Author: ANTONINO

Scripture Readings 21st May 2017, 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A

Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Psalm 65; 1 Peter 3:15-18 or 4:13-16; John 14:15-21 or 17:1-11

After Stephen had been killed, Saul led “a great persecution” against the Church in Jerusalem. As a consequence the Hellenists were driven out of Jerusalem and Philip takes the gospel to Samaria. Peter and John came to investigate these first non-Jew converts. The apostles confirmed their membership by laying hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Peter continues his advice to Christians suffering abuse and ridicule from their non-Christian neighbours. Do not be afraid! Gently but firmly stick to your principles, being ready to explain your reasons politely. And rejoice that your sufferings enable you to share in Christ’s sufferings so that you may share in his glory.

In John’s description of the Last Supper in his Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to continue his work after he returns to his Father. The supper ends with Jesus’ great prayer to his Father for the Church he is leaving behind. All three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in the gospels, but the Church only gradually developed its understanding of the Trinity over many centuries. We believe that the Spirit “proceeds” from the Father and the Son (filioque). The Orthodox Church says that the Spirit comes from the Father through the Son.

Psalm Response: Cry out with joy to God all the earth.

Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Psalm 65; 1 Peter 3:15-18 or 4:13-16; John 14:15-21 or 17:1-11

Scripture Readings 14th May 2017, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A

Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 32; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

The dispute with the Hellenists, described in Acts, is highly significant for its resolution. There are several ways of resolving community arguments. A common way is schism: you go your way, we’ll go ours. Miraculously the early Christians managed to maintain fellowship by allowing each group to manage its own affairs.

The Hellenists were Christian Greek-speaking Jews. As Stephen’s speech later shows, the Hellenists bitterly opposed the Jewish Temple authorities, who drove them out of Jerusalem, starting the spread of Christianity. The Apostles were not expelled, and continued their work, with many Jews including priests being converted.

Peter’s letter continues encouraging persecuted Christians by reminding them that we are “a body of priests, … a people set apart to sing the praises of God”. Each preface concludes with the words: “every land, every people exults in” God’s praise. At Mass we – as priests – offer all we have done during the week, our presence together in community, and our material gifts, as a sacrifice to confirm our allegiance to Christ, just as God’s sacrifice of his Son showed his love for us.

In John’s Gospel, after washing the disciples’ feet and foretelling his death, Jesus emphasises his intimate relationship with the Father, saying “to have seen me is to have seen the Father”.

Psalm May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.

Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 32; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Celebrating Little Accomplishments

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Father Bernadino

When I visited Brazil for the first time in1983 there were no emails, no telephones. Letters only. So one day I received a letter from my housekeeper just to give me some special and exciting good news: her four-year-old son didn’t need diapers anymore. Her son was a very special and challenging child – he was autistic. I didn’t think that it was a big deal.

One year later I had my Sabbatical in Notre Dame University (in the USA) and I attended part of a graduation ceremony of the new doctors. One of the mothers there to see her son graduating was from California, and because I am also from California, we started talking. I mentioned what a big accomplishment it must be for a mother to attend her son’s graduation ceremony « However, » – I added – « an accomplishment like this is a sum of many, many little accomplishments in a mother’s life.». Then I mentioned the big accomplishment of my housekeeper when her son had learned how to use the bathroom and didn’t need diapers any more. I was amazed with her answer: « Father, that is one of the biggest accomplishments in a mother’s life. ».

I was surprised that she didn’t even smile. She really meant what she said.

Since then I understood that life is made of many little accomplishments and I am sorry that I have missed so many opportunities to celebrate them. I am sorry that I have seen so many people like me, missing these opportunities…

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

Scripture Readings 7th May 2017, 4th Sunday of Easter, Year A

Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10

Last Sunday we heard the middle section of Peter’s speech at Pentecost in which he said that the Resurrection shows that Jesus was the Holy One expected by King David. Today the consequences: many of his hearers accept this and are told they must repent and be baptised. “Repent” in the sense of radically changing their life and directing it towards God. Even though Jesus does not appear to baptise during his lifetime, baptism is immediately the mark of membership of the new Christian community, at which they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The reading from Peter’s letter also continues from last week, but omits the saying that there is no credit in patiently bearing punishment that is deserved. God’s approval comes from suffering patiently even when we have done right. For us, Christ patiently bore unjustified insults and hurts without retaliating, trusting completely in his Father. We must imitate the Lord our shepherd in every way, placing all our trust in him. He will “give us comfort” and “repose”.

