2, Scripture Readings – Summaries of the readings of each Sunday Mass (by Chris Oliver)

Thoughts on Today’s Scripture Readings

1 Kgs 3:5,7-12             Ps 118             Rom 8:28-30                Mt 13:44-52

After David’s death his son, Solomon, was established as king. Before Solomon built the Temple, sacrificing to God in high places was acceptable. It was during one such sacrifice that God appeared in a dream asking Solomon what he most wanted. In humility Solomon asked for a discerning judgement, rightly earning God’s praise. The Psalm values ruling one’s life by God’s commands above everything.
 Our readings from chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the Romans continue describing life in the Spirit. Paul says that Christians should try to reproduce in themselves images of Christ by progressively sharing in his risen life. God prepares those called to do his work and cooperates with them. Each individual is called for some task in God’s plan for salvation. Those who love him will share in his glory. This includes not only Christians and others of goodwill, but also the Jews, “the ones he chose specially long ago”.
 Matthew’s Gospel compares the Kingdom of Heaven to the greatest treasure found either accidentally or after a search, and then compares the Kingdom to a dragnet: the good fish will be kept and those of no use will be thrown in the furnace. But there is a surprise ending: not all old treasures should be thrown away, some should be kept – like Israel’s Scriptures, our Old Testament.

Fund Raising Dinner at Moynihans Irish pub

A dinner was held at Moynihans Irish pub on the 26th July to raise funds for the People Helping People project. This was well attended and raised much needed funds for the project. Thanks to the management of Moynihans for their support.

Thoughts on Today’s Scripture Readings

Wis 12:13,16-19 Ps 85 Rom 8:26-27 Mt 13:24-43

Psalm 85 really says it all this week: God is a loving God, a “God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger”, “good and forgiving, full of love to all who call.” Eventually “all the nations” – ie the Gentiles – will come to adore God.
The Book of Wisdom was probably written in Alexandria about 50 years before Christ, to encourage the faith of Jews living in a pagan Egypt. It wrestles with the age-old problem that evildoers are not punished in this world. Wisdom insists that God is just and merciful: he will reward the just after death, although this book does not say how. We can see that God moderates his own power with his justice from the way he gave the Canaanites time to repent during the exodus, and we should follow his example by showing mercy to those who hurt us.
The Gospel shows God’s mercy in action. Instead of venting punishment on sinners and immediately uprooting them, God patiently gives us time to repent. Even more, as Paul has been saying to the Romans, we may have confidence in the future life God has planned for us. God sends the Spirit to help us and to enable us to express our prayers more meaningfully.

Psalm Response:    O Lord, you are good and forgiving.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

THE POOR WANT TO BE POOR

It was a very dramatic mission. This story was written by Hampton Sides in his book «Ghost Soldiers» and told by Fr. Tony Kadavil in his weekly publication. It happened during the World War II. On January 28th, 1945, 121 hand – selected Army Rangers slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines in an attempt to rescue 513 American and British POW’s who had spent three years in a hellish prison camp near the city of Cabanatuan. Hampton Sides describes the first effects of liberation as chaos and fear. The prisoners were too mentally brittle to understand what was taking place. Some even scurried away from their liberators. One particular prisoner, Berk Bank, refused to budge, even when a Ranger walked right up to him and tugged his arm, «C’mon, we’re here to save you», he said. «Run for the gate».Finally a smile formed on Bank’s lips as the meaning of the words became clear, and he reached up to the outstretched hand of the Ranger. The Rangers searched all the barracks for the additional prisoners, then shouted, «The Americans are leaving. Is there anybody here?» Hearing no answer, they left. The freed prisoners marched 25 miles and boarded their ship home. With each step, their stunned disbelief gave away to soaring optimism.
Did these people really want to continue that miserable life they had lived during three years in a miserable prison where there was no difference between garbage and human beings? This is what I have heard from many «experts» and «good people» who work with the poor. «The poor want to be poor. It´s their choice».
One day I arrived to a meeting where the group was discussing how to help this special person who had lived for 7 months in a miserable cave. The first thing I heard was, «We can not help those who don’t want to be helped». I am glad I arrived on time to say: «There is no one who need help more than the one who doesn’t want to be helped»

Thoughts on Today’s Scripture Readings

Acts 12:1-11 Ps 332 Tim 4:6-8; 17-18  Matt 16:13-19
This chapter of Acts is the last about the Jerusalem church before Paul’s missionary journeys. We hear about Peter’s third arrest, this time by Herod who is the grandson of the Herod when Jesus was born. The story of Peter being freed from prison is so lovingly told that the parallels with Jesus’ arrest may be missed. Like Jesus, Peter was arrested during the Passover, and was also taken for a ghost, here by the maid, Rhoda, who shuts the door in his face. The angel who proclaimed Jesus to be risen, and who frees Peter, goes on to strike Herod dead.

