Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

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Dear family members and friends: “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”. As we have entered the season of Lent, let these words resound in our ears. Lent is a time to reflect more on God and on his love and mercy. There may be times of trials in our life. But it is the hand of God which always protects us and supports us. Today’s Gospel speaks about the three temptations that Jesus had to face in the wilderness. With the power he attained through prayer and fasting he could overcome all those. And Jesus teaches three main things: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test”, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Amen

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

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Dear family members and friends: Jesus declares that he has come not to abolish the Law or the Prophets. Instead, he has come to fulfil them. There are many laws and prophesies in the Old Testament. Jesus has come to fulfil these by summing up all those in the law of love. Out of love Jesus gave his life for the salvation of the mankind. Showing that example Jesus says the righteousness of all who listen to and follow him has to exceed that of those who pretend to observe the law but do not put it into practice. In the succeeding portion of the Gospel Jesus gives the new law regarding love towards others including the life partner. The underlying factor under every law should be the law of love. Let us renew our concept about law and try to practice it for our good and the good of others. Amen

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

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Dear family members and friends: In today’s Gospel Jesus uses two symbols to denote our lives: Salt and light. Both are very common things and are of everyday use. Both add to the quality of human life. The salt has many qualities and is used for various purposes: it adds taste to the food, it has a preserving power, it is used for healing some wounds, it is used as fertiliser etc. But it is important that it should have the saltiness in it.  Jesus reminds us that our life should have that saltiness of deep faith and love so that our life can add taste to the life of others by doing good, can cure many problems in relationships, can support others to grow etc. Same way our life should be visible to others radiating good examples and good works just as the light which makes things visible. The life of a Christian should not be hidden one but should be an open one making the good works visible. Amen

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

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Dear family members and friends: In today’s Gospel acclamation we recite, “Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven.” It is a portion of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gives us great hope when He proclaims the beatitudes where He speaks clearly about who the Blessed people are. Whatever Jesus speaks there is actually what he practiced in His life and further we can say it is a synonym of the life of Jesus. The life of anyone who follows the beatitudes is blessed and his reward will be great in heaven. Let us try to be poor in spirit in order to trust the Lord and depend on Him to be a true Christian and enjoy the fruits of the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

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Dear family members and friends: “Today’s Gospel brings to us two important ministries of Jesus. First one is the beginning of His preaching saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The most important mission of Jesus was to open the kingdom of heaven for the mankind. He preaches that the means to enter the kingdom of heaven is to repent since no one with any evil will be able to enter the kingdom. Secondly, Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him. It is interesting that they left everything and followed Him. Together with them Jesus continues the ministry of preaching and also healing many people of their afflictions. Let us also follow Him to enter the kingdom of heaven, to be healed of any afflictions and also to be with him proclaiming the kingdom of heaven through our lives. Amen.