Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

---

Dear family members and friends, Love demands love. Jesus loves us and he demands love from us. It is very important to listen to what Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” We cannot simply say in words that we love Jesus. The proof for our love is whether we keep His commandments. And to those who love Him and keep His commandments, Jesus promises to give them another Helper, the Holy Spirit.    

Again, Jesus promises that He will not leave us as orphans, but He will come again to those who believe in Him and love Him. There will be a very close relation between the Father, Jesus and ourselves, a relation of indwelling love: Being in Jesus and Jesus being in the Father, we become one with the Father because the Father will love those who love Jesus. Amen                

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

---

Dear family members and friends, In today’s Gospel we see 4 important messages from Jesus which strengthen our faith in order to remain closer to him. First Jesus gives us great hope saying, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Secondly Jesus tells the most famous statement, “I am the way, and the truth and the life” and reveals himself as the only way to the Father. Thirdly, Jesus says “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Fourthly, Jesus speaks about the spiritual power we have through communion with Him, “whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these he will do.” Let us remain with Jesus in faith and work for Him. St. Peter reminds us today, “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Amen.          

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

---

Dear family members and friends, The very famous image of Jesus as Good Shepherd is of great hope and confidence for us. Jesus speaks about the difference between a shepherd and a thief. The shepherd enters through the door and the sheep hear his voice and follow him. The thief is the one who enters the sheepfold through some other way. The thief enters to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus as the good shepherd has come to give life and that in abundance. There are some people who come to us pretending to help us and guide us. But they are like wolves in sheep’s skin. Let us try to identify the true shepherds and false ones and follow only the true one who lays his life for the sheep as Jesus did. Amen               

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

---

Dear family members and friends, in today’s Gospel we see a beautiful encounter of two disciples with the risen Jesus. They were on their way to Emmaus when Jesus joined them. They were very sad because of the crucifixion of Jesus. They had not realised Jesus as the Saviour since what had happened to Jesus was quite unbelievable for them. But Jesus walked with them, explained the scriptures to them, opened their hearts to understand the scriptures and finally broke the bread where their eyes were opened and they recognised Jesus. We are called to such an encounter with Jesus in every Holy Eucharistic celebration. It is the time when our hearts are opened to receive the Word of God and see Jesus in the Holy Eucharist where the bread is broken. Let us open our hearts and eyes to have a personal encounter with Jesus in our every day life. Amen

Fr. Jose – Parish Priest

---

Dear family members and friends, Something very significant happened on eight days after Easter. That was a special appearance of Jesus to the disciples especially to Thomas to make him believe that Jesus was risen. There we see the most important declaration of faith by Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” This Sunday is also called ‘New Sunday’ marking the start of a new spiritual life Traditionally it is the day on which the experience of the new Christian life begins, particularly for those who were baptised on Easter Sunday. Let us renew our faith in Jesus declaring Him as our Lord and our God and continue our Christian life more faithfully.

Today is also celebrated as the Divine Mercy Sunday when we remember the love and mercy shown in Jesus. Entrusting fully to Him let us say, “Jesus I trust in You.” Amen