It wasn't business as usual at the Vatican last week. As the Holy See Press Office filled with journalists on the evening of January 8, 2026, the atmosphere was one of candid reflection rather than formal proclamation.
"Let each one of us start a spiritual pilgrimage of not colluding with dark forces of evil but have the courage to confront evil and like the apostles"
We have an urgent message for today and it comes from the Second reading: St Paul says “As Christ became poor for our sake, so must we share with those in need from our abundance.”
"Dear Myanmar people, this darkness will go away. Let us believe. Let us hope. Let the God of Moses who walked with the Israelites in the desert lead us to the promised land."
Today is Pentecost, a day when we celebrate the birth of the Church by the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is also a day that launched the Church’s participation in Jesus’ mission to the world.
In an increasingly socially-fractured India, we need many more such sterling examples like the late Tarun Gagoi who would set a new benchmark in building an inclusive and tolerant society.
We pray to the Good Shepherd, protect all of us, our children, lead us to the green pastures of peace and hope. Even if we walk in the valley of darkness, let you hand guide us.
The bottom-line is that every mystery is to be encountered at a profoundly personal level, it has to be experienced at depth, at the inner recesses of one’s being, not simply told.
"Following the spirit of the theme of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, we are gifted with so many blessings but at the same time called to give and share for the good of all."
Let us not repay inhumanity with inhumanity, Let us not repay brutality with brutality. Civil war would wound every one and will take decades to heal. Let us not take that path of self-destruction.
We the Catholic Church in Bangladesh are the close neighbours of the Church in Myanmar, express our support and solidarity to the people and the Church in that country.
