Third Sunday of Easter
I am sure that you have had heard enough about Donald Sterling, the owner of LA Clippers. I am also sure that you do not want to hear more about it from the pulpit. I promise you I am not going to torture you with Sterling’s racist comments. This is what baffles me, however. I just cannot comprehend that in this time and age, people have with such prejudiced, bigoted and myopic vision of humanity. Are we not civilized enough to know that color is only skin deep? How long before we look at a person’s color, nationality, religion or gender and assign that person basic human dignity and respect? When will we learn to look at humanity the way God sees us? How do people miss the big picture?
Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy
(Fr. Satish is recuperating from surgery. This homily was written three years ago for the Second Sunday of Easter. This homily is as relevant now as it was then).
Easter is over! Many of us who gave up things for Lent are now perhaps enjoying these things again. I wonder, what did that first bite of chocolate, that first sip of coffee, that first gulp of beer, the fresh feel of game console feel like. PersonalIy, I consider the weeks after Lent to be the most dangerous time for Christians. Suddenly, the spiritual discipline that we got used to during Lent gets forgotten; prayer becomes more lax, and we get back to our old ways again. After Christ is risen and it is time to sit back and enjoy life again.
Resurrection of the Lord
There is a new book out in the market entitled, “How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee.” Bart Ehrman is a widely read scholar and author. A previous book by him titled, God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question--Why We Suffer, created a sensation. As a youth, Ehrman was an evangelical Christian passionate about convincing people about God becoming man. In this latest book he is more concerned about how a man called Jesus became God. According to Ehrman, Jesus does not claim that he is God except in the gospel of John. John’s gospel is written much later than the rest of the gospels. John’s gospel, according to Ehrman, is making a theological point when it says that Jesus make a claim that he is God. But historically, he says, the claim cannot be supported. If Jesus had indeed claimed he was God, why would the other three gospels miss this crucial detail? As opposed to John Ehrman claims that since he is making a historical fact and not a theological point. Historically, according to him, the belief that Jesus is God is a creation of the followers of Jesus. He also says that Christianity would not have the status and numbers it has today if after Constantine it had not become the state religion.
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Thursday evening, I was at hospice (again) to give the last sacrament Greg O’Connell. Greg was only his sixties. He had fallen at his nursing home and injured his head rather seriously. Only his daughter and her friend were at his deathbed when I visited. In times like these, I often take the time to explain to the family the meaning of the last Sacraments and invite them to participate. I explain to them how these Sacrament are as much for the comfort and consolation of the grieving family as it is for wellbeing of the dying person. When I said all this to Greg’s daughter, she said to me, “I am not a religious person. I am OK. Please do what needs to be done for him.” I took the time to explain to her that our relationships are as important to God as they are to us. I asked her if she wanted this relationship with death. And she said that she did not. I explained to her that we are all intimately connected when we celebrate these last Sacraments – God and the dying person and us. At the final farewell, Greg’s daughter came and stood right next to her father and me. And even though she was not fully convinced of my explanation, she bid her father good bye in God’s name. The point that I am trying to make is that there is difference between standing by and watching someone die and becoming intimately part of that death.
Fifth Sunday of Lent
The same night that I had the “Attack of the Kidney Stones,” at about 2:30 in the morning I had an emergency call from South View Hospital. Margaret was actively dying. Sometimes, I receive emergency calls in the middle of the night only for me to get there and realize that the family had panicked. This night, because I had had intense pain, I said to myself, “She better be dying.” When I reached the hospital, the nurses were barely managing to keep Margaret alive. I gave Margaret the last sacraments. There is something strangely blessed and beautiful about moments like these. To consciously and deliberately hand someone we dearly love into the hands of God for eternity is a hauntingly awesome thing. A little after I left, Margaret had died. She was a hundred years old. I came to know later that Margaret had four kids and she had buried three of them and her husband. There were quite a few tragedies in the span of hundred years. Her funeral was held here on Tuesday. None of the family present at the funeral was Catholic. They were clearly grieving deeply as their tears told the story. And yet, not one of them went away from the funeral in despair and hopelessness. Some of them met me outside to let me know how peace-filled they were. More than anything else, though, it is in moments like these that I become most intensely aware of the power of my faith in Jesus Christ. If you have buried someone you love, and you have grieved like Martha and Mary in today’s gospel reading, you too probably are grateful for your faith in Jesus Christ.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
(This homily was written three years back. Due to my ill-health, please understand a repeat homily)
I visited the Montgomery County Jail last week to hear a confession. When somebody makes a life-changing confession, I often remind them that the person who came into the confession is not the person who was going out. In other words, a person comes into the confessional a sinner but leaves a saint. But I could not say that to this man, because he was not going out anywhere. In spite of his confession he would still be in jail. In fact, I would be the one who would be going out. As I left the doors of the jail, I had that weird sense that even though this man was incarcerated, that at this moment he was more liberated than I was. Talk about irony, talk about light and darkness, talk about sin an holiness, talk about blindness and being able to see… it was truly weird.
