Fr. Bobby Jose Kattikade

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Homily: 4th Sunday - Cycle A

Cycle A - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Zeph 2:3, 3:12-13; I Cor 1: 26-31; Mt 5:1-12a

There was a touching  incident in the career of Professor Stuart Blackie of the University of Edinburg. Many years ago, once he was listening to his students as they presented oral readings. When one young man rose to begin his recitation, he held his book in the left hand. The professor thundered, “Take your book in your right hand, and be seated!”

At this harsh rebuke, the student held up his right arm. He did not have the right hand! The other students shifted uneasily in their chairs. For a moment, the professor hesitated. Then he made his way to the student, put his arm around him, and said, “I never knew about it. Please, will you forgive me?” Professor Stuart Blackie was so humble that he was able to realize his mistake, accept it and apologize for it. Humility is a virtue rarely prized by our society today. Power, appearance, and finances are too often cantered around oneself. In contrast, humility minimizes self-focus. A humble person is neither arrogant nor selfish. But he regularly seeks to praise, honour, and serve others. Therefore, the lifestyle of a modest person is richly saturated in compassion, encouragement and integrity.

Today’s First Reading from the Book of Zephaniah suggests that if the humble seek to obey the commands of the Lord, seeking righteousness and humility, on the Day of Judgment, they will be hidden from the wrath of the Lord because of their simplicity, humility and righteousness.

We have prided ourselves to live in a society of educated, sophisticated and modern people. However, it does not justify our rudeness, our unforgiving attitude, or our self-serving personality. Humility is a virtue that needed to be rediscovered in our lives. It needs to be cultivated if we desire to live peacefully and in accord with our community.

Humble people maintain a personal relationship with the God, submitting themselves to His Divine Will. This opposes the rich and the proud who do not have time for their Creator. Their fame, social life, wealth, pleasures take up their time. So, Jesus taught:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."

"Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.”

The second reading also emphasizes that God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. We can find many examples in nature for it. Poets have praised lavishly the song of birds. But it is strange that all the singing birds are small creatures. We have never heard an eagle sing. Poets have never sung of the song of a turkey. Children have never followed the song of an ostrich. But, poets have immortalized the song of a cuckoo. Lines have been written about the song of the nightingale. The canary has found its place in literature. The lurk has been a constant theme for poetry. Many small and insignificant things in nature reflect beauty in its fullness. Sweetness of human existence comes from people who are small in their own estimation. When we humble ourselves God will make us His instruments. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."(James 4:6). Proverbs teaches “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom,” (Proverbs 11:2) and St Peter wrote to the early Christians" Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1Peter 5:2-6)A certain French Marquis was raised to his grand and exalted state from very humble surroundings. He had been a shepherd in his earlier days & so, in his palace, he had one room known as "The Shepherd's Room". In that room were reproductions of hills, valleys, running streams, rocks and sheepfolds. Here were the staff he had carried and the clothes he had worn as a lad when herding his sheep. When asked one day the meaning of this, he replied, "If ever my heart is tempted to haughtiness and pride, I go into that room and remind myself of what I once was."

A pompous, inflated Congressman once remarked to Horace Greeley: (Horace Greeley was a political reformer and newspaper editor) "I am a self-made man." To which Greeley replied, "Well, Sir, that relieves the Almighty of a great responsibility." When pride comes there is no place for God. A person becomes filled with himself, his achievements, his abilities and his ambitions. Pride not only withdraws the heart from God, but lifts it up against God. Humility helps us to realize our strengths and weaknesses.

There is an interesting fable in Aesop’s fables.

A Bull was bitten by a Mouse and, angered by the wound, he tried to capture mouse. But the mouse reached his hole in safety. Though the Bull dug into the walls with his horns, he got tired before he could rout out the Mouse, and crouching down, went to sleep outside the hole. The Mouse peeped out, crept furtively up his flank, and again biting him, retreated to his hole. The Bull rising up, and not knowing what to do, was sadly perplexed. At which the Mouse said, "The great do not always prevail. There are times when the small and lowly are the strongest and are able to prevail!"

Blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Yes, in the end, the humble and low shall be exalted while the mighty and the proud shall be brought down.

Humility was a virtue extolled by Saint Francis of Assisi, and this form of Franciscan piety led to the artistic development of the Madonna of humility first used by them for contemplation. The Virgin of humility sits on the ground, or upon a low cushion, unlike the Enthroned Madonna representations. This style of painting spread quickly through Italy and by 1375 examples began to appear in Spain, France and Germany and it became the most popular among the styles of the early Trecento artistic period.

When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them a parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honoured in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."(Luke 14:7-11)

Being humble is a powerful trait. Humble people see things for what they are. They do not judge, as they do not wish to be judged. The humility that Jesus demanded from his disciples was exemplified in his life, and it culminated at the last supper, when he washed the feet of His disciples.

Today, through the beatitudes Jesus invites us to cultivate the virtues of poverty and humility that they may help us to return to the Promised Land, the Kingdom of God. Hence, we should always remember the words of Jesus:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."

“Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.”

