Living in God's Amazing Grace!
Ash WednesdayAsh Wednesday- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Dear friends in Jesus Christ, today we begin the spiritual journey of 40 days.
Lent begins with the Ash Wednesday.
Today, During the Mass, the celebrant says these words: “You are dust and to dust you shall return,”
And you know that the ashes are made from the palms used at the previous Passion Sunday ceremonies.
Ashes remind us that our life is momentary on the earth.
No matter how great or glorious our background or life may be, in the end, all of us will have to face death and the end of our earthly existence.
So, we need to purify ourselves, our body and mind so that through proper repentance we can grow into the status of the sons and daughters of God. We can regain the dignity that God has given us. We are his chosen people who are to be holy and to be seen worthy in his sight.
It’s a time to be with the lord…in secret. Because Bible says whatever you do these days for the lord, will be rewarded. Not for pleasing others but the Lord. Human has the tendency to make a show off themselves- through reels, daily fb uploads, WhatsApp status etc.
First reading through Joel God says, return to me with all your heart…God wishes that we should understand his mind and live as he wishes
In the second reading, Paul reminds us; indeed, it’s the favourable time to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.
What St. Paul told to the faithful among the Corinthians is also a reminder for all of us that we should not procrastinate or delay in our efforts to seek the Lord, as some among us may delay in doing so because we think that we still have ample amount of time in our lives to be forgiven from our many sins and wickedness.
During the days of Lent, let’s ask ‘Which are the areas where we need to come back to the Lord?
In order to make a proper examination of conscience, we have to practice three things during this Lenten season- we have to go deep into our prayer life, we have to fast from food and the things that disturbs us, and we have to do almsgiving, that’s we have to help the needy.
That’s why he reminds us,
1 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be done in secret. Its not a show time.
These actions can be performed only by those who really love God and his word
"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "
And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Lord can ask the account of our lives at any moment.
But we do not know how many days we have here on earth...so, we need to be prepared always.
Many people live a life as if there is no hope after our death. So, they do anything whatever they like.
But our lord has shows us a future life, eternal life by his resurrection
nobody thinks what will happen to our soul if we are not prepared
So, we must not wait until it is too late…
There are some few things that we can do during this lent. Some of them are-
… Reading a portion of the Bible daily
… Learn by heart, some verses of the Bible and make it a personal prayer
… Try to frequent Holy Mass / spend time with the Eucharistic Lord, as much as possible
… 40 simple acts of kindness
… Abstain from something that is “dear” it can be food items or social media items
… have family prayer/rosary
… Visit a hospital in our vicinity and help someone if possible
… Abstain from gossiping
… and try to please God and not men by your acts and words
So, let’s try to do everything to please God…he only can give you reward…because he alone sees you whatever you do.
With a sinful heart let us begin our journey and pray to God that please help me to be strong during the days of lent.
6th Sunday in Ordinary TimeGreat are those who teach and obey the commandments
Scripture: Matthew 5:17-37
The first reading emphasizes free will. A person is free to choose whether to follow God’s commandments or not. The respective outcomes of this choice are vividly described through two sets of graphic antitheses – fire and water, life and death.
Jesus’ mission is to continue what God has begun with revelation to the people of Israel, and to bring it to completion. The novelty of Jesus’ work lies not in the introduction of an alternative set of precepts to guide human life, but in teaching the right way to fulfill what had already been revealed.
17- I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. It was difficult for the Israelites to obey the OT 613 laws…Jesus gives us a new version of the old laws
18 For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Can you believe this? Whatever is written in the Bible will be fulfilled, it’s not I who say but Jesus says…
19 Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
-Do you want to become great in the kingdom of God?
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. If you are living a normal life like others and if you don’t understand how a Christian should live, then Jesus says, you will not enter…
-The focus point of Jesus is ‘the kingdom of God’ which he often mentions
-To understand the teachings of Jesus first of all we need to know what the kingdom of God is? It’s the state where God reigns over our lives, God is the control of our actions, it’s the awareness that God is always watching over me etc.
21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old (which means what OT teaches is), `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire.
Jesus immediately identifies the root cause of murder – anger. Without anger, murder and violence would not occur at all; the commandment would be fulfilled and followed.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
-To be noted that it’s not you have any problem with others but if others have any problem with you, you have to take initiative to reconcile with the other
26 truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
27 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Again, Jesus identifies the root cause of adultery – lust. Using the metaphor of “tearing out the eye and cutting off the hand”, he emphasizes that sexual lust and other disruptions of the family life, such as divorce, must be avoided at all cost because they destroy the fundamental building block of the human community, the family.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Jesus made it very clear that the essence of God's law - flows from his love, goodness, and holiness. To get these Godly qualities one must follow it.
5th Sunday in ordinary Time, 2026, Mathew 5:13-16, and 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Last Sunday, I reminded you about our identity, Christian identity.
In today’s readings, a follower of Christ is reminded of this reality: who we are and how we are to live out that identity.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” These are not mere compliments; they are commissions.
