Father's Weekly Message
Fr. Shaji Joseph Pazhukkathara
December 2021
12/29/2021 0 Comments
Happy New Year!
We begin every New Year in the spirit of Christmas. On New Year's Day we celebrate Mary, Mother of God. It is a great opportunity to reflect on Mary, follow her example and ask her intercession on New Year’s Day. In the beginning God created Adam and Eve in the image and likeness of God and blessed them. That joy didn’t last too long, Adam and Eve got corrupted. So God promised a new Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15). At the annunciation, Mary, the new Eve accepted the invitation to become Mother of God, who invites us to do whatever the new Adam tells us to do (John 2:5). At the foot of the Cross, Mary suffered with her Son, Jesus, the new Adam, and transformed her motherhood. Jesus gave His Mother as our mother. In this New Year, let us give thanks to God for the many blessings he has showered upon us and ask our Mother Mary to intercede for us in this New Year 2022.
This Christmas season is short, and we are already celebrating Epiphany of the Lord. Prophets promised the coming of the Messiah, and they were waiting for his coming. When Jesus was born in a manger, there were only a few people who knew about his birth and came in adoration. On the Epiphany of the Lord, the first reading from the book of Isaiah, the light the prophet proclaims to Zion symbolizes the blessing to come to her: the glory of the Lord, the return of her children, the wealth of nations who themselves will walk by her light. The passage is famous from its use in the liturgy for the feast of Epiphany. “Arise, shine for your light has come”. Nations and Kings shall come to your light, caravans of camels bearing gold and frankincense from the East. Epiphany is the ‘shining forth’ of Christ. The light of Christ continues to shine on the Church, each one of us, as we evangelize the nation.
In the Gospel magi came to King Herod in search of the newborn King, Jesus. Herod reigned from 37 to 4 B.C. Magi were the Persian priestly caste and they were astrologers. It was a common ancient belief that a new star appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall advance from Jacob” (Numbers 24:17). The magi came with an open heart and mind to adore the newborn King. For Herod, this message brought fear. He closed his mind and heart towards Jesus, but he pretended to show that he was eager to see him.
The identity of Christ is revealed to different people in different times: First prophets told in general about the coming of Messais. Then in an intimate way told Mary and Joseph, then to shepherd and magi and later to John the Baptist and then to disciples. The shepherds represent the poor and ignorant, and the magi represent pagan believers and intellectuals. The Good News is for everyone. The mission of the Church is to make Christ known to all nations (Matthew 28:19).
The identity of Christ is revealed to us. Do we listen to him? Do we keep our mind and heart open for him? Let us join the magi and walk up to the manger to adore him, to give thanks, and to listen. May Child Jesus bless all of us in the New Year 2022.
THANK YOU!
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made our Christmas celebration beautiful. All three churches are decorated beautifully. The musicians did a wonderful job. At the children’s mass, our children did an awesome job—they sang joyfully and did a skit. A special thank you to all those who helped them to prepare. There were a lot of people who contributed to make our celebrations beautiful. Thank you—children, families, decorators, musicians, and all other ministers. Thank you!
12/20/2021 0 Comments
Merry Christmas!
If we look at our life, waiting is part of our daily life. A Mom waits nine months to give birth. Father and the rest of the family and friends patiently wait and prepare for that joy filled moment. We were waiting and preparing for Christmas in hope, peace, joy, and love.
For Christmas, all of the first readings are from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah repeats the promise of the coming of the Messiah. The second half of Isaiah shaped the early Christian belief that the mother of Jesus not only conceived him as a virgin, but gave birth as virgin - a miraculous childbirth that was free from labor and pain. We read in Isaiah, “Before she is in labor, she gives birth; Before her pain comes upon her, she delivers a male child. Who ever heard of such a thing, or whoever saw the like? Can a land be brought forth in one day, or a nation be born in a single moment? Yet Zion was scarcely in labor when she bore her children” (66:7-8).
The first reading for Christmas Eve and Dawn are from Isaiah 62. Isaiah uses the imagery to describe the conversion of Israel from gloom to joy. The prophet tells them that their God is a saving God who extends his redemption to Holy City. The incarnation represents the marriage of divine and human nature. This passage expresses the joy of the bridal people of God at the arrival of Christ, our Bridegroom.
