Author: ANTONINO

Scripture Readings 29th April 2018, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year B

Leave a Comment

Acts 9: 26-31 ; Ps 21(22):26-28,30-32 ; 1 John 3: 18-24 ; John 15: 1-8

Much has happened in Acts since last Sunday’s reading: Peter and some apostles have been imprisoned and beaten before being set free again. Seven Greeks were appointed to look after the Hellenists – apparently Greek-speaking Christians. Stephen was arrested and his speech to the Jewish leaders suggests that the Hellenists were persecuted by the Jews because they did not join in the Temple worship. They were driven out to Judea and Samaria – and so the Gospel began to spread.

Today we hear how Paul returns from his conversion near Damascus. He is accepted by the Hebrew Christians, but not by the Hellenists, so has to be hustled out of town.

The ending of this Messianic psalm, uttered by Our Lord on the Cross, rejoices in the triumph of God’s justice: God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Jesus.

In his first Letter John insists that we must show our faith by our actions: keeping God’s commandments. We can be sure we are doing right if we obey our conscience guided by God’s Spirit dwelling in us.

In John’s gospel Jesus gives his disciples detailed teaching at the last supper, just before his arrest. We must be bound closely to Christ: He is the vine, we are the branches, gaining sustenance and support from him.

Psalm Response: You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

(Acts 9: 26-31 ; Ps 21(22):26-28,30-32 ; 1 John 3: 18-24 ; John 15: 1-8)

Scripture Readings 22nd April 2018, 4th Sunday of Easter, Year B

Leave a Comment

Acts 4: 8-12 ; 117(118); 1 John 3: 1-2 ; John 10: 11-18

After healing the cripple in Jesus’ name and calling on the people to repent, Peter and John were put in prison overnight. Peter then repeats his preaching to the Jewish leaders. The leaders cannot deny “a notable miracle has been worked”. Undecided, they order the Apostles not to speak in Jesus’ name again, and release them without punishing them – at least this time.

The psalm is from the Passover psalm heard on Easter Sunday, thanking and praising God for repeatedly saving us.

John’s first letter insists that the love the Father has given us makes us his children now, anticipating already in some way what we shall be “when he appears”. John goes on to contrast the righteous who do not sin with those who commit sin. You are either for God or against him – there is nothing between.

In John’s gospel, after healing the man born blind, Jesus describes himself both as the door through which we can enter and be saved, and also as the good shepherd, whom the sheep know and follow. In contrast to the false shepherds criticised by Ezekiel, the good shepherd cares for his sheep, even at the cost of his life. Jesus emphasises that he is in control of his life, causing division among the Jews.

Psalm Response: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

(Acts 4: 8-12 ; 117(118); 1 John 3: 1-2 ; John 10: 11-18)

From my Heart to your Heart – How to say “Happy Easter”

Leave a Comment

For Easter, many different cultures have many different ways of greeting one another. In the English culture we say «Happy Easter!». In the Portuguese culture it’s «Felizes Páscoas!». In the Russian Orthodox culture they say: «He Is Risen!» and the answer to that is «He Is Risen Indeed!

Many years ago Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin was one of the most powerful men on earth. A Russian Communist leader, he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. He was the editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda and was a full member of the Politburo. His works on economics and political science are still read today.

There is a story told about a journey he took from Moscow to Kiev in 1930 to address a huge assembly of Communists. The subject was atheism.

Addressing the crowd, he attacked Christianity, hurling insults and arguments against it. When he had finished, he looked out at the audience: “Are there any questions?” he demanded.
Deafening silence filled the auditorium.

Then one man stood up, approached the platform and mounted the lectern. After surveying the crowd, he shouted the ancient greeting of the Russian Orthodox Church:

– “CHRIST IS RISEN!”
The crowd stood up and shouted in a thundering voice:
– “HE IS RISEN INDEED!”

Amazed and dejected, Bukharin left the stage in silence. Finally, he had learned the lesson that Faith in Christ’s Resurrection was deeply rooted in his Russian Orthodox Communist followers!
HAPPY EASTER… FELIZES PÁSCOAS… JESUS IS RISEN…

Scripture Readings 8th April 2018, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year B

Leave a Comment

Acts 4: 32-35; Psalm: 117(118); 1 John 5: 1-6; John 20: 19-31

During the six weeks of Easter the first readings are from the Book of Acts, in which Luke describes Jesus continuing his ministry through the Church after his earthly life ended. Not intimidated by his arrest, Peter continued to attract many Jews to follow Jesus. Today we hear how this growing community held their assets in common. The next verses give two examples: Barnabas who gave the proceeds from selling a field; and Ananias and his wife, who held back some of the proceeds and were struck dead by Peter in his Apostolic role as a Judge of Israel.

The dramatic Passover psalm from Easter Sunday is repeated today more fully, thanking God for repeatedly coming to our rescue and saving us.

