Now let us re enter in to the meaning of this feast of ascension.
It is the feast of glorification: not only Jesus, but all who really follow Him, are promised and assured the Heaven, this Glory.
They can be with God and be at the right side of Father.

Let us think, speak and act in his presence and spirit and love.
Thus we can enjoy the presence of God in this life and life after life.
God bless us all. Amen!
---
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 6th Sunday in Easter time – B (Joh 15, 9-17; 1 Joh 4, 7-10; Acts 10, 25-26.34-35.44-48)

The readings of this Sunday impress us with its human understanding of the good news. It shows us the real spirit, Jesus conveyed to his followers is kept in their proclamation. Faith and Mercy are proclaimed here without any compromise.

Let us start from the first reading. We hear there two incidents- at first Peter meet Cornelius in Caesarea where the proclamation and baptism of the newly converted happens. Cornelius gives Peter the due respect. But Peter’s response is much interesting. He says, “Get up. I myself am also a human being”. The head of the apostles and many thousands of followers is so human in his growth. He is not taken by the wonders and signs. He is all the more humble and accepts his weakness.
We see this humble and God depending Peter is blessed by the Spirit of God and his proclamation is fruitful.
We see here the process - St. Peter becomes a real pastor. He is not proud at all, but believed in the power of God and his loving nature who accepts every one in faith. This is the Jesus whom Peter personally experienced. He himself left Jesus in his trails but he could repent and got the chance to turn back to his Lord with added spirit and love. The mercy and love St Peter enjoyed from his Lord is lived by him in his life.

When we come to the second reading we hear almost same message here. Of course John the Apostle of Love of God expresses this in his own theology and spirituality.
“Love one another” “love is from God and through love we know God” “God loved us first and gave his Son”… all these sentences are really uplifting human. Then no human being is against Love. Every one looks for Love; every one needs love. And John gloriously relates this love to God, because St. John experienced Jesus and God’s Love in Love alone.

The Gospel is just another angle of this second reading.
There Jesus has the main role. But the message is same.
“Remain in my love”, “Keep my commandments means to remain in love”.
The sign of Great love is to offer one’s Life for his friend.
You are not slaves, but friends. I chose you and appointed first. All these messages in the gospel passage are supreme.
One sentence is greater than the other.

All these proclamations underline the personal experience of the apostles. They lived and spread what they experienced in Jesus. What they acquired during their life with Jesus.
These experiences are special to each one.
But there is some common factor too.
That is the loving and understanding divine spirit.
Their picture on God was some one caring and human.
Jesus their master lived such a human and caring life with them.
That was their great example to follow.

As Peter and John were the closest apostles of Jesus, we can feel that speciality in their writings and activities. They proclaim Jesus as a loving friend and at the same time the Lord of their lives.
He is the first and best lover, who loved me and you at first and
who loved us at the best by giving his own life for us.

My dear friends,
We practice our faith in Jesus with a gap of long time to the apostles.
We cannot have the same intensity of the Jesus Experience of the Apostles.
Still we are called to follow and proclaim Jesus.
That may be a challenge for us.
But we can feel Jesus, his love - in the sacraments and in his Gospel and some times through his loving community.
We are his present followers; that means, as St. Peter we have the duty to uplift people, with our words, through our human and caring deeds.
We can also reciprocate to the love of God and feel him as friend and guide if we will. We can be the apostles of the Love of God as St John- of course in our manner.

Let us seek this personal experience of God in this church, in this community and in our gatherings, in our family. May the loving and caring God bless us all. Amen
-Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - 5th Sunday in Eastertime – B – Joh 15, 1-8; Acts 9, 26-31; 1Joh 3, 18-24

Jesus was a very good observer. We see almost all the parables and stories Jesus told were connected with the life of the people in his time. He could meditate on the happening surrounding him and really connect them to the kingdom of God and the Good news.

Since I am in this German parish, I have the chance to watch the works of in a vineyard as my room is surrounded by acres of vineyards. The distance from my house to oldest vineyard in Germany is less than 100 meters.

In these days I can watch how quick the branches are growing and getting green leaves. (After the winter one may not see any leaves on the branches).

