On a pleasant Friday evening of August 05, 2016, on the eve of the Feast of Transfiguration, nearly 50 Chaldean Faithfuls gathered at the Gorgis’ house to celebrate the 27th ordination anniversary of Fr. Noel Gorgis who was ordained a priest on the feast of Transfiguration, August 06, 1989. He remains a Chaldean priest for ever.
For this blessed feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for this blessed occasion of the 27th ordination anniversary of Fr. Noel Gorgis, Fr. Noel was invited to celebrate Chaldean Mass at his father’s house among a number of family members, relatives & friends, men, women & children.
Fr. Noel gave a very nice homily in which he reflected on the Gospel reading of Matthew 17:1-13, according to our Eastern Apostolic Chaldean liturgy. This is what Fr. Noel said in his homily (translated to English): As we read in the Gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ took with Him three disciples whom He chose from among the 12 for they were closer to understand His purpose and His goal that was to be revealed and fulfilled at time of Resurrection. The three apostles were led by Jesus up a high mountain where He was transfigured before them which made Peter, one of the three, very happy to say; “Lord, it is good to be here” (Matthew 17:4). Peter saw the truth and accepted it because Jesus wanted him and the two other disciples to be a part of what happened at that moment of Transfiguration.
Many times in life, one is not ready to say the truth or act on it but chooses to hold on to it and keeps it for later, or forever. Surely, our Lord had a purpose and a goal that made Him reveal Himself before those three disciples on that day.
On this date, 27 years ago, I became a priest when many things were revealed before me after answering my call for priesthood. Priesthood is a very dear gift to me, and it is sacred, it is when that person gives himself to the best thing ever with the satisfaction that he will reach his goal to fulfill his mission in life, even though we know that priesthood is not an easy step. It is full of difficulties, pressures, persecution, termination and other things. but at the end, if your goal is set from Day One on God’s trust, and that you will pursue it all the way till the finish line, then, no matter what, you will certainly achieve it proudly & successfully.
The three disciples definitely experienced many difficulties when Jesus took them to witness His Transfiguration, and their faith & trust in Him helped them stay with Jesus till the end. Many of us cannot take any action in life or even endure any difficulty, yet we become discouraged and runaway from any responsibility or stand, just because we don;t want to bother.
Today, we must thank God that we are living here in this country America with our families and friends, putting all our trust in God who will help us reach our goal in life and receive His grace, just like the apostles and all the saints who loved God above all.
