Homily: June 2, 2025, Monday of the seventh week of Easter (Trouble)

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 “In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Do you read horoscopes?

Growing up in India living among Hindu neighbors and friends, I was introduced to the Hindu version of astrology since young. Based on my date and time of birth, the elders in my home community told me that my birth star was Revathi, a sign which foretold that my life would be peaceful, prosperous and I would live in abundance. It sure sounded wonderful, but hard to believe.

In fact, looking at my life from young up till now, it has been quite the opposite. I lived through years watching my parents struggle to provide for our family of seven children with the bare minimum, hardly any prosperity to mention although we did have simple joys and fun amidst the hardship.

I do not believe at all in star fortune telling or horoscope reading. I believe instead in God’s will and His plans for me.

Our loving God who formed us, declares, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Our hope should be in Him, and our future is in His hands, if we let Him direct us. And will it all be smooth sailing and a bed of roses?

Not for all of us. Personally, I do believe when Jesus says, “In the world, you will have trouble.”

I don’t think there has been a single day in my life without some kind of trouble. Some troubles were created by me, especially when I was little, some troubles came from others, when they were little. And as I grew up and took on more responsibilities and ministries, I shared in the troubles of others and the community.

But the same Jesus who warned us of these troubles also reassured us that He has conquered the world. So to say that whatever trouble we face because of our faith, will soon pass and not matter anymore when Jesus comes again in full glory as King.

If we truly believe in God and follow Jesus closely, we will have challenges, inconvenience, discomfort and troubles. Our faith and ways will be questioned because the world cannot understand the way of Christ. Yet keeping to our commitment to a life in Christ will precisely make us a witness to His Truth.

Looking at us Christians and the troubles we bear joyfully, others will come to know our Lord, and we hope that they too will one day join us in following Jesus. Together, united with Christ, we will overcome the world.

Amen.


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Homily: May 11, 2026 Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

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 “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” There is an often-used phrase in the Alpha program: “Alpha is designed to fail if the Holy Spirit does not show up.” This implies that since Alpha has not failed despite itself and continues to grow from 1977, the Holy Spirit is at work in the program. I think that is true not only for Alpha but for the Church and the whole Christian life. Church would have been totally destroyed, and the Christian life would have been completely crushed with so much internal struggle and trouble, external persecution and attacks, if we are without the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, the Church would not survive, life would have ended, humanity would no longer exist. Yesterday, here in our parish, 25 young people received the sacrament of Confirmation. They confirmed their faith and received the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The first reading ...
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Homily: November 18, 2025, Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time (Courage)

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 “This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.” Today’s first reading recounts the martyrdom of Eleazar, one of the most inspiring figures in the Old Testament. Listening to his story, especially how he died, gives us goosebumps.  A grand 90-year-old wise man was brutally tortured and killed because he refused to abandon his faith or eat what was forbidden by God’s law. He believed it was not worthy of his old age to give a poor example to the young. His heroic death thus gave courage to a whole generation. His story reminds me of another great model of unwavering faith.  St. Polycarp, the 80-year-old bishop of Smyrna. When he was brought before the Roman authorities and told to deny Christ, he said: “Eighty years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” Then, with peace and courage, he accepted martyrdom by fire. The B...
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 “And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” I have always wished to experience similar impact and intensity of the Holy Spirit. But I wonder if I wish because I need the gift of tongues in my ministry? Or I wish because I am interested in being part of the excitement? Being inflamed by the Holy Spirit does not always end up with these dramatic outward results. Yet it seems to be happening rather often in the conversion experiences of the early Christians and hardly in these later times. Perhaps we do not have the same deep hunger the early Christians had for the sacraments. In the face of persecution and uncertainty, knowing their lives were always on the line, their desire for the grace of God was thus very intense and strong. They also lived in a world with possibly less distractions, so the Gospel of Jesus could enter more deeply into their hearts. In contrast, we live now in a society where life has become c...
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