Fourth Sunday of Lent (Based of Year A Readings)
Today's Mass Readings
Here we are in this parish, preparing for the parish mission. For the last month I have nothing else in my mind but the mission as our parishes prepare great renewal. And so I was taken back when I read about a movement in the Anglican Church in Britain where some atheists want the Church to provide them “de-baptism” certificates. They object that they were baptised an infants and they now want their name erased from the baptism book. Of course, the Anglican Church has said that a historical record cannot be erased. So the secretary of the movement, John Hunt has come up with his own home made “de-baptism” certificate. It reads, "I, John Geoffrey Hunt, having been subjected to the rite of Christian baptism in infancy... hereby publicly revoke any implications of that rite. I reject all its creeds and other such superstitions in particular the perfidious belief that any baby needs to be cleansed of original sin." Although, most often such movements are more anti-organised religion than anti-God, it is not uncommon that more and more people are becoming professed unbelievers. Here in the US such people are called “Noners,” as in professing no religion. The world continues to be the battle ground for Godliness and godlessness.
Today's Mass Readings
Here we are in this parish, preparing for the parish mission. For the last month I have nothing else in my mind but the mission as our parishes prepare great renewal. And so I was taken back when I read about a movement in the Anglican Church in Britain where some atheists want the Church to provide them “de-baptism” certificates. They object that they were baptised an infants and they now want their name erased from the baptism book. Of course, the Anglican Church has said that a historical record cannot be erased. So the secretary of the movement, John Hunt has come up with his own home made “de-baptism” certificate. It reads, "I, John Geoffrey Hunt, having been subjected to the rite of Christian baptism in infancy... hereby publicly revoke any implications of that rite. I reject all its creeds and other such superstitions in particular the perfidious belief that any baby needs to be cleansed of original sin." Although, most often such movements are more anti-organised religion than anti-God, it is not uncommon that more and more people are becoming professed unbelievers. Here in the US such people are called “Noners,” as in professing no religion. The world continues to be the battle ground for Godliness and godlessness.
Second Sunday of Lent
Today's Mass Readings
Just as I preached at the beginning of Lent, this year I am not focusing on just denying myself things in penance. Rather, I am really trying to imagine myself as being with Jesus in the desert and journeying with him. Having said that, I did decide to deny myself a simple pleasure. Sometimes, after a long day, I do enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with my dinner. I did not think that this amounted to much. But, last weekend was a very hectic weekend. I directed a women’s weekend retreat, said four masses, was involved with the confirmation retreat in the parish and had to work very hard for the rite of election till nine on Sunday night. After all that work, nothing sounded better than a glass of wine. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was struggling. I even wondered for a moment if I had made the right decision by deciding to give up this simple pleasure. And you know what makes it even worse. Last Sunday was only the first Sunday of Lent.
Today's Mass Readings
Just as I preached at the beginning of Lent, this year I am not focusing on just denying myself things in penance. Rather, I am really trying to imagine myself as being with Jesus in the desert and journeying with him. Having said that, I did decide to deny myself a simple pleasure. Sometimes, after a long day, I do enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with my dinner. I did not think that this amounted to much. But, last weekend was a very hectic weekend. I directed a women’s weekend retreat, said four masses, was involved with the confirmation retreat in the parish and had to work very hard for the rite of election till nine on Sunday night. After all that work, nothing sounded better than a glass of wine. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I was struggling. I even wondered for a moment if I had made the right decision by deciding to give up this simple pleasure. And you know what makes it even worse. Last Sunday was only the first Sunday of Lent.
First Sunday of Lent
Today's Mass Readings
There is this very dear and darling lady in my parish who has an amazing sense of humor for her age. The other day she came up to after mass and said, “I am giving you up for Lent.” I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Humor aside, is it not true that for many people Lent is about “giving up” something in penance? And tragically, sometimes Lent remains at the level. Surely there is more to Lent than acts of penance. Today’s readings take us to the depths of the spirituality of Lent.
Today's Mass Readings
There is this very dear and darling lady in my parish who has an amazing sense of humor for her age. The other day she came up to after mass and said, “I am giving you up for Lent.” I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Humor aside, is it not true that for many people Lent is about “giving up” something in penance? And tragically, sometimes Lent remains at the level. Surely there is more to Lent than acts of penance. Today’s readings take us to the depths of the spirituality of Lent.
Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
There are three groups of people in the gospel reading today where Jesus heals a paralytic man. First, there are the “many” (Mk 2:2) who gathered at the door of the home where Jesus was preaching. We cannot be sure who these “many’ really were. We may speculate that most of them were devout Jews; some were there for a healing, others out of curiosity, others to see him perform miracles, others to see if this was the messiah who would bring freedom to Israelites from the Romans, and some who were just captivated by the message of Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
There are three groups of people in the gospel reading today where Jesus heals a paralytic man. First, there are the “many” (Mk 2:2) who gathered at the door of the home where Jesus was preaching. We cannot be sure who these “many’ really were. We may speculate that most of them were devout Jews; some were there for a healing, others out of curiosity, others to see him perform miracles, others to see if this was the messiah who would bring freedom to Israelites from the Romans, and some who were just captivated by the message of Jesus.
Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Pope Benedict's term as Pope has been characterized by efforts toward reconciliation with the Eastern Church and more particularly the Society of Pius the X. Bishop Williamson was among four bishops whose excommunications were lifted by the Pope in an attempt to heal a split with traditionalists. Williamson belonged to the Society of St Pius X, founded by a French archbishop, Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970. This society was founded as a protest against the Second Vatican Council's reforms on religious freedom and pluralism. The late Archbishop Lefebvre made them bishops in Switzerland in 1988. This led to the immediate excommunication of all five by the late Pope John Paul II.
Since the excommunication against the five bishops was lifted, a huge controversy has erupted. Bishop Williamson provoked outrage when he said he believed there had been no Nazi gas chambers. "I believe that the historical evidence is strongly against, is hugely against six million Jews having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler," he said. Williamson has other radical views as well. He thinks that the United States planned the attacks of 9/11 and his views on women is equally disparaging. As a result the Pope spent time with Jewish leaders all last week trying to deal with the controversy.
Today's Mass Readings
Pope Benedict's term as Pope has been characterized by efforts toward reconciliation with the Eastern Church and more particularly the Society of Pius the X. Bishop Williamson was among four bishops whose excommunications were lifted by the Pope in an attempt to heal a split with traditionalists. Williamson belonged to the Society of St Pius X, founded by a French archbishop, Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970. This society was founded as a protest against the Second Vatican Council's reforms on religious freedom and pluralism. The late Archbishop Lefebvre made them bishops in Switzerland in 1988. This led to the immediate excommunication of all five by the late Pope John Paul II.
Since the excommunication against the five bishops was lifted, a huge controversy has erupted. Bishop Williamson provoked outrage when he said he believed there had been no Nazi gas chambers. "I believe that the historical evidence is strongly against, is hugely against six million Jews having been deliberately gassed in gas chambers as a deliberate policy of Adolf Hitler," he said. Williamson has other radical views as well. He thinks that the United States planned the attacks of 9/11 and his views on women is equally disparaging. As a result the Pope spent time with Jewish leaders all last week trying to deal with the controversy.
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Zorba the Greek is a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. It is about Zorba, a free thinker who is struck by tragedy. My purpose here is to narrate an interesting episode from his book.
“I remember one morning when I discovered a cocoon in the back of a tree just as a butterfly was making a hole in its case and preparing to come out. I waited awhile, but it was too long appearing and I was impatient. I bent over it and breathed on it to warm it. I warmed it as quickly as I could and the miracle began to happen before my eyes, faster than life. The case opened; the butterfly started slowly crawling out, and I shall never forget my horror when I saw how its wings were folded back and crumpled; the wretched butterfly tried with its whole trembling body to unfold them. Bending over it, I tried to help it with my breath, in vain. It needed to be hatched out patiently and the unfolding of the wings should be a gradual process in the sun. Now it was too late. My breath had forced the butterfly to appear all crumpled, before its time. It struggled desperately and, a few seconds later, died in the palm of my hand.”
Today's Mass Readings
Zorba the Greek is a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. It is about Zorba, a free thinker who is struck by tragedy. My purpose here is to narrate an interesting episode from his book.
