Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Lynn McGarry was only 37 years old. She was married altogether for 12 years and had two kids; one is now in 8th grade and the other in 5nd grade. Lynn’s father was a Catholic and her mother, a Jew. Lynn herself received no formal training in any of these religions. However, after her marriage to Ed, she decided to join the RCIA. It was during this journey to become a Catholic that Lynn discovered that she had cancer. That was ten years back. I don’t know much about Lynn’s life prior to her cancer but since then, she was one heck of a Christian woman. She was known for this mysterious inner strength in her fight against the disease. In spite of her struggles, she was always more concerned about other people fighting cancer. The 2006 Relay for Life was held in her honour. Her desires were simple, like being there for her children’s first Holy Communion. She so badly wanted to be healed of her cancer, but when asked if she asked God “Why me?” she said “Why not me?” If people remember Lynn, they remember her only for her faith her goodness, and her inner strength. I celebrated her funeral mass and I ended the homily with the words, “Here lies a saint.” It is in the context of the Lynn’s life that I want to discuss the parable of the talents.
Today's Mass Readings
Lynn McGarry was only 37 years old. She was married altogether for 12 years and had two kids; one is now in 8th grade and the other in 5nd grade. Lynn’s father was a Catholic and her mother, a Jew. Lynn herself received no formal training in any of these religions. However, after her marriage to Ed, she decided to join the RCIA. It was during this journey to become a Catholic that Lynn discovered that she had cancer. That was ten years back. I don’t know much about Lynn’s life prior to her cancer but since then, she was one heck of a Christian woman. She was known for this mysterious inner strength in her fight against the disease. In spite of her struggles, she was always more concerned about other people fighting cancer. The 2006 Relay for Life was held in her honour. Her desires were simple, like being there for her children’s first Holy Communion. She so badly wanted to be healed of her cancer, but when asked if she asked God “Why me?” she said “Why not me?” If people remember Lynn, they remember her only for her faith her goodness, and her inner strength. I celebrated her funeral mass and I ended the homily with the words, “Here lies a saint.” It is in the context of the Lynn’s life that I want to discuss the parable of the talents.
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Today's Mass Readings
When most people think Vatican, they think St. Peter’s Basilica. We associate the papacy and the Church with "the greatest of all churches in the Christian world – St. Peter’s. Isn’t it strange then that today the church all over the world celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran? Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but in reality, St. John Lateran is the pope’s cathedral. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome of which the Pope is the bishop. In it sits the official chair of the pope.
The history of this basilica is a testimony to the antiquity, the length, the breadth and the depth of the Catholic Church. The basilica is built over the ruins of a Roman fort established in 163 AD. When Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge he demolished the fort and the remaining palatial structure was occupied by the Laterani clan who served as the emperor’s administrators. The palace fell into Constantine’s hands when he married his second wife Fausta, the sister of Maxentius. Constantine donated the palace to the Bishop of Rome around 313 AD. It was extended and converted into the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Pope Sylvester I dedicated the Basilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace in 324, declaring both to be Domus Dei or "House of God." Every pope from Miltiades occupied the Lateran Palace until the reign of the French Pope Clement V, who in 1309 decided to transfer the official seat of the Catholic Church to Avignon, France. During the Avignon papacy, the Lateran Palace and the basilica began to decline. It faced two destructive fires an earthquake and the ravages of war. The first basilica having been destroyed, it was rebuilt in the tenth century by Sergius III and consecrated by Benedict XIII in 1726. Today, this late baroque structure stands as a testimony to the enduring faith of Christians who live their Christian commitment as Catholics. It is indeed, as Pope Sylvester called it, the “House of God.”
Today's Mass Readings
When most people think Vatican, they think St. Peter’s Basilica. We associate the papacy and the Church with "the greatest of all churches in the Christian world – St. Peter’s. Isn’t it strange then that today the church all over the world celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran? Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but in reality, St. John Lateran is the pope’s cathedral. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome of which the Pope is the bishop. In it sits the official chair of the pope.
The history of this basilica is a testimony to the antiquity, the length, the breadth and the depth of the Catholic Church. The basilica is built over the ruins of a Roman fort established in 163 AD. When Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge he demolished the fort and the remaining palatial structure was occupied by the Laterani clan who served as the emperor’s administrators. The palace fell into Constantine’s hands when he married his second wife Fausta, the sister of Maxentius. Constantine donated the palace to the Bishop of Rome around 313 AD. It was extended and converted into the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Pope Sylvester I dedicated the Basilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace in 324, declaring both to be Domus Dei or "House of God." Every pope from Miltiades occupied the Lateran Palace until the reign of the French Pope Clement V, who in 1309 decided to transfer the official seat of the Catholic Church to Avignon, France. During the Avignon papacy, the Lateran Palace and the basilica began to decline. It faced two destructive fires an earthquake and the ravages of war. The first basilica having been destroyed, it was rebuilt in the tenth century by Sergius III and consecrated by Benedict XIII in 1726. Today, this late baroque structure stands as a testimony to the enduring faith of Christians who live their Christian commitment as Catholics. It is indeed, as Pope Sylvester called it, the “House of God.”
