SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

January 30, 2025January 30, 2025

31st JANUARY 2025

Hebrews 10:32–39 (ESV) - Hebrews 10:32–39 ESV - But recall the former… | Biblia

FRIDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Saint John Bosco

Heb 10: 32-39 Ps 37: 3-6,23-24,39-40 Mk 4: 26-34

STRENGTH IN ADVERSITY AND EASE

Ease has ruined far more men than trouble ever did. Hannibal of Carthage, was a general who had defeated the Roman soldiers in battle. However, when winter arrived, he paused his campaign, resting his troops in Capua (Italy), a city known for its luxury. The comforts of Capua made Hannibal’s soldiers lose their spirit. When spring came and they resumed their campaign, they were not able to withstand the Romans. Ease had ruined what struggle had fortified. That is often true of the Christian life. Sometimes, we can handle tough situations well, but when things get easier, we lose strength and faith.

The author to the Hebrews appeals to us, saying, “Be what you were at your best.” Christianity does not demand the impossible, but if we were always as honest, as kind, and as courageous as we can be, life would be transformed. In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God, using the parable of the growing crop and the mustard seed. These parables show the quiet, yet powerful, growth of faith and the Kingdom of God, often happening in unseen ways. Just as the seed requires nurturing and care to grow, our faith also needs continual attention and care, especially in times of ease.

Don Bosco, whose memorial we celebrate today, was a priest who faced adversity yet thrived in his mission to educate and uplift the youth. He was committed to his values of kindness, courage, and dedication, even when faced with the comforts that might have distracted him. His unwavering commitment reminds us that it is not just our trials that define us but our response to both struggle and ease. In trials and triumphs, we need to remember that our strength is nurtured through vigilance and commitment, ensuring that we remain true to our values of kindness, courage, and dedication. Thus, in both adversity and ease, we can grow stronger and draw closer to the Kingdom of God.

Response: From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

January 29, 2025January 29, 2025

30th JANUARY 2025

THURSDAY 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME GOSPEL, COMMENTARY AND READING. PARABLE OF THE LAMP (Mk 4:21–25).

THURSDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Heb 10: 19-25 Ps 24: 1-6 Mk 4: 21-25

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THE HOPE AND TRUTH WE PROFESS IN CHRIST

The author of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we enter God’s presence through the blood of Jesus. By his incarnation, Jesus has made it possible for us to live a perfect life in communion with God. Jesus, by his death and resurrection, not only offered himself to his Father but also obtained eternal redemption for us. He has freed our hearts and minds from sin and now invites us to take up our cross and be his disciple(s). We will find meaning and fulfilment in life when we are faithful to the will of God in our daily lives.

The three qualities mentioned by the author that are necessary for approaching the sanctuary with a sincere heart are faith, hope, and love in community. It is by faith we enter into the Christian community and are baptised into the mission of Jesus. We have hope because Jesus has entered and become our high priest forever, interceding for us before the throne of God. Towards a Spirituality for Synodality affirms that we must “never lose sight of the goal, which is the ever-greater love and service of Christ and the world to which we are sent.” We experience this each time the liturgical assembly is nourished by the Lord and sent forth to love and serve each other.

The Psalm affirms the importance of seeking God’s face and living righteously before God. Only then can we stand before God with clean hands, pure hearts, and a commitment to truth. The metaphor of a lamp is used in the gospel to teach us about the revelation of the truth and its comprehension. What is hidden will be disclosed, and those who listen and understand will be given more insight. As the Father’s children, what is the hope and truth we profess? Towards a Spirituality for Synodality puts it succinctly, “With this wisdom grasped through the eyes of faith, we become agents of the in-breaking Kingdom of God, reconciling all things in peace and messengers of the kingdom of life.”

Response: These are the people who seek your face, O Lord.

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025

29th JANUARY 2025

A Brief Reflection on Mark 4:1-20 – A : A

WEDNESDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Heb 10: 11-18 Ps 110: 1-4 Mk 4: 1-20

THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Do you know the secret of the Kingdom of God? Jesus says to his disciples in today’s gospel, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.” This secret is also given to us because what Jesus did and said did not end with his death but continued in His resurrection. Furthermore, He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us remember and understand what He has revealed.

But what is this secret? The secret is that God dwells in us and is at work in us. This profound truth that Jesus Christ offers us is received through the sacred act of baptism and a life rooted in faith. A glimpse of this divine secret is unveiled in the parable of the Sower. Our hearts are the fertile fields where the seeds of God’s Kingdom are sown. Even when our hearts have grown cold and forgotten the warmth of love, God, in His infinite mercy, draws us back to Himself, inviting us to know and love Him anew. The seeds of God’s Word can fall on four types of soil, mirroring the diverse states of our hearts: dry, rocky, thorny, or good. It is important to remember that our hearts can shift between these states, sometimes multiple times. We may mistakenly believe that cultivating good soil is solely our effort, a constant striving for perfection. However, the truth lies in the grace of God, who tenderly nurtures the seeds within us, patiently awaiting their growth.