In the Gospel John also sees Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He knows each one of us and leads us. We follow him because we know his voice. He is also the gate, through which we can enter and find safety.

Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10

Scripture Readings 30th April 2017, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A

Acts 2:14,22-28; Psalm 15; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35

Today and next Sunday we hear parts of Peter’s speech at Pentecost. Peter emphasises that Jesus’ death was part of God’s plan, quoting the prophet Joel’s words about the wonders expected in the last days, when God’s Spirit will be poured out on all peoples. He then quotes from today’s Psalm (15/16) to show how King David expected a “holy one” who would not suffer corruption. The resurrection shows that Jesus, a descendant of David who worked many signs, is this expected “Anointed One”, “Messiah” in Hebrew, “Christ” in Greek. He now rightfully succeeds David as king of Israel.

Peter’s first letter reminds us of the price Jesus paid for our salvation in his suffering and death, so that through his resurrection we might “have faith and hope in God”. We will be judged impartially by our just God. So we should persevere in hope, not relaxing our Christian standards in face of persistent attacks and attractions of secular society.

In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the women. Then, without being recognised, he joins two disciples walking despondently to Emmaus, and explains the scriptures to them, before they recognise him “at the breaking of bread”. The appearances of Jesus after the resurrection invite us to listen carefully: he was clearly bodily present, not just a spirit. Yet he was different, and could only be recognised with faith.

Psalm Response: Show us, Lord, the path of life.

Acts 2:14,22-28; Psalm 15; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A «Revenge» of a Saint

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

DIVINE MERCY IN ACTION

A TIME magazine issue in 1984 presented a startling cover. It pictured a prison cell where two men sat on metal folding chairs. The young man wore a blue turtleneck sweater, blue jeans and white running shoes. The older man was dressed in a white robe and had a white skullcap on his head. They sat facing one another, up-close and personal. They spoke quietly so as to keep others from hearing the conversation.

The young man was Mehmet Ali Agca, the pope’s would-be assassin (he shot and wounded the Pope on May 13, 1981); the other man was Pope St. John Paul II, the intended victim. The Pope held the hand that had held the gun whose bullet tore into the Pope’s body.

This was a living icon of mercy. John Paul’s forgiveness was deeply Christian. His deed with Ali Agca spoke a thousand words. He embraced his enemy and pardoned him. At the end of their 20-minute meeting, Ali Agca raised the Pope’s hand to his forehead as a sign of respect. John Paul shook Ali Agca’s hand tenderly.

When the Pope left the cell he said: « What we talked about must remain a secret between us. I spoke to him as a brother whom I have pardoned and who has my complete trust. ».

This is an example of God’s Divine Mercy, the same Divine Mercy whose message St. Faustina witnessed.

A BLANKET AND A BOTTLE OF MADEIRA WINE

Carmina, one of the leaders of People Helping People and of the English Mass, was driving through one of the streets of Funchal on a cold and dark night. All of a sudden her sight was caught by a homeless man sleeping (was he sleeping?) on the street’s sidewalk.

Carmina stopped her car and approached him. Her heart was broken. She knew that she had found Jesus by surprise. [This is the point where mercy meets misery.] Standing before this misery she could not be indifferent. Something needed to be done, but what?

It didn’t take too much time to decide: Carmina went home, brought a blanket and something else. Kindly, like a mother covering her baby, she extended the blanket over him. And at his side she gently left a delicious bottle of Madeira Wine.

This is Divine Mercy.

MY THREE FAVOURITE THOUGHTS OF MOTHER TERESA

“Small things done by small people in small places change the world.”

“What I do for others is just a drop of water in the ocean. But without that drop of water the ocean is smaller.”