“I remember one morning when I discovered a cocoon in the back of a tree just as a butterfly was making a hole in its case and preparing to come out. I waited awhile, but it was too long appearing and I was impatient. I bent over it and breathed on it to warm it. I warmed it as quickly as I could and the miracle began to happen before my eyes, faster than life. The case opened; the butterfly started slowly crawling out, and I shall never forget my horror when I saw how its wings were folded back and crumpled; the wretched butterfly tried with its whole trembling body to unfold them. Bending over it, I tried to help it with my breath, in vain. It needed to be hatched out patiently and the unfolding of the wings should be a gradual process in the sun. Now it was too late. My breath had forced the butterfly to appear all crumpled, before its time. It struggled desperately and, a few seconds later, died in the palm of my hand.”
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
This homily is based on one word – “authority.” Let me propose my reason for this focus. The last couple of weeks, the readings have focused on the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. We were also know that he called some people to follow him radically and closely as apostles and disciples. And today’s gospel introduces another important dimension of his ministry. Mark says, “All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him”” (Mk 1:27).
Today's Mass Readings
This homily is based on one word – “authority.” Let me propose my reason for this focus. The last couple of weeks, the readings have focused on the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. We were also know that he called some people to follow him radically and closely as apostles and disciples. And today’s gospel introduces another important dimension of his ministry. Mark says, “All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him”” (Mk 1:27).
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
During my travels, somehow I attract the most interesting people as seat mates. Leaving Dayton for Atlanta on my way to India, I had a half-drunk next to me. He was on his way to Las Vegas to celebrate his twenty-first birthday. During my conversation with him I also discovered that he was Catholic. But even before the plane took off the runway, he began to tell me how there better not be any terrorists on the plane because if there were he would “kick their ---.” But then he said also he was not talking about me. He was loud and so everyone around him heard him. Outward I maintained composure but inside I have to admit I was a little nervous. But I humoured him and kept the conversation light for next two hours. My thought although was, this guy is drunk and so speaks his mind. How many other people when I enter a flight think similar? It really was a very sad flight.
And then I reached India. My parents were at the airport and we had a three hour drive from the airport to reach home. We stopped along the way to have breakfast. I am paranoid about my travel documents and instead of leaving them in the car I decided to take it into the restaurant. I placed them very carefully on the window sill. This was my first real Indian breakfast in a long time and must have enjoyed it much because I left the restaurant leaving my passport, my travel documents, fourteen hundred dollars, my social security card and all my green card documents behind. Twenty minutes into the drive blood shot through my brains. I asked the driver to turn around. I wish I had recorded the conversation for those twenty minutes. The driver had noticed that the restaurant was run by Muslims and according to him anything could happen. My mom, trying to console me said, “Muslims are more trustworthy than our people.” There were many other comments but I was out of the car before it stopped and ran into the restaurant. Even before I could enter the front door there was the waiter with all my stuff running toward me as if he were presenting me a trophy. Nothing had been touched. And yes, he was a Muslim.
Today's Mass Readings
During my travels, somehow I attract the most interesting people as seat mates. Leaving Dayton for Atlanta on my way to India, I had a half-drunk next to me. He was on his way to Las Vegas to celebrate his twenty-first birthday. During my conversation with him I also discovered that he was Catholic. But even before the plane took off the runway, he began to tell me how there better not be any terrorists on the plane because if there were he would “kick their ---.” But then he said also he was not talking about me. He was loud and so everyone around him heard him. Outward I maintained composure but inside I have to admit I was a little nervous. But I humoured him and kept the conversation light for next two hours. My thought although was, this guy is drunk and so speaks his mind. How many other people when I enter a flight think similar? It really was a very sad flight.
And then I reached India. My parents were at the airport and we had a three hour drive from the airport to reach home. We stopped along the way to have breakfast. I am paranoid about my travel documents and instead of leaving them in the car I decided to take it into the restaurant. I placed them very carefully on the window sill. This was my first real Indian breakfast in a long time and must have enjoyed it much because I left the restaurant leaving my passport, my travel documents, fourteen hundred dollars, my social security card and all my green card documents behind. Twenty minutes into the drive blood shot through my brains. I asked the driver to turn around. I wish I had recorded the conversation for those twenty minutes. The driver had noticed that the restaurant was run by Muslims and according to him anything could happen. My mom, trying to console me said, “Muslims are more trustworthy than our people.” There were many other comments but I was out of the car before it stopped and ran into the restaurant. Even before I could enter the front door there was the waiter with all my stuff running toward me as if he were presenting me a trophy. Nothing had been touched. And yes, he was a Muslim.
