Assumption of Mary - Aug 15 - Independence Day

  Opening:

O God, our creator, you have made this world out of love and gathered us together as one family. Today we wish to thank you for Mary whom you freed from earthly bondage into your heavenly glory. Today 71 years ago you freed our Mother Land from foreign occupation. We thank you for all that is beautiful in India that we are proud of. Bless every citizen of our country that s/he may work for peace, prosperity and true freedom. Strengthen our hands that we may truly build and not destroy hearts and hopes, homes and future for your children.

19 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting (see Second Reading)

As God’s beloved children,
follow Christ by loving as he loved you,
giving himself up
as a sacrifice to God.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.

19 Sunday B: Living Bread

19th Sunday B from Padir Neylu

Michel DeVerteuil
Textual Comments
In this passage, Jesus again draws lessons about life from the feeding of the five thousand.
I remind you that all teaching of Jesus recorded in the gospels is intended to speak to experience, and we must therefore appeal to our experience to discover its truth. This can be difficult with passages like these: one reason is that the language is not the kind that we use ordinarily. Some expressions – such as “eternal life,” “being drawn by the Father,” “living bread,” “flesh” – you will have to bring down to earth for yourself, applying them to what you have lived yourself.

Transfiguration - Aug 6

Opening Stories:

1) The Samurai Warrior and the Zen Master 

One day, a Samurai warrior went to a Zen master for instruction. "Please," the huge man asked in a thundering voice that was used to instant obedience, "teach me about heaven and hell."
The master scowled at the swordsman, then broke into mocking laughter. "Me, teach you about heaven and hell? I wouldn't waste a moment trying to instruct the brain of an overweight ignoramus like you! How dare you ask me for such a lofty insight?"
Well, upon hearing these words, the Samurai grew furious. No one could insult him like this and get away with it. Enraged, his face flushed and he drew his sword to chop off the teacher's head. Just as he was about to strike, the master raised his hand and calmly said "That, sir, is hell." 

August 18 - Daily Reflections

18 Sunday B: Jesus, the Bread of Life

19th Sunday B from Padir Neylu

Michel DeVerteuil
Textual Comments
In this passage, Jesus again draws lessons about life from the feeding of the five thousand.
I remind you that all teaching of Jesus recorded in the gospels is intended to speak to experience, and we must therefore appeal to our experience to discover its truth. This can be difficult with passages like these: one reason is that the language is not the kind that we use ordinarily. Some expressions – such as “eternal life,” “being drawn by the Father,” “living bread,” “flesh” – you will have to bring down to earth for yourself, applying them to what you have lived yourself.

17 Sunday B - Shorter Homily

17th Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 29.07.2018

2 Kings 4:42-44 / Ephesians 4:1-6 / John 6:1-15

Coming for Mass can be quite distracting and challenging, especially if we are hungry.

In the West where eating is like a habit and a lifestyle, to be hungry for a prolonged period of time sounds abnormal and strange.

17 Sunday B: Give them Something to Eat

17th Sunday B from Padir Neylu

 Like the crowds we have gathered here to hear the message of Jesus.
Like those crowds we have gathered here to be fed from his hands.
Like on that hillside, Jesus takes our loaf, gives thanks to the Father, and gives it to all of us who are sitting around ready to be fed by him.

16 Sunday B - Liturgical Prayers

Greetings (see second reading)

Jesus came to bring the good news of peace:
peace to those who are far away
and peace to you who are close-by.
May that peace be always with you. R/ And also with you.

16 Sunday B: Leadership: Disciples & People

16th Sunday B from Padir Neylu

 Michel DeVerteuil 
Textual Comments

Today’s passage, like those of the last two Sundays, is an account of the ministry of Jesus and contains several messages that are important for us today. We can feel free to identify with one of the three characters in the story:
–  Jesus,
–  the apostles,
–  the crowds.
Verse 30.  Jesus highlights the contrast between two aspects of teaching:
– “what we do”
– “what we teach”.
These are two distinct realities and in our teaching we should reflect on both. We need to share how we feel about things – within ourselves, with one another, and finally with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.