Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
I want to share gut-wrenching stories from my ministry last week. Both these stories are end of life stories, so let me caution you that they are going to pull at your heart strings too.
The first story is the story of a middle-aged woman, who, thirty years ago was involved in a car crash. After thirty years of pain management and dealing with debilitating disability, she had reached a point of no return. Her system was shutting down and the medications could not help her manage the grueling pain. She finally made a decision to tell her family that she couldn’t continue anymore. Her mother and five sisters were present when I reached the hospital to administer the sacrament for the last time. Tears rolling down her cheeks she looked right into my eyes and said, “Father, I just want this pain to be gone!” She knew that this means allowing life to take its course. It hit me hard at that very moment. What does it mean when someone knows that the decision they are making is going lead to death?
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The feast of the Assumption of Mary is a very interesting feast. First of all, compared to the other great feast of the Church, this is a feast of modern times. This doctrine was defined by Pope Pius XII only as late as November 1950. Second, this is a non-biblical feast in the sense that there is no biblical data to support the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven. The first reading from Revelation used for this feast, for example, was not originally written in reference to Mary. The woman rescued from the dragon is the Church. This passage is about the liberation and redemption of a persecuted church. Only in retrospect does the church apply this scripture passage to Mary. Third, except for the virginal birth of Jesus, all Marian feasts are historical developments. Whether it is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, or the feast of the Assumption, at some point, the church discerned that Mary’s life, her faith, and what God accomplished in, through, and for her, need to be integral to the life of the church. Thus, here we are celebrating the feast of the Assumption.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture Readings
These are very busy months, weeks, and days. For me, the last few years have been this way. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. But I am not the only one. Everyone is busy. I don’t know how you parents balance home, work, children, family, school, and so much more. The pandemic has added even more stress on families. Really, how do you do it?
My focus, though, is just a little different. Besides all you and I ‘do,’ what is at the core? When all is said and done, what remains at the center of our being and existence?
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I am Fr. Satish Joseph. I am originally from India. I was ordained in India on the 25th of April 1994. After travelling the length and breadth of the country for five years preaching parish missions and facilitating many retreats, I arrived in the US on June 6, 2000. My goal was to pursue my master’s in communication at the University of Dayton. Immaculate Conception Church opened its doors to me and I have live there since.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Abundant generosity. When I say, ‘abundant generosity,’ can you recall an instance or personal experience of abundant generosity? I think of Fr. Don Giuseppe Berardelli. During the early days of the pandemic, when Italy was ravaged by the Coronavirus pandemic, the country was short of ventilators. The 72-year-old Fr. Berardelli gave up his ventilator so a younger patient could survive. That’s abundant generosity. It’s the kind of generosity that blows us away. Can you recall an experience when someone was so generous toward you that you were blown away?
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Last Tuesday, I was sitting at the South doorsteps of the Church, waiting for those who might show up for the RCIA inquiry session. A parishioner drove up to the steps and handed me a Rallys food packet. It was a fish sandwich. Now, be honest with me. Do I really look that bad? Have I really become that pathetic?
I really believe that this parishioner was caring for me than feeding the homeless. I have no idea how he knew I was at the steps, but it was so heart-warming. Part of me was embarrassed but part of me was deeply touched. Somebody cared enough to break Rallys with me.
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
As I prepare my homily each week, it is common that, thematically, the scripture readings pull me in different directions. My experience this week was little different. No matter which way I looked at it – thematically, I found it compelling me in a single direction - “He [God] chose us” (Eph 1:4). Even though the people the readings describe are biblical stalwarts, today the focus is not on them as much as on the fact that God choses them. Consequently, what is true of them is also true of us.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Perhaps you remember that last Sunday we heard two miracle stories in the gospel reading – the story of the healing of the woman who had been ill for 12 years, and the little girl who was raised to life. Both these stories were inspired by faith – the first miracle, by the faith of the woman who believed that she would be healed simply by touching Jesus’ garments; the second by the faith of Jairus, a synagogue official. Jesus commended both these people for their faith. Especially to the woman, Jesus had said, "Daughter, your faith has saved you" (Mk 5:34). For that matter, all of Chapter 5 of Mark is made up of stories of faith. In Chapter 5, the story before the stories of the woman and Jairus’ daughter is the story of a demoniac who was possessed by Legion (a multitude of evil spirits). In that story, even the Legion acknowledged Jesus’ power and confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. He cried out “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Mk 5:7).