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Caron Butler is an NBA player and plays now plays for the Washington Wizards. He is merely 26 years old but has been through it all. He was arrested fifteen times before he was fifteen years old. He wanted to rule the streets and got into drugs. During his last arrest, he was put into solitary confinement for two weeks. This was his moment of revelation. As he said in his interview, “I heard the Lord’s call.” He made a resolve to turn his life around. Being naturally tall and athletic he took up basketball in the state penitentiary. Six years later he was traded for Shaq O’Neil for the Lakers. That was before he played for the Wizards.
Or take the story of Stanley “Tookie” Williams executed a couple of years back in California. Williams co-founded Crips, one of the world's biggest and deadliest gangs, in Los Angeles in 1971. He always denied the 1979 murders of Albert Owens in a convenience store hold-up and an elderly Taiwanese immigrant couple and their daughter at a motel they ran. During his 24 years in jail, Williams realized his calling. He denounced gang violence and won praise for his anti-gang books, earning Nobel Peace Prize nominations for his teachings.
Today's Mass Readings
Caron Butler is an NBA player and plays now plays for the Washington Wizards. He is merely 26 years old but has been through it all. He was arrested fifteen times before he was fifteen years old. He wanted to rule the streets and got into drugs. During his last arrest, he was put into solitary confinement for two weeks. This was his moment of revelation. As he said in his interview, “I heard the Lord’s call.” He made a resolve to turn his life around. Being naturally tall and athletic he took up basketball in the state penitentiary. Six years later he was traded for Shaq O’Neil for the Lakers. That was before he played for the Wizards.
Or take the story of Stanley “Tookie” Williams executed a couple of years back in California. Williams co-founded Crips, one of the world's biggest and deadliest gangs, in Los Angeles in 1971. He always denied the 1979 murders of Albert Owens in a convenience store hold-up and an elderly Taiwanese immigrant couple and their daughter at a motel they ran. During his 24 years in jail, Williams realized his calling. He denounced gang violence and won praise for his anti-gang books, earning Nobel Peace Prize nominations for his teachings.
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
(Note: I was in India all of last week and returned really ill. This homily is only a short reflection on the Baptism of Jesus) - Fr. Satish Joseph
Most of you know that I made a trip home just last week. When I first told my parents about my trip, my only intention was to spend time with them. But then, they had begun to make plans to visit even the pets of my relatives. I even said to my self that if my parents were not so dear to me there would be some not so nice conversations. Because my parents mean so much to me I would to do anything for them. But when I got home and I saw how proud they were of me, and when I realized why they wanted to show me off to the entire nation, I gave in. The real question I said to myself was not what my parents mean to me. The real question was what I mean to my parents. What does it mean for me to be a son? That was the real question.
Today's Mass Readings
(Note: I was in India all of last week and returned really ill. This homily is only a short reflection on the Baptism of Jesus) - Fr. Satish Joseph
Most of you know that I made a trip home just last week. When I first told my parents about my trip, my only intention was to spend time with them. But then, they had begun to make plans to visit even the pets of my relatives. I even said to my self that if my parents were not so dear to me there would be some not so nice conversations. Because my parents mean so much to me I would to do anything for them. But when I got home and I saw how proud they were of me, and when I realized why they wanted to show me off to the entire nation, I gave in. The real question I said to myself was not what my parents mean to me. The real question was what I mean to my parents. What does it mean for me to be a son? That was the real question.
Epiphany of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
At least on two different occasions last year I had the opportunity to visit newborn babies in the hospital. To enter the room to visit either the mother and the baby or the parents and the baby is a very special experience. There is a sense of mystery and awe during such times. After nine months of wondering, waiting, expecting, hoping and longing, out comes the miracle of life. Every baby born is a sign that God still loves the world.
Today's Mass Readings
At least on two different occasions last year I had the opportunity to visit newborn babies in the hospital. To enter the room to visit either the mother and the baby or the parents and the baby is a very special experience. There is a sense of mystery and awe during such times. After nine months of wondering, waiting, expecting, hoping and longing, out comes the miracle of life. Every baby born is a sign that God still loves the world.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The New Testament does not give us much information about the family of Jesus. All we know is that his parents did bring him to the temple for the presentation as the Jewish custom prescribed. We also know that they went up each year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover and that Jesus grew in grace and wisdom. Without speculating much, I think that that much information is good enough for us to draw some very useful conclusions.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The New Testament does not give us much information about the family of Jesus. All we know is that his parents did bring him to the temple for the presentation as the Jewish custom prescribed. We also know that they went up each year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover and that Jesus grew in grace and wisdom. Without speculating much, I think that that much information is good enough for us to draw some very useful conclusions.
