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MONDAY, EASTER OCTAVE

 

Acts 2: 14, 22-33                    Ps 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11                  Mt 28: 8-15

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HE IS RISEN!

Today is a day of triumph, a day to declare with unwavering conviction that our Lord has conquered death. We are an Easter people, and “alleluia” is our song. We rejoice because our Lord Jesus has defeated death and now lives forever. Like Peter in today’s first reading, may we be emboldened to proclaim fearlessly this good news. Like the Psalmist, may we continually set the Lord before us, especially as we enter this sacred Easter season. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, the ultimate assurance that sustains every believer.

In this life, we will inevitably face trials and sorrows. Yet, we cling to the promise of heaven, where unending joy and the fullness of hope await us. Just as our sorrows are fleeting, so too are the pleasures of this world; they are but a shadow compared to the eternal glory that awaits. By His victory over death and His triumph over sin, Jesus has secured for us an eternity of joy. Easter is a time when we are reminded of the divine purpose woven into our lives. It is a season to reflect on God’s promise to redeem our souls and raise our bodies on the last day. The resurrection of Jesus is a radiant beacon, reminding us that our earthly struggles are temporary and that eternal glory awaits us.

Like the disciples who raced with eager hearts to share the marvelous news, we too are called to be messengers of Christ’s resurrection. Just as Peter was transformed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we too must seek the same divine empowerment. With boldness, we must proclaim the heavenly joy that awaits us. Let us embrace this Easter season with hearts overflowing with gratitude and hope, knowing that through Christ’s resurrection, we have been granted the gift of eternal life. May we live as radiant witnesses to this truth, carrying the light of the risen Christ to a world in need of His saving grace.

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Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

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

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SUNDAY, EASTER SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S RESURRECTION

 

Acts 10: 34, 37-43; Ps 118 ; Col 3: 1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16: 1-7 or Lk 24: 13-35

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THE DAWN OF UNENDING JOY

Today, the Church shouts with a joy that shakes the foundations of the world. The stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and death itself lies defeated. This is the day the Lord has made; a day of unbreakable hope, a day when God’s “yes” to life drowns out every “no” of despair. After the long journey of Lent, after the shadows of Good Friday, we stand here in the radiant light of Easter. But this is not just a happy ending to a sad story. This is the beginning of everything. Today, Christ rewrites the story of humanity, turning our tombs into thresholds and our mourning into dancing.

The Gospel begins in darkness. Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb while it is still dark, weighed down by grief. But what she finds there changes everything: the stone is moved, the tomb is open, and the body of her Lord is gone. She runs to Peter and John, breathless with confusion: “They have taken the Lord!.” The disciples sprint to the tomb, and John, arriving first, hesitates at the entrance. Peter charges in, finding only the burial cloths. Then John enters, and Scripture tells us simply, “He saw and believed.” The empty tomb is not proof – it is a mystery that demands a response. It confronts us with a question: Will we trust what God has done? The discarded burial cloths are a sign of victory. Like a butterfly’s empty chrysalis, they point to a transformation too glorious to contain. The tomb is empty because Christ is alive. Today, the empty tomb invites us to move from fear to faith, from speculation to worship.

But the story doesn’t end at the tomb. Later, Mary Magdalene lingers there, weeping. Through her tears, she mistakes Jesus for a gardener, until He speaks her name: “Mary” (Jn 20:16). In that moment, her sorrow turns to joy. She becomes the first apostle of the Resurrection, rushing to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (Jn 20:18). This is the pattern of Easter: Christ meets us in our grief and calls us by name. He appears to those who doubt, like Thomas; to those who flee, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus; to those who betray, like Peter. He doesn’t scold them for their failures; instead, He cooks them breakfast (Jn 21:9-12). The Risen Lord is not a distant judge but a friend who walks beside us, breathing peace into our chaos: “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19). Yet Easter is not just comfort, it is a commission. Jesus tells Mary, “Go to my brothers” (Jn 20:17). He tells the disciples, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21). The Resurrection is not a private consolation but a public revolution. We are sent to be witnesses, to carry the light of Christ into the world’s darkest corners.

