Fr. Jose

Dear Family members and friends: In today’s Gospel, two very important message are given: 1} Jesus speaks about his passion, death and resurrection. 2} Jesus speaks about what one must do in order to follow him. Jesus very openly says what is going to happen to him. He did not want to hide anything from the disciples. Humanly speaking the leaders will all talk about gains to motivate and influence the followers. But Jesus did not want to misguide the disciples. Again, He says to all who want to follow him to take up the cross and follow him. There is no short cut to follow him, but wholehearted accept all the life experiences, with the prime importance of the soul. Let the question in our ears and hearts: “What shall a man give in return for his soul?” Amen

Fr. Jose

Dear family members and friends:  Today’s Gospel is very important for those who believe in Jesus. Jesus asks the disciples what the people say about Him and later He asked what they themselves say about Jesus. The answer that Simon Peter gave was something extraordinary, in the sense, no one else had made such a declaration: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” The comment that Jesus makes is that it is the Father in heaven who has revealed it to him. In order to have real faith we need the revelation of the Father through the Holy Spirit. The basis of our faith is the declaration by Simon Peter and let us try to be strong in our faith. Jesus also confirms the strength of the church saying that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Let us love the church and as a door to the kingdom of heaven. Amen

Fr. Jose

Dear family members and friends:  Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today’s Gospel acclamation proclaims, “Mary has been taken up into heaven, the host of angels rejoice.” The Assumption of Mary was officially defined as a dogma by Pope Pius XII in 1950. Today’s Gospel tells us about two important natures of Mother Mary: one is her readiness to help others as we see her going in haste to the house of Zachariah and Elizabeth to serve Elizabeth, and the second one is her absolute humility to rejoice in the Lord for whatever she has received. These show that she lived a life as per the mind of the Lord and as the mother of His Son she was kept pure so as to be taken to Heaven with body and soul. Mother Mary, pray for us. Amen

Dear family members and friends:  The Gospel of today gives us a very strong base for our faith in the Lord. Jesus multiplied the loaves and fed the multitude with the special assistance from the disciples. They also might have been excited to be part of such a miraculous event. But then comes the most difficult situation as the disciples were in the sea when there was heavy wind and waves. But Jesus went to them walking on the waters and pacified them. Peter wanted to walk to Jesus on the waters, but as he looked down he was afraid of being drowned and he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Remember, Jesus can come to any of our life situations and helps us. Let our eyes be upon Him and pray, “Lord, save me.” Our life situations should not be allowed to put down our faith. Let Jesus enter into the boat of our life that it may move quite calm. Amen

Dear family members and friends: Today’s Gospel shows us the result of the compassion of the Lord. Jesus healed the sick and later as per the request of the disciples He fed them by multiplying the five loaves and two fish. There were still plenty of loaves left after the multitude ate to their satisfaction. Jesus is always compassionate and sometimes He needs our initiative to act. In today’s communion antiphon we pray. “You have given us, O Lord, bread from heaven, endowed with all delights and sweetness in every taste.” We need this spiritual food for our satisfaction. In the first reading we are invited to listen diligently to Him and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food. Let us have the great desire for this food which gives us all delights and sweetness. Amen.