Martin Jumbam

Catholic Meditation - First Sunday after Christmas – Feast of the Holy Family

By Martin Jumbam

The Universal Church celebrates the first Sunday after Christmas as the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “The shepherds hastened to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Amen.”  We are celebrating not only the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, but also the feast of each Christian family, our family, and all that it means to us. The readings provided for this day’s Mass, particularly the second reading, describe the atmosphere which should prevail in a Christian family: “You should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience,” says Saint Paul, “and may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts.”  In the first reading, from Ecclesiasticus, Ben Sira tells us that we should honour our parents. The Gospel of Matthew highlights the importance of Joseph as the head of the family of Nazareth with responsibility to protect the infant Child Jesus and his mother, Mary. Let us pray for the grace of peace and harmony in our respective families.

Catholic Meditation - Mass of Christmas Day - Year A

By Martin Jumbam

 

 

 The Universal Church and humanity as a whole celebrate December 25 each year as Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the Entrance Antiphon we pray: “A child is born for us, a son given to us; dominion is laid on his shoulders, and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor. Amen.”  On this day, God has acted on his promise of old and given us a Saviour. We celebrate the birthday of God’s own Son announced centuries earlier by the prophets. The first reading is from the first Song of the Servant in which the Servant is declared the chosen one on whom God’s pleasure rests. Endowed with the Spirit of God, he will bring true justice and peace and salvation to the nations. God’s voice goes out to the ends of the earth to introduce his Servant, who works not with exterior power but within the hearts of men. In the Second Reading, the sacred writer of the Letter to the Hebrews recalls how throughout the Old Testament, God revealed his plan of redemption to the forerunners and ancestors of the Christian faith. But now, God has revealed and achieved all he promised through his Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the Gospel, we hear the Prologue of Saint John, which is the traditional Gospel of Christmas Day. In it, Saint John tells us that the Word shares the Father’s divine being and his creative activity. Through him comes the communication and revelation of true and eternal life.  In the course of this Eucharist, we offer our own Christmas to him whom the angels of God worship, knowing that he is present among us and we are happy to have him with us.

 

Catholic Meditation - Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A

By Martin Jumbam 

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, December 22, 2013 as the fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A. Christmas is just around the corner and there’s feverish excitement among children and adults alike as cards, presents and decorations are on everyone’s mind. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah announces that God will show his people a sign: a maiden with child will give birth to a son called Immanuel – God with us. This prophecy, given a thousand years earlier, finds fulfillment in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ, the Immanuel – God with us. In the second reading, Saint Paul tells the Romans that the Son of the Virgin Mary comes from royal stock – a descendant of David. He is the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of holiness, which he received to pour out on all flesh. Paul is convinced of his mission, which is to proclaim to the world that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophets. In the Gospel, Saint Matthew shows the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy when a virgin conceives by the power of the Holy Spirit and brings forth a Son – Immanuel, God with us. Saint Joseph, his adoptive father, receives the unique privilege of being addressed father by the Son of God, as he is the head of the family of Nazareth. In the course of this Eucharist, let us pray for the grace of conversion as we prepare to receive Immanuel – God with us. Amen.

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Advent - Year A

 

By Martin Jumbam

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, December 15, 2013, as the third Sunday of Advent, Year A. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near. Amen.” 

The figure of John the Baptist, in Matthew’s Gospel reading, and the prophecies of Isaiah, in the first reading, dominate the Advent season. The theme of the new exodus is found in Isaiah’s reading in which the prophet gazes along the path the returning exiles take to return to Jerusalem. God does not only bring them back to Zion, he ensures that they find physical and spiritual healing. In the second reading Saint James attacks worldly standards that endanger community harmony, especially unbridled quest for wealth. He says that we should not lose hope but remain patient in anticipation of our Lord’s coming. In Matthew’s Gospel, we hear echoes of the first reading message, which is that our God is a saving God, a healing God, who comes to save and build up, not to condemn and destroy. The Gospel asks the question fundamental to all Christians: who is Jesus?  In the course of this Eucharist, let us pray for the grace to follow Christ more closely so we can come to know him better.

Catholic Meditation – Second Sunday of Advent – Year A.

 By Martin Jumbam

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, December 08, 2013, as the second Sunday of Advent in the liturgical year A. In this Mass’ entrance antiphon we pray: “Behold, people of Zion, the Lord will come to save the nations. The Lord in his glory will make his voice heard and fill your hearts with joy.” 

The first reading is a famous passage from Isaiah’s Book of Immanuel and is one of the greatest messianic prophecies, familiar in Christian tradition for its lists of the gifts of the Spirit. A new king from the line of David will come bringing peace, justice and reconciliation to all. That king is none other than Jesus Christ, who is announced in Saint Matthew’s Gospel passage by the last of the great prophets, John the Baptist. His message is a clear and loud call for personal conversion in preparation for Christ’s coming. In the second reading from his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul envisions and speaks of the Kingdom of Christ in which Jews and Gentiles will live in harmony because he is God of all. Just as he welcomes everyone to partake of the joys of his Kingdom, Christians must have the courage of perseverance, especially towards one another. In the course of this Eucharist, let us pray for the grace of conversion so we can promote peace, justice and reconciliation wherever we may be today.