Scripture Readings 30th June 2019, SS Peter & Paul, Year C

This is the last chapter in Acts about the Jerusalem church before Paul’s missionary journeys. Peter’s third arrest is this time by Herod who is the grandson of the Herod when Jesus was born. The story of Peter being freed from prison is so lovingly told that the parallels with Jesus’ arrest may be missed. Like Jesus, Peter was arrested during the Passover, and was also taken for a ghost, here by the maid, Rhoda, who shuts the door in his face. The angel who proclaimed Jesus to be risen, and who frees Peter, goes on to strike Herod dead.

The psalm thanks the Lord for help in difficult times, urging us to glorify the Lord, who is always ready to give comfort.

A rather lonely Paul, abandoned in prison, writes these encouraging words to Timothy, whom Paul has commissioned to take over his ministry. Paul urges him to keep on preaching the true Christian message in its entirety. But Timothy will therefore suffer and need always to rely on the Lord’s strength.

Today’s gospel is Matthew’s version of Jesus asking who people say he is. It is similar to Luke’s version. But Matthew inserts the well-known commissioning of Peter to be the rock of the Church, the only reference in all the gospels to the whole Church.

Psalm Response: From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A SIMPLE QUESTION THAT MARKED MY DESTINY FOREVER

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
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I am the youngest of eleven brothers and sisters. My father was a farmer of little pieces of land. Thirteen people lived in the same small house. No electricity, no running water, no radio, no TV. I had one pair of shoes to go to Mass on Sunday and the rest of the week I was supposed to save the shoes for the following Sunday. Because I was the youngest I was one of those who had the privilege of going to school and learn how to read and to write. But I have to confess that, very often, I questioned myself the reason why I had to go to school.

I was sure that my life was already destined. I didn’t think that I needed to go to school in order to water the plants, to dig the earth, to feed the two cows my father owned, to feed the only pig and a few chickens my family used to raise, and so many little things that were part of all those families that lived in the same neighbourhood. It never crossed my mind to go to a secondary school and continue my studies. My life, like the life of my friends, was already destined. Oh… by the way, it never crossed our minds (me and my friends) that we were poor. We were all equal. Poor were those older men and women who would walk from house to house begging for something to take home and prepare meals for their families.

One Christmas day I got a Christmas gift. It was an orange. It was so yellow and so beautiful that I didn’t have the courage to eat it. When I was in California I told the story of the only Christmas gift of my childhood. A few days later I got a bag of oranges from a family. Since then I always found a yellow orange on the top of the altar on the First Sunday of Advent and a box of oranges was delivered to my Parish residence on Christmas Eve. When I left California, 12 years ago, the same family gave me a plastic orange that I still treasure in my room. It is still yellow and beautiful and full of memories.

A gift of an orange

A gift of an orange

Well…I thought that my future was already destined. Studying and taking a course was only for the rich. Even today, the poor are not allowed to dream. And I had no dreams for my future besides continuing the life of a poor farmer like my father, my brothers, sisters and my neighbours, or to emigrate.

But God has a great sense of humour. One day I was in the kitchen with my mother and my sister Agostinha when, all of a sudden, my sister threw me this unexpected and very strange question: «Bernardino! Wouldn’t you like to be a priest?». My answer was: «Yes». I was twelve years old.

My mother started getting information on how to go to the Seminary and on October 15, 1950 I entered the Seminary. I didn’t enter the Seminary to study my vocation. I entered the Seminary to be a priest.

On June 12, 1965, in a football field of the Diocese of Quelimane (Mozambique, Africa) I received from the hands of my Bishop the Sacrament of priesthood. It was 54 years ago last Wednesday.

Father Bernadino's Ordination

Father Bernadino’s Ordination

When I tell my story it is frequent and normal to ask always the same question I was asked when I was 69 years old. And the question was: «But when you were 12 years old what did you understand about priesthood»? My answer was: «I am 69 years old and I still do not understand».

Mass at the church in Moçambique

Mass at the church in Moçambique


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Priesthood is a mystery that has been slowly revealed to me every day, especially when I deal with the poorest of the poor, when I celebrate the Eucharist and all other sacraments and especially when I alleviate the suffering of the world. I don’t know if I have been a good priest. But one thing I know – I have been a very happy priest.
And I will never understand my priesthood and Christianity if it is not PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 16th June 2019, Trinity, Year C

Proverbs 8:22-31, Psalm 8:4-9, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15

Written after the return from the exile in Babylon, the Wisdom books contain the practical knowledge of both the Israelites and the peoples around them, accumulated over two thousand years. Wisdom is the art of living a life at peace with God and with other people. It was developed by reflecting on the great questions: life, death, suffering, love, evil, relationships. It was seen to be a universal guide for living, and so given by God. So Wisdom came to be seen as a person – the caring, feminine side of God, existing from all eternity. In today’s reading from Proverbs Wisdom speaks of sharing God’s delight in His work at the beginning of creation.