Satish

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Anecdotes

The Poor in Spirit: The ‘poor in spirit’ are found no only among society’s rejected people but also among its most successful people. An example of this is Pope John XXIII. One of John’s fist acts as pope was to visit a large prison in Rome. He told the prison mates, “You couldn’t come to see me, so I came to you. He also told them that the last time he went to a prison was to visit his cousin. The next day the Vatican newspaper omitted the reference to his cousin. The paper was afraid some of the readers would be shocked to learn that a papal relative was in jail. The newspaper was kept busy during Pope John reign editing out ‘papal indiscretions’. Pope John was one of the world’s most successful people, yet he was as humble and unassuming as some of the world’s least people. “Blessed are the poor in spirit…….” -Mark Link in Sunday Homilies’

Homily: 3rd Sunday - Cycle A

3rd Sunday in the Ordinary Times

Is 9:1-4; 1Cor 1:10-13,17; Mt 4:12-23

Al Catraz Island was the first long term Army Prison in America. It is an island surrounded by freezing waters and hazardous currents. This prison had many types of cells. The underground cells were dark dungeons. The rooms were dark. The only sustenance thrown to that darkness was a little bread and water. Several prisoners were kept in the darkness hand cuffed. In that darkness men lost the concept of days, weeks and years. Their only companion was darkness.

In 1934 work was begun to give the military prison a new face and a new identity. So, a delegation was sent to improve the conditions of prisoners in Al Catraz Prison. There in the pitch dark underground cellars they found certain types of men who were afraid of light. When they were brought out they couldn’t stand the brightness of the sun. The light made them frantic. They wished to take refuge in darkness.

The first reading from the book of Isaiah proclaims that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light have shone.”(Is 9:2). This has been fulfilled “When Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom.”

At His coming into the world, Jesus found it enveloped in thick darkness, the darkness of sin; all men groped in it, searching for light, for joy and for freedom. In this darkness man was not able to see the path leading to God, took for God what he himself had fashioned, looked for happiness where it could not be found and went on sinking deeper and deeper into sin. John the Baptist perceived this danger, and his message was decisive and demanding. He addressed the crowd, Brood of wipers…..Produce fruit to fit repentance. John continued his message with a threat and a promise.

Jesus took over where John the Baptist had left. Jesus gave the substance of his message in a sentence. “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” There are certain characteristics to be identified in the message of Jesus.

Jesus voice had a note of certainty. There was no doubt about his message. Jesus preached with certainties. He spoke to his listeners about the need for immediate action. The conviction that reflected in the words of Jesus captivated His listeners and silenced His enemies. So Jesus’ words pierced through the heart of men. When the Pharisees tried to attack Jesus, He told them that they were wrong. He challenged their false beliefs and meaning less customs. He taught them that the law was instituted for man and not man for law.

Our lives should be proclamation of certainties. A man cannot make others sure of that about which he himself is in doubt. There was an Unknown Rebel at the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests. Little can be verified about the lone protester who faced-off with the tanks of the People’s Liberation Army on June 5, 1989. As the column of tanks drove down Chang’an Avenue to quell the Tiananmen Square protests, a single unarmed man in a white shirt blocked their path and continually thwarted their attempts to manoeuvre around him by stepping in their way. Eventually onlookers pulled the student back into the crowd, where he disappeared. Yet despite his anonymous, brief appearance, the media coverage of his nonviolent act resounded throughout the global community. The Unknown Rebel was listed as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

The Apostles, saints and martyrs shared the conviction of Jesus. Their conviction transformed them into brave men who are remembered throughout history. Today, the church needs us to share the same conviction and to be heralds of Jesus’ message.

Secondly, Jesus’ voice had the note of authority. He laid down and announced a king’s command and executed a king’s decision. Jesus taught with authority. “They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." – (Mark 1:27) There was no doubt in their experience that he was no ordinary teacher. They were amazed at how different his teaching was:

It is one of the sad things about us that we tend to make allowances for modern ways of thinking. Instead, we should dare to our prophetic authority to the present situation.

Thirdly, Jesus’ message came from a source beyond Himself. It was not the expression of one man’s personal opinions, but it was the voice of God transmitted through one man to the people. When Moses was sent as a mediator God assured him, “Now go, I will help you speak, and will teach you what to say.”(Ex.4:12) The same assurance was given by Jesus to His disciples too, “But when they arrest you do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say.”

The message of Jesus offered light, joy and freedom. Therefore, large crowds followed him. But, Jesus picked up a few from among them, to continue his work. In today’s Gospel Mathew gives an account of the calling of the first disciple. Jesus called the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John, to be fishers of men. There is a story that the Greeks used to tell how Xenophon became Socrates’ disciples. Socrates met him in a narrow lane and barred his path with a stick. Socrates showed him certain things one after another and asked him where he could get them. Xenophon gave him correct reply. Finally Socrates asked him, “Do you know where men are made good and virtuous?” “No” said the young Xenophon. “Then, follow me and learn,” said Socrates.

God’s call, come to men from a source beyond, in extraordinary ways. Fabien was Roman layman who came into the city from his farm one day as clergy and people were preparing to elect a Pope. Eusebius, a church historian, says a dove flew in and settled on the head of Fabien. Seeing this, Fabien was chosen the pope, unanimously. He accepted call, led the church for 14 years and died a martyr’s death during the persecution of Decius in AD 250.

Jesus called the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John, to make them good and virtuous. God called Fabien to lead the Church, and they accepted the call. Today, Jesus calls us too, to follow Him, and learn to be good and virtuous. When we accept His invitation the message of Jesus will reach us with the message of light, joy and freedom.