St. Paul declares, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above” (Col 3:1). Easter is a new way of living. The Resurrection is an invitation to live with holy audacity, to love boldly, forgive recklessly, and hope relentlessly. What does this look like? It looks like the early Christians, who sold their possessions to care for the poor (Acts 2:45). Easter people are those who stare into the abyss of suffering and still dare to say, “Love is stronger.”

This Easter joy reaches its climax here at the altar. The Eucharist is the meal of the Risen Lord, the place where He makes Himself known to us, just as He did to the disciples in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:35). In this sacrament, the Resurrection becomes present here and now. We receive the risen Lord Himself. The world outside may still seem shrouded in shadows – war, injustice, loneliness, and pain. But Easter equips us to face these realities with unshakable hope. The same power that rolled away the stone is at work in us. We are not called to ignore suffering but to transform it, just as Christ transformed the cross into a gateway to life. Let us go forth as Easter people. Let us be the ones who forgive first, love hardest, and hope most fiercely. Let us feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, and defend the forgotten. The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen—and because He lives, we too shall live.

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Response: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.

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

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FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK

 

GOOD FRIDAY

 

Is 52: 13 — 53: 12; Ps 31: 2, 6, 12-17, 25;
Heb 4: 14-16 ; 5: 7-9; Jn 18: 1 — 19: 42

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THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTIVE LOVE

 

Today, we gather in the shadow of the cross – a symbol of suffering, yet the radiant heart of our salvation. Good Friday is a paradox: the darkest day in history, where the Light of the World is extinguished, and yet, in that darkness, the dawn of eternal hope breaks forth. The cross is the culmination of God’s relentless love, a love that bends low to lift us up. Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading pierces our hearts: “He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities… and by his wounds we are healed.” Seven centuries before Christ, the prophet painted a portrait of a servant who would bear the weight of humanity’s sin. This servant, like a lamb led to slaughter is Jesus. In Him, God’s love takes on flesh, not to condemn, but to save. Isaiah’s Suffering Servant does not cry out against injustice; he does not retaliate. His silence is not weakness but divine strength. It is a conscious refusal to meet violence with violence. In John’s Gospel, Jesus, arrested in Gethsemane, answers simply, “I am he,” and His words carry such authority that soldiers fall to the ground. Even in submission, He is sovereign.

 

In the second reading, Jesus, our High Priest, is not distant from our pain. He “sympathizes with our weaknesses.” In Gethsemane, He prayed with “loud cries and tears,” trembling under the weight of the cup He would drink. Here, Christ’s humanity shines: He knows fear, loneliness, and anguish. Yet His obedience transforms suffering into sacrifice. In the mystery of the Incarnation: God does not save us from afar. He enters our brokenness, our grief. In our desperate moments, He whispers, “I have been there too.” The cross is God’s answer to the cry of every wounded heart: You are not alone.

 

The Gospel of John’s Passion narrative is rich with irony, revealing profound truths hidden in apparent contradictions. The soldiers mock Jesus as “King of the Jews,” unknowingly proclaiming His true kingship. Pilate’s inscription on the cross, put there to instigate and humiliate the Jews, becomes a universal declaration of Christ’s identity. The crucifixion, a symbol of shame, is Jesus’ “lifting up” and moment of glorification. The seamless tunic, divided by soldiers, symbolizes the unity of Christ’s Church. Caiphas, the high priest who opposes Jesus, unwittingly prophesies His saving mission: “It is better that one man die for the people” (cf. Jn 11:50). Even Jesus’ cry, “I am thirsty” fulfils scripture – He who offers living water (cf. Jn 4:10) now thirsts for us. In His final moments, Jesus entrusts His mother to the beloved disciple, embodying the new family of God forged at the cross. When He declares, “It is finished,” it is not a cry of defeat but of fulfilment. The work of redemption is complete. These ironies reveal the mysterious nature of God’s kingdom: weakness becomes strength, defeat becomes victory, and death brings life. The cross, a symbol of despair, becomes the ultimate expression of divine love for all those who see beyond its shame to the triumph of Christ’s sacrifice.