Here the Vintners have their own methods in the cultivation.
When the grapes are collected, they keep only two healthy branches on each vine. All other braches will be pruned. These two branches will grow soon in those months when it is warm enough and there will be again small branches. After some months the vintner will cut down the week branches again.
When there are grapes, the vintner will repeatedly remove unnecessary branches and leaves from the vine.
In the first year, this was very strange to me till I cleared my doubts:
This is to concentrate the strength of the grapes.
The vintner had to do this, if they want a good harvest.
Just as we hear in the Gospel passage of this Sunday.

The interesting point in the parable of Vine and the branches is that there is a vintner who cuts the branches. He cannot be soft-hearted or merciful and allow the whole branches to grow. This may cause only a disorder and disaster to the cultivation. There will be no enough grapes in these vine or they will be not that good in quantity and quality.

The parable tells with out any mercy that there should be some order in the life, just as the vine branches are being treated.

Jesus has a special instrument for the purification:
“You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you”, yes it is his Word.

From the first reading we hear about the converted Saulus –the one who was pruned by the Word of God. Once he was very proud of his origin as his name mentions: Saulus means “the sublime”, “prayed for”.
Now the “encounter with Jesus” made him “Brother Saul (Paul)” or the servant of Christ and the Apostle of the gentiles.
He was least bothered about his sublime Jewish tradition.
He concentrated only on his mission for Jesus.
St Paul remained in his life so close to Jesus and that produced fruits.

Jesus asks us to remain with him. He promises his presence with us.
Whether I am remaining related to Jesus?
Whether I am bringing the corresponding fruits in my life?
Or do I have some obstacles, which trouble me to bring up the real fruits?

In the second reading of letter to John we hear, “let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth“- its meaning is very clear and suiting to the Gospel. It is not the superficial matters, but the spirit behind our actions is very important and it is counted. What we are doing, what comes out of our life should relate to Jesus.

We are blessed if we can sing along with the psalmist:

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD;
all the families of the nations shall bow down before him.

To him alone shall bow down all who sleep in the earth;
before him shall bend all who go down into the dust.

And to him my soul shall live; my descendants shall serve him.
(Ps 22, 27-30)

We are blessed, if our lives are remaining and growing in the living vine of Jesus and generating fruits fitting to his Spirit. God Bless us all. Amen!

-
Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 4th Sunday in Easter time - B - John 10:11-18

Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Joan of Arc…
These names are familiar to many.
Also their personalities are widely accepted and respected by most of us.
The reason is they were good in their duty.
They were good leaders, who lived for a noble cause.

That means to be good is always welcome in our world.
We too try to be good as we can: may be we have some other conditions for the goodness: mostly they are superficial - to have a good house, good education, good job, good family, good friends, good manners and so on.
One may not hesitate to express if one merits some goodness…
It is also a truth that for many their life is a competition to be better or to be the best.

In the Gospel today, Jesus is proclaiming himself as the good shepherd.
He is not hesitating to declare this truth. Because, Jesus was sure about his goodness and his call. He is also sure of the hardships he has to face by being good. Then the gospel tells: “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”. Yes, the sacrifice, at the end is very important. He proves it through his life, through the sacrificial life for all the people.

All these have an explanation:
Jesus had great trust and hope in his Heavenly father,
who can rise him up from all these hardships.

Of course this is what distinguishes Jesus from other adorable leaders of the world. He spread the hope, Faith and love of enemies and lived it to his end.
He was at the same time the shepherd and the sacrificial lamb.

My dear friends,
The Gospel of good shepherd is not something just to listen and praise the greatness of Jesus. But we can see a hidden call behind this gospel.
Placing this Gospel in the Easter time,
Church has surely something to remind us;
the good shepherd and the crucified and resurrected Jesus is the same.


This gospel passage teaches us:
As Jesus was the shepherd, we too are called to follow his great example.
We too are entrusted to be good shepherds in this world.
We are called to spread good words (Good News = Gospel),
to encourage others,
to witness faith, hope, love and other human values
through our sacrificial life.

This Easter time asks us to refresh our calls.
Because, we are called to be shepherds:
We are also the sheep.
We are called to carry out our responsibilities in love and concern of others.
We are called to carry our cross in patience as Jesus did.

To be good can be painful and may need sacrifice.
But this is not the end. It is only the way.
The life of Jesus is the example and inspiration.
What we need is the trust in God; hope in his promise;
Perseverance in our call.

May the example of Jesus help us to be good shepherds in our world! Amen.

- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts- 3rd Sunday of Easter – B (Acts 3, 12a-13.15. 17-19, 1 John 2.1-5a; Lk 24, 35-48)

Repetition is an important method in the learning process.
I remember my childhood:
As we have prayed together in the family in the evenings it was then the time to learn. We had to read aloud our learning portions.
And at this time you hear only the learning children.
We read or wrote everything repeatedly, in order to remember everything so precisely. (Nowadays we mostly hear the sound of the TV at this time.)

Repetition is also very evident in the spiritual life.
Rosary is the best example to it.
By repeating one comes to meditation, to inner peace and also to better and greater understanding of the prayers. Repeated celebrations of the sacraments have the same function.

When we carefully listen to the Gospel in the Easter time,
it will be clear that there are often repetitions.
Jesus the Risen Lord appears repeatedly to his disciples;
he speaks with them, extends his peace.
He says repeatedly that he is risen from the dead so that
the writings should be fulfilled.

We will certainly think that the disciples could easily believe in Jesus.
But it was not simple as we think.
Jesus understands this weak nature of his disciples.
He knew that they need repeated teachings and signs.

Through these repetitions and patience, Jesus could slowly convince everything his disciples.

We too believe that God is in our midst.
Still often he seems to be some "Spirit" for us.
Yes, just like the disciples, we too have the problem to recognize him or to act according to his will.


Yes, we do believe that God is present in our lives, but it is still hard to live accordingly. The disciples of Jesus too had similar problems in faith-
It could be the lack of faith, or be little attention to the word of God or such other obstructions.

But, no evangelist indicates that Jesus was impatient with his disciples.
Jesus was- quite the contrary to that - very understanding.
He tried to do everything to convince them of his resurrection.

I believe and hope that God deals with us in such a way.
He tries to convince us - with his sacraments, through his love, in the community of the faithful or by some charismatic people who witness to God through their lives. He has patience with us. He gives us again chances to be his followers.

The disciples could believe in Jesus Christ in time and this faith changed their lives totally.
I also wish for us this grace – to act in time, make use of the time God gives us and to trace out God in our lives and change our lives as his will.
Let us pray that he shows his Patience to us too.
God bless us all. Amen!

- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts – 2nd Sunday of Easter time – B (Acts 4, 32-35; 1Joh 5, 1-6; Joh 20, 19-31)

"One heart and one mind" - this expression, is familiar to us in the family life. The partners are to suppose to be one heart and soul in love.

Or some monasteries and idealistically minded communities are examples of such unity.
In the first reading we hear that the first Christian community was of one heart and one mind. They shared all their possessions with others. So there was nobody in need, says the Acts of Apostles. This is a very nice report of unity and community- which must be our dreams too.

I think the most important miracle that happened after the resurrection of Jesus, is the unity among the disciples of Jesus. Then when they were together with Jesus, they had some difficulties to understand each other;
there were also discussions about "importance and greatness" among them.

Here we see that the death and resurrection of Jesus unites the disciples.
They are of one heart and one soul. They live these very important values in the community. It happens in the love. There is a trust among them.

We know, Love and Trust are very important in human life.
When these are violated, then the relations are destroyed;
then the people go in despair.

Today we hear in the gospel, that Jesus appears to his disciples.
One can see two parts here:
At first we hear about the appearance of Jesus to the disciples. Jesus talked to them, showed his hands and his side. The disciples saw him; they were happy and were very excited about Jesus. As the climax, he gives them the Holy Spirit and power to forgive Sins.

In the second part we see the story about Apostle Thomas. He is very disappointed with the events happened in his absence. Because he was called "Didymus”- “Twins". That means, there was some special bond between Jesus and Thomas. Now Jesus, one of the twins appears in his absence, and Thomas become a loser - no vision of Jesus,
no gift of the Spirit and no power of forgiveness.

That makes him blind and he was so sticking on his conditions.
He goes further - he not only wanted to see Jesus but also to touch his body and wounds. It means he wanted to feel Jesus better and closer.

That does not doubt the divinity of Jesus and his power. One can find out his frustration in these words. This despair is simply out of frustration, because he loved Jesus so extreme.
The Gospel - John 11, 16 - gives us an example of his love of Jesus.
" Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him’ ". He says this as all the other disciples were afraid of Jews. That means Thomas was basically a deeply religious man.