A rather lonely Paul, abandoned in prison in Rome, writes these encouraging words to Timothy. Paul has solemnly commissioned Timothy to take over his ministry, and Paul urges him to keep on preaching the true Christian message in its entirety. But this will inevitably lead to similar suffering and Timothy will need always to rely on the Lord’s strength.

Today’s gospel is Matthew’s version of Jesus asking who people say he is. It is similar to Luke’s version. But Matthew inserts the well-known commissioning of Peter to be the rock of the Church, the only reference in all the gospels to the whole Church, and probably added later.

Psalm Response:           From all my terrors the Lord set me free

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

THE POOR ARE POOR BECAUSE THEY LIKE IT

Kazimerz Symanski of Poland was a prisoner of war during World War II.
There is no record of what happened to Symanski in the prison camp, but his experiences there obviously changed him. In his later years, Symanski seemed bent on reliving his prison experience. He even turned his small apartment into a prison cell. He put bars over the windows and constructed a small cage in which he slept. He refused to allow electricity or running water in his apartment. He seemed determined to live in the most primitive and confining conditions. Symanski died in 1993 from effects of his living conditions.
(Told by Fr. Tony Kadavil).
Did Symanski died in this dungeon because he liked it? Was it his choice? I would love to hear a group of psychologists and sociologists discussing this matter. Working with the poor during my entire life this has been one of the biggest accusations I have heard against the poor.
«They are poor because they like to be poor. They like to beg. They like an easy life».
When I ask help for the poor and people start lecturing me and giving me their «deep knowledge» about the poor accusing them of being lazy, abusers, liars, judging them and accusing them with all these kind of information, I just feel like saying «Thank you for your expertise about the poor. Don´t worry. But if one day you need help here is my phone number. I am part of a project called People Helping People. You can count on us. We are not experts in the field but we will be happy to help you if we have the money. I promise we will not humiliate you and call you names».
«LOVERS ALWAYS LOOK INSANE FOR THE NON LOVERS».

Thoughts on Today’s Scripture Readings

Deut 8:2-3,14-16        Ps 147     1 Cor 10:16-17     Jn 6:51-5

Deuteronomy, the “second” book of the law, collected and organised the whole Jewish law from the previous four books. It emphasises that Israel must remember how they had been tested in the wilderness so that they would not again neglect their God. God provided manna and land for their needs, but warned them not to think their success was due to their own efforts.

Paul recalls the wanderings of the Jews in the desert to warn the Corinthians not to have anything to do with idols. They must not compromise. Worship is more than words and actions, it implies the spiritual reality of becoming partners. We cannot share in Christ’s body and blood while also seeking demons such as money and power. Belonging to Christ must be total.

Chapter six of John’s gospel describes Jesus feeding the five thousand before saying that the manna came not from Moses but from the Father. And it is the Father who now offers “the true bread from heaven”, which “gives life to the world” – that is, Jesus himself. Jesus’ teaching is stark. Many could not accept it then, or now. But Jesus insists: we must show we are united with him body and soul by our physical communion with him – and so be united with all his followers. Faith must always be shown by action.

Tea and Coffee – After Mass in the meeting room across garden – please join us.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

FIRST MEAL ON THE MOON

I still remember where I was and what I was doing on a Sunday, July 20, 1969. I was in Africa (Mozambique) outside the window of my Bishop’s office. Inside his office my Bishop and I were listening to this small radio I was holding in my hand. The news was: «Apolo 11 was landing on the moon». Both of us were feeling emotional.
Most remember Astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first words as he stepped onto the moon’s surface: «That’s a small step for man, one giant leap for mankind».

But few know about the first meal eaten on the moon.

Dennis Fisher reports that Buzz Aldrin, the NASA Astronaut, had taken aboard the spacecraft a tiny pyx provided by his Catholic pastor. Aldrin sent a radio broadcast to earth asking listeners to contemplate the events of the day and give thanks. Then, blacking out the broadcast for privacy, Aldrin read, «I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit». Then silently he gave thanks for their successful journey to the moon and received Jesus in the Holy Eucharist surrendering moon to Jesus. Next he descended on the moon and walked on it with Neil Armstrong. His Pastor was Fr. Dennis Barry from St. Martin’s Catholic Church, La Mesa, California. His nephew, Fr. Eddie Collins, confirmed years later that Buzz Aldrin was an altar server to his uncle Fr. Barry.

