Thanks-9

Thanks-9

Sept.11, Wednesday

Yesterday went to NY for the funeral of Jaimy, the husband of Binzi. Noble came here to give me a ride to NY. Stayed at George and Gracy's house near the Church. The whole Cheripuram family was there. Amy,Jose's daughter came to meet me.Today, as I walked into the sacristy,  Fr.John asked whether I could give a short homily. I did not want to refuse the invitation and hence I said I would give, although I did not know anything about Jaimy. I was not getting new ideas. The Lord gave me confidence as the time neared for the mass.I could speak well. A man told me as I walked to the cemetery that it was a great homily and it would be rare in life to listen to such a homily. Lord, thank you for your blessings and I offer you my humble homage. Thank you again for giving me the grace to give a homily that inspired others. I was so unsure and off the track to give a homily but the grace of God worked wonders.

My key ideas:

Prayers and condolences. Words have no power to give comfort but only the words of Jesus—I am the Resurrection and the life...Jesus is our strength. All who are here will pass away. All of us will pass away within the next moment, a year, ten years or twenty, thirty years. Nothing is permanent

Reference to the book, why bad things happen to good people by the Boston Rabbi ,Harold Kushner—His cry to God, why. He was helping all and trying to do good: Why his son was taken from him.

He found an answer in Job's questioning of God—why to me—I don't understand

God's response—Were you there when I laid the foundation of the world?

Jaime’s life---full of life and vigor.

Support for Binzy for her work in  in the world and the church.Conciliatory, Active, the energetic, full involvement with children.

Memories crowd into our minds

the pain for the children, when they graduate, succeed, getting achievements, in times of failures

But Jamy['s father, our Father Jesus , will be there. He will carry them in his hands.No thorns will touch them. He will give confidence and strength.

The shortness or longevity is not ours. But we can use the time we get well. We can transform our lives and the lives of others within the time given to us. Jamie did it.

Thank God for giving us the experience of knowing him , knowing his love and his interactions.

God bless you

Saturday, Sept.14. Feast of the Triumph of the Cross

Went to St.Joan of Arc church at Niles, run by the Benedictine monks.The priest spoke about the crosses in our lives. We have to experience losses in order to appreciate the victory of the cross-- he preached. Had a heavy breakfast at a Cafe.

Will do some reading.Today is the blessing of the house.

September 15, Sunday

This morning I went to the Cathedral to say the 9.30 am mass.

When I came to the altar,I found the passage in the Bible different. But I was able to give a sermon. Mentioned the Missionary of the Wall Street.

People came and said that the sermon was good. Thank you, Lord for blessing me to give a good homily. George Maliekal and Vince Marin were present for the mass.

Monday--

Last night stayed with Fr.Antony at his house.Did get some time for sharing.Said mass there in their private chapel and had breakfast at IHOPE.He lives in Glenview. Dropped me at Sajan's house. In the evening, Bobby came to take me to his apartment in Naperville for dinner—Seena, Irene and Ria. He dropped me here around 9.30p.m.

Sept 17, Tuesday:

Went to St.James for the 8am morning mass. Georgekutty Vacha will be coming here to pick me up for lunch.

I was reading the book.The glory of the Crusades by Steve Weidenkopf, a professor of history at Christendom College. It is a very readable book and gives the background information on the politics of the day and it exposes the negative image of the Crusades that was spread by the Protestant historians whose Anti-Catholic prejudices colored their historical perspectives. It is their prejudiced view that became the lens through which the modern world views the crusades, ignoring the political climate of the times that came out of Moslem invasions of the Holy Land and other Christian nations.

Lord, increase my love of Thee. Make me an ardent defender of your message. I should not allow myself to be overwhelmed by my failures. I should  use all the opportunities available to spread the message of the Lord.
Georgekutty, Joy and Jaya were at lunch at the Angelo's.In the evening, Dr.Enas took me out for dinner at Papadoux.Dr.Cherian and Paul Kidangan joined us there. Tuesday was a busy day.
Today, Sept.18th Wednesday is relaxing as I have no engagements.