Author: ANTONINO

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

“DIA DE REIS” (King’s Day) – A tradition in Madeira

Every year on January 6th in Madeira, we celebrate “Dia de Reis” (English: “King’s Day”). According to tradition, it’s to celebrate the day when the newborn baby Jesus, the Saviour, the Messiah, receives the visit of the 3 Wise Men from the East.

The night before, Madeiran families usually gather together with friends and neighbours, who go out and sing traditional songs door to door.

“Bolo Rei” (English: “King Cake”) is a traditional Portuguese cake that is usually eaten around Christmas, from December 25th until Epiphany, on the 6th January. The cake itself is round with a large hole in the centre, resembling a crown covered with crystallized and dried fruit. It is baked from a soft, white dough, and in some of these cakes there is the characteristic dried “fava” (broad) bean or small Wise Man figurine. Tradition dictates that whoever finds the fava bean or the Wise Man figurine, must pay for next year’s cake!

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Artaban, « The Other Wise Man »

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

There’s a story called “The Other Wise Man” by Henry van Dyke.
It’s about a fourth person who is supposed to accompany the other three wise men on their journey to search for the newborn King. The name of the person is Artaban.
As Artaban prepares for the journey, he takes with him a bag of precious stones to give to the baby King. On his way to join the other three wise men, Artaban stops to help a poor person. The delay is just enough to make him miss his rendezvous with the others. Artaban never does catch up with them. He constantly runs into people who need help. And he always stops to help them. Eventually, Artaban gives away all his precious stones.
As the story ends, Artaban is old and poor. He has never realized his dream to meet the King of Kings. But the story doesn’t end here. One day Artaban is in Jerusalem. Authorities are about to execute a criminal. When Artaban sees the criminal, his heart skips a beat. Something tells him that this is the King of Kings for whom he has been searching all his life. Artaban is heartbroken when he sees he can do nothing to help the King.

Then something remarkable happens. Artaban hears the King’s voice say to him: “Don’t be broken-hearted, Artaban. You’ve been helping me all your life. When I was hungry, you gave me food. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was naked, you clothed me. When I was a stranger, you took me in.” (Mark Link in Sunday Homilies).

Sunday Mass is not a religious entertainment. Sunday Mass is a «power house» where Jesus inspires us, directs us and strengthens us to go to the world and transform it into one family, where all the people help all the people. This is the Kingdom of God which is the primary goal of Jesus coming on Christmas Day.

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

Scripture Readings 15th January 2017, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Isaiah 49: 3,5-6; Psalm 39; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

Second Isaiah’s servant songs were written after the Israelites had been released from their captivity in Babylon. It is not clear who the servant is: is it Israel or an individual who is to be “the light of the nations”? The servant has been chosen before he was born, all part of God’s plan, and he is to take God’s salvation to the whole world, as well as to Israel.
From now until Lent we read from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, written from Ephesus about 56AD. Paul cannot stop talking about the centre of his life: Jesus, who called him to be his envoy. Those in the “assembly called by God in Corinth”, are called to be holy, part of the universal fellowship of believers, and subject to Christ’s authority. He blesses them with grace – God’s unconditional love – and peace.
John’s Gospel does not have Jesus being baptised. Instead, after the Baptist insists to questioners from Jerusalem that he is not the Messiah, he recognises Jesus. Uniquely he describes Jesus as the Passover sacrificial “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, the “Chosen one of God”, who “baptises with the Holy Spirit”. This gift of new life in God, is greater than the cleansing given by John’s baptism with water.

Psalm Response: Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Isaiah 49: 3,5-6; Psalm 39; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

Scripture Readings 8th January 2017, Epiphany, Year A

isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 71; Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

 

Third Isaiah was writing just after the Israelites had returned from exile in Babylon. Participation in the future messianic salvation is offered to all who believe in the Lord and keep his commandments. Isaiah visualises the new Jerusalem, illuminated by God, to which all peoples will stream and a time when their offerings will be acceptable. The church’s task is to bring the good news to the whole world.

 

The vision of the universal Church Paul describes in Ephesians matches Isaiah’s image of the new Jerusalem. Paul sees the Church, led by the Spirit, as Christ’s body, part of God’s plan for the whole of creation. And Paul joyfully realises that it was always part of God’s plan that the gospel message is to be taken to all: Gentiles as well as Jews are to share in the inheritance promised by God.

 

In Luke’s Gospel an angel announced Jesus’ birth to poor Jewish shepherds, excluded by their occupation from Temple worship. Today we hear Matthew’s description of Gentile scholars travelling from afar to bring kingly offerings to the new-born child. But they needed the Jewish scriptures to help find him. We too need the Old Testament to help us understand God’s plan and what he has done in Jesus for our salvation.

 

Psalm Response:                                   All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

 

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – The Two Women I have Loved The Most

Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

1.

October 15, 1950. It was the day I entered the Seminary in order to become a priest. I was 12 years old. I came from the country side, one day before, and stayed in Funchal in a friend´s house along with my mother. The following day, carrying, on my shoulders, my suitcase, too heavy for a child, I walked in the direction of the seminary’s building. My mother walked with me. Her presence was such a support for a fragile child who, for the first time, was leaving his family of 13 members.

Before the moment came to say good-bye she glued a simple image of Mary the Mother of God on the inner part of the suitcase cover. It was a simple image she clipped from a newspaper. It was a very simple and inexpensive gift but her words were powerful: «My son, this is a reminder of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and your mother. I am saying goodbye to you but every time you open the suitcase remember that She is here to protect you. Goodbye, my son».

This happened 66 years ago and since then I have always felt their presence. They have been the two women who have loved me the most and they have been the two women I have loved the most.

Today, January first, the Catholic Church celebrates the SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD who has been and will always be present in my life.

