Soul Food from Father Tomy
"Come After Me" - Following Jesus Together
Today’s Gospel is simple, and precisely for that reason, very powerful. Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee and calls four ordinary men — Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John. They are not in prayer or searching for something new; they are busy with their nets, doing their daily work. Jesus speaks just a few words: “Come after me.” Immediately, they leave their nets and follow Him. This is the heart of Christianity. It is not first of all about rules, devotions, or preferences, but about following a Person — Jesus Christ.
By the time Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians, divisions had already begun to appear. People were no longer debating Jesus, but His followers: “I belong to Paul,” “I belong to Apollos,” “I belong to Cephas.” The same temptation exists today when we attach ourselves more to particular leaders, spiritual styles, or preferences than to Christ Himself. Saints, popes, teachers, and preachers are great gifts to the Church, but they are not the destination. They are signposts. Jesus alone is the center.
The Gospel also tells us that the disciples left their nets. James and John even left their father in the boat. Jesus is not asking everyone to abandon family or profession, but He is asking each of us to reflect honestly: What are the “nets” that hold me back from following Him more freely? Habits, fears, resentments, unhealthy attachments — all can prevent us from responding fully to Christ’s call.
Following Jesus always involves letting go. As Pope Benedict XVI said, Christianity begins not with an idea or rule, but with an encounter with a Person who gives life a new direction. When we truly encounter Christ, our circumstances may remain the same, but our hearts are changed.
Today we also remember Saint Vincent Pallotti, whose feast we celebrate on January 22. He believed passionately that every baptized person is an apostle. Each of us is sent to be a fisher of men — through prayer, witness, teaching the faith, service in the Church, and generous support of God’s work. No act is small when done for God’s glory and the salvation of souls.
Let us take this call seriously and live it concretely.
1. Choose Jesus daily — before choosing sides.
Before reacting, criticizing, judging, or arguing — ask: “What would help me follow Jesus more closely right now?” In families, in parish life, in society — unity begins when Christ comes first. This is how we live our baptism as apostles in daily life.
2. Leave one “net” behind this week.
Identify one small attachment that pulls you away from God — excessive screen time, gossip, resentment, neglect of prayer — and consciously let it go. Make room for Jesus. Letting go makes us free to be instruments in God’s hands for others.
3. Go fishing gently.
Bring one person closer to Christ this week — not by preaching, but by kindness, listening, forgiveness, or invitation. Remember Saint Paul’s wisdom: Don’t scare the fish. Let your life quietly point to Jesus. Through prayer, service, witness, or support of the Church, each of us can bring at least one soul closer to Christ.
May we hear again Jesus’ call — “Come after me” — and follow Him with unity, freedom, courage, and joy.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 23, 2026
Today’s Gospel is simple, and precisely for that reason, very powerful. Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee and calls four ordinary men — Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John. They are not in prayer or searching for something new; they are busy with their nets, doing their daily work. Jesus speaks just a few words: “Come after me.” Immediately, they leave their nets and follow Him. This is the heart of Christianity. It is not first of all about rules, devotions, or preferences, but about following a Person — Jesus Christ.
By the time Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians, divisions had already begun to appear. People were no longer debating Jesus, but His followers: “I belong to Paul,” “I belong to Apollos,” “I belong to Cephas.” The same temptation exists today when we attach ourselves more to particular leaders, spiritual styles, or preferences than to Christ Himself. Saints, popes, teachers, and preachers are great gifts to the Church, but they are not the destination. They are signposts. Jesus alone is the center.
The Gospel also tells us that the disciples left their nets. James and John even left their father in the boat. Jesus is not asking everyone to abandon family or profession, but He is asking each of us to reflect honestly: What are the “nets” that hold me back from following Him more freely? Habits, fears, resentments, unhealthy attachments — all can prevent us from responding fully to Christ’s call.
Following Jesus always involves letting go. As Pope Benedict XVI said, Christianity begins not with an idea or rule, but with an encounter with a Person who gives life a new direction. When we truly encounter Christ, our circumstances may remain the same, but our hearts are changed.
