Author: ANTONINO

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

Scripture Readings 30th July 2017, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A


1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Ps 118; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52

After David’s death his son, Solomon, was established as king. Before Solomon built the Temple, sacrificing to God in high places was acceptable. It was during one such sacrifice that God appeared in a dream asking Solomon what he most wanted. In humility Solomon asked for a discerning judgement, rightly earning God’s praise. The Psalm values ruling one’s life by God’s commands above everything.
Our readings from chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the Romans continue describing life in the Spirit. Paul says that Christians should try to reproduce in themselves images of Christ by progressively sharing in his risen life. God prepares those called to do his work and cooperates with them. Each individual is called for some task in God’s plan for salvation. Those who love him will share in his glory. This includes not only Christians and others of goodwill, but also the Jews, “the ones he chose specially long ago”.
Matthew’s Gospel compares the Kingdom of Heaven to the greatest treasure found either accidentally or after a search, and then compares the Kingdom to a dragnet: the good fish will be kept and those of no use will be thrown in the furnace. But there is a surprise ending: not all old treasures should be thrown away, some should be kept – like Israel’s Scriptures, our Old Testament.
Psalm Response: Lord, how I love your law!
1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Ps 118; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A Walking Sermon

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

Reporters and city officials gathered at a Chicago railroad station, one afternoon in 1953. The person they were meeting was the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

A few moments after the train came to stop, a giant of a man, with bushy hair and a large moustache, stepped from the train. Cameras flashed. City officials approached him with hands outstretched. Various people began telling him how honoured they were to meet him. The man politely thanked them and then, looking over their heads, asked if he could be excused for a moment.

He quickly walked through the crowd until he reached the side of an elderly black woman who was struggling with two heavy suitcases. He picked up the bags and with a smile he escorted the woman to the bus. After helping her aboard, he wished her a safe journey.

As he returned to the greeting party he apologized, «Sorry to have kept you waiting.»

The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary doctor who had spent his life helping the poor in Africa. In response to Schweitzer’s action, one of the members of the reception committee said with great admiration to the reporter standing next to him, «That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking. »

After the Eucharist do I become a walking sermon? How? If worship is not transformed into service we miss a lot of our worship. Maybe we misunderstood our worship. Worship is a school where we learn how to wash feet.

Love and Peace!
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 23rd July 2017, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Wis 12:13,16-19; Ps 85; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43

Psalm 85 really says it all this week: God is a loving God, a “God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger”, “good and forgiving, full of love to all who call.” Eventually “all the nations” – ie the Gentiles – will come to adore God.

The Book of Wisdom was probably written in Alexandria about 50 years before Christ, probably to encourage the faith of Jews living in a pagan Egypt. It wrestles with the age-old problem that evildoers are not punished in this world. Wisdom insists that God is just and merciful: he will reward the just after death, although this book does not say how. We can see that God moderates his own power with his justice from the way he gave the Egyptians and Canaanites time to repent both before and during the exodus, and we should follow his example by showing mercy to those who hurt us.

The Gospel shows God’s mercy in action. Instead of venting punishment on sinners and immediately uprooting them, God patiently gives us time to repent. Even more, as Paul has been saying to the Romans, we may have confidence in the future life God has planned for us. God sends the Spirit to help us and to enable us to express our prayers more meaningfully.

Psalm Response: O Lord, you are good and forgiving.
Wis 12:13,16-19; Ps 85; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43

Scripture Readings 16th July 2017, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Is 55:10-11; Ps 64; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23

Second Isaiah, writing around 550 BC, concludes his “Book of Comfort” to the Jewish exiles in Babylon with an invitation to a joyful banquet. After renewing His covenant of peace, God has reminded Israel that “my thoughts are not your thoughts”: God’s words come down gently to bring forth divine fruits, like the rain which enables the earth to yield its fruits.

Paul continues this theme of God’s plan slowly moving towards its climax: creation is unable to attain its purpose without help, and it was made this way by God. But Paul gives us a brilliantly clear vision of God’s plan: with the coming of Christ, creation is now groaning in the birth pangs of being set free.

It is worth listening carefully to Matthew’s explanation of the parable of the sower. And especially to Jesus’ very difficult statements that he talks to the crowds in parables because “they listen without hearing or understanding”. He says “They have shut their eyes, for fear they should see, … and be converted”. The coming of Jesus brings both judgement and mercy. God’s judgement means that some will not understand His words, which will struggle to be received unless our minds are open and we cease making our own image of God.

Psalm Response: Some seed fell into rich soil and produced its crop.

Is 55:10-11; Ps 64; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A «Homeless Priest»

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

Shortly after World War II, the bombed-out city of Naples was filled with bands of young orphans and outcasts called scugnizzi. These scugnizzi lived on the streets, begging, pilfering, and sometimes assisting older criminals. These kids were tough, wily, and apparently unreachable. But 25-year-old Father Mario Borelli wanted to try. He felt it was his responsibility to love in the way Christ has loved. So, each night right after his regular duties, he became a scugnizzi. Dressed in a ragged and filthy get-up, he started begging at the Naples railroad terminal. The other young toughs were impressed by his style; just the right mixture of humor and pathetic humility.

