Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the terrified disciples who locked themselves up in a room. That breath of Jesus was a new beginning for them. They were empowered even to forgive sins. Pentecost was a Jewish feast before Christians adopted it.
Matthew who has been describing how much Jesus wanted to restrict his ministry to within the boundaries of Israel, concludes his Gospel on a very different note. Just before his departure to heaven, Jesus called his disciples to a mountain in Galilee, like the way Moses called his disciples to Mount Nebo before departure from earth.
Mother is the epitome of love. It starts with a woman falling in love with a man. Then giving birth to children and bringing them up in a family, a woman becomes a mother with irresistible love for her family. Fired with love, a mother delights in undertaking sacrifices for her family.
When we are troubled, especially when existential questions haunt us, we turn to God and religion for refuge. Pain, illness, and misery were the existential questions that troubled Buddha. After much reflection on how to get out of this life gripping trouble, Buddha came up with a remedy.
A brave man, Peter Chanel, sailed to the stormy Pacific Islands, to tell them what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. This weekend we celebrate the feast of St Peter Chanel along with that of St Joseph the Worker, the two patrons of the parish. Protomartyr of Oceania, Peter Chanel, in particular bore witness to Jesus who said, “I have come so that you may have life and have it full”. It is interesting that Jesus did not say that his teachings are the way to fullness of life, but he as a person is the way to the fullness of life.
A civil war, which is not much civilised, has broken out in Sudan. There are migrants, aid workers, international agencies, and Australian Sudanese visiting families stranded in Sudan due to the conflict there. While many Sudanese are feeling helpless, those who have a home outside the country are desperate to flee the darkness of the country
Churches swelled with the faithful at Easter ceremonies; the congregations doubled or tripled! The faith in resurrected Christ is popular as always. Yet seventy or so percent of Catholics in our area have not darkened the church with their shadow.
Christ is risen. Alleluia! May the peace and joy of Easter fill your hearts and life.
Easter is the most profound celebration. It is the celebration of how Jesus won victory over death for us. Jesus has made us worthy to live beyond the physical death and decay.
The trial of Jesus in front of Pilate the Governor should inspire you and me to a personal reflection. Pilate wants the people to make a choice between Barabbas and Jesus. “Barabbas” literally means “son of the father”, presumably the Father in Heaven. Even though he bears such a beautiful name, by his own choice his life shows anything but.
Many lives are lost and many more lives are made miserable in the Ukrainian War. There are many innocent people caught up in the cross fire. In a similar way, there was a man whose dearest wife was killed by armies who were fighting to take over the city. That man was devastated to hear of his wife’s death in the hands of the armies.
