Author: ANTONINO

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

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

“Throw them out! Throw them out!”

The year was 1770, and in a small Italian church, two altar boys prepared for Benediction. Annibale Della Genga and Francesco Castiglioni entered the sacristy, put on their albs, and grabbed the heavy brass candlesticks.
And then they began to bicker, arguing over who would stand on the priest’s right for the procession. Their quibble escalated into a shouting match. Alarmed parishioners turned their heads to the back of the Church to see the commotion, and that’s when it happened: Castiglioni cracked Della Genga over the head with his candlestick. Blood dripped from Della Genga’s injury, and both boys began shoving each other.

Shocked, parishioners screamed: «Throw them out! Throw them out! ». So, the embarrassed priest grabbed the boys, led them to the door, and tossed them out of the church.

Now fast-forward several decades to 1825… Half a million-people gathered in Rome for the great Jubilee celebration. The Jubilee occurred every 25 years, and its grand climax was the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. Traditionally, the Pope would knock on the door three times with a large silver hammer and sing: « Open unto me the gates of justice! »; on the third knock, the door would swing open and the Pope would lead his people through. The symbolism was rich: pilgrims from all over the world coming back home to the Church, following their leader through the great porta fidei, the “door of Faith”.

That Jubilee year, in front of thousands of pilgrims, Cardinal Della Genga made his way to the door. It was fifty-five years after the candlestick incident. Cardinal Della Genga who had become Pope Leo XII neared the door. Turning to the Cardinal beside him – Cardinal Castiglioni –, the Pope said: « Let me have the hammer. ». With a sly grin, Castiglioni replied «Just like I gave you the candlestick? ».

Amazingly, four years later Castiglioni succeeded his friend and became Pope, taking the name Pius VIII. Now if you told any of those pew sitters back in 1770 that they had two future-Popes in the back of their church, they’d have laughed you out of the building: “Those two boys? The ones shoving and whacking each other with candlesticks? ”.

I Am Also A Suspect

A Bishop was sailing for Europe on one of the great transatlantic ocean liners. When he went on board, he found that another passenger was to share a cabin with him. After unpacking his bags, he went to the purser and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship’s safe. He explained that he had just met the man who was to occupy the other berth in his cabin and he was afraid that the man might not be trustworthy. The purser smiled, accepted the valuables and remarked: « It’s all right, Bishop, I’ll be very glad to take care of them for you. The other man has just been up here and left his valuables for the same reason! »

Love and Peace, Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 3rd September 2017, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jer 20:7-9; Ps 62; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27

Jeremiah, probably before 600 BC, and so before the exile, criticised Israel for worshipping other gods. So Pashtur, the chief priest, beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks. Next day, when he was released, Jeremiah told Pashtur that he would go to Babylon, where he and all his friends would die. Jeremiah then continued with this lament that God had misled him, because he had to suffer so much on the Lord’s behalf, and had begun to wonder – or doubt – whether his call from God was real.

After marvelling last week at the impossibility of understanding God’s plans, Paul goes on to encourage the Romans to “let your behaviour change”. Like Jeremiah, they must “not be conformed to this world”, but be “transformed by the renewal of your mind”, discovering and doing the will of God.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus starts to instruct the disciples how he is to suffer, in accordance with God’s will. Peter objects, but Jesus turns on Peter with similar words he used to Satan after his Baptism. Poor Peter! He has just been given the power to bind and loose, but now he is told he is not on God’s side, but is thinking like the world!

Psalm Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART: Repeated Homilies

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

When Father Luke was appointed the new pastor for the Good Shepherd Parish he asked the Bishop if he could take a two-month vacation before entering his new parish. The Bishop made some arrangements and said yes.

Fr. Luke didn’t rest during those two months. He just spent that time trying to study his new parish: visited people, attended a few Sunday and weekday Masses, asked many questions, visited a few homes and took many notes. He got in touch with a few institutions, visited a few bars and a few large and poor families; spent time with the homeless, the drogatics and some people who were excluded and avoided by the society.

During Sunday Masses he could see some «good choirs» performing beautiful hymns but the people were just listening. People were not involved in singing. The readers and ministers of Communion were the same Sunday after Sunday. Two or three people acted like they owned the Church. Hospitality was not the strength of the Good Shepherd Church. He also saw many beautiful and exciting things he wanted to preserve. He was careful in writing everything down… things that needed to be changed… but he was also surprised by some beautiful things and events that were great contributions towards a living Parish.

Finally the day arrived. People were prepared to welcome their new Pastor. Father Luke said a few Masses but there was one of them that was his inaugural celebration with a beautiful choir, lots of flowers and a very well organized procession. The highlight of the day was his homily. Everybody listened with amazement and admiration to his homily. It was beautiful. From the beginning they realized that their pastor was a great preacher. After Mass, all those who could approach him congratulated Fr. Luke for his beautiful homily. Actually, Fr. Luke’s first homily was the theme of the week.

