Forgiveness

While people need people, we all know that no relationship is perfect. There are people who have brought us happiness, there are people who have brought us pain. Hence, the challenge is to forgive.  Jesus was asked how many times should one forgive? Seven times. Seven times in the Jewish tradition means a lot. However,…

A God for All

One sad reality of humanity is that we tend to congregate among people we think we belong to. There is always the desire for exclusivity.  Suddenly even in the Matters of faith, there is also exclusivity. In the Old Testament, Naaman was in need of healing but he felt initially that he should be treated…

Temptation

Someone once said, “Opportunity only knocks once, but temptation knocks all the time.” Yes, in our desire to be happy, in our desire to find what we are looking for, in our desire to love and be loved, we look at the answers in the wrong places, persons, and things. As a result, we fall…

The Kingdom of God

When one observes the world today, one can ask, “Where is God?” Is God’s presence fading or prevailing? Look at the evildoers, they are so bold; people do not know what is right or what is wrong; there is no more sense of sin. “Where is God?” The good news is that the Kingdom of…

Power

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity. If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Also, Tao Te Ching once said, “Power can be a strong aphrodisiac and intoxicant. It reveals the character of those who hold it. How they acquire it, how they exercise it, illuminates their character…

Good Works

One huge difference between us Catholics and Protestants is that the Protestants believe in Faith Alone. That is, just say, “Jesus is Lord.” and “Receive Him as your personal Lord and Saviour”, and you will be saved.  For Catholics, it is clear faith and good works. We remember Jesus telling his disciples, “The greatest are…

Family and Calling

I have been a priest for eighteen years this year. It is not easy but I tell people that it is the world’s best-kept secret. How a priest enters the life of people and family in their happiest moments and their most difficult moments, is beyond compare. In the words of Christ, “Anyone who has…

Death is Not the End

Ed. Note: This was a mass homily at Cavalry (Golgotha) itself, during one of Fr Mon’s trips to the Holy Land. Especially these last few years, we have said goodbye to so many people. It has made us realize that life is short and swift.  Further, when it comes to goodbyes, there is a saying,…

Light of the World

If you are sixty years old and up, one thing very noticeable is that the world has changed a lot in terms of the values of people and the way people live.  Mahatma Gandhi defined the seven deadly sins as the following: That is why the Gospel is always an urgent call for us to…

Jealousy

One of the most difficult of all experiences is when we compare our life to others. Eventually, three realities arise: Even Jesus was not spared from Jealousy. He preached with authority; He gave hope to people; He cured the sick and drove away demons. Yet, what did his enemies say? “He got his powers from…