Jesus’ Identity

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Lord Jesus, help me prove my identity as your disciple through the way I handle suffering Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is appropriate that we begin this long stretch of Ordinary Time with what is perhaps the central question of Christianity: “Who do you say that I am?” (Lk. 9:18-24). This of course is the question that Jesus poses to his disciples toward the end of his Galilean ministry and just prior to his embarking upon his journey to Jerusalem.

This question posed by Jesus is perhaps best understood within the cultural context of the first century Mediterranean world. The question of identity to ancient Mediterraneans is not the question of identity to contemporary Catholic Christians. We think of personal identity in terms of individuality; ancients think of personal identity in terms of collectivism. Whereas we Catholics have our own personal, individual identity of self, ancients have a much more powerful sense of collective or group identity. What one’s kinship group says about one’s identity is far more important to ancients than most of those in the contemporary Western world realize.

We see this concept of group identity in the second reading (Gal. 3:26-29) when Paul tells the Galatians not to see oneself as a Jew or a Greek, as a slave or a free person, not even as a male or a female; but rather realize that “you all are one in Christ Jesus”.

Ancients would have seen Jesus’ questions to his disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” and “Who do you all say that I am?” as logical questions for group-oriented people. For Jesus to understand himself, he would need to know what others think of him. Notice that both the crowds (in identifying Jesus as a prophet) and the disciples (in identifying Jesus as the Christ of God) have come to only a partial sense of Jesus’ true identity. The crowds and the disciples have yet to understand Jesus’ identity in light of his suffering, death and resurrection. While it is true that Jesus is a prophet, he is far more than that. And while it is true that Jesus is Christ of God it cannot be separated or isolated from his passion and resurrection. This is an aspect of Jesus’ identity that the disciples themselves found very difficult to grasp: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23).

BECOME MY FOLLOWER… “If anyone wants to become my follower, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

“I Am Sorry”

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Lord Jesus, help me acknowledge my guilt, atone for it and enjoy communion.   Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The three little words “I am sorry“ have an almost incredible potential for transformation. But they often go unsaid, because they seldom roll easily off the human tongue. As a result wounds fester, grudges grow , revenge is plotted, alienation grows. “I am sorry” is a difficult language to master, and fluency comes only to the humble. “I am sorry” chokes in the throat of those who dare to say it because these words say, I am a work in progress, I am in need.

However difficult these words may be to speak and to mean them truthfully, “I am sorry” has the capacity to open up a virtual floodgate of goodness and blessing, because, acknowledgement brings atonement and atonement ends alienation and a new renewed bond can begin to grow again.

The process of moving from acknowledgment to atonement to communion is found in each of today’s readings. The author of 2 Samuel allows us to listen as Nathan, David’s court prophet, functions as a sort of external conscience, laying out before the king the details of his wrongdoing (2 Sam 12:7-10, 13). There is no measure of tack in the prophet’s words. Bluntly, clearly he declares the blessings from God that David enjoyed and, just as bluntly and clearly, Nathan condemned the way the king had conducted himself. To his credit, David is open to the truth about his sinfulness and he repents.

In today’s gospel (Lk 7:36-8:3), two sinners encounter Jesus’ forgiveness. One sinner is open in acknowledging her need and her guilt. Her tears express her sorrow and, as she ministers intimately to Jesus, anointing and kissing the feet, washing and drying them with her hair, her actions reveal her confidence that she has been forgiven.

In contrast to the sorrowful woman is Simon the host; he invited Jesus to his home but not into his heart. His lack of hospitality attests to his unwillingness to admit his need or his guilt. “I am sorry” remains unspoken, and it would seem that Simon has chosen to remain in his sin. If Paul had had the opportunity to speak to Simon and to reason with him as he did with the Christians in Galatia (2nd reading, Gal 2:16, 19-21) he might have told his fellow Pharisee that he could no longer rely on the law of salvation, no matter how scrupulously he observed it. Rather, Paul would say to Simon as he says to us, salvation i.e. justification, is God’s gift to sinners. That gift flows when faith moves the human heart to speak those three little words, “I am sorry”.

