BREAD FOR YOUTH

  30 November 2024 34 th Week Ordinary Time Saturday Rom 10:9-18 Meditation Let the Word of God be Proclaimed! Blessed are those who believe in Jesus for they are saved. We are all given a mandate to preach the Word of God.   Those who hear the Word of God, believe in Jesus and confess that Jesus is the Lord are saved; then the Word of God has to be preached. The Word of God is the Good News. The Good News is that God loves us and we are saved by Jesus. The preachers have to be sent time and again to proclaim the message of love. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” If one is chosen and in the ministry of preaching is a blessing. Let every preacher take his/her responsibility to witness Jesus' love in times of hardships and trials. The mission belongs to the Lord and we are his agents. Let the Word of God be read, meditated, preached and practised. Are we aware that the mission of preaching belongs to the Holy Spirit? St Andrew AP ...

  29 November 2024 34 th Week Ordinary Time Thursday Rev 20:1-4, 11-21:2 Meditation We Have a New City! The devil is locked up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. The seal of the bottomless pit will be unsealed for a while for the devil to let free. All those who lived virtuous lives and lost their lives for the Word of God are rewarded with eternal life. The names that are not written in the Book of Life are cast into hell to be purified again. At the final time we read in the scripture there will be New Earth and New Heaven and New Jerusalem. The new city will come down from heaven adorned like a bride for her Lord. In the New City, all will be with God praising and glorifying him. In the New City, all will be happy. Do we have trust that we will be in New Heaven and New Earth? Fr Putti Anthaiah sdb

  28 November 2024 34 th Week Ordinary Time Wednesday Rev 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3,9 Meditation Corruption and Sin Leads to Fall! The scripture speaks about the fall of Babylon. Babylon is a great city of ancient times. We know that the civilization of Babylon is great. The city of ancient Rome is also great for its civilization. Both cities were capitals of great empires. They had power, name and fame. They had fallen. As every civilization rises and falls, the great cities have fallen. Every human achievement will have its glory and its downfall. Cultures, civilizations and empires fall due to corruption and sin. It is also true with every towering personality.   Destruction comes due to corruption and sin. Let us take care of the danger of corruption that creeps into our lives and drags us to the devil's den to live in sin. Sin leads to death and ultimately, we fall from the grace of God. Blessed are those who are invited to the feast of marriage of the Lamb. Th...

