Sunday Homily for Sixth Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross and Moses

Deuteronomy  9:13-24

Isaiah 26:1-19

Philippians 4:4-9 (4:4-23)

Mathew 15:21-28 (15:21-38)

In the Sixth Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross Moses church tells us that “Be faithful to the Lord your God, as He is faithful to us.” Today church through her four readings shows us how God and men were faithful to each other. In the first reading  and the second reading we see the fidelity God to Israelites. In the third reading we see the fidelity of Christians to God. And in the Gospel we see the Canaanite women’s fidelity to Jesus.

In Deuteronomy 9:13-34 we see Moses, the leader of the people of Israel, is on the mountain. He is there for forty days and forty nights to receive the ten Decalogue from God. Lord gave him the two tablets, which is written with the figure of the lord. This tablets which contains the Ten Commandments is the expression of God’s faithfulness to the people of Israel. But at the same time people of Israel is making a Golden Calf and worship the golden Calf. So God is showing His anger towards the people of Israel and Moses is pleading for the people. God shows mercy to the people. Here we see a God who is standing firm in His covenants and the people who always disobeys or disrespect the covenant. The people of Israel is called to faithfulness but they go away from God because of their infidelity.

Isaiah 26: 1-9 is a prophetic song, which anticipates the fall of the world powers and the beginning of the time of salvation. This song is sung because Jerusalem has remained untouched by the war that ravaged the land and other cities. According to this song there will be a great day when the people of Israel will sing a song thanking the Lord for victory over their enemies.  Yahweh will save His people and if He is with the people they cannot be destroyed by any power in the world. Because he is great.  In this pericope also we find that people are convinced that Yahweh is great and powerful. He is an everlasting rock. And he will not let the Israel be destroyed because of the fidelity to His covenant.

In Philippians 4:1-9, Paul proceeds to make his final appeal to the people of Philippians. Then he finds that two prominent women in the Philippian community are having a disagreement. This presents yet another challenge to the unity of the church and faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus Christ. So the apostle urges the believers to “stand firm.” To stand firm in what? In their faith itself. And he wanted his believers to “rejoice always.” To rejoice in what? In Christ our Lord, that is the answer given by him. It means that whatever may be the situation or circumstances they have to be happy always. There can be so many treats and disagreement in the church. But he tells Philippians to stand firm in their faith. According to Paul Christian joy is always static and eternal. That is the faith in Jesus Christ. So show fidelity to Christ and his teaching and don’t quarrel among yourself for silly reasons.  So this pericope also tells us to be faithful to God.

When we come to Gospel we see the story of a poor Canaanite woman. This little story is essentially built around the conversation between the woman and Jesus. We begin with the note that Jesus withdrew far up the coast to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Tyre and Sidon were traditionally pagan territories. In the conversation we get the idea that Jesus was not willing to answer her because she was a Canaanite. Because Jewish people considered the Canaanite people as dogs. They considered Canaanite people as low cast people and Jewish people as superior people. So in this context to give something or do some favors to the Canaanite are very difficult for a traditional Jew. That is why Jesus tries to avoid the woman and at first he even ignores her. But at last Jesus acknowledges her faith as great and cures her daughter.

What was the reason that Jesus to acknowledge her faith as “great faith”? We can find out the reasons from this pericope. Her opening words itself shows that she had great faith in Christ. “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David”. Son of David is the Jewish title for Messiah.  This is the faith proclamation of that woman. She also believed in the Messiah of the Jewish people. That is why she calls him Son of David. But Jesus tries to ignore her by telling that he is sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. Here we can find the remarkable exchange that follows, is the Jewish view of salvation. Jesus also assumes the historical primacy of Israel. He was the Son of David, the Messiah. That fact did not admit this Canaanite woman to the benefits of the covenant made with the Jews.   The remarkable quality of her faith is that she is not discouraged by the implicit rejection of Jesus.

Again we see that Jesus tells her that it is not fare to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs. This was a controversial sentence that how Jesus can could use such a harsh word to a women. But Jesus wanted to test her faith, whether she has come to him out of conviction. Here woman’s answer is marvelous: even the dogs eat the crumbs that the children drop. Here she accepts the position, but never loses her faith.  And at the end Jesus honors her faith and heals her daughter.

The contrast is truly striking: in Israel Jesus was trying to convince people He was the Messiah, and was being challenged to prove it with a sign. But here in Gentile territory he met a woman who was convinced He was the Messiah and He could not discourage her efforts. His apparent attempt to put her off was therefore a test, and her great faith must have been gratifying to the Savior.

There may be situation in our life also that we are forced to think that God is not answering to our prayers in our difficulties. We may doubt the existence God. But like this women we have to be still in our faith and continue to plead to Him. This poor women had strong faith in Jesus, but the Israelites who are called to become faithful did not believe in God and they were not faithful to his covenants. So let us examine ourselves where are we now? We have in our situation given more importance to worldly things. We are also like the Israelites idol worshippers in our own context, for some persons it may be their possessions, computers, mobile that they use. For some others it may be persons, lovers, film artists, wife or husband. For some others it may be positions, their office work, political power etc.