Today we also remember Saint Vincent Pallotti, whose feast we celebrate on January 22. He believed passionately that every baptized person is an apostle. Each of us is sent to be a fisher of men — through prayer, witness, teaching the faith, service in the Church, and generous support of God’s work. No act is small when done for God’s glory and the salvation of souls.
Let us take this call seriously and live it concretely.
1. Choose Jesus daily — before choosing sides.
Before reacting, criticizing, judging, or arguing — ask: “What would help me follow Jesus more closely right now?” In families, in parish life, in society — unity begins when Christ comes first. This is how we live our baptism as apostles in daily life.
2. Leave one “net” behind this week.
Identify one small attachment that pulls you away from God — excessive screen time, gossip, resentment, neglect of prayer — and consciously let it go. Make room for Jesus. Letting go makes us free to be instruments in God’s hands for others.
3. Go fishing gently.
Bring one person closer to Christ this week — not by preaching, but by kindness, listening, forgiveness, or invitation. Remember Saint Paul’s wisdom: Don’t scare the fish. Let your life quietly point to Jesus. Through prayer, service, witness, or support of the Church, each of us can bring at least one soul closer to Christ.
May we hear again Jesus’ call — “Come after me” — and follow Him with unity, freedom, courage, and joy.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 23, 2026
Behold the Lamb of God
Today’s Gospel gives us one of the most powerful titles ever spoken about Jesus. John the Baptist points to Him and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” These words are familiar to us, repeated at every Mass, yet the Church invites us to pause and rediscover their depth. John does not call Jesus a teacher or miracle worker; he calls Him the Lamb — a title rich with meaning, sacrifice, and love.
From the beginning of Scripture, the lamb is a sign of salvation. In Exodus 12, during the first Passover, the blood of a spotless lamb saved the Israelites from death.
That event was not only history; it was prophecy. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb. His blood, shed on the cross, saves us not from physical death, but from the deeper death caused by sin and separation from God.
Saint Paul expresses this mystery in 2 Corinthians 5:21: Jesus, though sinless, took our place so that we might become righteous before God. He carried what did not
belong to Him so that we could receive what we did not deserve. This is atonement. This is love.
The prophet Isaiah foresaw this centuries earlier, describing a servant “led like a lamb to the slaughter” who bore the sins of many. Jesus freely chose the cross. He did not resist or flee. Every wound and every breath on Calvary proclaimed His love for us.
The image of the scapegoat from Leviticus 16 deepens our understanding. On the Day of Atonement, the sins of the people were placed on a goat and carried far away
into the wilderness. Jesus fulfills this ritual completely. He does not merely cover sin; He carries it away. He becomes both Lamb and Scapegoat so that sin would no longer define us.
To “behold” the Lamb is more than hearing words; it is allowing our hearts to be moved. When we pray or sing, “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,” it
should awaken deep gratitude as we remember the price He paid and the love that held Him on the cross. To follow the Lamb today means allowing our lives to be transformed — replacing malice with innocence, power with love, pride with humility, and status with service.
Three simple and practical ways to live this mystery:
1. Come to the Lamb with your sins
Do not carry guilt alone. Jesus already carried it for you. Make regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is not about shame; it is about freedom.
2. Receive the Eucharist with awareness and gratitude
When you come forward for Communion, remember: This is the Lamb who was slain, now given to you as food. Pause. Bow your heart. Whisper a quiet “Thank you, Lord.”
3. Stop scapegoating others
In daily life, we often blame others — spouses, children, coworkers, the Church, society. But Jesus has already taken the blame. As forgiven people, we are called to forgive, not accuse; to heal, not wound.
John the Baptist still points to Jesus today and says, “Behold the Lamb of God.” He is not distant or angry, but a loving Lamb — wounded, broken, and given for us.
May our hearts be filled with love and gratitude, and may our lives become a humble response to His sacrifice.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 16, 2026
Today’s Gospel gives us one of the most powerful titles ever spoken about Jesus. John the Baptist points to Him and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” These words are familiar to us, repeated at every Mass, yet the Church invites us to pause and rediscover their depth. John does not call Jesus a teacher or miracle worker; he calls Him the Lamb — a title rich with meaning, sacrifice, and love.
