Author: ANTONINO

Scripture Readings 19th February 2017, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Psalm 102; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48

Leviticus means “and he called”. The book is about holiness, the utter separateness of God. We are each called to become whole, like a jigsaw with all the parts fitting together perfectly. Hence the repeated command: “You shall be holy, because I, the Lord, am holy”. These chapters about the sacredness of sex, the marriage laws, forbidding aberrant sexual behaviour, and expanding the basic Commandments, show how the Israelites are to keep themselves in a state of wholeness, as a sign of their intimate union with the Holy Lord. These detailed instructions on behaviour imply both responsibilities and corresponding rights.

Perhaps we can see why Paul is critical of the Corinthians, telling them they were not mature enough to be given the solid food of spiritual instruction, because they were still jealously quarrelling among themselves about who to follow. They must follow only Christ, obeying God’s rules, even though this will be seen as foolishness by the wisdom of this world.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus continues drawing out the meaning of the Commandments in the sermon on the mount. Last week the shorter form omitted the difficult teachings forbidding divorce and calling our brother a fool. Today we are urged to love our enemies. Always Jesus pushes us further, urging us towards perfection, in union with our heavenly Father.

Psalm Response: The Lord is compassion and love.

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Psalm 102; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48

Scripture Readings 12th February 2017, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Sirach/ Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20; Psalm 118; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37

Writing about 132 BC, Ben Sira was a learned and widely travelled Jerusalem scholar. Today’s reading is one of the clearest statements in the whole Bible on free will. God created human beings and – as an essential part of our nature – gave us the ability to choose between right and wrong, life or death. God does not cause our sins, even though he knows how we will misuse this gift.

In last week’s reading Paul said that he did not come using clever human oratory. He now tells the Corinthians something no human being could work out, namely God’s wisdom – his plan from the beginning for our salvation. Because this knowledge comes to us only by revelation, we must be open and listen to the Spirit who reveals it.<&p>

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus states clearly that He is not abolishing the Jewish Law. But He then goes on to clarify the Commandments – we must obey them in spirit, not just a literal minimum. Our free will should be exercised with wisdom, so that we help to build the kingdom of God here on earth.

(Background note: The apparent exception for divorce (Matthew 5:32) is usually understood to refer to marrying within forbidden degrees of kindred, although translations vary.)

Psalm Response: They are happy who follow God’s law!

Sirach/ Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20; Psalm 118; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Replace “Blessed” by “Healthy”

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

Some years ago a panel of doctors was appointed by the Federal government of the USA to meet together and draw up eight laws of public health that could be printed in pamphlet form and distributed to the public. After twelve days of exhausting meetings, the doctors were unable to come to a consensus. It seems that their areas of concern were too diverse. Among the group were a cancer specialist, a cardiologist, a pulmonologist and a psychiatrist, and each approached the problem from the perspective of his own discipline. The chest expert was concerned about coal dust from the mines and lint produced by textile mills, while the psychiatrist was concerned about the effects off urban stress. Finally, Dr. Harold Sladen of a famous hospital in Detroit came up with an appropriate idea. He said: “Let’s just republish the eight Beatitudes of Jesus and simply replace the word ‘Blessed’ with the word ‘Healthy.’”

1.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
For theirs is the Kingdom of God
2.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THOSE WHO MOURN
For they shall be comforted
3.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THE MEEK
For they shall inherit the earth
4.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS,
For they shall be satisfied
5.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THE MERCIFUL,
For they shall obtain mercy
6.- BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THE PURE IN HEART,
For they shall see God.
7.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THE PEACE-MAKERS,
For they shall be called sons of God.
8.-BLESSED (HEALTHY) ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(MATTHEW 5)

Scripture Readings 5th February 2017, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

After the exiles returned to rebuild Jerusalem there were many difficulties and they lost heart. Third Isaiah writing after 500BC told them this was because of a lack of social justice: ritual and fasting have value only if they are expressions of a just society. Today’s reading and the verse before it give the essentials of true religion: deal justly with your neighbour, free the oppressed, feed the hungry, etc. Then, as the Gospel says, your good deeds, like salt or a lamp, will influence others and give glory to God, without drawing attention to yourselves.