Let us be faithful to our Lord. But in our life we have to give priority to God. Otherwise we are also will become infidel people like Israel. In our difficulties tensions always think about a God who is always faithful to his covenants. And don’t think that we are all Christians, because of that we are already saved. But be still in our faith and rejoice always. Let us pray for this grace in this Holy mass. May god bless us. Amen

By Boby Kaiyalakakathu MST

Hindy Sunday Homily for Sixth Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross and Moses

Deuteronomy 9:13-24

Isaiah 26:1-19

Philippians 4:4-9 (4:4-23)

Mathew 15:21-28 (15:21-38)

,fy;l lyhc ewlk dky ds bl NBosa jfookj esa ek¡ dyhfl;k gels ;g dgrh gS fd ml bZ’oj ij fo’oLr jgks tks gekjs lkFk fo’oLr gSA vkt ds pkjksa ikBksa }kjk dyhfl;k gesa le>krh gS fd dSls izHkq ijes’oj vkSj mldh larku vkil esa oQknkj FksA vkt ds igys vkSj nwljs okpu ds }kjk gedks ;g irk pyrk gS fd izHkq blzk,fy;ksa ds izfr fu"Bkoiu vkSj oQknkj FkkA vkSj rhljs okpu esa ge ns[krs gSa fd dSls blzk,fy yksx bZlk elhg ds izfr fo’oLr gSA vkSj vkt ds lqlekpkj Hkkx dukuh L=h ds fo’okl dh fo’ks"krk ds ckjs esa crk;k x;k gSA

fof/kfooj.k xzUFk 9-13&34 esa ge ns[krs gSa fd ewlk] tks blzk,yh turk ds usrk Fks] pkyhl fnu vkSj jkr bZ’oj ls nl vkKkvksa dks Lohdkj djus dsfy, igkM ij jgrk gSA ;s nl vkKk,¡ bZ’oj ds blzk,yh turk dh vksj oQsnkjh ;k fo’oLrrk dh vfHkO;fDr FkhaA ysfdu] mlh le; blzk,yh turkvksa us lksus dk cNMk cukdj iwtk djus yxkA blfy,] izHkq muds izfr viuk xqLlk vkSj ukjkt fn[kkrk gS vkSj ewlk bZ’oj ls turkvksa dsfy, ;kpuk djrk gSA ;gk¡ ge ns[krs gSa fd bZ’oj ges’kk lafgrk ij n`< jgrk gS] ysfdu yksx bZ’oj ds fu;eksa dk mYya?ku djrs gq, bZ’oj ls nwj gks tkrs gSaA

blk;kg uch ds xzUFk 26-1&9 fdykcan uxj ds ckjs esa crkrk gSA ;gk¡ ij ;wnk ds ns’k esa xk;s tkusokys xhr dks izLrqr fd;k x;k gSA D;ksafd blzk,yh turk izHkq dks /kU;okn dgdj xk jgh gSa fd izHkq us mudh j{kk dh] n`<rkiwoZd 'kk¡rh cuk;s j[kk vkSj izHkq gh mudk fpjLFk;h pÍku gS] vkfnA vkSj lkjh blz,yh turk ekurh Fkh fd izHkq mUgsa dHkh Hkh fouk’k dh vksj ugha ys tk;sxkA

fQfyfIi;ksa ds uke i= 4-1&9 esa lUr ikSyql fQfyfIi;ksa dsfy, viuk vkf[kjh leFkZu nsrk gSA mldks irk pyrk gS fd fQfyfIi;kbZ lekt ds nks izeq[k efgykvksa ds chp >xMk gS vkSj og vuqjks/k djrk gS fd os nksuksa izHkq esa le>kSrk djsaA ;g ?kVuk vkt gesa dyhfl;kbZ ,drk vkSj bZ’kopuksa ij fo’oLr jgus dsfy, ,d pquksrh nsrh gSA lar ikSyql dgrk gS fd ,drk] vkuan vkSj 'kk¡rh dsfy, lnk dBksj ifjJe djrs jgks] gj le; izlUu jgks vkSj fou; rFkk /kU;okn ds lkFk bZ’oj ds lkeus viuk fuosnu izLrqr djsaA lar ikSyql ds vuqlkj f[kzLrh; vkuan vVy vkSj lqn`< gS vkSj blfy, og fQfyIih ds yksxksa dks ;g vkns’k nsrk gS fd NksVh NksVh ckrksa ij >xMk er djsa vkSj bZlk elhg ds izfr lnSo fo’oLr jgsaA

