Warner D'Souza

The text  of today is a well-known text from the book of Isaiah. It is loved because it strikes a familiar chord with so many weary people who at times need encouragement. The opening lines of Isaiah 40 announce what was surely impossible to believe. After living as slaves in Babylon for seventy years, their hearts were filled with fear, doubt and concern; their nation was destroyed, Jerusalem was a pile of rubble, the temple was gone. They were beaten, felt alone and abandoned by God and they were hopeless.

I Believe I Can Fly | Isaiah 40:25-31

Salvation is a Journey | Isaiah 35:1-10

today’s first reading focuses on the hope that the season of Advent offers those who wait on the Lord. Interestingly, the verse just before our text is cute beyond imagination. While we are waiting on the Lord it is really the Lord who waits for us so that he can be gracious to us. He just wants us to align ourselves with his will. Those who made Egypt (or whatever their stubbornness is) their confidence were left ashamed of such a decision while those who sat still and made God alone their confidence were eventually comforted. It is matter of comfort to the people of God who put their trust in him, even in their darkest hour, to know that God is on their side. Their trust in God will not mis-founded. 
In this life we go through many tough moments and challenges. Sometimes we don’t understand why; but the thing that we need to remember is that God is in control. The enemy wants you to feel sorry for yourself and sit and cry about it. But when we take the things that we are going through as the work of the Lord, and say ‘I’m not going to cry about this, but I am going to cry out to my God’, He will hear us and be gracious to us and we will see the work of the Lord in our lives.

today’s first reading focuses on the hope that the season of Advent offers those who wait on the Lord. Interestingly, the verse just before our text is cute beyond imagination. While we are waiting on the Lord it is really the Lord who waits for us so that he can be gracious to us. He just wants us to align ourselves with his will. Those who made Egypt (or whatever their stubbornness is) their confidence were left ashamed of such a decision while those who sat still and made God alone their confidence were eventually comforted. It is matter of comfort to the people of God who put their trust in him, even in their darkest hour, to know that God is on their side. Their trust in God will not mis-founded.
In this life we go through many tough moments and challenges. Sometimes we don’t understand why; but the thing that we need to remember is that God is in control. The enemy wants you to feel sorry for yourself and sit and cry about it. But when we take the things that we are going through

When your cry becomes a cry out | Isaiah 30:19-21,23-26

Isaiah 29:17-24 | Homily | 4th December, 2020

The text of today expresses hope for change in the future. When this hope is to be fulfilled is uncertain. 
 
To read the full text go on this link below. 
https://www.pottypadre.com/the-end-is-in-sight-friday-1st-week-in-advent-isaiah-2917-24/

The text of today expresses hope for change in the future. When this hope is to be fulfilled is uncertain. 

To read the full text go on this link below.
https://www.pottypadre.com/the-end-is-in-sight-friday-1st-week-in-advent-isaiah-2917-24/

The end is in sight | first week in Advent | Isaiah 29:17-24

St. Xavier ranks among the greatest missionaries in Christian history. Historians place the number of baptisms at roughly 30,000 people. Three qualities of St Xavier are highlighted which are noteworthy in today’s modern world. 
A man of prayer: the authors who wrote about his life have defined him as a man of intense prayer. He used to spend long time in prayer, and often even night time after a very busy day of apostolate. A witness wrote about him: “during the day he entirely belonged to God, during the night, he entirely belong to God”. 
A man of enthusiasm: Xavier set high standards for himself and had ambitious plans for the future. He was a man of quick perception and sound judgment. And while he was fervent, he was known to be so without losing a realistic grasp of the facts. Yet, his goals were not to be “the best” or “first”, but rather to make an impact. Xavier was known to have conducted his life’s work with great vitality and zeal. For instance, when Loyola asked Xavier to join an expedition to the Far East he was “overjoyed”. Even descriptions of how he moved capture his gusto – “he walked with a joyful, calm face” and “everywhere he went he went with laughter in his mouth”. Xavier’s enthusiasm is underscored when recognising that his work and life were not easy. Seventeenth century sea voyages were filled with life-threatening dangers. Moreover, by the time Xavier finished University studies, his father, mother and a sister had died (his father had passed away when Xavier was only 6 years old) and his other sister and brothers had married. He felt as lonely as “an orphan”. However, it was not only during this time that he felt this way. For much of his life he struggled with feelings of loneliness, depression and chronic feelings of inferiority. 
Openness to the influence of others: The third quality associated with Xavier’s personality, including how he related to others as well as himself. It goes beyond enthusiasm and passion. Xavier was known to be a charismatic man. He had a “dashing and robust personality” and has been described as “astounding”, “decisive”, “cheerful”, “vivacious”, “practical”, “prudent”, and a “keen, ambitious” boy in school.

