RVA Daily Reflection

Embrace Endurance with Grace

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJGo beyond ExpectationsReflection Date: June 16, 2025 Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary TimeDaily Readings: 2 Corinthians 6: 1-10; Matthew 5: 38-42
Both readings today focus on the themes of Christian discipleship, endurance, grace, and radical love.
Paul begins with a request not to take God’s grace lightly. To be a Christian is not merely to receive blessings, but to cooperate with grace—especially in times of adversity. Paul lists the trials he and his companions have faced, yet they remain steadfast, demonstrating patience, kindness, and love. They face challenges in living counter-culturally, embodying a spirit of reconciliation. The Christian witness often shines brightest in times of trial and hardship. Like Paul, we may be “sorrowful yet always rejoicing”—a paradox of gospel life. He reminds us that although we may seem to have very little, we possess everything in Christ. Therefore, let us live our faith with confidence, knowing that fulfillment comes not from possessions, but from being open to the Spirit.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls for a love that goes beyond fairness. This love absorbs offense without retaliation and gives generously without expecting anything in return. Turning the other cheek is not weakness—it is the power of inner freedom. Going the extra mile is not compulsion but a choice born of holy magnanimity. Giving more than what is asked is not pride, but an act of grace-filled generosity. In this way, Jesus overturns the principle of “an eye for an eye,” calling instead for a love that transforms justice into mercy. By embracing these teachings, let us cultivate a life of resilience, love, and generosity, becoming reflections of God’s grace.
Call to Action:
Paul lived out what Jesus taught: he turned the other cheek, went the extra mile, and gave without expecting anything in return. His life was a living gospel. What about yours?

The Mystery of three in one

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJCommunion of LoveReflection Date: June 15, 2025 The Solemnity of the Most Holy TrinityDaily Readings: Proverbs 8:22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16: 12-15
Feast of the Holy Trinity
The Feast of the Holy Trinity is a profound celebration of the mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct Persons in one Divine Nature. It gently reminds us that God is deeply involved in human life, walking with us in love and communion.
Our faith is deeply intertwined with the mystery of the Trinity. All our prayers, sacraments, and blessings in the Church are made in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is an invitation to live in constant awareness of God’s presence and to honor His love in our daily lives.
In our own lives, we often seek cordial relationships, understanding, and a sense of belonging. These human desires are reflected in the life of the Trinity. The Father's creative love, the Son’s redemptive love, and the Spirit’s sustaining love empower us to love generously, serve selflessly, and build unity in diversity.
Throughout salvation history, God has gradually revealed Himself to us: the Father who creates and sustains all things; the Son who redeems through His incarnation, death, and resurrection; and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and guides the Church. The Trinity, therefore, is not just a theological idea but a living reality.
What is the missionary implication of this feast? The Trinity is not self-contained but outward-moving. Just as the Father sent the Son and the Spirit into the world, He now calls each of us by name and sends us into a broken, fractured world. We are invited to be healers of wounds, sharing the life we have received through Jesus’ resurrection.
Today’s readings also invite us to enter the divine dance of love and be part of it—living with hope, guided by truth, and transformed by grace. Pope Francis reminds us that the Trinity is not an abstract concept but a living reality of love: the Father as the source of life, the Son as the one who redeems humanity, and the Holy Spirit as the force who renews and guides us.
As we celebrate this mystery, may we be drawn deeper into the life of the Trinity and become living witnesses of divine love in the world.
Call to Action: 
What trials or challenges are you facing today, and how is the Spirit shaping your character through them?
How do you experience the Trinity at work in your life?
Where do you most need God’s wisdom, peace, and guidance?

