When you host a party, better to invite the poor than your undeserving family

Monday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time  4 November 2013

St. Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan († 1584) -

Rom 11:29-36.

Brothers and sisters: The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.
For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?"
"Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?"
For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Ps 69(68):30-31.33-34.36-37.

I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”

For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it,
and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.

Luke 14:12-14.

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbours, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Commentary of the day:

I received an email today from a former best friend from my past who has not been in contact for a while. It was a reply to an email I sent him last week. There was no falling out or anything, just the busy-ness of life I presume that makes communication often lack priority.

In my email to him I did lament the fact that my parents, family and friends have largely ignored the fact that I now have a baby.

I received only minimal messages from people and they were mostly brief congratulations on facebook. I have to say it was slightly disappointing, but as any who know me know, I don’t feel sadness or other human emotions since being a police chaplain and witnessing lots of tragic events and deaths. Nothing really makes me feel sad anymore.

Anyway, some of his comments are relevant to what I want to comment on the Gospel of today:

“Congratulations are in order, I think.  Things have changed I expect.
You don't really think your family would forget how you blindsided them, we did warn you. You have to realise that people who respected you and loved you and thought you felt the same, probably feel really hurt and cranky on how you ditched them for a life in a third world country. It has left them wondering, were your ever legitimate or authentic in what your said and did as a priest.    
The reason people don't like josephina is that she alone is responsible for stealing you away from your friends, family and country.
People still cannot believe you chose that third world dump over Australia.  People think you have had some sort of mind meltdown.
Anyway, no use going on about it, nothing you haven’t heard before...”

I turn fifty this year and Josefina was planning a birthday party. I felt uncomfortable about it knowing that none of my family or friends would be coming. She expected that her family would probably just come for the free feed not because they care for me, so she had another recommendation.

We would likely have spent a certain budgeted amount on a party to entertain my family and friends (presuming they would come) but since they won’t be, we will be following Jesus’ advice and be inviting the poor, the lame, the blind... in fact everyone in the surrounding area who are all very poor will be welcome.

I am not saying this to boast, but just explaining how in my parish life I already did this quite regularly. We held parish events that entailed fund raising that gave money to St Vincent de Paul society who regularly fed the homeless poor in the Penrith area. It is a fantastic experience when you feed someone who has no hope of paying you back.
I am saying this to encourage you to try to share your prosperity with those who have less and experience the blessings you receive from doing so. As it has been often quoted and very little imitated, "It is better to give than receive".

Yesterday a poor neighbour happened to be passing while we were having a birthday party for Jane (Michelle’s older sister) who invited only 4 of her classmates to our home. We had plenty of food left over so I invited that neighbour to stay and eat. He was too shy to come into the house and just wanted to take some food home so that he could share it with his five kids and pregnant wife. I put a stainless steel spoon into the bag with his food and he said, “I bring back..”

I told him, “No that's your souvenir for coming..”
In fact, its not even my spoon. I don't even know how many times I came home with a spoon in my pocket from attending parties. I didn't deliberately steal them but just inadvertently put them there as I didn't know where to put them after finishing the meal on the paper plate. I have so many pieces of not matching cutlery that I feel it would be wrong of me to keep so I have given them away.

Jesus knew when He taught His disciples this lesson that they would feel the joy of having poor people attend your parties and realise that they may be materially poor but what they give back in love and appreciation is so much more valuable than another invite back to your ungrateful relos'.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church - Autobiographical manuscript C)

"Blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you"

I have noticed (and this is very natural) that the most saintly Sisters are the most loved. We seek their company; we render them services without their asking... On the other hand, imperfect souls are not sought out. No doubt we remain within the limits of religious politeness in their regard, but we generally avoid them, fearing lest we say something which isn't too amiable... This is the conclusion I draw from this: I must seek out in recreation, on free days, the company of the Sisters who are the least agreeable to me in order to carry out with regard to these wounded souls the office of the good Samaritan.

A word, an amiable smile, often suffice to make a sad soul bloom; but it is not principally to attain this end that I wish to practice charity, for I know I would soon become discouraged: a word I shall say with the best intention will perhaps be interpreted wrongly. Also, not to waste my time, I want to be friendly with everybody (and especially with the least amiable Sisters) to give joy to Jesus and respond to the counsel He gives in the Gospel in almost these words: “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not invite your friends, or your brethren, or your relatives, or your rich neighbours, lest perhaps they also invite you in return, and a recompense be made to you. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; and blessed shall you be, because they have nothing to repay you with, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (cf. Lk 14,12-14; Mt 6,4-5) What banquet could a Carmelite offer her Sisters except a spiritual banquet of loving and joyful charity?