Then the second Sunday arrived. Everybody was excited to hear Fr. Luke. Even those who were not regular Mass attendees were curious to hear him. As usual, after reading the Gospel, Father Luke gave his inspiring homily. Most of the people enjoyed it but were surprised and disappointed that Fr. Luke repeated word for word the homily he had given on the Sunday before. After Mass the compliments were not so abundant and most of the people were not so happy.

The third Sunday arrived. The Mass was beautiful, the same homeless were begging outside the church, the choir kept singing and people listening. This was the Good Shepherd Church. Then came the time for the homily of the so-called great preacher. Beautiful, but nothing new. Father Luke repeated the same homily again, word for word. Of course, the disappointment was becoming very uncomfortable.

Finally a parish organization (including the owners of the church) decided to talk with their new pastor: « Father! We hope you don’t mind but we want to tell you that many people, including us, are very disappointed with your homilies. Everybody enjoyed your first homily. But have you realized that it is the third time that you are giving exactly the same homily that you gave on your first Sunday at our Parish? ».

«Yes, I have realized that. But I have not seen, yet, anybody doing anything about what I said on my first Sunday ».

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 27th August 2017, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Is 22:19-23; Ps 137; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20

Today’s Old Testament reading powerfully illuminates the New Testament reading. In Matthew’s gospel reading today Jesus gives Peter power to “bind and loose”. Isaiah, predicting the expulsion of self-seeking officials, describes what this power means: 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”. Like Eliakim, Peter, and – in chapter 18 – all the apostles, are given authority to make eternal decisions, which will be upheld by God.

In last Sunday’s reading from chapter 11 of 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. This week Paul brings us to gasp 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.

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

Scripture Readings 20th August 2017, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Isa 56: 1, 6-7; Ps 66(67); Rom 11: 13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28

Third Isaiah was writing after 515 BC, when the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon and had rebuilt the Temple. But there is idolatry and injustice. Isaiah looks forward to a time when all peoples will be able to worship in the Temple, both foreigners and individuals with imperfect bodies. All that matters is justice and keeping the covenant.

Paul kept hoping his people would accept Jesus as the Christ. In his letter to the Jewish Christians in Rome he insists that God has not rejected his people: the Gentiles are a branch grafted onto the tree of Israel. In today’s reading he sees the Gentile mission as trying to make Jews envious and so also come to accept God’s mercy, as he has. But the Gentile branch can be broken off if they lose their faith.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus has criticised the Jewish leaders for insisting on external purity while disobeying God’s commandments. Nothing entering one’s mouth defiles, only what comes out. In Phoenicia, the only scene outside Israel in this gospel, Jesus heals the Canaanite child. But first he utters the memorable insult that “it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs”.

Psalm Response: Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART: Communication – The Key for Any Relationship

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

Four brothers left home for college and became successful doctors and lawyers. Some years later, they had a reunion. They chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they had been able to give their elderly mother who lived in a faraway city and decided to open their mother’s thank you letter to each.

The first brother said «I had a big house built for Mama. »
The second said, «I had a hundred-thousand-dollar theater built in the house. »
The third brother said «I had a Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her. »

The fourth brother said «You know how Mama loved reading the Bible, and you know she can’t read anymore because she can’t see very well? Well I met a preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it. ». The other brothers were impressed.

Then they solemnly opened the thank-you letters sent to them by their mom. Mama wrote:

“Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.”
“Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I’ve lost my hearing and I’m nearly blind. I’ll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same.”
“Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay at home and I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks.”
“Dearest Gerald,” – she wrote to her fourth son. – “You have the good sense to know what your mother likes. I cooked the chicken you sent. It was absolutely delicious!”

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – May I Love You, Please?

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

I met Jose a few years ago during a Spanish Cursillo. He had come to California from Nicaragua, was a University professor and a politician. He had enjoyed a “good life” until he was forced to flee the country for serious reasons.

Visiting his family in California, Jose was invited to take part in a three day Cursillo. Jose “had no choice” because his brother-in-law was going to be the Coordinator of the retreat. The only reason he said yes was because he felt embarrassed to decline his brother-in-law’s invitation. Jose had no faith at all. His last time in church and his last Communion had taken place 40 years before.

The first day of the Cursillo was a struggling and painful journey. Then he felt something different. He discovered “a different God”. He discovered that “his” God whom he had left behind was not the God of Jesus.

