Habemum Papam - We have a Pope

When You See the White Smoke…

Don’t think of prestige. Don’t rush to post, to speculate, or to celebrate power.

But, kneel. And pray.

Because the man who will soon step out onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica is not claiming a throne—but embracing a cross.

He is not a victor, but a sacrificial lamb chosen to lead a weary world.

At that very moment, he may be in the small, hidden “Chapel of Tears” beside the Sistine Chapel—weeping. Not in triumph, but in awe and fear, asking God:

“Why me?”

He will recount his frailties. He will list every reason why he feels unworthy.

But God will not need strength—He will give mercy.

This man will carry the full weight of Peter’s office.

He will grow tired.

He will suffer silently.

He will grow old—perhaps too soon.

He will not retire in comfort.

He will die in service.

His burden will be unseen by many, but his soul will feel it every day.

When you see the white smoke... pray for him.

He is not stepping into glory—he is walking into sacrifice.

Viva Papa Leo XIV!

The Gift of Mercy and The Gift of Baptism...

On Divine Mercy Sunday — the very day when Pope Francis, the first-ever Jesuit pope whose life and teachings were so profoundly centered on mercy, was laid to rest — I, a fellow Jesuit, was privileged to baptize Baby Ophelia at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Omaha, USA. 

My first-ever prayer request for the Holy Father, therefore, was, "Dear Holy Father, remember Ophelia when you come into His kingdom!"

It was a moment of deep and overwhelming emotion for me as a priest, as I reflected on how God's living word continues to be fulfilled: "Go, therefore, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

I was reminded of the great Jesuit missionaries of the past — St. Francis Xavier, who tirelessly spread the Gospel in India and across Asia, and St. Matteo Ricci, who brought the light of Christ to China. Now, here I am, a Jesuit from the island nation of Sri Lanka, standing on American soil, baptizing a child into the faith.

On this sacred day, when God’s infinite mercy was first entrusted as a gift to the disciples — to be carried in their hearts as they were sent forth to the ends of the earth — I was humbled to be a part of that same mission.

Alleluia!

Behind the Image: Yet Another Easter Story…

 

Photographed by Fr. Rashmi M. Fernando, SJ | April 21, 2019 

St. Sebastian's Church, Katuwapitiya, Negombo, Sri Lanka

Behind this image, a story breathes—

As powerful and unfathomable

As the Resurrection of our Lord.

It bears the silence of screams,

And the weight of a nation’s broken prayer.

 

It speaks of Easter Sunday 

April 21^st, 2019

When Heaven met horror 

And the sanctity of the Day was defiled

On the Island Nation of Sri Lanka

And in Katuwapitiya’s holy place,

In the heart of Little Rome—my hometown.

 

A series of coordinated bombings

Tore through the Day’s holiness,

Cutting the breath of prayer,

And giving way to flesh and blood,

What a terrible tremor in the soul,

And disturbance to Alleluia, our Easter Song

 

Though I detested capturing any pain

What I saw in the lectionary was an image 

I could not turn away.

Lying open in the wreckage—

Covered with shards of glass, 

The dust of fallen ceilings,

And the tender, unspeakable remains

of those who came to rise with Christ—

Were the pages whispering the Psalmist’s prayer 

And the eternal truths,

Though difficult to comprehend then,

That remains in my soul until this day: 

"Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.”

"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." 

 

Six years have passed.

And on this Easter Monday morning, 

Yet, another April 21^st,

I wake to a different grief:

The Holy Father—Pope Francis

The only Jesuit pope in our history

Returned to the Eternal.

 

A dear friend of mine from Omaha writes to me:

"I know today is a very difficult day, Rashmi.

I can’t help but think

All the beautiful Sri Lankan martyrs

Ran to him and hugged him in heaven."

Yes…

Rest now, dear Papa Francis, 

In the embrace of those who bore the Cross of Christ in your time.

You were indeed an instrument of God's Spirit,

 Renewing the face of the Church and of the earth,

And showing the fullness of His goodness 

To those most in need, the vulnerable, and the marginalized,  

In the far ends of the world. 