Satish

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Anecdotes:

1) Light and darkness: Terry Anderson, a journalist for the Associated Press, was seized and held hostage in Lebanon for seven years; blindfolded almost all of that time, Anderson described his experience in this way, “Deepest darkness, fumblings, uncertainties are frightening. More frightening is the darkness of the mind, when outside light makes no impression and inner lights go dim. . .” (Den of Lions, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York: 1993). In November of 1965, a power failure plunged seven northeastern U.S. states and Ontario, Canada, into a darkness which lasted for more than thirteen hours. About thirty million people living in eighty thousand square miles of territory were affected. In 1977 another less severe power failure darkened New York City for fifty-two minutes. Losses due to accidents and looting were in excess of one billion dollars. In the Holy Scriptures, light and darkness serve as symbols for good and evil. In today’s first reading and in the gospel, Jesus is presented as the one sent to remove the darkness of sin from the world. Isaiah promises that his people will see an end to the darkness of oppression and separation. Today’s gospel shows us how the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus.


2) Labor room suspense: Three men were pacing nervously outside the delivery room at a hospital when the head nurse came out beaming. To the first she said, "Congratulations, sir, you are the father of twins." "Terrific!" said the man, "I just signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins and this'll be great press." To the second man the nurse said, "Congratulations to you too. You are the father of healthy triplets!" "Fantastic!" he said. "I'm the vice-president of 3-M Company. This'll be great P.R.!" At that point the third man turned ashen and ran for the door. "What's wrong, sir? Where are you going?" called the nurse. As he jumped into his car, the man shouted, "I'm dashing to my office to resign. I'm the president of 7-UP!" (Msgr. Dennis Clarke). John the Baptist and Jesus surprised the self-righteous Jews by their call to repentance. Today’s gospel, from the fourth chapter of Matthew, offers us Christians an equally surprising and shocking announcement by Jesus: “Repent; the kingdom of God is near.”

Homily: 2nd Sunday Cycle A

Cycle A 2nd Sunday in the ordinary time

Is 49:3, 5-6; I Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34

There are many signs in nature that foreshadow the natural events. When the Scarlet Pimpernel opens people know that the weather will be sunny; when it closes tightly rain is expected. So, this flower has been called the "poor man’s weather glass". When the petals of the Morning Glory open it indicates fine weather, and the shut petals predict rain and bad weather.

Dust storms are common in desert areas. When strong winds pick up large amounts of loose sand, and travel on the horizon looking like a solid wall of debris and dust the desert dwellers know that there is an impending dust storm. When there is large thunderhead clouds and wind picks up, people expect a thunderstorm.

There was a great turmoil in the desert of Jordan raised by a man who lived there, John the Baptist. In the Jordanian desert Very few plants grow. Very few animals live there. It has bad soil. The soil has chalk in it. Stones and rocks cover the ground. Still, multitudes of people crossed it. They went to see the new prophet, John the Baptist, who began his work suddenly. There had been many prophets since Moses. The Jews knew this. But after the time of Malachi, no prophet had spoken for 400 years. People wanted very much to hear from God. So, People began to talk about him. John wore simple clothes. He ate ‘wild honey and locusts’. He lived a very simple life. He did not have a home. He did not have any possession. He shouted out his message (Matthew 3:2), and his message raised a storm of conversion.

Sending envoys to prepare the way for the arrival of a king or a dignitary is not unknown to us. That practice is as old as the establishment of the monarchy. There is nothing unusual in that. So, when the “King of kings” and the “Lord of lords” came into the world, He sent an envoy to prepare a way for Him: John the Baptist. However, the kind of envoy that was sent was as different and unusual as the kind of King he was supposed to announce.

God already had prepared the way for this envoy some 800 years ago when the prophet Isaiah made this announcement about his coming:

A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 40:3-5).

A few hundred years later came the prophet Malachi, who made a similar announcement:

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:1).

Mathew describes the storm raised by John. “Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea, and all the districts around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6).

The message of John the Baptist was essentially– prepare and repent.

Prepare for the coming of God’s Messiah. Prepare for the coming of your King. Be washed, be cleansed, become pure in heart; in your thought, and in your mind. Repent, turn around, and change your life. This was the message they found – get ready! So that Jesus can come into you and live.

As a dramatic sign of the inner change that John was demanding, he offered the outward sign of baptism, plunging a person desirous of a new life into the deep waters of the River Jordan. It was the first time in Jewish History that the Jews received Baptism.

John’s fearless denouncement of evil, and summon for righteousness prepared the way for Jesus to make His entry. Then, John pointed beyond himself. John was not only a light to illuminate evil, a voice to rebuke sin, but he was also a sign post to God. It was not himself he wished men to see, he wished to prepare them for Jesus. John said of Jesus, “He who comes after me was before me. He is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.”

When the Spirit takes possession of a man a transformation takes place. First of all, his life will be illumined. There comes to him the knowledge of God and God’s will. He knows what God’s purpose is. He knows what life means. He knows where duty lies. God’s wisdom and light comes to him. The first parents were tempted with this light, “When you eat of it, you will be like God knowing good and evil.”(Gen 3:4).

Ten 20th century Christian martyrs from across the world are depicted in statues above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey in London. They were Unveiled in 1998 by Her Majesty, The Queen of UK.

Esther John stands in the centre of these statues, with the following inscription.