“I would prefer to have a person making a mistake with kindness than being right with rudeness.”

Love and Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 23rd April 2017, 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A

Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 117; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

The Book of Acts is read only between Easter and Pentecost, when it replaces readings from the Old Testament. This second part of Luke’s book describes the beginnings of the Church, as the Holy Spirit continues Christ’s work on earth. Today we hear Luke’s somewhat idealised picture of the early believers’ close-knit community, holding their resources in common, and practising their Jewish faith before meeting in their homes for the Eucharist.

This year the second readings during Eastertide are from the First Letter of Peter, the only time this letter is read on Sundays. Written from Rome to the Gentile Christians in Asia Minor. God gives us a new birth and a hope based on the resurrection. We must try as good citizens to maintain Christian standards amid pagan people. Suffering can purify our faith, enabling us to imitate Christ more. God cares for us while we look forward to our inheritance in heaven.

This first week of Easter ends with the first ending of John’s Gospel. Jesus appears twice to the apostles, sending them out to forgive sins. After doubting without seeing, Thomas utters the most complete expression of faith. The brief accounts of Jesus’ ministry are that we may “believe that Jesus is the Christ, and “have life in his name”.

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

EASTER TRADITIONS IN MADEIRA

RELIGIOUS

Easter is one of the most important religious events in Madeira. This is a time full of traditions and customs that are lived with great intensity by the devoutly Catholic Madeiran population. Here are some of the events that took place in Holy Week this year:

ON HOLY THURSDAY:

During the Mass of the Lord’s Supper that took place at the Sé Cathedral, the Bishop of Funchal, D. António Carrilho, celebrated the traditional “washing of feet”, this year in collaboration with 3 members of the confraternity “Confraria do Santíssimo” from the Sé parish, 3 seminarians, and 6 patients from the health institution: “Casa de Saúde de São João de Deus”.

ON GOOD FRIDAY:

A group of locals from the Santa Cecilia parish acted out the Stations of the Cross in Pico da Torre (Câmara de Lobos). Among the local “actors” there is always someone who carries the Cross, and enacts the crucifixion.
At 7pm, thousands of Madeiran Catholics gathered at the Sé Cathedral in Funchal for the Good Friday procession known as “O Enterro do Senhor” (The Funeral of Our Lord).

FOOD

FOLAR DA PÁSCOA: A sweet bread, scented with cinnamon and Fennel seeds, often with one or more cooked eggs nestled in the center.
AMÊNDOAS: Sweet candy-covered almonds of different colours.
TORRÕES DE AÇÚCAR: These are very popular. The main ingredient is sugar, and there are different flavours, eg. Cocoa, almond, walnut, strawberry, orange, coconut, etc.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – He Is Risen Indeed

Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

You probably do not remember the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin. Many years ago he 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, but then one man 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. Perhaps he had learned the lesson that Faith in Christ’s Resurrection was deeply rooted in his Russian Orthodox Communist followers!

HAPPY EASTER!

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 16th April 2017, Easter Sunday, Year A

Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalm 117 Romans 6:3-11/Colossians 3:1-4/1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Matthew 28:1-10/John 20:1-9

Continuing his gospel about Jesus’ ministry before he died, Luke’s Book of Acts describes Jesus’ activity on earth through his Holy Spirit. In a vision Peter was told that all animals and birds are suitable for eating, indicating that the restrictions of the Jewish Law were coming to an end. He is then able to enter the house of Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter’s speech about what God has done in Jesus, is interrupted by the Holy Spirit welcoming the Gentile community into the church. Peter then realises that forgiveness of sins is offered to “everyone who believes” in Jesus’ name.

The short reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians also draws attention away from earthly marks of religion: they should focus on the life to come when they “will appear with Christ in glory”. The alternative reading is an early Easter homily. In the Jewish calendar Passover was followed by the feast of Unleavened Bread.

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. She finds the stone removed from the tomb. Without going inside 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 – Vigil: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Psalm Response – Sunday: This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalm 117 Romans 6:3-11/Colossians 3:1-4/1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Matthew 28:1-10/John 20:1-9