Homily: August 25, 2024, Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

-

“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”

“As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.”

This weekend is the last of the five Sundays during which the Gospel readings were taken from chapter 6 of St. John, the Bread of Life discourse, exploring fully Jesus’ teachings on the Eucharist, beginning with the multiplication of loaves.

Next week we will continue with the Gospel of Mark.

So, what saying is hard to accept for the disciples?

It is Jesus’ saying that His body is true bread, His blood is true drink and only those who eat and drink His body and blood will have eternal life with Him.

Is it also hard for you to accept?

There are many teachings in the Catholic Church which are hard to accept. And like many of the disciples who left Jesus and returned to their former way of life, even after seeing all His works and miracles, many present-day Catholics also leave the church because they could not accept the teachings.

Should the Church adjust our teachings and ways of worship to make it more relevant to today’s world and to suit the preferences of the general population, so that more people will join the Church?

Well, maybe such a change might attract more people to the church indeed, but would they truly be saved?

The Catholic faith is not in a popularity competition. While God wants to save every soul, the church is not in a hurry to win votes for the sake of being accepted by the world.

The church is in the business of winning souls who accept the Word.

Many people in this country have asked me, “When did you convert to Catholicism?” or “When did you become a Christian?”

The Christian faith was brought to India more than 2,000 years ago, by the Apostle St. Thomas. We heard the Gospel before peter and paul reached Rome.  Thus, traditional Catholic families in India most likely have been Catholic for over 2,000 years, handing the faith down over hundreds of generations.

My own family are one of these traditional Catholic families. My parents were Catholic, so were their parents, and so were the many generations before them. And so are my siblings and their children. So am I.

We are Catholics not because the teachings were easy to believe or follow, not because it was a popular religion in India, not even because we like the church nor the priests. In fact, I hated catechism classes when I was young!

Jesus said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.”

I am Catholic because it is my parent’s gift to me, passed down from the Apostles, from Jesus, from God the Father. It is the best gift my parents gave to me. I am very happy and proud to be Catholic.

But do I find the teachings hard?

Yes, I do! But I accept it, because it is the Truth. I would rather accept the truth even if it is hard, than to entertain a lie simply because it is easy.

We ask catechumens right before their baptism, “What does this faith offer you?” and many respond, “Eternal life.”

True but there’s more. The Catholic faith does not offer only eternal life hereafter, but it offers us fullness of life for here and now.

And that fullness of life is possible because of the Holy Eucharist. We do not need to wait till after death to be one with God. We can be in Him, and He in us, every day through the Eucharist.

How wonderful is this Truth! It would be foolish for me not to follow such a wonderful faith that offers me such a valuable gift.

But we all have a choice, the freedom is ours to believe or not believe. In today’s first reading, Joshua asks the Israelites, "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve.”

We have a choice, and we must choose. We have the freedom to decide, and we must decide.

Jesus asked His remaining disciples, and us, “Do you also want to leave?”

The world will never stop criticizing and opposing the Catholic Church for her stance on life issues, including abortion, euthanasia, and gender identity.

And the Church will never stop proclaiming the Truth to please or attract more followers.

So, for all of us remaining in the church, do not expect the Church to change her teachings because our Lord and Master did not compromise even when many left Him, even when many threatened to take His life.

Jesus asks again, "Do you also want to leave?"

And who would you go to, if not Jesus?

He has the words of eternal life. If we truly believe and are convinced that He is the Holy One of God, we will stay, stand firm and accept all His teachings.

Yes, His teachings are hard, who can accept it?

You who love the truth, can accept it.

You who love Jesus, can accept it.

Christian life is a radical choice and commitment. You either follow it or you don’t. Never sail on two boats.

Believe the Truth and your life will be full. Follow the Truth and your life will be eternal.

Amen.