"In an age where conversion to a new faith provokes fear and hatred"

"Leave all other ties, Jesus is calling."

Esther John was born in Qamar Zia, India, on 14 October 1929, one of seven children. As a child she attended a government school and, after the age of seventeen, a Christian school. There she was profoundly moved by the transparent faith of one of her teachers, and she began to read the Bible earnestly. She was suddenly overtaken by a sense of conversion to this new religion.

Her Christian faith grew privately, even secretly. Then, seven years later, she ran away from home, fearful of the prospect of marriage to a non-Christian husband. In April 1959 she completed her studies there and moved to Chichawatni. She evangelized in the villages, travelling from one to the other by bicycle, teaching women to read and working with them in the cotton fields. On 2 February 1960 Esther John was brutally murdered. Her body was taken to the Christian cemetery at Sahiwal and buried. Later, a memorial chapel was built in front of the nurse's home in the grounds of the hospital there. Today, Esther John is remembered with devotion by the Christian community with whom she lived and worked.

21 centuries ago John pointed out Jesus to the world. In the last century, when the Spirit had taken possession of Esther John, she was able to point out Jesus to our world.

Secondly, when the Spirit takes possession of a man, his life will be strengthened. Knowledge without power is a haunting and frustrating thing. But the Spirit gives us not only knowledge to the right but also strength and power to do so. The early Christian community experienced it. So, when their faith was challenged, and their life was threatened, the Spirit strengthened them. Hence, many of them courageously embraced death. So did, Esther John, in the last century.

Thirdly, when the Spirit takes possession of a man, his life will be purified. Jesus’ baptism with the Spirit was to be a baptism of fire. All the evil in life will be burned away until we become clean and pure. Hence, the apostles were able to challenge their enemies, when they were presented before the rulers to be condemned, guilty.

The Church, today, admonishes us to allow the Spirit to illumine, strengthen and purify our lives.

-Satish

Homily: The Baptism of the Lord

9. 1st Sunday in the Ordinary Time – Baptism of Our Lord

Is. 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Mt. 3:13-17

The Eagle Has Landed is a book by Jack Higgins set during World War II. Hitler proposed the idea of capturing British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Steiner was forced to accept the mission.

Homily: Epiphany of the Lord - A

Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was fought between Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius in 312. On the evening of October 27, with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine had a vision. A most marvellous sign appeared to him from heaven. The famous sign in the sky was a cross of light, with the inscription, Conquer by this. At this sight he himself was struck with amazement, and his whole army also, which followed him on this expedition, and witnessed the miracle.

Constantine delineated the sign on the shields of his soldiers, and proceeded to battle, and his troops stood to arms. Maxentius was defeated in the battle, and Constantine was acknowledged as emperor by the senate and people of Rome. Constantine’s victory brought relief to the Christians by ending persecution.

300 Years before Constantine, God’s sign appeared on the sky as a luminous star. It announced the good news that A Saviour was born to emancipate humanity from the clutches of evil. This sign was read by the simple shepherds and wise men. It led the wise men to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was a little town six miles to the south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem had a long history. It had a prominent place in the mind of every Jew. It was there that Jacob had buried Rachel. It was there that Ruth had lived. It was the home and city of the great king, David. It was from the line of David that God was to send the deliverer, and He would be born in the city of David.

Isaiah visualized this glory:

Above you the Lord now rises
and above you his glory appears,
The nations come to your light
and kings to your dawning brightness.

The close of the First Century BC was the most expectant period in History. The Roman and Jewish historians recorded the great expectation of people for the birth of a Saviour. The wise men of that time had been calculating and reading the signs of time to see the realization of this hope. Then, some heavenly brilliance indicated to the Magi of the entry of an extraordinary king into the world. They were determined to search for Him. The star guided them to Bethlehem. There work of guidance completed, the star disappeared.

It reached the ears of Herod that the wise men had come from the East, and that they were searching for the little child who had been born to be King of the Jews. Any king would have been worried at the report that a child had been born who was to occupy his throne. Herod was troubled. He reacted instantly. The reaction of Herod was the reaction of hatred and hostility. He was afraid that this little child was going to interfere with his life, his power, his authority, his wealth and his influence. Therefore his first instinct was to destroy him.

History shows that evil forces joined hands many a time to annihilate Jesus and his redemptive work. The first of its series started with Herod. In his frantic attempt to destroy Jesus he slaughtered numerous innocent children. When Jesus started his mission, the religious authorities tried to silence him. Finally Pontius Pilot gave the verdict to crucify Him. But, the enemies of Jesus could not wipe Him out. He rose from the dead, and His disciples continued His work. Then the evil forces turned against them. St. Stephen was stoned to death. Matthew was slain with a halberd. James was beaten and stoned by the Jews. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria. Peter was crucified with his head down and his feet up. Paul was beheaded. For the next three centuries Mass persecutions occurred under many emperors, and thousands of Christians were put to death. Even today there are many who would do anything to destroy Jesus because they see in him the one who interferes with their interest, their beliefs, and their way of life.

There was the reaction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It was one of fear. They knew the cruelty of Herod. The people of Jerusalem knew well that Herod would not spare any one whom he suspected as a threat to his power. So he murdered his wife, Mariamne, and her mother. He assassinated three of his sons on the grounds of suspicion. So they were troubled and worried. This is the reaction of the people who would never want to give up their comforts in life. When their faith begins to place demands on them, they tremble, but never show courage to resist the evil.