The Psalm expresses our amazement at the dignity the infinite God has given to mankind’s finite nature in his wonderful creation.

In his letter to the Romans Paul insists that being justified, or made “at peace” with God, means that our previous alienation from God is overcome. God’s love “poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit” has brought us into an intimate relationship with God, but we confidently hope in a more glorious intimacy in the future.

No wonder Jesus says in John’s Gospel “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now”. The Spirit gives us understanding.

Psalm Response: How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – PENTECOST SUNDAY

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

PENTECOST SUNDAY

HELLO CHURCH… HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Don’t feel surprised when you attend Mass this Pentecost Sunday if the priest, instead of starting Mass with the Liturgical and traditional «In the name of the Father…» he would start by singing «Happy Birthday». Why? It is because in Pentecost Sunday the Church celebrates her Birthday.

I stop for a few moments and I imagine the «tsunami» that invaded and shook that place where a group of cowards and traitors were gathered: lost, upset, bitter, confused and full of fear. They had lost two friends by tragic deaths: Judas and Jesus. Then, «suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and something appeared to them that seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit , and began to speak foreign languages and the spirit gave them the gift of speech» Act. 2: 1-11).

The Holy Spirit came to stay with them and with us.

FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – A WAY OF LIFE

Life is about relationships. Faith is about relationships. Politics are about relationships. We all belong to God and we belong to one another.

Very often I am invited to bless houses and businesses places. Some time ago I was invited to bless a Bank. Every time this happens I always read a special passage of the Bible. It is Galatians 5: 22-23. I consider it a mini-course on human relationships. It applies to all situations where people are involved. They are what St. Paul calls, the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. This is the results of the «tsunami» of Pentecost Sunday.

Here they are: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL. There is no law against such things (Gal. 5: 22-23).

I would like to invite you, when you meet or pray as a couple, as a family or as a group to say one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and complete a sentence. No discussion. Just sharing. In discussion you give your opinion that can be right or wrong. In sharing there is no right or wrong answers. It would be like this:

1. LOVE IS (Complete the sentence) _________________________________________
2- JOY IS ______________________________________________________________
3.- PEACE IS ___________________________________________________________
4.- PATIENCE IS ________________________________________________________
5.- KINDNESS IS________________________________________________________
6.- GENEROSITY IS _____________________________________________________
7.- FAITHFULNESS IS ___________________________________________________
8.- GENTLENESS IS _____________________________________________________
9.- SELF-CONTROL IS ___________________________________________________

Please try. God loves you and so do I.

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

THE DISCIPLES FINISHED THE JOB

The Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini, wrote La Boheme, Madama Butterfly and Tosca. It was during his battle with terminal cancer in 1922 that he began to write Turandot, which many now consider his best work. He worked on the score day and night, despite his friends’ advice to rest, and to save his energy. When his sickness worsened, Puccini said to his disciples, “If I don’t finish Turandot, I want you to finish it.” He died in 1924, leaving the work unfinished. His disciples gathered all that was written by Puccini, studied it in great detail, and then proceeded to write the remainder of the opera.

The world premier was performed in La Scala Opera House in Milan in 1926, and Toscanini, Puccini’s favorite student, conducted it. The opera went beautifully, until Toscanini came to the end of the part written by Puccini. He stopped the music, put down the baton, turned to the audience, and announced, “Thus far the master wrote, but he died.” There was a long pause; no one moved. Then Toscanini picked up the baton, turned to the audience and, with tears in his eyes, announced, “But his disciples finished his work.” The opera closed to thunderous applause and found a permanent place in the annals of great works.

Jesus instructs us in his Ascension message to finish his work of saving mankind by proclaiming His Good News by words and deeds.

Jesus didn’t say: «If I don’t finish my job, I want you to finish it». He didn’t say it because He knew He wouldn’t. He sent His disciples do the world to continue His job. Before ascending to heaven He sent you and me to the world to continue his job. To proclaim the Good news of liberation and salvation. He sent you and me to bring good news to the poor and transform this world into a family where we take care of each another and together we arrive to our final destination which is Heaven.

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 9th June 2019, Pentecost, Year C

Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 103(104); Romans 8: 8-17; John 14: 15-16, 23-26

The Jewish feast of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was less well known than the other two pilgrimage feasts. Passover was linked to the nomadic sacrifice of lambs and the barley harvest in the Spring. Tabernacles after the grape harvest was associated with the wanderings in the desert. Recently it was realised that Pentecost was associated with God giving the Covenant on Sinai. So the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost fits neatly with this Covenant feast: the formal birth of the Christian Church. Acts lists the regions where the Church was to grow.

The psalm calls us to praise God’s creative wisdom. Filled with wonder at the details of God’s glorious works, this psalm is well worth reading in full.

Paul urges the Romans to live by the Spirit who, with Christ, has made his home in us. We are now Sons of God. If we are led by the Spirit within us to follow God’s laws, we will have confidence that the
Father will “give life to our mortal bodies”, just as Jesus was raised.