As far as I am concerned, I know no other and I want to imitate Saint Paul who “rejoiced with those who rejoice” (Rm 12,15). It is true he wept with the afflicted and tears must sometimes appear in the feast I wish to serve, but I shall always try to change these tears into joy (Jn 16,20), since “the Lord loves a cheerful giver” (2Cor 9,7).

 

reflection on Mass readings for All Souls..

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) 2 November 2013
 

Wisdom 3:1-9.

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;  Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

Ps 27(26):1.4.7.8.9.13-14.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the LORD
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. 

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.

Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stout-hearted, and wait for the LORD.

Rom 6:3-9.

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

Mt 25:31-46.

Jesus said to his disciples: «When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'
Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?'
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'
And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Commentary of the day :

I attended All Souls Mass today especially remembering all the people whose funerals I have celebrated over the years I was a priest. The Mass was in Waray, the dialect of this particular region and although I couldn’t understand the readings I could recall them from heart as I always ponder these words of Jesus and especially the book of Wisdom first reading (which is often chosen for requiems).

The theme of the Gospel reminds us that those who are chosen for eligibility for the kingdom of heaven are those who saw Jesus in the poor or those who suffer. To refuse solace to someone in need is equivalent to ignoring Jesus.

I can proudly say I have done all of those things: fed the hungry, clothed the men I have found to be naked, visited the sick in hospitals and in their homes, visited prisoners (and even celebrated Mass in two Cebu gaols for hundreds of inmates), and never refused anything to anyone who asked for it (even if I didn’t think they deserved it!)
I don’t tell you that to boast but just to explain that there are very few people outside of priests who have the opportunity and wherewithal to be able to fulfil all those pre-requisites of Heavenly entrance.

But our Lord didn’t tell you that you have to go out and look for people in all those categories to serve Him. Only that if you do meet someone (a Jesus in disguise) and you do not offer kindness and sacrificial generosity, you can kiss eternal happiness goodbye...

 

Aphrahat (?-c.345), monk and Bishop near Mosul
Expositions, no.22 ; SC 359

Our dead live for him

Devout, wise and good people are not afraid of death in view of the great hope they have in what lies before them. Every day they think of death as of a departure and of the last day as when the offspring of Adam will be born. The apostle Paul says: “Death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin, as has happened with all the children of Adam” (Rm 5,14.12)... It has happened, too, in all Moses' descendants to the end of the world. However, Moses declared that its rule would be destroyed; death thought to hold everyone captive and rule over them for ever..., but when the Holy One called to Moses from the heart of the bush he said to him: “I am the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob” (Ex 3,6). When it heard these words, death was terrified, it trembled with fear understanding that... God is Lord over the dead and the living and would come one day when men would escape from its darkness. Now Jesus our Saviour has repeated these words to the Sadducees and said: “He is not God of the dead, for all are alive for Him” (Lk 20,38)...

For Jesus has come, the one who has put death to death. He put on a body of Adam's race, has been nailed to the cross and tasted death. It has understood that he would be descending to its abode. Anxiously death fastened its gates but he has broken down its gates, entered in and started to seize those it was holding there. The dead, seeing light in the darkness, raised their heads from their prison house and saw the glory of the Messiah King... And death, seeing how the darkness began to disperse and the righteous to rise, knew that at the end of time he would release every prisoner from its power.

 

Halloween & All Saints Day

All Saints' Day is a universal Christian feast honoring all Christian saints – known and unknown. The feast is celebrated by the Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican churches.
“Halloween,” celebrated in the United States, England, Ireland and France on the eve of the Day of All Saints, got its name from “All Hallow’s Eve” or the vigil of All Saints' Day.
The Celtic people who lived in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and northern France before the Christian era believed that their god of death (Samhain) would allow the souls of the dead to return to their homes for a festal visit on this day. People also believed that ghosts, witches, goblins and elves came to harm the people, particularly those who had inflicted harm on them in this life. The Druid priests built a huge bonfire of sacred oak branches and offered animal and even human sacrifice to protect people from marauding evil spirits on the eve of Samhain feast. This belief led to the ritual practice of wandering about in the dark dressed in costumes indicating ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, fairies and demons. But some historians believe that the pumpkin-carving and trick-or-treating are recent customs, reminiscent of Irish harvest festivals, brought to the United States by Catholic immigrants from Ireland and England.

