Here is a translation of my homily for Peru’s Independence Day. I concelebrated and preached at a Mass held at Saint Benedict Parish in Duluth, Georgia on Friday, July 29th. You can see some pictures on the previous post.
A few days ago I was telling a parishioner that there are no coincidences for God. God, in his infinite wisdom, sends us what we need as long as we remain close to Him. God does not act because He’s bored and has nothing else to do while sitting on a throne high above the clouds. God acts with purpose and always acts with an end in mind.
This morning I spoke with Father Jorge Alberto to let him know I’d like to concelebrate at this Independence Day Mass. He greeted me very kindly and told me that those attending Mass would probably love for a fellow Peruvian to preach, so here you have me tonight preaching. Father Jorge Alberto also mentioned that the Gospel passage was perfect (and I don’t think this was a coincidence). As you just heard me proclaim, Jesus says in this passage, “a prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his house.” In other words, “no one is a prophet in his own land.”
Here we are, far from our native land, far from Peru, but we are here giving thanks to God for 190 years of our nation. It has been 190 years of achievements and defeats, joys and tragedies, but above all, 190 years of being Peru.
At a distance, we have all become ambassadors for our country with its different music styles, foods which have no compare and its rich traditions. At a distance we have become prophets of our land even though we don’t live there.
Growing up in Georgia, I always felt I didn’t belong 100% in this country, but at the same time felt I didn’t belong 100% to Peru either. Many of us immigrants feel this way: uprooted, with a blurry identity that is not very concrete. At school I was the Peruvian kid. In Peru, I was the gringo cousin. Where am I from? Where do I belong to? Who are my people?
I would always participate in the cultural festival in Augusta. Dressed with my chullo, poncho, ojotas and wool socks with depictions of llamas, I would take part of a parade in the stifling summer heat. While always feeling very Peruvian, I always returned home happy in Augusta after our vacations in Peru. I would sometimes ask myself, to which people to I belong to? Where are my roots?
Ten years ago I went to seminary to begin my studies to become a priest for the Diocese of Savannah which covers about two-thirds of the state of Georgia. When I made this decision, I knew it meant I’d spend the rest of my life in Georgia, far from Peru. Many relatives in Peru asked me why I wasn’t returning to Lima, it was my country after all and there were so many needs. They were right in that there are many needs in Peru, but there are needs everywhere.
One day as I prayed, God helped me get rooted, and the insight I received can help every immigrant. My country on earth is certainly Peru. I was born there and without a doubt my roots are there. This country, the United States, has helped me to develop as a person, to grow, to study, to work and to be here today as a priest. But we all share a common eternal country no matter where we were born or where we grew up.
Our country is the Kingdom of God. Saint Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians, “we are citizens of heaven and we look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.”
My roots are firm. My identity is clear. I belong to the Kingdom of God.
No one on Earth is a prophet in his own land because we all belong to a heavenly nation, we are all citizens of heaven. With faith and hope, we believe that Jesus Christ will take us one day to this land where we will not need a passport or visa.
We live far from Peru, but we must be prophets of its culture and beauty.
We live on Earth, but we must be prophets of the Kingdom of God, the heavenly kingdom, at all times and in all places.
Let us ask God tonight to Peru. May He also bless our paths, so we may always remain rooted in Him, faithful to His word. May He guide our steps and allow us to comprehend more deeply our identity as members of his heavenly Kingdom.
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