Transformative Power of Love

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJLiving with IntegrityReflection Date: June 14, 2025 Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary TimeDaily Readings: 2 Corinthians 5: 14-21; Matthew 5:27–32
The readings of today invite us to live with authenticity, integrity, and a mission of reconciliation. In the first reading, Paul reminds us that God’s love is an active force that urges us to live as transformed people. In other words, we are to become a new creation—ambassadors of reconciliation. This reflects God’s heart for healing broken relationships. Christ took upon Himself our sins so that we might receive His righteousness. This clearly defines a life of love built on freedom in Christ. Let us live as reconciled people who embody God’s truth and grace in every word and deed.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the practice of swearing oaths to affirm honesty. He categorically asserts: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ In doing so, He emphasizes truthfulness—a stark contrast to hypocrisy. This honesty is a hallmark of the Kingdom of truth and justice. When our words reflect God’s truth, we mirror His faithfulness. The teachings of Jesus are a radical call to integrity. He calls us to deep authenticity, where our actions and words are in harmony. Christ’s love transforms us and sends us out to be agents of reconciliation. Let us be honest and transparent, allowing His love to be the foundation of everything we do.
Call to Action: 
Let your words and actions reflect the integrity of a new creation.
Pursue reconciliation actively—in your relationship with God, with others, and with creation.

Strive for Purity of Heart

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJWeakness vs HolinessReflection Date: June 13, 2025  Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary TimeMemorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchDaily Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:7–15; Matthew 5:27–32
Paul speaks of the “treasure in jars of clay,” reminding us that we are fragile, weak, imperfect, and unremarkable—yet filled with God's power. Despite hardships, afflictions, perplexity, and persecutions, God’s life shines through our moral lives. Paul encourages us to see sufferings as a way to reveal Christ’s death and resurrection at work within us. In this way, our sufferings become a means through which we can experience His grace more deeply and grow in thanksgiving to God. The Christian life is a paradox—we are both fragile and yet called to unwavering holiness. But God supplies the strength needed for endurance and transformation.
The Gospel reading is a radical call to purity. Jesus calls for progressive self-discipline, even suggesting extreme measures to avoid sin. He intensifies the demands of the Law, urging us to understand its spirit. His focus is on radical holiness—a holiness that starts in the heart, not just in external behavior. It calls for personal integrity in both thought and action. In a nutshell, self-control and respect for others’ dignity become central to Christian living.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, known as the Wonder Worker and the Hammer of Heretics. One of his most endearing qualities was his deep compassion for the poor and suffering. His life was rooted in prayer and sacrifice. May his example inspire us to become humble instruments of God’s grace.
Call to Action: 
Let the life of Jesus be seen in us through the way we live—even in the hidden areas of our hearts.
Strive for purity and faithfulness in every aspect of your life.

The Unity of Priesthood and Eucharist

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJHis Solidarity with HumanityReflection Date: June 12, 2025 Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary TimeDaily Readings: Isaiah 6:1–4, 8 or Hebrews 2:10–18; John 17:1–2, 9, 14–26
Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest
The Feast of Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest, invites us to contemplate the depth of Christ’s love by honoring His unique and everlasting priesthood. Instituted in 2012, this feast is celebrated on the Thursday after Pentecost. It is closely linked to both the priesthood of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The feast highlights how Christ’s priesthood is made present in the Eucharist. Every Mass is a participation in the eternal priesthood of Jesus. This priesthood is not based on lineage but on the divine plan of God, emphasizing Christ’s role as the mediator between God and humanity. He continues to remain our advocate before the Father. Therefore, this celebration calls us to deepen our worship, grow in unity with His priesthood, and renew our commitment to our baptismal calling.
Christ’s priesthood is not limited by time or ritual. Through His compassion and obedience, He brings our struggles and prayers before the Father. To experience this reality in our lives, we must draw closer to God with confidence, knowing that Jesus, both fully human and fully divine, understands our weaknesses and leads us to the heart of the Father.
The Letter to the Hebrews beautifully expresses the truth that both laypeople and clergy are called to share in the royal priesthood, offering their lives in holiness and loving service. As we celebrate this feast, let us pray for priests that they may faithfully reflect Christ’s love and live lives worthy of their calling.
Call to Action:                                                                           
Let this feast inspire us to live as Christ lived among us.
Let us extend our helping hands to all who struggle to find the light