vkt ds lqlekpkj esa ,d xjhc dukuh L=h ds ckjs esa geus i<k gSA bl NksVh lh ?kVus esa bZlk vkSj dukuh L=h ds chp ds okrkZyki dks ge ns[krs gSaA bl lqlekpkj Hkkx ds 'kq#okr esa ge ns[krs gSa fd bZlk rh#l vkSj flnksu izkUr dh vksj tkrk gSA ;s nksuksa xSj ;gwnh ns’k Fks vkSj bZlk us ml dukuh L=h dks tckc nsus ls budkj fd;k FkkA D;ksafd blz,yh yksx ;k ;gwnh yksx dukfu;ksa dks dqRrksa dh rjg ekurs Fks vkSj muds lkFk uhp tkfr ds yksxksa dh rjg O;ogkj djrs FksA bl voLFkk esa dukuh yksxksa dks dqN nsuk ;k muls lEidZ djuk ;gqfn;ksa dsfy, cgqr gh eqf’dy dke FkkA blfy, bZlk us Hkh ml dukuh L=h dks vuns[kh dhA ysfdu] ckn esa bZlk mlds fo’okl dh rkjhQ djrs gq, mldh csVh dks paxk djrk gSA bZlk us dukuh L=h ds fo’okl dks egku D;ksa dgk Fkk\ bldk dkj.k Hkh ge vkt ds lqlekpkj esa ns[krs gSaA dukuh L=h dk igyk okD;] ^^izHkq] nkÅn ds iq=] eq>ij n;k dhft,**] ;g mldk xgjs fo’okl dks n’kkZrk gSA ^^nkÅn dk iq=**] ;g ;gwfn;ksa dsfy, elhg gSA ;g ml L=h ds fo’okl dh ?kks"k.kk gSA ;gwfn;ksa ds elhg ij og dukuh L=h fo’okl djrh FkhA blfy, og bZlk dks nkÅn ds iq= uke ls iqdkjrh gSA ysfdu bZlk ;g dgrs gq, mls okil Hkstrk gS fd eSa dsoy blzk,y ds ?kjkus dh [kksbZ gqbZ HksMksa ds ikl Hkstk x;k gw¡A ysfdu dukuh L=h fujk’k ugha gksrhA fQj Hkh bZlk dgrk gS fd cPpksa dh jksVh ysdj fiYyksa ds lkeus Mkyuk Bhd ugha gSA ;g controversial sentence gS vkSj ge 'kk;n lkspsaxs fd bZlk dSls ml dukuh L=h ls bl rjg dk harsh 'kCn cksy ldrk gS\ ysfdu bZlk dks mlds fo’okl dh ijh{kk ysuk Fkk fd D;k mldk fo’okl xgjk gS ;k ughaA ysfdu ml L=h dk tckc cgqr gh marvelous Fkk& izHkq! Lokeh ds est ls fxjk gqvk pwj fiYys [kkrs gh gSaA vkf[kj bZlk mlds fo’okl dks egku dgdj mldh rkjhQ djrk gSA

gekjs thou esa dbZ volj gSa fd gesa ,slk yxrk gS fd bZ’oj gekjh izkFkZukvksa dks ugha lqurk vkSj leL;kvksa dk gy ugha gksrkA dHkh dHkh bZ’oj ds vfLrRo dk Hkh ge 'kd djus yxrs gSaA ysfdu bl dukuh L=h ds tSls gesa fujUrj vius fo’okl esa vVy jguk pkfg, vkSj yxkrkj plead djrs jguk gSA og xjhc L=h dk bZlk ij tks fo’okl Fkk og n`< Fkk] ysfdu] blzk,yh turk ftUgsa fo’okl esa vVy gksuk pkfg, Fkk bZ’oj ij fo’okl ugha djrs FksA vc tjk ge fopkj djsa fd gekjs fo’okl dk Lrj dgk¡ gS\ D;k ge Hkh blz,yh turk tSls ewfrZiwtd ;kfu idol worshippers gS\ ;g idols dqN yksxksa dsfy, viuh LkEifRr gksxh vkSj fdlh dsfy, ;g computer ;k mobile gksxkA vkSj dqN yksx fdlh O;fDr] cU/kqtu] fQYeh uk;d] viuh chch&cPps] vius position] office work vknh dks idol cukrs gSaA

ge bZ’oj ij n`< fo’okl djsaA gekjs thou esa gesa bZ’oj dks izFke LFkku nsuk gSA ugha rks ge Hkh blzk,yh turk tSls vd`rKrk dh Hkkouk j[kdj bZ’oj ls nwj gks tk;saxsA gekjs ruko ds volj ij vkSj dfBukbZ ds le; ges’kk gesa lkspuk gS fd gekjk bZ’oj ges’kk fo’oLr gS vkSj gekjh enn djrk gSA ge ,slk ugha lkspsa fd ge bZlkbZ gksus ds ukrs gesa igys ls gh j{kk izkIr gqbZ gSA cfYd] ge lnSo vius fo’okl esa n`< cus jgsaA bldsfy, ge bl feLlk cfynku esa izkFkZuk djsaA vkesuA

By Boby Kaiyalakakathu MST

Translated By Jijo Mechery

Sunday Homily for Fifth Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross and Moses

Deuteronomy 9:1-8

Isaiah 25:1-8

Philippians 3:1-11

Mathew 17:14-27

Today in the fifth Sunday of the season of Elijah Cross Moses, church gives us the message that “turn our trust from flesh and be faithful to God and His gifts.” We have to understand that God gives us so many gifts in our life, not because of our righteousness but because of our faithfulness in Him. So if we are faithful to Him, he will definitely provide us the reward for our faithfulness.

Today in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 9:1-8, we see that Moses tells the Israelites that God gives them the Promised Land not because they are righteous people. Promised Land is given to them as a gift. The gift is given to them not because of their merit. Here Moses instruct the Israelites to be faithful to God in the Promised Land. The Israelites are going to cross the river Jordan and he knows that he will not accompany them in the Promised Land. He also knows that the people of Israel were unfaithful to Yahweh throughout their Journey from Egypt to Promised Land. He doesn’t deny the chance to be unfaithful again in the Promised Land, because they had accused the Lord delivering from the Egypt, worshipped idols against the commandment of the Lord, and accused God for not providing food. So Moses knows that they will do the same in the Promised Land too. That is why he tells them “Know, then, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people. Remember and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness.” (Dt 9:6-7) So here Moses wanted to convey the message to them that victory is God’s gift to them so be faithful to Him in the prosperous land too.

