One-on-One with Fr. John "Junior" Jwad
Chaldean News: What is the role of a priest in his community?
Fr. John: So many people are truly touched simply by the presence of a priest. Whether it be a joyous or sad event, just the presence of a priest makes such a difference in that person’s life. The role of a priest is to be an example of Christ, and our Chaldean Church theology teaches us that a priest is to be a mediator between God and the people. The priest should be an example, a role model, a leader – that helps people become, not more like him, but become more like God. The priest must give himself completely, just as Christ gave himself completely. He must give himself 100%, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The priest is not a 9-5 employee. The priest must live a life of vocation, faithfulness, strength, and steadfastness. Marriage is not a job or hobby, so priesthood is not a job, sector, or career. It is a life and vocation that one gives himself completely for the good of others, the service of the Church, out of love for God.
CN: What message do you have to our community regarding preserving our culture?
Fr. John: As I said, our culture is a treasure. As a community and Church, we are responsible for preserving our culture. Not just for our sake, but for all of civilization because our culture and language contribute to everyone – not just Chaldeans. We are children of the Church of Martyrs. Many of our forefathers died so our Church can remain alive. The Church they preserved through the shedding of their blood – when they preserved the faith, they also held the culture that helped our forefathers fall in love with Christ. I often use the example of glasses; when someone is given a pair of glasses, they can see something better. These glasses are made specifically for that person, our Church, our history, and our language. These are glasses that God made for us to be able to see Him, know Him, and love Him better.
CN: What is something you dream of doing someday?
Fr. John: I dream of one day being able to have an assignment in Iraq, whether it be a year or a couple of years. I want to experience it because I immensely love the homeland, Iraq, and our villages. I believe our history and our past are so important and valuable. Many times when I visit different universities, I often see many American, Italian, German, and French professors who have studied for years and written dissertations about the glories and the history of the Chaldean Church and the Chaldean people and Chaldean language.
As a Chaldean who loves history in general, especially our history, it truly encourages me to want to live that history. To live back home for some time and feel that experience and our parents’ and grandparents’ love for their homeland. This is a big dream of mine. Mainly to visit our village of Telkeppe and walk through the village that our parents and grandparents talk about so much. Specifically, to see my grandparents’ grave and the Church there. Also, I especially would like to go to the village of Alqosh and visit the Monastery of Rabban Hormizd, which is very historical – and many of our Chaldean Patriarchs are buried there.
CN: What are your thoughts these days before the coming ordination?
Fr. John: For me, it truly is a great, great joy. I have been waiting for this day since I was a little child, since I was an altar boy. Not many people have the blessing to know what they want to be at such a young age, and God blessed me with such conviction in my life to know I was to become a priest. It is a blessing to know that I am giving my life to a vocation that truly fulfills me and gives me great joy and peace. It is exciting for me that these days are finally here and that the life that will follow it is finally here. The days to completely give myself for the service of the Church have arrived.