Homily: March 26, 2025, Wednesday of the third week in Lent (Commandments).

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 (Holy family school Mass )"But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." 

I grew up in a country where Christians are a minority.

First, do you know which country I grew up in?

Yes, India.

Do you know how many percent of the Indian population are Christians?

Who says 50%? 30%? 10%? 2%?

Yes, it is a little over 2%, and Catholics make up only 1.6%. But amazingly, although Catholics are a small small minority, most of the schools in India are run by the Catholic Church. So, I had many Muslim and Hindu friends, because we all attended the Catholic schools together, and we will learn about each religion’s practices.

I often envied my Hindu friends because they didn’t have to go to their temple weekly, they didn’t have to attend religion classes and they could play cricket every Sunday while I had to wake up early, walk to church, attend Sunday Mass and catechism classes. They seemed to have more fun as Hindus while Catholics seem to be bound by so many restrictions, strict practices and expectations.

As a child, I did feel envious of their religion and frustrated with mine. But today, I am deeply grateful and feel very blessed to be a Catholic. Now I see it everything we practice as a privilege, not a burden, not a chore.

Yes, the Church has many rules and commandments to follow, but these are to guide us toward Heaven where we will be truly free. Jesus tells us that those who obey and teach these commandments will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. These teachings are not meant to burden us, but to free us and fly us to eternal life.

Being in a Catholic school is also a privilege. Your education, values, and experiences are different from those who attend other schools. These ‘extras’ you receive will help you see and live life differently if you follow. And one day you will know that you are very blessed, like me now.

The Christian life is a privileged life. We are blessed to have the sacraments, especially to be able to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, to help us be united with God.

Look at the story of Israel. God chose them as His own nation, gave them commandments to help them live right, and set them apart. No other nation had such direct and close relationship with God.

The same is true for us. We are chosen by God. He gives us rules not to restrict us, but to shape us into something greater. If we follow His commandments, we will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Amen.


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