Homily Fifteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (St. Kateri Tekakwitha)

Homily Fifteenth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (St. Kateri Tekakwitha)

Kateri Tekakwitha is the first native American Saint.  She was the daughter of Christian Algonquin and a pagan Mohawk chief.  She went through a lot of difficulties in her life. 

At age four she was orphaned.  A bout of smallpox left her disfigured and partially blind.  She made a vow early in life not to get married which alienated her from many of her people.

As a young woman she met Christian missionaries.  At first, she did not have the courage to be baptized, but later when she had another opportunity she moved forward and was baptized on Easter Sunday of 1676. 

She was persecuted in her village, so she decided to go live in a Christian mission.  She walked 200 miles to a mission near Montreal.  Kateri received her first communion there and began living a devout Christian life.

She went to Mass twice a day.  She fasted several times a week.  Kateri’s greatest desire was to be as good a Christian as she could be.  When she died several miracles were attributed her. 

Kateri Tekakwitha is an example of someone who loved her Catholic faith so much she was willing to be ostracized because of it.  Her life story challenges us to never take our faith practice for granted. We are reminded that peer pressure is never an excuse for laxity in celebration of the sacraments.

Reflection Questions:

1. Indian peoples have suffered because of diseases that they have contracted from white European immigrants. How do I feel about how native Americans have suffered?

2. St. Kateri was ignored by her people because she was disfigured and blind.  Have I ever felt ugly and alone?  How could my faith lift me up?

Dear Parishioners,

          We read from the prophet Isaiah at Mass all this week.  It seems ironic to me that we are hearing from the prophets this summer, the summer when we are living through a national crisis.  The prophets pointed out the sins of Israel and Judah.  They predicted national disaster.  They were not well received.

          We have voices among us who are calling on us to make sacrifices for the good of the nation.  We are not wearing sack cloth and ashes.  We are wearing masks and keep physical distance.  We can’t afford to be proud and obstinate the like the Kings the prophets confronted.  We need to humbly try to help each other.

          May Our Lady and the Angels and Saints watch over us today.

          Fr. Mark