Author: ANTONINO

An Introduction to the Readings

Acts 1:1-11    Ps 46     Eph 1:17-23     Mt 28:16-20

Luke’s Gospel opens in the Temple in Jerusalem with the angel appearing to Zechariah, and ends, after the ascension, with the disciples joyfully praising God in the Temple, still in Jerusalem. Acts starts with Jesus’ appearances over 40 days and his ascension, but finishes in Rome. This “double ascension” links Jesus’ ministry “to the lost sheep of Israel” with the apostles’ witness “to the ends of the earth”. Jesus’ restored kingdom will be his continued presence on earth in and through the witness of his people, the Church.The reading ends with the promise that Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives, where the Jews expect all the nations to stream for the Lord’s return at the end of time.

Paul opened his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them that God has made known to us the mystery of his plan “to unite all things in Jesus”. He then prays that they may know the hope – ie confidence – that this revelation gives us, ending with his understanding of the Church as Christ’s body.

Matthew’s Gospel ends with Jesus commissioning the Apostles to “make disciples of all the nations”. Both Luke and Matthew, writing about 40 years after the Ascension, emphasise that Christians are to show their commitment by being baptised.

Psalm Response:    God goes up with shouts of joy, the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

No Other Plans

A beautiful old story tells us tells us of how Jesus, after His Ascension into Heaven, was surrounded by the Holy Angels who began to enquire about His work on earth. Jesus told them about His birth , life, preaching , death and resurrection, and how He had accomplished the salvation of the world.

The angel Gabriel asked, “Well, now that you are back in Heaven, who will continue your work on earth?”
Jesus said, “While I was on earth, I gathered a group of people around me who believed in me and loved me. They will continue to spread the Gospel and carry on the work of the Church.”
Gabriel was perplexed. “You mean Peter, who denied you thrice and all the rest who ran away when you were crucified? You mean to tell us that you left them to carry on your work? And what will you do if this plan doesn’t work?”.
Jesus said:”I have no other plan – it must work”.

Jesus has no other plan than to depend on the efforts of his followers. Jesus has no other plans than to depend on you and me. The tragedy is that you and I have power to sabotage the plans of Jesus.

An Introduction to the Readings

Acts 8:5-8,14-17    Ps 65     1 Pet 3:15-18 or 4:13-16     Jn 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 Gospel description of the Last Supper, 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.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

CORRUPTION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

I met Fr. Walter Burghardt in 1984 during my Sabbatical at the University of Notre Dame, USA. I had heard about him and after that I attended one of his workshops on Social Justice. Preaching and Social Justice were his main field. He is the author of many books and articles. During this workshop I asked him about his «Uncommonly Confession». He confessed this was one of his most famous texts. Today I want to share his «Uncommonly Confession» and I also want to confess that I identify myself, one hundred per cent, with Father Walter.
UNCOMMONLY CONFESSION
Let me make an uncommonly confession.
In the course of a half century, I have seen more Catholic corruption than you have read of. I have tasted it. I have been reasonably corrupt myself, and yet, I joy in this Church . this living, pulsing sinning people of God, love it with a crucifying passion. Why? For all the Catholic hate, I experience here a community of love. For all the institutional idiocy, I find here a tradition of reason. For all the individual repressions, I breathe here an air of freedom. For all the fear of sex, I discover here the redemption of my body. In an age so inhuman, I touch here tears of compassion. In a world so grim and humourless, I share here rich joy and earthly laughter. In the midst of death , I hear an incomparable stress on life. For all the apparent absence of God, I sense here the real presence of Christ.
Fr. Walter J. Burghardt, S. J.