 

දෙව්ලොව ආසිරි ලැබේවා දිව්‍ය පාමුලේ: Loving Homage To All Who Died In Easter Bombings in Sri Lanka

Priesthood is a Mystery | Message from My Brother on the Feast of Priesthood

 Priesthood is a mystery.

It is not merely a vocation but a way of life. The Way that Jesus Himself walked. He invited His apostles to follow Him to preach and to spread the Good News to a world wavering in faith. It was challenging then. And it is equally challenging today, for priests are human too.

Jesus suffered and died. His apostles also endured suffering and death, but all for a greater purpose. His priests today, who share in the same vision and mission, also suffer. Their suffering may take different forms, shaped by the circumstances they live in. Yet it is holy.

So, on this Maundy Thursday, I urge you, Malli, to embrace the cross placed upon your mission. Be joyful. Even in suffering, Jesus was joyful, even unto death on the cross.

From a human point of view, this calling is a mystery. But through the divine Spirit, this untold mystery can be comprehended. That is the art of the priesthood. And if priesthood is an art, Jesus is the Master Artist, the one you are called to imitate.

Happy Feast Malli!

2025

S. B. Anuranga Fernando

Washing of the Feet at Holy Thursday Mass at St. Benedict the Moor Parish, Omaha, USA

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers...

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times

And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine

And if He'd only grant me this wish I wished back then

I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

And just because He doesn't answer, doesn't mean He don't care

'Cause some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers 

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams

And I could tell that time had changed me, in her eyes too it seemed

We tried to talk about the old days, there wasn't much we could recall

I guess the Lord knows what He's doin' after all

And as she walked away, well, I looked at my [life]

And then and there I thanked the good Lord

For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

And just because He may not answer, doesn't mean He don't care

'Cause some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered-

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered-

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

(Garth Brooks, 1990)

Some Self-Help for Self-Transformation & Moving on in Life...

To thank God for your unanswered prayers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QESLoxIId0 

To gain the strength to give up what doesn't belong to you: Watch the movie, Unanswered Prayers (2010)

Check your loyalty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWQW8jm4nJU    

Don't let this be you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDAzYuQcgMM  

What is your Magnificat (song of praises to God) in life? Will you start writing one today?

What are your life maxims that define who you are, what you have, and all that you do? Here are mine....

Through Grace To Renewal and Redemption...

Fernando, R. (2024, April 6). Through grace to renewal and redemption. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040625.html

Reading 1, Isaiah 43:16-21

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Gospel, John 8:1-11

Reading 2, Philippians 3:8-14

The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C, share a profound theme of renewal and redemption. From Isaiah’s prophecy of God making a way in the wilderness to Paul’s exhortation to forget the past and press on toward Christ, and finally, to the Gospel account of Jesus’ merciful response to the woman caught in adultery, we see a recurring message: God’s transformative power calls us to move forward, embracing grace over condemnation.

This theme of renewal and redemption through grace reaches its pinnacle in John 8:1-11, where Jesus encounters a woman accused of adultery. The religious leaders attempt to use this situation as a trap, expecting Jesus to either contradict Mosaic Law or undermine his message of mercy. However, his response shifts the focus from punishment to self-examination: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” One by one, the accusers leave, recognizing their own shortcomings. Instead of condemnation, Jesus offers the woman a new beginning: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, do not sin anymore.”

This passage is a powerful reflection on the nature of God’s mercy. Jesus does not deny the seriousness of sin but prioritizes redemption over retribution. His words invite us to reflect on our own tendency to judge others while overlooking our faults. More importantly, they remind us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Just as the woman was given a new chance, we too are called to rise from our past and walk forward in transformation.

In this Lenten season, these readings encourage us to embrace God’s invitation to renewal. Whether by letting go of past burdens, striving forward in faith, or showing mercy to others, we are reminded that God is always making a way for us, offering rivers in the wasteland of our lives.

Self-Reflective Questions:

• What past burdens or regrets do I need to release in order to fully embrace God’s new work in my life?
• How can I practice mercy and grace towards others, just as Jesus demonstrated to the woman in the Gospel?

Can a woman forget her baby?

“Can a woman forget her baby? 