Return to Jesus With Repentant Hearts Jesus is always ready to grant forgiveness and pardon to those who sincerely repent. Are you able to help others to believe and return to Jesus with repentant hearts? If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

Food For Sinners

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner; come to my heart and reign in me. Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“Do this in remembrance of me”. With these words (2nd reading, 1Cor. 11:23-26) and the gift of himself – body and blood in the form of bread and wine – Jesus left another means (besides the Paraclete) by which he would remain always present to his own. He gave himself as real food and real drink, and just as food is a biological necessity for life, so the body and blood of Jesus have become forever necessary for our participation in the life of God and life of the believing community.

In his teachings, Jesus often imaged the kingdom or reign of God in terms of meals. Recall the parables of the wedding feast (Mt 22:1-14; Lk.14:15-24), the ten virgins (Mt. 25:1-13), the faithful servants (Lk. 12:35-48), the locked door (Lk. 13:22-30), the lost son (Lk. 15:11-32) the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:19-31) and the servant (Lk. 17:7-10). All these anticipated the special meals and the gift of himself as Eucharist that we remember and celebrate today. After breaking bread that night with his friends and after being broken in death risen Jesus appeared to his followers amid an ambience of meal sharing. Recall the longer ending of Mark (16:14-18), wherein Jesus is featured as appearing to the eleven while they are eating. Recall, as well, the Emmaus sharing (Lk. 24:13-35), the meal of baked fish in Jerusalem (Lk. 24:36-49) and the grilled breakfast by the sea of Tiberias (Jn. 21:1-13).

Six times within the course of the four Gospels, the evangelists tell us of the open-air meal Jesus provided for the multitudes. Today’s Gospel offers the praying assembly the Lucan version of this meal and renews the challenge of Jesus to his first disciples, “Why do you not give them something to eat yourselves?” As this question is asked again in our hearing, it reminds all who are fed by Jesus’ most-holy body and blood that the satisfaction of our spiritual and physical hungers by Jesus prepares us and makes us responsible for seeking out, serving and satisfying the hungers of others… as he did. In order to do this we must be willing to return again and again to this holy place where food for sinners is freely given. This holy food, this Eucharist, is not a food we merit. We do not have to become worthy before we share it. Rather, this is a food that makes us worthy, a food that tells us with every taste that God is good, that Jesus loves us beyond all telling and even more importantly, that Jesus remains forever present in our eating and sharing.

Happy are those called to His supper Jesus has given us His Body to eat and His Blood to drink so as to nourish us on our journey towards the Kingdom. May we be faithful to him on our journey as a married, single, ordained or consecrated person. If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

Trinitarian Experience

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Holy Trinity, One God, help us trust in the Father, make us love like the Son and inspire us to listen to the Spirit.  Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the month of June, as spring moves into summer, a new season of the liturgical year is also beginning. Called Ordinary Time, this season is introduced on its first two Sundays by two feasts of dogma, that of the Trinity and that of the Eucharist. But, what is dogma and what does it have to do with the ever-changing seasons of our world and our lives? As defined by the church, dogma is a doctrine promulgated with the highest authority and solemnity. Today, the praying assembly celebrates the dogma of the Trinity, and in our celebrating, all present are invited to pass through dogma’s gateway so as to be fully and freely immersed in the mystery of Trinity.

Through the centuries, many have attempted to explain the dogmas and enunciate the mystery of Trinity in a variety of ways. Some have offered symbols intended to elucidate the three-in-oneness of God. An equilateral triangle, three interwoven circles, a trefoil, three fish formed into a circle, a shamrock – all have been held forth, at one time or another, as illustrations of Trinity.

Only at the end of the fourth century did the early theologians formulate what would thereafter stand as the Trinitarian dogma: “Father, Son and Holy Spirit are consubstantial, one Godhead, one power, one substance, of equal dignity and majesty, but in three perfect hypostases or persons”. In subsequent centuries, church Fathers, Doctors and mystics have attempted to explain the mystery and guide the faithful to a greater understanding of Trinity.

But understanding does not necessarily lead to contemplation, and contemplation, as author Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) suggested, is the only worthy response to the mystery we celebrate today. It could be said that explanations are perhaps of less importance than experience. Our knowledge of God as Trinity is made possible by God, who has chosen to be revealed as Mother, Father, Son and Brother, and as living, loving Spirit. As parent, God has brought forth the created universe and even our very selves. As Son and Brother, Jesus has made known a God who hears our cries, who cares, who counts the hairs on our head and who loves so passionately as to become one of us, to suffer, for our sins, to die that we may live. As Spirit, God remains with and within us. These are the experiences of Trinity; these experiences become known in prayer, they are solidified and palpable through contemplation.

