Author: ANTONINO

Scripture Readings 3rd December 2017, 1st Sunday of Advent, Year B

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(Isa 63:16-17; 64:3-8; Ps 79(80); 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37)

The reading from third Isaiah is part of a prayer written around the end of Israel’s exile. Their leaders have been arguing instead of rebuilding the Temple. The prophet recalls God’s blessings on Israel in the past, and desperately begs the Lord to come once more in his mercy to the aid of his people, who all now humbly confess their sinfulness. God is our Father, and we are clay, to be formed by his hand.
The psalm pleads with God to restore his vineyard, Israel, to its former favour. Especially the northern tribes, threatened by Assyria.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was prompted by internal rivalries. He can’t stop talking about Jesus. God has now come, giving “all the graces” “through Jesus Christ”, and joining us to his Son.

Since Vatican II we are blessed by reading all through each gospel in turn. Listening to what each evangelist actually says may help us to sense different Christian communities gradually developing their understanding of Christ. This Advent we start the year of Mark, whose gospel is the earliest and shortest. It is the gospel in which no human being recognises or understands Jesus before his death. Today we have Mark’s version of “Stay awake!”, immediately before Jesus’ passion begins.

Psalm Response: God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
(Isa 63:16-17; 64:3-8; Ps 79(80); 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37)

From My Heart to Your Heart – 1st World Day of the Poor

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Dear Friends!
day_prayer_father
I am in California to spend one month in my former field of work that I loved and where I felt loved. I am going to relive part of my story. I really love stories. Each one of us is a story written by our loving God. Even if we try to sabotage his work God never quits on us. And in spite of all my failures God has been the main author of my story and that’s why I also love my story. From Madeira to Africa, from Africa to California and from California to Madeira… If I could go back in life I would choose to travel the same road with less mistakes.

This Sunday is the 1st WORLD DAY OF THE POOR, established by Pope Francis at the close of the Year of Mercy. The poor are the heart of the message of Jesus. Here is something that I found in the Ecclesia Agency website about the 1st WORLD DAY OF THE POOR…

Vatican: Pope makes a surprise visit to small field hospital for people in need

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Vatican City, Nov 16, 2017 (Ecclesia) – Pope Francis made a surprise visit today to the small field hospital set up on Pius XII Square (St. Peter’s Square) near the Vatican on the occasion of the 1st World Day of the Poor to be celebrated on Sunday November 19th.

The space, with several tents, offers medical and nursing consultations to needy people living in the Italian capital. The Pope greeted the medical staff, volunteers and several people standing in line waiting for a free consultation. Pope Francis also spoke with volunteers from the Italian Confederation of Mercies, who offered him, as they do to everyone who moves into that space, a hot drink to fight the cold. This is one of the initiatives promoted by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization (Holy See), which on Sunday 19th November, brings together around 1500 people for a festive lunch on the First World Day of the Poor.

The Holy See informs that the meal will take place in the Paul VI Audience Hall, after the celebration of the Mass and the recitation of the Angelus, and will gather together, people in need, accompanied by volunteers. The Pontifical Council that promotes the event also says that the Mass presided by the Pope in the Basilica of St. Peter, from 10am will count on the participation of 4000 poor people from Rome and other dioceses in the world. The creation of World Day of the Poor was a decision announced by Pope Francis at the conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy (December 2015 – November 2016).

Scripture Readings 26th November 2017, Christ the King, Year A

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Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17 ; Ps 22:1-3. 5-6 r.1; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Matt 25:31-46

Ezekiel was writing in Babylon (now Baghdad) after Israel’s exile in 587 BC. He encourages the Israelites, despairing after their crushing defeat. Because he loves his people, God will take over their care and protection from their failed leaders, and provide a new King from David’s line.

In the psalm, a shepherd’s care and protection for the sheep he leads, and a host’s welcome at a banquet, illustrate God’s loving care for us.

From 51 AD Paul worked for about eighteen months with the Christians in Corinth. Five years later he wrote to correct some of their enthusiasms, including doubting the resurrection of the body. Greeks tended to see the spirit as more important than the body and how they behaved in this life. But Paul insists that it is the whole person – body and spirit – that is raised, just as Christ appeared in his risen body to many of his followers after his Resurrection.

In Matthew’s gospel, in his final speech before his Passion, Jesus describes the Last Judgement when Jesus is enthroned as King. These are the terrifying criteria he will use: have we fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick and those in prison? Dies Irae – Day of Wrath – indeed!

Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Ezek 34:11-12, 15-17 ; Ps 22:1-3. 5-6 r.1; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Matt 25:31-46
Chris

Scripture Readings 19th November 2017, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Prov 31:10-13,19-20,30-31; Ps 127(128):1-5 r.1; 1 Thess 5:1-6; Matt 25:14-30

The Book of Proverbs united ancient values and ideals with Israel’s understanding of God. Written at the time of the exile, about 500 BC, it was intended for serious study in the effort to gain wisdom. Today’s reading is more than a song praising both the housekeeping and commercial activities of a good wife – it is Wisdom in action. And it recognises that a wife should share in the benefits of her work.

The psalm celebrates the blessings of family life, wishing such a family prosperity and long life.

The reading from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians continues from last week’s reading, reminding his hearers that the “Day of the Lord” will come when we least expect it. So we should learn wisdom and live every day in justice and integrity, as if it will be our last.

Matthew’s parable of the talents, like the gospel last week, also urges us to live wisely and justly while waiting for the day of judgement, which will certainly come. But we must do more than use the resources we have been given for God’s purposes: just as it needs effort to learn wisdom, so we must work at developing our faith, otherwise we may lose it.

Psalm Response: O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Operation smile

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– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
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I saw Dr. William Magee Jr. crying in a TV program. It was the program Hour of Power with the Rev. Dr. Robert Schuler in California. Both could not contain their tears in this TV program.

Dr. William Magee Jr. was a plastic surgeon in Norfolk, Va. In 1981 when he decided to travel to Philippines to operate on children with cleft lips and other facial deformities. Unfortunately, there were so many children with this deformity, a deformity that can render it impossible for them to speak or eat, that hundreds had to be turned away.

This caused Dr. Magee and his wife, Kathy S. Magee, a nurse, to found an organization called Operation Smile.
Operation Smile sends volunteer doctors to perform reconstructive facial surgery for children worldwide. «It wasn’t a strategic plan», said Magee. «It was just a matter of emotion and passion to make sure children didn’t have to live this way.»

The group, which already has treated 50,000 children worldwide, also trains doctors in other nations to perform the procedure. Magee hopes to use satellite technology in the future, so he can teach a greater number of medical professionals the necessary techniques.

Dr. Magee didn’t have to do that. He could have justified himself. «What’s in it for me? There are so many children in my own city whose parents or whose insurance company could pay for this surgery. I’m a busy doctor here. I don’t have to go half way around and minister to indigent children. Not my problem».

I doubt if Dr. Magee even wondered if this act of service would get him into Heaven. He simply saw a need and filled it. He became a Good Samaritan, encouraging fellow surgeons to become Good Samaritans.

God loves you and so do I.
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

You can read more about Operation Smile on their website: https://www.operationsmile.org/vision/our-story

Scripture Readings 12th November 2017, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Wis 6:12-16; Ps 62(63):2-8 r.2; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Matt 25:1-13

The Book of Wisdom was written in Greek, probably in Alexandria during the century before Christ. It seeks to strengthen faith by recalling the ways in which God rewards his people. But our just God also punishes individuals who act unjustly. We must learn wisdom to live justly in accord with God’s justice, and so imitate and be drawn into the life of God.

The psalm expresses our homesickness for God’s sanctuary, our true home, confident that God will help us overcome all our enemies. Good advice: when our minds are empty, as at night – fill them with thoughts of God.

The parousia, when Christ will return – or be revealed in glory – was expected almost daily by the early Christians. But some believers had already died, so Paul reassures the Thessalonians that they will not “miss out” – they will join everyone else in the resurrection of the dead. Two thousand years later we may now see the parousia at the end of time being anticipated by Jesus revealed to us in every Mass.

Matthew’s gospel links the two readings together: we must live justly every moment of our lives so that we may be ready when the Lord calls us to him. We cannot rely on a last chance to repent.

Psalm Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A CHURCH FOR PROSTITUTES

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

A few years ago that wonderfully creative Christian sociologist, Rev. Tony Campolo, traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a speaking engagement. He flew all the way from Pennsylvania to Hawaii and had an awful case of jet lag. Therefore, at 3:00 AM, he was wide awake. Tony found a donut shop near his hotel. As he sat there sipping coffee and glancing at a newspaper, the door to the diner swung open and in marched eight or nine provocative and boisterous prostitutes. Their talk was loud and crude.