Historical note:
A common commemoration of the saints, especially the martyrs, appeared in various areas throughout the Church after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313. The primary reason for establishing a common feast day was the desire to honor the great number of Christians martyred during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian (284-305). In the East, the city of Edessa celebrated this feast on May 13; the Syrians, on the Friday after Easter; and the city of Antioch, on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Both St. Ephrem (d. 373) and St. John Chrysostom (d. 407) attest to this feast day in their preaching. In the West, a commemoration for all the saints also was celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. St. Bede (d. 735) recorded the celebration of All Saints Day on Nov. 1 in England, and such a celebration also existed in Salzburg, Austria. It was Pope Gregory IV who in 835 ordered the Feast of All Saints to be observed universally on Nov. 1.

The feast and its objectives:

 

All baptized Christians who have died and are now with God in glory are considered saints. All Saints Day is a day on which we thank God for giving ordinary men and women a share in His holiness and heavenly glory as a reward for their faith. In addition, the feast is observed to teach us to honor the saints, both by imitating their lives and by seeking their intercession for us before Christ, the only mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2/5). Today the Church reminds us that God's call for holiness is universal, that all of us are called to live in His love and to make His love real in the lives of those around us. Holiness is related to the word wholesomeness. We show holiness when we live lives of integrity and truth, that is, wholesome and integrated lives in which we are close to others while being close to          God.
Reasons why we honor the saints

1- The saints put their trust in Christ and lived heroic lives of faith.
St. Paul asks us to serve and honor such noble souls. In his epistles to the Corinthians, to Philip and to Timothy, he advises Christians to welcome, serve and honor those who have put their trust in Jesus. The saints enjoy heavenly bliss as a reward for their faith in Jesus. Hence they deserve our           
veneration.

2- The saints are our role models.
They teach us by their lives that Christ’s holy life of love, mercy, and unconditional forgiveness can be lived by ordinary people, of all walks of life and at all times.

3- The saints are our heavenly mediators who intercede for us before Jesus, the only mediator between God and us. (James: 5/16-18, Exodus: 32/13, Jer. 15:1, Revel. 8:3-4,)

4- The saints are the instruments that God uses to work miracles at present, just as He used the rod of Moses (Exodus), the bones of the dead (II Kings 13/21), the towel of Paul (Acts: 19/12) and the shadow of Peter (Acts 5/15) to work miracles.

For Catholics, the Orthodox, and to some extent, the Anglicans, “All Saints Day” is a day, not only to remember the saints and to thank God for them, but also to pray for their help.  It is also a day to glorify Jesus Christ, who by his holy life and death has made the saints holy. This feast offers a challenge to each one of us: anybody can become a saint, regardless of his or her age, life style or living conditions. St. Augustine accepted this challenge when he asked the question: "If others can become saints, why can't I?"
 
Why is there a special day for all saints?

In fact, we celebrate the feast of each canonized saint on a particular day of the year. But there are countless other saints and martyrs, men, women and children united with God in the heavenly glory, whose feasts we do not celebrate. Among these would be our own parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters who were heroic women and men of faith. All Saints' Day is intended to honor their memory. Hence today's feast can be called the feast of the Unknown Saint, in line with the tradition of the “Unknown Soldier.” According to Pope Urban IV, All Saints' Day is also intended to supply any deficiencies in our celebration of saints' feasts during the year. As Christians, we know that a person's life story is not limited to what happens to him or her between birth and death. Our story starts before we are born, at our conception, and goes beyond the day we die, to all eternity. That is why we do not simply forget people after they die and why the Church sets apart two days to remember them, honor them and pray for their special intercession on our behalf: All Saints' Day and All Souls'   Day.