The Most Holy Trinity Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Listen to what Jesus says: “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” What is the 'truth' of your life? How can you best serve God? If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park Phone 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

 

POPE’S  PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JUNE

Respect for Human Life

General: That every national and transnational institution may strive to guarantee respect for human life from conception to natural death.

The Churches in Asia

Missionary: That the Churches in Asia, which constitute a “little flock” among non-Christian populations, may know how to communicate the Gospel and give joyful witness to their adherence to Christ.

Wind and Fire

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Risen Lord, fill us with your spirit to promote unity, understanding and peace amidst people. Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Anyone who has had the experience of the hurricane knows the fright and awe it can inspire, as well as the strength it can wield. The phenomenon of fire is the same way. Each year, uncontrolled blazes sweep across acres of many countries, leaving behind scars of ash and ruin as reminders of their devastating power. Either of these natural phenomena can strike dread into the human heart-so it may seem surprising and even a little strange that these two forces, wind and fire, are the symbols of the Spirit, the symbols of the feast of Pentecost.

As the praying assembly will hear in today’s first reading from Acts (2:1-11) those first believers in Jesus had gathered in one place (probably the Upper Room) to wait and pray. While the “wind” came gently to the disciples through the breath of Jesus at Easter, it came forcefully upon the community at Pentecost (Acts). Could it be the same wind that swept across the dark waters on the very first of all mornings (Genesis 1)? Then, as now, the wind was blowing with life; a new creation was coming forth. Then. It was the creation of an ordered universe and the creation of humankind by God’s own breath (Genesis 2:7). Now at Easter and at Pentecost (Acts) it is the creation of a community ready to go public with the good news of salvation and God’s gift of forgiveness for a waiting, needy world.

Tongues of fire were also sent to ignite the church’s mission of proclamation. All present, regardless of their varying backgrounds and different languages – every one understood. Wind and fire signalled that the role of the church was to gather together all things in heaven and on earth into a unity of mutual respect and understanding in Christ. This unity, explains David Knight, is not a uniformity that negates or destroys the richness of diversity. It is a unity of Spirit that brought into being a diverse and pluralistic first-century church.

According to the measure that the wind and fire of the Spirit remain active in the 21st century church, we will continue to promote unity, understanding and peace between different races and genders, between different ethnic groups, between people divided by different beliefs and ideologies. The wind and fire of Pentecost, suggested Henri Nouwen in his book “Jesus, A Gospel”, lift the whole mystery of salvation out of its particularities and form it into something inclusive of all peoples, all countries, all seasons, all eras.

 

Come Holy Spirit… "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love." Send forth workers into your vineyard. May some of our parishioners choose to serve you by becoming priests, brothers and sisters If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

Ordination of  Rev. Luis Manuel Calleja Jr. at St. Michael’s Cathedral, May 15, 2010.

Jesus’ Continuing Mission

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Risen Lord, fill us with your spirit to continue your mission and to bring the good news to every heart. Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Two versions of Jesus’ ascension are set before the praying assembly today, in the text from Acts (1:1-11) and in the Gospel (Lk. 24:46-53). Both include the essential kerygma; both include the promise of the Spirit as the powerful and ever-present enabler of Jesus’ continuing mission through the church. Both include the statement that Jesus was taken up from earth to heaven and both include the charge of the risen Jesus that his own should be witnesses of who he was and what he did before the world. However, they serve two different functions. The Gospel version of Jesus’ return to glory functions as a doxology that concludes the Lucan telling of the Good News, and the Acts account serves to introduce the mission of the church.

Notice also, that while the Gospel recounts the ascension of Jesus on Easter Sunday evening, Luke, in Acts, has chosen to separate the ascension from the resurrection by a period of 40 days. This enables Luke to establish his own historical-theological framework, with its post-Easter instruction of the apostles stretched over a 40-day period.

What did the disciples learn from the risen Jesus during their special time with him? Did the reality of his resurrection take hold of them? Did they begin to perceive him as truly alive? Did they come to realize that the Jesus who died on the cross was the same Jesus who rose and appeared among them? Were they becoming cognizant of their place in God’s plan of salvation and the responsibilities they would assume after Jesus’ returning to glory?