 

What does this mean for us? The cross confronts us with two questions: Firstly, Do we see ourselves in the crowd? Like Peter, we deny; like Pilate, we compromise; like the soldiers, we wound. Christ extends his forgiveness to us: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34). Secondly, Will we stand with the Suffering Servant? To follow Jesus is to embrace the cost of love; to defend the marginalized, forgive the unforgivable, and lay down our lives for others. Today, we venerate the cross, not as a relic of death, but as the tree of life. In its shadow, we confront our sin and God’s bountiful mercy. The Servant’s wounds are our healing; the High Priest’s tears are our comfort; the Crucified King’s death is our life. Let us leave this place marked by the cross, humbled, forgiven, and compelled to love as He loved. For Sunday is coming, but today, we linger at the foot of the cross, where Love’s final breath whispers our name. Ave crux spes unica!

 

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Response: Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!

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

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THURSDAY, HOLY WEEK

 

HOLY THURSDAY

 

Ex 12:1-8,11-14                     Ps 116             1 Cor 11:23-26                       Jn 13:1-15

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Today, we gather to remember and celebrate the deeply meaningful actions of Jesus on Maundy Thursday. His closest disciples, in their human frailty, struggled to fully comprehend the magnitude of what was unfolding. Yet, here and now, we stand with the clarity of hindsight, understanding the significance of His actions and the eternal destiny they secured for us. All of this – the suffering, the sacrifice, the redemption – happened because of us. It happened because humanity, in its brokenness, embraced the allure of evil and turned away from His divine grace, the very grace that could have empowered us to overcome sin. Yet, in His infinite mercy, Jesus came to rescue us from eternal damnation and to restore our relationship with the Creator. As we walk through the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, let us pause and reflect deeply, closing the door of our heart to the distractions of this world. Let us immerse ourselves in the profound truth of what we celebrate. Let us seek to understand the depth of His sacrifice, the weight of His love, and the transformative power of His resurrection.

 

 The term ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command.” Hence, literally speaking, today is “Command Thursday.” But what is this command? Let us turn to the Gospel of John, which offers a unique perspective on the events of this sacred day. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke focus on the Last Supper, John’s account shifts the spotlight to act of Jesus of washing the feet of the disciples. This act, found only in John’s Gospel, carries deep symbolic meaning and reveals the essence of Jesus’ command.

 

In the cultural context of time of Jesus, washing feet was a task reserved for the lowest servants or slaves in a household. It was a menial, humbling act, often performed as a gesture of hospitality for guests. For a master to wash the feet of his disciples was unthinkable. This explains Peter’s shock and resistance when Jesus, the Master and Son of God, removed His robe, tied a towel around His waist, and knelt to wash their feet. This was no ordinary act of humility; it was a radical reversal of roles, a demonstration of servanthood that defied societal norms. But Jesus’ act went even deeper. By laying aside His robe, He symbolically foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice He would soon make: laying down His life for His friends. The foot washing was not merely about humility; it was an illustration of love in action. It set the stage for the mandatum – the command – that Jesus would give: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This command was a call to love with the same selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated.

 

The command of the Lord to love and serve one another challenges us to dismantle the barriers of status, power, and privilege that divide us. Just as Jesus stooped to wash the feet of His disciples, we are called to humble ourselves and serve others, especially the marginalized and the vulnerable. If there is anything we must “flatten,” it is the gap between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. Jesus’ act of servanthood reminds us that true greatness lies in loving and serving others, not in seeking self-glory or dominance. As we reflect on this mandatum, we must also confront our own failures. Have we been indifferent, passive, or unwilling to commit to Christ’s command? Have we allowed our status, achievements, or comforts to hinder us from serving others? As we come to the end of this sacred season, let us ask ourselves: What have these forty days of Lent meant to us? Have we merely gone through the motions of rituals, or have we truly participated in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus? Has this experience changed us? If our lives remain unchanged, we must seriously examine our discipleship and our commitment to the mandatum of the Lord. Let this Maundy Thursday be a moment to recommit ourselves to loving and serving others as Jesus did. Let us strive to live out His command in our daily lives, not just during Lent or Holy Week, but every day. For in doing so, we become true disciples, bearing witness to the power of His love.