Today’s readings:
The first reading from the Book of Revelation speaks of John’s vision of saints in their heavenly glory: "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands" (Rev 7:9). All Saints' Day reminds us that we are called to be a part of that vast multitude of holy ones whose numbers are so great they cannot be counted. Offering us the Beatitudes in today’s gospel, the Church reminds us that all the saints whose feasts we celebrate today walked the hard and narrow path of the Beatitudes to arrive at their heavenly bliss. The Beatitudes are God’s commandments expressed in positive terms. They go far beyond what is required by the Ten Commandments, and they are a true and reliable recipe for sainthood. As the second reading suggests, saints are people who have responded generously to the love God has showered on them.

Message:
On the feast of All Saints the church invites us and challenges us to walk the walk of the saints and not just talk the talk: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). The feast gives us an occasion to thank God for having invited so many of our ancestors to join the company of saints. May our reflection on the heroic lives of the saints and the imitation of their lifestyle enable us to hear from our Lord the words of grand welcome to eternal bliss: "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of your master" (Matthew 25:21). Today is also a day for us to pray to the saints, both the canonized and the uncanonized, asking them to pray on our behalf that we may live our lives in faithfulness like theirs, and so receive the same reward.

Do you think you deserve Heaven?

Wednesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time 30 October 2013

St. Marcellus, Martyr (3rd century)

Romans 8:26-30.

Brothers and sisters: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

Ps 13(12):4-5.6.

Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”;
lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.

Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”

Lk 13:22-30.

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them,
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'
And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Commentary of the day :

A little boy went up to his father and asked: 'Dad, where did my intelligence come from?' 
The father replied. 'Well, son, you must have got it from your mother, cause I still have mine.'


Vatican Council II
Declaration on the Church's relations with non-christian religions « Nostra Aetate », 4

"You will see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God "

As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham's stock. Thus the Church of Christ acknowledges that, according to God's saving design, the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses and the prophets. She professes that all who believe in Christ - Abraham's sons according to faith (Gal 3,7) - are included in the same Patriarch's call, and likewise that the salvation of the Church is mysteriously foreshadowed by the chosen people's exodus from the land of bondage. The Church, therefore, cannot forget that she received the revelation of the Old Testament through the people with whom God in His inexpressible mercy concluded the Ancient Covenant. Nor can she forget that she draws sustenance from the root of that well-cultivated olive tree onto which have been grafted the wild shoots, the Gentiles.(Rm 11,17). Indeed, the Church believes that by His cross Christ, Our Peace, reconciled Jews and Gentiles making both one in Himself.(Eph 2,14f.).

The Church keeps ever in mind the words of the Apostle Paul about his kinsmen: "theirs is the sonship and the glory and the covenants and the law and the worship and the promises; theirs are the fathers and from them is the Christ according to the flesh" (Rm 9,4-5), the Son of the Virgin Mary. She also recalls that the Apostles, the Church's main-stay and pillars, as well as most of the early disciples who proclaimed Christ's Gospel to the world, sprang from the Jewish people.

 

Be the yeast that makes the dough rise...

Tuesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time 29 October 2013

Romans 8:18-25.

Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labour pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.

Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

Ps 126(125):1-2ab.2cd-3.4-5.6.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
We were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
We are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
Like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
Shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,
Carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
Carrying their sheaves.

 

 

Lk 13:18-21.

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and 'the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'"
Again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened."

Commentary of the day:

The kingdom of God is amongst you... it starts small and expands with the momentum of other Christians’ generosity. The first thing the pagans noticed about the followers of Jesus was their charity, their generosity to those less fortunate. As they often remarked in admiration, “See how those Christians love one another!”

They would outdo one another in kindness and care for the poor.

But what do we see today? Are everyday Catholics so evident in their outreach and care for the poor. I dont see it. I see the organisations like St Vincent De Paul consisting of members who are all retired. Elderly people who have spare time giving a bit of it as catechists or volunteers. But not the strong, virile and busy young members of the Church.

(I would propose at this point that my parish in Glenmore Park was the distinct contrast to the majority of Catholic parishes. Our welfare teams were a majority of younger people under fifty and our catechists were mostly high school girls and university students.

Our Lord wants us to practice our Christianity now, not when we are free, or when we have spare time or are finished our careers. Hear what
Saint John Chrysostom who lived from 345-407AD had to say. He was a priest at Antioch then became Bishop of Constantinople. He has been declared posthumously a Doctor of the Church for his insights into the spiritual life. This is an extract of his writing, “Homilies on the Acts of the apostles”:

“Is there anything more ridiculous than a Christian who couldn't care less about other people? Don't use your poverty as an excuse. The widow who put two small coins in the Temple coffer (Mk 12,42) would rise up against you; Peter, too, who said to the lame man: “Gold or silver have I none” (Acts 3,6) and Paul, who was so poor he often went hungry.