The Nativity of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
Do you remember the very popular Bette Midler song From and Distance? This is how it goes.
From a Distance the world looks blue and green
And the snow capped mountains white
From a distance the ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance there is harmony
And it echoes through the land
It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace
It’s the voice of every man.
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance.
Today's Mass Readings
Do you remember the very popular Bette Midler song From and Distance? This is how it goes.
From a Distance the world looks blue and green
And the snow capped mountains white
From a distance the ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight.
From a distance there is harmony
And it echoes through the land
It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace
It’s the voice of every man.
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Wouldn’t it be great if things that we want to happen happened the way we want it and when we want it? Wouldn’t it be great if we had greater control over our lives? Wouldn’t it be great if somehow we could influence God’s will for us? Take me, for example. I began my process for permanent residency in the United States last September. Many of you remember that I could not visit my parents when they met with an accident because I would not be able re-enter the country. Don’t you think that by now I should have received my green card? I was hoping it would be a Christmas gift. But then, when was the last time I had any influence on anything that has gone on with my life? For that matter, when was the last time you had total control of the events of your life? If only God would follow our blueprint! If only God could consult with us! If only we could talk to God and get some answers!
Today's Mass Readings
Wouldn’t it be great if things that we want to happen happened the way we want it and when we want it? Wouldn’t it be great if we had greater control over our lives? Wouldn’t it be great if somehow we could influence God’s will for us? Take me, for example. I began my process for permanent residency in the United States last September. Many of you remember that I could not visit my parents when they met with an accident because I would not be able re-enter the country. Don’t you think that by now I should have received my green card? I was hoping it would be a Christmas gift. But then, when was the last time I had any influence on anything that has gone on with my life? For that matter, when was the last time you had total control of the events of your life? If only God would follow our blueprint! If only God could consult with us! If only we could talk to God and get some answers!
Third Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Whether we turn on the radio or television or read the newspapers for the latest news, the headlines are getting as grim as the economic crisis. Whether one calls this phenomenon recession or slowdown, the fact is that each day there is more and more news about layoffs, shutdowns, and foreclosures. There was a time when I would think that this could not happen to us, but today everybody in one way or another is affected by the crisis. Many of us have cut down on gifts for the holidays; others have cancelled travel plans, and yet others have decided to save while they can for the coming anxious days. The most apparent effect of the economic downturn is the sombre mood of most people. It is as if each person is carrying a heavy load. And indeed they are.
Today's Mass Readings
Whether we turn on the radio or television or read the newspapers for the latest news, the headlines are getting as grim as the economic crisis. Whether one calls this phenomenon recession or slowdown, the fact is that each day there is more and more news about layoffs, shutdowns, and foreclosures. There was a time when I would think that this could not happen to us, but today everybody in one way or another is affected by the crisis. Many of us have cut down on gifts for the holidays; others have cancelled travel plans, and yet others have decided to save while they can for the coming anxious days. The most apparent effect of the economic downturn is the sombre mood of most people. It is as if each person is carrying a heavy load. And indeed they are.
Second Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
I am going to begin this sermon by giving you an activity to do. First I am going to ask you to spend half a minute in silence and ask yourself, One week in Advent is over. How did I prepare last week for the coming of your God? In a minute share with someone if you are happy on dissatisfied with your preparation. The theme of today’s readings is, “Prepare the way of the Lord…”
Today's Mass Readings
I am going to begin this sermon by giving you an activity to do. First I am going to ask you to spend half a minute in silence and ask yourself, One week in Advent is over. How did I prepare last week for the coming of your God? In a minute share with someone if you are happy on dissatisfied with your preparation. The theme of today’s readings is, “Prepare the way of the Lord…”
First Sunday of Advent
Readings for the First Sunday of Advent
This year I had invited people who would be alone for Thanksgiving for a meal. I must say we had a gala time. It was the preparation for the meal that took me by total surprise. Not long after I had announced about the meal, I was inundated by offers toward the meal mostly by parishioners, but also from other parishes. Every kind of dish and cash began to come in. There were so many offers that I had to refuse them. We still did end up with six pies for eleven people. Many times before and during the meal, I found myself moved deeply with the generosity, the honesty, the humility and the faith of this community. As I reflected back on this event I realize that this event reveals the character of the parish. This event tells us of the kind of people that we are. This event tells us about our faith in Christ. This event tells us how we live out that faith in our love for one another.
