SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

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TUESDAY, TWENTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian

 

1 Tm 3: 1-13              Ps 101: 1-6                 Lk 7: 11-17

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CALLED TO BE LIFE-GIVERS!

 

 “God has visited his people,” must have been the response of the people of Naim, as they witnessed Jesus raise the son of the widow. St John the Evangelist beautifully articulates it in Jesus’ words, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance!” Jesus raised three people back to life – the daughter of Jairus, the son of the widow of Naim, and Lazarus. Although these examples project Him, the Author of Life, giving life to frail humans who received death’s painful embrace, He had nevertheless come in human flesh to give life to our sinful selves. He had come to redeem us from sin and slavery and to elevate us to the lost dignity of children of God.

 

Though unrelated in the first glance, the first reading of the day bears a meaningful connection to the Gospel. In his Letter to Timothy, St Paul sets a standard for the life of a bishop and a deacon. Deacons, Priests and Bishops are all ordained ministers of the Church. Unlike every baptized who share in the common priesthood, these are specifically ordained into the ministerial priesthood of Christ! Hence, in the liturgy, they act in persona Christi. In his ministry, Christ gave life to people, and these men who are chosen by God, are called by the Lord to share in the same mission – to be givers of life. Of course, our clerics are not expected to raise the dead, but through their ministry, through their holiness, and prayer life, they are invited to raise people from their spiritual dormancy, cure their indifference to religion, and rejection of faith! An example par excellence would be the saintly Cure of Ars. Through his selfless efforts and persistent prayers, St John Mary Vianney was able to revive faith in the village of Ars; he brought people back to life! This is what the Church expects from her ministers.

 

As we draw our reflection on these passages from the scripture, let us offer our prayers for our deacons, priests and bishops so that in their ministry they may be guided by the spirit and may revive souls for God!

 

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Response: I will walk with blameless heart.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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MONDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

1 Tm 2: 1-8                Ps 28: 2, 7-9               Jn 19: 25-27 or Lk 2: 33-35

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SEVEN SORROWS; ONE LOVE

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Church remembers the deep sorrow and pain Mary experienced as the Mother of Jesus. Tradition speaks of the seven sorrows, that marked her life as she stood beside her Son in His suffering for our salvation.

These seven sorrows are:

1. Prophecy of Simeon: who told her that a sword would pierce her heart;
2. Flight into Egypt: escaping with the newborn Jesus to avoid Herod’s deadly plan;
3. Losing Jesus in the Temple: searching for Him in great distress for three days;
4. Meeting Jesus on the Way to Calvary: seeing Him bruised and burdened with the cross;
5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross: watching Him suffer and die;
6. Receiving Jesus’ Body: holding His lifeless body taken down from the cross; 7.Placing Jesus in the Tomb: laying Him to rest and returning in sorrow.

Her sorrow was not merely emotional but spiritual and full of meaning. She willingly shared in the suffering of Christ for our sake. That’s why the Church honours her sorrow twice: during Passion Week and again today, a feast instituted by Pope Pius VII in the 15th century. Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus she is also the Mother of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. Though she no longer suffers, her compassion continues. As the Book of Lamentations says, “To whom shall you be compared, O Virgin? Your sorrow is like the sea.” Even today, statues of Mary in various places have reportedly wept reminding us that she still feels in her motherly heart, the pain manifested in the world. Her heart remains open to all who suffer.

So, when trials come, bring your pain to Mary; imitate her in reaching out to others in pain—with a kind word, a listening ear, or a gentle touch. Mary teaches us that sorrow joined with Christ brings healing and grace. Her loving endurance shows us how pain can lead to deeper love and unity. Let her example help us carry our own crosses with hope and help others do the same!

