Jesus' Table Fellowship with Sinners

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirteenth Week :  Friday*

*Gospel : Mt 9:9-13*

*First Reading : Gen 23:1-4, 19; 21:1-8;, 62-67*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 106:1b-2, 3-42, 4b-5*

*Jesus' Table Fellowship with Sinners*

*1) A Sign of Acceptance and Reconciliation*

In Jewish culture, sharing a meal meant deep fellowship and acceptance.

Jesus’ willingness to eat with *"sinners"* was seen as scandalous because it implied solidarity and friendship.

It symbolized that God’s mercy welcomes the broken, the outcast, and the unclean.

*2) Breaking Social and Religious Barriers*

“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Luke 5:30)

Religious leaders like the Pharisees kept a strict separation between the “righteous” and “unclean.”

Jesus reverses this logic—He does not become unclean by associating with sinners; He brings healing and holiness to them.

His table fellowship reveals that the Kingdom of God is open to all, especially those on the margins 

*3) A Call to Transformation*

Jesus dines with Zacchaeus, another tax collector, and the meal leads to repentance and renewal.

Table fellowship is not just social—it’s sacramental: it becomes a moment of conversion.

Sharing the table with Jesus is an invitation to a new life.

*4) Mercy Over Ritual Purity*

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)

Jesus often chooses mercy over the rigid laws of ritual purity.

While religious elites focus on exclusion, Jesus focuses on inclusion with a purpose: to bring sinners back to God.

His meals become moments of grace where healing happens through encounter.

*5) Anticipation of the Eucharist*

“Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)

Jesus’ meals with sinners prefigure the Last Supper and ultimately the Eucharist.

In the Eucharist, Jesus continues to invite sinners to His table, offering not just food, but His very self.

It shows that communion with Christ is not for the perfect, but for the penitent.

*6) Parables that Echo the Banquet Theme*

Jesus tells parables about banquets to describe the inclusivity of God’s Kingdom.

Those originally invited (the self-righteous) refuse to come, but the outcasts are welcomed with joy.

The table becomes a symbol of God’s radical hospitality.

*7) Invitation to Imitate Jesus*

“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” (Luke 14:13)

Jesus teaches that His followers must imitate His inclusive table fellowship.

Christian hospitality must reflect God’s heart for the outcast and forgotten.

Jesus’ table fellowship with sinners is a living picture of the Gospel in action—grace that meets people where they are but doesn’t leave them there. 

It’s an invitation to intimacy, transformation, and mission. Each meal with Jesus becomes a space of healing, renewal, and community.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Holy Doubt of St Thomas

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirteenth Week :  Thursday*

*Feast of St Thomas*

*Gospel : Jn 20:24–29*

*First Reading : Eph 2:19–22*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 117:1bc, 2*

*The Holy Doubt of St Thomas*

*1) The Story of St Thomas*

After Jesus' resurrection, He appeared to the disciples, but Thomas (called Didymus) was not present. 

When the others told him, he refused to believe unless he could see and touch Jesus’ wounds. 

A week later, Jesus appeared again, this time with Thomas present. He invited Thomas to touch His wounds. 

Thomas responded: *“My Lord and my God!”* (John 20:28)

*2) Thomas’ Doubt Reflects Human Struggle*

Thomas represents many people who wrestle with doubt, especially during suffering or loss. 

He was not a cynic but a grieving disciple, traumatized by the crucifixion. His doubt was honest, arising from deep love and disappointment.

God is not offended by our sincere questions. Like Thomas, we are invited to bring our wounds and confusion to the Risen Lord.

*3) Jesus Meets Us Where We Are*

Jesus did not rebuke Thomas harshly. Instead, He invited him to touch His wounds. 

This shows that Christ understands our human need for reassurance.

God meets each person personally—some through sight, others through faith. The Risen Jesus offers both proof and peace.

*4) Faith Beyond Sight*

Jesus’ final words, *“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”,* are a message to future generations—that includes all of us. 

Faith is trusting even without physical proof.

Christian life is a journey of trust. Our belief rests not on physical evidence, but on the Word of God, the testimony of the Church, and the witness of changed lives.

*5) The Power of the Wounds*

Jesus kept His wounds even after resurrection—He didn't hide them. 

He invited Thomas to touch them. His wounds are a sign of love, not shame.