There was the reaction of the chief priests and scribes. It was one of complete indifference. Herod summoned the chief priests and scribes. The scribes were the experts in scripture and in the law. The high priests were the priestly aristocracy. So, Herod summoned the religious aristocracy and the theological scholars of his day to know where the anointed one of God should be born. Herod’s revelation of the birth of the Anointed Messiah, whom they had been expecting for long, and whose birth they had been calculating, did not make any difference in them. They were totally engrossed in their Temple rituals and legal discussions that they completely disregarded Jesus. He meant nothing to them. Even today there are many among us who disregard Jesus. He is considered as a noble person to be worshiped and adored. But he is not given any role in their personal life.

There was the reaction of the wise men, the reaction of adoring worship, the desire to lay at the feet of Jesus the noblest gifts which they could bring. Wise men from the ends of the earth were gathered at his cradle. It was the first sign and symbol of the world conquest of Jesus. Their journey in search of the King of peace was heroic. Neither distance nor uncertainty of the destination could hold them back from their decision to find the new King. God lit their way; His light shone above them, and they followed it.

Mother Teresa once visited a poor man in Melbourne, Australia. He was living in a basement room which was in a terrible state of neglect. There was no light in the room. He did not seem to have a friend in the world. She started to clean and tidy the room. At first he protested, “Leave it alone. It is alright as it is.” But she went ahead anyway. As she cleaned, she chatted with him. Under a pile of rubbish she found an oil lamp covered with dust. She cleaned it and discovered that it was beautiful. And she said to him, “You have got a beautiful lamp here. How she said to him, “You have got a beautiful lamp here. How come you never lighted it?” “Why should I light it?” “No one ever comes to see me.”

Will you promise to light it if one of my sisters comes to see you?” “Yes,” he replied. “If I hear a human voice, I will light the lamp.” Two of Mother Teresa’s sisters began to visit him regularly. Things gradually improved for him. Every time the sisters came to visit him, he had the lamp lighted. Then one day he said to them: “Sisters, I will be able to manage myself from now on. Do me a favour. Tell the first sister who came to see me that the light she lit in my life is still burning.” (-M K Paul, "Inspiring Anecdotes and Stories" p.18)

The light that God lit to announce the coming of His son is still burning. The Magi followed the path of the great light and reached the cradle of Jesus. When they found Jesus they laid down their gifts before Him. For the last twenty centuries many have followed the footprints of the Magi. When they found Jesus they, too, laid down everything they had at the foot of Jesus just like the Magi made their offerings. Today, Jesus stands before us declaring, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(Jn 8:12)

The spirit of God has always been there to guide those who have desired to walk in the light. So the Angel of the Lord guided the Magi to return to their own country, ‘by a different way”, and to a different life. The Magi’s meeting with Jesus brought about a total change in them. It lit their minds and removed the darkness from them. Jesus revealed Himself as their Saviour, and they accepted Him. Emperor Constantine was given a sign. He accepted it, and his acceptance gained him victory. When Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, he accepted Jesus, and his acceptance led him to change his way of life.

When we accept the light, the Spirit of God will be with us to guide us in all our endeavours. Thomas Guthrie wrote: “And let no man lose heart, and abandon a good scheme because he meets chopping seas and cross winds at the outset, since God may be thereby driving him on a better course, and toward greater ends than he ever dreamt of.”

Satish

Homily: New Year - A or Mother of God

Cycle A -New Year / Mary, Mother of God

Num 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21

One more year has been added to the pages of history. The year 2010 passed by leaving its joys, and pangs of grief. The earthquake in Haiti (in January) resulted in the deaths of 200,000 to 250,000 people. The floods which swept through Pakistan (in July) hit the country very badly. Fatalities in the floods reached almost 2,000 people, and further affected 20 million people. Torrential rains (in May) across Southern China resulted in over 3,000 fatalities, and over 1,000 people missing. The Earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai, China took away 2,698 people and 270 were missing. It left another 12, 135 people injured. The Chilean earthquake resulted in the deaths of 521 people. Natural disasters and human made disasters stole away the life of a quarter million people.

When we look back we find our own little sorrows too - the death of a dear one; loss of job; loss of wealth; sufferings due to illness, financial constraints, misunderstandings and so on. But along with them we have occasions of great blessings, too. The greatest blessing that we have received is that we are here today. While the dreams of a quarter million people faded away, we are given one more opportunity to leave our footprints on the sands of time.

Once a village blacksmith had a vision. An angel of the Lord came to him and said The Lord has sent me. The time has come for you to take up your place in his kingdom.’ I thank God for thinking of me’, said the blacksmith, ‘but, as you know, the season for sowing the crops will soon be here. The people of the village will need their ploughs repaired, and their horses shod. Do you think I might put off taking my place in the kingdom until I have finished?’ The angel looked lovingly, and vanished. The blacksmith continued with his work, and was almost finished, when he heard of a neighbour who fell ill in the middle of the planting season. The next time he saw the angel, the blacksmith pointed towards the barren fields, and pleaded with the angel. ‘Do you think eternity can hold off a little longer? If I don’t finish this job, my friend’s family will suffer.’ Again, the angel smiled, and vanished. The blacksmith’s friend recovered, but another’s barn burned down, and a third was deep in sorrow at the death of his wife. And the fourth… and so on. Whenever the angel reappeared, the blacksmith drew the angel’s eyes to where the suffering was. One evening, the blacksmith began to think of the angel, and how he had put him off for such a long time. He felt very old and tired, and he prayed ‘Lord, if you would like to send your angel again, I think I would like to see him now’. He’d no sooner spoken than the angel appeared before him. ‘If you still want to take me’, said the blacksmith, ‘I am now ready to take my place in the kingdom of the Lord’. The angel looked at the blacksmith, and smiled, as he said ‘Where do you think you have been living all these years?’ –(Jack McArdle in ‘And that’s the Gospel truth!’).

