The Baptism of the Lord
This has been a tumultuous week in America. January 6, 2021 will remain etched in the annals of American as a day of shame and revulsion. Americans, and indeed the world, witnessed scenes of lawlessness and anarchy unprecedented in the history of the nation. Motivated by the conviction to overturn, what they considered a fraudulent election, thousands of rioters overpowered law enforcement officials, unseated the legitimately elected representatives on Capitol Hill, and vandalized the very seat of American democracy! Thus far, five people have been killed, including a police officer who was merely carrying out his civic duty. The entire nation has yet to come to terms with the pivotal moment of American political history.
The Epiphany of the Lord
I am not sure if your Christmas tree is still up? Have you taken down the Christmas decorations yet? When I was a child back in India, the manger scene, the Christmas star, and all Christmas decorations were put away after Epiphany. I did not like this feast then. For me, it meant that Christmas was finally over. Life must get back to normal now. Liturgically too, Epiphany signals that the Christmas season is about to end. I understand the feast differently now. I look at Epiphany as a way to carry Christmas into the rest of the year.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Each year at Christmas I have a difficult time balancing the hard realities that must have surrounded the Jesus birth and how they have been romanticized over the centuries. The annunciation, the visitation, Joseph’s dilemma, Quirinius’s census, Mary and Joseph’s travel to Jerusalem close to childbirth, the birth of Jesus in a stable, Jesus laid in a manger, Herod’ search for the child, the family’s escape to Egypt – it is possible to romanticize these events and lose sight of the realism of these events. The same can happen with the Feast of the Holy Family. It is true that two of the three people in the Holy Family were sinless, yet we can be sure that the Holy Family faced many of the complexities we do today. I am sure that they struggled like we do and found comfort in each other just as we do.
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Christmas 2020 is incredibly special. In fact, I believe that this is the most meaningful Christmas in recent times. I am not being cynical. For, if Christmas is the story of God gently touching a tragic and broken world, at no other time in recent history have we needed to experience divine touch more deeply than we do now. If Christmas is the story of God embracing the world with God’s redeeming love, then, “dear God, we need you right now!” There have been tragedies before, but a tragedy that has affected the entire globe simultaneously is new for us. Globally, COVID-19 has infected 78 million people and claimed 1.73 million lives. In our nation it has infected 18.5 million people and claimed 326 thousand lives. Perhaps, some of you present in this church or participating via live-stream have been tragically affected by the pandemic. It seems awkward, then, that I should wish you a Merry Christmas, but I do. For, if Christmas is the story of God coming to save us, then, today of all days, we remember that “Jesus” means, “God saves!” He is “Emmanuel,” God with us! It is indeed Christmas.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today’s readings present us with two stories. The first story is the story of David, only the second King of Israel. By his extraordinary efforts, David had finally brought stability of the kingdom of Israel. The kingdom was secure enough for David to build himself a new palace. The Ark of the Covenant, however, was in a mere tent. David was troubled by this. How could the Ark be in a tent while he lived in a palace? Hence, David decides to build a temple for God. In one way, we must admire David’s sincerity and thoughtfulness. If we go a little deeper, though, does it not seem incredible that a mere human being could attempt to build a dwelling place for the God who created the universe and everything in it? As if the most magnificent structure we build could hold the power and majesty of God! I do not want to be unfair to David because David’s intention was sincere, good and holy. But God wanted David to learn that he must live in accord with God’s will and not by his own plans. David soon realized that God’s plan was to build a Kingdom for David rather than David build a home for God. The temple would be built by someone else.
The second story is that of Mary. Unlike David, she was not from a royal family and did not live in a free nation. She was poor and the last thing she could do was build a temple for God. However, she did something far greater than that! Mary became God’s temple. She carried in her womb, the Son of God. She did so as she exclaimed, “May it be done to me according to your word [will] (Lk 1:38). In ways David never could, Mary surrendered her will to God totally for eternity.
One the greatest challenges we face in life is discerning God’s will. I have titled this homily, “On Discernment,” and here are my three points:
Third Sunday of Advent
If we want to know what it means to live in the in-between times, this is it. We are in the midst of the highest surge in the coronavirus infections in the nation, but the hope of a vaccine tells us that the end is not too far away. Politically too, we are in the in-between times. One administration will make way for another. In reality, Advent is an in-between season. We are almost there but not yet. Christmas is not here yet, but the joy is almost palpable. Nothing expresses this better than Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday.