In John’s Gospel we hear from Jesus’ long Last Supper talk, promising that his Father would send the Advocate, through whom he and the Father would be with his church for all time.

Psalm Response: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

(Acts 2: 1-11; Psalm 103(104); Romans 8: 8-17; John 14: 15-16, 23-26)

Scripture Readings 2nd June 2019, 7th Sunday of Easter, Year C

Acts 7:55-60, Ps 96 (97), Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20, John 17:20-26

Our final reading from Acts before Pentecost describes the martyrdom of Stephen, in which he echoes Jesus’ words of forgiveness on the Cross. Stephen’s death was followed both by persecution of Greek-speaking believers who fled, spreading the gospel outside Jerusalem, and by Paul’s life-changing journey to Damascus.

The psalm rejoices in God’s justice: as judge over all the world those obedient to God’s Law will be rewarded, and the disobedient will be punished.

The book of Revelation ends with these promises: God’s justice will be seen in action, the just will receive everlasting life in the New Jerusalem; all who ask may have the water of life; Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, Jesus come as Lord.

In John’s Gospel, at the climax of the Last Supper, immediately before his arrest, Jesus makes this heart-felt “high-priestly prayer” to his Father. He has done all that his Father asked; like Isaac he is willing to be the sacrifice of his Father’s only son. Before going to his death he prays that his followers may be as united as He and the Father are, and that they may share in the Father’s love.

Psalm Response: The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.

(Acts 7:55-60, Ps 96 (97), Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20, John 17:20-26)

Scripture Readings 19th May 2019, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C

Acts 14:21-27; Psalm144(145):8-13; Rev 21:1-5; John 13:32-35

Last week in Acts the first mission of Paul and Barnabas started. They preached in synagogues, with mixed receptions. Many Jews became Christians. But many did not, stirring up hatred and violence against the Apostles, leaving Paul for dead. Barnabas and Paul then preached to the Gentiles, showing how they could recognise God’s activity in nature. Today we hear how this first mission ends, with religious leaders appointed in each church, and a report of “what God had done”.

The Psalm praises the Lord’s kindness and care for creation.

In Revelation the promise of salvation described last week is now accomplished. The new Jerusalem comes down adorned as a bride for her marriage with the Lamb, the union of the Messiah with the community of the elect. God dwells with men on earth, after the “former heaven and the former earth” are replaced by a “new heaven and a new earth”. God’s ancient covenant is fulfilled.

In the Gospel we hear the first of Jesus’ farewell discourses at the Last Supper. Jesus is sad to leave his followers. After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus draws out the meaning of this action. He predicts his coming death and gives a new commandment: love one another. The true mark of discipleship is that we “have love for one another”.

Psalm Response: I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.

Scripture Readings 12th May 2019, 4th Sunday of Easter, Year C

Acts 13: 14, 43-52; Psalm 99(100); Rev 7: 9, 14-17; John 10: 27-30

The Antioch church sent Barnabas and Paul on mission. After visiting Cyprus, Barnabas’ birthplace, they arrived at Perga on the south coast of what is now Turkey, and travelled north to Antioch in Pisidia. Everywhere they went they spoke first to the Jews about Jesus as the climax of the whole Jewish history. Jesus who was killed by the Jewish leaders, but raised from the dead by God. At first many Jews listened attentively.

The processional psalm sings joyfully of God: “he made us, we belong to him”.

In the Book of Revelation John sees events in heaven which mirror events on earth. Witnesses persecuted for their beliefs do not suffer in vain: they will be vindicated and evildoers punished. Not vengeance, but God’s justice. And a message of hope: the faithful of every nation will be rewarded with perfect life in God’s renewed creation.

In John’s Gospel, after Jesus had healed the man born blind, the Jewish leaders argued about Jesus, and asked him to say plainly if he was the Messiah. Jesus says the healing he does in the Father’s name testifies to him. He ends with a clear statement: “I and the Father are one” The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus: they understood Jesus was claiming to be God.

Psalm Response: We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Scripture Readings 5th May 2019, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C

Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Psalm 29(30); Rev 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

After the healings we heard in last week’s reading from the Book of Acts, the Apostles were again arrested, but miraculously freed. They immediately continued teaching in the Temple, and were again brought before the Sanhedrin, where they defended themselves strongly. Omitted from today’s reading is Gamaliel’s urging that they be released because if their activity “comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them”.

The psalm thanks God for rescue from a sudden illness.

In the Book of Revelation John sees God seated on a throne, with praises rippling out through widening circles of heavenly creatures. The one on the throne holds a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. An angel proclaims “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” But everyone is in despair because there seems to be no one worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. But then someone says “The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has triumphed”. Instead of a lion, a slain lamb steps forward to receive the scroll.

After the reading last week of the first ending to John’s Gospel, we hear today most of the second ending. With his three repeated questions, Jesus forgives Peter’s three denials, and insists that the essential pre-condition for authority is love.

Psalm Response: I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

(Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Psalm 29(30); Rev 5:11-14; John 21:1-19)