Can she forget the child who came from her body? 

Even if she can forget her children, 

I will never forget you..."

(Is. 49:15)

Saint Joseph: The Silent Shepherd of Souls...

He was a father, yet none bore his name,
No bloodline claimed, no heir to his fame.
He held a Son whom he did not beget,
Yet in his arms, God’s salvation was set.

He was a husband, yet love took no claim,
No passions to tame, no rights to proclaim.
His vow was silence, his bond was grace,
A love unconsumed, yet time cannot erase.

He was a dreamer, yet not for his gain,
No visions of riches, no titles to reign.
His dreams were of angels, of warnings, of flight,
To guard what was sacred in faith’s solemn night.

He was a protector, yet owned not a thing,
No riches for himself, no treasures to cling.
Yet dangers he shielded, through desert and fear,
A guardian unseen, steadfast, and near.

He was a worker, yet labored unknown,
Carving and shaping, yet pride wasn’t his own.
A table, a shelter, for others he made,
A life poured out, yet love never fades.

The saint of the hidden, the uprooted, and the sent,

Those in between, the few, and whose identity is bent.

Of priests and the vowed, in missions unknown, 
Migrants and refugees, in lands not their own. 

In his shadow, their purpose glows,
They who give without taking, counting no cost.
With empty hands and silence sage,
They find their gift and rise new again.

In Salvation’s great economy, his name whispers low,
Faithful and righteous, content to let go.
In the loss of self, Saint Joseph found his call,
The father of exiles, the silent shepherd of souls.

 

(Inspired by the morning prayer on the Feast of St. Joseph, the Spouse of Mary, Our Mother - 19^th March, 2025)

A Priest's Prayer Before and After Mass...

Let This Offering Live Till I Kneel Again...

When the table is set and the candles glow,
The ashes are waiting, the water stands still,
The wine is cupped, and the bread lies low—
Prepare my soul, Lord, my longing, my will,
For the burnt offering I am about to make...

 

As wax dissolves and dust anoints,

Grape’s crimson stains my hands,

The unleavened bread in silence breaks—
Crush my soul, Lord, my dreams, my plans,
Like the sacrifice trembling in my grasp...

 

As embers whisper beneath my breath,
Wine and wax entwine in the air,
Bread’s broken scent defies even death—
Renew my soul, Lord, my life, my prayer,
As a fragrance of offering rising to You...

 

As I taste Your body and drink Your blood,
Let our flesh meet, and our blood entwine,
Flowing through every artery and vein like a sacred flood—
Heal my soul, Lord, my past, and my pains,
As a burnt offering, holy and new...

And then, when I rinse the chalice and wipe the bowl,
Blow out the candles, let shadows descend,
Fold the linens and cleanse the coal—
Make my soul, Lord, my dawns without end,
Let this offering live till I kneel again...

(Ash Wednesday Inspiration...)

Embracing the Vulnerable with Christ’s Love...

 Fernando, R. (2024, March 1). Embracing the vulnerable with Christ’s love. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/030125.html

Reading 1, Sirach 17:1-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18
Gospel, Mark 10:13-16

In today’s Gospel, Jesus welcomes the children with open arms, despite the disciples’ rebuke. If we take "children" to mean those who are vulnerable—those whom others can easily lead astray—we see a powerful call to action. Jesus does not turn away those who are fragile, marginalized, or struggling. Instead, He draws them close, blesses them, and affirms their place in the Kingdom of God. Jesus' indignation at the disciples' actions reminds us that we are called to protect, uplift, and guide those who are easily influenced or harmed by the world around them. He challenges us to not be obstacles but rather bridges that lead others to grace, healing, and love.

Similarly, Jesus teaches that embracing vulnerability is the key to the Kingdom. To accept the Kingdom of God like a child means to approach our faith with trust, humility, and openness—recognizing our dependence on God and allowing His love to shape our lives. Today, let us ask ourselves: 

1.     Who are the "children" in our midst who need our support? 

2.     How often do we, knowingly or unknowingly, push away the vulnerable in our communities, dismiss their struggles, silence their voices, or fail to offer the support they need?