Love as the Heart of the Commandments

Walk in ConfidenceReflection Date: 11 June 2025Author: Fr Ignatius Britto, SJDaily Reading: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3     Mathew 5: 17-19
In the first reading, Paul contrasts the old covenant, written on stone, with the new covenant, written by the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The law brought death, but the Spirit brings life, transforming our hearts from within. Paul goes on to affirm that the glory of Christ’s covenant is greater and eternal.
At this juncture, it is fitting to ask ourselves: Are we living under the weight of legalism, or are we walking in the freedom and life of the Spirit? Knowing that our effectiveness comes from God, let us walk in confidence, like the Apostle Barnabas, whose feast we celebrate today. His unwavering faith led him to partner with Paul in mission and ultimately face martyrdom by stoning.
In the Gospel, Jesus clarifies that His mission is not to discard the law but to bring it to fulfillment. This fulfillment means perfecting the law, not merely through external observances, but by living its spirit with love and justice. Jesus challenges us to go beyond the letter of the law and embrace its deeper meaning through a relationship with Him.
Call to Action:
Open your hearts to the transforming work of the Spirit, which enables you to reflect the freedom of the children of God.
Embrace grace over legalism to live in the fullness of God.
 

Dispel The Darkness

Living With IntegrityReflection Date: 10 June 2025Author: Fr Ignatius Britto, SJDaily Reading: 2 Corinthians 1: 18-22     Mathew 5: 13-16
In the first reading, Paul assures the Corinthians that his teaching and preaching of the Gospel are consistent and unwavering. He affirms this strongly by stating that God’s promises are always YES in Christ. Paul also highlights that it is God who strengthens us and gives His Spirit into our hearts.
In a world full of uncertainties and shifting promises, we are called to trust in His YES, which alone guarantees His faithfulness. This is a beautiful reminder that our confidence in this life flowers forth from God’s unchanging AMEN. Let us stand firm in God’s truth with integrity and consistency, just as God is faithful.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls His disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves and enhances flavor. In the same way, we are called to bring goodness and preserve moral values to the world.
Light illumines and dispels darkness. To have light in one’s life is to have God in one’s life. God is often portrayed as light, referred to as Jyothi. When we carry God within us, we naturally shine, and that light will dispel the darkness around us.
This calls us to realize our enormous capacity for self-sacrifice. Let us make the effort to become aware of this capacity and willingly sacrifice our comforts in service to the poor, thus becoming the light of the world.
“If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like noonday."(Isaiah 58:10)
Call to Action:
Can we boldly live with the power of the Holy Spirit as salt and light?
Let us live a life that radiates God’s love so that others may see and glorify Him.

Mary, the Church's Silent Strength

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJ
From the Cross to PentecostReflection Date: 09 June 2025Daily Reading: Acts 1: 12-14    John 19: 25-34                      Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is a recent addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, instituted by Pope Francis in 2018. It is celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost, highlighting Mary’s maternal role in the life of the Church.
The feast reminds us that Mary accompanies the Church in her mission of evangelization and care for all people. The first reading describes how the disciples, after the Ascension of Jesus, returned to Jerusalem and gathered together in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Their unity and devotion in prayer powerfully presented a community gathered in love. Her quiet fidelity bridges the earthly ministry of Jesus and the birth of the Church. Thus, Mary’s presence at Pentecost reminds us that the Church is a family united in prayer. She continues to show us how to respond in faith to her Son, Jesus.
In John’s Gospel, Mary stands at the foot of the Cross along with the beloved disciple John. There, Jesus entrusts her to John’s care and the disciple to Mary, symbolizing her spiritual motherhood over all believers. Mary becomes the Mother of the Church, just as the Church is born from the pierced heart of Jesus. The blood and water, symbolizing the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism, signify the sacrificial life and cleansing.
Mary is present first on Calvary, then in the upper room. She embodies faithful discipleship, suffering with Christ and uniting all in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Church becomes a spiritual family bound by love and a shared mission.
Call to Action:
Let us stand with Mary and the Church to recognize the new life that flows from the pierced heart of Jesus.
Mary becomes part of the praying community. This highlights the importance of prayer in times of transition and waiting.