The second readings in Eastertide are from the first letter of John, whose gospel said little about Jesus’ humanity and his moral teachings. Some members of John’s community needed to be reminded that our faith is in a man, Jesus, who is Son of God, God’s Christ. Loving God means keeping his commandments.

The gospel reading is the beautiful first ending of John’s gospel, after Thomas, in the highest expression of faith in any of the gospels, acclaims Jesus as “My Lord and my God”.

Psalm Response: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end

(Acts 4: 32-35; Psalm: 117(118); 1 John 5: 1-6; John 20: 19-31)

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Do you want to become a Nobody?

Leave a Comment

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

I don’t know in other places but, in the USA, it is common to advertise in the newspapers that there are seminaries, convents and opportunities for those who feel the call to become priests, nuns or to join the religious life that we also call «Consecrated Life».

Of course most of those of advertisements try to impress and attract young people by giving attractive reasons why they can consider joining those communities and that lifestyle. And it works because most of the young people have no proper information about this alternative for their lives. Unfortunately, most of the information they hear is negative, and also through jokes that denigrate a way of life that can be the best answer for their living, which is their love for God transformed into service for others.

I believe that most of us are aware of Mother Teresa and the thousands of young girls who decided to follow her and also of so many many priests and nuns who have lived their lives passionately in love with Jesus and his project. And most of them have lived a very happy life.

But ironically, there was a special religious order that had a very unattractive advertisement with a very high rate of success. The advertisement went like this:

«IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A NOBODY, JOIN US».

Holy Week is the best picture of what a «NOBODY» can be in a Christian life. And those who want to follow him must be open to become a nobody like Him. In the second reading of Palm Sunday Mass, St. Paul (Philippians 2: 6-11) says: «His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave». A slave was a «nobody» with no rights and no dignity. An animal would have more rights than a slave. Is this attractive?

The prophet Isaiah, in reference to the Messiah, says something very unattractive and in a way almost repugnant. Who wants to be like this? «He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised and we held him of no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases».

(Isaiah 53). JESUS BECAME A NOBODY. If you want to become a nobody, follow him. I have tried and I don’t know if I have been a good priest but I know that, for almost 53 years, I have been a very happy priest. If I could go back in life I would follow the same road.

Happy Holy Week
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Eating «Dead» Wheat

Leave a Comment

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

The Bishop who ordained me almost 53 years ago, whose name was Francis, said something that impacted me deeply. Actually it brought me closer to Jesus or maybe it brought Jesus closer to me. It was about Jesus’ language. He said that if we compared the language of Jesus with the language of St. Paul, it was like comparing a fourth grade student with a University professor.

Related with this side of Jesus, I had a colleague in the Seminary (who is still in ministry), who collected the nouns most used by Jesus. His name is Fr. José Pereira. He was fascinated (so was I) to realize that all the words Jesus used to teach His deepest messages were very very simple that even the most illiterate people could understand. It was like: wheat, bread, fish, water, birds, flowers, sky, trees, food and so on. Nobody needs to go to school to understand these words and what they mean.

This is what came to my mind when I was reading today’s Gospel (V Sunday of Lent B, John 12: 20-33) and found Jesus saying: «unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest». Then I found interesting that the bread I eat daily is no more than the result of a «dead grain» of «dead wheat». The same about potatoes, corn, apples, and all the food I encounter on my table. All of them are the result of a dead seed. And if by any chance the seed refuses to die it is good for nothing.

Especially during this time of Lent I need to deeply meditate about my life and if I want to be «food» and «medicine» to the world. If I want to be a follower of Jesus to build the Kingdom of the Father, I have to be like the grain of wheat. I need to die to myself and let Jesus live in me. I need to stop looking for my personal success, and become just an instrument in the hands of my favorite Carpenter called Jesus.

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 1st April 2018, Easter Sunday, Year B

Leave a Comment

Vigil/Day Acts 10:34,37-43; Psalm 117(118); Romans 6:3-11/Colossians 3:1-4/1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Mark 16:1-7/John 20:1-9

In a vision in Acts Peter is told that all animals and birds are suitable for eating: the restrictions of the Jewish Law are ending. So he can enter the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter’s speech is interrupted by the Holy Spirit welcoming the Gentile community into the church. Peter realises that forgiveness of sins is offered to “everyone who believes” in Jesus’ name.

The vigil reading from Paul sees our baptism as joining Christ in his tomb, to rise to a new life in Christ, freed from the slavery of sin.

The dramatic Passover psalm thanks God for repeatedly coming to our rescue and saving us.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians draws attention away from earthly marks of religion: having died to things on earth, they should focus on the life to come when they “will appear with Christ in glory”. The alternative reading refers to the feast of Unleavened Bread, which followed Passover..

In the three synoptic gospels three women discover the tomb empty and run to tell the apostles. But in John’s gospel Mary of Magdala is alone. Finding the stone removed from the tomb, she runs to tell Peter. Peter goes in first and sees the empty burial cloths. When the other disciple goes in, he believes.