From the beginning of Scripture, the lamb is a sign of salvation. In Exodus 12, during the first Passover, the blood of a spotless lamb saved the Israelites from death.
That event was not only history; it was prophecy. Jesus is the true Passover Lamb. His blood, shed on the cross, saves us not from physical death, but from the deeper death caused by sin and separation from God.
Saint Paul expresses this mystery in 2 Corinthians 5:21: Jesus, though sinless, took our place so that we might become righteous before God. He carried what did not
belong to Him so that we could receive what we did not deserve. This is atonement. This is love.
The prophet Isaiah foresaw this centuries earlier, describing a servant “led like a lamb to the slaughter” who bore the sins of many. Jesus freely chose the cross. He did not resist or flee. Every wound and every breath on Calvary proclaimed His love for us.
The image of the scapegoat from Leviticus 16 deepens our understanding. On the Day of Atonement, the sins of the people were placed on a goat and carried far away
into the wilderness. Jesus fulfills this ritual completely. He does not merely cover sin; He carries it away. He becomes both Lamb and Scapegoat so that sin would no longer define us.
To “behold” the Lamb is more than hearing words; it is allowing our hearts to be moved. When we pray or sing, “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,” it
should awaken deep gratitude as we remember the price He paid and the love that held Him on the cross. To follow the Lamb today means allowing our lives to be transformed — replacing malice with innocence, power with love, pride with humility, and status with service.
Three simple and practical ways to live this mystery:
1. Come to the Lamb with your sins
Do not carry guilt alone. Jesus already carried it for you. Make regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession is not about shame; it is about freedom.
2. Receive the Eucharist with awareness and gratitude
When you come forward for Communion, remember: This is the Lamb who was slain, now given to you as food. Pause. Bow your heart. Whisper a quiet “Thank you, Lord.”
3. Stop scapegoating others
In daily life, we often blame others — spouses, children, coworkers, the Church, society. But Jesus has already taken the blame. As forgiven people, we are called to forgive, not accuse; to heal, not wound.
John the Baptist still points to Jesus today and says, “Behold the Lamb of God.” He is not distant or angry, but a loving Lamb — wounded, broken, and given for us.
May our hearts be filled with love and gratitude, and may our lives become a humble response to His sacrifice.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 16, 2026
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, a beautiful moment that brings the Christmas season to its fulfillment. Jesus, the Beloved Son of the Father, enters the waters of the Jordan not because He needs repentance, but to stand in deep solidarity with us and to bless the waters of our human life. As He comes up from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice proclaims, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
This feast is not only about Jesus; it also turns our attention to our own baptism. Pope Francis often asked a simple but powerful question: “Do you remember the date of your baptism?” For a long time, I did not remember mine either but discovering that I was baptized on 31st May 1974 became a moment of deep gratitude. Pope Francis reminds us that the day of our baptism is even more important than our birthday, because on that day we were reborn into Christ.
Through baptism, we were integrated into the Body of the Church, the holy People of God. The faith we received did not begin with us; it has been handed down from Mary and Joseph, the Apostles, the martyrs, and the saints. The Fathers of the Church beautifully describe this as “the passing of the flame of faith from hand to hand,” reminding us that we carry a living flame meant to be shared.
In baptism, we are also consecrated by the Holy Spirit. To be Christian means to be anointed in the same Spirit who anointed Jesus. Parents and families are called to help children grow immersed in the Holy Spirit, who teaches us how to live, forgive, love, and persevere. A simple daily prayer can transform our lives: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
How to Live Our Baptism Daily
1. Live from your baptismal identity
Every baptized person needs to begin the day remembering who he or she is. Before anything else, make the sign of the cross slowly and consciously. Say in your heart: “I am baptized. I belong to Christ.” This awareness changes everything—how we speak, how we treat others, how we face difficulties, and how we make choices. Baptism is not a past ritual; it is our present identity. We no longer live as people without direction, but as sons and daughters who know they are loved.
