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2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A

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Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 32(33); 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

After the Fall, the Flood and the Tower of Babel, Genesis moves to the times of the patriarchs, probably before 1500 BC. God tells Abram to travel from Haran near the Euphrates to “a land that I will show you”. God promises that Abram’s descendants will become a great nation which will be blessed, and will take God’s blessings to all peoples. Abram trusts in God and obeys, following the age-old migration route through Palestine to Egypt.
The Psalm praises the Lord’s power and kindness, confident that he will rescue us from our urgent waiting.
In one of his last letters Paul instructs Timothy to continue proclaiming the true gospel he received from Paul, correcting errors that will arise from false teachers. God’s plan, made before time began, was revealed by the appearing of Jesus Christ, who has saved all humanity, abolishing death. And God freely offers us grace to be holy.
In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus for the first time tells his disciples of his coming passion. They are then given a preview of Jesus’ glory as the Son of God. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, who is the correct interpreter of the Law and the Prophets. Then Jesus predicts his resurrection, after which they will understand what they have seen.
(Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 32(33); 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9)

From my heart to your heart: Carne de Vinha d’ alhos (Meat of wine and garlic)

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1.
One of the most delicious, inexpensive and popular dishes of Madeira Island is a dish called «carne de vinha dà-lhos» that means «meat of wine and garlic». Usually it is consumed in sandwiches and it is most popular during Christmas Season. When I was a child, this was the only
time of the year when the people of the countryside would have the privilege of eating meat. Most of the people were poor and they had no money to buy meat.

Therefore, they would raise a pig during the year to be killed one week before Christmas. The meat was prepared and sometimes it would last for the entire year. The funny part is that this was at a time when nobody had refrigerators or freezers but the meat was very well preserved and would last as long as they needed.

For me, who lived this kind of life along with my neighbours, this is not a surprise. That’s why it is not a surprise that Jesus had called his disciples «You are the salt of the earth». The Madeiran people from the countryside, when they heard Jesus calling them «salt of the earth» they understood the meaning very well. They knew that the delicious meat that had been prepared by them would never be deteriorated because it had been completely mixed and penetrated with salt, which was the most efficient and only preservative that could guarantee a «fresh» piece of meat at any time of the year with no refrigerators or freezers.Jesus calls us «salt of the earth and light of the world». These are the two words that summarize today’s Gospel (Math. 5: 13-16).

2.

Years ago, there was a movement in the Catholic Church called «Catholic Action»: It was a Catholic movement that «shook» the youth of the entire world, especially Europe. Cardinal Cardijn, a Belgian priest,was its founder. One day somebody asked him:

«Cardinal, the Catholic Action is fishing with a hook or with a net? ».

The Cardinal answered:

«Catholic Action is not fishing with a hook or with a net. The Catholic Action is simply to change the water where the fish swim».

This is the role of all baptized. This is being salt of the earth and light of the world. This is getting involved with the world and its problems, its sufferings and being a passionate follower of Jesus to help Him to change the water where the fish swim. «It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me»; (Gal. 2: 20).

Love and Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Scripture Readings 13th December 2020, 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B

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Isa 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 Thess 5:16-24 ; John 1:6-8, 19-28

In words used by Jesus to announce that the Messianic era has come, Isaiah confidently rejoices that Zion will be restored after the return from exile. It will be the focal point for all peoples, where God will dwell in his renewed creation at the end of time. Everyone will behave with justice. It will be total salvation for God’s people – but sinners will receive their just punishment.

The response to Luke’s Magnificat repeats Isaiah: “My whole being shall exult in my God”.

Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonians by emphasising the wholeness of each person’s salvation. Simple rules of behaviour enable the new Christian way of living to become automatic: show respect and patience to all. Rejoice and give thanks always, for God is faithful, and will make you “perfect and holy”.

Last week Mark briefly described the Baptist’s announcement of Christ’s coming. Today John gives us more detail, immediately after the gospel’s prologue. The Baptist’s answers to his questioners become shorter and shorter, until they ask an open question, to which he replies more fully. John’s is the only gospel which sees Jesus as existing before creation. The Baptist testifies that Jesus’ identity has been confirmed by God. Baptism appears to be well-known, though Jesus’ disciples only started baptising after he had risen.

Psalm Response: My soul rejoices in my God.

(Isa 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 Thess 5:16-24 ; John 1:6-8, 19-28)

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A Can of Cold Water Instead of the Bible

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by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
(bernardinodandrade@gmail.com)
Bernardino_smiling

A soldier, during World War II, was hit by a bullet and was agonizing in a trench. A very dedicated priest, the army chaplain, taking all the risks, went towards his direction and found him. He was really in pain and could hardly move. The priest, who was carrying the Bible, approached him and asked:

«Would you like me to read something from this book»?