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Response: Blest be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my appeal.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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SUNDAY, TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

 

Nm 21: 4-9                 Ps 78               Phil 2: 6-11                 Jn 3: 13-17

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THE CROSS STILL SPEAKS

 

The liturgy of the day holds a profound significance. Today is the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast has more than a historical remembrance. It is a personal invitation to reflect on how God transforms suffering into redemption. The readings of the day guide us through this same mystery, beginning with the Israelites in the desert. One can only imagine their exhaustion and their frustration after years of wandering. They cry out against God and Moses, not just complaining but rejecting the very journey meant to lead them to freedom. In response, they face venomous serpents. It is not a punishment that God gives, but it is a consequence of their own turning away from trust. Yet even here, God does not abandon them. He instructs Moses to lift up a bronze serpent, so that anyone who looks at it in faith, may live. It is a powerful moment, and a lesson that redemption from death does not come from their own efforts, but from simply lifting their eyes to what God has provided.

 

This story speaks to our own lives. How often in our struggles, do we grow impatient with God? We question His timing, His plan, even His love. We might not voice it aloud, but our hearts whisper, ‘Why is this happening? Where are You?’ And yet, even in our doubt, God offers a way back. Way back not by removing the consequences of our choices, but by giving us something to fix our gaze upon. For the Israelites, it was the bronze serpent. For us, it is the Cross.

 

Jesus makes this connection clear in the Gospel when he says, “…just as Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” The Cross is not just a tragic end to Christ’s life; it is the moment where God takes all our brokenness, our fears, our sins, our despair and transforms it. When we look at the Cross, we not merely see an instrument of torture; we behold in it ‘love’ in its purest and most vulnerable form. It is as if God says, “I meet you here, in your suffering. I do not stand apart from it, rather I enter into it, and I make it holy.”

 

Paul’s words in his letter to the Philippians deepen this truth. Christ, though divine, emptied Himself, not reluctantly, but willingly. He did not cling to His power; He let it go, becoming human, embracing weakness, even accepting death on a Cross. This is not the distant God as some of us sometimes picture, watching from afar. This is a God who kneels in the dirt, who knows hunger and thirst, who feels the weight of betrayal and the bite of nails. And because of this, the Cross becomes more than a symbol, it becomes a bridge between heaven and earth, between God’s holiness and our humanity.

 

So, what does this feast declare to us? It means that when life feels heavy, when we are weighed down by failure, grief, or uncertainty, we do not have to carry it all alone. The Cross teaches us that suffering, when united to Christ, is not meaningless. It is where we meet God most intimately. It also calls us to repentance. Like the Israelites, we are invited to recognize where we have turned away from trust and to look up again, to let God’s mercy heal us. And finally, it challenges us to love as Christ loved. Not in grand, sweeping gestures, but in small, daily sacrifices: to practise patience when we are frustrated, forgiveness when we are hurt, humility when we would rather assert ourselves.

 

The Cross is not a relic of the past. It is alive, it is God’s ongoing answer to human suffering – still speaking, still offering hope. Christ’s outstretched arms still embrace the broken, His wounds still speak mercy to the guilty, His death still brings life to the despairing. Every moment of forgiveness, every spark of hope in darkness, proves the Cross’ power did not end 2,000 years ago. Today, let us pause and really look at the Cross, not as a distant symbol, but as a personal promise. God does not explain away our pain, but He does something greater: He redeems it. In the shadow of the Cross, even our darkest moments can become places of grace. In a world of temporary solutions, the Cross remains God’s eternal promise that no suffering is beyond redemption.

 

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Response: Never forget the deeds of the Lord!

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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SATURDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom

 

1 Tm 1: 15-17            Ps 113: 1-7                 Lk 6: 43-49

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CULTIVATING VIRTUE FROM THE ROOT

Jesus says in today’s Gospel: ‘A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree is known by its own fruit.’ Jesus uses this image of the tree to teach that a person’s actions – whether good or bad – reflect what is in their heart. As Charles Read once said: ‘Sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.’ Just like a fruit, character does not appear instantly. It grows over time. Jesus teaches that good fruit comes from a healthy and sound life – one that follows moral values and has integrity. If our lives show love, faith, patience, and honesty, it means we are living rightly. But if we show anger, envy, selfishness, or laziness, then something inside us may be spiritually unwell. The words we speak can reveal what is in our hearts. So, we should always try to choose our words from the goodness we store within.

Jesus also tells a parable about building on the right foundation. This connects to His message about sound living. The foundation we build our lives on, will determine how we handle life’s difficulties. The only way to prove our sincerity is by putting our faith into action. Words alone are not enough; actions speak louder. Faith must be active – it calls us to respond. And this response would mean that we nurture and grow in the virtues that are expected of us as Catholics, and reject all vices that keep us away from God’s love!