After the disciples had spent so much time with the risen Jesus, their question to him about the restoration of the rule of Israel (Acts 1:6) may seem imperceptive. It may be, however, that Luke included the question to renew in his readers the hope for the kingdom. Without quashing their hopes, the risen Jesus reminded his own that the exact time was not theirs to know. Rather, their job was to witness to his truth, work that could be empowered and directed by the Spirit. Luke ably recounted that work in Acts so as to inspire future generations to continue to do as their ancestors had done – to bring the good news to every heart!

YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES The Lord said, “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Pray for an increase of vocations to the ordained and consecrated life. If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

 

"Priesthood is the Love of the Heart of Jesus" On Saturday, May 15, His Grace, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto presided at the ceremony celebrating the ordination of five new priests for service to the community of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Please keep them in your prayers. They are: 1 - Rev. Luis Manuel Calleja Jr. (Rev. Luis was baptised in St. Edith Stein Parish and will concelebrate mass with us next Sunday). 2 - Rev. Kim D'Souza 3 - Rev. Silvio Eljuga 4 - Rev. Landorff José García Mariona 5 - Rev. Bartlomiej Palczewski Photos and bios

Continuing Action of the Spirit

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Blow in us, O Spirit of God, as we prepare to celebrate your continued presence with us and within us.  Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s readings remind us of the gift of the abiding Spirit. The action of the Spirit transformed our ancestors in the faith, strengthening them for the work of evangelization and encouraging them in times of doubt, difficulty, conflict or persecution. It plotted their path for the growth of the Christian community. But some of us are perhaps less aware of the continuing action of the Spirit in the Church today. Is it because the Spirit continually challenges believers to practice discernment? Is it because we think we will be caught off-guard by what the Spirit might say?

The scripture selections will enable us to see how the early church dealt with similar issues and to appreciate some of the principles of discernment that they developed under the aegis of the Spirit. Jesus in today’s Gospel (Jn 14:23-29) establishes the Spirit as God’s gift sent in Jesus’ name to remind the church of all that Jesus said and taught. An attitude of welcome is necessary on the part of all believers to benefit from this gift. This welcome should express itself in the form of constant collective and private prayer besides having a willingness to be surprised.

A second principle is suggested in today’s 1st reading from Acts (15:1-2, 22-29). Don’t backpedal, don’t attempt to restrict the action of the Spirit. After the Cornelius event (Acts. 10-11) and the Spirit-driven, landmark decision to accept gentiles, some wanted to impose Mosaic practice on gentiles as a requisite for salvation. After considerable dissension and controversy, the church agreed to gather, tapped into the power of the ever-present Spirit and decided not to burden the gentile converts “beyond that which is strictly necessary”.

In this post Vatican II era, we must allow the Spirit, so much in evidence at that Council, to continue to move us to realize its insights, decisions, reforms and renewals. Rather than backpedal or ignore or even deny the movement of the Spirit, let us be as bold as a Paul, a Peter, a Barnabas or a John XXIII.

To encourage our continued openness to the Spirit author Murray Bodo, a Franciscan priest, shares the following: “…from time to time, there is an unexpected, sudden revelation or shining forth of God,… call it insight, epiphany, the presence of the Spirit... because of that moment, all the rest of my days are changed permanently.”

WE WILL COME TO HIM… Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. How will I respond to that love? Am I being called to the priesthood or religious life? If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 or send an email to vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca

 

"Priesthood is the Love of the Heart of Jesus" On Saturday, May 15, the Archdiocese of Toronto will celebrate the ordination of five new priests for service to the community. His Grace, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, will preside at the ceremony, which will take place at St. Michael’s Cathedral. Please keep them in your prayers. They are: - 1 - Rev Mr. Luis Manuel Calleja Jr., 31, was born and raised in Toronto (baptised in St. Edith Stein Parish and will celebrate mass with us on May 23). - 2 - Rev Mr. Kim D'Souza, 27, was born into an Indian family living in Nigeria. - 3 - Rev Mr. Silvio Eljuga, 41, was born in Zagreb, Croatia. - 4 - Rev Mr. Landorff José García Mariona, 34, was born in San Salvador City, El Salvador. - 5 - Rev Mr. Bartlomiej Palczewski, 32, was born and raised in Poland. Visit the Archdiocese of Toronto website for photos and their brief biographies.