Homilies by Fr. Satish Joseph

Nov 21, 2010 - Under the Banner of the Cross

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Year C 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph Does the paradox of the gospel reading chosen for such a majestic feast strike you as unusual? Why would the church choose the most shameful moments of Christ’s life as the gospel reading for the Solemnity of Christ the King? When we celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and events connected with our loved ones, don’t we normally focus on the positive? The gospel, on the other hand says about Jesus that the rulers sneered at him, the soldiers jeered at him, and one of the criminals reviled him, saying “Are you not the Christ?” But why does the church want to read this gospel for the feast of Christ the King? Why could the Church not have chosen a reading for this feast where Christ is shown in his splendor – the transfiguration of Jesus or the Ascension of Jesus, for example?

Nov 14, 2010 - By Your Perseverance You will Secure Your Life

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph Do you sense a revolt brewing inside you when, in the middle of September, you see a decorated Christmas tree at the malls? I feel violated. I feel someone has taken something very sacred to me and made a mockery out of it. It is as if someone was wishing me ‘happy birthday’ in November when my birthday isn’t until February.  Over the past few days, I have also seen Christmas lights – it must be the warm weather; or a rather depressing political season (people actually want some good news), or the drudgery of the economy is making people impatient for celebration. Liturgically, however, we are at a different place. After all, no matter how impatient we might be, we cannot avoid the natural cycle of life can we?

Nov 7, 2010 - Life as an Act of Worship

Homily for the 32nd Sunday of Oridniary Time, Year c 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph One of the regrets I have in life is that my faith has never been severely tested. I have never lived underground, my life has never been in danger, or I have never had to choose between my family and my faith. I wonder if faith would mean something different had it to be challenged in a serious way. Do you wonder the same? How can we know how precious our faith in Jesus is unless it is tested?

Oct 31, 2010 - Love Is EVERYTHING

Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph Put your hands up if at one time or another you have been head over heels in love. I am not asking you if it all worked out or if you are still with the person you got crazy about; I am not even asking if the other person felt the same for you. Perhaps, you only secretly adored this person and never made your love known. I am merely asking you if your heart has ever skipped a beat? I am asking if you lost your appetite or started putting make-up because love stirred your heart like never before? I am asking you, if you have been crazy in love?

Oct 24, 2010 - How NOT to Pray

Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph Today’s readings continue last Sunday's theme of prayer. The best way for me to further clarify the theme would be to say that, if last Sunday’s theme was about how to pray, this week’s theme is “How NOT to pray.” For example, the gospel reading contrasts the prayer of the Pharisee with that of the tax-collector. The tables are turned in this parable. The righteous person’s prayer finds no place in God’s eyes, whereas, the sinner goes home justified. How do we explain this sudden reversal of fortune?

Oct 17, 2010 - "Why Do I Pray?"

Homily for the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph Last week, there were some distractions in my spiritual life. As I have said before, I find early mornings to be the best time for quite time in prayer. In the last few weeks, however, I have found waking up in the morning to be very difficult. I have had to drag myself to my prayer corner. The other distraction was sports. India took on Australia in cricket. When I get up at 5:30 in the morning, the game is just ending in India. Those of you who love sports, you know there is nothing like catching up the last bit of the game. If you are curious, no, I did not give up into these temptations. However, I did ask myself a few questions as I sat in prayer. Why am I doing this? Why do I spent quite time in prayer? What am I getting out of this? I will give you my answer in a few moments.

Oct 10, 2010 - Oct 10, 2010 - Faith is Its Own Reward

Homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 2010 - Fr. Satish Jsoeph   Because our nation is at war, perhaps, it will be easier for us to understand today’s readings better. Here then, is a hypothetical situation. Suppose one of the Taliban commanders came to the United States to seek treatment for cancer, how would you react as ordinary citizens? Would you support the offer of health care and nursing to him? Now, let me ask you these same questions as a people of faith in Jesus Christ? Are you now at least compelled to pause and rethink your reaction? Do you now have a different answer than our initial reaction? If you are struggling for an answer, then perhaps, you will understand today’s reading really well. 

Oct 3, 2010 - Faith Is a Relationship

Homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 2010 - Fr. Satish Joseph. Faith is like a teenager falling in love for the first time and realizing that he or she is capable of love.  Faith is its own reward.

Sept 26, 2010 - To Become A Man/Woman of God...

Homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time If someone had to ask you the question, “What is at your core?” or, if your children or your parents or your friend had to ask you, “What are the hallmarks of your character?” or if God had to ask you, “Who are you? Or “Who are you becoming?” what would your answer be?

Sept 19, 2010: Catholic Social Teaching: The Prudent Way

Homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 10 - Fr. Satish Joseph In its latest report, the US Census Bureau has announced that in 2009 one in seven Americans was living in poverty. The bureau defines poverty as any family of four living on less than $21,954 a year. Officials said that the number of people in poverty increased by nearly 4 million between 2008 and 2009. But again, what does a sermon in the Church have anything to do with these issues?