Paul, similarly, says that when he came to the Corinthians, he did not draw attention to himself by relying on the powers of clever oratory to convince people about ‘mystery’ of God – the salvific events to be revealed in the age to come. No, he believes that “Jesus Christ and him crucified”, the message itself, making visible the power of God, is strong enough to convince.

Psalm Response: The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.

Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16

People Helping People in the World – A NOVEL IDEA!

The Association People Helping People is crossing the boundaries of Madeira and Portugal.

Mrs. Jane Caldwell, from England, wrote a book called «Frozen Stiff». On the bottom of the book’s cover we can read «All profits from the sale of this book, will go to the Madeiran Charity PHP – “People Helping People”».

Thank you Mrs. Caldwell and thanks to your husband Peter Caldwell for his unconditional support.
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

I have invited Mrs. Caldwell to tell you more about her book…

During the past fifteen years we have had many wonderful holidays in this beautiful island. We have been impressed with the friendly and resilient people, but sadly also by the poverty that exists on the island. As a result, we have become staunch admirers of PHP (People Helping People) and I have now written a novel to help the project. It is a light hearted, slightly romantic detective story, set in some places people may recognize; it is a typical holiday read.

“Frozen Stiff” by “Agatha Frisky” is available as a Kindle e-book for £3:50. Every cent will go towards the PHP project.

 
Happy Reading.
Jane Caldwell (janecaldwell902@gmail.com)caldwell_frozen_stifffrozen_stiff

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

  – Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
1
WHAT ARE WE CHRISTIANS «SELLING»?
One day a man called a Church by mistake. The Church receptionist happened to be distracted at the time, and did not answer the phone in the usual fashion. She just said “Hello.” The man said, “I want to order one pound of Barbecue, two pints of Cole slaw, and a dozen hush puppies.” The receptionist said, “Wait a minute, sir. We are not a food service operation. You must have the wrong number.” The man hesitated a moment and then asked, «What business are you in?”
That’s a fair question to ask. What is our mission? What is our principal message or service or goal? While all our tasks are important, none of them is our central mission. We are here, first and foremost, to declare this Good News: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down from Heaven as the “Lamb of God” to save us from our sins by His sacrificial death on the cross. And his favorites are the unloved, the week, the hungry, the wounded, the sinners…
2
THIS IS THE KIND OF BUSINESS
A young soldier was utterly humiliated by his senior officer. The officer had gone beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior in disciplining the young soldier and knew it, so he said nothing as the younger man said through clenched teeth, “I’ll make you regret this if it is the last thing I ever do.” A few days later their company was under heavy fire and the officer was wounded and cut off from his troops. Through the haze of the battlefield he saw a figure coming to his rescue. It was the young soldier. At the risk of his own life, the young soldier dragged the officer to safety. The officer said, apologetically, “Son, I owe you my life.” The young man laughed and said, “I told you that I would make you regret humiliating me if it was the last thing I ever did.”
That is God’s kind of revenge. “Behold the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world…” Something happened on Calvary that bridged the gap between a Holy God and unholy humanity. We see Christ in His majesty but especially in His mercy.

Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

Scripture Readings 29th January 2017, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Zeph 2:3,3:12-13; Psalm 145; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

About 630 BC Zephaniah strongly denounced the idolatry that had developed during the reign of Josiah. He prophesied “A day of wrath, … a day of darkness and gloom” – from which we have our hymn Dies Irae. But God would leave a remnant of humble and lowly people – from whom tradition believes Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s parents came, and also Simeon and Anna.
Continuing his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds them “the world did not know God through wisdom”. God has made us members of Christ, who has become our wisdom. God’s plan works in ways that seem foolish and weak to us. We have nothing to boast about except the Lord.