2. Keep the memory of your baptism alive
What we remember, we value. Know the date of your baptism. Write it down. Celebrate it. Light a candle. Say a prayer of thanksgiving. Tell the story to your children and grandchildren. Use simple signs: bless yourself with holy water when you leave home and when you return. These gestures gently remind us that our whole life flows from that first immersion into Christ. When the memory of baptism is alive, faith does not fade — it grows.
3. Let your baptism flow outward as mission
Baptism never ends with us. The flame we received is meant to be passed on. Every baptized person is sent — into the family, the workplace, the parish, and society. Live your baptism through mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and quiet prayer for others. And above all, walk daily with the Holy Spirit. Invoke Him often — especially in the family. “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
Christianity is not something we do occasionally; it is someone we are every day.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 9, 2026
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, a beautiful moment that brings the Christmas season to its fulfillment. Jesus, the Beloved Son of the Father, enters the waters of the Jordan not because He needs repentance, but to stand in deep solidarity with us and to bless the waters of our human life. As He comes up from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice proclaims, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
This feast is not only about Jesus; it also turns our attention to our own baptism. Pope Francis often asked a simple but powerful question: “Do you remember the date of your baptism?” For a long time, I did not remember mine either but discovering that I was baptized on 31st May 1974 became a moment of deep gratitude. Pope Francis reminds us that the day of our baptism is even more important than our birthday, because on that day we were reborn into Christ.
Through baptism, we were integrated into the Body of the Church, the holy People of God. The faith we received did not begin with us; it has been handed down from Mary and Joseph, the Apostles, the martyrs, and the saints. The Fathers of the Church beautifully describe this as “the passing of the flame of faith from hand to hand,” reminding us that we carry a living flame meant to be shared.
In baptism, we are also consecrated by the Holy Spirit. To be Christian means to be anointed in the same Spirit who anointed Jesus. Parents and families are called to help children grow immersed in the Holy Spirit, who teaches us how to live, forgive, love, and persevere. A simple daily prayer can transform our lives: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
How to Live Our Baptism Daily
1. Live from your baptismal identity
Every baptized person needs to begin the day remembering who he or she is. Before anything else, make the sign of the cross slowly and consciously. Say in your heart: “I am baptized. I belong to Christ.” This awareness changes everything—how we speak, how we treat others, how we face difficulties, and how we make choices. Baptism is not a past ritual; it is our present identity. We no longer live as people without direction, but as sons and daughters who know they are loved.
2. Keep the memory of your baptism alive
What we remember, we value. Know the date of your baptism. Write it down. Celebrate it. Light a candle. Say a prayer of thanksgiving. Tell the story to your children and grandchildren. Use simple signs: bless yourself with holy water when you leave home and when you return. These gestures gently remind us that our whole life flows from that first immersion into Christ. When the memory of baptism is alive, faith does not fade — it grows.
3. Let your baptism flow outward as mission
Baptism never ends with us. The flame we received is meant to be passed on. Every baptized person is sent — into the family, the workplace, the parish, and society. Live your baptism through mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and quiet prayer for others. And above all, walk daily with the Holy Spirit. Invoke Him often — especially in the family. “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
Christianity is not something we do occasionally; it is someone we are every day.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 9, 2026
Epiphany: Two Ways of Responding to Christ
On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the Church celebrates God’s self-revelation to the whole world. The Child of Bethlehem is no longer hidden; He is revealed to the nations. Epiphany proclaims a beautiful and consoling truth: Jesus is born for all.
This is why the Gospel presents not the shepherds, but the Magi — foreigners, outsiders, Gentiles. They come from another land, culture, and religious background, yet they are the first to recognize Christ as King. From the very beginning, the Gospel makes it clear that God’s heart is wider than our boundaries. The Church is catholic —universal — open to all races, languages, cultures, and peoples.
In today’s Gospel, we encounter two contrasting responses to Christ: Herod and the Magi. Herod represents the negative response. Troubled by the news of Jesus’ birth, he feels threatened. Though he appears religious on the outside — consulting Scripture and asking questions — his heart is closed. He seeks not God’s will, but his own power and security. Herod reminds us that religion without openness becomes dangerous when it serves fear, control, or exclusion.
