From Our Pastor

06-26-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear Bothers & Sisters,

I express my hearty thanks for your prayers, wishes and sending birthday cards on my Birthday. I am so much delighted and strengthened by your great gestures. I am so grateful to you all.

On this thirteenth Sunday, the readings speak about calling. In the first reading, the call of Elisha and his response was a dramatic event. Elisha demonstrated a total commitment to his call. The slaughtering of his oxen, the kissing of his father, and the bidding of farewell to his men, were symbolic gestures that he had freely accepted his call. It was a sign of total submission to the will of God over his own will. It was also an indication that he loved God more than his business, and his own life.

In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the freedom we have in Christ. This freedom is for a purpose. It liberates us from the things that enslave us in order to be committed to Christ. It is freedom to follow and serve the Lord. This freedom binds us to Christ. It is a freedom that permits us to surrender all to Jesus Christ, our Savior. In today’s Gospel, Luke introduces three potential disciples who offered lame reasons that made Jesus’ call to ministry “impossible” for them to accept, after Jesus had told them plainly what the commitment required, and the cost involved. They were found unfit and unprepared to follow Jesus as his disciples.

In short, the readings of this Sunday call us to be totally committed to Christ. As Christians, we should have the courage of our convictions and so honor our commitments: a) The marriage commitment. The spouses are expected to honor their marriage commitment, that is, to remain in mutual love and respect till their death and to raise their children to be zealous Christians. b) The priestly and religious commitment: Priests, Deacons and religious should honor the commitment they have made to obey their lawful superiors, to keep their vows, and to spend their lives serving God’s people faithfully. c) The Christian commitment: As Christians, all of us should honor our Baptismal commitment, and to bear witness to him through ideal and transparent Christian lives. May our mighty God bless you us all with His choicest blessings to live our vocations in a fruitful way!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Doss

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