Readings for the First Sunday of Advent
This year I had invited people who would be alone for Thanksgiving for a meal. I must say we had a gala time. It was the preparation for the meal that took me by total surprise. Not long after I had announced about the meal, I was inundated by offers toward the meal mostly by parishioners, but also from other parishes. Every kind of dish and cash began to come in. There were so many offers that I had to refuse them. We still did end up with six pies for eleven people. Many times before and during the meal, I found myself moved deeply with the generosity, the honesty, the humility and the faith of this community. As I reflected back on this event I realize that this event reveals the character of the parish. This event tells us of the kind of people that we are. This event tells us about our faith in Christ. This event tells us how we live out that faith in our love for one another.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
Today's Mass Readings
I heard a commentary this week about the Elks in Alaska and the grizzly bear. Of course when we talk about “bear” you know in some way I am also talking about the crisis in the stock market. The commentary was a comparison between how elks deal with the grizzly bear and how human begins deal with the stock market bear. Zoologists have studied the habits of elks and it reveals that when they feed in herds, a few of the elks have their head up looking out in all directions. The moment they sense danger they warn the rest and when most the elks stop grazing and look up towards the same direction, it means that a bear is hiding somewhere near. When they spot a bear, most of the elks begin to escape while a few of them try to stare the bear down and perhaps even try to scare it away. In this way, the other elks find more time to escape the grizzly bear. However, some of these bolder ones end up being themselves killed by the bear. The commentator on the radio said that if human beings could learn from the animal kingdom the stock market bear would not be as dangerous. On the contrary, all people have done these days is look out for themselves. Executives dumped their stocks in insider trading and made money while they could. Others sold their stocks even if they knew that it was going to be unprofitable to the others. In other words, each person is trying to save themselves not caring for what happens to the others. No one is willing to die for another.
Today's Mass Readings
I heard a commentary this week about the Elks in Alaska and the grizzly bear. Of course when we talk about “bear” you know in some way I am also talking about the crisis in the stock market. The commentary was a comparison between how elks deal with the grizzly bear and how human begins deal with the stock market bear. Zoologists have studied the habits of elks and it reveals that when they feed in herds, a few of the elks have their head up looking out in all directions. The moment they sense danger they warn the rest and when most the elks stop grazing and look up towards the same direction, it means that a bear is hiding somewhere near. When they spot a bear, most of the elks begin to escape while a few of them try to stare the bear down and perhaps even try to scare it away. In this way, the other elks find more time to escape the grizzly bear. However, some of these bolder ones end up being themselves killed by the bear. The commentator on the radio said that if human beings could learn from the animal kingdom the stock market bear would not be as dangerous. On the contrary, all people have done these days is look out for themselves. Executives dumped their stocks in insider trading and made money while they could. Others sold their stocks even if they knew that it was going to be unprofitable to the others. In other words, each person is trying to save themselves not caring for what happens to the others. No one is willing to die for another.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Lynn McGarry was only 37 years old. She was married altogether for 12 years and had two kids; one is now in 8th grade and the other in 5nd grade. Lynn’s father was a Catholic and her mother, a Jew. Lynn herself received no formal training in any of these religions. However, after her marriage to Ed, she decided to join the RCIA. It was during this journey to become a Catholic that Lynn discovered that she had cancer. That was ten years back. I don’t know much about Lynn’s life prior to her cancer but since then, she was one heck of a Christian woman. She was known for this mysterious inner strength in her fight against the disease. In spite of her struggles, she was always more concerned about other people fighting cancer. The 2006 Relay for Life was held in her honour. Her desires were simple, like being there for her children’s first Holy Communion. She so badly wanted to be healed of her cancer, but when asked if she asked God “Why me?” she said “Why not me?” If people remember Lynn, they remember her only for her faith her goodness, and her inner strength. I celebrated her funeral mass and I ended the homily with the words, “Here lies a saint.” It is in the context of the Lynn’s life that I want to discuss the parable of the talents.