  27 November 2024 34 th Week Ordinary Time Wednesday Rev 15:1-4 Meditation There will be Plagues and Sickness! As we know the end experiences sickness and destruction. So is the end of life and the end of the world. Let us not be anxious about the end for the end is bound to come as a whole and individually. Better to be prepared than unprepared. Though the end time is full of hardships it will be a happy ending. Happy ending because there is only one thing in the entire universe the living and the dead long for God and praise him. “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O Lord of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy…” All nations will worship you for your goodness. Do have an attitude to praise God at all times? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  26 November 2024 34 th Week Ordinary Time Tuesday Meditation Rev 14:14-19 The Son of Man Will Come Sitting on the Cloud These are harvest days in our country. The farmers have worked hard and invested money and time in their farms. These days, they harvest the crops, which involves cutting with machines and purifying the grains to sell or use for their food. Harvest days are happy days for farmers for their hard work has come to a good end.   In the last days of life, the Lord will send angels to harvest and the Son of Man will sit on the cloud to gather the earth's harvest. If we live well the Son of Man will take us to heaven; if not eternal damnation. Be prepared to be harvested! Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  25 th November 2024 34 th Week Ordinary Time Monday Rev14:1-5 Meditation Be Pure and Truthful The redeemed are perfect and pure. The number 144,000 represents an ideal and perfect number. There is perfection in God. It is noted that even with perfection in calculations, there is perfection. God himself is perfection. Human beings try for perfection, which is not complete on this earth. It does not mean one should give up being perfect, as the law of the Lord guides us. The perfect number of people who are redeemed are those who are pure and truthful. The common vice of humans could be impurity and untruthfulness. These lead humans to sorrow and evil. To be part of the perfect number of the saved one has to pure and speak the truth. Let us try our best to keep the above virtues and seek God's grace to grow holy. Are we aware of the need for purity and truthfulness? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  23 November 2024 33 rd Week Ordinary Time Rev 11:4-12 Meditation The Victory Belongs to the Lord! Two Olive trees and a Lampstand represent the witness of God's presence and his light. The two men refer to Moses and Elijah or the law and prophets. The bottomless pit refers to hell, where the evil one lives to destroy humans. The victory belongs to God through Jesus. In the last days of life, one is bound to face trials, hardships, and death. However, it is not the end of life. Everything has relevance in life. God will bring everything about us and the entire universe to our minds in a fraction of a second. He will reveal his majesty and glory and receive us into his glory. Are we aware that victory in the end belongs to God? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  22 November 2024 33 rd Week Ordinary Time Friday Rev 10:8-11 Meditation Let Us Live the Word of God The Scroll was opened and it was eaten; so, the stomach was made bitter and the mouth was sweet. St John was told to prophesy to many people and many nations and languages and kings. The Word of God is sweet in the mouth but it is bitter in the stomach. The Word of God is very nice for ears and mouth but when it enters heart to ponder and live is hard. The Word of God has to take flesh in us in word and action in our life as it has taken flesh in the life of our Blessed Mother. It has to be proclaimed to everyone. There is no distinction based on any division to let the Word of God be made available. The Word of God has to be heard, pondered in the heart and it has to be lived in action. Let the Word of God rule our lives. Are we aware that the Word of God is living? St Cecelia (Mem) Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  21 November 2024 33ndWeek Ordinary Time Thursday Rev 5:1-10 Jesus is Found Worthy to Open the Scroll! In the olden days, messages were sent in scrolls. The scroll contains the life-giving message. The life-giving message is the Word of God. The Word of God is life; we know the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word incarnate is Jesus Christ, who came to give life and life to the full. There is no one fit to open the scroll to proclaim the message of the scroll. Jesus was the only one who could open the scroll of life to the people. Jesus is found worthy lamb to accomplish the task of opening the scroll for he suffered and made one nation, one people and one in faith. It is due to give unceasing praise to Jesus by the entire universe. Are we aware that every nation and every people should praise Jesus? Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mem) Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  20 November 2024 33 rd Week Ordinary Time Wednesday Rev 4:1-11 Meditation Let the Name of God be Blessed The twenty-four elders signify the heads of 12 tribes of Israel and 12 Apostles. Twenty-four is a holy and lucky biblical number. They form twenty-four elders of the Churches. Their being seated on the thorn with crowns signifies their authority. They are in heaven to praise God twenty-four hours a day. God is praised unceasingly on twenty-four hours of the day, i.e., at every moment. We are invited to praise God unceasingly on earth and in heaven. The four beasts with six wings refer to Man representing the Gospel of Mathew; the lion the gospel of Mark; the calf the Gospel of Luke and the eagle the Gospel of John. The word of God is praised worshipped and lived. The word of God is living and powerful. The Prayer is “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” “Worthy are you our Lord and God, to receive glory, honour, and power, ...