Scripture Readings 1st January 2017, Mary Mother of God, Year A

Numbers 6:22-26; Psalm 66; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

The Book of Numbers continues the story of the Israelites during their exodus journey from Mount Sinai until they arrive outside the Promised Land before 1200 BC. Among the many laws for behaviour and ritual practices is this beautiful form of blessing given to Moses by the Lord. It is one of the oldest and finest pieces of ancient poetry. To “bless” means to pour out the power of life that produces growth, success, fertility and prosperity.

Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians as an angry and anguished appeal to them not to forsake the gospel he had taught them. Other preachers were trying to persuade them that, to be fully Christian, Gentiles had to become Jews and conform to the Jewish Law. No, says Paul. The Law was a temporary disciplinarian needed until humanity was mature enough to join God’s family. This is now possible through the faith of, and our faith in, God’s Son, who was born of a woman and so fully human.

In Luke’s Gospel the coming birth of Jesus was announced to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. Accepting what God wanted of her, and still a virgin when Jesus was born, she may still have been puzzling over this strange event. So she must have been much helped by the coming of these shepherds, who confirmed that her son was “Messiah and Lord”.

Psalm Response: O God, be gracious and bless us.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A «Ruined» Christmas Sermon

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
The Pastor of a Church in New York, conscious of his responsibility as a presider of a good Liturgy, spent hours preparing what he considered should be a good sermon for the Midnight Christmas Mass. He read about the birth of Jesus, he took notes and rehearsed the sermon he was supposed to deliver.
A Christmas play, mobilizing a group of children and young people, was very well prepared to act after the reading of the Gospel, right before the sermon. It was a very inclusive church where everyone would have a chance to participate.
To emphasize inclusion, they decided to invite Tom to act as a shepherd. Tom was a very special 17-year-old boy with learning difficulties because of his down syndrome condition. After trying a few rehearsals, there was a little frustration due the difficulty Tom had to learn a very simple role as a shepherd. Then they decided to change roles. Maybe Tom would be a good innkeeper. Tom was open to anything as long as he could be part of the play.
Great. After the first try, it was easy to decide that Tom would be the perfect «actor» to act as an innkeeper. The only thing he had to do was to wait in front of the altar, put his hands on his hips, look tough, and when Joseph and Mary came asking for shelter he would say: «No room for you at the Inn».
It took some time and lots of work but there was no doubt that Tom was ready. Even at the last minute they were whispering: «Don’t forget Tom… put your hands over your hips, look tough and say: – there is no room for you at the Inn. Are you ready?
– Yyyyes. I am… am ready».
The moment came. Joseph and Mary walked slowly towards the altar. Tom was standing there. They approached Tom and asked for a place to spend the night. Besides, Mary was ready to give birth to her baby. Both looked very tired. But Tom did as he had been trained to do: He put his hands over his hips, looked tough and yelled in a loud voice:
«There is no room for you at the Inn! ».
Joseph and Mary did as they have been trained to do too. They looked very sad, turned around and started walking towards the front door. Just a few seconds after they left, Tom started crying, with tears rolling down his face, and ran after them and repeated a few times: «Wait… wait… you can stay at my house… You can stay at my house. Please, don’t go»!
At that moment, the pastor approached the microphone and with tears in his eyes, said:
«I couldn´t make a better sermon than the one that was just done by Tom. «Please Jesus stay at my house». Merry Christmas».
The Priest then went to his chair and spent a few moments in silent meditation, which inspired all the congregation to do the same.
Fr. Bernardino Andrade
Dec. 25-2016

Christmas and New Year Services

The Masses over the Christmas period at the Capela de Penha de França are as follows:

Sat 24 Dec (Christmas Eve) – no Mass in Portuguese or English

Sun 25 Dec. (Christmas Day) – 10h00 Mass in English; 11h30 Mass in Portuguese

Sat 31 Dec. (New year’s Eve) – 18h30 Mass in Portuguese

Sun 1st Jan (New year’s day) – 10h00 Mass in English; 11H30 Mass in Portuguese

Scripture Readings 25th December 2016, Nativity of the Lord, Year A

Midnight: Isaiah 9:1-7; Psalm 95; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.
Dawn: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 96; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20.
Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 97; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18.

Around 720 BC Judah was threatened by many enemies. Isaiah advised the kings to stand firm, because the Lord would give a sign: “the maiden shall be with child”. The birth of a helpless baby gives hope for the future. But this future must be founded on justice and integrity. Early Christians adopted these words as a marvellous way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Written over 60 years after Jesus’ birth, Paul’s summarises the gospel to Titus: a compassionate God chose to offer us the free gift of being “at one” with him. But God’s revelation of salvation in Christ demands we transform our lives and “give up everything that does not lead to God”. The reading from Hebrews tells us that God has spoken to us through his son, who is “the perfect copy of his nature”.

Luke places the birth of the Christ firmly in time and space. Jesus was a man born miraculously to a virgin in Bethlehem in Judea. The peace and quiet of the undercroft, where animals gave warmth, must have been a welcome relief for Mary, after the noise and bustle of the inn. The simplicity of Jesus’ birth is important: God comes as a vulnerable baby to draw us into a relationship with him. The royal birth announcement was sent not to royalty, but to poor shepherds, outcasts excluded from Temple worship by their occupation. Joseph, of the house of David, named Jesus as his son. Jesus lived in history, growing up in Nazareth in Galilee.

By the time John’s gospel was written, Christians had come to realise that Jesus had existed as the Word of God before time began. So John’s prologue seeks to describe the complexity of the creator becoming part of his own creation.
Psalm Responses:
Midnight: Today a saviour has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord.
Dawn: This day a new light will shine upon the earth: the Lord is born for us.
Day: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.