When a gang leader swaggered up and demanded half his take, Mario beat him up. That really impressed the guys. This incognito priest slept on basement gratings covered with old newspapers, just like the others. Soon he was getting to know his new companions well as they talked around fires, heating up their scraps of food in old tin cans. He had something to express about the God who took on human flesh. And Mario discovered that all of them, even the most bitter and hardened, had a longing for home, affection, and security.

After winter arrived, Mario informed the gang that he’d found a place for them to stay: the abandoned ruins of the church of Saint Gennaro. Slowly he transformed the structure into a home and started providing the boys with nourishing meals.

One night Mario appeared in full clerical robes. After his buddies stopped laughing, he explained that he was, in fact, a priest. By this time, the bonds he’d established were strong enough to make them stay; Mario had won their respect. And so the House of the Urchins was established, where young throwaways could find a home, hope, and the streetwise spiritual guidance of Mario Borrelli.

Christ is not asking most of us to make that drastic a change in our lifestyle, but he is asking us to be in mission. There is no other path to true happiness. We are to be in mission in our family, in our community and in our world and to have a consciousness that we are the people of God, bringing God’s light to the world.

Love and Peace!
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Locks of Love

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Jessica, a sixteen-year-old girl, had a beautiful and abundant bunch of hair covering her head, making her face even more beautiful and angelic. One day I was invited by her parents to have dinner at their house. I was surprised and actually shocked when I saw Jessica. Even with her same beautiful smile and brilliant eyes, she didn’t look the same. She had cut her hair.

– Jessica, – I said, – you look so so different.

That’s when Jessica told me about «Locks of Love». « Locks of Love » is a public non-profit organization that provides hair pieces to children who have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata. But in this case Jessica’s hair was a gift she gave to a friend of hers who had lost her hair due to chemotherapy treatments.

Also, Jessica taught me that in many cases when women, especially young women, have to face an oncologic condition and have to go through chemotherapy, before the fear of losing their lives, they fear losing their hair. Feelings just happen. They don’t have to make sense.

Counting the hairs on your head («Even all the hairs on your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. » Matthew 10: 26-33):

It was just a few weeks after Kathryn Lay’s surgery; the chemotherapy treatments had begun. Every morning, she would comb her hair — and every morning she would pull out anther clump of her beautiful hair from the brush. This side effect was hitting her harder and harder.

One morning, she felt the top of her head and, for the first time, she could count the strands. But she felt strangely at peace. She held each strand — just as God, in his providence, could count them from the moment God breathed his life into her. She became aware of God present in the love of her family and friends who were supporting and suffering with her.

She remembers: « I felt comfort knowing that God knew how many strands were in my brush, on my pillow, in my hat, and in my hand. God had counted them all. With or without my hair, God knew me and what my future held. I was still afraid — of the cancer, of the chemo, the upcoming brain scan, and its results — but I knew that God would be with me through it all. »

May we find peace and reason to hope in the providence of God who has “counted . . . all the hairs of your head,” a providence that manifests itself in the love of family, the comfort of friends, the support of church and community.

« I lost my hair, », says Kathryn Lay, « but not my faith. ».

Dedication to a dear friend – Janice Contreras

My column and my Eucharist today are dedicated to my dear friend in the United States, Janice Contreras, the first coordinator of the «People Helping People», at the St. Anthony’s Church, City of Oakley, California. Janice has gone through some tough times also, like Kathryn Lay. Janice knows what chemo is and she knows what that means – losing her hair.

Janice! Tourists from all over the world visiting Madeira and attending the English Mass are going to be praying for you and for Larry, your husband, at the Mass I am saying today, in English in this beautiful Madeira Island. «People Helping People» which has been «your baby» for a long time, is still alive. God is in control of your life and your struggles.

The poorest of the poor you helped are your best advocates. We love you Janice and I thank you for inspiring my life to be spent at the service of the poorest of the poor. Starting today, your name and Larry’s name are going to be added to the prayer list of our “Joyful Gift”.

Please don’t quit before the miracle happens.

Love and Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

Scripture Readings 9th July 2017, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Zech 9:9-10; Ps 144; Rom 8:9,11-13; Mt 11:25-30

Probably written in the fifth century BC, after the return from the exile, the apocalyptic oracles of Zechariah look forward to the restoration of Israel, when all the nations will look towards Jerusalem. The Davidic king to be restored by God will bring release from captivity, but repentance must come first. Later Matthew misinterprets the idiomatic repetition of “riding on a donkey, on a colt” and has Jesus riding into Jerusalem on two animals at once (Mt 21).

Over the next few weeks we hear about the “life in the Spirit” from chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. Paul has bemoaned our inability to “do the good I want!” He sees that we serve sin through our “flesh”, our weak, earth-bound, human nature. But by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh, God’s Son has enabled us to walk “according to the Spirit”. The Spirit of God dwelling in us enables us to participate in divine life.

After Jesus’ proclaimed the gospel in Galilee, he went on to preach “in their cities” but met opposition to his teaching, and he upbraided them for their lack of repentance. Those reputed to be wise do not understand, but those with the simple trust of children do. Learn from him, for his “burden is light”.

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