Fr. Satish Joseph

Homeless people must leave Washington DC “IMMEDIATELY!” Didn’t Jesus have something to say about “Whatever you do to the least…? (Mt 25:40).

Aug 11 Scripture
A Jew was obliged to pay temple tax for Temple upkeep. Jesus should not have to pay b/c he was the Son of God. It was his Father's house. But he did so to avoid scandal (Mt 17:22-27). We pay taxes too. Our tax money is being used to flush out the homeless from DC. What a scandal!

Sunday Homily - "Leading with the Heart of Jesus"
This homily is a very localized homily for my parishioners in the archdiocese of Cincinnati. You may or may not find it helpful but I welcome to you read it.
www.itemissaest.org/resources/su...

Aug 9 Scripture
Today's scripture gives us the Shema:
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
You shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength" (Debt 6:4-5).
Jesus added:
"And your neighbor as yourself."
Is Israel hearing?

Aug 8 Scripture
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" (Mt 16:24), is not a demand. It is a gift. It is precisely because Jesus took up his cross that we were gifted redemption. To follow him, now we must pick up our cross and become a gift for others.

Aug 7 Scripture
Even though Moses led the people out from Egypt, he was barred from entering the Promised Land because he struck the rock twice for water (Num 20:1-13). Even though Moses had pleaded on behalf of the people many times, he did not make a plea for himself. This is selfless leadership!

August 6 Scripture
On the Transfiguration mountain Jesus (Lk 9:28-36) showed the disciples his origin, identity, and glory. Later, Jesus went up another mountain - mount Calvary. There were no visions here, no voices, and no desire to stay. You see, to embrace the glory we must embrace the cross.

August 5 Scripture
Aaron & Miriam complain a/g Moses and incur the wrath of God (Num 12:1-13). In Exodus & Numbers God is often portrayed as needing anger management whereas Moses is the reasonable one. Perhaps it was meant to inculcate awe and fear of the LORD. Jesus revealed the real face of God.

Aug 4 Scripture
Both the readings (Num 11:4b-15 & Mt 14:13-21) deal with hunger and God caring about hungry people. Besides starvation as a war tactic in Gaza, 9 million people die of hunger related causes each year. Religions must always address hunger and its causes for God cares for the hungry.

Sunday Homily - "Life Does Not Consist of Possessions"
Jesus himself was not rich, but he is richest of them all. His richness did not lie in possessions but in who he was. Whether we are rich or poor is not about what we possess but the kind of people we are. www.itemissaest.org/resources/su...

Aug 2 Scripture
Today's 1st reading establishes the Jubilee year - a year of liberation for humans, animals, and Earth alike. Slaves were set free, all debt was forgiven, everyone returned to their original land (Lev 25:1, 8-17). Even primitive people had the concept of second chances.Why can't we?

Aug 1 Scripture
The transition from Exodus to Leviticus shows how a freedom movement became a religion with the rituals in Lev 23:1-37. Same with the Jesus movement. It later came to be called "the Way" and finally Christianity. To be authentic we must never lose sight of the original "Movement."

Having said that, in Catholic anthropology, a human person is also a 'sacrament' of divine presence, especially the poor. Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least... you do it to me." May we never desecrate Christ on the altar, in the tabernacle, or in the poor.

I agree. We have set new 'golden calves" and worshipped them. But all we can control is our faith and attitudes. May we never be guilty of honoring false gods.

July 31 Scripture
The Ark of the Covenant represented God's 'real presence' for the wandering Israelites (Ex 40:16-38) in the desert. The Ark was lost when the Babylonians devastated Jerusalem in 587BC. And no, Indiana Jones did not find it 😀! For us, Jesus is the Real Presence in our Tabernacles.

July 30 Scripture
Moses' face would be radiant because he would enter the presence of the Lord (Ex 34:29-35). What we do not realize is that this is the original human condition at creation. Even today, to strive intentionally to live each moment in the "presence of the Lord" should be our endeavor.

July 29 Scripture
"The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face" (Ex 33:11). If only Moses knew what face-to-face meant. But we do. Each Eucharist is a face-to-face with Jesus - a God Moses declared "gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity" (Ex 34:6). We are blessed!

Thank you for sharing!

July 28 Scripture
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed..." Mt 13:31). The mustard seed is you and me. No matter how things are around us, be that one seed for God's kingdom. Always represent love, mercy, compassion, righteousness, holiness. Just as the mustard seed, the kingdom will grow.

Thank you! You are always very affirming.

Homily Podcast - "Not Just A Prayer"
Jesus didn't just teach a prayer when he taught the "Our Father." In his prayer showed a new way to imagine God, ourselves, the church, society and indeed the world.
itemissaest.podbean.com/e/july-27-20...

Sunday Homily - "Not Just a Prayer"
I believe that when Jesus taught the disciples the “Our Father" he was teaching them more than just a prayer. Rather, the prayer the disciples got an insight into his thought, life, prayer, and spirituality. Read on...
www.itemissaest.org/resources/su...

Love it!

Thank you, Jeananne, appreciate the encouragement! On the days that I am unable to post I hope I’m not failing you!

July 26 Scripture
God made a covenant with people on Mount Sinai. They said, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us” (Ex 24:3). But they did not. The rest is history. This is what it looks like when Christians say they are following the gospel of Jesus Christ and then do the opposite!

July 25 - Feast of St. James, Apostle
James and John left their families, boats, and nets to follow Jesus. Yet, later their mother showed up before Jesus to make sure they got seats to his right and left in God's kingdom (Mt 20:20-28). Often, religiosity can become a be selfish endeavor.

July 24 Scripture
Mount Sinai became ground zero of God's encounter with the people (Ex 19:1-20), marked by the Covenant, the Commandments, and an awesome presence. But the Eucharist far supersedes this encounter. Christ is forever present at every Eucharist, the Tabernacle, the hungry and thirsty.

July 23 Scripture
Israelites know what hunger means (Ex 16:1-5, 9-15). As they fled their oppressors in Egypt God fed them heavenly food. But today, Israel is starving Palestinians to death. Israel knows what it means to face death & doom. But today, they are doing it to a people. Stop the genocide!

July 22 Scripture - Feast of Mary Magdalene
While Mary's identity is inconclusively confused with other Marys (Mary of Bethany or the woman who anointed Jesus' feet) the gospel tells us that it was Mary of Magdala who was the tomb (Jn 20:1-18). The name does not matter; the yearning for God does!

July 21 Scripture
The Hebrew people had seen God's mighty works, but with the sea ahead, their fear overcame them (Ex 14:5-18). As former slaves, perhaps fear was part of their life. In Gaza, for e.g., people live in constant fear as do immigrants in USA. Dear God, come our rescue like you did then.