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Today's Mass Readings
I was talking to Kevin, our organist yesterday and he told me about his experience at this engineering company. It seems to him all that the owners of the company want is money. They do not have the patience for to wait for a product to reach from the design stage to the production stage. They want the product “now.” Not only that, their firing policy is the strangest I have come across. A lady comes up to call the person, talk to them as she walks them up to the door and says goodbye. Some of the employees have not even received their wages for the days they have worked. Recently, Kevin said, a seventy-three year coworker killed himself after he had had a stroke. The only thing the company was worried about was liability. The only motivation for the owners of this company is money. You may find it strange why I begin my homily for the commemoration of the faithful departed with this story. Because, I see in this story all the themes of today’s readings – except that the readings also give us the reason for hope.
Today's Mass Readings
I was talking to Kevin, our organist yesterday and he told me about his experience at this engineering company. It seems to him all that the owners of the company want is money. They do not have the patience for to wait for a product to reach from the design stage to the production stage. They want the product “now.” Not only that, their firing policy is the strangest I have come across. A lady comes up to call the person, talk to them as she walks them up to the door and says goodbye. Some of the employees have not even received their wages for the days they have worked. Recently, Kevin said, a seventy-three year coworker killed himself after he had had a stroke. The only thing the company was worried about was liability. The only motivation for the owners of this company is money. You may find it strange why I begin my homily for the commemoration of the faithful departed with this story. Because, I see in this story all the themes of today’s readings – except that the readings also give us the reason for hope.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
When I first came to the United States I was at a parish in St. Louis. I was invited by a parishioner to work at a soup kitchen run by the Sisters of Charity. This gentleman is a really good person and we keep in touch even today. On the way, this man shared with me why he helped at the soup kitchen each week. On the one hand his motivation was really the willingness to help the hungry. But a greater motivation as I figured out was guilt – guilt for past; There was also fear – fear that he will not make it to heaven. He said to me, “I am making sure that I have a place in heaven.” I have to admit I have myself thought like this man often. It is possible then, that even our most charitable action comes primarily not out of love for God or love for others but out of our own need. In a real sense we are not doing charity but we are really using people so that we can feel good about ourselves.
Today's Mass Readings
When I first came to the United States I was at a parish in St. Louis. I was invited by a parishioner to work at a soup kitchen run by the Sisters of Charity. This gentleman is a really good person and we keep in touch even today. On the way, this man shared with me why he helped at the soup kitchen each week. On the one hand his motivation was really the willingness to help the hungry. But a greater motivation as I figured out was guilt – guilt for past; There was also fear – fear that he will not make it to heaven. He said to me, “I am making sure that I have a place in heaven.” I have to admit I have myself thought like this man often. It is possible then, that even our most charitable action comes primarily not out of love for God or love for others but out of our own need. In a real sense we are not doing charity but we are really using people so that we can feel good about ourselves.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Last week at the Ite Missa Est event (Immaculate Conception Adult Faith Formation Ministry) we dealt with the book God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to answer our most important question - why we suffer. The book is by written Bart Ehrman, a New Testament scholar who chairs the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina. He was a former pastor. But now he is an agnostic and writes against biblical understanding of the meaning of suffering. Bart says he that does not intend to de-convert people from Christianity but rather that he simply wants to show how the Bible cannot address the issue of suffering—the very issue that convinced him to abandon his Christian beliefs. He takes one explanation after another of suffering in the Bible and tries to give his own reason for his rejection of the biblical reasoning. Tim Gabrielli, who conducted the session for us made an important observation in response to Ehrman’s rejection of God. Most of the time, the rejection of God comes from affluent cultures by educated people sitting behind a desk. The question of the existence of God is rarely a poor person’s question. I may even add that it is a very Western question. These questions rarely originate in the East. I will also add that the question of the existence of God is a modern question. It is a product of the enlightenment. I would like to turn to today’s scripture for help.
Today's Mass Readings
Last week at the Ite Missa Est event (Immaculate Conception Adult Faith Formation Ministry) we dealt with the book God’s Problem: How the Bible Fails to answer our most important question - why we suffer. The book is by written Bart Ehrman, a New Testament scholar who chairs the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina. He was a former pastor. But now he is an agnostic and writes against biblical understanding of the meaning of suffering. Bart says he that does not intend to de-convert people from Christianity but rather that he simply wants to show how the Bible cannot address the issue of suffering—the very issue that convinced him to abandon his Christian beliefs. He takes one explanation after another of suffering in the Bible and tries to give his own reason for his rejection of the biblical reasoning. Tim Gabrielli, who conducted the session for us made an important observation in response to Ehrman’s rejection of God. Most of the time, the rejection of God comes from affluent cultures by educated people sitting behind a desk. The question of the existence of God is rarely a poor person’s question. I may even add that it is a very Western question. These questions rarely originate in the East. I will also add that the question of the existence of God is a modern question. It is a product of the enlightenment. I would like to turn to today’s scripture for help.
