Author: ANTONINO

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A Taxi Driver at 2:30 AM

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

In his book, “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace”, Kent Nerburn writes about his experience driving a cab for living. He remembers one night in particular when he received a call at 2:30 AM to go to a small brick fourplex. Thinking he was going to pick up some late night partiers or someone who had just had a fight with his or her spouse, he was surprised when a small woman in her eighties answered the door.

She wore a print dress and an old fashioned pillbox hat. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment was empty, except for a few pieces of furniture covered with sheets and a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. The driver picked up her bag and helped her to the cab. She gave him the address and then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”. “It’s not the shortest way”, he answered. “Oh, I don’t mind”, she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice. I don’t have any family left. The doctor says I don’t have very long.”

The driver reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to go?”

For the next two hours, they drove through the city. She pointed out the building where she worked as an elevator operator, the house where she and her late husband lived as newlyweds, the furniture store that was once a ball room where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she’d ask to slow down in front of a particular building or corner; there she’d just sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the dawn broke over the horizon, she said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.” They drove to the small house that served as the hospice. Two attendants came and helped her out of the cab and took her bag.

She asked the driver how much she owed for the fare. “Nothing “, he said. “But you have to make a living,” she insisted. “There are more passengers,” he replied.

Almost without thinking, he bent over and gave her a hug. She held him tightly. “You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you”.
Then, in the dim morning light, he watched as she walked into the hospice.

***
Kent Nerburn remembers: “We are so conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware. When that woman hugged me and said that I brought her a moment of joy, it was possible to believe that I had been placed on earth for the sole purpose of providing her with that last ride. I do not think that I have done anything in my life more important”.

Scripture Readings 20th November 2016, Christ the King, Year C

2 Sam 5:1-3 Ps 121 Col 1:12-20 Lk 23:35-43

The Books of Samuel, with the Books of Kings and of Judges, tell of Israel’s history from when they entered Canaan about 1200 BC, up to their exile to Babylon in 587 BC. After the death of Saul, David became King of Judah. In today’s key reading David then becomes King of all Israel. He goes on to capture the 1,000 year-old city of Jerusalem, and makes it his capital. He then brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, making it also Israel’s religious centre. The Psalm celebrates Jerusalem, David’s city.

The letter to the Colossians was written because they thought that angelic beings and other spiritual powers were either rivals to Christ or were needed to supplement Christ’s work. Paul says this detracts from the person of Jesus Christ, who possesses the totality of power needed for redemption, meaning the forgiveness of sins. The hymn praises Christ, who is the image of the unseen God. He existed before all things, which were created in him, and He is supreme over all creation. He has reconciled all things, the whole cosmos, by “the blood of the Cross”.

In Luke’s Gospel the crucified Jesus is recognised as King, both by the good thief and in the inscription written by Pilate, a Gentile.

Psalm Response: I rejoiced when I heard them say: “Let us go to God’s house”.

(2 Sam 5:1-3 Ps 121 Col 1:12-20 Lk 23:35-43)

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE – The potential for healing and true forgiveness

– Brought to you by Michael Hartnack

One of the most inspirational and humbling experiences I have recently experienced was yesterday when Yvonne, my wonderful partner and I, took up the invitation of Father Bernardino, given to us at last Sunday’s mass, to join local people from Madeira, as part of the People Helping People project. *
There we shared fine food, fellowship and very simple acts of generosity towards one another. Even where we didn’t understand each other’s language, a nod, a smile and reciprocated acts of kindness saw us through a truly amazing experience of what being a human being is all about.

Despite our differences in culture, language, customs and circumstances, our experience proved to me, that there is far more that joins us together, than could ever divide us. I will remain eternally grateful for the opportunity of having had such an experience.

Father Bernardino simply asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I retired some three years ago as a police Officer in England and now undertake work with victims of crime and their offenders, bringing them both together in a process we call restorative justice. The process of Restorative Justice, allows for harm caused to the victim to be repaired by the offender through a quite simple method but which needs to be skillfully facilitated. For the vast majority of crimes, a civilised society must have the capacity to integrate its wrongdoers back into society, otherwise, like Zacchaeus (from the Bible story), such people would always be on the periphery of society, never accepted, never given the opportunity to make a contribution.