Second Sunday of Advent
Today, December 6, is the feast of St. Nicholas, whom popular culture endearingly calls, Santa Claus. Santa Clause has become the iconic Christmas figure for children in the US, and I think it is not a bad thing. He was the bishop of Myra (present day Demre in Turkey) in the early 4th century and is a great model of Christian faith and generosity. He lost both of his parents as a young man and used his inheritance to help others. As a bishop he was known for caring for the poor and the sick. One story tells how he helped a man with the marriage of his three daughters. The father did not have enough money to pay their dowries and had thought of selling them into servitude. Three times, Saint Nicholas secretly went to their house at night, put a bag of money inside, and left. On another occasion, he reportedly saved three men who were falsely imprisoned and sentenced to death. I am glad that our children have such a wonderful saint to look up to. Children may or may not be interested in the story of the real Saint Nicholas long as they get their nerf-guns or the X-Box, but that’s children.
First Sunday of Advent
This is the first Advent we are observing during a pandemic and this will be the first pandemic Christmas for us. What if I said to you that the attitude and the spirit needed for the season of Advent and the attitude and demeanor needed for dealing with the pandemic are similar? Both the pandemic and Advent make us look forward to something greater than itself – the pandemic towards the day of total recovery, and Advent towards a meaningful celebration of Christ’s incarnation. I also believe that in order to experience the joy of overcoming the pandemic and experience joy of Christmas, we need similar attitudes.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Latest data tells us that the richest 1% own 86% of the world’s wealth. In the United States, top 20% of Americans own 86% of the country’s wealth and the bottom 80% of the population own 14%. I begin with my homily with these statistics not only because of staggering the inequality, but also because in a Capitalist economy such as ours, the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30) might make us conclude that the top 1% are the heroes of the parable, and that the rest of us are lazy, incapable, or plain stupid. After all, the master said, “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich” (Mt 25:29). If the master in the parable represents God, and the servants represent us, it becomes very important that we interpret this parable correctly, least it become a tool for oppression.
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
These are not the easiest days for us either as a nation or as the world. We find ourselves caught within the turbulence and turmoil of a political contest unlike seen in recent times and a pandemic like we have not experienced in a century. Amidst these challenges is a very crowded media world. It is not just the mainstream media. It is also the personal social media accounts of millions of people. Because I am active on social media, I have had to develop a strategy to both navigate the media world and use social media for positive change. A lot of sources give information and opinion. My key strategy has been to “seek wisdom.” I look beyond all the information and opinions and look where the wisdom lies.
A few things have helped me stay grounded I recent times. First, I did much research, reflection, and prayer in preparation for an eight-week series on John of the Cross that I facilitated. Second, I found great wisdom in Pope Francis’ latest encyclical Fratelli Tutti. In it, he addresses some of the very issues we face today with wisdom from the scripture and Catholic tradition. Third, my reflection on the scripture for daily and weekday live-stream Masses keep me focused on Christ and his gospel. The gospels, particularly, often clarify my priorities, question my prejudices, challenge my preferences, and alter my perspectives. I have found wisdom in these things.
Solemnity of All Saints
The Feast of All Saints has a very long and interesting history. Whereas the exact origin of this feast is unclear, it is believed that it began organically at the end of the Christian persecution around 312 CE. Not only did the conversion of Constantine bring respite to the Christians but it also gave them the opportunity to look back and honor the martyrs and exemplars of faith. The church had a growing desire to honor the great number of martyrs, especially, those who were martyred during the long and brutal Diocletian persecution (303-311 CE). If the early church had to commemorate each of these martyrs individually, there would not be enough days in the calendar year. A common feast day for all saints, therefore, seemed appropriate, if not inevitable.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
When couples approach the parish for marriage preparation, they have to complete a pre-nuptial inventory form. One part of the inventory concerns the couple’s “spiritual assessment.” Among the questions in this segment is the question, “How do your religious beliefs influence the way you live your daily life?” Eight out of ten couples relate ‘religion’ and ‘being religious’ with treating others right, being good to others, not harming others and similar attitudes. And they are not wrong. However, that is only one aspect of religion, is it not? Today’s gospel reading is the passage I use to make the couples’ aware that there is more to religion that ethics and morality.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Please click the image below for Fr. Satish's homily.
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These days, I have been offering an eight-week series on John of the Cross. John’s poems are all brilliant, but the ones that became most popular, The Spiritual Canticle, The Dark Night, and The Living Flame of Love, talk about the relationship between God and the soul in terms of a “spiritual marriage.” God is the Bridegroom and the soul is the bride. Not everyone is comfortable with John’s analogy, however, John is not too far off when he describes the union of God and the human soul in terms of a marriage. After all, when Jesus talks about the kingdom of God in today’s gospel, he uses the analogy of a ‘wedding feast’. A wedding is associated with love, commitment, intimacy, joy, fulfilment, and life. If this indeed is our expectation from heaven, then “spiritual marriage” and “wedding feast” are perfect analogies.
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
I prepared this homily against the background of the release of Pope Francis’ third encyclical at Assisi on Oct 3, 2020, the eve of the Feast St. Francis of Assisi. The encyclical is titled Fratelli Tutti or “All Brothers” in Italian, and the focus is on “fraternity” and “social friendship.” Since much of the content of the encyclical was yet to be available during the writing of this homily, I have chosen to reflect on a related theme – the prevalence of violence. This theme is inspired by the three parables of the vineyard that we have heard over that last three Sundays. Whereas the previous two parables focused on vineyard owner’s just and compassionate dealing with laborers in the vineyard, today’s third parable reflects on some people’s dealings against the vineyard owner. A landowner leased his vineyard to tenants, who, when the time of reckoning came, beat, stoned, and killed the landowner’s servants and even his son. There is a surprising new element in this parable which is absent in the other two – violence. In reality, this parable summarizes the entire salvation history. More importantly, it is a clear reference to Jesus’ life and ministry as it got played out in human history. Jesus became the victim of the most brutal violence.
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
These are days of living on edge. The smallest thing can set people off! It is not merely about our inability to have civilized conversations about politics and religion. There are deep and conflicting differences running right through our nation and Church. We are one nation and one church with two irreconcilably differing ideologies and visions. The Church particularly, has never been closer to a schism in recent times.
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
How often have you cried out, “Its not fair!” I probably say this at least once day. Sometimes I am right on and sometimes I am not. When we experience an injustice in society, we seek justice from the justice system. It is the right thing to do. As Christians too, we believe that justice is a divine quality and that God is a just God. However, in the religious realm, when we have done something wrong and come before God, we don’t seek God’s justice, but rather, God’s mercy. Here, then, is the dichotomy - we know God to be just, but we expect to be treated with mercy. As the Psalmist says, “If you O Lord, should mark our guilt, who would survive? (Ps 103:3). If God treated us sinners in the same way that the justice system treats offenders, what would the confessional look like? In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God is known to be both just and merciful. Where do justice and mercy meet? The parable of the generous vineyard owner in today’s gospel reading is an answer to this question. Just to recall, in the parable, a vineyard owner invites laborers to work in his vineyard at various time during the day but pays them all the same wage. This causes the ones who came first to grumble. This also causes Jesus to say, “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Mt 20:15).
In my three points, I would like to address the issue of God’s justice, God’s mercy, and God’s generosity.
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This past Friday, I began an eight-week series on John of the Cross, and I want to begin my homily with a story from his life. In mid 16th Century, John, along with Teresa of Avila had undertaken a reform of monastic life. This led to no little discontent among the calced Carmelites. John became a victim of the malice of some of his brothers. One cold December night in 1577, a group of armed calced Carmelites came to his monastery, kidnapped him and put him in their monastery prison. He was accused of rebellion. As if that was not enough, after two months of imprisonment, afraid that he would escape, was moved to a mere 6x10 prison cell with no ventilation, and only a little crack near the ceiling to let in minimal light. He suffered intensely with lack of food, bathing, and fresh clothes. Lice, near starvation, near fatigue, and physical and mental abuse almost killed him. After nine months of abject misery, he managed to get out of imprisonment in a daredevil and almost miraculous escape. It took months for him to recuperate. After he recovered from his effects of his dreadful imprisonment, one barely hears John of the Cross talk about this event. Instead, as he would put it, he saw the hand of God in the experience and urged others not to speak uncharitably about his persecutors. Once when one of his companions reminded him of his suffering, John said, “Padre, this is not the time to be thinking of that; it is by the merits of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ that I hope to be saved.” As the book of Sirach says in today’s first reading, “Anger and wrath are hateful things!” (Sir 27:30).
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Life is a web of relationships. Relationships are life-giving, but they can also suck the life out of us. Relationships can make life easy, but we can also find ourselves entangled in this complex web. Think, for example, about how marriage creates a whole new network of relationships. On the reverse think about how a divorce throws but an entire network of relationships into chaos. Or think about the pandemic, and the way in which it has reprogramed us to manage our relationships. Some families have found the pandemic to be a time for great bonding. However, the steep increase in domestic violence and unintended pregnancies tell us that there is another side to the story. Or, think about our present political and social climate. If you have not found your relationship with a family member or long-time friend under tremendous stress, then thank God, because you are an exception.
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings
Not because Jesus was conducting a straw poll did Jesus asked the disciples who the people thought he was. Neither was he having an identity crisis to ask them who they thought he was. There are two parts in today’s gospel reading. In theological terms, there is a Christology and an ecclesiology. The first part consists of Jesus’ two questions to his disciples. It concludes with Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:16). It gives us an insight into Jesus’ identity. This is the Christology. The second part is Jesus’ declaration of Peter as the “rock on which I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). This Church, even “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18). As Jesus says, it “my church.” This gives us an understanding into the church. This is the ecclesiology.