Cycle C 6th Sunday in Easter

Acts 15:1-2,22-29 ; Ap 21:10-14,22-23: Jn 14:23-29.

 In 403 BC, Han, one of the Seven Warring States of China, asked the rulers of Wei to dispatch troops to assist it in attacking the state of Zhao. Marquis Wen of Wei declined the request and said: "Because Wei and Zhao are brotherly states, we have signed a pact of mutual nonaggression. Thus, I dare not comply with your request." Upon hearing this the Han messenger left in anger.

When those in Zhao heard what happened, its ruler asked Wei to provide troops to help attack the Han.

Cycle C 5th Sunday of Easter

Acts 14:21-27; Ap 21:1-5; Jn 13:31-35

In 1336 BC Alexander the great began his conquest of the world. It was his dream to conquer India, the land of legends. With his army he marched towards India and reached the city of Multan. Alexander saw that the city was well fortified.  He was not ready to give up. He led the assault against the city of Multan. He climbed the fortress and ascended on the top of the city walls. Below he saw a large army aiming their poisoned arrows at him. He did not wait. He jumped into their midst. Two of his soldiers followed him. The great leader of war led from the front and his soldiers followed him. History presents a few examples of such heroic men who led from the front and others followed him. We do not see any leader other than Jesus admonishing his followers to imitate him. Jesus told his apostles, “love one another as I have loved you.”

Cycle C 4th Sunday of Easter

Acts 13:14,43-52; Ap7:9,14-17: Jn 10:27-30

9^th December 1971 was the saddest day in the history of Indian Navy. Indian Navy deployed INS KHUKRI off the coast of Diu, in the Arabian Sea, for a submarine hunt. While in operation, the ship was struck by a salvo of three torpedoes. The ship sank in minutes. When everyone was trying to save himself Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla chose to be with the ship under his command. He was seen standing on the deck with a feeling of dedication and commitment to the ship and the sailors entrusted to his care. The ship was swallowed by the Arabian Sea with 194 men. Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla displayed conspicuous gallantry and dedication. He held on to the ancient tradition, “Captains don’t abandon their ships.”

Cycle C 3rd Easter

Acts 5:27-32, 40-41. Rev 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

In 1748 during the battle of Nile aboard the French Ship Orient, there took place a great and heroic event of trust. Commander Louse de Casabianca asked his young son Giocante to wait for his order to leave the deck. The boy stood on the deck waiting for his father’s orders. The ship caught fire. Flames rose to the sky. He was surrounded by flames. Finally he called out,

“Say father, say, if yet my task is done”

But the poor  little boy did not know that his father was lying dead and cold in the bottom of the ship.

Cycle C 2nd Easter Sunday

Acts 5:12-16; Rev 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31

 

After the death of Jesus, for fear of the Jews the Apostles confined themselves to a closed room. They received the news of the resurrection of Jesus from many sources.  He was seen by the women who visited the tomb. Peter saw the empty tomb. He appeared to the apostles themselves. But these testimonies did not give them enough courage to come out and    proclaim the reality of resurrection. They remained behind the closed doors.  Again Jesus appeared to them and greeted them, “Peace be with you.”