 

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Response: The cup of blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ.

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

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WEDNESDAY, HOLY WEEK

 

Is 50: 4-9                    Ps 69: 8-10,21-22,31,33-34                Mt 26: 14-25

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LOVING JUDAS

 

Holy Week invites us into the heart of God’s love, a love so profound that it embraces even the unlovable. It is easy to love those who are good, kind, and righteous; that is, those who reflect the goodness of Jesus. But the true challenge of Christianity lies not in loving “Jesus,” but in loving “Judas.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux once said, “True charity consists in bearing all our neighbours’ defects – not being surprised at their weakness but edified at their smallest virtues.” This is the essence of the new commandment: to love as Christ loved, without measure, distinction, or condition!

 

God’s love is universal and impartial: “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt 5:45). This divine love is the standard set for us, especially during Holy Week. St. Paul marvels at this love, saying, “Rarely will anyone die for a righteous person… but God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:7-8). Jesus loved Judas, knowing full well the betrayal that was to take place. He called him ‘friend,’ washed his feet, and shared bread with him at the Last Supper. But Judas betrayed his Master for a mere 30 silver coins.

 

There are “Jesus-es” and “Judas-es” in our lives too! Jesus teaches us that our love must extend to the “Judas-es” as much as to the “Jesus-es”! The “Jesus-es” are those who inspire, help, and support us, while the “Judas-es” are those who hurt, offend, or stand against us. Loving the “Jesus-es” is natural; loving the “Judas-es” is divine. To love them requires prayer, for only through God’s grace can we forgive and extend kindness to those who wound us. As the Carmelite St. John of the Cross teaches us: “In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone,” the Holy Week too calls us to look inward and ask: Can we truly love our “Judas-es”?

 

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Response: In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord, for a time of your favour.

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

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TUESDAY, HOLY WEEK

 

Is 49: 1-6                    Ps 71: 1-6, 15, 17                   Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38

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CALLED TO IMITATE THE SERVANT

 

The first reading introduces us to the ‘Servant of the Lord’ – a figure chosen by God to be a light to the nations and to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. The Servant’s mission is to restore Israel and bring God’s saving message to all peoples, embodying His justice and mercy. This mission is rooted in selfless love, a love that reaches out to those in need, offering salvation without conditions. This Servant is fulfilled in Christ, but Isaiah’s words also resonate with each of us. Consequently, we are called to recognise that our lives, too, are part of God’s great plan of salvation, and to embrace the call to serve others with compassion, mercy, and humility.

 

In the Gospel, we witness a powerful moment in the life of Jesus as He prepares for His Passion. In the Upper Room, He is surrounded by His disciples, where He foretells Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. Yet, He continues to love His disciples to the very end, demonstrating the deepest act of service by washing their feet. Jesus’ love is a love that does not hesitate, even when He knows He will suffer, even when He knows His friends will fail Him. This is the love that defines the Christian life: a love that serves others even in the face of hardship. In this season of Lent, the Gospel reminds us that following Jesus means following the path of self-giving love. It is not merely about avoiding sin but about imitating Christ in how we treat others.

 

Pope Francis, in his Lenten message, calls for “a conversion of heart” that leads us to embrace God’s love for the world and to live that love through our actions. Truly, Lent is a time of conversion, where we are called to turn away from selfishness and sin and move toward greater love and service. Isaiah’s Servant and the actions of Christ in the Gospel remind us that to follow God is to embrace a life of love that is not self-centred but other-centred, a love that serves others even at great personal cost.

 

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Response: My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

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

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MONDAY, HOLY WEEK

 

Is 42: 1-7                    Ps 27: 1-3, 13-14                    Jn 12: 1- 11

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THE VALUE OF LOVE

 

The symbolic gesture of anointing the feet of Jesus, intended as a final homage and an act of love by a caring and loving woman is fully misinterpreted by Judas Iscariot, the bursar. His preferential love of the poor, however, sounds hollow. For, despite his long association with Jesus, he still appears to have learnt little about love, nothing to say of the love of enemies. Being a man of mere economic calculation rather than love, soon we find him having no reservations in exchanging a human person for a few coins. Mary was attracted by Jesus and became his disciple when she realized that she had found the real Messiah. Judas didn’t love Jesus at all. His heart and soul was engrossed in making money. Jesus admonishes Judas for his pettiness.