Thus, if we produce good fruits, let us rejoice! But if we notice bad fruits in our lives, let us turn to God and ask for a change of heart – a metanoia. We need to be transformed from within. This means reaching out to healing through confession and working hard to build a virtuous life.

True people are honest and trustworthy before God, themselves, and others. Their words and actions go hand in hand. So, let us ask ourselves: What kind of foundation is my life built upon?

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Response: May the name of the Lord be blest for evermore.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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FRIDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

1 Tm 1: 1-2, 12-14                 Ps 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 11              Lk 6: 39-42

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TUNING THE ‘I’ FIRST

The readings today speak clearly about the need for humility and self-awareness, especially when we feel the urge to correct others. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus uses a vivid and even dramatic image: someone trying to remove a speck from another person’s eye while a log remains in their own. It’s an exaggeration, yes— but a purposeful one that exposes how easily we focus on others’ faults while ignoring our own. We have all experienced this. Perhaps we get irritated with someone’s habits, or we are quick to point out their flaws—but how often do we stop to ask ourselves: Do I struggle with the same thing? Jesus is not forbidding fraternal correction. Rather, He is inviting us to begin with honest self-examination. Before we speak into someone else’s life, we must allow God to examine and transform our own.

The first reading gives us a powerful example of this in St. Paul. He speaks with striking honesty about his past: once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. Yet Paul does not mention this to wallow in guilt. He recalls it to proclaim the overwhelming mercy of Christ. Paul knows that it was not his own goodness that saved him—it was God’s grace. This awareness keeps him humble and makes him a compassionate leader, not one who corrects from a place of superiority, but from deep gratitude and love. The message is simple yet deeply challenging: real change begins with me. If I want to help others grow in faith or virtue, I must first surrender my own weaknesses to God. Real correction, must flow not from pride or irritation, but from love—genuine, humble, patient love.

Let us ask the Lord today for honest and open hearts—hearts that are willing to be corrected, hearts that see others with mercy, and hearts that always choose the path of humility. “Lord, help me to see myself clearly. Remove what blinds me, so that I may walk in truth and guide others gently—just as You have guided me.”

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Response: It is you, O Lord, who are my portion.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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THURSDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Col 3: 12-17               Ps 150: 1-6                 Lk 6: 27-38

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A MUCH NEEDED REMINDER

There are days when we wake up feeling unworthy. The weight of our failures, and the words we wish we could take back settle on us like a fog. Yet, in today’s reading, Paul wakes us up to remind us who we really are, not by our own merit but by God’s mercy – chosen, holy and beloved. Paul does not just motivate us into wishful thinking. Rather, he calls us to remember what has already been done for us. We are no longer who we were! Our old selves have been put off and now we dress ourselves in something new. But what?

Put on compassion, he says. Not a feeling of sympathy but the kind that prompts us to place ourselves in the place of those who are suffering. Put on kindness, he adds. Not the kind that makes us feel good but restore dignity in those who need it. Wear humility, he says, not self-pity but the quiet strength to let go of being right all the time. Wear gentleness, he says, in a world that often demands hardness. Wear patience, he says, to love people for what they are; not wishing for what we would want them to be.

Paul then takes us another step! He tells us to bear with one another, to realize that we are not perfect ourselves and neither are our enemies. They need to be forgiven not because they deserve it but because Christ forgave us when we did not! Paul then says to put on love, the love that seeks the good of the other. It is this love that binds our fragmented selves into one happy child of God! Paul gives us some advice after. He says to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. What is this peace? This peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ even amid tribulations. It is the joy that comes when he dwells deep within us. This passage is not some suggestion. It is a reminder of who we are and whose we are. Let us remind ourselves that and wait for the change of perception of life!

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Response: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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WEDNESDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Col 3: 1- 11                Ps 145: 2-3, 10-13                  Lk 6: 20-26

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NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

In baptism, we were buried with Christ and raised with Him through the power of His resurrection (Col 2:12). In this sacrament, our sins were forgiven, and we became sharers in His victory on the cross—a marvellous gift for every Christian. But what does it mean to live out this new life?

