Father Nathan Homily | June 14, 2020
Father Nathan | Homily
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Today’s Readings for Mass During the Day:
First Reading — JER 20:10-13
Responsorial Psalm — PS 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Second Reading — ROM 5:12-15
Gospel Reading — MT 10:26-33
“fear no one,”
– MT 10:26-33
My dear friends one of the greatest quotes of Mother Theresa was
“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty — it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There’s a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”
― Mother Teresa, A Simple Path: Mother Teresa
This quote is so true no only to the west but for the whole world, especially as we are undergoing this pandemic situation. The great comfort of Jesus “DO NOT BE AFRAID” is needed of the day
When Jesus sent the apostles out to proclaim his teaching openly and to witness to him before the world, he knows that they were fearful. And they had good reason to be fearful, knowing that they would have to face hardship and persecutions. So, not once but three times he said to them, ‘Do not be afraid’
It is normal and natural that courage will sometimes fail us and that we will be afraid. All those who have accomplished great things have known fear at one time or another.
Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. Fear sometimes has a protective function, warning us of the presence of danger. In this case, fear is a grace. Nevertheless, fear can be a handicap. It can paralyze a person. It can turn a person into a coward.
The Magician and the Mouse
Once upon a time, there was a mouse that had a crippling fear of cats. A magician took pity on it and turned it into a cat. But then it became afraid dogs. Then the magician took pity on it and turned it into a dog. Then it became afraid of panthers. Then the magician took pity on it and turned it into panthers. Then it became afraid hunters. At his point, the magician gave up. He turned it back into a mouse saying ‘Nothing I do for you is going to be any good and any help to you because you have the heart of a mouse’
Jesus said to the Twelve:
“Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known…”
Jesus knows that the apostles were afraid. He understood their fears and took them seriously. When he said to them, do not be afraid, he was addressing their fears and trying an ally them. He was trying to give them courage. He was trying to move them beyond fear, knowing that fear could make them so timid as to be unable to fulfill their mission.
Push Past Fear — Trust in God
How did he suggest they might overcome their fears? Basically through trust in God and reliance on God. He urged them to have complete trust in God, who lovingly watches over the life and death of even the smallest and least valuable of his creatures-sparrows. Jesus assured them that God knows every detail of their lives, and would support them that God knows every detail of their lives, would support them in every crisis.
The prophet Jeremiah lived out his vocation during a time of great turmoil, which saw the defeat of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. He lived with constant threats to his life. Yet, in spite of everything, he remained faithful to his calling. What was it that enabled him to overcome his fears and remain faithful to his mission? It was the conviction that God was on his side
’ The Lord is at my side, a mighty hero’
The lord is at our sides too. And while at times we will grow fearful, we mustn’t allow our fears cripple us. To live a Christian life requires courage. But then any meaningful living requires courage. What is needed in life is not so much heroism as ordinary courage.
Courage is the most important of all the virtues — because without courage you can’t practice any other virtues with constancy. Faith is a great source of courage. As people of faith, we believe that God will give us the strength to cope with whatever comes.
The greatest freedom of all is freedom from fear.
Unless we can overcome our fears, we cannot live a dignified human life. Nevertheless, fear and courage are not mutually exclusive. They can and do coexist. Courage is not ever being afraid. It is being afraid and overcoming it, or carrying on in spite of it.
To be a disciple of Jesus, the heart of the mouse will not suffice. One needs a brave heart.
May the Lord give us the brave heart.
Amen
Have a Blessed Week,
Fr. Nathan
A Word About Staying Safe and Well During the Time of Covid-19.
Coronavirus is a pandemic situation.
Please note the pandemic is an everchanging situation and advice and information changes rapidly. This information is no substitute for professional medical advice and is the current guideline. As the situation evolves this advice will likely evoke as well.
Here are 10 basic role and duties World Health Organization (WHO) would like people to know about the outbreak:
1. People should wash their hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with an alcohol-based solution.
2. Disinfect surfaces like kitchens and work desks regularly.
3. Seek information on the situation from reliable sources, like a local or national public health agency, WHO or a local health care professional.
4. Anyone with a fever or cough should avoid traveling. If sickness starts while on a flight, inform the crew immediately.
5. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or tissue. Throw the tissue away and wash hands.
6. People over the age of 60, or anyone with an underlying health condition, have a higher risk of contracting a severe case of the disease. Those people might need to take extra precautions to avoid crowded places and sick people.
7. If someone feels sick, they should stay home and contact a doctor or local health professional about the symptoms.
8. If any person feels sick stay home and seek medical advice.
9. A person should seek care immediately if they develop shortness of breath.
10. WHO said it is “normal and understandable to feel anxious, especially if you live in a country or community that has been affected.” People should find out what they can do in their communities and discuss how to stay safe with people in their workplace, school, or place of worship.
We continue to work to find ways to keep our community healthy and safe during this time of the pandemic. Please know that your health and safety are our # 1 concern as we find ways to return to worship.
Continue to pray daily to the Holy Spirit for guidance and hope.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 14, 2025
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – September 14th. This feast is celebrated every year on September 14th and recalls three historical events: The finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the emperor Constantine, The dedication of churches built by Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulcher and Mount Calvary, The restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem by the emperor Heraclius II.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 31, 2025
Nativity of our Blessed Mother – September 8th. A traditional Indian Celebration will be held on September 6th (Saturday) at 6:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. Gabriel following the traditional way of honoring our Blessed Mother, taking her on a decorated chariot…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 24, 2025
The feasts of St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine. Their life as mother and son sets an example for all of us to follow in our family lives…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 17, 2025
Thank You for My Birthday Celebration. Last week, before my birthday, my little niece, with all the innocence and concern of a child, went to her mother and said, “I feel bad for Uncle Father Nathan. Uncle is all alone. There is no one to celebrate his birthday with him.” She said it because I am far away from my family home, and in her
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 10, 2025
Solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother – a Holy Day of Obligation
Thursday 14th vigil Mass and, on the 15th, we will have mass at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 03, 2025
Our Church is more than a building – it is our extended home. Just as we celebrate the joys and milestones of life within our family homes, I warmly invite you to make the Church the heart of your celebrations too.