In the New Year our resolution should be, to be the heralds of the Kingdom of God, by doing the little that we can to ease the pain, to bring peace in the family, to weld up the broken relation between our neighbours, to bring together the estranged husband and wife, and to lead back the children who have abandoned their parents. Little roses spread fragrance in a large garden, and make their presence felt. Likewise every act of kindness, however insignificant they are, will have their own importance. William Wordsworth wrote, "That best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."

Mother Theresa worked with great dedication but she could not bring comfort to all the orphaned or abandoned children, She could not provide shelter to all the children living in poor housing conditions, she could not feed every child living in impoverished conditions and she could not provide education to all the children who lacked who did not attend school. Gandhiji dedicated his life for the nation (India), and he wanted to improve the life of the Harijans. But he could not elevate all the Harijans Martin Luther King sacrificed his life for defending the dignity of human beings, and fought against human prejudices, but he could not wipe out racial discrimination altogether. The little that they could do has become great. If we can help one in our life, our life is fulfilled. “Build a little fence of trust around today; Fill the space with loving deeds, and therein stay. Look not through the sheltering bars upon tomorrow; God will help thee bear what comes of joy and sorrow. Wrote Mary F. Butts.

Greater occasions are given to those who use the insignificant chances. The story of the Talents narrates: one is entrusted with one talent, another two, and the third five. The one who got one talent ignored it; others put their talents to work. If the one who had received one talent had put his talent to work, the response of the master would have been the same to him, too, “come and enter into the joy of your master”. The New Year is a gift for us to make use of the opportunities given to us to work among our brothers, to work with our brothers, and to work for our brothers. Remember the words of Mother Teresa "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other."

In an art class the students painted a large portrait. But the eyes looked very dull. The Art teacher dipped the brush into the white paint and put a small dot in the centre of the pupil. The portrait gleamed with life. The world is longing for our little strokes. Be not hesitant to act. The New Year is ahead of us prompting us to begin, and we should begin from ourselves.

"If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."
- Chinese Proverb

Today we also celebrate the "Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God." Mary found out God’s plan for her through the daily events in life, through the people among whom she lived, and through prayer. Today’s Gospel reading emphasizes this fact with the statement, “As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Hence she was able to transform her life as God wanted. So, there was light in her soul, and beauty in her person. Our beloved mother, Mother of God, urges us also to begin with little strokes. In the New Year let’s all rally behind her.

May God bless us through the intercession of Mary, The Mother of God.

Satish

Anecdote

1) Smiling child and his mother: There is a beautiful, little story about a long, tedious train journey made, one Christmas day, by some elderly residents of a nursing home who were on their way to a vacation spot. At one station, a young mother with a small child entered the train. The child smiled at all the grim faces around him and began moving from one lap to another talking, shouting with joy and chatting with every one. Instantly, the grim and silent atmosphere in the train was changed to one of joy and happiness. Today we remember with joy and gratitude, how Mary and her Divine Son Jesus transformed a hopeless, joyless and sinful world into a place of joy and happiness.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Cycle A - Feast of the holy Family

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Col 3:12-21; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

Exile, deportation and seeking asylum in other countries have been common in our history. Wars and civil strife have torn apart many families, and separated parents and children, brothers and sisters, or husbands and wives for many years, and, often, perpetually.

The story of Boris and Anna Kozlov is very touching. Boris and Anna Kozlov were married in 1946. After three days Boris had to ship out with his Red Army unit. By the time he returned, Anna was gone, consigned by Stalin’s purges to internal exile in Siberia with the rest of her family. Nobody knew where the family was, or what had happened to Anna... Boris became frantic. He tried everything he could to find his young bride, but it was in vain. She was gone.

After 60 years, one day, Anna Kozlov caught sight of the elderly man clambering out of a car in her home village of Borovlyanka in Siberia. There, in front of her, was Boris. An extraordinary coincidence leads them both to return to their home village on the very same day. 60 years of separation has made their reunion inexpressibly joyful.

In today’s Gospel we heard Mathew’s account that Jesus’ family had to be separated from their kinsmen due to Herod’s decision to annihilate Jesus. Joseph was asked to flee to Egypt with the child, and he obeyed the command of the Angel.

From His birth to the beginning of His public life, Jesus chose to experience all the aspects of human life. If Jesus was to help men, he must know what were men’s lives. He did not come to a protected life, but he came to the life that any ordinary man must live. He experienced the hardships of the people who are forced to leave their home and kinsmen; he experienced the problems of an ordinary workman, while working as a carpenter in Nazareth; and He experienced the pangs of death when his foster father died.

