Dear Family!

Reflection: The readings remind us of our duty to be partakers of the banquet of the Lord. Isaiah’s time has seen poverty of people who could not afford great banquets. Banquets were organized by the kings for political reasons or for victory over enemies. ‘Banquet’ like a wedding feast is the biblical image of the encounter of love between the Lord and Israel. ‘Banquet’ is also the symbol of happiness in the time of the Messiah. It is the ‘banquet’ that unites us with the Kingdom of God.

Dear Family!

Reflection: The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, "The Church is a cultivated field, as tillage of God. On that land, the ancient olive tree grows whose holy roots were the prophets and in which the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles has been brought about and will be brought about again. That land, like a choice vineyard, has been planted by the heavenly cultivator. Yet the true vine is Christ who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us, who through the Church remain in Christ, without whom we can do nothing" (CCC 755).

Dear Family!

Reflection: The readings this Sunday focus on repentance and humility. They are the sure ways to our salvation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that Jesus' call to conversion and penance do not aim first at outward works, "sackcloth and ashes," fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil.

Dear Family!

Reflection: Saint Pope John Paul II in meditating on the distance between God’s perspective of things and ours; dedicated a whole encyclical in teaching us,“The desire for knowledge is so great and it works in such a way that the human heart, despite its experience of insurmountable limitation, yearns for the infinite riches which lie beyond, knowing that there is to be found the satisfying answer to every question as yet unanswered.” (Fides et Ratio, 16, Pope John Paul II)

Dear Family!

Reflection: From the 18th Sunday on we have been closely reflecting on the personality of Peter in the Gospel Readings: Peter played a huge role in the multiplication of loaves (18th), walks on the water (19th ) intercedes for the Canaanite woman (20th), declares his confession and conviction that Jesus is the Son of God (21st ), learns from Jesus to take up and carry the cross (22nd), learns about community building (23rd) and learns the secrets of happiness and peace to be shared with the community in the readings for this this Sunday (24th).

Dear Family!

Reflection: In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, ‘Forgive us our trespasses’, that forgiveness is prayed for after food which is life’s necessity. Saint Ambrose taught us, “For when the Lord forgave all sins, He made an exception of none.” Yes, God forgives everyone without exceptions. Forgiveness indeed brings blessings from God. As Saint Faustina once said, “He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the Cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.”