This is not necessarily about forgiveness; it is more about repairing properly the harm that has been caused. It’s called Restorative Justice. It is not about avoiding Justice – many of the offenders I work with are imprisoned for their offending, and rightly so, but the process provides the opportunity for the victim to face their offender and explain the impact that the behaviour of the offender has had on their victim. The criminal behaviour on victims and others is addressed and helps offenders who might never have otherwise had the opportunity, to face a victim and hear first hand the impact of their behaviour.

British courts don’t address this issue and are ordinarily powerless to impose true restorative justice – the repairing of the relationship between two human beings – putting right the real harm that has been caused. Instead, the courts consider all cases to be crimes against the state and have done so for many, indeed far too many years.

Restorative Justice is about facing up to and explaining what one has learnt as a consequence of causing someone harm. Perhaps it goes some way to helping someone on their way to reparation and perhaps even, as I have personally experienced, true forgiveness occurring between two human beings.

Thank you for listening. – Michael Hartnack – 30 October 2016

(Original text edited and shortened for this issue of Joyful Gift). More information on the Restorative Justice program can be found at: www.restorativesolutions.org.uk/

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Death Teaches Us How to Live – I

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

It´s the name of a book: « Death teaches us how to live ».
As Vice-President, George Bush represented the U.S. at the funeral (November 15, 1982) of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev who had been the president of the USSR for 18 years. Bush was deeply moved by a silent protest carried out by Brezhnev’s widow, Mrs. Viktoria Brezhnev.

She stood motionless by the coffin until seconds before it was closed. Then, just as the soldiers touched the lid, Brezhnev’s wife performed an act of great courage and hope, a gesture that must surely rank as one of the most profound acts of civil disobedience ever committed: she reached down and made the sign of the cross on her husband’s chest.

There in the citadel of secular, atheistic power, the wife of the man who had run it all hoped that her husband was wrong. She hoped that there was another life, that that life was best represented by Jesus who died on the cross, and that the same Jesus might yet have mercy on her husband.

Death teaches us how to live.
God loves you and so do I,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade (bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)

Scripture Readings 13th November 2016, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Mal 3:19-20 Ps 97 2 Thess 3:7-12 Lk 21:5-19

Written about 460 BC, after the Jews returned from their Babylonian exile to rebuild the Temple, Malachi criticises the people’s religious indifference, priestly abuses, intermarriage with pagans and divorce. So he writes anonymously, “Malachi” means “my messenger”. “Where is the God of justice?” he asks. But he promises that the day of the Lord is coming, preceded by a messenger to prepare the way, later seen by Christians as John the Baptist. When that day comes evil-doers will be burnt up, while those who fear the Lord will be energised and healed, gambolling with joy and treading on the ashes of the evil-doers.

The Thessalonians had heard a forged letter saying the Lord’s second coming was very close. Some had stopped working for a living and were “interfering in everyone else’s” work. Paul says they are “busybodies”, stirring up trouble! They should be shunned until they pull their weight in the community, as Paul did when he was with them.

In the Gospel Jesus foresees the destruction of the Temple, and the disasters, persecutions and false prophets that must precede the second coming. But we must not worry about these future problems, nor try to guess the day of the Lord’s second coming. We should concentrate on the day-to-day following of Jesus, placing all our trust in Him.

Psalm Response: The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness.

Scripture Readings 6th November 2016, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

2 Macc 7:1-2,9-14 Ps 16 2 Thess 2:16-3:5 Lk 20:27-38

The second Book of Maccabees relates events from about 180 to 160 BC, and includes the martyrdom stories of Eleazar, and of this family of a mother and seven brothers, written to encourage God’s people in times of persecution. The Syrian king Antiochus imposed Greek cultures on the Jews, prompting a revolt led by Judas Maccabeus. The brothers each profess aspects of their faith, including confidence in individual bodily resurrection. After their martyrdoms the Jews succeeded in throwing off their oppressor.