The Inner Revolution

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJThe Power of the SpiritReflection Date: June 8, 2025 Pentecost SundayDaily Readings: Acts 2: 1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 14: 15-16, 23-26
The culmination of Lent is not Easter, but the feast of Pentecost. At the Annunciation, God chose to become human; in the Resurrection, God continues to remain with us by bestowing the Holy Spirit. We are familiar with the hymn: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Melt us; mould us; fill us and use us. It is fitting to reflect on the imagery of melting, moulding, filling, and using. This is the power of the Holy Spirit—it breaks you, shapes you, rebuilds you, and uses you to build the Kingdom of God.
Today’s Responsorial Psalm (104:30) says: Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Pentecost gives us this renewal. It renewed the disciples to stand firm. Any true renewal means a complete transformation. It challenges all our assumptions about life, wealth, and even our spiritual practices.
The Spirit illuminates the once-fearful hearts and minds of the disciples and also those who hear the message with openness. This illumination is symbolized by tongues of fire. It is this same illumination that helped them to speak and understand in their own languages. That same Spirit now illuminates you and enables you to become who you are meant to be.
Another important message of this feast is that we are sent forth to proclaim the Good News to all. Our mission is to tell everyone that God is our Father, and we are all one family—despite visible differences. Therefore, we must live as brothers and sisters. The core of our mission is to break the barriers between rich and poor, between the First World and the Third World, between male and female—so that all may speak the one universal language of love. This is possible only through the working of the Holy Spirit.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our lives is the greatest fruit of the redemption that Jesus has accomplished. Life in the Spirit is God-focused, Christ-centered, and Spirit-governed. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
Call to Action: 
At the coming of the Holy Spirit, fear gives way to courage, and people are united in mind and heart. Was it not a deep spiritual experience for them—a new birth?
How do you see this in your personal life?
How do you wish to respond?

Faithfulness in Adversity

Author: Fr. Ignatius Britto, SJFollowing Beyond CuriosityReflection Date: June 7, 2025 Saturday of the Seventh Week of EasterDaily Readings: Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31; John 21: 20-25
Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner, yet he continues to preach the Gospel with all boldness and without hindrance (v.31). Despite being in chains, he remains focused on his mission. He is firmly convinced that God’s work is not limited by human constraints. Paul meets the Jewish community in Rome, demonstrating his love and concern for his own people. His willingness to dialogue with them shows his patience and desire for reconciliation. Though many reject his message, he does not give up. Even under house arrest, his ministry flourishes, resulting in the expansion of the Church beyond Jerusalem and Rome. This shows that his sufferings are not senseless but are rooted in faith. It is a clear call for us to actively proclaim the Gospel to all.
After an intimate discourse with Jesus, Peter asks a question about John’s future. But Jesus gently redirects him, telling him not to be concerned about others but to focus on his own faithfulness in following Christ. This highlights that each disciple has a unique path. Comparison is a distraction. Our focus must be on faithfully following Jesus, deeply rooted in His teachings and love. Peter’s question reflects the human tendency to seek clarity about others’ journeys, but Jesus lovingly urges him to stay focused on his own calling. It is a lesson for us as well—to avoid speculation and remain committed to our mission.
John’s Gospel ends with the acknowledgment that not everything Jesus did could be written down. This is a call for us to embrace the mystery of His earthly life with deep faith and dedication.
Call to Action: 
Stay focused on your calling without being distracted by others.
Live with faithful endurance, knowing that the mission of Christ continues through His people.