Author: ANTONINO

Scripture Readings 18th October 2020, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Isa 45:1, 4-6; Ps 95:1. 3-5. 7-10 r.7; 1 Thess 1:1-5; Matt 22:15-21

Isaiah insists that every event, good or bad, is part of God’s plan, including the conquest and exile of Israel by Babylon. And so does the freedom given them about 530 BC by Cyrus, King of Persia, whom God calls his ‘anointed’ or ‘messiah’, because he did God’s work. Thus all men, including Gentiles, though they do not know him, will know that there is only one God, the Lord.

The Psalm therefore calls on all men – and all creation – to worship and praise the one and just God.

For the last Sundays of Ordinary Time we read from Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonika, which he founded about AD 50. Paul later sent Silvanus and Timothy back to support the new community. Written from Corinth, this letter is the earliest Christian writing we have. Centuries before the idea of the Trinity was formally defined, Paul distinguishes clearly between “God our Father”, “our Lord Jesus Christ”, and “the Holy Spirit”.

Over the next three weeks we hear the final three discussions in Matthew’s Gospel between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. They ironically address Jesus as “Teacher”, but he silences them: he does have full authority to interpret the Jewish Scriptures.

Psalm Response: Give the Lord glory and power.

(Isa 45:1, 4-6; Ps 95:1. 3-5. 7-10 r.7; 1 Thess 1:1-5; Matt 22:15-21)

11th October 2020, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Isa 25:6-10; Ps 22(23) r.6; Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Matt 22:1-14

After the desolation of the earth and the final judgement, Isaiah describes in mouth-watering detail the great banquet the Lord will provide. It will be on Mount Zion and all peoples are invited. Not only will all sorrows be wiped away, but also the ultimate worry – death – will be destroyed.

The familiar psalm expresses our personal confidence that the Lord is preparing a beautiful surprise for us to enjoy after death.

Our readings from Paul’s letter to the Philippians conclude with Paul again thanking them for their continued support and the money they had sent him. God’s help enables him to be content whatever his problems, but their thoughtfulness is especially welcome now that he is in prison. He ends his letter with a fond farewell: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”.

Matthew compares the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast – the heavenly banquet to which all are invited. But if we accept the invitation we must prepare adequately and be willing to participate fully. Otherwise we may still be thrown out. Our membership must be visible to others. We must do more than just belong. Like the Philippians we must share what we have with the community we have joined, and with those in need.

Psalm Response: In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

11th October 2020, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Scripture Readings 4th October 2020, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Isa 5:1-7; Ps 79(80); Phil 4:6-9; Matt 21:33-43

First Isaiah was writing before 700 BC, when Assyria threatened and eventually overwhelmed Israel, the northern kingdom. Isaiah insists that only being faithful to God will protect the nation from disaster. The unproductive vineyard is the house of Israel, where, in spite of the care lavished on it by the Lord, there is bloodshed and injustice.
The psalm beseeches the Lord to protect his vine, Israel. Transplanted from Egypt, it has been severely damaged, but Israel promises not to forsake the Lord again.
In his affectionate farewell to the Philippians, Paul urges them to “rejoice in the Lord always”, not anxious, but thinking about all that is good, letting the Lord know all their needs. They should imitate Paul in the way he relies on the Lord. Then God’s grace will bring them peace. Our God is the God of peace. He not seeking to catch us out, but longs for us to accept the peace he offers and to rely on him totally.
This parable in Matthew’s Gospel about a vineyard owner follows immediately after last week’s story of the two sons. Matthew has brought Isaiah’s tale up to date with the murder of the prophets and even the Lord’s son. As with Isaiah’s prophecy, Israel would again be devastated, in AD70.

Psalm Response: The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – From a Melting Pot to a Mosaic

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by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

FROM A MELTING POT TO A MOSAIC

When in 1974 I arrived in the USA it was very popular the concept that «America is a melting pot». I used to hear that in songs, in churches, in schools, in restaurants, in the streets and so on. «You come to America you are supposed to talk, to live, to sing, and even to pray like Americans». Many immigrants changed their names in order to be, and to look more like Americans. It was like making a fruit juice. I put in the same juice-maker strawberries together with mangos, plums and whatever kind of fruit I want and I get just one kind of juice. I admit that it is good but I don’t even care to know what it is as long as it is for my benefit. This is the «melting pot» mentality.