Third Sunday of Lent
Last Tuesday, every parish in the archdiocese was open from 7 - 9pm for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was called the “Light is on for You,” program. I began with our First Holy Communion kids at 6:30. By the time the last person made it out of the confessional, it was a little after 10 pm. Let me first talk about the kids. Many of them came a little unsure and apprehensive about what to expect from the Sacrament. But by the time they were finished, most of them were thrilled at having accomplished something wonderful. Most of them left the confessional with the usual childlike dance. As far as the adults were concerned, there were many people who had not been to the Sacrament in years. It seems to me that many people had a genuine encountered the ‘mercy’ of Christ that Pope Francis has been talking about.
Second Sunday of Lent
It is almost two weeks since Lent began and I wonder how you are doing. My personal experience thus far has been very positive. Both in the external abstinence that I am practicing and in the internal disposition that I want to have, things are surprisingly well. Now that I have said that, I am sure next week will be rough; but right now, I feel steeped in the Lenten spirit. I hope it is the same with you. But if it is not, seek Christ’s help as you are at mass today. As we heard in today’s gospel, Christ is decidedly moving toward his impending death. The plot is thickening, the conspiracy is getting more intricate and Christ is preparing his disciples for the unexpected twists and turn. In the midst of all this, God’s presence also becomes more real and concrete. The story of the transfiguration of Jesus is a sign of God’s very real presence in human lives.
First Sunday of Lent
Lent did not begin well for me. I decided that I would abstain from meat all the fourty days Lent. So on Monday before Lent I decided that my fat Tuesday would indeed be fat. Since Monday was my day off, I decided to cook the most sumptuous lamb shank. In fact, my fat Tuesday began in earnest on Monday night as I dug into my delightful culinary creation. I am not sure what went wrong but by Tuesday morning I was sicker than a sick dog. My fat Tuesday was anything but fat. I spent most of fat Tuesday in bed. In fact, fat Tuesday seemed like Ash Wednesday. I think that for my sins God struck me a day earlier than everybody else.
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
One of the challenges we face when we read scripture is interpreting it for contemporary times. For example, today’s gospel reading has two very black and white scenarios. First, Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters. … You cannot serve God and mammon.” Jesus simply does not leave room for anything in between. Again, after his teaching about not worrying about what to eat, drink and wear, Jesus says, “All these things the pagans seek.” And then, contrasting the pagans with the disciples, he says to his disciples, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” In the Jewish world view, there were only two kinds of people – the Israelites and the Pagans. As far as the Israelites were concerned, there were no in-betweens.
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
I am going to ask you to put your hands up as I ask you a few questions. How many of you think that you are perfect? How many of you think you are holy? This question is for couples? How many of you think that your spouse or partner is holy? This is for children. How many of you think that your parents are holy? Are they perfect? And here is the last question. What makes somebody holy? What do I expect to see in a holy person?
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
It would take a weekend retreat to do justice to the depth of today’s readings. And for that reason, I have decided to go directly into the three practical implications. My vantage point in reflecting upon these reading is the phrase – “Immense is the wisdom of the Lord” (Sir 15:18). In fact, if we reflect upon all the three readings together we realize that they all talk about the wisdom of God made know to us by God, because God loves us. In today’s second reading too, Paul talks about God’s wisdom – mysterious and hidden (1 Cor 2:7). Jesus too, in today’s gospel reading refers to God’s Law as something eternal. That is why he says that, “not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” (Mt 5:17-18)
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I grew up India. American sports like football and baseball have been alien to me the fourteen years I have been in America. I am getting am too tired of being embarrassed at not knowing the difference between the Bengals and the Reds. The other day, Fr. Dave wanted to know if I would like to go with him to a Reds game and I said to him that I did not like football. So this Super Bowl, I decided to make a heroic effort to get into the great American sports tradition. I watched most of the Super Bowl. After the game, I pondered that I must continue to live in my blissful ignorance. I even watched the ads and the half-time show just as I was told. Even that hat did not do it for me. The only ad I really like was for alcohol and that made me cringe. I thought that Super Bowl LXVIII was boring, disappointing and over rated. I have the funny feeling that I will continue to embarrass myself for quite some time more.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
In some ways we are making a retreat back to the Christmas season. Feb 2nd is the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. This year Feb 2nd happens to fall on a Sunday. So here we are once again back to the childhood of Jesus, when just last week we heard about the call of the disciples.
I want to approach the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple as an extension of the feast of the Epiphany. The difference between the two feasts is that whereas at the Epiphany Jesus is manifested to the whole world, at his presentation in the temple, he is manifested to his own people. Simeon’s prophecy in today’s gospel foretells what Christ will accomplish for Israel as a nation. Simeon’s prophecies suggest that Jesus will be glory to the people Israel, and that he will be responsible for the rise and fall of many in Israel. Simeon also has a very different prophecy for Mary as opposed to what the angel has told her at the annunciation. He says to her, “… And you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Anna, the prophetess also focuses on the internal ministry of Jesus. She “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
During my last visit to India, I had the most amazing experience. Perhaps you remember that last Lent, our parish raised funds for Mercy Home in my hometown in India. We were able to donate $15,000 for renovation and some new construction for the severely handicapped residents. I visited Mercy Home to see the progress they had made. I had barely stepped into the main campus building when out of nowhere there appeared the most angelic looking face. At first glance no one would think that three year old Sowmya was in need of special attention. And so it was only when she began to walk awkwardly toward me that I realized that she was a resident at Mercy Home. Slowly, she walked toward me, clasped my legs and for a moment just stood there motionless. I was taken aback. She had never seen me before. And then she gestured with her little fingers. It looked as if she was waving at me. The sister superior told me that she was asking me to bend down. As I did, she planted the gentlest kiss on my cheeks. A kiss has never felt more angelic. And then she whispered, “Eesho Mishiyaek stuthi aieyrekette.” into my ears. It translates, “To Jesus Christ be praise!” For a moment I froze in heavenly bliss. For me, this was not just an experience; it was a God-experience!
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mikhail Kalashnikov died last month at the age of 94. For those of you are not familiar with this name, he is the inventor of the world's most familiar and widely used weapon – the AK 47. Mikhail Kalashnikov spent a lifetime designing and perfecting assault rifles and more than a 100 million Kalashnikovs were been sold. After his death, it was revealed that In May 2012, he wrote a letter to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. I want to read parts of the letter for you. He says, "I keep having the same unsolved question: if my rifle claimed people's lives, then can it be that I... a Christian and an Orthodox believer, was to blame for their deaths?" "The longer I live," he continues, "the more this question drills itself into my brain and the more I wonder why the Lord allowed man to have the devilish desires of envy, greed and aggression". He also reveals in this letter that he first went into a church at the age of 91 and was later baptized. He signs this letter, “A slave of God, the designer Mikhail Kalashnikov."
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Nelson Mandela is one of my modern day heroes. I like him not only because of his struggle for freedom but I admire his character. I admire his political maturity, his patience and his single-minded devotion to the cause of freedom. I learnt after his death that while he was in prison he was actually very submissive. He submitted to hard labor in a stone quarry and to the very demanding prison regimen. But his dignified submission was also the secret of his authority. He was able to have influence over prison wardens and over fellow prisoners. He used the time to study Afrikaans, to know his oppressors, understand their philosophy, and gain absolute mastery over the situation. This dignified submission along with his knowledge of his oppressors helped him transition South Africa peacefully from an oppressive society into a democracy. At his inauguration as President of South Africa, he invited his prison warden to the ceremony, forgave him, and invited the rest of South Africa to do the same. His forgiveness of his oppressors was one reason that South Africa did not slide back into racial violence. Submission is powerful.
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Of all the gifts you received this Christmas, was there one gift that pulled at your heart string? This Christmas, I had requested that instead of buying gifts for me, people make a donation to the recovery efforts in The Philippines. The response has been overwhelming. But there was one that is my favorite. Little Isabelle George, a seven year old in the parish religion class, broke her piggy-bank. She had all of $50 in it. She gave it all to me to send it the Philippines. Now, that was more than a donation! That was more than a gift! This girl transformed me. That one gift has had the most impact on me this Christmas.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Today is the feast of the Holy Family. The very word ‘family’ evokes mixed feelings. On the one hand, our family is our most prized possession. On the other hand, each member of our family is unique and different. Some of them are more unique and different than others. Every family has at least one person who is more than a challenge. You have yours and I have mine. I call home every day to speak to mom and dad. On Christmas day, I called home twice, both because my parents are by themselves, and because I really missed them. Dad hardly spoke two sentences the second time I called, and said, “We are praying the rosary. We will talk to you tomorrow.” And he hung up! I said to myself, “Thanks for calling!” If we could all tell our family stories right now, we would be here all day. Don’t you think?
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Early this December, Pope Francis issued an apostolic exhortation. In lay person’s terms, an apostolic exhortation is a teaching in the tradition of the apostles. In the Catholic Church, only the Pope issues such a teaching. The 200 page long exhortation is entitled, “Evangelii Gaudium,” or The Joy of the Gospel. The exhortation begins with the statement, “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.” This is very similar to the message of the angel the night Christ was born: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”