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Graciousness - excellence of manners or social conduct. The synonyms of graciousness are kindness, courteousness, politeness, affability, benevolence. Perhaps you will agree with me that the pandemic brought out the best and worst in people. For example, during the time of mask and social distance mandates, some people showed up in church with one motive – to violate the mandates and test the resolve of the community to implement it. On the other hand, the graciousness of our community also came to the fore. The cooperation of our people, the willingness to be inconvenienced to keep others safe, and the willingness to follow safety protocols was truly exemplary. And then there was the financial generosity that flowed like river. Strangers donated time and resources to help those who lost jobs, those were confined at home, and those who were ill. Finally, when the parish made a collection for the those who did not benefit from the covid relief checks, the parish collected more than three times the goal. These is what scripture calls graciousness.
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In my homily today I would like to focus on the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mk 4:35-41). I would like to concentrate on the introduction to the story. Mark tells us that “As the evening drew near, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side” (Mk 4:35).” I would like focus only only this one proposal Jesus makes, "Let us cross to the other side."
This weekend, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrates it bicentenary, two hundred years since its founding. It has an amazing history, and I would like to begin this homily with a brief history of the archdiocese.
The first Catholic diocese west of the Allegheny Mountains was established in 1808 in Bardstown, Kentucky. Because the territory it covered was enormous, in 1821, Pope Pius VII decided to divide the Bardstown Diocese to better serve the growing population of Catholic settlers, immigrants and Native Americans. Thus, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati was created, with Father Fenwick, a travelling missionary priest, as its first bishop. It would be the eighth Catholic diocese established in the United States and encompassed Ohio, Michigan and parts of Wisconsin. The first two parishes of the Archdiocese would be St. Joseph in Somerset and Christ Church in Cincinnati. Emmanuel Church was Dayton’s first parish.
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Freddie Figgers is an inventor, an entrepreneur, and a telecoms millionaire. His present net worth is close to a billion dollars. This story is not about him but the people who are responsible for his success – Nathan Figgers, a maintenance worker and his wife, Betty Mae Figgers, a farm worker. They picked up Freddie near a dumpster when he was two days old. He had been abandoned as a newborn baby in Quincy, North Florida.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
What is the most precious thing you have gifted to someone? You’d probably agree with me that the dearer the person, the more generous we are. The more we love somebody the more deeply we give. Think of today’s feast of Corpus Christi as God’s complete and total self-gift to us. It is an expression not only of God’s immense love for us, but also of how precious we are to God.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
When it comes to the Holy Trinity, good and smart preachers ultimately end their sermons saying, “It’s a Mystery!” Not just the concept of the Trinity, but ultimately, God is mystery. Today, I am going where I have been hesitant to go before in my reflections on the Trinity. I am approaching this homily from the perspective of ‘mystery.’
A few years back, I composed a prayer for the parish as we observed the year of the Eucharist. The prayers began addressing God as Father, Mother, Creator, and Friend. For years, it is how I had addressed God in my personal prayer. The parish was fine with it, and we prayed it for a whole year. One day, though, we had an out-of-state visitor at one of the Sunday Masses. He had come to Dayton for his son’s soccer tournament. Being fervent Catholics, he made sure that they attended Mass. I think it is commendable. After Mass, however, he met me in the vestibule, and castigated me about the prayer. He said his son was now totally confused because we addressed God as father and mother. I offered every possible explanation, but he was not convinced. Finally, he left saying he was going to write to the archbishop. He did, but the actually went to Fr. Dave. You can imagine my relief. Fr. Dave replied to him backing my theological reasoning. That was the last I heard about it.