A Mosaic with different colours, different kinds of food, different ways of praying and dancing …

I still remember the joy I felt in 1976 when America celebrated 200 years of independence. To celebrate that event the Bishops of the USA wrote a very welcoming letter. And in that letter they tried to change the mentality of a «melting pot» to a «mosaic». America is a «mosaic». It is a mosaic with different colors, different kinds of food, different ways of praying and dancing, different languages and different cultures. We started realizing that differences are not a problem but a blessing. Before leaving my Parish I was saying seven Masses every weekend. It was three in English, three in Spanish and one in Portuguese. My former Diocese of Oakland designed its new logos: «DIOCESE OF OAKLAND: ONE TREE WITH MANY BRANCHES». This has been always my vision: to build unity in diversity.

ONE OF MY PLANS

One of my plans is to contact the office of Tourism and Immigration in Funchal and try to find out how many cultures, languages, races, religions and countries are represented in this considered small Island of Madeira.
Just a few days ago I had the privilege of having a «cup of coffee» with a member of the Muslim Community and two days later another privilege of having a «cup of coffee» with a member of the Gypsy Community. And we are planning more «cups of coffee». How many things we have in common, however how distant we are from one another. When I shared the experience with a friend of mine he said: «I have never seen a Muslim in my entire life».

THE GOOD SHEPHERD IN BICA DA CANA

cantinho_bom_pastor

This coming Saturday, September 12, our Bishop of Funchal is going to the hills of Madeira, to a place called «Bica da Cana» (Paul da Serra) to bless and inaugurate the statue of the Good Shepherd. To all priests who celebrated their 25th or 50th anniversaries of ordination our Bishop used to offer the statue of the Good Shepherd. It was my privilege to offer this same statue to a public place where people could be inspired by one of the most moving stories of the Gospel, usually known by the name of the «Lost Sheep» (Luke 15). The civil authorities will be present. We decided to give to this humble and simple construction the name of «Cantinho do Bom Pastor» that means the «Corner of the Good Shepherd».

In this simple celebration of Mass and Blessing I am trying to involve Protestants, Muslims, Gypsies and Catholics of course. I wish we could get more. ALL ARE INVITED. Precautions to avoid corona virus contamination are going to be taken.

Fr. Bernardino Andrade
September 6th, 2020

“CANTINHO DO BOM PASTOR” – Inauguration on September 12th
by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

Scripture Readings 27th September 2020, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Ezek 18:25-28; Ps 24(25); Phil 2:1-11; Matt 21:28-32

The priest Ezekiel appears to have been among the first Israelites taken to Babylon in captivity in 598 BC. He had strongly urged Israel’s leaders to be faithful to God and his covenant, instead of resisting their enemies. But in vain: Israel’s further rebellion led to the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586. Ezekiel insists that children are not punished for the sins of their fathers. Each generation and each person must accept responsibility for their own behaviour. Why choose sin and death: “I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God, so turn, and live”.

The psalm is a personal prayer for guidance and pardon, while meditating on God’s goodness to the just.

Paul urges the Gentile Christians in Philippi to strive for unity, putting their own interests behind those of the Christian community. The hymn glorifies the way the already existing Christ obediently humbled himself to become man so that “every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord” – the basic definition of a Christian.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus has entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple. Now, challenged by the Jewish leaders, Jesus asks which is better – to refuse a command and then do it, or to say ‘yes’ but disobey? Israel frequently broke their Covenant with God, so sinners will enter God’s kingdom before the Jews.

Psalm Response: Remember your mercy, Lord.

