141. 16th Ordinary Sunday: July 19, 2026 - Growing in the Likeness of God in the Midst of Evil

141. 16th Ordinary Sunday: July 19, 2026 - Growing in the Likeness of God in the Midst of Evil

How dare someone do that? Why is there so much evil in this world? Why does wickedness never cease to exist? These are some typical questions we often ask when we are threatened or see evil occupying the good places. Often we see this daunting task of overcoming evil. However, evil does exist. Wicked people continue to do things which are not supposed to be done. There are no limits, age, status or position. In this context, we must read today's liturgical reading on the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time and draw inspiration for our lives.

140. 15th Ordinary Sunday: July 12, 2026 - Deeply Rooted, Growing Mightily

Patience, trust, confidence and hope determine the life of a farmer. A person who tills the soil knows what it is going to bring. Every effort has its fruits. There are no calculated risks here. It is said in most parts of India that farmers depend on the rains. A farmer's life depends not on choice but chance. It is not that everyone is gifted with everything. However, each one is blessed with great capacity to improve upon the gifts that one is bestowed with. As we celebrate the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the liturgical readings give us rich food for thought and reflection, so that we continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge even about the things of this world.

139. 14th Ordinary Sunday : July 05, 2026 - Our Burdens and God's Intervention at the Right Moment

Often our lives are burdened with things. Life here on earth is not easy. It may seem nice, beautiful, happy-go-lucky, yet there are times when we feel down and have questions which may not have immediate answers. Especially when the person is diagnosed with an incurable illness, when married life gets into trouble, when there is no peace in religious or priestly life, when someone does not find the right partner in one's life, when someone struggles to find an appropriate job, when, despite hard work and investment, nothing is clicking in one's business enterprise, we feel immensely miserable. The list is endless. Everyone is in trouble on this earth. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes said, "We are chained everywhere." However, when we place our trust in God completely and allow God to take control of us, our worries certainly go down. Sometimes, we must allow God to decide for us rather than we decide for ourselves based on our abilities and inclinations. It is not we who decided to come into this world. The liturgical readings on this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time encourage us to put our burden on our God.

138. 11th Ordinary Sunday - June 14, 2026: A Call for the Greater Good

There is a purpose for everything. We have come into this world with a purpose. Without a particular intention, we do not go to school or college, find suitable work or a partner, or look for a place or job. Everything around us moves with a cause. We simply cannot deny ourselves or the purpose of our existence, saying that we are here for nothing. We are here on this earth with a reason. Different religions and spiritualities enumerate this with various concepts or philosophies. However, for a Christian, being called to be a Christian itself is a mission and purpose. It is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. It is to imitate him through our words and deeds and finally be with him. The liturgical readings of this Sunday invite us to know the real purpose of our lives. Jesus shows his disciples what an authentic call should be. Moreover, he prepares them to walk the paths of their call by being ambassadors of his mission.

137. Corpus Christi: June 07, 2026 - Corpus Christi - Bread of Life, Bond of Unity

Friends and dear ones leave behind great memories. They continue to live with us through various beautiful experiences and moments where we felt good, joyful and blessed. The memories of our best friends remain forever. They continue to remind those moments that we lived together and enjoyed together. If our friends leave behind some things or gifts as a sign of love, then whenever we see them, the memory of our friends brings them back to us. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also called Corpus Christi, we remember the profound mystery of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist. Jesus too left behind the gift of the Holy Eucharist, where he gave us bread and wine as a symbol of his body and blood, as well as a memory that he continues to live with us, within us and among us.