On the second day of the Cursillo Jose was uncontrollably in love with “his new God”, the God of the Bible, the God of Jesus, and the God of the Lost Sheep and of the Prodigal Son. Jose was fascinated by the person of Jesus. He made his Confession and I had the privilege of giving him his First Communion after 40 years of absence.

During one of the breaks he confided to me that the «hardest thing for me to understand was that during these 40 years, God performed so many miracles in my life and I didn’t even believe in Him». I put my hand on his shoulder, looked in his eyes, and also confided to him: «Jose… a mother never asks permission from her baby to love him… to help him… to feed him. God will never ask you permission to love you and to help you. God will never ask “May I love you, please?” That’s free. The blessing and the tragedy is that we have the power to say “yes” or “no”».

The religion of Jesus is a religion of the YES.

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 6th August 2017, Transfiguration, Year A

Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 96; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9

The Book of Daniel, was written about 170 BC during the bitter persecution of the Jews by Antiochus Epiphanes. Apocalyptic literature was intended to strengthen the people in their suffering, using coded but readily understood visions. Prophetic teaching insists on right conduct, with the certainty that God’s kingdom will prevail. Daniel’s vision of the heavenly throne of God, approached by “One like a son of man”, was used in the Book of Revelation. Jews applied this title to the Messiah, the One through whom salvation is realised.

The Second Letter of Peter, was attributed to Peter but probably written some time after his death, possibly in the next century. Containing much positive teaching, it seeks to strengthen hearers in their faith, while warning them against false teachers, especially “those scoffers” who claim there will be no second coming. The day of judgement “will come like a thief”. We must be prepared while “we await the new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells”, foreshadowed by Jesus’ transfiguration.

Matthew’s description of the transfiguration includes several themes in the Old Testament and in Jewish apocalyptic literature to indicate the divine presence: bright light, cloud, white garments. With the Father’s confirmation of his Son, these all indicate that Jesus will come in glory at the end of time.

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

Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 96; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – An Angel Came To Mass Last Sunday

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

When «People Helping People» was born on February of 2010 as a small «grain of sand» to help in rebuilding lives after the tragedy that destroyed part of Madeira Island, I never thought that we were going to get so many rewards. We have seen many moments of deep joy in the eyes of hungry children and especially in the smiles and tears of many families who had no money to buy medicine, who had no money to buy food, no money for transportation and especially no possibilities to pay the rent of their houses. Fear for the unknown has always been one of the biggest daily companions of the poor.

But when we started this exciting project we never imagined that we were going to go through so many painful agonies without being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Very often we agonize with the agony of the poor who have in People Helping People their only sign of hope. Last week was one of those weeks. Last Sunday was one of those Sundays.

It was Monday morning. I was having a cup of coffee with two members of People Helping People while waiting to start a meeting.

Dalila, the lady in charge of the finances, showed her concern telling me: «I don’t know what to do. We need this amount of money to respond to these specific needs that cannot wait and the bank account of People Helping People is reduced almost to zero euros».

I picked up my cell phone to see if there was any email from Tracy informing the results of the Sunday collection. I was shocked. An angel had attended Mass the Sunday before and had left inside the bag at the church door an anonymous envelope with a substantial donation for the poor. We had no words. Just moments of silence.

Dear Angel who attended last Sunday’s English Mass, whoever you are, or wherever you are, please accept our sincere thank you. We are going to «persecute» you with our prayers, our love and our deepest gratitude.

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Keep Planting Good Seeds

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

One of William Barclay’s friends tells this story.

In the Church where he worshiped, there was a lonely old man, old Thomas. As he had outlived all his friends, hardly anyone knew him. When Thomas died, his only old friend had the feeling that there would be no one else to go to the funeral. So, he decided to go, so that there might be someone to follow the old man to his last resting-place. There was no one else, and it was a miserable wet day.

The funeral reached the cemetery, and at the gate there was a soldier waiting, an officer, but on his raincoat there were no rank badges. He came to the graveside for the religious ceremony. When the pastor finished his prayers, the officer stepped forward and gave a solemn military salute to Thomas in the closed coffin as if to a dead king. The friend walked away with this soldier, and as they walked, the wind blew the soldier’s raincoat open to reveal the shoulder badges of a brigadier general.

The general said,
“You will perhaps be wondering what I am doing here. Years ago Thomas was my Sunday school teacher. I was a wild lad and a sore trial to him. He never knew what he did for me, but I owe everything I am or will be to old Thomas, and today I had to come to salute him at the end.”

Thomas did not know what he was doing. No preacher or teacher ever does. Keep sowing the high-yielding seeds of the word of God.

My Rector during my time of Seminary used to say: «Nobody knows the good he does when he does good. Nobody knows the evil he does when he does evil».

Love and Peace
Fr. Bernardino Andrade