Ezek 18:25-28; Ps 24(25); Phil 2:1-11; Matt 21:28-32

Scripture Readings 20th September 2020, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A<

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Isa 55:6-9; Ps 144(146):2-3. 8-9. 17-18 r.18; Phil 1:20-24, 27; Matt 20:1-16a

Earlier in this chapter Isaiah invited us to the joyful banquet the Lord has prepared for us – “the supper of the Lamb”. Today’s reading urges us to “seek the Lord while he may be found”: hidden and unimaginably different from us, yet he is near and wanting to give us his forgiveness.

The Psalm, a hymn of praise to God’s mercy, recalls when the Israelites worshipped the golden calf: the Lord is “slow to anger and abounding in mercy”.

For the next four weeks the second reading is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, probably written about 57 AD from Ephesus. Paul writes to thank the Philippians for the money they had sent him while he was in prison, and to encourage them to support each other in their pagan surroundings. Paul is very clear about his future life with Christ immediately after death. Sharing in Christ’s suffering means also sharing in the joy of the union with Christ which such suffering brings. Paul is torn between wishing to be gone and so be with Christ, or staying alive suffering in the Lord’s work.

In Matthew’s gospel even those rejected by others are swept up into the Lord’s vineyard. Justice to those hired first is balanced by mercy to the latecomers.

Psalm Response:        The Lord is close to all who call him.

Scripture Readings 6th September 2020, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

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Ezek 33:7-9; Ps 94(95): 1-2. 6-9 r.7-8; Rom 13:8-10; Matt 18:15-20

Ezekiel says religious leaders have authority, but also daunting responsibility. Failing to instruct the people correctly will lead to the same fate as the sinners they have failed to guide wisely. After the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC, Ezekiel promises hope for a future return to Jerusalem – but only if the people accept individual responsibility for sins and purify themselves of false gods.

The Psalm invites us to praise and worship the Lord daily, for he is our king and shepherd. We must not lose faith in God, as did the Israelites in their desert journey.

Paul’s advice to the Romans on Christian living continues: obey secular authorities, whose authority comes from God, and pay the taxes and respect that is their due. Above all “love your neighbour as yourself”.

The first reading, with the last verse of the Gospel reading, help us to understand the Gospel. “Where two or three meet in Jesus’ name”, Jesus will be in their midst – and by implication he will be guiding their decision-making, so their decisions will be in tune with God’s will. The Church’s awesome authority to include or exclude individuals on God’s behalf is not to be exercised carelessly, but only after due deliberation by the whole Christian community.

Psalm Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! “Harden not your hearts”.

(Ezek 33:7-9; Ps 94(95): 1-2. 6-9 r.7-8; Rom 13:8-10; Matt 18:15-20)

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – The Good Sheperd in Bica Da Cana

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fr_bernadino_photoTHE GOOD SHEPHERD IN «BICA DA CANA» – One Story In Five Pieces

1. «Bica da Cana» is a place located in the largest plateau of Madeira Island called Paúl da Serra. During my childhood, Paúl da Serra was always associated with hard work and suffering and sometimes even with tragic deaths. It had almost all the characteristics of a desert even if part of the year it was green with a special kind of fern called «feiteira». Especially during the month of August, the farmers used to spend days, nights and weeks in Paul da Serra, cutting «feiteira», letting it dry and, carrying it home pulled by cows. Usually these small farmers ate very frugally and the access to the water was very limited. It happened to me, to my father, my brothers and my neighbours. This was the farmer’s kind of life during Summer time.

2. Some people used to cross Paul da Serra by foot to go to the northern part of the island (Porto Moniz) to buy potatoes, carrying them on their backs. Sometimes it was foggy and they would get lost and some tragic deaths happened in Paul da Serra.

3. Around 1955, when I was still a seminarian, I decided to add some fun to that wonderful part of the island that had been a symbol of suffering and work only. I invited a group of five people (including me) and we made our first trip to Bica da Cana. Since then, once a year, the «Trip to Bica da Cana» became more and more popular and «mandatory». When I used to come for my Summer holidays, the way many people greeted me was with this question: «When is our trip to Bica da Cana?». Each year the crowds kept growing. After my Priestly Ordination in Africa I came to Madeira to say my first Mass. One of them was in Bica da Cana. Attending that Mass there were lots of people seated and standing on the hills. Besides these popular trips, when I was a student, together with other students we used to walk through Paul da Serra carrying our tents and camping for days and weeks.