3.     How can we be instruments of God's mercy, ensuring that no one is led into sin or despair by neglect or indifference, but let toward hope and belonging in the Kingdom of God?

How peacefully does the Lord sleep in my heart?

 Fernando, R. (2024, February 1). How peacefully does the Lord sleep in my heart? Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/020125.html

Reading 1, Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Responsorial Psalm, Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75

Gospel, Mark 4:35-41

Today’s Gospel passage from Mark 4:35-41 reveals a profound truth about faith and the state of our hearts. The disciples, overwhelmed by fear amidst the storm, woke Jesus from His sleep, doubting His care for them. His response, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” challenges us to reflect on whether our hearts are similarly restless, lacking trust in His divine power.

Faith, as described in Hebrews, is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Abraham’s journey exemplifies unwavering trust in God. He stepped into the unknown, dwelled as a stranger, and was willing to offer his only son, believing in God’s promises even when they seemed impossible. His faith was steadfast because he trusted the one who made the promise, allowing God to "prepare a city" for him. Likewise, the psalm reminds us that God fulfills His promises, raising up a Savior and showing mercy to His people. This assurance invites us to let our hearts rest in His faithfulness. 

Yet, when storms arise in our lives, do we mirror the disciples, panicked and doubtful, or Abraham, grounded in trust? Letting the Lord "sleep peacefully" in our hearts means surrendering our fears and placing full confidence in His providence. It means trusting that He holds our lives in His hands, even when the waves threaten to capsize our boat. Flickering faith agitates the heart, while steadfast trust brings calm, just as Jesus calmed the storm.

As today’s scripture challenges us to grow in faith, allowing the peace of Christ to reign within us, it also assures us that when we trust in God’s promises, we can face life’s storms with confidence, knowing that the One who commands the wind and sea dwells within us. Therefore, let us ask ourselves,

1. How peaceful or disturbed is the sleep of Our Lord within my heart today?
2. How can I cultivate a deeper, steadier faith that allows the Lord to rest peacefully in my heart, even during life’s storms?
3. What specific areas of my life reveal a lack of trust in God, and how can I surrender them to His care?
4. In moments of fear or uncertainty, how do I respond—like the disciples with doubt or like Abraham with faith?

Love Your Neighbor, Love Your God...

Fernando, R. (2024, January 9). Love your neighbor, love your God. Online Ministries: Creighton University. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010925.html

Reading 1, First John 4:19-5:4
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1-2, 14-15, 17
Gospel, Luke 4:14-22

The First Reading of the day emphasizes a profound truth: loving God and loving our neighbor are as inseparable as two sides of a coin. This concept resonates deeply, challenging us to examine the authenticity of our love for God through the way we treat those around us. If we claim to love God yet harbor hate or indifference toward our neighbor—the ‘other’ who is different from us in every sense of the word—we contradict the very essence of God's commandment, which is love.

Throughout the economy or plan of salvation, we see that God's love is unconditional and encompassing, extending especially to the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. As the Gospel text of the day reminds us, the exemplification of this love culminated in Jesus, whose mission was to bring hope and liberation to those most in need. His birth in a poor stable, which we just celebrated, his public life lived not only as a poor but also with and for the poor, his teachings and healings aimed at uplifting the marginalized, his death on a cross as a victim of political rivalry, and his burial in an abandoned tomb remind us that true love is action—it is feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, advocating for justice, and extending compassion through one’s whole life and work. To love God is to mirror this love to others, particularly those who are vulnerable, forgotten, and different from us.

This is why God’s commandments are not burdensome but life-giving. By loving our neighbors, we not only fulfill God’s will but also experience the joy and freedom of living in harmony with ourselves, with each other, with creation, and ultimately with God Himself. Hence, our faith in God is emancipating, helping us conquer the world and overcome its narrow ways, transforming it into a place of hope, compassion, and love. 

As we reflect on the readings today, especially looking toward the New Year ahead, let us ask: Who is my neighbor in need of love today? It might be someone struggling with loneliness, a family facing financial hardship, or a community overlooked by society, such as migrants and refugees. The call is clear: to make this year acceptable to the Lord, what must I do to serve and uplift those who are most in need?