Martin Jumbam

Catholic Meditation - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time -Year C.

By Martin Jumbam

The Church celebrates Sunday, September 1, 2013 as the 22^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C. The main theme of this day’s Holy Mass is humility. The wise man, in the first reading from Ecclesiasticus tells us that only a humble and patient man or woman can receive God’s blessings because the proud are always too self-centered to think of anyone else. In the second reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, the sacred writer urges his Hebrew converts to seek peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord.  In Saint Luke’s Gospel, Jesus attacks the arrogance and the haughtiness of the religious leaders of his time, who set themselves in the first places, without caring whether they are suitable for such positions or not. He calls on us all to be humble.  Brothers and sisters in the Lord, our Saviour is asking us today, more than at any other time, to humble ourselves so as to be exalted in the end. In the course of this Holy Eucharist, let us pray for the grace of humility without which we cannot receive God’s blessings.

Catholic Meditation: The 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C.

By Martin Jumbam

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, August 25, 2013 as the 21^st Sunday of Ordinary Time in the Church’s Year C. In the entrance antiphon we pray, “Turn your ears, O Lord, and answer me; save the servant who trusts in you, my God. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. Amen.”

In the first reading, the prophecy of Isaiah finds fulfillment in Saint Luke’s Gospel, namely, that men and women will come from east and west, from north and south and inherit the kingdom of God. Salvation is therefore not restricted to any one particular race or nation. All are called to be God’s people. It is a prophecy that is full of hope for all nations whom the chosen people will attract to Jerusalem to worship in the Lord’s temple. Foreign peoples will also become missionaries, carrying God’s word of salvation to the four corners of the world.  This universal, that is, Catholic nature of the Church is reflected in Saint Luke’s Gospel. Jesus is still on his way to Jerusalem and his preaching of this day is in answer to a question someone had asked earlier as to how many would be saved. Jesus tells his followers that the time is running out for Israel. The door is narrow because the Scribes and Pharisees have made it difficult for themselves, and impossible for the people under their care, to enter. They are the lost sheep of the house of Israel who have refused to listen to the Lord and have forfeited their place around the table to the Gentile world. In the second reading, the sacred writer of Hebrews urges us to remain firm in our allegiance to Christ and his Church, which is open to all, Jew and Gentile alike. We should be consoled in having to put up with trials and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel. God, as our loving Father, cannot neglect our education because we have to be properly trained so that when trials and tribulations come, and they are bound to come, we will be better disciplined to withstand them.

Catholic Meditation: 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C.

By Martin Jumbam 

Mother Church celebrates August 18, 2013 as the 20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C. In the entrance antiphon we pray, “Turn your eyes, O God, our shield, and look on the face of your anointed one; one day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Amen.”  In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah, like Christ, is persecuted and rejected by his people for telling the truth. Like Christ, his words bring division among the people who are bent on getting rid of him. His persecution is proof that anyone who confesses his faith in God and remains steadfast has to pay a heavy price for it. However, the experience of Jeremiah also shows that he who abandons himself wholly into God’s hand has nothing to fear because God always comes to the rescue of those who fear and obey him. In the second reading, the sacred writer of the Letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to be faithful to our Christian calling and advises us to keep our gaze permanently fixed on Christ who inspires us and perfects our faith We should therefore never be tired of the cross on which hangs our hope and salvation. In the Gospel, Saint Luke tells that Jesus’ words are like fire that brings division in society and in families. His words are like fire that cleanses, purifies and sanctifies all those who accept to follow him, but to those who reject him, the fire brings destruction. With these strong words, Jesus inspires us to live for God and for God alone. Let us pray, in the course of this Holy Eucharist, that the fire Jesus brings should enkindle the flame of love in our hearts so that we can love God with all our heart, with all our strength and our neighbour as ourselves.

 

Catholic Meditation – 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C

By Martin Jumbam

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, August 11, 2013 as the 19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C. The main theme of this day’s Holy Mass is Christ’s call for us to be vigilant and prepared for we know neither the day nor the hour of his return.  In the entrance antiphon we pray, “Lord, be true to your covenant, forget not the life of your poor ones for ever. Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; do not ignore the shouts of your enemies. Amen.” 

The first reading, from the Book of Wisdom, recalls a great event: the Passover when God freed the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt. The people then thank and praise God who is always faithful to his promises. He always brings freedom and salvation to whoever turns to him and puts their trust in him.  In the second reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, the sacred writer tells his Hebrew converts that only faith in the Risen Lord can bring them eternal salvation. Like Abraham, our ‘Father in faith’, who trusted God unconditionally and complied with his demands without questioning them, the sacred author also calls on us  to put our faith completely in God who never fails to keep his promises to whoever trusts in him.  In the Gospel, from Luke, Jesus calls on his disciples, and on all of us, to be always prepared for his coming, which can be anytime. We should, therefore, learn to be on our guard and prepare our lives spiritually to enter into God’s glory whenever the Master calls. 

Catholic Meditation: 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year C

By Martin Jumbam

Mother Church celebrates Sunday, August 4, 2013, as the 18^th Sunday in ordinary time, year C. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “God, come to my help. Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming. Amen.”  In the first reading, the Old Testament preacher wonders what man gains for all his toils. All is vanity because life is short, empty and worthless and so what is the use of trying to be wise when death will end it all? What is the use of our work and anxiety when someone else will inherit the fruits of our labour? The tone of his voice is definitely pessimistic but, with the New Testament, Christ brings a new way of life that is worth living because it leads us to eternal life in heaven. In the second reading, Saint Paul tells the Colossians how important Christ is to them. They should know that Christ’s death and resurrection have destroyed religious practices that depend on material things. With that, they have undergone a transformation that will lead them to heaven where Christ lives in the company of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, three in One. In the Gospel, Saint Luke tells us the story of the rich fool who believes that all that counts is to amass wealth and store it securely for a rainy day, which, in his case, never comes. He is a fool who fails to see that the meaning of life consists in becoming rich before God. Like many of us in positions of authority in church as well as in civil society, the foolish rich man looks for life’s purpose in material wealth rather than in God, the giver of life and wealth. Let us pray, in the course of this holy Eucharist, for the grace to follow Christ more closely because it is in him, not in material goods, that our salvation lies.