The first reading for Christmas midnight is from the book of Isaiah (9:1-6). Isaiah says that
people who walked in the darkness, oppressed by Assyria, eventually will see the light and
restoration of Israel. Prophets brought hope to the people of the Israelites, but prophecy fulfilled in
the birth of Emmanuel, God is with us. We read in the Gospel of Matthew 4:16, “The people
who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death,
light has arisen.” Isaiah says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder
dominion rests” (9:5). There were many titles for the baby, Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, and Prince of Peace.
Gospel readings are from Matthew, Luke and John. On Christmas Eve Mass, we read the genealogy of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel gives importance to Joseph, his lineage and obedience. The Davidic descendant of Joseph shows the legal and natural. Jesus’ descendant of Abraham and David is not just a physical aspect of it, but God's supernatural works. On the other hand Luke emphasizes the role of Mary. How she listens to the message from the angel, obeyed, sharing that joy with her cousin Sarah and so on. While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, they were looking for a place. Mary accepts the manger to give birth.
This Christmas again God is looking for the hearts to be born. Let us invite him into our hearts, homes, into our parish, and every aspect of our life. Listen to Him…!! Don’t miss Him!! I pray that each of us find Him at this Christmas and watch his smile, listen to his whispering and experience his love, forgiveness and healing. And again, let us wait together with Child Jesus in our hearts for the New Year 2022. Christmas is not just on December 25th, but it should happen every day of our life.
THANK YOU! I would like to express gratitude for so many people thinking of me in the Christmas season, sending cards, gifts, bringing goodies and so on. It is much appreciated. Normally, I used to write to everyone, but now it is so busy and I didn’t get a chance to write to you. Thank you everyone, I keep you all in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.
Let us wait in Joy for the coming of the Lord...
12/13/2021 0 Comments
Let us wait in joy for the coming of the Lord…
We are in the fourth Sunday of Advent and reading already spreads the fragrance of Christmas. The first reading from the Book of Micah shares with Isaiah the expectation that God will deliver Israel through a king in the line of David. Bethlehem, an insignificant place in Judea, will bring the ruler. Bethlehem-Ephrathah is the home of the Davidic line. We read in the First Book of Samuel (17:12) “David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse from Bethlehem in Judah who had eight sons. In the days of Saul, Jesse was old and well on in years.”
In the Gospel, we see great excitement. Two expectant mothers, one young, may be around 16 and the other may be in her fifties. Elizabeth praises Mary and she says, as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. Mary received the great gift and she shares that joy with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth told Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled (1:45).” We know from Luke (1:20) the disbelief of Zechariah. Mary’s role as believer in the infancy narrative should be seen in connection with the explicit mention of her presence among “those who believed” after the resurrection at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles(Acts 1:14).
Mary travelled the hill country of Judea to share the joy and excitement with Elizabeth. Two courageous women who allowed the will of God to take place in them. Both of the pregnancies had a miraculous aspect. Mary and Elizabeth could understand each other’s joy being a chosen one to bear a special child. Both pregnancies were announced by Angel Gabriel.
We read in the Book of Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers.” That woman is Mary and her offspring is Jesus. God prepared her in an extraordinary way through His Mercy and Grace. Angel said to her, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
In the second reading from the Hebrews we meet the New Adam. Through the first Adam, sin was introduced into the world. So God sent his Son, Jesus, and prepared “a body for him” (Psalm 4:6) to make a most fitting reparation for the sin of Adam. Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross was the purpose of the incarnation.
In the final week of preparation, let's find time to experience the joy and love of Christmas. Christmas is a time for families to get together and celebrate the great blessing, the coming of Jesus. When Mary visited Elizabeth, there was great joy.
Gaudete in Domino in semper; Rejoice in the Lord always!
12/7/2021 0 Comments
This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. All Christians should be rejoicing in the Lord. In the first reading, the book of the prophet Zephaniah, we read, “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” In the second reading St. Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always.” In the Gospel, people asked John the Baptist, what should we do to embrace the Lord?
On the third Sunday of Advent, the theme is joy and encouragement. In the middle of advent preparation, on the third Sunday, the Church invites us to rejoice because we are close to the Christmas celebration. We lit the Rose Candle, a sign of joy.
The prophet Zephaniah prophesied six hundred years before the birth of Jesus. The third Sunday of Advent, we read from the last part of his Book where he ends with a note of hope by addressing the “daughter Zion” which is Jerusalem - the Lord renews his love for Jerusalem. When the Prophet said this, Israelites were living in fear of war and other destruction. The Lord will gather his humble ones into the holy city and restore its fortunes. We can see similar passages throughout the Bible. For example, we read in the book of Joel 2:27, “You know that you are in the midst of Israel, and that I the Lord, am your God and there is no one else. And my people will never again be put to shame.” We read in the Gospel of Luke 1:28, an Annunciation Angel told Mary, “The Lord is with you.”