  19 November 2024 33rd Week Ordinary Time Tuesday Rev 3:1-6, 14-22 Meditation If We Open the Door, the Lord will Come to Eat with Us. No one, rich or poor, powerful or knowledgeable, escapes pain in life. Troubles, trials, and suffering purify the person. They are medicinal for life and not for destruction. Those who are purified dress in white. Purification is necessary for sanctification. If we are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot will be spat out; likewise, the Lord will deal with the persons of lukewarm. The Lord says ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.’ Those who are conquered will sit with the Father on the throne of heaven. Let us open the door for the Lord to come in and dine with us. Are we aware that to be with God, purification is necessary? St Agnes Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  18 November 2024 Monday 33 rd Week Ordinary Time Rev 1:1-4, 2:15 Meditation We have Changed! God reveals many things to John the beloved disciple, about the churches. God has been manifesting himself in so many ways, in the last days he sent his son Jesus to reveal him. Once Jesus ascended into heaven God did it necessary to manifest himself. One of the ways that God reveals and foretells about the future is in the book of Revelation. One of God's vivid manifestations is that the faithful have abandoned their initial love for God. They have fallen, so they need to repent and do the work that they did before. God is going to remove the lampstand from our way unless we repent. Are we aware that we have returned to our old sinful ways? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  16 November 2024 32 nd Week Ordinary Time Saturday 3Jn 1:5-8 Encourage those who Wish to Serve the Community of Faith We are all gentiles and strangers before we receive faith. Those people testified their faith in the church and for the good of the Church were gentiles. They were so faithful that they were sent on the journey to preach the Good News. It is bounded duty to support people of this sort for the work of the mission, The committed persons are an asset to the Church. Let everyone who hears the call of God serve him, let them give their service to the Church. One need not be a priest or consecrated person to work for the Kingdom of God. Living in the world and living ordinary lives, one can contribute substantially to building up the faith community. Are we aware that the Church is going to be the Church of the laity? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  15 November 2024 32 nd Week Ordinary Time Friday 2 Jn 1:4-9 Meditation Believe in Jesus! Believing in Jesus is a gift and a grace. Some persons do not believe in Jesus, not out of ignorance but knowingly reject it, they belong to the antichrist. Such persons reject that God is love; he loves us and saves us. People against Christ’s love deceive themselves and deceive others. The faith in Jesus helps us to abide in Jesus and in his teachings. Those who abide in Jesus, experience the love of God and love others. Father, Son and Spirit abide in those who believe that Jesus is the saviour and redeemer of humanity. Do we abide in Jesus? St Albert the Great Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  14 November 2024 32 nd Week Ordinary Time Thursday Philem 1:7-20 Meditation No More as a Slave but as a Beloved Brother! St Paul writes to Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave but as a beloved brother. St Paul became father to him in faith and Onesimus became his child. A bond of faith. Faith in Jesus can unite people. Let us grow in the bonds of faith as children of the Father in heaven. Earlier he was not useful and now he is useful to Philemon and to St Paul as well. St Paul does not demand Philemon in faith to receive Onesimus as a brother, but he appeals. A true father and mother do not demand respect, honour and obedience from their children. They appeal to them with love and concern. Such an appeal from the parents has an impact on the children to obey and follow the instructions of the parents. Do we appeal or demand obedience? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  13 November 2024 Wednesday Titus 3:1-7 Meditation We are Saved by the Grace of God There is earnestness in every person to follow the natural law and Divine law which in a way makes the list of laws for day-to-day human rules for life. One is aware of what to do and what not to do. Good action will have good merits, and evil action will necessarily bring evil to life. Choosing and making a choice between good and bad is a process but there will be human failure. Human efforts are commendable to live an upright, moral and holy life. The weight of sin is such that this effort alone will not suffice to attain perfection in life. The grace of God is necessary for perfection in life. The grace is made available by Jesus, through his passion, death and resurrection. We are saved not only by our acts of merit but by the gratuitous grace of God. Do you know the grace of God is a gift? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  12 November 2024 32 nd Week Ordinary Time Tuesday Titus 2:1-8 Meditation Let Age Determine Your Character In the letter to Titus, St Paul instructs all age groups of people. He tells the older men to be sober-minded, the older women to be reverent in behaviour and younger men and younger women have to be self-controlled to carry out the responsibility of taking care of their spouses and taking care of their tasks in the world and the family. Let everyone take responsibility according to age. The body and mind will tell one what has to be done according to the age and situation. Pay attention to your body, mind, soul and spirit. Do not be deceived by the world to outdo those actions that are not fitting. Let everyone integrate life into age and action. The uppermost aim and purpose is to set an example for the young in the life of faith and in the life of the world. Do we pay attention to our body, mind, soul and spirit? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  11 November 2024 32 nd Week Ordinary Time Monday Titus 1:1-9 Meditation Lead by Example! God called St Paul to be his minister in a special way. He lived up to the call and built communities of faith in Jesus. He appointed leaders to take care of the communities. Titus is one of them. Leaders have a special responsibility to lead and guide by word and example. Our community leaders are not to be arrogant, quick-tempered, drunkard, violent, or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must teach and preach what he instructs so that even those who contradict may follow the right path. Do we pray for the leaders of our communities? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  9 November 2024 31 th Week Ordinary Time Saturday Ezek 47:1-12 Meditation We are Blessed to be part of the One Holy Catholic Church In the Book of Ezekiel, a place is mysteriously marked for the temple. Every temple has its miraculous history connected with Divine revelation or God’s intervention in human life. The humans desire to have a dwelling for them. On cherishing the benefits of a dwelling for them, humans wish and long to build the best dwelling for God. If God dwells in the temple among us, we could visit and place all our petitions to him. Temples of God are built at the source of streams, seas, rivers or water bodies, on mountaintops. The best natural locations are set aside for God’s dwelling. In today’s reading, we have the best location marked out for the Temple of the Lord. The temple becomes a source and center for life giving water to flow.   For Jews, the temple in Jerusalem is the centre of their mission and life. As we keep the Feast ...