Salt preserves and gives flavour. Light reveals and guides. Both are simple, everyday elements — yet both transform everything they touch.
When our words and deeds draw attention not to ourselves but to God, we fulfil the purpose of both the salt and the light.
But then we hear St. Paul in the First Letter to the Corinthians say something seemingly opposite: “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom… My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”
Paul reminds us that being salt and light does not depend on human strength or brilliance. It is not about how impressive we are, but about how transparent we are to God’s presence. Salt works only when it dissolves; light shines most clearly when it is unobstructed. Likewise, the Christian’s influence grows as self-importance fades and the Spirit takes centre stage.
So, when He now tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world,” He is not replacing Himself, but sharing His light with them.
Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, we are called to reflect the light of Christ in a world that often walks in darkness — the darkness of sin, fear, confusion, and despair. Our goodness, mercy, and faith become visible signs of God’s presence in daily life.
Light helps people see clearly. When Jesus calls us to be light, He is calling us to reveal God’s truth and love wherever we are.
Jesus continues, “A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.” In other words, our faith is not meant to be private or hidden.
We are not to hide our Christian identity out of fear or indifference. The world needs witnesses — people who live their faith joyfully and visibly. We don’t have to preach with loud words; our lives can be the sermon.
As St. Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”
A simple reflection: Imagine entering a dark room with a small candle. Even a tiny flame changes everything. Likewise, one act of kindness, one word of encouragement, one gesture of mercy — can illuminate someone’s darkness.
So, Jesus is really saying: “Be My reflection in the world. Let My light shine through you — wherever you go, in whatever you do.”
Jesus says “You are the salt of the earth,” Salt was precious in the ancient world — not only for flavour, but for preservation and purity.
In Jesus’ time, there were no refrigerators. Salt was used to preserve food and prevent it from spoiling.
So, when Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth,” He is telling His followers:
“You are what keeps the world from rotting.”
In a world that can easily decay through sin, greed, and hatred, Christians are called to preserve what is good — to uphold truth, justice, and love. Through your faith, integrity, and compassion, you keep the world from losing its moral and spiritual health.
Salt gives flavor to food. Without it, everything tastes bland. Jesus is saying that our faith should give flavor and zest to life — our own and others’.
A Christian who lives with joy, hope, and love makes the world more beautiful and meaningful. When people encounter someone who radiates peace, patience, and kindness, they “taste” something of God.
In biblical times, salt was also used in purification — for sacrifices, healing wounds, and cleaning.
So, salt also symbolizes purity and healing.
Jesus warns, “If salt loses its taste, how can it be made salty again?” In other words, if we lose our distinct Christian character — our integrity, our love, our moral courage — we become like tasteless salt: ineffective and irrelevant.
A disciple who blends in so much with the world that there is no difference between them and others no longer fulfils their mission. Our strength lies in being different — not in a superior way, but in a way that points to Christ.
Salt works only when it is poured out and mixed in. In the same way, we can’t be the salt of the earth if we stay isolated or fearful. We must enter into the world’s “messiness” — schools, workplaces, families, communities — and bring God’s love there.
Salt hidden in a container does nothing; faith kept private changes nothing.
A Reflection-Just as salt disappears into food but transforms its taste, so should we live humbly but powerfully — quietly influencing our families, schools, and communities with Christ’s love.
The world may not always see us working, but if we truly live as salt, it will feel the difference.
Jesus says, “they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Let us notice carefully: Jesus does not say people will praise us; he says they will praise the Father. Parents feel honoured when their children do good; in the same way, our Heavenly Father is glorified when we live lives of love, mercy, and sacrifice.
Sometimes I used to ask myself, We Christians have built so many institutions in this world — hospitals, schools, colleges, orphanages, homes for the aged. Through these, we serve millions of people. But are they, seeing our works, glorifying our Heavenly Father? Or are some slowly drifting away from God? Are our institutions only giving education and treatment, or are they also giving witness to Christ?
Think of Saint Teresa of Calcutta: people who watched her pick up the dying from the streets did not praise her alone, but many began to believe again in Jesus, because they saw His love alive in her hands.
Saint Francis of Assisi lived this Gospel in a striking way. His simplicity, care for the poor, and joyful humility touched even hardened hearts. Many who met him did not merely admire Francis; they began to love Christ, because his life pointed away from himself and toward Jesus.
But today, we often see a counter-witness. We may go to church, we may pray, we may receive the sacraments — yet we are not ready to forgive. We ignore small mistakes of our family members. We carry anger in our hearts. Sometimes people look at us and ask, “Why does he go to church and still behave like this?”
Dear brothers and sisters, Christianity is not first about beautiful prayers or impressive buildings. It is about living love in ordinary moments — forgiving at home, speaking gently, helping quietly, and serving without seeking recognition. That is our mission: to become living witnesses, so that through our small acts of goodness, others may discover the goodness of our Father in heaven. Let our lives quietly teach others to say, “Thanks be to God.”