Psalm Response: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Or: This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

Scripture Readings 25th March 2018, Palm Sunday, Year B

Leave a Comment

Is 50:4-7; Ps 21(22); Phil 2:6-11; Mark 14:1 – 15:47

Second Isaiah was writing during the exile of the Israelites in Babylon after Jerusalem was destroyed. The people are discouraged, in despair, and tempted to give up their faith in God. In today’s ‘servant-song’ Isaiah offers consolation, recommending non-resistance and trust in the Lord.

Isaiah’s words express our horror at the way Our Lord was treated. But, trusting confidently in his Father, Jesus “sets his face like flint”, even though it is covered with spittle.

The Psalm moves from this mood to express unshaken faith, praising God for our redemption and the promised conversion of all peoples.

The hymn in Philippians rejoices that – unlike Adam – Jesus did not seek to be equal to God. But God raised him high, so that all creation should “acclaim Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.

Jesus died just before Passover, when Jews celebrated their freedom from slavery. The soldiers, the Jewish leaders, the inscription on the Cross, all ironically give Jesus his true title of “King of the Jews”, the Messiah, who frees us from death. When Jesus dies, the first human being in Mark’s gospel to recognise Jesus as “Son of God” is a Gentile, the centurion. All the disciples had run away when Jesus was arrested. Only some women watched, and they saw where he was buried.

Psalm Response: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – The Infuriated Jesus

Leave a Comment

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

From today’s Gospel: «In the temple, Jesus found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple…», Jo. 2, 14-15)

THE ABUSES THAT INFURIATED JESUS

1) The merchants selling animals and the money changers had converted the Court of the Gentiles into a noisy market making it impossible for the Gentiles to worship Yahweh.

2) The merchants sold the animals and birds for sacrifice at unjust and exorbitant prices (18 to 20 times the regular price outside the Temple).

3) The animal-inspectors, bribed by the merchants, disqualified even the healthy animals brought by poor shepherds and farmers for sacrifice. This was an unjust extortion at the expense of poor and humble pilgrims, who were practically blackmailed into buying animals and birds from the Temple booths. Jesus considered this a glaring social injustice aggravated by the fact that it was perpetrated in the name of religion.

4) The Temple authorities, by sharing the profit made by merchants and money-changers, converted it into a “hideout of thieves” (Mark & Luke).

5) Roman coins, bearing the images of pagan gods and the emperor, were forbidden as offering in the Temple. The money-changers, who exchanged the Temple coin (Galilean shekel) with Roman coins, demanded 1/6 of the value of the coin as their commission, even from the poor people who had to pay one and a half days of their daily wage as their annual Temple tax.

6) What especially enraged Jesus was not that a fee was being charged, but that the amount being charged to the poor was exorbitant and, hence, unjust. What was happening was a great social injustice done in the name of religion. In fact, the money-changers were street-level representatives of a corrupt Temple banking system which had become an instrument of injustice, fleecing the poor to benefit the powerful.

By chasing the money-changers and merchants from the Temple, Jesus was questioning the validity of the entire sacrificial system itself — of Israel’s ability to atone for its sins, be forgiven and stand in right relationship with God.

“Jesus’ symbolic attack on the Temple would (in His culture) have had a meaning not unlike that of the terrorists who flew planes into the World Trade Centre – symbolically attacking a building that was widely seen as the “nerve center” of an entire network of political, economic and religious power. In addition to its key religious functions, the Temple had also taken on political and economic roles in Judaea. Apparently, its Treasury was used by many wealthy Jewish people as the “central bank of Jerusalem,” where they stored their wealth, considering it safe from theft or pillaging.” (Dr. Murray Watson).

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 11th March 2018, 4th Sunday of Lent, Year B

Leave a Comment

2 Chron 36: 14-23; Psalm 136 (137); Eph 2: 4-10; John 3: 14-21

Today’s reading from Chronicles recalls Israel’s exile. The Temple, central to the Jewish religion, had been defiled, followed by Israel’s seventy year exile in Babylon. Then the Persian King Cyrus called for the people to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple on Mount Moriah, where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac. After their return in 540 BC Ezra re-discovered the Jewish Law and the people renewed their covenant with God.

The psalm then recalls how the Israelites refused to sing for their captors while in mourning for Mount Zion.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians emphasises the unity of the world-wide Church, based firmly on God’s saving love, shown in Jesus Christ. We have been saved by grace, a gift from God. The phrase “in Christ Jesus” occurs frequently, reminding us of the ending of every Eucharistic Prayer. Christ will bring all things to perfection “in him” – and that includes us! “We are God’s work of art”.

In John’s gospel, after telling Nicodemus that he must be “born again”, Jesus tells him “God sent his Son into the world” so that “the world might be saved” through him. Jesus’ coming provokes judgement, both now and in the future. If our deeds are true we come into the light.

Psalm Response: O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not!

(2 Chron 36: 14-23; Psalm 136 (137); Eph 2: 4-10; John 3: 14-21)