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Like the presidential candidates, uppermost in my mind is the financial crisis that has hit the world. I have been in this country for eight years. Not even during the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attack was the mood so gloomy or the people so apprehensive. There is one question that is uppermost in the minds of many people. How in the world did we get here? Surely greed and unending desire for unbridled profit has something to do with it. I personally think that the main reason for the crisis is the way the modern world is constructed. Every aspect of modern life is, as I put it, value neutral. In other words, there are no moral values guiding our economic, political, and social systems. We have so alienated our economics, politics and society from God, from spiritual and moral principles that to talk about love and the stock markets in the same breath is literally insane. Even in the midst of the crisis no one is looking to the moral or spiritual aspects of the crisis. And no one is looking at moral or spiritual solution to the problem either. Perhaps, if economic, political and social systems were based on spiritual principles of justice, concern for the weak, love, truth, kindness, generosity, peace, then we would not be where we are. But we are so far away from God and even the proposition sounds improbable. The tragedy is that we do not think of ourselves as a Godless nation. In fact, America is considered to be a religious nation.
Today's Mass Readings
Like the presidential candidates, uppermost in my mind is the financial crisis that has hit the world. I have been in this country for eight years. Not even during the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attack was the mood so gloomy or the people so apprehensive. There is one question that is uppermost in the minds of many people. How in the world did we get here? Surely greed and unending desire for unbridled profit has something to do with it. I personally think that the main reason for the crisis is the way the modern world is constructed. Every aspect of modern life is, as I put it, value neutral. In other words, there are no moral values guiding our economic, political, and social systems. We have so alienated our economics, politics and society from God, from spiritual and moral principles that to talk about love and the stock markets in the same breath is literally insane. Even in the midst of the crisis no one is looking to the moral or spiritual aspects of the crisis. And no one is looking at moral or spiritual solution to the problem either. Perhaps, if economic, political and social systems were based on spiritual principles of justice, concern for the weak, love, truth, kindness, generosity, peace, then we would not be where we are. But we are so far away from God and even the proposition sounds improbable. The tragedy is that we do not think of ourselves as a Godless nation. In fact, America is considered to be a religious nation.
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The storm that hit us in Dayton seems to be far behind us. But I am sure all of us have some good stories to tell. Let me tell you mine. Grocery shopping was an experience by itself. People were shopping as if the world was coming to an end. The day I shopped huge lines formed at the checkout counter. Behind me, in queue stood this young mother with children. She had a child in the cart and one her belly. She was probably eight months pregnant. My heart melted with pity and even though her cart was so packed with goods so that I could hardly see her child, I said to her, “You have kids. Go on ahead!” I could see her relief. She asked me, “Are you sure?” “Of course,” I said. Isn’t it normal these days to at least say thank you? I thought that at the end she would turn around and perhaps let me know that it is good when people are nice to each other. She packed her groceries, turned around and without even a grateful glance, hurried out. “Dear woman,” I said to myself, “at least for the sake of your kids, be thankful.” Now, this woman means nothing to me. Perhaps I will never see her ever. But even as strangers we carry some expectations of each other. And then there are parents, children, spouse, friends and God. The more we mean to each other the more expectations we have. Children don’t expect their parents to separate even though sometimes they do. Parents do not expect their children to fail but sometimes they do. Husbands and wives do not expect their partners to be unfaithful but sometimes they do. Friends to not expect to be betrayed by friends but they do. These are real heartaches. The intensity of the pain comes of course from broken expectations themselves but more so from the fact that the hurt was caused by someone from whom we never expected it. Those tears are the pain of love.
Today's Mass Readings
The storm that hit us in Dayton seems to be far behind us. But I am sure all of us have some good stories to tell. Let me tell you mine. Grocery shopping was an experience by itself. People were shopping as if the world was coming to an end. The day I shopped huge lines formed at the checkout counter. Behind me, in queue stood this young mother with children. She had a child in the cart and one her belly. She was probably eight months pregnant. My heart melted with pity and even though her cart was so packed with goods so that I could hardly see her child, I said to her, “You have kids. Go on ahead!” I could see her relief. She asked me, “Are you sure?” “Of course,” I said. Isn’t it normal these days to at least say thank you? I thought that at the end she would turn around and perhaps let me know that it is good when people are nice to each other. She packed her groceries, turned around and without even a grateful glance, hurried out. “Dear woman,” I said to myself, “at least for the sake of your kids, be thankful.” Now, this woman means nothing to me. Perhaps I will never see her ever. But even as strangers we carry some expectations of each other. And then there are parents, children, spouse, friends and God. The more we mean to each other the more expectations we have. Children don’t expect their parents to separate even though sometimes they do. Parents do not expect their children to fail but sometimes they do. Husbands and wives do not expect their partners to be unfaithful but sometimes they do. Friends to not expect to be betrayed by friends but they do. These are real heartaches. The intensity of the pain comes of course from broken expectations themselves but more so from the fact that the hurt was caused by someone from whom we never expected it. Those tears are the pain of love.