 

Little children sometimes bring to us items of their discovery, which are silly and petty but we marvel at them, so that they don’t feel disappointed. They are sharing their joy with us. Our enthusiastic and grateful reaction is not for the thing itself, but for their generosity. So too with Jesus – He is not moved by the cost of the oil in judging Mary’s gift, the value that others might put on the item itself, but instead reacts to her generosity in using this item to do something kind for him. Mary’s action of anointing Jesus’ feet was an act of love, of generosity that she felt she could only express by sharing this costly thing. Jesus knew that his generous acceptance of her gift would bring her much spiritual solace.

 

Jesus teaches us to see the humanity in the giver, and the generosity that it takes to give even when one is a member of the “poor.” Recall the tenderness Jesus felt for the poor widow who gave her last two coins. True love is not about self but always about the Other, whose love we understand in the love of his Son, Jesus Christ.

 

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Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

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

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SUNDAY, PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

 

Procession: Lk 19: 28-40

Mass: Is 50: 4-7; Ps 22: 8 9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2 :6-11; Lk 22: 14 — 23: 56

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THE PARADOX OF PRAISE AND PASSION

 

Today, we stand at the threshold of Holy Week, holding palms in our hands and paradox in our hearts. This liturgy begins with jubilant shouts of “Hosanna!” and ends with the solemn reading of Christ’s Passion. In one breath, we acclaim Jesus as King; in the next, we hear the crowd demand His crucifixion. Palm Sunday is a mirror, reflecting both our deepest longing for salvation and our tragic capacity to betray the very One who saves us. Today, we confront the tension between our faith and our frailty.

 

The Gospel recounts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, a scene rich with prophetic symbolism. Unlike earthly kings who ride warhorses, Jesus chooses a donkey – a humble beast of burden, a sign of peace. This fulfils Zechariah’s prophecy (Zech 9:9). The crowds spread their cloaks and wave palm branches, symbols of victory and kingship in the ancient world. They cry, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” But what kind of king is this? Jesus’ does not come to seize power but to surrender it. He does not overthrow Rome but conquers sin. He does not demand tribute but offers mercy. The donkey, a creature of service, reveals His mission: to serve, not to be served (cf. Mk 10:45). In a world obsessed with dominance, Christ’s humility disarms us. Today, the palms we hold challenge us.

 

Yet the same crowd that shouts “Hosanna!” will soon cry “Crucify Him!” (Lk 23:21). The crowd mirrors our own divided hearts. How easily we praise God on Sunday and forget Him by Monday! How quickly we turn from devotion to doubt when faith demands sacrifice. The word “Hosanna” means “Save us, we pray!” The people longed for a political liberator, but Christ came to liberate them from something far deeper: the tyranny of sin and death. When He refused to meet their narrow expectations, their praise turned to rage. How often do we, too, grow angry with God when He fails to conform to our plans? When suffering interrupts our lives, when prayers seem unanswered, do we double down in faith or retreat into resentment? The Passion narrative lays bare humanity’s brokenness: Judas betrays, Peter denies, the disciples flee, Pilate capitulates, and the religious leaders conspire. Yet in this chaos, Christ’s love remains steadfast. He prays for His persecutors, promises paradise to a thief, and entrusts His spirit to the Father. The cross reveals both the depth of our sin and the greater depth of God’s mercy.

 

Palm Sunday invites us to move beyond superficial praise to costly discipleship. It is easy to wave palms and sing hymns, but will we follow Christ to Calvary? To carry palms is to accept the call to become His hands and feet in a wounded world. True discipleship means embracing the paradox of the cross: that life comes through death, strength through weakness, victory through surrender. The donkey reminds us that God’s power is perfected in humility. The palms, which will wither in days, remind us that earthly glory fades, but God’s kingdom endures. In the Passion, we see discipleship embodied by unlikely figures: Simon of Cyrene, forced to carry the Cross, teaches us that Christ’s burden becomes a gift when shouldered with love; the women of Jerusalem, who weep for Jesus, model compassion in the face of injustice; the centurion, a foreign soldier, recognizes Christ’s divinity at the foot of the cross. These figures challenge us: Where do we see ourselves in the story?