Just as every family has to face problems and overcome them, the Holy Family had to face and overcome their problems. The first problem encountered by the Holy Family was its flight into Egypt as refugees because Jesus’ life was in danger due to Herod’s murderous intentions. This is one of the experiences of many of the chosen men. When Abraham was called, he was commanded to leave his father’s house and go to an unknown land. Joseph was sold to the Egyptian traders and he was forced to leave his father’s house and go to Egypt. The choice of Moses was accompanied by his escape from the palace of Pharaoh and flight into an unknown land. This is an unconditional demand that was placed on the people who have found favour with God. Jesus was no exception to this. As a baby, Jesus grew up in an alien land without the company of kith and kin. When we have to leave our country for any reason, leaving our dear ones behind, remember that the Holy Family had the same experience before us; when we are abandoned by our relatives, remember that the Holy Family experienced it; when we are forsaken by our friends, remember that the Holy Family had undergone the same experience.

When instructed by the Angel Joseph returned from Egypt. But it was unsafe to go to Judea. So he was guided to go to Galilee. The Holy Family settled in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. The child hood of Jesus was spent in Nazareth.

In Nazareth Jesus was growing up to boyhood, and then to manhood, in a good home. A good home is a great gift. We are all here today, because God gifted us with good homes. The training of Jesus was initiated in a good home under the guidance of a good mother. George Herbert once said, “A good mother is worth a hundred school masters”. The mother’s approach to the children should be realistic, and their ambitions achievable. When mother’s become over possessive and demanding, children try to evade them.

(Joke)A mother overheard the following conversation between her young little daughter and a friend:

Jane: If you accept Jesus Christ as your personal saviour, you will go to heaven when you die!

Mary: How about my mommy?

Jane She can do the same! But if you don’t want her to go there, don’t tell her anything! (Randy Roberts’ Sermon Anecdotes II)

Home should be a place where children feel free to express their concerns and anxieties about personal, social and religious life. Dorothy Law Nolte wrote, “Children Learn What They Live”

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Children should be provided with a conducive atmosphere to grow in faith, truth and self-confidence. Parents’ example and life are a continual and powerful sermon, which is always seen by their children.

(Joke) One day, a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me unhappy, one of my hair turns white." The little girl thought for a while, and said, "Momma, how come that grandma’s head is full of white hair?”

In Nazareth Jesus was fulfilling the duties of an eldest son. He accepted the simple duties at home, and he honoured His father and mother. Every culture evidences the instinct to reverence ancestors, especially one’s own parents. But, in the fast pacing world, often, we do not have time to spare for the elderly people.

Today’s first reading, from the book of Sirach summarizes the relationship of father, mother and children. Sirach reminds children of their duty to honour their parents – even when it becomes difficult. He also mentions the two-fold reward which the Bible promises to those who honour their father and mother - “riches” and “long life”. These are two things we all wish for.

The Feast of the Holy Family teaches us to inculcate in our children the virtue of honouring the elders. As St Paul says:

"Bring them up in the training and instruction

of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

In Nazareth Jesus was learning the life of ordinary man. Jesus worked as a carpenter, and earned his livelihood. Jesus knew the world in which he was living. Jesus studied the people around Him. Jesus understood the people to whom He was going to announce the Good News. So he was called “one among them.” In our eagerness and anxiety to provide the best for our children we do not give them any chance to experience the world in which they live. We try to provide them the best education, so they ignore the illiteracy around. We struggle to provide them the best food, so they are unaware of the poverty that exists around them. We want to give them the best of everything, so they do not see the suffering in the world. Hence, there is no wonder if they behave like Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France.

A rioting mob, forced into violence due to starvation gathered outside the palace. The Queen asked what all the uproar was about. She was told: “They have no bread.” She said, “If they have no bread, let them eat meat.” The Queen who was living in abundance and luxury could not understand the lot of a starving man.

The Holy Family of Nazareth - Jesus, Mary and Joseph is put before us by the Church as a model for our families to imitate. In today’s second reading St Paul gives some practical suggestions to model our families like the Holy family:

“Wives, give way to your husbands,
as you should in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives
and treat them with gentleness,
Children, be obedient to your parents always,
because that is what will please the Lord.
Parents, never drive your children to resentment
or you will make them feel frustrated.

Satish

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Homily: Christmas

Cycle A. Christmas

Is 9:2-4,6-7; Tit 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-16

The winter of 1911 was very bleak in Ukraine, especially for Mennonites (The Mennonites are a group of Christians). The Russian Revolution was in full swing and Mennonites all over the country were living under the threat of violence. Every day stories of great atrocities circulated around the small community. Robbers rode in the night, demanding food and horses. They burned barns and destroyed crops. Women were assaulted and men were kidnapped. Apprehension permeated the entire area because people never knew when they would become the next target.

Amidst this violence and dark moments, the Krause family decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus. A musical Christmas tree stand was brought as a present for their parents. On Christmas Eve, the family gathered around the tree to watch it spin in the glow of the candles it had been adorned with. Suddenly the door burst open and a band of ruffians stormed in, all holding guns. Shock blitzed through the family. Silence and terror filled the air. Death hung over their heads as the sword of Damocles. Unexpectedly, the musical Christmas tree stand clinked away “Silent Night.” Miraculously the intruders stood still for a moment, and then backed out of the house and closed the door, leaving the room peaceful.

Their childhood memories of Christmas might have taken them back to the Silent Night when the Angels announced “Peace to all men of good will.” Those sweet memories softened their hearts, and they forgot violence for a minute.

