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