In our own wounds and weakness, God’s glory can shine. 

Our brokenness can be the place of encounter with the Risen Christ.

*6) From Doubt to Mission*

Tradition holds that after this encounter, Thomas went as a missionary to India, where he preached the Gospel and was martyred. 

His doubt turned into deep conviction and fearless faith.

Even doubters can become great witnesses. God uses our weakest moments to lead us into strong mission.

The Doubt of Thomas is not merely a past event—it’s an ongoing invitation to each believer:

To encounter Christ personally.

To bring our doubts and receive His peace.

To move from doubt to proclamation: *“My Lord and my God!”*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Encounter on the Tombs

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirteenth Week :  Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 8:28-34*

*First Reading : Gn 21:5, 8-20a*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13*

*Encounter on the Tombs*

*1) Jesus Meets Us in the Place of Death*

The tombs represent death, abandonment, and hopelessness. 

The man lived among the graves, exiled from society, tormented by demons, and stripped of his humanity.

Mark 5:3: *“He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.”*

Jesus intentionally travels across the sea to meet this man. He seeks out those living in spiritual death. 

No place is too dark, no soul too far gone for Christ to reach.

*2) Chains Can’t Cure What Only Christ Can*

The townspeople had tried to control the demoniac with physical chains, but nothing worked. 

His condition was spiritual, not merely behavioral.

Mark 5:4: *“He had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he tore the chains apart...”*

Human systems can restrain outward behavior but cannot heal the soul. Jesus doesn’t chain the man—He frees him.

*3) The Power of Evil vs. the Authority of Christ*

The demons recognize Jesus immediately:

Mark 5:7: *“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”*

Even in a Gentile region filled with unclean animals and spirits, Jesus’ authority is supreme. 

Darkness must bow to His presence. 

The spiritual realm recognizes His kingship, even when people do not.

When Jesus shows up, evil has to submit—even in the most unclean places.

*4) Restoration of Identity and Dignity*

The man who once roamed naked among the dead is later seen:

Mark 5:15: *“...sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.”*

This is the power of Jesus: He restores dignity, community, and purpose. The man had lost everything—but in Christ, he finds it again.

The Gospel is not just about deliverance from something, but restoration to someone—God.

*5) Isolation vs. Belonging*

Before Jesus: the man lived in tombs, cut off from society.

After Jesus: he wanted to follow Jesus and was sent as a witness.

Mark 5:19: *“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”*

Jesus reintegrates the man into community and gives him a mission. 

No one is meant to stay in the tombs. Once delivered, we are sent to testify.

*6) Fear of Transformation*

Instead of celebrating, the townspeople were afraid and begged Jesus to leave.

Mark 5:17: *“Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.”*

Sometimes people fear the power of God more than the presence of evil.

Transformation threatens the status quo, and many prefer familiar brokenness to unfamiliar freedom.

What about me?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Sleeping Jesus on the Boat

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirteenth Week :  Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 8:23-27*

*First Reading : Gn 19:15-29*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 26:2-3, 9-10, 11-12*

*Sleeping Jesus on the Boat*

*1) Jesus’ Humanity and Exhaustion*

The fact that Jesus is asleep reveals His true humanity. After a long day of preaching and healing, He is physically tired.

It reminds us that Jesus fully entered into our human condition, including the need for rest.

*2) Jesus' Divine Authority*

Though He sleeps, Jesus is still sovereign over nature. His simple command stills the storm.

This shows His divinity: the One who created the seas also commands them.

*3)  A Symbol of Peace Amidst Chaos*

The storm represents the trials, fears, and dangers of life.

Jesus sleeping shows a divine calm in the midst of turmoil — a model for our own spiritual posture in crisis.

Even when it seems like God is “silent” or “asleep,” He is present and in control.

*4) Invitation to Trust, Not Panic*

The disciples' panic shows their limited faith. They ask, “Don’t you care?”

Jesus invites them (and us) to greater trust, not because we can control the storm, but because He is in the boat with us.

*5) Faith in the Hidden Presence*

Often, in suffering, we feel like God is “asleep” or distant. But like Jesus on the boat, God is never absent, even when silent.

The story reassures us: presence matters more than visibility. He is with us — Emmanuel.

*6) Spiritual Takeaways*

Don’t mistake silence for absence — Jesus may seem asleep, but He is always with us.