St. Xavier ranks among the greatest missionaries in Christian history. Historians place the number of baptisms at roughly 30,000 people.  Three qualities of St Xavier are highlighted which are noteworthy in today’s modern world.
A man of prayer: the authors who wrote about his life have defined him as a man of intense prayer. He used to spend long time in prayer, and often even night time after a very busy day of apostolate. A witness wrote about him: “during the day he entirely belonged to God, during the night, he entirely belong to God”.
A man of enthusiasm: Xavier set high standards for himself and had ambitious plans for the future. He was a man of quick perception and sound judgment. And while he was fervent, he was known to be so without losing a realistic grasp of the facts. Yet, his goals were not to be “the best” or “first”, but rather to make an impact. Xavier was known to have conducted his life’s work with great vitality and zeal. For instance, when Loyola asked Xavier to 

Solemnity of St Francis Xavier | Luke 10:1-16

Isaiah 25:6-10a | Homily

Isaiah 25 forms part of the Isaiah’s Apocalypse (Isaiah chapters 24-27) that envisions the final redemption of God’s people. After God has destroyed all that seek to oppress the faithful, God is said to host a feast of rich food, the choicest, most luxurious foods possible. Only one who loves cooking or enjoys being a great host will truly understand the opening lines of this text.

When God laid out the china | Isaiah 25:6-10a

Isaiah 11:1-10 | Homily

Isaiah tells us that the promised one, with the wisdom and understanding of God’s Spirit, will judge injustice and strike the ruthless and wicked. He will carry peace to the world that transforms even the animal kingdom. He will do what is right in His judgment and what is fair in his decisions. He will bring justice to the poor, the needy and the wicked.

Expect the Unexpected | Isaiah 11:1-10

Matthew 4:18-22 | Homily | 30th November, 2020

Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle. 
Matthew 4:18-22 
 
St. Andrew was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, a fisherman by trade, and a former disciple of John the Baptist. 
 
To read the full text go on this link below. 
https://www.pottypadre.com/feast-of-st-andrew-the-apostle-matthew-418-22/

Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle.
Matthew 4:18-22

St. Andrew was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, a fisherman by trade, and a former disciple of John the Baptist. 

To read the full text go on this link below.
https://www.pottypadre.com/feast-of-st-andrew-the-apostle-matthew-418-22/

Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle | Matthew 4:18-22

Finally | Luke 21:34-36

Luke 21:29-33 | Homily

In Luke 21, Jesus reminds his followers that there is always more going on than meets the eye. There is more to reality than we might see at first glance. 
 
To read the full text go on this link below. 
https://www.pottypadre.com/rooted-in-his-kingdom-friday-34th-week-in-ordinary-time-luke-2129-33/

In Luke 21, Jesus reminds his followers that there is always more going on than meets the eye. There is more to reality than we might see at first glance. 

To read the full text go on this link below.
https://www.pottypadre.com/rooted-in-his-kingdom-friday-34th-week-in-ordinary-time-luke-2129-33/

Rooted in his Kingdom | Luke 21:29-33

Luke 21:20-28 | Homily

This is the third and final part of the apocalyptic tract in the Gospel of Luke. (Luke 21: 5-28) 
 
To read the full text go on this link below. 
https://www.pottypadre.com/signs-and-the-son-thursday-34th-week-in-ordinary-time-luke-2120-28/

This is the third and final part of the apocalyptic tract in the Gospel of Luke. (Luke 21: 5-28) 

To read the full text go on this link below. 
https://www.pottypadre.com/signs-and-the-son-thursday-34th-week-in-ordinary-time-luke-2120-28/

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