Pentecost Sunday
In these long months of the pandemic, one of the greatest inconveniences we have adopted is the mask. Among other things, the mask protected others and us from the impure breath. Moreover, one of the common symptoms of having the virus was the inability to breathe. Many simply died from the lack of breath. Breath – it is the difference between life and death. Breath is life and life is breath. No breath, no life. No life, no breath.
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
I would like to reflect on the feast of the Ascension in two parts. The first part is the reality of the ascension of Jesus. As sure as the death and resurrection of Jesus, scripture recounts the ascension of Jesus with total confidence and certainty. (Acts 1:1-11). Today, like the disciples who were left behind in wonderment and awe, perhaps we too are left in amazement. Yet, do we have questions? I am sure we do! Nevertheless, the ascension of Jesus remains an essential article of our faith.
The second part is the ‘great commission.’ In the Markan version of the great commission Jesus says to his disciples, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). Today’s the scripture readings not only introduce us to this mission, but also the suggests the spirit in which the gospel must be proclaimed to the whole world and to every creature.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
It is common for me to meet with couples who are at a critical juncture in their marriage. Sometimes the problem is about finances, communication, or divergent views on important issues. On rare occasions, there is a deeper problem - there is no love left. At least for one of them, not only is the love totally gone, but they do not even have the energy to try to rediscover it. I believe that if there is even an ounce of love, the relationship can be salvaged. But once love is lost, all is lost. Whether it is marriage, family, friendship, or work, once love is lost, everything is lost, is it not? What good is it if there is no love?
If religion was not about love, would you still be a believer? If heaven was not the fulness of love, would you still strive for it? If we did not know “God is love”, would we still love God? If salvation does not lead us into divine love, would we desire it? Think about these questions this week. All I can say is that of all the ways in which God is described in the scriptures, none motivates me to be a believer than John’s description, “God is love.”
Fifth Sunday of Easter
There is a story my second-grade teacher told us in my catechism class. Strangely, I still remembered the story as I read today’s scripture. One day, Michelangelo walking through a garden in Florence, saw a block of marble in a corner protruding from the earth. It was half covered by grass and mud. He stopped suddenly as if he had seen someone. Then he said to his friends who were with him, exclaimed: "An angel is imprisoned in that marble; I must set him free." And, armed with a chisel, he began to work on that block until the figure of a beautiful angel emerged. The teacher continued, “Each of us is an angel in the making. And God is the artist. The chisel is the Word of God. God uses his word to bring out the best in us.” Later when I got older, I verified the truth of Michelangelo’s story. It turns out, that my teacher was correct. The angel is now in the Basilica of St Dominic in Bologna, Italy.
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Recently, I acquired some baby chickens. I figured it would better to spend money on a hobby than on therapy. Nevertheless, taking care of these chicks has been very interesting. Besides feeding them well, I have to make sure I take them out during the day when it is warmer and bring them inside on cold nights. The first day I put them outside, there were three hawks circling over the coop. A little carelessness and the chicks would be food for the predators. My biggest challenge is to protect them from yet another fierce predator – sweet little Tutu. She is having a rough time. All her life I have taught her to fetch, and she simply cannot understand why I will not allow her to fetch the chicks. Since I got the baby chickens, I have been given some interesting pseudo names. Somebody called me a ‘chicken-tender’ the other day. Someone even called me a ‘chick magnet.’ Just so you know, the real term for someone who tends chickens is, ‘poulterer’ or a ‘chicken farmer.’
Third Sunday of Easter
It is rare for all three Sunday liturgy readings to have a common theme. Today is one of those rare Sundays. Sin, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation—we discover that all of these themes are prominent in each reading, in one way or another.
What sins? Repentance from what? Reconciliation—but how? We understand the meaning of personal sin, personal repentance, and personal forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But there are also social sins, social repentance, and social reconciliation—sins that affect us as the human family. Today I could easily have chosen to write a feel-good reflection about sin and reconciliation, and everybody would go home happy. But I am going to take a cue from Peter, in today’s First Reading (Acts 3:14-15) and muster the courage to reflect on the more complicated, complex, and difficult aspect of sin and reconciliation—the social dimension.