Author: Nathalie Godet

Dear Friends,

Today is the fourth day in May, and many of us know this date as Star Wars Day because of the phrase, “May the force be with you,” used by Jedi masters in the Star Wars movies. While not officially declared, the holiday has been embraced by fans and the Walt Disney Company. I have seen our school students having fun on this day in the past when it fell on a weekday.

I always smile at this phrase of Jedi “May the force be with you,” because even though the sci-fi community in general does not acknowledge the existence of God, this phrase sounds to me, as a clear admission that there is a higher power beyond their control and as their way of surrendering the outcome of a dangerous mission to this higher power they name as “Force” that we Christians name as God or Jesus Christ.

Today, we conclude the Novendiales or Novena in memory of Pope Francis, whose passing brought an unprecedented focus on the Catholic Church in general, and the papacy of Francis in particular. As I mentioned in my homily, it is very important and beneficial for us to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis. Some asked me about the criticisms of Francis. My only answer is that Jesus himself was criticized, so why are we surprised that Pope Francis is also criticized? And on every point of criticism, I pointed out that Francis was doing exactly the mind of Jesus, even when it brought about some ambiguity and confusion which was meant to make us all rethink and re-evaluate our own attitudes. Therefore, let us reflect on how we might personally have grown because of his words, writings, and witness.

What made Pope Francis so endearing to the whole world? As the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Bergolio was unpopular with many Argentine politicians because he had been a staunch and brave critic of the corruption and economic inequality there. During Argentina’s military dictatorship in the 1970’s, he was sent into de facto exile in Frankfurt, Germany, and then to the remote Córdoba, Argentina. These difficult years shaped his compassionate worldview and strengthened his resolve to stand with those facing injustice.

Besides his political activism, what often endeared Pope Francis to all was his simplicity, coupled with his tireless immersion in poor communities.  The world saw the way he was able to blend in with the very ordinary people. While his actions of humility and simplicity raised many eyebrows in the establishment, he became all the more endearing to the world. Asking for a blessing from the crowds at his first appearance as pope, refusing to live in the luxurious penthouse of the papal apartments and choosing the modest two-room suite in the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse, carrying his own luggage and paying his own hotel bills, washing the feet of women and even non catholic prisoners, driving a modest, 20-year-old white Renault, wearing the black leather shoes instead of the traditional red papal footwear, … the list goes on, a list that made him very unique in the history of the papacy.

But his teachings and writings have promoted a spirituality that is easy for even the very ordinary folks to understand and relate to. All of us can learn a lot from Pope Francis to be simple and humble. We too can spread the joy of the gospel as he did so warm-heartedly. May he rest in peace.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

Dear Friends,

Last Monday morning, we all woke up to the sad and shocking news of the death of Pope Francis. Ever since, there has been constant coverage about his life, achievements, and legacy, and speculations about his successor. We, the Catholic Community of St. Matthias, mourn his death, as we thank God for the gift he was to the Church and to the world, for the many ways he has inspired the whole world with his wisdom, compassion, and commitment to Jesus Christ. To the church, he was a reformer who made the church more welcoming and inclusive. To the world, he was a voice that called for unity, peace, and justice, especially championing the cause of those marginalized.

All this media coverage about the life and legacy of Pope Francis is truly a time of evangelization. The world is coming to know more about Jesus Christ and His mission in and through the church, and especially through the papacy. We thank God for the good shepherding that Pope Francis gave to the church and the world.

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope Francis always preached mercy, but more importantly, he practiced it. He showed everybody, in a very tangible way, the endless capacity of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Proclaiming the special Jubilee Year of Mercy of 2016, Francis reminded us that the name of God is “mercy” (Exodus 34:6) and asked us all to enter the great ocean of God’s mercy: “How many are the expressions of mercy with which God encounters us? They are numerous and it is impossible to describe them all, for the mercy of God continually increases. God never tires of showing us mercy and we should never take for granted the opportunity to receive, seek, and desire this mercy. It is something always new, which inspires awe and wonder as we see God’s immense creativity in the ways he comes to meet us.”

We know that today’s feast was instituted by St. John Paul II, in order to realize the depth of the mercy of God for each one of us personally. Saint Faustina’s diary entry # 206 has these words Jesus told her: “On the day of My feast, the Feast of Mercy, you will go through the whole world and bring fainting souls to the spring of My mercy.  I shall heal and strengthen them”. Pope Francis has been an ardent promoter of divine mercy. His first book as pope is titled: The Name of God is Mercy. Four years ago, on the 90th anniversary (1931-2021) of the first apparition to St. Faustina. Pope exhorted all to “pass on the fire of Jesus’ merciful love.”

And yet, today’s gospel is about doubting the resurrection of Jesus by one of the 12 Apostles! Presenting the famous profession of Faith from Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” the Gospel illustrates how Jesus showed his mercy to this doubting apostle and emphasizes the importance of faith and surrender. Please read elsewhere in today’s bulletin what St. Thomas accomplished with his reaffirmed faith converting many in the south of India who continue to live and pass on the same faith under the large community of Syrian Christians among whom is a big segment of Catholics. The experience of Thomas invites us to be liberated from doubts and reservations about our faith, first by verbalizing our doubts and trying to get answers from those who know, and second by surrendering our lives to the Risen Lord of mercy and hope.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

Dear Friends,

Happy Easter!

This year’s Easter is very special for the whole of the Christendom. This year (2025), we have a remarkable coincidence: Both the Eastern and Western Christians are holding Easter on the same day today, April 20, a joint celebration that doesn’t happen often. Last year (2024), you may remember that Catholics and much of the rest of the world celebrated Easter on March 31, while the Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on May 5. The difference is due to the fact that most Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. and the Catholic Church and pretty much the rest of the world follow the Gregorian calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII’s 1582. This will avoid the confusion that happens every time when we hear about the Orthodox churches celebrating Easter much later than our date of Easter.

This convergence has reopened discussions that all the Christian denominations must agree on a common date for Easter and Christmas. Earlier this year, Pope Francis used this year’s coincidence to bring the topic up in remarks at an ecumenical prayer service marking the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “I renew my appeal that this coincidence may serve as an appeal to all Christians to take a decisive step forward towards unity around a common date for Easter. The Catholic Church is open to accepting the date that everyone wants: a date of unity.” This hope and wish have been expressed also by the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew who is the archbishop of Constantinople and 270th successor of St. Andrew the Apostle. But will it happen, since it is beset with so many procedural hurdles? Time will tell.

But let us rejoice and celebrate this Easter as one people of God: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!” (Psalm 118:24). Today we celebrate the completion of the sacred Triduum in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These “Great Three Days” form the centerpiece of God’s salvific work in Christ. While it still remains a mystery, the grief and agony of the cross from Good Friday and Holy Saturday is now tempered and balanced with the joy of Easter Sunday.

Haven’t you wondered why the Church insists that Easter is the most important feast of the year while the secular world gives so much importance to Christmas? The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian faith and foundation of church. St. Paul writes: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your faith is in vain.” (I Corinthians 15: 14). We are in the Holy Year 2025 with its theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” Easter is the guarantee of our hope for our own resurrection. Jesus assured Martha at the tomb of Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even though he dies” (John 11: 25-26).

We have every reason to be an “Easter People” and to sing Halleluiah loud and clear.

Easter Blessings!

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

Pastor