The second letter to the Thessalonians was written to calm a community startled by claims that “the day of the Lord” was upon them. As long as they love and believe in the truth given them originally they should stand firm and have no fear. They should continue to pray confidently for Paul and other preachers, that the word of the Lord may “run” into people’s hearts everywhere.

In Luke’s gospel, after meeting Zacheus Jesus entered Jerusalem, cleansed the Temple and responded to challenges about his authority. Then he is asked about resurrection, with another example of seven brothers. He says those worthy to attain resurrection will no longer die or marry, “they are children of God”, the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom Moses called “Lord”.

Psalm Response: I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.

(2 Macc 7:1-2,9-14 Ps 16 2 Thess 2:16-3:5 Lk 20:27-38)

Scripture Readings All Saints, 1st November

Rev 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 23; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12

It may be difficult for us to understand the strange, frequently misunderstood, book of Revelation. Cosmic battles are raging all about us: evil seems to triumph in our world, yet God’s revelation of himself in Christ gives us confidence (hope) that He will save us. The previous chapter ended by describing the coming terrible day of judgement (Dies irae). Now there is a pause while the elect – the chosen ones – are sealed with God’s mark to show they will be protected. Some can be counted – perhaps the martyrs, whose robes have been washed white in the blood of the Lamb. Numberless others from all nations will also be saved. Faith gives hope for those who repent: “The Lamb … will lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”.

John seems to have written his letters to repeat basic teachings, which some in his community appear to have forgotten in their reception of his Gospel, with its emphasis on Christ’s divinity. Here he insists we are already God’s children, and there is much more joy still to come. But we must purify ourselves, and model our lives on the human life of Jesus.

Matthew’s Gospel brings the Commandments up to date with positive demands if we are to be counted among the elect.

Psalm Response: Such are the men who seek your face, O Lord.

(Rev 7:2-4,9-14; Ps 23; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12)

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – The 8th Sacrament

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Ivory was the only Black person in my parish. I met him for the first time, on a Sunday Mass.
I used to start Mass from the back door. During the entrance procession, all walked and behaved properly, except their Pastor, who happened to be me. I would scoop a baby from his mother’s or father’s arms and take him with me to the altar, I would tell somebody to sing louder, I would ask a lady how her sick husband was doing, I would gently slap somebody on one of their shoulders…
Arriving at the altar, yes, I would start being serious, after giving the baby back to his proud father or mother. Yes, I remember gently slapping this black man on his shoulder. I remember how neatly he was dressed with his neat suit and his neat tie which was not usual in a rural church like mine. He looked like an executive of some wealthy company. Yes! I remember touching him and processing as usual.
During the week, Ivory called to make an appointment. He wanted to talk with me. I welcomed him with my usual hug and invited him to sit down. Wonderful conversation. All of a sudden I was surprised when he told me the reason for his appointment: he wanted to be baptized. I called the lady who was in charge of the Catechumenate (RCIA) and put them in contact with each other. It took two years of preparation.
Like the other Catechumens he came to Mass every Sunday and after the homily all the Catechumens would leave the church and go to another room to share the Word of God and their life experiences related with the readings.
What kept intriguing me was that he kept sharing in his group that the reason why he asked to be baptized was because « Fr. Bernardino touched me ».
One day, casually, I met Ivory and told him: « Ivory, some people from your RCIA group, keep telling me that the reason why you asked to be baptized was because I touched you. Was it any story or any special homily that touched you in a special way? ».
I was speechless with his answer: « When I say that you touched me I mean the first day I went to church, I was new in town, I was feeling lonely, and when you were walking to start Mass you touched me on my shoulder when you didn’t even know me. That made me feel very special. That’s when I decided to ask for my Baptism and belong to a church that touches strangers and makes people feel special. ». On that day I discovered that that HOSPITALITY was the eighth Sacrament of the Church.
One day I told this story to a Brazilian priest visiting my Parish and told him about my discovery of Hospitality being the 8th Sacrament of the Church. His answer was that Hospitality was not the eighth Sacrament. Hospitality was the ONLY Sacrament of the Church. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Priesthood and Marriage without Hospitality are good for nothing.
Let us welcome each other with the greeting of peace and being aware of the person who worships at our side. Maybe he or she needs to be touched. Then, when we leave the Church, for sure we will find lots of people who will need our touch.