About forty years after Jesus died, Matthew followed Mark in writing a gospel, which he arranged as five collections of sayings by Jesus, alternating with five collections describing what Jesus did. The first collection of sayings, the Sermon on the Mount, starts with the Beatitudes, which we hear today. Over the remaining Sundays before Lent we hear the rest of this Sermon, in which Jesus develops the Commandments given to Moses into positive ways of living. Although much of the promised happiness of the kingdom of God is in the future, it does extend to the present time in anticipation.

Psalm Response: How happy are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – People Helping People in the World

The Association People Helping People is crossing the boundaries of Madeira and Portugal.

Mrs. Jane Caldwell, from England, wrote a book called «Frozen Stiff». This book will be put for sale at the Chapel Penha de França where we have our regular Sunday Mass in English. On the bottom of the book’s cover we can read «All profits from the sale of this book, will go to the Madeiran Charity PHP – “People Helping People”».

Thank you Mrs. Caldwell and thanks to your husband Peter Caldwell for his unconditional support.

God loves you and so do I,

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

I invited Mrs. Caldwell to tell you more about her book, below….

FROZEN STIFF – a thriller by Agatha Frisky

During the past fifteen years we have had many wonderful holidays in this beautiful island. We have been impressed with the friendly and resilient people, but sadly also by the poverty that exists on the island. As a result, we have become staunch admirers of PHP (People Helping People) and I have now written a novel to help the project. It is a light hearted, slightly romantic detective story, set in some places people may recognize; it is a typical holiday read.

“Frozen Stiff” by “Agatha Frisky” will be on sale next Sunday after Mass at Capela Penha de França for 10 Euros; absolutely every cent will go directly to PHP.  Alternatively, it is available as a Kindle e-book for £3:50.

Happy Reading.
Jane Caldwell (janecaldwell902@gmail.com)

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino

paradox

The Paradox of our Time

It was 1:30 AM, many years ago. I was sound asleep. A big boom wakened me up and every neighbour on the block. We got together on the corner of the street close to my house. Yes, something terrible had happened. When I arrived there, still in my pyjamas, a police officer was very hurt lying down on the pavement. In front of him there was a dead young girl inside her Volkswagen. This police officer was driving fast on a police call and an accident happened.

The neighbours started talking with each other. I asked the lady close to me: «Do you live around here?», she replied «Yes! Right there.». There was just one house between my house and her house. So then I said: «Oh I thought that was Manuel Rodrigues house.», she replied: «Yes. Manuel Rodrigues was my father. He died two years ago.»

I was speechless! My neighbour had died two years ago and I had not noticed. So that morning I promised that this was not going to happen in my life again. Then I found this text called The Paradox of Our Time, that I want to share with you today. It applies deeply to me. I wish this applies to me only. Only me.

God loves you and so do I,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade [bernardinodandrade@gmail.com]

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIME

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We have done larger things, but not better things.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent. Remember, to say, «I love you» to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (Anonymous)

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

Isaiah 8:23-9:3; Psalm 26; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4:12-23

The first reading is from First Isaiah, when, about 725 BC, Isaiah, was advisor to the king of Judah. Ahaz, a weak king, asked Assyria for help, in spite of Isaiah’s advice to wait because “God is with us”. God would send a saviour, idealistically described with words probably used to hail the new king Hezekiah. Assyria attacked northern Palestine, but Isaiah looked forward to the Messiah bringing freedom to the “Way of the sea” ie Galilee.

In our second reading, in this week of prayer for Christian unity, Paul is shocked at the self-glorifying divisions, or “rents”, in the church at Corinth. Whoever baptised us, we were baptised into Christ. With our common baptism we should therefore “be united in belief and practice”. Unity, but not uniformity. Our task is to preach the Good News of Christ’s crucifixion, without following particular teachers or allowing the meaning of the Cross to be obscured by clever oratory.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus has rejected the devil’s temptations and so identified himself as the “Son of God”, capable of not sinning. Hearing of the arrest of the Baptist, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, the “Way of the sea”. He then quotes the verses of Isaiah from our first reading, before starting his mission in Galilee by calling his first disciples.

Psalm Response: The Lord is my light and my help.

Isaiah 8:23-9:3; Psalm 26; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4:12-23