Comments

Post a Comment

Read

Homily, Wednesday,January 5, 2022, Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

-
Readings:  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010522.cfm In the first reading, St. John writes, “Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God”.  Do you truly and fully believe that Jesus is God? Do you know someone who does not believe so? Many, I am sure. Similarly in St. John’s time, there were many early Christian communities who questioned the divinity of Jesus. They followed Jesus’ teachings but regarded Him as simply a human person with the special power to perform miracles. They did not believe He is God. The disbelief stemmed from the humanity of Jesus. He was born from a woman like any other human, he grew from infancy to adulthood in the same way as the rest of humanity. He experienced hunger, pain, emotions and temptations like anyone. But He did not sin. Jesus was indeed fully human, so how could He also be fully divine? Human logic cannot explain it. Science cannot prove it. Thus, many could not accept it. God came to sav...
Read more

Homily: February 27, 2022, Eight Sunday in the Ordinary Time

-
For readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022722.cfm There were two brothers who lived debauched lives engaging in terrible deeds. They were notorious yet not at all ashamed. Then one brother died. The surviving brother asked the local pastor to preach at his brother’s funeral. The pastor, aware of the brothers’ background, was reluctant to do it. The brother then promised to donate a big sum of money to the church and begged the pastor to preach with a special request. “Father, in your homily, you just have to say that my brother was a saint.” The pastor thought about it and agreed. The funeral day came. The pastor began his homily, “The man laid in the casket was a rotter; he led a horrible and debauched life. He was truly rotten to the bone. But compared to his brother, he was a saint.” Saintly life or shoddy living – Would the priest at our own funeral have to be paid to tell a lie? It all depends on what kind of fruit we produce from the way we live. Usually, we can...
Read more

Homily: November 3, 2024, Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Memento Mori)

-
 In the 2,000-year history of the Church, monastic orders like the Cistercians and Trappists have existed, and the monks dedicate themselves to a life of deep contemplation and penance. Some of these monks take a vow of perpetual silence, speaking only in an emergency. When they pass each other in the monastery, their silent greeting is "memento mori" - "remember death." They remind each other daily to consider the reality of death and to always be prepared for it. Today, November 2, we commemorate All Souls' Day, remembering all the departed souls in purgatory who long to see God face-to-face. Like the consecrated monks, this commemoration invites us to pause and reflect on our own mortality. Memento mori. Remember death. We probably have said goodbye to many people in our lives: family, friends, relatives, famous people and people who have done great deeds that impacted society. Some of their names may have already faded from our memories. Perhaps we’ve even s...
Read more

Homily:August 18, 2024, Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Wisdom)

-
 “Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks understanding, she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!” This generous invitation in today’s first reading is from Lady Wisdom. This reading is taken from Chapter 9 of the Book of Proverbs which portrays two women: Lady Wisdom and Dame Folly. Our first reading presents only the invitation of Lady Wisdom. She invites us, ‘whoever is simple’, to her home to enjoy the real good life, one of understanding and food good for our body and soul, while Dame Folly attracts people to destruction. Many people seek wisdom, sometimes for unwise reasons, often in the wrong places, and in the wrong ways. Wisdom is unlike knowledge and intellect, it is not something we can gain through studying or hard work, it does not come automatically with age or experience; it is ultimately a gift from the Holy Spirit. In Proverbs 2:6, it says ‘For the Lord gives wisdom…” I am very blessed to have met many wise people who in ...
Read more

Homilía: Marzo 24, 2022, Jueves de la III semana de Cuaresma.

-
 “El que no está conmigo, está contra mí; y el que no recoge conmigo, desparrama”.”. El mensaje de Jesús es muy claro. No podemos seguir a Jesús parcialmente. Si no lo estamos siguiendo de todo corazón, no somos sus seguidores. Hoy es el vigésimo día de Cuaresma, sin contar los domingos. Estamos a la mitad. ¿Recuerdas lo que decidiste hacer especial para estos 40 días de Cuaresma? ¿Lo estás cumpliendo? Mientras nos esforzamos por fortalecernos espiritualmente, los demonios se esfuerzan más para mantenernos deprimidos. Me pregunto quién está a la cabeza en esta mitad de camino. En mis años de infancia, solo los niños ricos de mi pueblo podían tener bicicletas. Cuando estaba en quinto grado, mi hermano mayor y yo decidimos recolectar flores silvestres de nuez moscada del bosque cercano para venderlas y poder comprar una bicicleta. Nos despertábamos muy temprano en la mañana y corríamos al bosque para buscar y recolectar tantas como fuera posible. Muchos niños de otros pueblos estaban...
Read more