Storms are part of discipleship, but Jesus' power is greater than any storm.

Faith is trusting in the dark what we know in the light — that He is good, powerful, and present.

The Lord sleeps — not carelessly, but confidently, because He knows no storm can sink a boat carrying God.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Let the dead bury their dead.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirteenth Week :  Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 8:18-22*

*First Reading : Gn 18:16-33*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 103:1b-2, 3-4, 8-9, 10-11*

*Let the dead bury their dead.*

*1) The Call to Radical Discipleship*

Jesus is not belittling family responsibilities but making a bold statement about the radical nature of discipleship. 

In calling someone to follow Him, He demands an unwavering commitment, a willingness to leave behind all other concerns, no matter how important they might seem by worldly standards. 

The urgency of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God is so great that it requires immediate action and prioritization.

*2)The "Dead" as Spiritual Metaphor*

One of the deeper layers of meaning in this phrase involves spiritual life and death. 

When Jesus says, *"Let the dead bury their own dead,"* He is likely referring to those who are spiritually dead—those who live without the transformative life of God.

Spiritual Death: The *"dead"* can be understood as those who live according to  the ways of the world, disconnected from the life and vitality that comes from God. 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of Himself as the *"life"* (John 14:6). 

In contrast, those who reject or neglect His call remain spiritually dead.

*3) The Urgency of Following Jesus*

Jesus' response underscores the immediacy of His call. 

Discipleship is not something that can be delayed or put off. 

It requires a prompt and full commitment to follow Him without hesitation, especially when the Gospel is at stake.

The urgency is not about rejecting one’s family or responsibilities but recognizing the eternal significance of the call to the Kingdom. 

Everything else fades in comparison to the urgent mission of the Gospel.

*4) A Challenge to Worldly Attachments*

Jesus often spoke about the danger of attachment to the world. 

This saying can be viewed as a challenge to those who are too attached to the things of this world, even good things like family. 

The phrase *“let the dead bury their dead”* underscores that those who are consumed with the temporary concerns of the world are spiritually dead, while those who follow Jesus are called to live for the eternal.

The phrase suggests that the worldly preoccupation with family, possessions, and responsibilities should not prevent a follower of Jesus from responding to the call of discipleship. 

*5) A Shift from Earthly Priorities to Eternal Vision*

The calling to discipleship means shifting from earthly priorities to eternal vision. 

The dead—those who are spiritually disconnected—are concerned with the physical and earthly tasks, while the living—those who follow Christ—are focused on the mission of God’s Kingdom.

*6) A Warning Against Procrastination in Spiritual Commitment*

Jesus also speaks to the danger of delaying spiritual commitment. 

The man who asks to bury his father could symbolize the tendency of people to delay following Jesus for more "convenient" times or excuses. 

But Jesus’ statement is a warning that there is no better time than the present.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

Feast of St Peter and St Paul

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Thirteenth Week :  Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:13-19*

*First Reading : Acts 12:1-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9*

*Second Reading :2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18*

*1) St Peter and St Paul*

They are two strong Pillars of the Church, on which the Church of  Christ stands 

They are two bright  lights, burning for Christ, Showing the Way to Heaven

*2) St Peter*

By profession he was a expert fishermen

He comes from Galilee 

He was called by Jesus while fishing 

*3) The Rock (Petros)*

Peter’s name (from Greek Petros, meaning "rock") signifies stability, foundation, and trustworthiness.

Jesus chose Peter as the solid base on which the Church would be built, symbolizing his leadership and apostolic authority.

*4) The Keys of the Kingdom*

The keys represent spiritual authority and the power to bind and loose (to forgive sins, teach doctrine, and guide the Church).

Often depicted in art holding two keys: one gold (divine authority) and one silver (spiritual guidance on earth).

*5) The Fisherman and the Net*

Peter was a fisherman by trade, and Jesus called him to become a "fisher of men."

The net represents the mission of evangelization and drawing souls into the kingdom.

*6) The Rooster*

The rooster reminds us of Peter’s denial of Christ and his repentance.

It stands for human weakness, but also mercy, conversion, and restoration.

*7) The Cross (Upside Down)*

According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down in Rome because he felt unworthy to die like Christ.

The inverted cross is a symbol of humility and martyrdom, not of anti-Christian belief when used in this context.