While it is true that we should do our part to change and prepare our hearts, we cannot become good soil all by ourselves. We need the help of the Lord. And this happens only by abiding in Him. As the Lord Himself said, “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (Jn 15:4) We have the secret to the Kingdom of God, and we need to abide in the Lord to have access to this secret, to know Him and be shaped by Him, and hence bear fruit.

Response: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.

January 27, 2025January 27, 2025

28th JANUARY 2025

What does Mark 3:31-35 mean? | Bible Art

TUESDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Heb 10: 1-10 Ps 40: 2, 4, 7-8, 10, 11 Mk 3: 31-35

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY

Most of us are familiar with the proverb, ‘Blood runs thicker than water’, which is a clever way of saying that family bonds are stronger than that of friendship or love. However, for Christ, what truly unites people are not familial bonds but the bonds that are forged by doing God’s will together. Through faith and good works, we are bonded not only with those who are currently on earth, but also with those who have gone before us. Even death cannot severe the ties that are built on the foundation of good works and faith. Perhaps it is more apt to say that the living waters drawn from the baptismal font runs thicker than both blood and water.

God brought us into the world through our natural families, and Jesus redefines family in suggesting that it goes deeper. Through the Gospel passage today, Jesus teaches us a fundamental lesson about what it means to be a part of God’s family. Households normally have family members on the inside and crowds on the outside. But here the order is reversed. Jesus was spending time with those called from the outside to be on the inside. Jesus used this scene to drive home an important point about the priority of relationships in His Kingdom. As Jesus would make clear, spiritual proximity to him is not a matter of flesh and blood but on faithfulness to the will of His Father. (cf. Jn 1:12–13) In His eyes, Through His disciples, Jesus established not only His kingdom, but also a new family, a family based not on having a common name, but on having the same heavenly Father.

A biblical scholar writes, “Obey the Lord, and an unparalleled family experience awaits you.” It really is a wonderful thing to belong to the family of Christ. By living our faith, we are all members of Christ’s household, where love and justice reign forever and ever.

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

January 26, 2025January 26, 2025

27th JANUARY 2025

What is Discipleship? – Pastor Dave Online

MONDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Heb 9: 15, 24-28 Ps 98: 1-6 Mk 3: 22-30

JESUS, THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT

The early Christian community, led by figures like Timothy and Titus, experienced a radical transformation through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. They revelled in the joy of discipleship, a far cry from the rigid legalism of the Jewish Rabbis and Scribes. These religious leaders were preoccupied with meticulous adherence to laws and rituals, often seeking absolution through costly sacrifices. In contrast, Jesus offered a revolutionary path, a way of authentic worship rooted in personal morality: “If you… remember that your brother has something against you,… First go and be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23-24).

In today’s gospel, Jesus presents a demanding yet liberating vision of discipleship. He calls us to a life of radical honesty and moral purity, a life that is wholly surrendered to God. This radical lifestyle is not merely a pious aspiration but a practical reality that requires tangible actions and sacrifices. Jesus underscores the importance of personal righteousness as a prerequisite for authentic worship. This involves a relentless battle against our own desires and passions, a battle that can only be won with God’s help. To follow Jesus, we must embrace the cost of discipleship. It is not enough to merely attend church services or recite prayers; we must actively seek to live out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. This requires a deep and abiding faith, sincere repentance, and a willingness to let go of our old ways of thinking and behaving. We must never forget that our salvation is not earned through our own efforts but is a gift of God’s grace. It is through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome sin and live a life that is pleasing to God. Let us, therefore, embrace the challenge of discipleship with courage and hope, knowing that with God’s help, we can achieve the impossible.

Response: O Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders.

January 25, 2025January 25, 2025

26th JANUARY 2025

SUNDAY, THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (WORD OF GOD SUNDAY)

Neh 8:2-10 Ps 19 1 Cor 12:12-30 Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

UNITED IN FAITH, JOY AND SERVICE

Today we celebrate two important aspects of our lives: our faith and our national pride. The readings of the day call us to embrace unity, joy, and service. At the same time, today is Republic Day in India, a day we honour the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, which are the pillars of our Constitution. In a certain orphanage, people of different backgrounds used to gather to render service. Though they came from different religions and cultures, they worked side by side, sharing stories and smiles. One young woman, who had been feeling alone, shared how much the community had supported her and made her feel welcome. This simple act of serving others created a bond among them, and joy was found in their unity. It is a simple story but reminds us that when we come together in service and love, we experience true joy. Even when we have differences, we are united in our desire to help others. This is a powerful reminder of the strength we can find in community.