In Isaiah, chapter 25:1-8 we see the praise for the deliverance from oppression. It is a passage which tells about the eschatological banquet prepared by Lord. Here Isaiah tells about the eschatological banquet by the Lord to those who are faithful to Him. So he tells “on this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well- aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well- aged wines strained clear.” So here prophet wanted to convey the message that in the eschatological time God will grant us salvation. It is a gift to those who are faithful to them.

In the Gospel of St. Mathew, chapter 17:14-27 we see a curing incident. In this incident the disciples cod not cure the boy with a Demon. Why could not the disciples cast the demon out from that boy? The answer is given by Jesus Himself. It is because of their little faith. Before the curing incident we can see in the chapter 17 the transfiguration scene, here the disciples were excited by the experience they had, and they wanted to remain in the heavenly experience. At the same time when they came to real life situations they could not show the same faith in Jesus. They wanted to show their power and their might. That is why they are asking to Jesus “why could we not cast it out?” The disciples did not understand that they are able to do all these things with the help of Jesus. They did not believe in the power of Jesus. That is why they could not cast the demon out from that boy. Here Jesus wanted to make them understand the Gift of healing given to them is because of their faith in Jesus. It is not because of their merit but because of the faithfulness in Jesus.

In this pericope Jesus’ attitude also is noteworthy, because Jesus heals the boy and tells the disciples to be strong in their faith. Here Jesus is presented as New Moses of the New Testament. In the Old Testament we see that Moses comes out from the mountain after receiving the Ten Commandments, then he saw people were worshipping the golden calf. Then he gets angry and destroys the ten commandments of God, because of the unfaithfulness of the Israelites.  Here Jesus, after the transfiguration scene comes out from the mountain and he sees the faithlessness of his own disciples and corrects them. So the New Moses has shown compassion to the disciples. Here also we can say that God shows mercy not because of our righteousness but it is given as a gift to those who are faithful to Him.

Again Jesus tells them about the sufferings he is going to undergo. "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him.” (Mat 17:22-23) So here Jesus wanted to tell them that there is not only the transfiguration scene, which is the experience of heavenly joy, but also sufferings, if they follow him. Therefore when they see these sufferings they should not be afraid and they should not lose their faith. These sufferings and persecutions in life will help them to strengthen their faith. So when their faith is strong, God will reward them with resurrection. That is why Jesus tells them “On the third day he will be raised." (Mat 17: 23) therefore we can say that even in the time of suffering Jesus asks us to be faithful to him as he was faithful to his Father. Father has given him the gift of resurrection, in the same way we are also assured the gift of resurrection if we are faithful.

Now let us turn our attention to ourselves. Are we faithful to God? Are we ready to profess our faith during the time of persecutions? Are we ready to proclaim our faith with our talents? Sometimes we are reluctant to say that we are Christians. Many of the time we are even hide our rosary from other religious persons. We sometimes think that if we say that we are Christians they will look down upon us. But at the same time, observe them, they are not afraid to show their religion to us. They are not unwilling to observe their religious practice even when they are alone. And sometimes God has given us many talents, like sinning, praying, healing, studding, but don’t think that we have given these talents because we are great and righteous people. He has given us these gifts in order that we may give witness to Him.

It is time to rethink about our faith. We have to measure our faith. Jesus wanted us to give him witness even when we are persecuted. So let us ask God for the grace to be firm in our faith and let us use our talents to proclaim him. Amen

By

Boby Kaiyala MST

Sunday Homily for Fourth Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross and Moses (Hindi translation)

Deuteronomy 8:11-20

Isaiah 33:13-24

Philippians 2:1-11 (1:27-2:11)

Mathew 4:12-17 (4:12-5:16)

vkt ge ,fy;k lyhc ewlk dky ds pkSFks jfookj esa izos’k dj pqds gSa vkSj dzwl dk igyk jfookjA vkt ek dyhfl;k gesa ;g lans’k nsrh gS fd bZX’oj loZ’kfDreku gS vkSj fouezrk dk thou fcrkvksA vkSj dyhfl;k gels ;g Hkh dgrh gS fd uezrk vkSj fou; ds lkFk gekjs thou esa bZ’oj dh egkurk dk c[kku djksA

vkt gekjs euu fparu dsfy, ek¡ dyhfl;k pkj ikB nsrh gSA igyk okpu esa geus lquk fd gekjs fy, oknk fd;k izfrKkr ns’k dh lef) dk vkuan ysus dsfy, uezrk dk thou fcrk,A nwljk okpu dgrk gS fd bZ’oj loZ’kfDreku vkSj loZO;kih gSA rhljs okpu esa lar ikSyql bZlkelhg ds tSls fouezrk dk thou fcrkus dks dgrk gSA vkt dk lqlekpkj Hkkx Hkh ;gh dgrk gS fd vius vkidks fou; vkSj uez cukusokys vkSj bZlk ds vf/kdkj dks Lohdkj djusokys yksxksa dsfy, bZlk thou dk izdk’k gSA vkt ds bu pkjksa ikBksa }kjk ge dg ldrs gS fd vius vkidks uez cukvks vkSj loZ’kfDr eku bZ’oj dk dcwy djksA