The Gospel talks about how to prepare the next 12 days for Christmas. In the Gospel, John the Baptist called people to baptism of repentance, so they will be prepared to receive Jesus and see salvation. All sorts of people came to John and inquired what we should do? John prescribed penance to improve their life situation. He told them to share what they have, or don’t steal what belongs to others, and treat others with dignity. Those who gathered wondered if John is the Messiah. John clarified that he was not the Messiah. When the Messiah comes he will baptize with the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit (CCC 696).
The second reading emphasizes the relationship which the followers of Jesus expected. Paul was very proud of, and confident in the people of Philippian Christians. Paul wrote to them and commanded them to rejoice beyond their difficulties. The reading says to rejoice while we are preparing for Christmas. He says show everyone how unselfish you are. St. Paul says, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Paul gave his audience great hope, especially talking about parousia, the Lord’s return. In the middle of Advent preparation, waiting for the celebration of Christmas, the reading tells us to live in the presence of the Lord by giving thanks and praise. The Mass is the greatest thanksgiving, especially the Eucharistic prayer. The Word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” St. Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”
Advent: Prepare the way with Mary Immaculate.....
12/2/2021 0 Comments
The Second Sunday of Advent takes to reflect on the New Exodus. The first reading from the book of Baruch, the prophet says that the hand of God will bring back Israelites from the Babylonian exile. The Prophet tells Jerusalem to“put on the splendor of glory from God forever.” It is an encouragement for Jerusalem which is inspired by the second half of Isaiah. We read in the Book of Isaiah 52:1, “Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion; Put on your glorious garments, Jerusalem, holy city. Never again shall the uncircumcised or the unclean enter you.” Another aspect of this reading is to turn our focus on to the new exodus. Prophet Baruch (5:7) is quoting from Isaiah 40:3-5 which is in the Gospel today (Luke 3:1-6) John the Baptist applies to himself. Baruch’s prophecy is about the mission of John the Baptist and the new exodus. John’s invitation to prepare the way through the baptism of repentance for a new exodus.
We know the exodus story, Moses led them back from Egypt. The Hebrews were brought into exile not just because they were weaker than their neighbors, but because they deserted the God who had formed them into His people. They recognized their sins and the hand of God brought them back to Promised Land. Advent is the time we prepare our way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are busy during advent with decorations, wrapping gifts, and at the same time we take time to prepare our mind and heart.
In the second reading, St. Paul gives us a prayer for this Advent to reflect and prepare our way: “this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.”
This week we are celebrating the solemnity of Immaculate Conception. Bernadette Soubirous at the age of 14 encountered a vision of a woman named Mary in a cave above the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. She was poor and young, so no one believed her, but the vision continued. Finally, the local priest asked Bernadette to find out the name of the woman. Bernadette asked Mary and she replied “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Today thousands of people went on pilgrimage to Lourdes and received many blessings. I had the privilege to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France where Mary appeared.
The Immaculate Conception was defined as a Dogma in 1854 in the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius IX “Ineffabilis Deus.” Mary approved it by declaring to Bernadette at Lourdes, “I am the Immaculate Conception”. The celebration of this feast already existed in the church. Monks in Palestinian monasteries started celebrating the feast of Conception of Our Lady by the end of the 7th century. Over the years it spread to different regions. Pope Leo VI propagated the celebration in the universal church and Pope Sixtus IV approved it as a feast.
Every year during Advent we celebrate the feast of Immaculate Conception and we listen to the Gospel passage angel's invitation to become Mother of God. We read in the Gospel, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). This passage tells us about the state holiness of Mary. In the first reading from the Book of Genesis, after the fall of Adam and Eve, God promised that there will be a woman and her son to save the generation of Adam and Eve: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel" (3:15). Mary is the new Eve and Christ is the new Adam. In Mary, humanity responded to God. She said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). God chose Mary when St. Ann conceived Mary and she was full of grace.
I take this opportunity to wish everyone the Happy Feast of Immaculate Conception, especially to Parishioners of Immaculate Conception. I would like to thank the Immaculate Conception parish council for the small gift for the celebration of our parish patron day celebration. I would also like to congratulate our Confirmation Candidates who are introduced at Immaculate Conception and St. Anthony this weekend. Let us keep them all in our prayers.