Celebrate Faith - Olvin Veigas, SJ

The world that we live in today is not so kind and authentic. In today’s world, we often witness a contrast between appearances and authenticity, between acts of charity performed for recognition and those born from genuine self-sacrifice. In  1 Kings 17:10–16 , we see a humble widow who, despite her own need, offers her last bit of food to the prophet Elijah. Her quiet trust and willingness to gi...

As we gather on this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are mindful that November holds a special place in our Catholic tradition—a time dedicated to remembering and praying for our beloved departed. The Church invites us to renew our trust in God’s promise of eternal life while reflecting on our own journey towards holiness. In today's readings, we are reminded of God’s unwavering love and mercy, e...

In today’s world, marked by uncertainty, suffering, and a deep sense of disconnection, the human heart longs for healing, meaning, and an intimate connection with God. Amid existential challenges—personal struggles, societal pressures, and global crises—there is a growing awareness of our need for something beyond the material, a transcendent hope. The stories and teachings found in Scripture, par...

In today’s fast-paced and often challenging world, we are constantly confronted with the pressures of success, recognition, and the desire for control. Many of us struggle with feelings of inadequacy, temptation, and the burden of our weaknesses. In this context, the Scriptures offer a timeless message of hope and transformation. Through the lessons in  Mark 10:35-45  and  Hebrews 4:14-16 , we are...

In the secular world, greatness is often defined by status, power, wealth, and influence. People strive to be recognized, admired, and celebrated for their achievements, positioning themselves above others through success, authority, or material gain. The pursuit of greatness in this sense often fosters competition, pride, and a focus on personal ambition. In contrast, Jesus redefines greatness en...

The sense of identity is a foundational aspect of human existence, shaping how we understand ourselves, our purpose, and our place in the world. In the context of Jesus, identity is deeply intertwined with spiritual calling and divine relationship. Jesus' sense of identity was rooted in His relationship with God the Father, His mission to bring salvation, and His embodiment of divine love and...

On September 8th each year, the Church celebrates a feast that holds deep significance for Catholics worldwide—the Nativity of Our Lady, the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This joyous occasion marks the beginning of Mary’s earthly life, a life that would pave the way for the Incarnation of Christ. As the Mother of God, Mary’s birth is seen as a prelude to the salvation story, making this feast...

Often we are lost in external things, which might not be necessary at all to reach God. In glorifying external things, we might lose what is necessary, essential and salvific. As scripture rightly puts it, God sees the heart of man and woman. Internal aspects are very essential that might bring us closer to God. Psalms always ask for grace, “Create in me a clean heart, O Lord” (Psalm 51:10-19). Th...

We live in a complex world. Often we get ourselves drowned in the complexities and demands of this world. As a result, we find ourselves confronted with challenges that test the depth of our faith. The teachings of Jesus are as radical and transformative now as they were over two thousand years ago, and sometimes, like the disciples we too struggle to fully grasp or accept them. In a world where d...

We are no longer in the post-modern world but in the post-truth world. People don't take you seriously even though you may be an authority over a particular subject. It's not about seeing is believing instead it's living without believing. As I write these reflections, I'm in XLRI Delhi campus for a workshop on "Artificial Intelligence for Excellence in Education." Until...

In a world marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and the relentless pursuit of fleeting comforts, the timeless truths found in Scripture offer us a profound source of hope and guidance. As we navigate the complexities of modern life—grappling with fears, conflicts, and the deep hunger for meaning—we are invited to turn our gaze toward the spiritual nourishment that only Christ can provide. The liturgica...

In today's fast-paced, ever-changing world, many seek deeper meaning and direction in their lives. The teachings from the scripture offer timeless wisdom relevant to our contemporary context. They urge us to move beyond superficial pursuits and embrace a mindset focused on truth and righteousness. The Word of God challenges us to seek fulfillment not in material possessions but in spiritual gr...