  8/11/2024 31 th Week Ordinary Time Friday Phil3:17-4:1 Meditation Stand Firm in Christ! Today's youth are longing for role models in every walk of life. St Paul is exhorting the community of the Philippines to set their eyes on persons of example. One can present oneself as an excellent person but to set an example in faith and life is difficult. Parents are the best role models. They may not have the best education, but they have the wisdom, love and sacrifice of the parents. Everyone should set an example of faith in God. A life of faith has to be manifested and witnessed. We are citizens of heaven. We are not just matter and body. Let's not set our end for destruction, making our belly as God and our shame as glory. Let us look forward to transcending this earthly life into a glorious life that awaits us. For St Paul, and the community looks for joy and crown and to stand firm in Jesus Christ. Do we stand firm in Jesus? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  7 November 2024 31st   Week Ordinary Time Thursday Phil 3:3-8 Meditation The Greatest Knowledge is to Know Christ! St Paul accepted that he was a practicing Jew and persecuted the church. He was righteous new and blameless by the law of Jews. After the encounter with Jesus St Paul considers everything as a loss except the person of Christ. The worth of knowing Christ was enough for him. He believes it is a gain and worthwhile of his life.   All that life offers becomes rubbish for him compared to the knowledge of Christ. We have to reach the state of St Paul to consider everything as a loss compared to the knowledge of Christ and his message. One has to learn to love and live for Christ. The world is not an end itself, but it is a means to know the surpassing worth of Christ and experience his love. We have to put on Christ, have to have the mind of Christ and abide in him. Then we will have the fullness of joy in life. What...

  06 November 2024 31 th Week Ordinary Time Wednesday Phil 2:12-18 Meditation Rejoice! Most people behave well in public and in the presence of someone they love and respect. St Paul tells the people of Philippians to continue to be good and obey the commandments of God. He exhorts them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. The grace of God is there to help to work for our salvation but we need to make an effort to do our part to be saved. The world in which we are living is crooked take care and live without hassles. Life is to rejoice and St Paul invites us to rejoice in life with him. There are many reasons to worry and hurry about things in life. Take time to be cheerful for we are saved by Jesus and Jesus is alive. Jesus is our Saviour and Master.  Do we grumble and question others? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  5/11/2024 31 th Week Ordinary Time Tuesday Phil 2:5-11 Jesus Emptied Himself! Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God as a thing to be grasped. Instead, he emptied himself and took the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. He humbled himself and was obedient even to the point of death on the cross like a criminal. God raised him in every way to adore him and confess that Jesus Christ the Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The mystery of life consists of self-emptying. Those who have humbled themselves to the Lord will be great. They give glory to God, and God will bless them. We think greatness consists of power, position, and wealth. It is true to a certain extent, but real joy and dignity cannot be bought with worldly means. Letting go of things and means is a  way to get closer to God and others. Do we consider humility and nothingness in the world as means to holiness? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  04/11/2024 31 st Week Ordinary Time Monday Meditation Consider Others Better than Yourself! St Paul in his letter to Philippians feels, that if the community has encouragement, consolation, compassion and sympathy present in Christ Jesus is happy; for he is of the same accord and mind. A positive mindset is the way to win in life. Love for Jesus brings about positive vibes in life. Let no one care for one’s selfish ambitions or conceit, but in humility consider others better than oneself. Let each one look for the interests of others. In such a family, community or society there will be true love not born of human will but of the love of God. Do we consider others to be better than ourselves? Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb

  02/11/2024 26 th Week Ordinary Time Saturday Isa 25:6-9 Do we long for Salvation? The Lord will offer his people rich food, meat with marrow, and rich wine. The Lord will take away all sorrow and reproaches of his people. He will free them from all troubles. These are not mere words but God has said and he will make it happen. We are all waiting for these good days to come. The Lord has come to bring us salvation. These days have come, and the Lord will give us redemption. He will take us to himself to be with him. So, let us rejoice in the Lord and be sure of our eternal life with God. Jesus is the promised Saviour for us. Do await eagerly to be saved by the Lord? All Souls Day Fr Putti Anthaiah Sdb