In today’s first reading, St. Paul urges the Colossians to “seek the things that are above,” for God has granted us life in Christ through the forgiveness of our sins. He calls us to “put to death” what is earthly in us—those inordinate passions and desires that arouse the wrath of God (cf. Eph 4:20). To follow Christ is to put on the “new self,” striving to walk in love of God and neighbour.

This new life in Christ is marked by compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The “old self,” ruled by selfishness and enslaved by harmful passions, destroys both ourselves and those around us. The “new self,” by contrast, is characterised by a communal spirit and constant concern for others. Gratitude then becomes our natural response—a heart that sings the praises of the Creator, echoing today’s psalm. Truly, Christians have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph 1:3–14), and ceaseless praise is the fitting response.

The Beatitudes in Luke’s Gospel reveal the very mind of Christ. They free us from the burden of our sinful nature and open before us the path to true happiness and peace, the way Jesus Himself walked on earth. To live by these Beatitudes is to allow Christ’s own attitudes to shape our choices and relationships.

As pilgrims on earth, we live with our gaze fixed on heaven. Since Christ has passed beyond this world, we too must learn to live for what endures. The good we do may never be seen, recognised, or praised, but it is known to God, “who searches the heart” and rewards in His own time. Let us, then, persevere in living as a people raised with Christ, clothing ourselves each day with the virtues of the new self and walking in grateful praise until we share fully in His glory.

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Response: How good is the Lord to all.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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TUESDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Col 2: 6-15                 Ps 145: 1-2, 8-11                    Lk 6: 12-19

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THE TRINITY OF TRANSFORMATION

The Trinity of Transformation– Rooted in Christ, Guided by Prayer, and Empowered to Serve – can lead to a life of meaning & purpose, fulfilling the mission of Jesus. Just as a tree’s roots dig deep into the earth, anchoring it firmly against strong winds and turbulent weather, being rooted in Christ provides a strong foundation for our spiritual lives. With Christ as our anchor, we are empowered to withstand life’s challenges, knowing that our roots run deep into something greater than ourselves. When we are rooted in Christ, we build a strong foundation that stands firm against life’s storms. This rootedness empowers us to live with confidence, hope, and a sense of purpose.

Prayer is our connection to God’s wisdom and love. When we pray, we open ourselves to God’s guidance and wisdom. Our hearts align with His plan, and we find peace and clarity, even in uncertain times. Just as Jesus modelled the importance of prayer, pouring out His heart before making crucial decisions like choosing the 12 apostles, we can seek God’s wisdom and guidance in our own life. It is only through prayer that we will cultivate a deeper intimacy with God. When we are rooted in Christ and guided by prayer, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve others like Jesus. This empowerment enables us to fulfil the greatest commandment: to love God and to love our neighbours. In our service to others, we are transformed from within and our connection with God and others deepens. When we combine these three elements, we experience transformation. By embracing this ‘Trinity of Transformation’, we experience a life-changing journey of faith, prayer, and service. May we be transformed by God’s power and love, and may our lives reflect His glory. As we live out this trinity, we shall find joy, peace, and purpose in our relationship with God and others.

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Response: How good is the Lord to all.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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MONDAY, TWENTY THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

 

Mi 5: 1-4 or Rom 8: 28-30                Ps 13: 6                       Mt 1: 1-16, 18-23

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MARY: CHOSEN FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

Today’s liturgy presents two choices for the First Reading. The first is from prophet Micah. The prophet has been speaking against the rulers of Israel who are paying dearly for their sinful ways. In today’s passage he is speaking of the restoration of Israel through a Messiah.

Prophet Micah announces the coming of the Lord of Israel who will come forth from Bethlehem of Judah. The Mother of the Messiah, presented as one about to give birth, will give life to the prince and pastor of the house of David who will bring justice and peace. She will work with the Messiah to bring forth a new people.

The second choice of the reading is from Romans. Paul speaks of how all are picked out specially by God. “We know that everything works together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”. This is an important statement. We see it in Mary’s acceptance of the angel’s invitation, even though she did not fully understand its implications at that time.

Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus traces his lineage from Abraham, the father of God’s chosen people, through the line of David, King of Israel. Jesus the Messiah is the direct descent of Abraham and David, and the rightful heir to David’s throne. God in his mercy fulfilled his promises to Abraham and to David that he would send a Saviour and a King to rule over the house of Israel and to deliver them from their enemies.

Today, as we celebrate the birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our own Mother, who is our special advocate with her Son, let us pray that her intercessions may earn us the favours we ask of God!

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Response: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in

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SUNDAY, TWENTY THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Wis 9: 13-18               Ps 90               Phlm 9-10,12-17                    Lk 14: 25-33

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MATHETES

More than two thousand years have passed since the resurrection of Jesus Christ and still humanity is conflated with Jesus and Christ. In our normal conversation we used Jesus and Christ in the same breath as if Christ is Jesus’s last name. The Prologue in John’s Gospel, Colossians 1 and Ephesians 1, state with absolute clarity that Christ existed from all eternity and Jesus existed just within the bounds of time. In fact the Gospel of John, is all about the Christ [But these are written that you may believe, that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (Jn 20:31)]. St Paul encounters this Christ on his way to Damascus.

In the synoptics, i.e., Matthew, Mark and Luke, it is mostly about Jesus who existed in time. This Word-made-flesh as revealed to us in John 1, cannot be dispensed with! We are familiar with how events unfolded when Jesus walked on this earth and large crowds followed him, however He expects of us to head towards a different level of following Him. His invitation is discipleship. The Greek word used for a disciple is mathetes which is a derivation of Mathano from the root ‘math,’ indicating ‘thought accompanied by endeavour’. In other words, a disciple is a person who learns from another by instruction, whether formal or informal. Discipleship also includes the idea of one who intentionally learns by inquiry and observation and thus mathetes is more than merely a pupil.

Jesus of Nazareth, who existed in time is a perfect archetype of human journey i.e., from his conception in Bethlehem, ordinary life of 30 years like most of us to his trial, betrayal, death and resurrection. Jesus’ command, “Follow me,” appears more than ten times in the gospel which proves its importance.

Jesus asks his would-be-followers to consider the cost of following Him at three different levels:

Close Family Ties: If the values of the kingdom you desire to embrace stands in stark contrast to your close family ties, then whom would you chose? Are you ready to leave your close family and follow him?

Worldly values: If one believes that life is all about earning money, building a house, and surrounding oneself with comforts, then—according to the mystics—one has truly gained nothing. Jesus does not call us to destitution, but He does call us to examine our values. When worldly ambitions stand in contrast to the values of His Kingdom, whom will we choose? Jesus presses the question even further: once you have made the decision to follow Him, are you prepared to see it through to the end? St. Paul, at the close of his ministry, could say with confidence, “I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” Can we make the same claim, or will we abandon Him halfway when the cost of discipleship becomes real?

War between Spirit & Flesh: This refers to the ongoing battle between the kingship of Jesus and the deception of Satan. Once we step away from worldly values, we are called to a higher way of life—one that requires us to be fully equipped with what St. Paul calls “the armour of God.” As disciples, we must remain constantly united to the true Vine, Christ Himself. The moment we allow disconnection, we step outside the shelter of God’s protection, leaving ourselves vulnerable to the enemy’s snares.

Jesus of Nazareth, who followed the will of his Father while on earth was crucified, died, buried, but rose from the dead. This Jesus is the Christ, who has sent us His Holy Spirit so that we are not left orphans in our journey of discipleship. This Resurrected Christ is presented as a “Forgiving Victim.” Before the disciples who hide in a closed room, Christ presents himself. This Christ who was betrayed by his close ones, speaks not questioning the betrayal, but proclaims “Shalom” or the “Peace of the Sabath”, “As the father has sent me, I am sending you” and he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. Then he shows his disciples the wounds of his hands and his side warning them of the cost of discipleship. This is the new beginning for just as Yahweh breathed life into Adam, Jesus Christ breathes into the cold heart of Human beings; if only we welcome the life he offers us!

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Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation.

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Copyright ©2025 ©Springs of Living Water  http://springs.carmelmedia.in