In contrast, the Magi are seekers. Though outsiders, they are open, attentive, and searching. Their hearts are tuned to God, which is why they can recognize the star. They ask the question that opens the door to faith: “Where is the child who has been born?” Faith begins with such questioning — a holy restlessness placed by God in every human heart, across all cultures and nations.
The Magi do not stop with questions; they set out on a journey. Faith is never static. A faith that does not move does not grow. At the end of their journey, they find not a palace, but a Child — poor, vulnerable, and universal in His love. They fall down in worship, and the Gospel concludes with a powerful line: “They returned to their country by another way.” An encounter with Christ always changes our direction. We may return to the same routines, but never with the same heart.
Practical invitations for our lives:
1. Do not sedate your soul
Our world is full of distractions that numb our hearts. Make space for silence. Allow God to awaken holy restlessness within you. A questioning heart is often a heart very close to God.
2. Keep journeying in faith
Faith is not standing still; it is walking with the Lord. Step out of comfort. Be willing to forgive, to serve, to listen, and to learn — even from those who are different from you.
3. Live an open and welcoming faith
Like the Magi, let us cross boundaries. Let us resist fear and exclusion. Let our homes, our parishes, and our hearts reflect the universality of Christ’s love — open to all people, without prejudice of race, culture, or background.
May our encounter with Christ always lead us “by another way”, and may His light shine even in our darkest nights — Jesus Christ, the radiant Morning Star, given for all peoples of the earth. Amen.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 2, 2026
On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, the Church celebrates God’s self-revelation to the whole world. The Child of Bethlehem is no longer hidden; He is revealed to the nations. Epiphany proclaims a beautiful and consoling truth: Jesus is born for all.
This is why the Gospel presents not the shepherds, but the Magi — foreigners, outsiders, Gentiles. They come from another land, culture, and religious background, yet they are the first to recognize Christ as King. From the very beginning, the Gospel makes it clear that God’s heart is wider than our boundaries. The Church is catholic —universal — open to all races, languages, cultures, and peoples.
In today’s Gospel, we encounter two contrasting responses to Christ: Herod and the Magi. Herod represents the negative response. Troubled by the news of Jesus’ birth, he feels threatened. Though he appears religious on the outside — consulting Scripture and asking questions — his heart is closed. He seeks not God’s will, but his own power and security. Herod reminds us that religion without openness becomes dangerous when it serves fear, control, or exclusion.
In contrast, the Magi are seekers. Though outsiders, they are open, attentive, and searching. Their hearts are tuned to God, which is why they can recognize the star. They ask the question that opens the door to faith: “Where is the child who has been born?” Faith begins with such questioning — a holy restlessness placed by God in every human heart, across all cultures and nations.
The Magi do not stop with questions; they set out on a journey. Faith is never static. A faith that does not move does not grow. At the end of their journey, they find not a palace, but a Child — poor, vulnerable, and universal in His love. They fall down in worship, and the Gospel concludes with a powerful line: “They returned to their country by another way.” An encounter with Christ always changes our direction. We may return to the same routines, but never with the same heart.
Practical invitations for our lives:
1. Do not sedate your soul
Our world is full of distractions that numb our hearts. Make space for silence. Allow God to awaken holy restlessness within you. A questioning heart is often a heart very close to God.
2. Keep journeying in faith
Faith is not standing still; it is walking with the Lord. Step out of comfort. Be willing to forgive, to serve, to listen, and to learn — even from those who are different from you.
3. Live an open and welcoming faith
Like the Magi, let us cross boundaries. Let us resist fear and exclusion. Let our homes, our parishes, and our hearts reflect the universality of Christ’s love — open to all people, without prejudice of race, culture, or background.
May our encounter with Christ always lead us “by another way”, and may His light shine even in our darkest nights — Jesus Christ, the radiant Morning Star, given for all peoples of the earth. Amen.
Fr. Tomy Philip
January 2, 2026