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Frank is a very simple man here in the parish. He lost his employment and for the longest time kept getting turned down at every interview he attended. But Frank along with his family remained faithful to God. I would see them each Sunday at Church. His heart ached both as a family man and from the fact that he could not support the parish financially. Frank finally walked up and offered to help the parish with his time. Over months Frank painted every door in the church basement and the school. That is only part of the story. The more I came to know Frank the more I discovered his personal faith in Christ and the influence his faith had in his work for the community. As if a blessing, Frank now has a full time job and a part time job here at IC. Frank is not the only one. An Eagle Scout member spent many hours in the summer painting and renovating the school gym and the adult education room. A new parishioner helped with waxing the school floors and trimming bushes. John is here year round taking care of the grounds. Our faith formation and youth ministry are taking off big time because of the generous work of some wonderful folks. Because people set time aside, www.itemissaest.org is a unique ministry in the entire deanery. I was at a denary meeting last week and the Rock with Jesus mass was mentioned as an example for good, creative liturgy. The parish festival last week and the set up for it was for me a spiritual experience of people’s faith in God and this community. For the people I meet each day and in every ministry, I know that their love for this community comes from their personal faith in Christ.
Today's Mass Readings
Frank is a very simple man here in the parish. He lost his employment and for the longest time kept getting turned down at every interview he attended. But Frank along with his family remained faithful to God. I would see them each Sunday at Church. His heart ached both as a family man and from the fact that he could not support the parish financially. Frank finally walked up and offered to help the parish with his time. Over months Frank painted every door in the church basement and the school. That is only part of the story. The more I came to know Frank the more I discovered his personal faith in Christ and the influence his faith had in his work for the community. As if a blessing, Frank now has a full time job and a part time job here at IC. Frank is not the only one. An Eagle Scout member spent many hours in the summer painting and renovating the school gym and the adult education room. A new parishioner helped with waxing the school floors and trimming bushes. John is here year round taking care of the grounds. Our faith formation and youth ministry are taking off big time because of the generous work of some wonderful folks. Because people set time aside, www.itemissaest.org is a unique ministry in the entire deanery. I was at a denary meeting last week and the Rock with Jesus mass was mentioned as an example for good, creative liturgy. The parish festival last week and the set up for it was for me a spiritual experience of people’s faith in God and this community. For the people I meet each day and in every ministry, I know that their love for this community comes from their personal faith in Christ.
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
On the 15th of August 1947, India attained freedom from the British after almost two hundred years of colonial rule. Among the political, economic and cultural oppression by the British there was also the social stigma attached to being Indian. Even prominent Indians were treated with disdain. At many of social celebrations it was common to see a notice board that was placed at the entranceway that read, “Dogs and Indians not allowed.” It is sixty-one since India gained Independence. In my lifetime I did not experience the colonial British arrogance, but even today when I hear that old story of Indians being equated with dogs I feel my blood boil.
Today's Mass Readings
On the 15th of August 1947, India attained freedom from the British after almost two hundred years of colonial rule. Among the political, economic and cultural oppression by the British there was also the social stigma attached to being Indian. Even prominent Indians were treated with disdain. At many of social celebrations it was common to see a notice board that was placed at the entranceway that read, “Dogs and Indians not allowed.” It is sixty-one since India gained Independence. In my lifetime I did not experience the colonial British arrogance, but even today when I hear that old story of Indians being equated with dogs I feel my blood boil.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The gospel passage for today’s liturgy is very vivid. It tells us that the disciples cried out in fear thinking they were seeing a ghost. They, like any of us would be, were genuinely afraid. This is the scripture’s way of saying that fear is real. We have our ghosts too. Some of them may be imaginary like in the case of the disciples, others are real. For example, there is a person I know who is afraid of what will happen when General Motors closes its doors soon. I know a mother who son is a police officer and fears for his safety every day. I know parents whose children are still in Iraq and they fear for their sons and daughters. I know a seventy-one year old lady who is losing her sight. She fears for her future. I know a mother who is struggling with cancer and has only a few months to live. Her fear is for her little children. I know families who have just lost their job and their house. Should they be afraid for their future? A lady I know fears that her health may come between a job-interview she has. Fear is real.
Today's Mass Readings
The gospel passage for today’s liturgy is very vivid. It tells us that the disciples cried out in fear thinking they were seeing a ghost. They, like any of us would be, were genuinely afraid. This is the scripture’s way of saying that fear is real. We have our ghosts too. Some of them may be imaginary like in the case of the disciples, others are real. For example, there is a person I know who is afraid of what will happen when General Motors closes its doors soon. I know a mother who son is a police officer and fears for his safety every day. I know parents whose children are still in Iraq and they fear for their sons and daughters. I know a seventy-one year old lady who is losing her sight. She fears for her future. I know a mother who is struggling with cancer and has only a few months to live. Her fear is for her little children. I know families who have just lost their job and their house. Should they be afraid for their future? A lady I know fears that her health may come between a job-interview she has. Fear is real.
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
I have never starved in my life before and I am presuming that so is the case with most of us in this parish. May be a few examples will help us understand the reality of starvation. In an image I saw on BBC an entire family was eating the rotting flesh of a dead animal in Niger. Or take Amina, a twelve year old girl. She is so starved that she cannot eat food even if she wants to. She vomits as soon as anything goes in. Amina’s mother had this to say at the end of it all. She said, "As far as I'm concerned, God did not make us all equal - I mean, look at us. None of us has enough food." More than 862 million people in the world go hungry. In developing countries nearly 16 million children die every year from hunger related illnesses. In the United States, 11.7 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means that one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.