This deep faith of Thomas, we see at the end of the Gospel:
His confession is unique: "My Lord and My God".
John uses the word "Theos". It is not just ‘a god’, but Jesus is the personal Lord and God of Thomas. This is the total submission. I think after the resurrection of Jesus there was not such a strong testimony from any other disciples.

The Apostle Thomas is the symbol for all of us who values love and union but sometimes gets hurted and disappointed. Apostle Thomas had the fortune to preserve his inner faith even in the midst of despair and disappointments. He could see and touch Jesus as he wished.
This made him from disbelieving disciple to a strong Apostle of Jesus.

Similar experiences were there for almost all the apostles, especially after the resurrection of Jesus. As they experienced the love and acceptance of Jesus in his words and appearances, they lived this in the early church – and could lead others to be one heart and one soul.

Let us ask God for His grace and mercy – on this Divine Mercy Sunday - as the Apostle Thomas, as the other disciples of Jesus, to preserve us in faith and to proclaim him, in and through our lives even unexpected disappointments and questions are confronted there.
May God bless us all, through the Apostle Thomas. Amen!
-Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon Thoughts – Easter – B – 2012 – Mk 16, 1-7

Dear friends,
First of all I would like to wish you a Happy and blessed Easter.
God is alive - this is the core message of the resurrection of Jesus.
He is Lord over life and death, the liturgy of the day confirms it.


But my special interest is around the last sentence of the Gospel of Mark 16, 7: "He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you "

The DESCRIPTION OF PLACE in Mark is very important:
Then, Jesus suffered and rose again in Jerusalem;
It is the place of worship and place of the ONLY temple -
the most important place for Israelites.
But Jesus goes to Galilee, where he lived and worked most of his life time.
Also the disciples had to go to Galilee as Jesus said.

Yes, as he is alive, Jesus wants them back again fully in their lives.
These disciples are engaging in their jobs in Galilee, where they had to meet Jesus again.
This is somewhat challenging!
Then in the temple and prayers, one has the chance to feel God easier than,
to find God in the midst of life and its pursuits.
Even then, the disciples followed Jesus;
they are back in their activities, in the hope of the reunion with Jesus and to recognize their master.

Dear friends,
Easter is a wonderful celebration, but it also has a difficult task for us.
Like the disciples of Jesus, we will soon leave the church and engage in the duties of our lives and other works.
Can we follow and feel God and his Presence for us in our life?
This is very important to recognize and follow God’s words in everyday life.



The second important aspect of the day is:
God keeps his Promise.

Yes, through the resurrection, he shows that he is credible.
Then whoever keeps his word is credible:
From our everyday life we experience this.

God appears here as a trust worthy person.
Then his word becomes true and they are the Truth.
He overcomes the power of death; He is God of the living.
The Divine Truth can not be suppressed.
Easter means the truth lives.

My beloved friends,
Easter is a sign for all people who suffer (innocently), trusting in God.
The life of Jesus had the specific target that was heaven.
No cross and grave can prevent him from it.
Each person, whose life is faced towards Jesus,
can certainly have this Easter experience.

If problems arise, then we have an example before us-
A God who has suffered, but Resurrected after 3 days.
There is an Easter-day of resurrection waiting for every one who suffers for the truth and justice.

Jesus Christ, the risen God is our hope, our example.
He may strengthen us, our families, our faith, our politics and society with his living presence and bring us his hope. Amen!

- Fr Thomas Kalathil

Good Friday - Meditation - 2012 - B

Today, on Good Friday, our thoughts are with Jesus on the cross and his suffering. We think it's so awful and painful that the good God suffers.
For Jesus, the pain of his soul should have been bigger than his physical pain. Then, almost all of his friends left him and he stood there in this time of his trail alone.


Today, when I see him as a crucified, I ask myself:
Did Jesus loved his cross? Whether he wanted to suffer necessarily?

We hear Jesus praying in Gethsemane:
"Father, if you are willing take this cup from me ..."

That means, Jesus as a human had some problems with the cross and suffering. Please do not understand me wrong.
That mean, he did not wanted to inflict or add crosses by himself/ his own will.

We know a lot on some strict Monks who used to torture and scourge themselves. They wanted to suffer with God and they had done it by adding pains to their own bodies.

Jesus was a healthy person - in body and soul.
He has accepted his cross and pains positive.
He understood the meaning of his suffering, which enabled him to "love" his sufferings. He even cured or sanctified them.