4. Many years passed. When I celebrated the 50th anniversary of my ordination, the Most Reverend Bishop of Funchal, António Carrilho, offered me and other priests who were celebrating their jubilees, the statue of the Good shepherd. I kept that statue in my living room for some time. But I realized that the statue of the Good Shepherd is too symbolic to be confined to a private house. It is hard to believe that in Madeira there are thousands of statues of Saints, of Mary, and saints in churches and in private homes and I have never seen a statue of the Good Shepherd. I consider the story of the Good Shepherd narrated by Luke, chapter 15, the heart of the message of Jesus. It is a story of a Shepherd who had 100 sheep. When night was falling he counted all of them and one was missing. He was very sad with the absence of that one. This shepherd left ninety-nine sheep in the sheepfold and went looking for the lost one. When he found it, I am sure it was bleeding and trembling with cold and smelling like feces and urine. But he was so happy that he found it. He put it on His shoulders and came home.

5. BLESSING AND INAUGURATION:
On Saturday, September 12, at 11:00 AM.
The Bishop of Funchal, D. Nuno Brás, will go to Bica da Cana, along with the civil authorities to bless and inaugurate the «CANTINHO DO BOM PASTOR». ALL ARE INVITED.

MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – The Poor Helping the Poor

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A friend of mine, who ended his Marriage some time ago, told me that «Divorce is a passport to poverty».

Ginny (not her true name) is divorced. I have known her for many years but I don’t know a lot about her life. However I know that she is divorced, jobless, has three children, and is very poor… on the border line of misery. Ginny has survived for many years under the care of “People Helping People”. In spite of her university studies she has failed in every job she has tried.

Her son has suffered from asthma since childhood; then drugs have been part of his young life. Finally he quit drugs and is taking medicine to help him in the recovery process. But another bad thing happened that is not common. At twenty one years old, he recently, had a heart attack.

The main point of the story is that Ginny is very poor and every day is a new day full of fear and surprises. A few weeks ago she got a bag of food from the Association People Helping People. One of her neighbours approached her asking if she had anything that she could share because her family had nothing to eat. A little while later, another neighbour did the same. Even knowing that Ginny was poor, she came to her with the same request: she had nothing for dinner and asked if she could help her with something.
Ginny did something that made me think. In the bag that she had received from People Helping People she found a big potato. Ginny took the potato, and cut it into three pieces. She kept one piece for her family and shared the other two pieces with her neighbours.

With something that they could still find, three families had dinner: with one potato, and lots of love transformed into service.

«Small things done by small people in small places change the world». (Mother Teresa).

Fr. Bernardino Andrade August 23, 2020

Scripture Readings 23rd August 2020, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Scripture Readings 23rd August 2020, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s reading from Isaiah helps us to understand the tremendous power Jesus gives to Peter and the Apostles: Eliakim, newly appointed as “master of the palace”, is given complete authority to decide who may enter the House of David – and who may not. And he is to be “a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the House of Judah”.

The Psalmist thanks the Lord for answering his prayer, while calling on all rulers to join in this hymn of thanks for the Lord’s words.

Earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul suggested that he was sent as the apostle to the pagans “in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them”. Israel, even while attacking the gospel, is still God’s “beloved”, since God never takes back his promises. Now Paul gasps in awe and wonder at the daring brilliance of God’s plan, which we can never fully comprehend.

This chapter of Matthew’s gospel began with Jesus finally breaking off discussions with the Jewish authorities. Now recognised as divine, Jesus, begins to form his disciples into a community to continue his work after his death. Like Eliakim, Peter, and – in chapter 18 – all the Apostles, are given authority to make eternal decisions, which will be upheld by God.

Psalm Response: Your love, O Lord, is eternal; discard not the work of your hands.