“In today’s Gospel, Jesus said, ‘I came not to bring peace, but division.’ At first, this may sound troubling. We may ask, ‘Lord, is this really you speaking to us?’” said Father Jose Fifin, CSJ, the new pastor of St. Jude Parish in Elyria.
During the homily at his Aug. 17 pastor installation Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, Father Fifin recalled an experience from his parish in his native India. A young man invited him to bless his home. When he arrived, Father Fifin said he greeted the man’s parents, but they did not respond. “They were angry, silent and clearly unhappy with my presence,” he said, but their son quietly asked him to bless only his room.
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The young man had converted to the Catholic faith and because of that, his parents rejected him, Father Fifin said. “They no longer spoke to him because he chose to follow the truth of the Gospel. He was divided from his family, and yet, the young man’s face shone like a star. He carried in his heart a burning fire - the fire that Jesus speaks of when he says, ‘I came to bring fire to the earth.’ That fire is Christ himself. It is the flame of faith that he has placed in each one of us.”
On the day of our baptism, a candle is lit from the paschal candle and the priest says, “Receive the light of Christ and keep it burning brightly throughout your life.” That light, that fire, is not just a symbol, Father Fifin said, “It is the living flame of Christ that we are called to carry into the world. My dear brothers and sisters, when we live according to Gospel values – when we choose truth, when we walk in the light – the world may not always welcome us. Just as that young man’s family rejected him, the world, too, may reject us,” he said.
But Father Fifin reminded the faithful that standing with Christ means standing with the truth and carrying his light in our hearts. “Even if the world hates you, even if you face division, do not be afraid. Be proud of your faith. Be proud of what you believe in. Be proud to stand with Christ. Because in him, we stand with truth, with light and with life,” he added.
Concelebrants for the liturgy included Father Frank Kosem, who served as St. Jude pastor for 35 years before his retirement. Deacon Bill Elwer assisted.
Father Fifin is St. Jude’s sixth pastor. The parish was founded on Oct. 14, 1943.