August 2022

Summertime means travel for some, but where are we going?

The following homily, delivered by a visiting Indian priest at St. John the Evangelist Church in Greenfield, WI on June 25, 2022, was recorded, transcribed, and edited (Lanoux; July 19, 2022).

Dear brothers and sisters, in 2010, my superiors assigned me to a mission in Uganda and, within three months, I was struck down by malaria for the first time.  It was so severe that my sugar level was very low and I became unconscious.  I felt that “this is my last day, and I am going to die.”  Thankfully, a nurse took me to the hospital and, after a month, I was better.

When my friends and family members learned of my illness, many told me to return home; but I felt that the Lord wanted me to remain.  I continued in Uganda for ten years and, from there, came to Milwaukee, USA.  But, looking back, I can see how God continues to bless the mission with health centers, seminarians, and so much more.  And the Lord has blessed me as well.

Today’s gospel passage tells us that Jesus journeyed resolutely to Jerusalem when his days on earth were ending.  He knew that he would make his final sacrifice, dying on the cross for the salvation of the world, even when his disciples begged him not to go.  The mission was so very clear that, regardless of the agony Jesus would endure, his perfect love for mankind allowed him to sacrifice his life for us.

Now Jesus invites each of us to walk to Jerusalem to sacrifice our life for the sake of love, to choose selfless sacrifice for love of others.  This may require leaving our comfort zone.  This may involve growing close to another person, perhaps a spouse, one’s children, someone who is entrusted to us, or even a stranger.  Maybe they need a comforting word, a little bit of our time, consolation, or just a smile— something to help the person experience God’s love.

Every moment of the day is an invitation to walk through our own Jerusalem, to make small sacrifices to share God’s love; so let’s ask ourselves: Have we run away from our mission in life?  What is my personal Jerusalem?  Is it an annoying colleague?  Is it time to sacrifice myself for someone else?  Is it a word of comfort when someone is down?  Is it a kind heart or a helping hand that I can extend?  Let’s acknowledge these special invitations.  Let’s look at our Jerusalem with the eyes of faith— recognizing the fruits of our sacrifices beyond the love, the joy, and the peace that we can offer to others— and may we never forget the saving grace that Jesus extends to us through his death on the cross.  May God bless each of us on our personal journey to Jerusalem.

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Prayerful thoughts

“Give all of yourself, and God will give you all of himself” (St. Anthony of Padua).

Lord, take me where you want me to go.  Let me meet who you want me to meet.  Tell me what you want me to say.  And keep me out of your way.  (Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM).

No matter our state in life, each of us is called to use our gifts in ways that benefit our loved ones, our community, and our world.  Even the most mundane task is a gift if it is done well and in a loving manner.  Today, share your gifts, your talents, and yourself with our world (Monday Message by Sister Kristine Anne Harpenau, OSB: “The deans of the monastery – RB21″).

What is God showing you that you are to do with your life?  However small or great that is, it must be yours and not someone else’s.  […]  The important thing is to give humbly and honestly of what God asks you to give.  In the end you are the gift God wants.  But, in the meantime, each person struggles to know what God wants and whether or not he is really giving the gift of self to God (Murray Bodo, OFM).

“When we exist in a world of gift in which we ourselves are given, then our own labors must be gifts to those around us” (Ragen Sutterfield).

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