Today's Mass Readings
Lynn McGarry was only 37 years old. She was married altogether for 12 years and had two kids; one is now in 8th grade and the other in 5nd grade. Lynn’s father was a Catholic and her mother, a Jew. Lynn herself received no formal training in any of these religions. However, after her marriage to Ed, she decided to join the RCIA. It was during this journey to become a Catholic that Lynn discovered that she had cancer. That was ten years back. I don’t know much about Lynn’s life prior to her cancer but since then, she was one heck of a Christian woman. She was known for this mysterious inner strength in her fight against the disease. In spite of her struggles, she was always more concerned about other people fighting cancer. The 2006 Relay for Life was held in her honour. Her desires were simple, like being there for her children’s first Holy Communion. She so badly wanted to be healed of her cancer, but when asked if she asked God “Why me?” she said “Why not me?” If people remember Lynn, they remember her only for her faith her goodness, and her inner strength. I celebrated her funeral mass and I ended the homily with the words, “Here lies a saint.” It is in the context of the Lynn’s life that I want to discuss the parable of the talents.
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Today's Mass Readings
When most people think Vatican, they think St. Peter’s Basilica. We associate the papacy and the Church with "the greatest of all churches in the Christian world – St. Peter’s. Isn’t it strange then that today the church all over the world celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran? Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but in reality, St. John Lateran is the pope’s cathedral. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome of which the Pope is the bishop. In it sits the official chair of the pope.
The history of this basilica is a testimony to the antiquity, the length, the breadth and the depth of the Catholic Church. The basilica is built over the ruins of a Roman fort established in 163 AD. When Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge he demolished the fort and the remaining palatial structure was occupied by the Laterani clan who served as the emperor’s administrators. The palace fell into Constantine’s hands when he married his second wife Fausta, the sister of Maxentius. Constantine donated the palace to the Bishop of Rome around 313 AD. It was extended and converted into the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Pope Sylvester I dedicated the Basilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace in 324, declaring both to be Domus Dei or "House of God." Every pope from Miltiades occupied the Lateran Palace until the reign of the French Pope Clement V, who in 1309 decided to transfer the official seat of the Catholic Church to Avignon, France. During the Avignon papacy, the Lateran Palace and the basilica began to decline. It faced two destructive fires an earthquake and the ravages of war. The first basilica having been destroyed, it was rebuilt in the tenth century by Sergius III and consecrated by Benedict XIII in 1726. Today, this late baroque structure stands as a testimony to the enduring faith of Christians who live their Christian commitment as Catholics. It is indeed, as Pope Sylvester called it, the “House of God.”
Today's Mass Readings
When most people think Vatican, they think St. Peter’s Basilica. We associate the papacy and the Church with "the greatest of all churches in the Christian world – St. Peter’s. Isn’t it strange then that today the church all over the world celebrates the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran? Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but in reality, St. John Lateran is the pope’s cathedral. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome of which the Pope is the bishop. In it sits the official chair of the pope.
The history of this basilica is a testimony to the antiquity, the length, the breadth and the depth of the Catholic Church. The basilica is built over the ruins of a Roman fort established in 163 AD. When Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge he demolished the fort and the remaining palatial structure was occupied by the Laterani clan who served as the emperor’s administrators. The palace fell into Constantine’s hands when he married his second wife Fausta, the sister of Maxentius. Constantine donated the palace to the Bishop of Rome around 313 AD. It was extended and converted into the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Pope Sylvester I dedicated the Basilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace in 324, declaring both to be Domus Dei or "House of God." Every pope from Miltiades occupied the Lateran Palace until the reign of the French Pope Clement V, who in 1309 decided to transfer the official seat of the Catholic Church to Avignon, France. During the Avignon papacy, the Lateran Palace and the basilica began to decline. It faced two destructive fires an earthquake and the ravages of war. The first basilica having been destroyed, it was rebuilt in the tenth century by Sergius III and consecrated by Benedict XIII in 1726. Today, this late baroque structure stands as a testimony to the enduring faith of Christians who live their Christian commitment as Catholics. It is indeed, as Pope Sylvester called it, the “House of God.”