1. The Days of Creation and New Beginnings A World of Nothing Before anything existed, God was there. It was all dark and empty. Then, God spoke! “Let there be light!” Suddenly, brightness filled the world. God’s Week of Creation Day 1: Light and dark. God called light “day” and dark “night.” Day 2: Sky…
Introduction: Beauty of Hindu Culture Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest living religions, has given birth to profound spiritual insights, rich philosophical traditions, and vibrant cultural practices. Many of my closest friends are Hindus who embody generosity, wisdom, and compassion. Like any ancient tradition, Hinduism includes diverse interpretations and adaptations across time and space. Yet,…
Christian missionaries have left a deep and lasting legacy in India’s social reform, education, and humanitarian service, transforming lives and challenging oppressive traditions, especially among marginalized communities. Their work stretches across India, notably in Kerala and the Northeast, and includes determined efforts to eradicate social evils such as Sati, caste-based discrimination, untouchability, and degrading customs…
In the recent Chhattisgarh case involving the arrest of two Catholic sisters accused of human trafficking and forced conversion, several crucial legal and procedural elements have come to light: Human Trafficking Case and NIA Court Key Point: The trafficking charges were widely reported upon the women’s arrest at a railway station, following orchestrated public pressure…
Two Kerala-based Catholic nuns, Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis, were granted bail on August 2, 2025, by the NIA court in Chhattisgarh, following a case that has drawn national attention due to serious allegations of intimidation and police misconduct. The Arrest and Accusations Sisters Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis, associated with the Assisi…
August 1, 2025 – Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time Gospel Reading: Mt 13:54–58Context: In Nazareth, Jesus teaches in the synagogue, astonishing the crowd with his wisdom. Familiarity with his family leads to scepticism, as locals question his authority, rooted in Jewish expectations of prophets. Their unbelief limits his miracles, highlighting the challenge…
A Journey That Turned Into a Nightmare On the morning of July 25, 2025, two nuns belonging to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate—Sr. Preeti Mary and Sr. Vandana Francis, both from Kerala—were traveling with a tribal man named Sukaman Mandavi and three young women. The young women, all adults, were headed from Chhattisgarh to…
When Jesus was asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?” He responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mt 22:37-39). This is not merely a…
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”— Mt 5:48 As Christians, we are not just called to believe in Jesus Christ—we are called to become like Him. This call to holiness is not a privilege for a few, but a universal vocation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that all the faithful…
July 11, 2025 – Friday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time (St. Benedict, Memorial)Gospel: Matthew 10:16–23Context: Jesus instructs the Twelve as He sends them out, warning them of persecutions but promising the Holy Spirit’s guidance, urging them to be wise and steadfast in proclaiming the Kingdom.Word: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst…