Fof/kfooj.k xzUFk v/;k; 8 okD; 11 ls chl rd ds Hkkx esa ewlk blzk,yh turk ls dgrk gS fd os vius le`f) ds le; bZ’oj dks ugha Hkwyuk gS D;ksafd mlus gh blzk,fy;ksa dks fQjkÅu dh xqykeh ls eqfDr nyh FkhA ewlk vPNh rjg tkurk Fkk fd blzk,yh turk izfrKkr ns’k igw¡prs gh bZ’oj ds fo#) [kMh gksaxh vkSj mldh d`ik vkSj 'kfDr ds f[kykQ os dgsaxs fd vius gh 'kfDr ls geus duku ns’k gkfly fd;k gSA ewlk dks ekywe Fkk fd blzk,yh turk viuh le`f) ds le; bZ’oj dks Hkwy tk,xkA blfy, ewlk dgrk gS ^^;fn rqe vius bZ’oj dks Hkqyk dj ijk;s nsorkvksa ds vuq;k;h cu tkvksxs] mudgh iwtk djksxs vkSj mUgsa n.Mor djksxs] rks eSa vkt rqe dks fo’okl fnykrk gw fd rqe u"V gks tkvksxsA** blfy, ewlk muls dgrk gS fd vrhr esa bZ’oj }kjk izkIr gq, ojnkuksa dh ;kn djksA rc rqEgsa irk pysxk fd bZ’oj egku gSA ewlk pkgrk Fkk fd blzk,yh turk uez gksdj bZ’oj dh egkurk dks Lohdkj djsaA

blk;kg uch dk xzUFk v/;k; 33-13&24 esa dgrk gS fd gekjk bZ’oj majestic jktk gSA blfy, lc yksx mldh 'kfDr vkSj rkdr dks Lohdkjuk gS vkSj dcwy djuk gSA blk;kg uch dgrk gS fd bZ’oj U;k;drkZ gS vkSj fl;ksu dk 'kkld gSA blfy, gesa mldh vkKkvksa dk ikyu djuk gS vkSj uSfrd thou fcrkuk gSA rc og gesa 'kSrku dh 'kfDr ls NqMk nsxkA bl ikB ds }kjk blk;kg uch dgrk gS fd bZ’oj dh 'kfDr ij Hkjkslk j[kks vkSj mldh vkKkvksa dk vuqlj.k djksA

fQfyfIi;ksa ds uke i= v/;k; 2-1&11esa lar ikSyql gesa elhg dh fouezrk dk vuqlj.k djus dks dgrk gSA vius nSfud thou esa imitate djus dks lar ikSyql gesa ,d lPpk mnkgj.k nsrk gSA ikSyql bZlk ds ckjs esa dgrk gS fd og okLro esa bZ’oj Fks fQj Hkh mUgksaus nkl dk :Ik /kkj.k dj euq";ksa ds leku cukA bldk vFkZ gS fd bZ’oj euq"; cukA ltugkj lqf"V dk :Ik fy;k vkSj vius vki dks dzwl ij ejus dks rS;kj gqvkA ;g gS fouezrk dk mRre mnkgj.kA bZlk dh bl fouezrk ds dkj.k bZ’oj us mUgsa egku cuk;k vkSj mudks og uke iznku fd;k] tks lc ukeksa esa Js"B gSA bZ’oj gels ;gh pkgrk gS fd ge Hkh vius vkidks uez cuk nsaA

vkt ds lqlekpkj ¼efRr 4-12&17½ esa geus ns[kk fd ftu yksxksa us fouez gksdj bZlk dks vius eqfDrnkrk ds :I esa viuk;k] dsoy mu yksxksa us gh bZlk :ih egRrh T;ksrh ns[khA ge tkurs gS fd tcqywu vkSj u¶rkyh xSj ;gwnh izkUr gSA blfy, ;gwnh yksxksa us lkspk fd tks Hkh bl ns’k esa jgrs gS os lc vU/kdkj esa jgrs gSaA vkSj tc elhg vk;sxk rc mu yksxksa dks eqfDr ugha feysxhA ;gk ge ,d vlaxfr ns[k ldrs gSa fd ;gwnh tks elhg }kjk eqfDr izkIr djus dks cqyk;s x;s gSa os bZlk dks Lohdkj ugha djrs vkSj xSj ;gwnh bZlk ij iw.kZ J)k vkSj HkfDr j[krs gSa vkSj mUgsa eqfDr fey tkrh gSA blfy, vkt ds lqlekpkj esa dgk x;k gS fd va/kdkj esa jgusokyksa us ,d egRrh T;ksrh ns[kh gSA

elhg ds eqfDr fnykus dk vf/kdkj ij fo’okl gh mUgsa j{kk feyus dk dlkSVh ;k ekunaM cu x;kA xSj ;gwfn;ksa us bZlk ij fo’okl fd;kA blfy, mUgsa eqfDr fey x;hA vkSj ;gwfn;ksa us bZlk dk vuns[kh dh] blfy, bZlk us mudk frjLdkj fd;kA blfy, vkt ds lqlekpkj ls dyhfl;k gels dgrh gS fd j{kk izkIr djus dsfy, elhg ij iw.kZ fo’okl j[kksA ckbfcy ds furkar gels fouezrk dk thou fcrkus dsfy, bZlk izcksf/kr djrk gSA

