Homily: October 28-2025, Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (Heaven our Home)

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 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones.”

Our true and permanent home is heaven. We are destined to be citizens of heaven. For now, we are just sojourners on earth, pilgrims making our way towards home.

I enjoy reading and hearing stories of people who have had near-death experiences. One common thing they report is that heaven is beautiful, and it is familiar. They usually describe it as the feeling of returning home, surrounded by people they know, being totally at ease and at peace.

This image of heaven is pure joy. Those who live a virtuous life on earth, who keep their hearts united with God, are already preparing to live in that home. Heaven is not a foreign place for the faithful; it’s the fulfillment of what we yearn for deep inside of us. If we follow Jesus closely, we are already learning to live the heavenly life, experiencing and sharing the love and mercy of God and being in communion with God always.

There’s a saying attributed to St. John Paul II (though I haven’t verified it) that “the language of heaven is prayer.” If that’s true, then we must start learning that language now. Those who pray often will find it easy to converse in heaven. The more we pray, the more we grow familiar with the rhythm of heaven. But be reminded, it is not the repetition of empty words, but the connection with God that is true prayer. It is speaking words from scripture with our heart, that is real praying. For Jesus, prayer is having a deep conversation with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Every time we celebrate the Holy Mass, we touch heaven. This is the highest form of prayer, where heaven and earth meet. The saints and angels are here with us; the Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant are united in one act of praise. We are in heaven.

Let us, then, make prayer our way of life, our mode of living, till it becomes as natural as breathing. As we honor Saints Simon and Jude today, let us remember that they, too, walked this path of faith before us, are now part of that heavenly city, and praying for us.

May we live as true citizens of heaven humble, prayerful, and ready to go home eager and joyful, anytime the Lord calls. Amen.


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Homily: February 22, 2025 Feast of the chair of St. Peter.

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 “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void.” Today Prophet Isaiah reminds us that God’s word is powerful. It is not empty. It goes forth and it returns. And it accomplishes God’s will on return. It does not fail. From the very beginning, creation itself was born from God’s word. He commanded, “Let there be light.” And there was light. And till today, light continues to do what God wills it to do. Everything we see and depend on - the vast universe, the galaxy, the earth, everything born of earth, and life itself - exists because God spoke. God speaks and it is fulfilled. And God breathes into our life; He speaks His life into ours. His life becomes ours; His promise is to be accomplished through our obedience; His will is to be fulfilled by our submission. Even as we struggle to cooperate with God, deep in our being, our souls want to be one with God. Because our very existence comes from Him. He has a plan for each of us. Long before we wer...
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Homily: February 15, 2025 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Yes or No)

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