On Sunday morning at 10am, His Excellency, Mar Sarhad Yawsip Jammo, celebrated Holy Mass at St. Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church. The reading for the Sixth Sunday of the Resurrection was especially fitting for the Mass which the Bishop celebrated.

During his homily, Mar Sarhad spoke of the prayer of Christ and how it was prayed for his disciples to be saved from evil. The prayer of Christ for his disciples and for the Church is that we may be holy, that we may be together in love and not alone. He went on to mention the Epistle from Saint Paul as well, “You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” St. Paul mentions the Apostles together, not as an individual. At the heart of his sermon, Mar Sarhad spoke of his thankfulness to God for allowing his diocese to unite so beautifully, for as he said, “We are living the prayer of Christ.” Things that are worth much are expensive, and though this diocese has paid much for its unity, it was worth the cost. “I will defend this unity,” the Bishop said, “for all of you, for the clergy and for my dear brother, Mar Bawai Soro.” Though the struggle may take time, it is not something to fear. We will stand with Christ beside us and one another. Mar Sarhad ended by saying that we are all members of the same Body of Christ, “and I will defend you as I would for any other member of it.”

Following Mass, Mar Sarhad blessed a number of the faithful who were recently celebrating anniversaries, as well as others who desired a blessing. Afterward, he went outside to greet the children who were waiting for him to bless the plans for a new Basketball court which will be the newest addition to the St. Matthew’s property.