Homilía: 3 Julio, 2022, XIV Domingo Ordinario

-
 “Pónganse en camino; yo los envío como corderos en medio de lobos. No lleven ni dinero, ni morral, ni sandalias”. Jesús está enviando a sus discípulos a proclamar la buena nueva de la salvación a todos. Sin embargo, su instrucción suena como si los estuviera enviando a morir, a una misión peligrosa. En lugar de avisarles que traigan todas las necesidades y recursos para ser autosuficientes e independientes, les está diciendo que sean indefensos y vulnerables. ¿Pueden manejar? Jesús es el cordero de Dios. Su misión es dar Su vida por Sus ovejas. Él es totalmente dependiente sólo de Dios. Él no necesita nada más de este mundo para cumplir Su misión. Y ahora Él está enseñando a Sus discípulos a hacer lo mismo. Él nos está diciendo que hagamos lo mismo. ¿Podemos manejarlo? Parece difícil, ¿no? Tengo un muy buen amigo, Doctor Samuel Thomas. El es un ministro pentecostal también presidente de una organización internacional llamada Hope Givers que da esperanza de un futuro mejor a los ni...
Read more

Homily: June 6, 2022, Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church

-
 According to St. John’s gospel, Jesus’ last words before He died is: “It is finished.”  What is finished? I did my Theology and post graduate studies in Rome, at the seminary Pontificio Collegio Internazionale Maria Mater Ecclesiae, the name means ‘Mary, Mother of the Church’. Outside the chapel, there was a beautiful mosaic image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For six years I walked in and out of that place daily, I must have seen it more than two thousand times, yet all through those years, I had never stopped to appreciate that image or to reflect deeper about it. I was oblivious to Mary’s presence in my life. But now as I look back, I can see how she has always been there for me. Mother Mary must have been looking at me as I walked in and out of the college struggling through my studies and difficulties, waiting to comfort me. I was not aware, but she was watching out for me, all the time. Mary, Mother of the church, like all good and loving mothers, has always been in our l...
Read more

Homily: August 20, 2022, Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

-
“The angel led me to the gate which faces the east, and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east”.  These words in the first reading remind of the Orthodox and Oriental Churches. When they construct their churches, they would set their church altars to face the east, so that, when the priests celebrate Mass, they will be looking towards that direction. In India, especially in Kerala where I came from, all our church altars face the east. The concept is based on the expectation that Christ would come again, arriving from the east, and the priest is leading the community to the heavenly Jerusalem.  Interestingly, the Hindu temples also face eastwards.  And do you know, the houses in my village are built with the kitchens facing the east also. Why? It has nothing related to the coming of Christ. It has to do with the sunrise. The mothers of the households start cooking when they wake up, and the kitchens are open concept, so the rising sun will provide...
Read more

Christmas Homily 2021,

-
 For readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122521-night.cfm “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” A very blessed Christmas to all of you again. This is my third Christmas in USA, in Iowa. But my first with this parish. It’s a very special feeling, celebrating Christmas here and now. When Bishop Joensen first told me about my transfer to this parish as Rector, I was very hesitant to accept because I am very young as priest, very new in this land and very inexperienced in parish management. The call was too huge for me. I tried to say no, appoint someone more capable than I. But I think Bishop pretended he didn’t understand my accent. Honestly, I was really anxious and not ready for such a big change so soon. In obedience, I finally said ‘yes’, like Mary did when angel Gabriel announced to her about God’s plan. Maybe that was how Mary felt too. She was so young, inexperienced and not married. To be the mother of the Me...
Read more

Homily: December 10, 2024, Tuesday of the second week In Advent (Word of God)

-
 "Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." On Sunday, I taught the confirmation class about the Bible and shared how it was written and compiled. The word ‘Bible’ in Ancient Greek means ‘book’. It contains 73 books, and thus is often referred to as ‘The Book of books’.  These sacred scriptures were penned by 40 different authors over a span of 1,500 years. Every single word in the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, because every author wrote, not for any other reason but what they believed was what God wanted them to write. You may have heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls or Qumran Scrolls. In 1947, near the north-eastern part of the Dead Sea, a teenage shepherd lost his sheep and went searching for it in a cave. Incidentally, he found ancient jars stuffed with scrolls in the cave.  At first, he tried to sell them at the market, and those who bought them eventually re-sold them to scholars. That led to Archaeologists getting interes...
Read more