*********

Today the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Our God was transformed into food for the road no matter where we are travelling to.

Thoughts on Today’s Scripture Readings

Ex 34:4-6,8-9     Dan 3:52-56     2 Cor 13:11-13     Jn 3:16-18

Seeing the Israelites dancing round the golden calf, Moses was angry and had thrown down and broken the tablets on which the Lord had written his covenant. The agreement with God was literally broken! Now the Lord, a God of compassion, tells Moses to prepare two more tablets. After “passing before” Moses, the Lord declares that He is “a God merciful, … forgiving iniquity”. Moses asks the Lord to forgive his people, and the Lord re-affirms his covenant and again writes the Commandments on stone tablets.

Today’s psalm comes from the hymn of thanks in the story of Daniel, set in the 6th century BC but probably written about 165 BC. Daniel’s three companions refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue and so were thrown into a furnace so hot their guards were killed. But God protected the three men, who walked about inside the furnace with their clothes intact but their rope bindings burned off.

After Paul’s stern instructions to his beloved Corinthians, his second letter ends with this fond farewell, including the Trinitarian grace used widely by Christians.

At the beginning of John’s Gospel, after the wedding at Cana and the cleansing of the Temple, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be “born again”. Nicodemus cannot understand this, but Jesus insists that those who refuse to believe and trust in Jesus condemn themselves.

Tea and Coffee – After Mass in the meeting room across garden – please join us.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

Fr. Bernardino Andrade

THE MACHINE AND MAMIE´S ARTHRITIS

The true story is told of a woman named Mamie who made frequent trips to the branch post office. One day she confronted a long line of people who were waiting for service from the postal clerk. Mamie only needed stamps, So a helpful observer asked her, “Why don’t you just use the stamp machine? You can get all the stamps you need and you wouldn’t have to wait in line”.
Mamie said,
«I know , but the machine can’t ask me about my arthritis».

Life is about relationships. The Catholic Church is not mainly about Catholic rituals, Catholic processions, Catholic Holy water. 
The Catholic Church is about intimacy, helping each other, touching each other, caring for each other.
I learned long time ago that the oposite of love is not hatred. The oposite of love is indifference.
A few days ago I took part in a workshop conducted by a capitain of an airline company. It was about safety. I was impressed with a word he used to express indifference or not helping a person in need. He called it «agressiveness». It was a new and fascinating word for me. If I see somebody in need and I do nothing to help I am beeing «agressive»

Thoughts on the Scripture Readings

Acts 2:1-11  Ps 103  1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 20:19-23
 Until recently Pentecost was less understood by Christians than the other two Jewish pilgrimage feasts of Passover and Tabernacles. Then the Dead Sea Scrolls showed that Pentecost was associated with God giving the Covenant on Sinai, and it was at Pentecost that new community members were enrolled. So the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost fits neatly with this Covenant feast.
 
Acts tells us that they “had all met”, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. God often made himself known with wind and fire. The list of peoples who hear and understand the Apostles extends from the east to west of the empire: effectively this is the programme for the mission now starting.
 
After rebuking the Corinthians for their factions and giving us the earliest description of the Eucharist, Paul shows how Christians together make up the one body of Christ on earth. It is the one Spirit who gives the gifts each individual needs for the particular task God has given him or her.
 
In the first ending of John’s Gospel, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen after his resurrection, and then to the disciples huddled together in a closed room “for fear of the Jews”. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on them, giving them power to forgive sins.
Psalm Response: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord and renew the face of the earth

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART

by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

WHEN WE CAN’T ANYMORE

Deerek Redmond ran in a semi-final of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Half way round the track this British athlete collapsed with a torn hamstring. For some strange reason, he wanted to finish the race, and he struggled to his feet. Derek’s Dad got up out of the stand, and he broke his way through security. His Dad picked up his crying son, and together they finished the race.
That man did what the Holy Spirit does for us. It’s when we are spiritually exhausted, when we find ourselves giving into the spirit of slavery again and again, when we can’t pray, when we don’t want to pray, when our faith is not strong enough – when there is no way we can finish the race. That’s when the Spirit picks us up, and drags us to the finish line. (Rev. Gerhard)
Today is Pentecost Sunday. It is the Holy Spirit Sunday. Most of the times, tourists can not function without maps where they find directions to use each day properly.
Christians have a map that gives them directions to live a very happy and productive live. That’s what we call the FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Against these there is no law. LOVE… JOY… PEACE… PATIENCE… KINDNESS… GOODNESS… GENTLENESS… FAITHFULNESS… AND SELF CONTROL… (Gal. 5: 22-23).

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.