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

Scripture Readings 30th October 2016, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Wisdom 11:22-12:2 Ps 44(45) 2 Thess 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10 Click to see the readings from the U.S Catholic Bishops website

The Book of Wisdom has been describing ways in which Wisdom guided the patriarchs and took special care of Israel during their Exodus wanderings in the desert. God’s mercy extends to all creation, even men’s sins. The logic is impeccable: “you love all that exists”, “for had you hated anything, you would not have formed it.” Offenders are reminded little by little of their sins so that they may “abstain from evil and trust in you, Lord”.

For the next three weeks we have readings from Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. After his opening greeting, Paul thanks God for the strength of the Thessalonians’ faith, which he boasts about to other churches, and assures them that those persecuting them will be punished. Assuring them of his prayers, Paul tells them not to be misled by false information about the second coming. Much has to happen before the end time.

In the Gospel Luke graphically describes the rich tax collector, Zacchaeus. Curious to see Jesus, Zacchaeus immediately follows Jesus and promises to give half his wealth to the poor. A contrast to the rich official who could not detach himself from his material possessions to follow Jesus. Though excluded from the Jewish community by his occupation, Zacchaeus receives salvation as a true son of Abraham.

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

(Wisdom 11:22-12:2 Ps 44(45) 2 Thess 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10)

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Freckles Make Me Ugly

Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Little Joan grew up with a big dream. Her big dream was to be able to visit Disneyland in California. One day her grandmother decided to give her a special birthday gift – a trip to Disneyland. Joan was on cloud nine. “Finally I am going to go to Disneyland and have a street artist paint Mickey Mouse on my face!”
The day came and there they went. Grandmother and granddaughter (who was flying for the first time) both in love with each other, enjoying every minute together. Hotel accommodations had been reserved in advance and Joan would not believe she was going to sleep in a real hotel with a swimming pool.
That day Joan woke up earlier than usual and, after some prayers, she left the Hotel to spend the day in Disneyland with her grandmother. Everything was going well according to her dream. Until this moment.
Joan saw a street artist approaching her, so she went and asked to please get Mickey Mouse painted on her face, while her grandmother was in the same area doing some shopping. A few moments later, Joan came to her grandmother very sad and crying with abundant tears. 
« What happened, sweetheart? You were so happy and all of a sudden you are so sad. Please tell your grandmother what happened. I never took my eyes off you and I didn’t see anything wrong. Please tell me. » – Grandmother knelt before Joan, hugged her and insisted: « Please tell me what happened. »
« I am ugly. I am very ugly. And I don’t like to be ugly. »
« Why do you say that? »
« When I asked the lady to paint Mickey Mouse on my face she told me that she couldn’t because I have freckles. I am very ugly. But it is not my fault. »
« Honey! That lady is very wrong. Forgive her. You are very, very beautiful. Freckles are very beautiful. Freckles are kisses from angels. I always wanted to have freckles to make me more beautiful but I have not been that lucky, that’s why I am so proud to travel with you because I know that I am travelling with the most beautiful girl in the world. The most beautiful girls in the world have freckles. »
At this point Joan already had her eyes almost dry. But her grandmother kneeling before her to be closer to her face kept insisting with her:  
« Joan, tell me, have you seen anything more beautiful than freckles? » – Now grandmother was emotional and said: « Tell me. What in this world is more beautiful than freckles? »
At this point, Joan looked in the eyes of her grandmother, smiled, raised her hand, gently touched her face and said:
« More beautiful than my freckles are the wrinkles on the face of my grandmother. »
God loves you and so do I,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade