Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel parable is the story of a vineyard owner and two sons. On the periphery the rhetorical question that Jesus poses to the chief priests is very simple. “Which of the two sons did his father's will?" The answer that Jesus opponents gave is also rather simple – “The first.” But then parables are never about the obvious. If I was a parent, I would not want a child who refuses my requests and then completes the task or a child who complies but then does not carry out the task. Would you? I would like my child to both comply and fulfils my request. The parable is actually about a ‘third son’ – Jesus Christ. This Son both said “Yes” to his Father AND fulfilled the task of human redemption assigned to him. But the chief priest and the elders could not look deep enough to recognize that.
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I began our parish retreat, ‘Discipleship: Encountering Christ Everyday,” by outlining the hierarchy of beings. I suggested that encountering God is a complicated reality because of the huge gap between who God is and who we are. The difference between God and us is like the difference between a bug and us. If a bug or a bull-frog were trying to describe human beings, what would they say? I am not trying to raise a bizarre question to draw your attention. I am merely trying to draw your attention to the first reading from Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.”
If Isaiah’s words are true, then is it possible for us to make any judgments about God? The answer is that as human beings we will never know everything about God. However, we can make some judgments about God. We can do that because, first, we are imbued with rationality. Even though God’s rationality is infinitely superior to ours, nevertheless we have the ability to reason out divine realities. Second, we can make judgments about God because of God’s self-revelation in history, in Scripture, and in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the closest we will come to knowing God. In spite of Jesus’ revelation, our full knowledge and understanding of God will only happen when we see God face-to-face. Meanwhile, parables, like we have in today’s gospel, help us understand God a little better.
In my three points today, I would like to focus on the parable of the Good Employer and its implications for us.
1. The Need for Analogy. What does God look like? My childhood image of God was that God is old, male and spoke English. I bet you that many people today still think that way. I later realized that my image of God was totally inadequate. The 12th Century theologian, Thomas Aquinas taught that when it comes to God our human language falls terribly short in capturing the fullness of God. The only way to describe God, according to him is through analogies. So when Jesus calls God “Abba,” Jesus was not trying to teach us that God is male but that God is like a father who loves his children, provides for their needs, protects them and gives them security. Jesus also used feminine imageries to talk about God. For example, in the same gospel from which today’s gospel is taken, Jesus says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you were unwilling!” (Mt 23:37) Jesus was not teaching that God is female, but rather, he was using the analogy of a mother hen to teach us that God is like a mother who offers love, security and care to her children. In other words, our language will always be inadequate to describe God or to know God’s thoughts. However, analogies provide us a way to imagine and talk about God.
2. Man made God in His Image and Likeness. That brings us to the parable of the Good Employer we have in today’s gospel reading. What is the context of the parable? The parable is Jesus’ response to the rejection of his revelation of God. We conclude this because right after this parable, Jesus predicts his suffering and death at the hand of the chief priests and scribes. Before I go into the meaning of this parable, I would like to focus on an important reality – the rejection of the God of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the scriptures not only record human rebellion, human disobedience and human waywardness, but it also records the human rejection of God. Jesus was rejected because some human beings wanted God to be what God was not. They wanted God to be in their image and likeness. In their understanding, someone like Jesus could never be God. In their minds, God is righteous and just. And if God is righteous and just, there how can God also be kind and merciful and go after the one stray sheep? It did not make sense to them to welcome back the prodigal son, to give refuge to the adulterous woman, or to eat with tax-collectors and sinners. But that fact is that this is the kind of God that is revealed in Jesus. And some people rejected a God who could be just and merciful at the same time. Jesus tried to communicate to them that God’s thoughts are not their thoughts, and God’s ways are not their ways. But they did not buy that argument. They put him to death.
3. God is Just AND Merciful. That brings us to today’s parable. Daniel Harrington, the Jesuit scripture scholar says that the parable of the Good Employer defends Jesus’ special concern for the marginal people in Jewish society. People were complaining about him that he was associating with disreputable people. Jesus defends his association with sinners by appealing to the generosity of God. According to Harrington, God is both just and merciful. Those who were hired first received a just reward because the employer paid them what was to due to them. On the other hand, the fact that the latecomers received the same amount reveals God’s mercy and compassion. This parable offers a rich doctrine about God, more specifically, the connection between God’s justice and mercy. On the one hand, just like the laborers who were hired first, we can be sure of God’s reward. On the other hand, just like those who were hired last, we can sure about God’s kindness, mercy and generosity.
This message is very timely for us today. We are so divided in the church today between those who consider themselves worthy of communion and those who feel marginalized. There are those whose along with families are the perfect example of Catholic doctrine and those who are struggling with their divorce and remarriage, with their own sexuality and sexual orientation, with an abortion or pornography or addictions. And we can point fingers at each other. But here is the point that Jesus is trying to make. None of us merit the kingdom because of our righteousness. The Kingdom is ours only because God is both just and merciful. There is only one thing we can count on for sure - God’s generosity.
- Fr. Satish Joseph
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Two weeks back, the gospel reading was the passage where Jesus says to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” I had preached a homily on the meaning of “carrying our crosses.” Today, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, I would like you hear this quote. It is a quote by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, a Franciscan Capuchin priest and also the papal household preacher for both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict. He says, "It is no longer you who carry the cross; it is the cross that carries you; the cross does not crush but exalts you." I find great comfort in the fact that this year the feast of the exaltation of the cross falls on a Sunday, so that the entire Church can reflect on the power of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
First of all, I must confess that in asking to share a reflection tonight instead of Fr. Satish, I feel like the batboy who has just been called up to pinch-hit for Babe Ruth. Nevertheless, in a similar style, I will have three points upon which to reflect.
For a moment, call to mind the last time you were hurt or offended. What was it that someone said or did to hurt you? How did you respond? Jesus wants to be right in the middle of these situations—quite literally—and offers us practical wisdom on how to handle them. This week, I believe God speaks to us through the scriptures about encounter, changing the weather and harmony.
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
I had a funeral this week that taught me some very important lessons. We buried Dino Adducio. Dino was a very faithful Catholic who for most part of his life was a regular mass goer. As Dino and his wife Carmella got older, they moved to N Carolina. But once there, Dino stopped going to church. From the notes that his family gave me, Dino got mad with God. Dino’s wife Carmella was sick most of her life and he had prayed to God for healing. Dino felt let down by God when she was not healed and stopped going to Church. I interpreted Dino’s anger and disappointment with God as an act of faith. It is like in a marriage – being mad with one another means that there still is a relationship; that people still care. In any case, it is how Dino died that is truly moving. On this particular day, Dino asked his wife to lay next to him in bed. She refused because she had things to get done in the house. He repeatedly asked her and after much insistence, she agreed. She slipped into bed with him and lay next to him. And that is how he died. Dino was mad with God, and God responded through this most beautiful parting gift for Dino and Carmella.
Like Dino, most of us experience a discrepancy between how we intend life to happen and how many things in life turn out. We have a similar situation in today’s gospel reading. Peter had just confessed that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Do you remember that immediately after that confession, Jesus strictly ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ? Today’s gospel tells us the reason for that command - because, there was huge discrepancy between the kind of messiah that Israel was expecting and the kind of messiah that Jesus would reveal himself to be. The “messiah” in the Israelite expectation was a traditional warrior-hero, riding into battle with a victory sign. But Jesus reveals an image so contrary to the popular expectation that if it was revealed that Jesus was the ‘messiah,’ the Roman-weary population of Palestine would have immediately declared Jesus the political king. But Jesus needed more time to reveal that he was a suffering messiah rather than a triumphalistic messiah. When Jesus revealed the necessity for him to suffer, Peter was shaken to his core. Not in his wildest imagination did he expect a rejected, suffering, cross-bearing, persecuted and crucified messiah! Of course, Peter would not know until much later. No wonder, then, that Peter rebukes Jesus. From this time on until his eventual suffering, death and resurrection, Jesus would take the time to bridge the discrepancy between the expectation of the disciples and the true nature of his messiahship.
a) Life: Expectation versus Reality. Today’s first reading begins with Jeremiah saying to God, “You have duped me O Lord.” Jeremiah felt cheated by God. His prophetic ministry turned out to be very different than what he anticipated it to be. Instead of acceptance, he experienced opposition and violence. Who among us ever intentionally embraces insecurity, suffering, pain and uncertainty? Who among us expects our loved ones to suffer? And yet, we learn soon that there is a discrepancy between what we would like and what life may offer us. Yes, children suffer, the innocent do get killed, bad things to happen to good people, people do hurt each other, we do fall ill and sometimes fatally, accidents do end tragically, and if nothing else sometimes natural disasters permanently alter our lives. Peter experienced a similar discrepancy. “God forbid, Lord! No such things shall ever happen to you.” When Jesus says to Peter, “You are thinking not as God does but as human being do,” he is really inviting his disciples to a way of life. Jesus was teaching them that there are two ways to face our disappointments and discrepancies – with God and faith or without God and faith. Jesus’ own example is a lesson. He voluntarily embraces the cross for human redemption and carries that cross with God’s help. Even when he felt abandoned by God, he did not lose his faith in his Father.
b) The Deeper Meaning of the Cross. Peter’s rebuke of Jesus is based on his lack of knowledge of God’s plan for the world. Peter had no idea how suffering and death could be connected to the glory of Messiahship. Jesus, on the other hand, knew how God was intending to transform human history. But Jesus also knew that in order to accomplish God’s plan he would have to embrace the cross… literally. Who would have thought that a cross meant for criminals could pack so much meaning and purpose? Who would have thought that embracing the cross and dying on it will transform how humanity approached God. Who would have thought that the cross could hide behind it so much love? Who would have thought that suffering freely embraced could bring such unfathomable goodness? When Jesus rebuked Peter and asked Satan to get behind him, Jesus was inviting Peter to look deeper. Today, Jesus is doing the same thing with us as he says to us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me,” he is inviting us to look deeper. We may not see it, but little Dino’s suffering, as senseless as it seems, has a purpose. Like Peter could not see it then we do not see it now. Every cross, the one that Jesus carried and the ones that we carry are not devoid of meaning. If life offers us crosses, God graces each cross with meaning.
c) The Necessity of Suffering. The truly surprising element in Jesus’ words is the necessity of suffering in order to follow Jesus. Why does Jesus say, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself take up the cross and follow me.” There are two reasons for this. First, by the time this gospel was written, followers of Jesus were already subjected to severe persecution. Many of them had to endure intense suffering in order to remain faithful to Christ and his teaching. But when persecution ended, the cross took on different meaning. For the early monks and for many others, the cross meant the willingness to discard those things that could come between the self and the radical demand of Christianity. This is true for us too. I think of the necessity of the cross as a path to authentic discipleship. When our suffering is for a greater good, when we suffer with others to help carry their cross, when we embrace a cross in standing up for what is right, and even when we suffer with faith not knowing the purpose of our pain, we become like Christ. Nothing connects us to Christ more intimately than carrying our cross like he did. And if we are carrying a cross we must know that Christ is very close to us. In the same way that the cross of Jesus brought salvation to the world, our crosses can become a way of holiness.
- Fr. Satish Joseph
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
I have lived in the United States for fourteen years now. I am a permanent resident. Numerous people have asked me if I am ready to get citizenship. Today, nothing about this great country stops me from applying for citizenship. There is one problem, however. If I do apply for citizenship, I have to discard my Indian citizenship and surrender my Indian passport. I have to shift my allegiance to the flag that I love saluted for 48 years and pledge my allegiance to a new flag. I have not been able to bring myself to do that as yet. I wish I could be the citizen of both these countries but that is not a possibility. So I have decided that as long as my parents are alive, that I will continue to hold an Indian passport and be an Indian citizen.
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
About four weeks back, I received a call from a parishioner after the 11 am mass that a family with two small kids was in church seeking financial help. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I have been taken for a ride numerous times with similar stories. Sadly, I have become immune when people come to me for financial help. I always carry gift cards from local restaurants with me so that I do not send anyone away hungry. Back to the story, I was at mass at St Helen that week and was not going to return to IC till about 2pm. So I asked this parishioner to ask the family to wait till I got back. My reasoning was that if their need is genuine, they will probably wait. Sure enough when I got back around 2:30 they were parked in front of the rectory. I had sure that they were genuinely in need. As soon as I came out of the rectory door, the man came out of the car. When his wife joined him, he made her go back to the car and get the kids as well. There were two adorably cute kids perhaps 5 and 1 1/2 year olds. This made me sad. I felt that the children were being publicly displayed to gain sympathy. These cute kids certainly deserve better. I still decided not to judge them and entered into a conversation with them. They said that they were on the way from New Jersey to California and that they need $200 and some gas money. I do not carry cash with me and offered to help them with food, which the man promptly refused. So I asked a simple question – if you do not have money, why would you go from one end of the country to another with children? I did not get an answer and that was when I decided to request and ID. Honestly, in asking for an ID I had the children’s wellbeing in my mind. The man gave me a Romanian ID and I realized that the family was Romanian. When I asked for a local ID he informed that he did not have a local ID. But then, the family had a car with American license plates. I asked how he drove if he did not have a license. He said that the car was rented. I know better that car rentals do not sign out a car without insurance or a photo ID. At this point, the man got rather upset saying that someone in the parish had said that they should wait for me and that he had waited for two-and-a-half hours and that I was being unhelpful. I offered them food again. He said that he would come to the office on Monday. But that is not what happened. That evening after the 6pm mass I heard that the same couple was outside the church, once again, with their kids. Many people gave then cash and someone even drove them to the gas station and filled their gas tank. After talking to some people, I have figured out that they left our church parking lot with a full tank of gas and over $300. I have mixed emotions when I think of this incident. First, I feel guilty for not giving them the money. Then I feel I did the right thing to ask for the ID because I wanted to make sure the children were safe. Third, I was angry because their entire story was fabricated and I felt lied to and many people were manipulated by then outside the church.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This past June, I conducted a half day retreat for the NAIM group. This group is for widows and widowers who come together every month and give each other support and companionship. Among the thirty or so participants was a Pat Aicher who came into the room with a walker. I saw her sit very carefully into her chair. Immediately, a few other ladies from the group came and propped her legs on a chair in front of her. I was most impressed with the kindness. During break time, Pat slowly made her way to the restroom as I stayed in the retreat room to prepare for my next session. Pat was back soon and as she walked in, she said to me, “I know you Father.” She said that she had attended my Lenten silent retreat on Teresa of Avila a few years back. I had conducted yet another Lenten retreat this last Lent and I did not remember her being there. So I told her that I had conducted another retreat and if she would like to be contacted about my Lenten silent retreat in 2015. What she said in response sent a chill down my spine. She said, “I would like to, Father, but I will not live that long. The doctors have given me only six weeks. I have cancer.” My immediate reaction was, “So what are you doing here?” I do not remember her response but I remember saying to her, “You are a strong woman! If I were you, I would be lying in bed wallowing in self-pity.” She said, “Naaagh! That’s not for me. I know where I am going. I am not worried!” And then she asked me if I would prop her legs on to the chair in front of her. When I did that, my hands were trembling. About four weeks after my retreat, I got news that Pat Aicher had died.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading captures the most inspiring moment of Solomon’s life. For reasons I will explain later, Solomon’s success is not where I want to begin this homily. I would like to begin with the tragic later-half of his life. Solomon was only the third king of Israel. He inherited the throne because David had promised Bathsheba (the wife he had illegitimately gotten) that her son Solomon would inherit the throne rather than Adonijah, the legitimate heir. God honored David’s promise and today’s reading tells the story of Solomon’s beginning to fame. But it is what happened afterwards that is appalling. Solomon made two major errors. First, in direct disobedience to God’s covenant with Moses, he employed Canaanites as forced laborers, and in this way did what the Egyptians had done to the Israelites. Second, he took about 700 women as wives and 300 concubines from most of the neighboring cultures. To make it worse, Solomon erected altars to the alien gods of these wives. He was personally involved in the construction of some of these shrines. This was in direct violation of the first commandment. God was angry with Solomon. Twice before, God had appeared to him and warned him of the dangers of disobedience (1 Kings 11:9-10). And that is exactly what happened. Solomon’s son Rehoboam succeeded Solomon but under his rule ten of the twelve tribes formed the northern kingdom. Tragically, Israel was split in two because of Solomon’s deeds.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of last Sunday’s gospel about the sower and the seed. Today we have the parable of the weeds among the wheat, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the yeast in the dough. These parables are so powerful that it is often possible to miss the detail that the parables are about the the ‘mysteries of the Kingdom of God.’ Jesus says, “I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world.” In a very real sense, then, to focus merely on the parables is to miss the point. We should really be focusing on the mysteries of the Kingdom of God that these parables reveal.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In my hands I have my Bible. This Bible was not a gift. I purchased this Bible about three years into my seminary life. I saved money for six months to purchase it. After my initial conversion from being a nominal Catholic to a more serious Catholic, God’s word became my passion. Part of my initial conversion was the realization that my primary call was not merely to be a priest but first and foremost to be a disciple. And the question I struggled with was, “Who is a disciple?” If Jesus were to call me like he did the disciples, what would he want from me? To understand this, I delved into the gospels and later into the whole Bible like a child into a cookie jar. And if you glance through my Bible, you will see that it is highlighted in rainbow colors. This Bible is twenty-eight years old. It was in tatters and falling apart. I wanted to replace this old one with a new one but I soon realized that this Bible was not just another book. This Bible represented my conversion, my faith journey, my life and my relationship with God. This Bible was not something, it was somebody. In many ways, this Bible was a Sacrament, the real presence of God through God’s word. Knowing how dear this Bible was to me, a very dear friend of mine got is restored. Today, I take the Bible on all my retreats, classes and seminars. This Bible is not my book. This Bible is my best friend.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I was on my way to St. Helen for mass on Thursday. I had just crossed Linden Ave on Woodman Drive. This segment, all the way up to the Wright Patterson air force base, is a target speed enforcement zone. When I go for mass in the morning is also peak traffic hour. On Thursday, as soon as I crossed the lights, I noticed a red truck behind me. He was driving too close to me for my comfort. Obviously, he could not change lanes because of the heavy traffic on the left lane. I put my right turn signal early enough for the driver to know that I will be right turning into St. Helens. Like all people do, I slowed down close to the drive ti turn. And as I did in the rear view mirror I saw the driver flip me off. Did he do that simply because I had slowed him down? Did he do that because I drove the speed limit? Did he do it because he was impatient? I have no idea. I only know this – that this is a learnt behavior.
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
I want to share two stories with you. When I was at home last month was also the time when Pope Francis was also returning from his trip to the Middle East. On the flight he gave an interview to reporters and one of the topics that came up was clerical celibacy. The media in India reported the Pope’s response widely. When I came down for breakfast that morning, my father said to me, “Pope Francis says that priests can get married.” I was very measured in my response lest my father think that I have a secret girlfriend in distant America. I learnt later that the Pope had said, “It [celibacy] is a rule of life that I appreciate very much, and I think it is a gift for the church, but since it is not a dogma, the door is always open." The Pope was merely reiterating the well-known Catholic position that clerical celibacy is not divine law. It was promulgated after the 10th Century and Church could change that law if that is where she discerned the Holy Spirit was guiding her. If she wants to do that she has the depth of history, theology and tradition to make a sound decision.
Here is my second story.
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
A grandmother was talking to me about her grandchildren whom she loves very dearly and lavishes them with gifts. She would do anything for them. She has only one regret. Some of her young grandchildren who now have jobs, own homes and live with their girl-friends say to her, “Why do ask us to go to church and pray grandma? We have everything we need. It was not God who gave them to us. We have worked hard for it. We do not need God.” I know these young people. They were baptized. They made their first communion in this very church. They made their confirmation too.
If they could talk to you, what would you say to them?
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
My last day at home in India before I leave for Dayton is always a very emotional day for all of us. But the last few minutes before I leave the house is even more intense. My parents and I spend these last few minutes together in prayer. The scene is the same each time. We huddle together, with my dad seated on the sofa and my mother standing next to him. My mother is only as tall as my father sitting down. I stand over them, lay my hands on them and pray over them. And then, they place their hands on me and bless me with the sign of the cross. By this time, tears are flowing down our cheeks. We try to smile through the tears suppressing any possibility of simply breaking down. On this last visit, particularly, as we huddled together in prayer, I remember becoming aware of how much love there was as we stood there together. I simply cannot put into words the power of that love. That love gives me the strength to finally walk out of the house and to my parents to anticipate the next visit.
Pentecost Sunday
Every Catholic knows that the Feast of the Pentecost is crucial in the Church’s calendar. This is the day the Church born, this was the day the Church was empowered and this was the day the church began its Christ-given mission to go and make disciples of all nations. In spite of the centrality of the Pentecost and the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church, there seems to be much ambiguity about the role of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives. There is also ambiguity about how the Holy Spirit is active in the church today. Perhaps, that is the reason we pray more easily to Mary and the saints than to the Holy Spirit.
The Ascension of the Lord Scripture Readings (Fr. Satish is on vacation visiting his parents in India. This homily was written three years back for the feast of the Ascension). Of all the feasts in the church, Ascension is my least favorite feast. After all, I am not very fond of goodbyes. It could be because my first real goodbye was also the hardest. I left home when I was barely seventeen. Leaving one’s family to join the seminary is unlike going away to college. There is a finality to that leaving. Ascension reminds me of that finality. No wonder, then, that the excitement that characteristic of the resurrection of Jesus is missing from the disciples at ascension. In fact, they are portrayed staring at the sky, in doubt and questioning. So for me, the meaning of the feast of the Ascension rests less in the fact that Jesus went out of the sight of the world and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven. For me, the meaning of Easter comes from this one statement, “You will be my witnesses….” In the gospel reading this command reads, “Go and make disciples.” Here lies the meaning of the feast of the ascension. The ascension of Jesus opens a new horizon for those who follow the path laid out by Jesus. The ascension of Jesus offers new possibilities for his disciples. Today I want to explore these new horizons and these new possibilities. Here are the three points that I want to offer and the meaning of the ascension of Jesus. Christian Maturity. Today’s second reading begins with these words, “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.” Today’s first reading says that there are things we must know and there are things we do not need to know. For example, there is no need to know the times and seasons that God the Father has established. However, Christian must know God. Christian must know God by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that God gives to those who seek God. What good is a Christian who is ambiguous about God? What good is a Christian who is unfamiliar with the words of Christ? What good is a Christian who lives life without knowing the indwelling God? What good is a Christian whose convictions about Christ are fickle? The feast of the Ascension is an invitation to personalize God in such a way that we know Christ in the same way we know ourselves. Christianity with Eyes Wide Open. Let me take you back the scene of the ascension. Luke writes, “While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” The disciples standing there gazing into the sky is symbolic of the spiritual immaturity of the disciples. Paul, on the other hand, in the letter to the Ephesians points to the maturity the disciples should reach. "May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory…, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power.” It can happen to us that we are like the disciples gazing into the sky while life passes us by. We could become stagnant in our prayer, immature in our spiritual journey, fearful to bear witness, and sad that God in not amidst us in the way we want God to be. Paul, on the other hand is urging us to understand the power of our call as disciples of Jesus. He is urging his constituents to live their faith with eyes wide open. Today’s feast is an invitation to us to live life with our eyes wide open. You will be my witnesses/Go and make disciples. I said earlier that the ascension of Jesus opens a new horizon and offers new possibilities to his followers. If only, as I said in my first point, we understood the power of our calling, the implication of that would be stupendous. The most serious implication is that each one of us would know exactly what the primary purpose of our life is. Not merely being a mother, father, nurse, teacher, doctor, engineer, house cleaner, care-giver – but first and foremost, a witness to Christ. Immaterial of whether I had my hands, my feet, my eyes or ears – my primary call would be to be a witness. (Here is a video I would like to seehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlZPYGBXQ44. In a world that is rife with meaninglessness, in a world that is searching for meaning and purpose, a Christian must be Christ. Could there be a better reason to live. It is the feast of the ascension that gives us that purpose. As we celebrate this Eucharist, it is time for us to stop gazing into the sky. Rather, empowered by Christ in the Eucharist, it is time to bear witness to the power of God in the world. - Fr. Satish Joseph
Sixth Sunday of Easter
During the early years of my spiritual journey, I used a very simple analogy to help me grow in my God-experience. I would often think my heart as my house. Like every other home, I would think of my heart as having a living room, a dining, a kitchen, bedrooms, a basement and even an attic. And in each of these rooms were closets where I stored things and sometimes even hide things that I did not want other people to see or know about. Talking about my heart as my house, it was easy to let Jesus into my living room and I would be happy if he just stayed there. But initially I had restrictions. It was as if I was saying, “Lord, please do not come into my bedroom. It is not always made up and clean. And for heaven’s sake, do not open the closets. You do not want to see the thing I collect. Of all things, do not turn on the channels on TV that I turn on, do not look around the room, or lift the mattress to see what is underneath.” It was as if the Lord and I could live under one roof but lead pretty independent lives. But sooner than later I realized that I couldn’t do that. Can’t mess with Jesus! Gradually I let him into my bedroom, into all the closets of my life. Felt much better because my life was much cleaner. But the Lord seemed dissatisfied even with that. “Lord what more can I do? Is there something more?” There came a day when I wrote my house to his name. My house, my home, my heart, my life was no longer mine but the Lord’s. This analogy helped me take my relationship with God to the next level.
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Twice in my life that I have made major moves - in 1983, I left home to join the seminary and then in 1999, I left India for Europe and then the United States. Like most of you, I am an adventurist. I love new places, tasting exotic foods and I welcome new experiences. Most of the time, though, my new experiences end up being bitter-sweet. Sweet because I enjoy every new experience; bitter because I want my family to experience what I experience. I clearly remember standing under the Eiffel Tower at the turn of the millennium. It was the most electrifying moment. When the Eiffel Tower broke out into the most spectacular fireworks, I called home from a pay phone. And I remember saying to mom and dad, “I wish you were here with me.” It was the same when I visited New York City. I stood night in the middle of Times Square and called home from a pay phone. And I promised them that one day, I would bring them here to see what I am seeing. I delivered on my promise. My parents have been to the United States not once but twice. And I took them from New York, to DC to Philadelphia to Florida. On the one hand, it was about seeing places they have only seen in books and magazines. On the other hand, it is about being together with them in the same place. Similarly, when mom and dad visited places in India and Europe that I have not visited, they would always say to me, “I wish you were here with us.”
Fourth Sunday of Easter & Mother's Day
Most of you know that recently I had a surgery. I received much love from parishioners and friends during this time. But there was one person who suffered my pain with me – my mother. Being far away from Dayton and unable to see me or care for me during my recovery was devastatingly painful for her. The day before the surgery, she reminded me of an incident when I first left home to enter the seminary. I was barely seventeen. Leaving home to go the seminary was the most difficult call I answered. This decision was even more difficult because I would not see my family for two long years. My mother and I suffered the most. My mother was very proud and supportive of my decision but it was as if her son was being snatched away from her. My parents came with me to Bangalore (about 850 miles my home) to drop me off. They stayed with me a few days and then the day came for them to return home. I think this was the most difficult day of our lives. That morning we attended mass at the chapel in the seminary. When everybody had left the chapel, my dad, mom and I remained in the chapel. We were all choking. I guess each of us was still pondering what all this meant. Hanging on the wall of the chapel was a picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help. The legend behind the picture is that as a little child, Jesus had a vision of his impending passion and death. In fear he ran into his mother who picked him up to console him. In the picture, this is symbolized by Jesus’ falling sandals. Perhaps my mother sensed my apprehensions. She took me in front of the picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help. We stood there is stunned silence. None of us could say a word without bursting into tears. And then, gathering the courage only a mother can, she said to me, “Thus far I have been your mother.” And then pointing to Mary she said, “From now on, SHE is your mother.” The day before my surgery, she entrusted me to Mary one more time.