Eucharist is not just the prize of the perfect but the food that God gives to us, sinners. Jesus who gave the bread to the hungry crowd gives himself as food and drink to us, sinners. He gives us life by allowing us to partake in his own life. What we eat becomes part of [...]
In the Gospel today the three persons of the Trinity are mentioned. Jesus speaks of the Spirit who will guide his disciples to the truth. All that belongs to the Father is that of Jesus and Holy Spirit will make it known to the disciples. So here we get a glimpse into the mystery of [...]
Jesus breathed over the disciples and gave the commission to go and preach the gospel to the end of the world. Once they receive the Spirit they are transformed from the fearful ordinary fishermen to courageous fishers of men. What was started off by Jesus – the work of the Kingdom – should spread all [...]
Jesus instructs the disciples to wait in anticipation for anointing by the Holy Spirit and ascends to heaven to be the eternal high priest in charge of the House of God. By his once—and—for—all sacrifice, we are assured of redemption. Led by the Spirit, the disciples are to preach and witness to repentance and forgiveness [...]
Jesus’ parting words to the apostles are comforting. In human experience parting is painful. But Jesus offers peace at this departure. In a new way they are going to experience the presence of all the three persons of the Trinity with them. When a believer loves him and obeys his commandments, Jesus says that he [...]
By love Christians should be known and distinguished. The identity of a Christian is not his name and pious practices, but love. “Look, how they love,” people commented about the early Christians. Jesus gave us this new commandment: We need to love others as he loved us. It is an unconditional and sacrificial love. In [...]
Jesus is the Shepherded after the heart of God (Jer 3.15). He loves and values the sheep so much that he offers his own life for their sake. He would not allow those belonging to him be perished. They are assured of eternal life. When we listen and follow our Shepherd we are mightily secure. [...]
Peter, when called, was told that he would be ‘fisher of men’ (Lk 5:10). He has to feed Jesus’ sheep. He should strengthen other disciples. He has to forget the painful memory of his denials of the Master. They are to be replaced with an awareness that he loves his Master more than others. To [...]
The evangelists want to make it clear to us that our faith in the risen Lord is on solid ground. Thomas would not believe even the testimony of other apostles; he wants to touch Jesus’ wounds before he can believe! The apostles confess their own failures to believe initially so that we who are far [...]
He will destroy death forever “On this mountain, the Lord will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. He will remove the mourning veil and the shroud enwrapping all nations; He will destroy death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek, He will take away His people’s shame... [...]