The words of prophet Nehemiah in today’s first reading, “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” remind us that unity in faith gives us strength and hope. This unity is what holds us together. From our earliest years we are taught that we are one people, but not the same; within that unity, there is a great diversity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the diversity of gifts and cultures enriches the whole Church. In the same way, our country is enriched by its many languages, traditions, and customs. When we come together in unity, our faith and our community grow stronger. The Responsorial Psalm of the day is a reminder that the beauty and power of God’s law give us life and bring us joy. This joy is not a passing feeling but a deep happiness that comes from following God’s commandments and living according to His will. Pope Francis reminds us that Christian unity is a gift from God, and we must open our hearts to receive it. When we live with this joy, we are transformed, and that joy becomes our strength.

St. Augustine once said that a Christian “should be an alleluia from head to foot.” This means that joy should be present in everything we do, be it in our work, our relationships, or our service to others. In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us that He has come to bring good news to the poor and freedom to those who are oppressed. This mission was not just for Him alone; it is a call for all of us as members of the Church. We are called to share this good news with others and serve those in need. Pope John Paul II once said that the Church’s unity is a gift that comes with a responsibility to promote understanding and peace among all people. In our world, which is divided by conflict, the Church is called to be a sign of hope and unity.

So how can we be the instruments of unity, joy, and service? Firstly, in our daily lives, we can take small steps to build bridges with those who are different from us. Whether it is reaching out to a neighbour of a different faith or simply being kind to someone in need, we can promote unity in our community. Secondly, we can follow the example of Jesus by serving those in need. Whether it is volunteering in our parish, helping out at a local charity, or offering support to someone going through a difficult time, we are called to serve with love. Thirdly and lastly, we are called to the mission of spreading joy. We are reminded that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Let us strive to live with joy, even in difficult times. A smile, a kind word, or a simple gesture can bring joy to others and remind them of God’s love.

St. Paul tells us that we are all part of one body, the Body of Christ, and each of us has an important role to play. By embracing our differences and working together in love, we reflect the values of our faith and the ideals of our Republic. Let us commit ourselves therefore to living out our faith with joy and unity. May the joy of the Lord be our strength as we work together to build a community that reflects the love of God and the values of justice, liberty, and equality.

Response: Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025

25th JANUARY 2025

Today, January 25, is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul

SATURDAY, SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul

Acts 22: 3-16/ Acts 9: 1-22 Ps 117: 1-2 Mk 16: 15-18

THE ‘SCALES’ IN OUR HEARTS

Today’s feast reminds us that conversion is a lifelong process. Each of us is in constant need of spiritual renewal. To call ourselves Christians is not merely to bear a title; it is to live a life that reflects Christ Himself. As we grow in conformity to Him, this inner transformation fundamentally changes how we view the world and others. We begin to see Christ in every person we encounter, recognizing His presence in the faces of our neighbours, especially in the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Paul’s journey teaches us this profound truth.

On the road to Damascus, Paul was struck down by a vision that forever changed his life. Falling to the ground, he heard the voice of Christ: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Paul’s physical blindness in that moment symbolized his spiritual blindness – his inability to see Christ in others, especially in those he persecuted. However, when Ananias laid hands on Paul and prayed for him, “something like scales” fell from his eyes (Acts 9:18), and he regained his sight – both physically and spiritually. What were these “scales” that had prevented Paul from recognizing Christ in those around him? Perhaps they were the same obstacles we often face – ignorance, prejudice, pride, self-righteousness, and stubbornness.

We must ask ourselves: What are the scales that blind me from seeing Christ in those around me? Anger, jealousy, resentment, unforgiveness, and a desire for revenge can harden our hearts and distort our vision. To remove these scales, we must turn to God in humility. Time spent in prayer reveals the sins hidden in our hearts, and through the sacrament of reconciliation, we receive the grace to change. As we grow in our relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments, we experience inner liberation. The scales fall away, and we begin to see clearly the face of Christ in every person we meet.

Response: Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025

24th JANUARY 2025

When YAHshua Ascended He Gave Gifts to Men — It's Midnight Ministries

FRIDAY, SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales

Heb 8: 6-13 Ps 85: 8, 10-14 Mk 3: 13-19

REJOICING IN ETERNAL GIFTS

The world teaches us values that are power-centric. There is a constant hankering for power of some kind or the other, either for personal advancement or for the subjugation of the other. We see this clearly in the political arena, but sadly even in the church and in families. Today’s gospel, however, teaches us something different. We have Jesus calling many, and all of them listened to the voice of the Good Shepherd and followed him into the hills. Each of them, like good, faithful sheep, endured the hardship of the climb out of love for Jesus. If power were a value in itself, Jesus would have definitely given it to all, but we see him giving it only to a few.