The music of the Silent Night from the Christmas tree gifted life for the Krause family. Two thousand years ago, the song of the Angels in Bethlehem announced life for the entire humanity.

The promise that had been made through Isaiah is fulfilled. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and you will call Him Immanuel, God is with us.” (Isaiah 7:14).

The Biblical Account of creation tells us that God created Heaven and Earth, and all the beings in the sea, land and air in five days, and on the 6th Day God created man. According to the Biblical writer the entire creation took place in 6 days. From that time onwards God had been preparing the human race for the greatest manifestation of His love, the birth of Jesus.

The first promise was made in the Garden of Aden. Not long after Creation, God pronounced His judgment on the Serpent and promise to humanity, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed.”(Gen 3:15). The promise was renewed through the centuries. According to the biblical account, to be very precise in the words of Luke, God has been preparing humanity for 77 generations from Adam to Jesus. During these generations the Prophets gave a very clear Picture of the Messiah. His Lineage, His nativity, the hardships he would have to bear and the final triumph. In today’s first reading from the book of Isaiah, we are given the details of the names given to the promised saviour. He will be called:

Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God

Eternal-Father, Prince-of-peace.

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." [Isaiah 9:2] These words from the prophet Isaiah told of the coming Prince of Peace, and of the light and life He would bring.

When Isaiah told of the coming of Prince of Peace, he spoke of light dispelling darkness. The image of light dispelling darkness is central to our understanding of the incarnation and its meaning. The metaphor of light makes sense only against a background of darkness. In the Bible, darkness is a rich metaphor that refers to evil and wilful blindness or sin.

Since sin pushed humanity into darkness, men dreaded the presence of Light, God. In God’s presence the people were terrified. When Adam heard the voice of God he hid himself behind the bush. In Mount Sinai the Israelites saw the glory of God and cried, “do not have God speak to us or we will die." When the shepherds saw the Angel, they were afraid. The angel spoke to them. "Do not be afraid. I'm here to bring you good news. Today in Bethlehem a baby has been born, He is the one that will save the world. "

The angel told the shepherds that “This event is to you,” and the shepherds’ response was immediate and practical: “Let us go to Bethlehem.” The angel’s message had power; it moved people. When Cicero addressed the Roman senate, everyone appreciated his eloquence and said, “How beautifully he speaks!” But they remained in their seats. Yet when Demosthenes addressed the Greek army, they leaped up, clashed spear upon shield and said, “Let us march!” Angels’ message of birth of Jesus moved men of peace and the forces of darkness alike. The shepherds rushed to the manger. The wise men set out following the star. At the same time Herod paced up and down all night worrying. His soldiers rode across the land in search of the infant. The soldiers never found the baby, because they were not searching for the light, but they were groping in the darkness. The shepherds met him, as they followed the light.

The shepherds required to come only a short way to meet Him, from the fields to the stable. But He came an infinite distance to meet them; from heaven to earth, from eternity to time, from infinite joy to suffering and death. The shepherds met in the manger the Universal healer without a doctor to attend to him, the king of kings without any sentry or attendant, the master of whole creation without a proper bed to lay his head, but the joy that prevailed in the manger was magnanimous.

Tonight as we share in the joy of Shepherds, we share in the joy of the angels, and we share in the joy of Joseph and Mary, it must move us to action. We should leave the way of darkness and follow the path of light, to meet the Saviour who has come from Heaven to Earth to meet us, and take us back to Heaven. St Athanasius wrote, "God became man so that man might become god"

Let us join the Angels and sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to men of good will.”

Satish
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Anecdote 1) Christmas: God’s Presence and Word: A man narrates the story of how his father who was a telephone engineer sometimes worked away from home. At first, his father was away only a couple of days and this happened rarely, but then his absence became more frequent and also lasted longer. Eventually, his father never returned home. The telephone engineer had fallen in love with love distance and his son had to live his life in the felt absence of his father. There was no word, no contact—just silence and absence.

It is impossible to have a relationship with someone who is always absent and always silent. Usually we overcome our separation from those we love and miss by staying in contact with them—keeping in touch through phone or writing. And for us Christians, Christmas has become a traditional time for keeping alive old bonds of friendship by a word of greeting. At Christmas we celebrate the consoling truth that God did not fall in love with long distance but came among us through Jesus. –[M. K. Paul, “Inspiring Anecdotes and Stories”

"We'll all be home for Christmas.” Senator John McCain spent 5½ years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam in the1960s. During that time, he was frequently tortured or held in solitary confinement. He reports that his lowest point came on Christmas Eve 1969. McCain was giving up hope of ever getting out of Vietnam alive. To compound his homesickness, the captors played the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" over the PA system. Just then, McCain heard tapping on his cell wall. This was the communication code the POWs used to communicate with one another. On the other side of the wall was Ernie Bruce, a Marine who had been imprisoned for four years already. In spite of his dire situation, Bruce was tapping out, "We'll all be home for Christmas. God bless America." These simple words of comfort restored John McCain's hope. ("The tapping on the wall" by Senator John McCain, Ladies' Home Journal, July 2002, pp. 107-111.) The message of Christmas is always one of hope. This world needs saving, but God began that process of salvation two thousand years ago with the birth of a babe in Bethlehem. There's something about Christmas that elevates us. Christmas is about hope of a better world to come.