The soldier looked at him and said:

«Father: what I most need now is some water to drink. I am so thirsty and my mouth is so dry. »

The priest left the Bible over a rock and went around looking for a container and some water. He was very happy to find water. The priest brought the water and helped him to drink it.

It was very apparent the relief that the soldier felt after drinking that water.

Then, after relaxing for a few moments, he addressed the priest again and asked him: «I need something under my head. Could you please help me»? Gently the priest took his own sweater, folded it under the soldier’s head, made a pillow and slowly tried to accommodate the soldier’s head over his sweater an make his as comfortable as possible.

Then the priest, knowing how important the touching of a hand is in moments of suffering, held his hand, and stayed beside him without mentioning the «book» anymore. Moments later the soldier said: «Father, I am so cold». Without any hesitation the chaplain took off his over-coat, covered him and gently tucked him like a mother does with her baby.

The soldier enjoyed the warmth of this overcoat, closed his eyes for a few moments while the priest kept holding his hand with hope that some help would arrive soon.

After a moment of silence the soldier looked the priest in his eyes and said: «Father, if that book teaches to do for others what you just did for me, please read from that book. I am very very interested in listening».

Today, second Sunday of Easter is the Sunday of Divine Mercy.
Love & Peace,
Fr. Bernardino Andrade

A Dramatic Response to A Dramatic Appeal

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A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS AND FEET WASHERS

Thank You to everyone who has been touched to donate after reading Fr. Bernardino’s appeal in the newsletter two weeks ago. You have all been helping to make a difference in someone’s life right now. Thank you! «People Helping People» has received a dramatic response from many people who have donated. Father Bernardino decided to call this group of people who have been sending in donations to help the poor, the «Community of Feet Washers». He has been making a list with all your names to put on the little altar where he says his daily Mass at home with his niece.
In today’s newsletter you will see the complete list of everyone who has sent in a donation, either by bank transfer or through PayPal. Yes! People Helping People has a PayPal account now! There are also another two options for those who struggle with making bank transfers to Madeira. (More info on these options are explained on the next page).

The «Community of Feet Washers»:

Below is the complete list of people who have donated to People Helping People and made it possible help the needy families with food, medication and also part of rent payments (after job losses). To respect confidentiality of those of you who have donated, we are using only the first names and the initial letter of the surname of the donors. If you sent a donation and don’t see your name on the list below, please let us know by emailing penhafranca.newsletter@gmail.com.

All the names below are of donations received through bank transfer or PayPal, so if you don’t see your donation please do get in touch. This week we managed to track a donation after we were contacted for this reason, and we were able to find the “lost” transfer this way. 

Donations received 3 weeks ago:

30 March – Julie Marie S. 01 April – Lurdes S.
30 March – James Bernard S. 01 April – Francis and Joan C.
30 March – Graham and Mary H. 01 April – Michael and Patricia K.
30 March – Michael Andrew B 01 April – Nationwide Building Society
31 March – Jayne H. 01 April – Patricia and Terence H.
31 March – Froydis G. 02 April – Anthony S.
31 March – Stefanie L. 02 April – Jim and Morag
31 March – Helmut U. and Sieglinde K. 03 April – Manuel Adolfo B.M.
31 March – João Carlos S. 03 April – Alan OB

Donations Received his week and last week

Donations received this week Donations received last week:
14 April – Michael Andrew B 06 April – Sean De B.
14 April – Philip and Brenda F-P 06 April – David and Joanna B
14 April – Ron and Julie G. 06 April – Harry C.
14 April – Dirk and Margaret Van G. 07 April – Neil and Dena S.
15 April – Veronica and Peter B. 07 April – Hugh S. and family
15 April – JH and PM Holden 08 April – Graham B.
15 April – Maurice L. 08 April – Michael Andrew B.
15 April – Antonio Fernandes F. 09 April – David Arthur V
18 April – D. Vierra 09 April – Christine and Tom M.
09 April – Ron and Janet H.

Update: To view an updated list of all those who have donated please see our latest newsletter:

Newsletter 17th May 2020

Scripture Readings 16th February 2020, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

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Sirach/ Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20; Psalm 118(119); 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 notes our actions, but “gives no one permission to sin”.
The psalm praises God’s law, which should be followed because it is designed to help us become who we are meant to be.
After saying he did not come using clever human oratory, Paul 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.
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.
(Matthew 5:32 is usually understood to refer to marrying within forbidden degrees of kindred.)