Today's Mass Readings
I have never starved in my life before and I am presuming that so is the case with most of us in this parish. May be a few examples will help us understand the reality of starvation. In an image I saw on BBC an entire family was eating the rotting flesh of a dead animal in Niger. Or take Amina, a twelve year old girl. She is so starved that she cannot eat food even if she wants to. She vomits as soon as anything goes in. Amina’s mother had this to say at the end of it all. She said, "As far as I'm concerned, God did not make us all equal - I mean, look at us. None of us has enough food." More than 862 million people in the world go hungry. In developing countries nearly 16 million children die every year from hunger related illnesses. In the United States, 11.7 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means that one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Rachel Smith, a young pharmacy student shared this personal testimony with me last week. She writes, “At every mass I try to focus on one thing that God is really trying to speak to me during the scripture readings and the homily. I call it my “one thing” and I try to allow God to remind me of my “one thing” during the week. At mass last Sunday, I felt like God’s “one thing” for me to learn is that opening my heart to receive “the Kingdom of God” is a choice. As Fr. Satish said in his homily, I can choose to let justice, love and mercy reign in my heart or not. I decided that my task would be to be open to the Kingdom at the pharmacy. And then it happened. I came across a serious problem that a customer was having. The man needed a medication that cost $3,000. He needed it soon so that his transplanted kidney would not reject his body. The problem was that his insurance plan wouldn’t let a retail pharmacy fill his prescription. My other colleagues had given up because it was a situation beyond their control. As I became aware of the situation, I didn’t know if I could help him at all but I felt so strongly that God was posing the question, “Will you show mercy? Will you receive the Kingdom today?” I resolved that I would try my best to help this man. After many, many phone calls I was able to set the man up with a mail-order-pharmacy that could help him, help his nurses realize the situation, and finally was able to transfer his prescription to a pharmacy that would emergency-deliver it to his home in time. What was so special about this experience for me was that I felt God was giving me a direct invitation to follow or not to follow the things that had been placed in my heart at mass. And I didn’t feel alone in doing what God was asking of me. Not only did God call me to be open to the Kingdom but God was also with me every step of the way. The feeling that I can have an impact on God’s kingdom was exhilarating. Even better, I felt like I was on God’s team. As more people needed help, I just felt “hungry” to serve someone, because I experienced such a reward in surprising people with kindness.”
Today's Mass Readings
Rachel Smith, a young pharmacy student shared this personal testimony with me last week. She writes, “At every mass I try to focus on one thing that God is really trying to speak to me during the scripture readings and the homily. I call it my “one thing” and I try to allow God to remind me of my “one thing” during the week. At mass last Sunday, I felt like God’s “one thing” for me to learn is that opening my heart to receive “the Kingdom of God” is a choice. As Fr. Satish said in his homily, I can choose to let justice, love and mercy reign in my heart or not. I decided that my task would be to be open to the Kingdom at the pharmacy. And then it happened. I came across a serious problem that a customer was having. The man needed a medication that cost $3,000. He needed it soon so that his transplanted kidney would not reject his body. The problem was that his insurance plan wouldn’t let a retail pharmacy fill his prescription. My other colleagues had given up because it was a situation beyond their control. As I became aware of the situation, I didn’t know if I could help him at all but I felt so strongly that God was posing the question, “Will you show mercy? Will you receive the Kingdom today?” I resolved that I would try my best to help this man. After many, many phone calls I was able to set the man up with a mail-order-pharmacy that could help him, help his nurses realize the situation, and finally was able to transfer his prescription to a pharmacy that would emergency-deliver it to his home in time. What was so special about this experience for me was that I felt God was giving me a direct invitation to follow or not to follow the things that had been placed in my heart at mass. And I didn’t feel alone in doing what God was asking of me. Not only did God call me to be open to the Kingdom but God was also with me every step of the way. The feeling that I can have an impact on God’s kingdom was exhilarating. Even better, I felt like I was on God’s team. As more people needed help, I just felt “hungry” to serve someone, because I experienced such a reward in surprising people with kindness.”
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readgins
One of the most decisive events in the history of the world was the gradual emergence of the nation-state. What I mean by that is that the political system existing in the world today based on geographical territories is a rather modern phenomenon. Before nation states existed there were multi-ethnic empires ruled by an emperor or a king. On the other hand, what defines a nation-sate is not ethnic majority or religious affiliation but rather a definite geographical boundary. In a nation-state like the United States, the State becomes an instrument of national unity, in economic, social and cultural life. It is based on a Constitution that determines rights and obligations, discipline and punishment. Peace is often enforced by armed civil authorities. There are seldom second chances offered to those who fail. One of the main characteristic of the nation-state is nationalistic patriotism which almost assumes the level of religion. Thus, heroism is associated with the ultimate sacrifice – death – to defend the boundaries of the nation. Armies are fashioned to defend each nation. The world spends close to three trillion dollar all together to defend itself from each other. Take for example the war in Iraq. It only makes sense when one sees the war as a defense of the nation. More than four thousand people have died in the defense of this nation. But the price is considered necessary for the continuous defense of a nation. Those who give up their lives are honored as heroes. So much for the nation-state...
Today's Mass Readgins
One of the most decisive events in the history of the world was the gradual emergence of the nation-state. What I mean by that is that the political system existing in the world today based on geographical territories is a rather modern phenomenon. Before nation states existed there were multi-ethnic empires ruled by an emperor or a king. On the other hand, what defines a nation-sate is not ethnic majority or religious affiliation but rather a definite geographical boundary. In a nation-state like the United States, the State becomes an instrument of national unity, in economic, social and cultural life. It is based on a Constitution that determines rights and obligations, discipline and punishment. Peace is often enforced by armed civil authorities. There are seldom second chances offered to those who fail. One of the main characteristic of the nation-state is nationalistic patriotism which almost assumes the level of religion. Thus, heroism is associated with the ultimate sacrifice – death – to defend the boundaries of the nation. Armies are fashioned to defend each nation. The world spends close to three trillion dollar all together to defend itself from each other. Take for example the war in Iraq. It only makes sense when one sees the war as a defense of the nation. More than four thousand people have died in the defense of this nation. But the price is considered necessary for the continuous defense of a nation. Those who give up their lives are honored as heroes. So much for the nation-state...
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Words are powerful tools. Today, at this mass we are celebrating the fiftieth wedding anniversary or Fred and Marian Volk. Just two words, “I do,” has bound them together for the last fifty years. And it will for the next many years. As far as I can see, they are going to hang around for a very long time. But I also know a lady who broke her “I do,” over the phone. Words are powerful. They have the power to build or destroy. If you were following the political events this week, then you know the effect of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s careless words over an open microphone against Barak Obama. Just like the news channels, I cannot even repeat those words in a Church. The consternation those words created is irreparable. The power of words...
Today's Mass Readings
Words are powerful tools. Today, at this mass we are celebrating the fiftieth wedding anniversary or Fred and Marian Volk. Just two words, “I do,” has bound them together for the last fifty years. And it will for the next many years. As far as I can see, they are going to hang around for a very long time. But I also know a lady who broke her “I do,” over the phone. Words are powerful. They have the power to build or destroy. If you were following the political events this week, then you know the effect of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s careless words over an open microphone against Barak Obama. Just like the news channels, I cannot even repeat those words in a Church. The consternation those words created is irreparable. The power of words...
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
There is movie running these days at the Neon Art theatre – Then She Found Me. Toward the end, there is a rather powerful scene in the movie. But let me give you the context. The movie is about a 39 year old single school teacher April Epner (Helen Hunt), who was adopted into a devout Jewish family as a year old baby. Though she herself was adopted, April desperately wants a child of her own. Her adopted mother’s final advice to her before she dies was to adopt a baby. April is a devout Jewish woman, the kind of person who would not eat a meal without giving thanks and pray before any important event. Then follows a chain of events - her rather sudden marriage, an equally sudden end of her marriage, and her realizing that her only chance of having a baby has vanished. To add to her frustration her biological mother Bernice (Bette Midler), who gave her up for adoption, barges back into her life as if nothing had ever gone wrong. Her hilarious nature adds to the much needed humor in the movie. The last thing April can expect from her mother is faith in God because she had none. Three weeks after her being dumped by her husband, just when she was getting into a relationship with a man who really loved her, April discovers that she is pregnant with her former husband’s baby. We can imagine the complications arising from this new development. Tragically, though, she loses the baby in miscarriage. She is so desperate for a baby that she tries the artificial method. In the room with her on the day of her impregnation is her biological mother. Just before she is impregnated, the doctor asks April if she is ready. She says, yes. But Bernice stops her. Her mother reminds her that she had not prayed like she would normally do. April refuses to pray. Her mother on the other hand insists that she should pray. April breaks down at this point saying, “I had faith!” Obviously, after all that had happened, especially after she had lost her baby, she could not find the strength to believe. This is the most touching part of the movie. Her mother questions her, “You cannot believe in God now? Why? Because God is like you: complicated, difficult to understand?” Something hit her at that moment. April then prays the schema, and she is impregnated. There are more twists to the plot but --I will not reveal the end of the movie in case you want to see it.
Today's Mass Readings
There is movie running these days at the Neon Art theatre – Then She Found Me. Toward the end, there is a rather powerful scene in the movie. But let me give you the context. The movie is about a 39 year old single school teacher April Epner (Helen Hunt), who was adopted into a devout Jewish family as a year old baby. Though she herself was adopted, April desperately wants a child of her own. Her adopted mother’s final advice to her before she dies was to adopt a baby. April is a devout Jewish woman, the kind of person who would not eat a meal without giving thanks and pray before any important event. Then follows a chain of events - her rather sudden marriage, an equally sudden end of her marriage, and her realizing that her only chance of having a baby has vanished. To add to her frustration her biological mother Bernice (Bette Midler), who gave her up for adoption, barges back into her life as if nothing had ever gone wrong. Her hilarious nature adds to the much needed humor in the movie. The last thing April can expect from her mother is faith in God because she had none. Three weeks after her being dumped by her husband, just when she was getting into a relationship with a man who really loved her, April discovers that she is pregnant with her former husband’s baby. We can imagine the complications arising from this new development. Tragically, though, she loses the baby in miscarriage. She is so desperate for a baby that she tries the artificial method. In the room with her on the day of her impregnation is her biological mother. Just before she is impregnated, the doctor asks April if she is ready. She says, yes. But Bernice stops her. Her mother reminds her that she had not prayed like she would normally do. April refuses to pray. Her mother on the other hand insists that she should pray. April breaks down at this point saying, “I had faith!” Obviously, after all that had happened, especially after she had lost her baby, she could not find the strength to believe. This is the most touching part of the movie. Her mother questions her, “You cannot believe in God now? Why? Because God is like you: complicated, difficult to understand?” Something hit her at that moment. April then prays the schema, and she is impregnated. There are more twists to the plot but --I will not reveal the end of the movie in case you want to see it.
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul
Today's Mass Readings
The media did not devote too much attention to it; the Catholic Church did not try to get mileage out of it; the Church of England did not even comment on it; TIME magazine could have dedicated its cover page to it but did not. I am talking about one of the most high profile conversions to the Catholic Church that went almost unnoticed. December 2007, Tony Blair, the outgoing prime minister of Britain became a Catholic. In reality, the news should have generated huge interest and the Catholic Church should have made a big deal out of it. The media usually loves high profile, controversial events like these. And there was controversy. Why did Blair wait to leave office before he converted? Britain has never had a Catholic prime minister and it would have been a boost to the Catholics in a historically Protestant country. A new research had just shown that for the first time in decades, the number of Roman Catholics attending Sunday services in Britain had fallen behind the Anglicans. Secondly, Blair’s record on life issues and war has contradicted the Catholic Church’s teachings. Can one become a Catholic while rejecting core Catholic values? Having debated all the controversial issues, in the final analysis, we have also to view this conversion from God’s point of view. After all, the lives of Peter and Paul, whose feast we celebrate today, looked very different from human perspective and God’s plan.
Today's Mass Readings
The media did not devote too much attention to it; the Catholic Church did not try to get mileage out of it; the Church of England did not even comment on it; TIME magazine could have dedicated its cover page to it but did not. I am talking about one of the most high profile conversions to the Catholic Church that went almost unnoticed. December 2007, Tony Blair, the outgoing prime minister of Britain became a Catholic. In reality, the news should have generated huge interest and the Catholic Church should have made a big deal out of it. The media usually loves high profile, controversial events like these. And there was controversy. Why did Blair wait to leave office before he converted? Britain has never had a Catholic prime minister and it would have been a boost to the Catholics in a historically Protestant country. A new research had just shown that for the first time in decades, the number of Roman Catholics attending Sunday services in Britain had fallen behind the Anglicans. Secondly, Blair’s record on life issues and war has contradicted the Catholic Church’s teachings. Can one become a Catholic while rejecting core Catholic values? Having debated all the controversial issues, in the final analysis, we have also to view this conversion from God’s point of view. After all, the lives of Peter and Paul, whose feast we celebrate today, looked very different from human perspective and God’s plan.
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Mass Readings
On my trip to France last year, I stayed at my friends house which overlooked the amphitheatre where Blandina was put to death in 177 AD. Blandina, was a slave and a Christian who had been taken into custody along with her master, also a Christian. She was bodily frail and her friends feared that she might not remain steadfast under torture. But in spite of her terrible torture, torture that even her executioners became exhausted of, she remained faithful and repeated to every question "I am a Christian and we commit no wrongdoing." She was bound to a stake and wild beasts were set on her. They did not, however touch her. After this for a number of days she was led into the arena to see the sufferings of her companions. Finally, as the last of the martyrs, she was scourged, placed on a red-hot grate, enclosed in a net and thrown before a wild steer who tossed her into the air with his horns, and at last killed with a dagger. We certainly know that her faith was strong. We look at Blandina’s faith and we admire her courage, faith and conviction.
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Mass Readings
I came to know Greg and Lucy Kramer about six years ago. I met them along with their two beautiful children Christi Ann and Andrew who are now 10. From the time I have known Greg I have always seen him in his wheelchair. Lucy plays the flute at the Sunday evening ‘Rock with Jesus’ mass and her children help Linda set up for mass. Greg works for the Access Centre for Independent living, and usually sits at the back of church when the band practices and actively participates in the celebration. Of course it was always tempting to ask them about Greg but I did not want to be rude either. I assumed that some illness had struck him early on during their married life. It was when I was invited to dinner couple of years back that I came to know the real story. Greg was involved in a swimming accident when he was merely fifteen. When they fell in love with each other, he was already in the wheel chair. I have never asked Lucy why she married a man who was so severely restricted in so many ways. Of all the choices she could have made, why Greg? I have to admit that I have rarely met anyone as courageous as Greg and as unpresumptuous as Lucy. Yet what they have achieved together has remained for me an inspiring and true act of love, commitment and faith. For both of them, there must be a reason for their choice, there must be a price to be paid each day for their choice, and there must be a purpose that comes from their choice.
Sunday Mass Readings
I came to know Greg and Lucy Kramer about six years ago. I met them along with their two beautiful children Christi Ann and Andrew who are now 10. From the time I have known Greg I have always seen him in his wheelchair. Lucy plays the flute at the Sunday evening ‘Rock with Jesus’ mass and her children help Linda set up for mass. Greg works for the Access Centre for Independent living, and usually sits at the back of church when the band practices and actively participates in the celebration. Of course it was always tempting to ask them about Greg but I did not want to be rude either. I assumed that some illness had struck him early on during their married life. It was when I was invited to dinner couple of years back that I came to know the real story. Greg was involved in a swimming accident when he was merely fifteen. When they fell in love with each other, he was already in the wheel chair. I have never asked Lucy why she married a man who was so severely restricted in so many ways. Of all the choices she could have made, why Greg? I have to admit that I have rarely met anyone as courageous as Greg and as unpresumptuous as Lucy. Yet what they have achieved together has remained for me an inspiring and true act of love, commitment and faith. For both of them, there must be a reason for their choice, there must be a price to be paid each day for their choice, and there must be a purpose that comes from their choice.
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Mass Readings
Sept 11, 2001 – The twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed. Sept 14, 2001 - Just three days after the tragic event, President Bush declared the day to be observed as a national day of prayer and remembrance. Sept 14 in the Catholic tradition is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In the most mysterious of ways America got the chance to reflect upon the events of those days under the shadow of the cross. The following weeks and months were times when churches overflowed as people prayed for protection. Partly out of fear and partly out of confusion people flocked to places of refuge for comfort, for help and perhaps even answers. Some overenthusiastic evangelists interpreted the death of some three thousand people as God’s punishment for Americas increasing godlessness. Others said that this was God’s way of bringing America to its knees. I personally did not subscribe to any of these views. However, for some time there was a sense that America was returning back to God. But, as tragic as the events of Sept 11, the fervor waned away as quickly as it had appeared. Seven years down the road many people may not even remember the day they spent in prayer as a nation.
Sunday Mass Readings
Sept 11, 2001 – The twin towers of the World Trade Centre collapsed. Sept 14, 2001 - Just three days after the tragic event, President Bush declared the day to be observed as a national day of prayer and remembrance. Sept 14 in the Catholic tradition is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In the most mysterious of ways America got the chance to reflect upon the events of those days under the shadow of the cross. The following weeks and months were times when churches overflowed as people prayed for protection. Partly out of fear and partly out of confusion people flocked to places of refuge for comfort, for help and perhaps even answers. Some overenthusiastic evangelists interpreted the death of some three thousand people as God’s punishment for Americas increasing godlessness. Others said that this was God’s way of bringing America to its knees. I personally did not subscribe to any of these views. However, for some time there was a sense that America was returning back to God. But, as tragic as the events of Sept 11, the fervor waned away as quickly as it had appeared. Seven years down the road many people may not even remember the day they spent in prayer as a nation.
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Mass Readings
I heard two contrasting stories on National Public Radio this week. One showed the superficiality of our culture, the other the depth of the human heart. I heard a rather lengthy commentary on some Iraqi women’s sense of freedom in Iraq. It was the criterion that was used to measure freedom that baffled me – that in some part of Iraq women could now use make-up. I see all you lovely ladies here and some of you with make-up and you look beautiful. But you know and I that if our sense of security and freedom had to come from our make-up that would be rather superficial. When it is all said and done, make-up is exactly that – make-up. And then I heard another commentary. It was the story of a man who came to the United States from India when he was seven years old. He is now the Hindu priest of the Hare Krishna temple in New York. His own quest for the meaning of life began with a simple question - What is the cause of the uncertainties or fluctuations of life? And then he picked up the Bhagvad Gita – one of the main Hindu Scriptures. In them, he found his answers. It changed his life. He built his life around the answers he discovered and now he tries to help others to find their own answers. These two stories are contrasting examples of people’s search for meaning and purpose of life.
Sunday Mass Readings
I heard two contrasting stories on National Public Radio this week. One showed the superficiality of our culture, the other the depth of the human heart. I heard a rather lengthy commentary on some Iraqi women’s sense of freedom in Iraq. It was the criterion that was used to measure freedom that baffled me – that in some part of Iraq women could now use make-up. I see all you lovely ladies here and some of you with make-up and you look beautiful. But you know and I that if our sense of security and freedom had to come from our make-up that would be rather superficial. When it is all said and done, make-up is exactly that – make-up. And then I heard another commentary. It was the story of a man who came to the United States from India when he was seven years old. He is now the Hindu priest of the Hare Krishna temple in New York. His own quest for the meaning of life began with a simple question - What is the cause of the uncertainties or fluctuations of life? And then he picked up the Bhagvad Gita – one of the main Hindu Scriptures. In them, he found his answers. It changed his life. He built his life around the answers he discovered and now he tries to help others to find their own answers. These two stories are contrasting examples of people’s search for meaning and purpose of life.