Tony was just about to make his getaway when he overheard one of the women say, “Tomorrow’s my birthday. I’m gonna be thirty-nine.” One of her friends responded in a sarcastic tone, “So, what do you want from me, a birthday party?” “No,” she said. “I’ve never had a birthday party in my life. Too late to start now.”

Suddenly, Tony Campolo had an idea. As soon as the women had left, he said to Harry, the owner of the diner, “Do those women come in here every night?” “Yep,” he said, “about this same time. Hope they weren’t bothering you.” “No,” Tony said, “but I have an idea. The one sitting next to me is going to have a birthday tomorrow. I’ll pay the bill if we can have a little birthday party for her.”

A smile spread across Harry’s face. “That’s a good idea. Her name is Agnes.” He called his wife out of the kitchen area and told her about it. They agreed to bake the cake.

The next morning by 3:00 AM Campolo had decorated the diner with crepe paper and had made a big sign reading, “Happy Birthday, Agnes.” Word had gotten around somehow because by 3:00 AM every prostitute in Honolulu was in the place. Wall-to-wall prostitutes and Tony Campolo. At 3:30 AM on the dot, Agnes walked in and confronted the cake with burning candles and the crowd singing loudly, “Happy Birthday.” She was flabbergasted, stunned, shaken. Her eyes moistened. Then after she blew out the candles she completely lost it and openly cried.

After the party was over, Tony asked the group if he could say a prayer. He prayed for Agnes and everyone else in the group. Then after everyone was gone, he thanked Harry for going along with the party. Harry said, “Hey, you didn’t tell me you were a preacher. What Church do you belong to?” In one of those moments when just the right words came, Tony answered, “I belong to a Church that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 3:00 AM.” Jesus in the Gospel describes a King’s party for the ordinary people.

Love and Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Is God Catholic or Protestant?

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

Huey Long was a very colorful Louisiana politician who had hopes of running for the presidency in 1936. He began as an unschooled farm boy and ended up in the governor’s mansion, one of the most popular politicians in the history of the state.

Long was born in the central part of Louisiana, and when he first campaigned for governor, he was given some advice about the voters in the New Orleans area: « South Louisiana is different from the northern part of the state, », he was told, «We have a lot of Catholic voters down here. » Long nodded knowingly and went out to make his speech. It began, “When I was a boy, I’d get up at six every Sunday morning, hitch our old horse up to the buggy, and take my Catholic grandparents to Mass. I’d bring them home and then take my Baptist grandparents to Church.” The speech was a rousing success.

Afterward, a New Orleans political boss said, “Huey, you’ve been holding out on us. We didn’t know you had Catholic grandparents.” Huey looked at him slyly and said, “We didn’t even have a horse!”.

Don’t let anybody mislead you. Around the banquet table of God there won’t be Baptists, or Catholics, or Methodists. There won’t even be a head table reserved for the very saintly. There will only be sinners for whom Christ died. That includes you and me. Everyone is invited.

Love and Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 5th November 2017, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Mal 1:14-2:2. 8-10; Ps 130(131); 1 Thess 2:7-9, 13; Matt 23:1-12

Malachi, which means “My Messenger”, was written about 500 BC, after the return from exile and shortly before the reforms by Ezra and Nehemiah. The Priests will be cursed because they despised the Lord’s Name by sacrificing imperfect animals. They were allowing mixed marriages and divorce, and leading the people astray by their bad example. They have broken the Lord’s covenant of peace, truth, integrity and honesty.

The psalm protests our humility and freedom from worldly ambitions.

After being treated “insolently” in Philippi, Paul, “with much struggle”, “drew courage from God” to speak the gospel to the Thessalonians. He neither flattered nor sought praise or payment, So great was Paul’s love for the Thessalonians that he shared his life with them, and took care to work hard to support himself. He is relieved that the Thessalonians’ faith is now strong even in the face of persecution.

After the last challenges to Jesus by the Jewish leaders in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus has now abandoned them. The Priests’ false teaching and bad example criticised by Malachi has returned. No-one should follow their example. He now talks to his disciples only, and goes on to direct seven “woes” against the scribes and Pharisees, detailing their wrongdoing. He ends by lamenting the coming destruction of Jerusalem.

Psalm Response: Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord
Mal 1:14-2:2. 8-10; Ps 130(131); 1 Thess 2:7-9, 13; Matt 23:1-12