vHkh ge vius ckjs esa lkspsaA D;k ge vius O;ogkj esa uez ;k fouez gS\ D;k ge vius xq# vkSj izHkqoj bZlk elhg dks loZ’kfDreku ds :I esa Lohdkj djrs gSa\ cMs vQlksl dh ckr gS fd ge ges’kk loZ’kfDr eku bZ’oj ds ckjs esa ?kks’k.kk djrs gSa vkSj vouezrk dh ftUnxh ds ckjs esa fl[kkrs gSa ysfdu gekjs dFkuh vkSj djuh esa foijhr ;k mYVk gks tkrs gSaA dHkh dHkh ljyrk vkSj uezrk dh ckr dgdj ge tkus vutkus egaxh egaxh phtksa dk bLrseky djrs gSa rkfd yksx tku tk;sa fd ge egku gS vkSj cMs gSaA iqjksfgr vkSj seminarian gksdj Hkh fn[kkoVh dsfy, ge cgqr dqN djrs gSaA egaxh mobile, laptop, shirts vknh [kjhnrs gSa vkSj tc mission dsfy, dqN ;ksxnku nsus dh ckjh vkrh gS rks ge vius ?kj dh xjhch gkyr ds ckjs esa cksyrs gSa ;k ljyrk dh ckr djrs gSaA

bZlk us dgk ekuo iq= Hkh viuh lsok djkus ugha cfYd lsok djus vkSj cgqrksa ds m)kj dsfy, vius izk.k nsus vk;k gS ¼ekdZ 10-45½A ge Hkh lsok djus dsfy, cqyk;s x;s gSa] lsok djkus dsfy, ughaA blfy, lar ikik QzfUll izFke us lHkh dkfMZuYl] fc’kIl] iqjksfgrx.k vkSj lsjs fo’okfl;ksa ls fouez cuus dsfy, dgkA lar ikik us ;g Hkh dgk gS fd egaxh xkMh] eksckby vkSj ykiVksi dks R;kxdj ljyrk dk thou fcrk;saA os dHkh ugha pkgrs fd iqjksfgr cMs cMs vQlj cusa] cfYd vius xq#oj bZlk ds lqlekpkj dh ?kks’k.kk djusokys cusaA

blfy, Hkkb;ks] ge Hkh vius thou esa uez cudj viuh dFkuh vkSj djuh esa loZ’kfDreku bZ’oj dks viuk;saA bl ojnku dsfy, bl feLlk cfynku esa ge izkFkZuk djsaA vkesuA

By Dn. Boby Kaiayalakakathu MST

Transalted by Dn. Jijo Mechery 

Sunday Homily for Fourth Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross and Moses

Deuteronomy 8:11-20

Isaiah 33:13-24

Philippians 2:1-11 (1:27-2:11)

Mathew 4:12-17 (4:12-5:16)

Today we have entered into the fourth Sunday of the season of Elijah- Cross- Moses and also it is the first Sunday of the season of Cross. Mother church gives us the message that “confess that the Lord is Almighty and be humble.” Church also insists us to be meek and admit the greatness of the Lord our God in our lives.

Today church gives us four passages for our reflection. The first reading conveys us the message to be humble when we enjoy the prosperity of the world which is promised to us. The second reading tells us that God is all powerful and Almighty. The third reading shows us the model of Jesus Christ, who humbled himself. And the Gospel projects Jesus as the light to those who humble themselves and accept his authority. So in nut-shell we can say that these four readings convey the same idea that “confess that the Lord is Almighty and be Humble.”

In Deuteronomy, chapter 8:11-20 Moses tells the Israelites that they should not forget the Lord in their prosperity, because He has helped them to overcome the slavery of the Pharaoh. Moses knows that when they reach the Promised Land they may turn against the Lord and they will say that it is because of their power they have attained this wealth. He knows that they will forget the Lord in their abundance. And they will run after other gods. That is why he tells “if you do forget the Lord your God and follow other gods to serve and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.” (Dt 8:19) So he exhorts them to remember the olden days in which God has showered His enormous blessings. Only then they will understand that Lord is great. So Moses wants Israelites to be humble in their prosperity accepting the greatness of God our Lord.

In Isaiah, chapter 33:13-24 tells us that God is the majestic King. So all the people should accept and acknowledge the might of God. Isaiah tells that Lord is the judge and the ruler of Zion. So we have to keep His commandments and we have to lead a righteous life, then he will save us from all evils. So in this passage Isaiah tells them to accept God’s might and power and obey his commandments.

Philippians, chapter 2:1-11 is known as the ancient Christological Hymen. In this Paul tells us about need of imitating the humility of Jesus Christ. Paul gives us a perfect model for us to imitate in our daily life. He tells that Jesus Himself is God, but when Jesus took the form of a man he emptied himself and took a form of a slave. That means God come down to man. The creator took the form of a creature. Then he was ready to die on the Cross. That is a greatest form of humility. That itself shows the love of God towards man. As a result of this meekness God the Father exalted Jesus and placed him King of Heaven and the earth. Jesus could retain the position of God and could save mankind, but he took the form of a slave and offered us salvation. It is to teach us the greatness of humility in our life. God wants us to be humble in our life too. That is why he has given a perfect example through his Son Jesus Christ.