Why there is so much of scare when God gives us so much for our care? Today, we live in a world where issues of scarcity, inequality, and the distribution of resources are ever-present concerns. Whether it's addressing global hunger, economic disparities, or even personal feelings of inadequacy, the themes of this Sunday's liturgical readings speak directly to our collective and individual...

The term "work-life balance" is becoming very popular in today's fast-paced world. The balance between rest and compassion is also important.  It reminds us that while self-care is essential, we should also be ready to extend kindness and support to those in need, even when we feel exhausted. By following Jesus' example, we can find the strength to be present for others, creating...

What does it mean to be a Christian today? Perhaps each one has their own answer. A general response might be to be an authentic disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, following in His footsteps. This means not only walking in His shadows in word and deed but also continuing the mission He entrusted to His disciples two thousand years ago. Now it is our turn to continue Jesus’ mission. This Sunday&#39...

Miracles do happen. What we need is faith. Our life is of little importance if we do not possess faith and believe in miracles. If we do not value the importance of the capacity of the omnipotent and omnipresent divine within and around us then we put ourselves as masters of this world. There is no space for other higher being whom we call God. Our life depends on the one who created us. None of u...

What is the place of faith in the ordinary days of our lives? Can we take holidays from our faith? Absolutely not. During these days, we have been journeying with Jesus and His disciples, reliving their experience of His words and deeds, coming to know and believe in Him as they did. The liturgical readings for this Sunday enable us to look at life in its good times but also in its bad times.

The world that we live in is messy. However, we make our life, despite all the uncomfortable situations that we see around us. There is something or someone, who makes our living on this earth possible. God who created us sustains us and gives us all the strength to carry out the mission that he has entrusted to each one of us. In other words, God has given us the task and a vocation to fulfil it....

The celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord at Easter bestows on us manifold blessings. It is indeed a time to recognize how the Church invites its people to live with Christ in his joy and glory. In the last few Sundays, we have been having solemnities: Ascension of our Lord, Pentecost, Holy Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi Sunday, Solemnity of Sacred Heart of Jesus, etc. All these Church feast...

One of the most remarkable acts of Jesus Christ, our Lord, was to offer himself as body and blood. This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, a day dedicated to honouring the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This extraordinary gift, given in the form of bread and wine, embodies Christ's body and blood. As the source and summit of our Christian life, the...

If life is a mystery, then certainly, God is a mystery. No one has seen God except Jesus. The basic tenet of Christian faith is belief in the Holy Trinity. It is the central and foundational belief on which is built the rest of the edifice of dogmas and doctrines of the Church. St Basil of Caesarea wrote "When I think of the One, I think of the Three, and when I think of the Three, I think of...

Pentecost is one of the very important feasts of the Church. It is on this day, that the Church was born in a definite way with the baptism of 3,000 people in Jerusalem. St Peter as the leader of the infant Church, inspires and encourages to embrace the new way of life in Israel. The readings on this Sunday tell us the fascinating story of how it all happened and how people from diverse background...

When we do not know what to do, then we begin daydreaming. In itself, daydreaming is not bad as it makes the mind rest and relax. The death of Jesus was not only a big blow to the disciples, but also they suffered from anxiety and fear. They feared for their lives more than the buried body of Jesus. However, as the days passed by the resurrection of Jesus brought new energy and vigour. They are re...

How nice it would be if we knew exactly what was happening to the other person? This may be a wishful thinking. However, Jesus knew exactly what was happening to the other person. Throughout his public ministry, Jesus demonstrated this attitude. If we love someone deeply and unconditionally, we can know certainly what is happening to the other person. Jesus and the Father in Heaven knew each other...

As the Easter season progresses, there's a jubilant celebration of Christ's resurrection and the anticipation of Pentecost. As we reflect on the readings and teachings of the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we are called to reevaluate our priorities and attitudes, striving to embody the love and grace of Christ in our interactions with others. The readings on the Fifth Sunday of Easter insist that...