*8) Shepherd’s Staff*

Symbolizes Peter’s role as a pastoral leader, guiding and caring for the flock of Christ.

Connects him to the role of the Pope as the chief shepherd of the Church.

*9) St Paul*

Hebrew Name: Saul

Roman Name: Paul (used more often in his missionary work)

Birthplace: Tarsus in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey)

Tribe: Benjamin, Strict Pharisee, Highly Educated: Studied under Gamaliel, a respected Jewish teacher

Roman Citizenship

Converted on the Way to Damascus

*10) The Sword*

Represents the Word of God, which Paul preached boldly and powerfully.

Also recalls his martyrdom, as tradition holds that he was beheaded in Rome.

*11) The Book or Scroll*

Represents his writings (Epistles), which form a major part of the New Testament.

Symbolizes divine wisdom, theology, and apostolic teaching.

His letters guided early Christian communities and continue to shape Christian theology today

*12) Chains or Shackles*

Symbolize Paul’s imprisonments for the sake of the Gospel.

Represent faithful endurance, apostolic suffering, and freedom in Christ despite bondage.

*13) Missionary Journeys of St Paul*

*1st Missionary Journey*

Acts 13–14 | Years: Around 46–48 AD

Companions: Barnabas and John Mark

Places visited : 

Antioch (Syria) Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe

*2nd Missionary Journey*

Acts 15:36–18:22 | Years: Around 49–52 AD

Companions: Silas, Timothy, and later Luke

Places Visited : 

Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea,  Athens, Corinth

*3rd Missionary Journey*

Acts 18:23–21:17 | Years: Around 53–57 AD

Companions: Timothy, others

Long stay in Ephesus (about 3 years)

Places Visited : 

Ephesus, Macedonia,  Greece and Troas

*Journey to Rome (as a prisoner)*

Arrested in Jerusalem, Shipwrecked on Malta, finally arrived in Rome where he preached under house arrest

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*

The Feast of the Passover

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Twelveth  Week :  Saturday*

*Gospel : Luke 2:41-51*

*First Reading : Is 61:9-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : 1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd*

*The Feast of the Passover*

*1) Historical Origin: God’s Saving Act*

Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. 

God instructed the people through Moses to sacrifice a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood so the angel of death would *"pass over"* their homes during the tenth plague (death of the firstborn). 

This act of salvation becomes the cornerstone of Israel's identity as God's chosen people.

Passover reminds us that salvation is by grace through the blood of the lamb, a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice. 

God is a deliverer who acts on behalf of His people.

*2) Jerusalem as the Center of Worship*

By divine command, the Israelites were to celebrate Passover in the place the Lord chose for His name to dwell, which later became Jerusalem. 

This pilgrimage created a spiritual unity and collective memory of liberation.

Jerusalem becomes not just a geographic location, but a symbol of worship, covenant, and community. 

It represents the people gathering around God’s saving presence.

*3) Jesus and the Passover: Fulfillment in the New Covenant*

Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples at the Last Supper in Jerusalem. 

During that meal, He redefined the Passover by offering Himself as the true Lamb

Jesus fulfilled the Passover by becoming the Lamb of God (John 1:29). 

The exodus from Egypt is now transformed into a spiritual exodus from sin and death through the Cross. 

The Eucharist becomes the new Passover meal.

*4) The Passion Begins at Passover*

Jesus’ crucifixion in Jerusalem coincided with the Passover, emphasizing that His death was not accidental, but providential. 

While lambs were being sacrificed in the Temple, the Lamb of God was being sacrificed on the Cross.

The timing of Jesus' death during Passover reveals the unity of Scripture and salvation history. 

Christ's sacrifice fulfills the deepest meaning of the festival—freedom through blood, life through sacrifice.

*5) Ongoing Significance for Christians*

The Eucharist/Mass is the new and eternal Passover meal.

The Cross is our Exodus, from sin and slavery into new life.

Jerusalem becomes a symbol of the heavenly city toward which we journey (Revelation 21).

*6) Final Thought*

The Feast of Passover in Jerusalem is a powerful biblical event that:

Celebrates deliverance through blood (Exodus),

Is fulfilled in Jesus' sacrifice (Gospels),

And continues in the life of the Church (Eucharist and mission).

It invites us to remember, celebrate, and live the freedom we have in Christ, the true Paschal Lamb.

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*