When we come to today’s Gospel Passage, Mathew, chapter 4:12-17, we see that those who humbled themselves and accepted Jesus as their savior could see the true light. Zebulun and Naphtali are gentile regions. So Jews believed that Gentile’s are living in darkness, when Messiah comes he could not save these pageants. Here we can see a contradiction, Jews who are called to be saved by the Messiah could not accept Jesus, the true Messiah. Instead the Gentiles accepted the Messiah and because of their faith in Jesus, they are saved. That is why it is told in the Gospel that “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”

So faith in the authority of Messiah’s saving power became the measuring factor of their salvation. The gentiles believed in Jesus the Messiah and they were saved. At the same time the Israelites ejected the savior and they too were abandoned by the Messiah. So today through this Gospel passage Church tells us to believe and accept the authority and power of Messiah in order to be saved. Throughout the Bible we can see Jesus exhorts us to live a humble life. The parable of the rich fool. (Lk 12:13-21) Here rich man could not understand the greatness of Lord in his prosperity and pride crept into his life resulting his great fall. That is why Jesus tells us “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Mt 5:5)

Now let us turn to ourselves, are we humble in our behaviors? Are we also accept the Lord our God as all powerful and Savior of our lives? The saddest thing is that we proclaim and preach the Almighty God and the need of humility in our lives, but very often our actions contradict our words. Sometimes we possess many costly things in order to show other that we are something great. As priests and seminarians we do many things to show off. We buy costly mobiles, laptops, shirts, but when we are asked to contribute to a small amount to the mission, then emerges our consciousness of our poor parents. Jesus told “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45) We are called to be humble servants not masters. That is why Pope Francis told to all the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Religious and all the faithful to be humble in our lives. He asked the priests and religious to avoid costly cars, mobiles, laptops etc. He never wanted his priests to become CEO’s, instead he wanted them to preach the Gospel of our Master Jesus, who lived as poor. So dear friends let us be humble in our deeds and acknowledge Almighty God in our life. For this grace let us pray in this Holy Eucharist. Amen.

By

Boby Kaiyalakakathu MST

The Feast of The Exaltation of the Cross ( On September 13)

Isaiah 42:13-17 

(42:13-43:12)

Acts 2:29-36 (2:14-36)

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Luke 24:13-35

Today mother church specially celebrates the feast of the exaltation of the cross. When we think about this season of the Elijah- Cross- Moses, we can understand that this season points to the second coming of our Lord and the ultimate success of the cross. The central point of this period is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which we celebrate today. So first of I wish all of you the festal greetings of this day.

What are we remembering on this day specially? The early Church believed that the sign that would appear in the sky before the second coming of Christ would be the Cross. Hence we specially remember and celebrate the power and glory of the Cross in this season. Adding to that, we come across references to the Emperor Constantine’s vision of the cross and the finding of the cross by his mother Helena, in the prayers and hymns of this season. Just as Moses extended his staff over the Red Sea and showed the path to Israel across the sea, Jesus has saved humanity revealing the way to paradise through the cross. Referring to the tree of life in paradise and the bronze serpent raised by Moses in the desert, this season reminds us of the glory promised to us through the cross. Here we have a foretaste of the heavenly Church to come.

Today the prophet Isaiah tells us about the victory of God. “The lord goes forth like a soldier, like a warrior he stirs up His fury.” The words like soldier and warrior shows that our God is in a war and in this war He will be the vanquisher. So when He conquers the world and this universe all the idol worshippers will be punished, because they cannot stand in front of the Lord our God, who is Almighty.

Acts chapter 2:29-36 tells us that God exalted Christ as both the Messiah and Lord. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2 32-33) Here also we can find the exaltation of Christ as the Messiah and the Lord.

In 1^st Corinthians, chapter 1:18-31 we see that cross is considered as the sign of God’s power. But here St. Paul pictures the apparent contradiction between the world’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. God chose the cross to save the mankind, but the same cross is seen as a shame in the Old Testament times. We can see that in olden times they used cross to hang the criminals. So a death on the cross is considered as the most indecent and most disgraceful death. They also believed that those who were hanged to death on the cross never attain the salvation. But we can see God chose this humiliating cross for the salvation of the mankind. That is why St. Paul tells “For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18)

When the apostles were preaching about the Jesus the crucified the Pharisees and scribes could not digest it, because they thought that they are preaching about a man who had undergone such a humiliating death. That was death on the cross. It was a stumbling block to Jews and Greeks. Jews expected a messiah who would born as a king. They could not accept a person who is ordinary and who died on the cross. And in the same way Greeks asked for the reason. They were philosophers and they always looked the why of things. So both of them could not understand the saving power of the cross. And also could not understand the wisdom of God.

In Luke, chapter 24:13-35 speaks about the incident that happed in the life of two disciples on the way to Emmaus. Here we see two disciples are making a move from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They move away from the city of light to Emmaus. It can be understood as they are moving away from Jesus. Here also we can find out the contradiction between the world’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. These two disciples pretend that they know everything. That is why they ask the stranger this question “are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” The foolishness of the human wisdom. But when Jesus explains everything they gradually come to the understanding of Jesus.

This gradual understanding comes to its full flowering when Jesus breaks and gave them the bread. Till that time they were ignorant, but pretended that they knew everything in this world. Then it is written that they went back to Jerusalem. That means they went back to the city of the light. We can now say like this when Jesus opened their eyes they understood that they are in darkness and they went back to the light. So when the true light came to them they understood the foolishness of the human wisdom. So we need the true light in order to understand glory of the cross. And we need the God’s wisdom to understand the plan of God by making use the cross for our salvation.