People do not want sufferings and cross.
But have a close look at our lives;
everyone has his cross, his pain in life.
And it is natural that no one today goes for some "extra cross".

But what Jesus teaches us is definitely helpful for our life:
He teaches us to understand how to love crosses, and how it can be changed positively; how can it be turned to healing one as Jesus did ...
- through better understanding of the meaning of suffering...
- with the right attitude toward suffering.

What many people are unfortunately lacking this positive approach and understanding!

Our faith and communion are of great help here.
Jesus carried his cross because he had great Faith in his Father in Heaven.

He also had people who stood with him and that made him stronger ...
Unfortunately, the most important ones - his disciples – were not there.
They were weak as they could not understand his suffering and it value.
But we see them later, returning to him with more power and intensity, as they understood the meaning of his suffering.
Then they had had no more fear on their crosses ...

To have cross means to live consequently.
We had had a living example before our eyes, that was the blessed Pope John Paul II - He was sick and suffering...
Still he did not want to hide his suffering from the world.
He has shown the world, suffering is also part of human life;
a Pope can suffer just like every other person in the world.
He had an answer for the world’s hesitation to the suffering...

My dear friends,
Pain and suffering are no reasons to get out of discipleship;
they are no reasons from to get rid of the obligations of life!

As Jesus and many saints did,
we too can transform our crosses and lives to the sign of salvation.
All our sacrifices and fasting during Lent is useful
when we experience God's power from the cross;
if we can draw positive energy from His / Our sufferings.

That is my wish for all of us, especially on today's Good Friday!
May God, who was strong also on his cross, strengthen us. Amen!

-Fr Thomas Kalathil

Sermon thoughts - Maundy Thursday - B (Ex 12,1-8, 11-14; Joh 13, 1-15)

The reading from Exodus narrates a celebration - the celebration of the deliverance of Israel from the slavery and hardships in Egypt. People of Israel experience great miracles of their God – YHWH - in Egypt.


It is a celebration. Nevertheless, it is not quite solemn. Because they are not completely free. But they hope to start their journey to Canaan, the land of promise.
In addition to it they have to celebrate this festival in a hurry. It is not the time to celebrate long as they have so little time. They had to eat the food, as reinforcement or as a backup for the journey. They had no time to prepare it properly. Moreover they are in fear, because they can feel the death outside their doors.
Bitter herbs and unleavened bread ... These represent the bitterness of her life, the scarcity of time ... This Passover is a celebration of togetherness and the Israelites celebrate it as God had wished.

From this table from the Old Testament times, we come to another table.
As we see Jesus and his disciples are gathered around this table.
Outside - in Jerusalem, people are celebrating the great holiday - Passover.
Jesus and his friends are gathered here to celebrate it.
The festival hall and food are available.
But even here the mood is not so solemn ...
The disciples do not understand it – what is happening or what may happen - completely. A shade of sadness and farewell covers the heart and the celebration.

We see, Jesus assumes the Main role, even if he is not the oldest in the group. But as the Master, he has the right to preside the celebration.
He is not talking about the traditional History of Passover lead by Moses and Aaron. He gives his disciples a new story ...
They should carry on this for further life... it is their new celebration ... It is the food for the body and soul.
They get a new job ... a new ceremony to remember...
They need not to kill a lamb ... For He is the perfect Lamb, became victim once and for all.


He is a sign. It is a sign ...

Jesus does not think on the hard times to come. But he makes his farewell something eternal. He remains joyful to the end of his life.
Yes, he was really a strong, a brave man!

Maundy Thursday:
We too celebrate a feast on this day.
Then the Holy Eucharist was instituted for us on this day...
Jesus and his presence is the specialty of this sign.
We receive Him in Holy Communion. His power gives us courage.
His positive and courageous outlook on life, is transformed to us though the communion.

Beloved sisters and brothers,
Holy Thursday is telling us:
Our life is – even if there are many painful times - a celebration.
Bitter herbs unleavened bread stands for the pain and uncertainty and parting and all such negative feelings in our life.

However, we have a reason to be happy - as God wishes, to perceive, to respect our life worthy.

This day reminds us.
Our lives should have this celebration ... a celebration with God and man should be there.
Let us truly take our lives positive and uplifting.
His table will bless the pains and all negative experiences of our life and will empower us to live with them in peace.

God bless us and give us a strong and jouyous heart. Amen.

-Fr Thomas Kalathil