 

This Holy Week, we are invited to walk with Jesus not just in procession but in passion: to pray with Him in Gethsemane, trusting the Father’s will; to stand with Him at His trial, rejecting the world’s false verdicts; to weep with Him at the cross, refusing to turn away from suffering; to wait with Him in the tomb, believing light will dawn. Let us lay down our cloaks of pride, our palms of superficial piety, and meet Him in the messy, sacred truth of His Passion. For only by facing the cross will we reach the empty tomb.

 

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Response: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

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SATURDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

 

Ez 37: 21-28               Jer 31: 10-13              Jn 11: 45-56

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THE STRUGGLE WITHIN

In life, everyone goes through times when hope feels far away, and doubts fill the heart. These are the moments when the struggle between faith and doubt becomes most real. Even the strongest believers may question God’s presence or plan. However, it is during these times that God calls us to trust and hold onto our faith, even when doubt feels easier.

In the first reading, God speaks to the prophet Ezekiel, promising to restore Israel. The people were lost, broken, and filled with sadness, much like how we feel during difficult times. However, God promises, “I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live.” This promise brings hope even in the darkest moments. It reminds us that no matter how far we feel from God, His Spirit has the power to heal and renew us. In the Gospel, the story of Lazarus shows us the struggle between faith and doubt. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, manifesting His power. But even after seeing this miracle, some people still doubted. This shows that faith and doubt often exist together, even when we witness God’s miracles. Just as Lazarus was called out of the tomb to new life, we are also invited to trust in God’s power to change our lives.

Thus, we are reminded that doubts do not mean we lack faith; they are part of our journey. Just like Jesus raised Lazarus, He calls us to rise above our doubts, trust in His promises, and accept the new life He gives us. Take time to think about the areas where doubt has taken over. Bring these struggles to God in prayer and ask for His help to turn to trust. Look for signs of God’s presence, even in small things, that they may strengthen faith. Reach out to others who may also be struggling and offer encouragement. Remember that faith, even when tested, can bring hope and new life. Let this Lent be a time to choose faith, even in the face of doubt, knowing that God’s help is always near.

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Response: The Lord will keep us, as a shepherd keeps his flock.

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

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FRIDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

 

Jer 20: 10-13              Ps 18: 2-7                   Jn 10: 31-42

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POINTING YOUR FINGER AT OTHERS

Perhaps the most heart-touching line today from Jesus is, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” Jesus always sought for the good of others to the extent that, being God, He let Himself be ridiculed by men. He was not spared from being taunted and hated despite all the good He did. It is human tendency to weigh out the tiny faults of others while comfortably forgetting the good they have done. In our judgements or assessments of people, it is easy to focus on the negative, whether it be a person’s mistake, shortcoming, or sin. This tendency to point out the black dot on a white canvas could arise from various factors: our own insecurities, the influence of societal norms, or the complexity of our emotions. However, what we do not realise is the impact we are causing in the life of the said person. Our harsh remarks or negative attitude could break his/her spirit. This is what the Jews tried to do to Jesus as well.

Jesus, on the other hand, does not expect this from his followers. He never approached people with a judgement scale, weighing others’ vices against their virtues. Instead, with his Sacred Heart, he extended mercy, love, forgiveness, and, most importantly, a loving gesture of gratitude to even the most broken! The woman caught in adultery (John 8) wasn’t subject to condemnation but to compassion. “Go and sin no more” didn’t break the woman but brought her freedom. Let us bring to mind the classic example, “While you are pointing your finger at others, remember that the remaining fingers are pointing at you.” We have to remember that except for God, nobody is perfect! Being human involves the constant need for God’s grace. Instead of clouding our minds with the failures of others, let the season of Lent purify our thoughts to remind us of our faults first before we jump into judgements. May we learn during this holy season how to be compassionate.

 

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Response: In my anguish I called to the Lord, and he heard me.

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