So dear friends let us totally dedicate ourselves to the saving plan of God, who is the real wisdom. Let us also try to travel through the path of the cross. The cross can bring us glory and salvation. So let us try to be happy in our small sufferings. God’s foolishness is greater than man’s wisdom. Amen

By Boby Kaiyalakakathu MST

Sunday Homily for the Third Sunday of the Season of Elijah Cross Moses

Deuteronomy 7:12-16 (7:12-26)

Isaiah 32:1-8 (32:1-33:6)

Philippians 1:12-25

Mathew 13:24-30

Today we entered into the third Sunday of the Season of Elijah- Cross- Moses. We know that in this season we remember the Glorious second coming of Jesus as a King of Justice. Then he will abolish all the dichotomies in the world, because only the truth will remain forever. And he is this Truth, so only he can remain forever.

Today mother church has set four passages for our reflections. These four passages expresses the idea of dichotomies in the world. Deuteronomy states that there is an opposition between the chosen people of God, the Israel and the Egyptians. Isaiah tells us that in this world there is always a justice and unjust. Philippians remains us about the contradiction in each person, between the desire of the flesh and desire of the spirit. And in the Gospel to show this dichotomy Jesus gives us the parable of the wheat and weeds, which is the fruit of evil and fruit of the spirit.

First of let us meditate over the letter to Philippians chapter 1:12-25. In this chapter we see that Paul communicates to us about the disagreement between the desires of the flesh and desires of the spirit. Paul always uses the flesh and spirit in order to show the difference between the good and evil, because he warns the Philippians to be faithful to the Spirit and the Truth. According to him, in him there is a strong feeling to be with Christ. That means the wanted to act in accordance with the desires of the Spirit. But since we are living in this world we cannot simply avoid to live in the flesh. So he tells us that it is not living in the flesh which is sinful, but acting in accordance with the desires of the flesh is sinful. That is why Paul says “for me living is Christ and dying is gain.” So as true Christian what is our responsibility is to live in the flesh and act in accordance with the promptings of the Spirit, to live in Christ.

In the same way the Gospel of St. Mathew chapter 13:24-30 (13:24-43) we see the parable of weeds and wheat. When we closely observe this parable we can say that Jesus is speaking about us. As St. Paul the Gospel also tells that in each man there is kingdom of God. Jesus tells “The kingdom of God is compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field.” We are this field and Jesus is the one who sow the good seed in us. This is the state of each one of us, when we are born to this world. Let us think about of position when we were born. We were good, joyful, innocent, and stainless. But only when we grew up we lost our original innocents, we lost our joy. We became corrupt. So the same question Jesus asks us, did I not sow good seed in you? The Gospel also gives its answer too. It the enemy who sow the weeds among the wheat. So all the bad fruits which we produce come from the Devil, not from God. He is the one who sow the fruits of hatred, bad habits, evil thoughts, etc. in us.

Here the attitude of Jesus towards the weeds is very important in this parable. He did not allow the slaves to remove the weeds. He also gives the permission to grow the weeds along with the wheat. Have you ever think of this? What may be the reason he allowed the wheat and weed to grow together? It is because he knows that there is an opposition in every person’s heart, between the good and evil. He can become a good person in course of time. So that is why Jesus the eternal judge waits for the last time. Therefore he gives man to change his heart to the eternal Truth. He gives man to come back to the ultimate Truth. At the same time we have to always keep in mind that he will give this chance when we are living in this world. We will not get a chance after our death. Sometimes we may also think why this mischievous person prospers in this world? Why God gives so much wealth? The answer is here it is because God gives him time change. It is the time to eradicate the influence of weed and to become wheat.

When we come to Deuteronomy chapter 7:12-16 (7:12-26) we can find the privileges enjoyed by God’s people over the worldly people. Israel is the chosen people of God and the Egyptians stand as the worldly people. There is always the opposition between the two. But God saved them from them. He also blessed them with abundance of wealth. They became the most blessed people in the world. They also had the kingdom experience, where they had protection and blessing of Yahweh. Here we see that with the blessing and protection of Yahweh, the powers of the world is simply destroyed or defeated. So in the Kingdom of God there is no place for the Evil and his powers.

In Isaiah chapter 32:1-8 (32:1-33:6) we see that the prediction of the reign of a righteous King. Isaiah describes his qualities. He will judge this world rightly. He will over though the rash judgment and place good judgment. He will judge the folly and ungodly. So at last what is remaining is the reign of God. He will establish the justice in the world and will destroy all the oppositions and evils. So here Isaiah speaks of a king who can destroy the elements of evil in this world. The righteous judge will collect the wheat in the barn and will destroy the weeds.

In the New Testament we have a perfect model who destroyed the evil and his powers through total surrendering. It was Mother Mary who could destroy the dichotomy between the good and the evil. St. Ephrem tell through one woman’s sin the evil entered in this world and through another women’s good the truth succeeded the evil.So dear friends let us evaluate ourselves. How innocent we were when we were born? But now what is our states? Can we accept others? Can we live peacefully with our own fellow human beings? Are we trying to eradicate the influence of evil in us?

So dear friends it is time to change our behavior. Let us place ourselves to hear the promptings of the Spirit. He will definitely help us to avoid the evil tendencies in us. So as St. Paul we can also say that for me living is Christ and dying is gain, because only he can redeem us from the influence of the flesh. So in this Holy Eucharist let us pray for this grace. May Lord Help us all. Amen

By Boby Kaiyalakakathu MST