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

(Sirach/ Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20; Psalm 118(119); 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37)

Scripture Readings 29th December 2019, Holy Family, Year A

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Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6,12-14; Psalm 127(128); Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

The wisdom of the son of Sirach was written about 200 BC and much used in the Church to present moral teachings. He sees the family as set up by God, in which we learn and practice kindness and honour to each other, just as we respect and honour the Lord.

The psalm celebrates the blessings of family life: husband, wife and children respecting the Lord.

The letter to the Colossians advises that wisdom and knowledge should be interpreted only in relation to Christ. Our baptism frees us from man-made religious rules. Not total autonomy: our lives must reflect the Spirit of Christ within us, while seeking to avoid offending our neighbours. But following these precepts and forgiving others is not easy. This beautiful description of the ideal community and family life assumes the normal family structure of the letter’s time and culture. Husbands, wives and children should treat each other in the way the Lord would, showing mutual respect and duty.

In Matthew’s gospel Jesus is taken to Egypt, with Hosea reminding us of God’s deep love and care for Israel, his son. After the slaughter of the innocents, echoing the deaths of Egypt’s first-born before Israel’s exodus from slavery, Jesus is called back. The family return to Israel and settle in Nazareth in Galilee.

Psalm Response: O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

(Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 3:2-6,12-14; Psalm 127(128); Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23)

Scripture Readings 10th November 2019, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

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2 Macc 7:1-2,9-14 Ps 16(17) 2 Thess 2:16-3:5 Lk 20:27-38

The second Book of Maccabees relates events from about 180 to 160 BC, including 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 culture on the Jews, prompting a revolt led by Judas Maccabeus. The brothers each profess aspects of their faith, including confidence in individual bodily resurrection. The Jews later succeeded in throwing off their oppressor.

The psalm asks for God’s favourable judgement, confident He will help us against our enemies.

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 all preachers.

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(17) 2 Thess 2:16-3:5 Lk 20:27-38)

Scripture Readings 8th September 2019, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

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Wisdom 9:13-18 Ps 89(90):3-17 Phlm 9-10, 12-17 Lk 14:25-33

The Book of Wisdom was written in 1st century BC. Greek and other pagan religions gave inadequate answers to life’s questions, especially why the wicked prosper and the just suffer. How does a just God mete out justice? Wisdom’s solution, distilled from all Jewish Scriptures, is that the just continue to live with God after their deaths: a developing Jewish belief in resurrection, though not of the body. Man’s knowledge and powers of reasoning are inadequate compared with God’s Wisdom. So we ask God to give us Wisdom for our guide.

The psalm contrasts God’s eternity with our short lives, confident that God cares for us and that some good will come from our trials.

In this moving letter Paul asks Philemon to accept back the slave Onesimus and forgive him. But Paul is pleading for something more: Onesimus means “profit”, and Paul wants Philemon to see the “profit” of forgiving Onesimus out of Christian love, and not because Paul could “force this act of kindness”. In this way Philemon can gain wisdom and spiritual benefit.

In Luke’s gospel, after a parable about “I’m too busy” excuses, Jesus insists we must “hate” our parents: not emotionally but in our actions. We must weigh our options carefully and willingly carry the Cross.

Psalm Response: O Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next.

Chris

Scripture Readings 21st July 2019, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

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(Gen 18:1-10; Ps 14(15):2-5; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42)

Abraham, settled by the oaks of Mamre, near Hebron, south of Jerusalem, gives proper hospitality to his three special visitors. He addresses only one of them as Lord, who promises a son to the couple in their old age. God’s covenant promise to Abraham of countless descendants can now begin to come true.

The psalm lists the social virtues necessary to be at one with the Lord, especially justice and charity.

Paul had explained to the Colossians that with Christ’s death God’s covenant plan is now back on track. Paul sees his afflictions as helping spread the knowledge of redemption and contributing towards the debt Christ has already paid on our behalf.

The Jews believed that God would reveal his secret plans for creation: Paul says these have now been revealed – the mystery is Jesus the Christ, the man who is the revelation of God, now raised to the new life also promised to us.

In Luke’s description of Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary, their brother Lazarus is not mentioned. Like Sarah, Martha is busy preparing the meal. With so much to do she is naturally – but not obsessively – distracted, and asks for Mary’s help. But Jesus reminds her that listening to the words of their prophetic guest is more important than domestic perfection.

Psalm Response: The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

(Gen 18:1-10; Ps 14(15):2-5; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42)