Homily: May 19, 2023, Friday of the Sixth week of Easter (Shave Head)

 At Cenchreae, he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

At the end of the first reading, we heard that Paul shaved his head because of a vow he took. Scholars have suggested that very likely Paul had taken a Nazarite vow, and at the completion of the term and requirements, he would shave his head.

Such a custom is common in Asia, especially in India. Catholic devotees would make vows to Mother Mary or some saints. Hindus also practice the same, taking vows to their deities, and they would shave their heads in response to the fulfilment of their petitions or requests.

My mother was such a devotee, she took many vows. When my parents were childless for 7 years, my mother took many vows in return for the blessing of a child. One of which she promised to shave the head of her first child at the Velankanni Shrine. It is a major Marian shrine located in another state next to where my family lived.

Finally, my mother gave birth to 7 children over 13 years, she could not travel to fulfil her vows till many years later when my eldest sister, my mother’s first born, was already 18 years old. Of course, my 18-year-old sister refused to shave off her long silky hair to become bald! Finally, a priest recommended cutting off just a few inches of her hair as a symbolic fulfilment of mommy’s vow.

Mommy had many other vows too, so we visited many pilgrimage sites over the years to help her fulfil some of those vows. And along the streets of these sites, we can see hundreds of barbers lined up all providing the shaving service to pilgrims. 

My papa was different. He had never taken any such vows. His response to God’s blessings was attending daily mass and frequent reception of the sacraments.

Jesus said in today’s Gospel text, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

This seems easier to achieve and more sustainable. Believe in Jesus and ask our heavenly Father for all our needs in Jesus’ name. But may I add, also be ready to accept His will be done in His time, not ours.

We all have different ways of expressing our faith. Whatever may be our preferred faith practice, let us never doubt that our God is faithful to His promises all through time, let us also be faithful to our most important vow – our baptismal vow. Amen.