True happiness lies not in power, not in the gifts or talents we possess, nor even in our virtues, but in understanding and humbly accepting who we are. “Do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20). Jesus is not telling us not to rejoice over our power over the ‘devils’ or any earthly achievement. But these are transitory and passing, even though they are gifts from God. They can only give us momentary joy. A better and lasting reason to rejoice is rather the certainty that we are loved by God and belong to Him. “Little flock, it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you this kingdom” (Lk 12:32). Today we may be successful; tomorrow, perhaps not.

Today praised, tomorrow criticized. We can apply the same principle to our spiritual life too. Some days we may be able to overcome every trial and temptation, and on other days feel utterly crushed by them. Our heavenly destination, however, is unchanging, eternal, and certain. This is a gift that is not passing; “neither moth nor rust consumes, and thieves do not break in and steal” (Mt 6:20). May we always set our minds “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2).

Response: Merciful love and faithfulness have met.

January 22, 2025January 21, 2025

23rd JANUARY 2025

Continuing the Mission - Catholic Daily Reflections

THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Heb 7: 25 — 8:6 Ps 40: 7-10, 17 Mk 3: 7-12

GOD’S LOVE PURIFIES US

Jesus went about healing people afflicted with sickness and infirmities. Crowds of people flocked to Him as He continued His mission in different places. Mark names seven regions, Jewish and non-Jewish. His gospel is for all. The ordinary, needy people crowded around him to touch Him and experience the healing that comes from Him, but the officials, out of jealousy, tried to stop Him. The cry of the unclean spirits echoes Mark’s theme: ‘You are the Son of God’. This is not, however, a cry of faith but one of recognition that God the Creator is conquering chaos through Jesus. It is a plea from the evil spirits for Jesus to stop, but he will not stop till all evil is purged from our lives. Everyone who reads about Jesus in Mark’s gospel has to decide for himself or herself: Who is this man? The question we have to ponder is, “Who is Jesus for me?”

Jesus also teaches us how to respond to opposition. In this case, the opposition was against God’s will and therefore sinful. Jesus, however, knew that nothing could separate Him from His Father’s love and that God’s grace is present and active even where there is sin. Trusting in that grace, he remained faithful to the mission. We too encounter opposition. Sometimes it is deserved; at other times it is not. Sometimes those opposing us have good intentions, and sometimes not. In every case, God is present, strengthening us through this opposition. Let us be attentive to his grace and use the opportunity to place our trust in Him more fully.

The scene of the gospel of today demonstrates that when the fire of God’s love encounters anything other than love, it must devour it. It is not enough to acknowledge God’s presence. We must allow our worldly ‘peace’ to be disturbed. We must allow our hearts to be purified. We must give up all self-reliance and allow God’s love to purify us.

Response: See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

22nd JANUARY 2025

Mark #10: The Heart of God vs The Hardened Heart (Mark 3:1-6) — Eastgate

WEDNESDAY, SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Heb 7: 1-3, 15-17 Ps 110 : 1- 4 Mk 3: 1-6

HOPE IN JESUS URGES US ON

On a previous occasion, as found in the gospels, the Pharisees had accused Jesus’ disciples of violating the law of Sabbath. Today, the Lord Himself is accused of the same violation of the law because He healed a man with a paralysed hand on the Sabbath. Through today’s gospel, Jesus wants to remind us that doing good must not occur solely at specific times; showing compassion to our fellow humans should flow spontaneously from the heart.

The withered hand can be seen as a symbol of a soul that is burdened by sin and disconnected from God’s grace. Jesus had no reason to ask the man to stretch out his hand; healing wasn’t dependent on the man’s participation. Jesus wanted to teach all those present that the very thing that caused the man to be ostracised from society was a metaphoric sign of belonging. Jesus saw a man with a need, not a needy man. Just as Jesus restored the withered hand, so is He ready to restore full and free salvation to every withered life. God gives him the grace of healing through the call of Jesus to do it, to stretch forth that hand. Jesus comes not just to make limp hands whole, but He sees us in our misery. That is why He has come from heaven to deliver us from sin and guilt because he is a holy God who is jealous for the well-being of His people. The Lord is willing to break traditions and rules for the sake of compassion. For Him, the law should ensure freedom and wellbeing of human life; it should value human life and put it at the centre.

The first reading from the letter to the Hebrews tells us that Christ interceded for us to His Father. It is through Christ, the only Begotten Son, that we reach the forgiveness of God. He is both King of Peace and the High Priest of God. Let us pray to Him and ask him to intercede for us, especially when we are burdened by sin and disconnected from the Father.

Response: You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.