 

Neither protest your social condition, for the apostles were also humble men of low degree. Don't plead your ignorance for they were unlettered. Even if you were a slave or a fugitive you would always be able to do what lies in your power.

Onesimus, whose praises Paul sang, was such a one (see the letter to Philemon and Col 4,9).

Would you claim weak health? Timothy had it too.

Yes, whoever we are, anyone at all can be of service to his neighbour if he genuinely wants to do what he can.

Do you notice how the trees in the forest are flourishing, handsome, rising upwards? Nevertheless, we prefer fruit trees in our gardens or olive trees covered with fruit. Handsome, sterile trees..., such are they who are only thinking of their own interests...

If leaven doesn't cause the dough to rise then it isn't a proper raising agent. If perfume doesn't give off scent to those who are approaching, can we still call it a perfume? So don't say it's impossible to have a good influence on others because, if you are a real Christian, it's impossible that nothing should happen, this is part of the very essence of being a Christian...

It would be as contradictory to say that a Christian cannot be of any use to his neighbour as to deny the sun its ability to give light and heat. “

(end of quote)

 

So challenge yourself today. What kind of Christian are you? What outreach do you do? What function are you serving in Jesus’ church? Or are you spending yourself entirely on your family, your cultural group, yourself?

Be the yeast that makes the dough rise...

Tuesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time 29 October 2013

Romans 8:18-25.

Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labour pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.

Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

Ps 126(125):1-2ab.2cd-3.4-5.6.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
We were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
We are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
Like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
Shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,
Carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
Carrying their sheaves.

 

 

Lk 13:18-21.

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and 'the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'"
Again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened."

Commentary of the day:

The kingdom of God is amongst you... it starts small and expands with the momentum of other Christians’ generosity. The first thing the pagans noticed about the followers of Jesus was their charity, their generosity to those less fortunate. As they often remarked in admiration, “See how those Christians love one another!”

They would outdo one another in kindness and care for the poor.

But what do we see today? Are everyday Catholics so evident in their outreach and care for the poor. I dont see it. I see the organisations like St Vincent De Paul consisting of members who are all retired. Elderly people who have spare time giving a bit of it as catechists or volunteers. But not the strong, virile and busy young members of the Church.

(I would propose at this point that my parish in Glenmore Park was the distinct contrast to the majority of Catholic parishes. Our welfare teams were a majority of younger people under fifty and our catechists were mostly high school girls and university students.

Our Lord wants us to practice our Christianity now, not when we are free, or when we have spare time or are finished our careers. Hear what
Saint John Chrysostom who lived from 345-407AD had to say. He was a priest at Antioch then became Bishop of Constantinople. He has been declared posthumously a Doctor of the Church for his insights into the spiritual life. This is an extract of his writing, “Homilies on the Acts of the apostles”:

“Is there anything more ridiculous than a Christian who couldn't care less about other people? Don't use your poverty as an excuse. The widow who put two small coins in the Temple coffer (Mk 12,42) would rise up against you; Peter, too, who said to the lame man: “Gold or silver have I none” (Acts 3,6) and Paul, who was so poor he often went hungry.

 

Neither protest your social condition, for the apostles were also humble men of low degree. Don't plead your ignorance for they were unlettered. Even if you were a slave or a fugitive you would always be able to do what lies in your power.

Onesimus, whose praises Paul sang, was such a one (see the letter to Philemon and Col 4,9).

Would you claim weak health? Timothy had it too.

Yes, whoever we are, anyone at all can be of service to his neighbour if he genuinely wants to do what he can.

Do you notice how the trees in the forest are flourishing, handsome, rising upwards? Nevertheless, we prefer fruit trees in our gardens or olive trees covered with fruit. Handsome, sterile trees..., such are they who are only thinking of their own interests...

If leaven doesn't cause the dough to rise then it isn't a proper raising agent. If perfume doesn't give off scent to those who are approaching, can we still call it a perfume? So don't say it's impossible to have a good influence on others because, if you are a real Christian, it's impossible that nothing should happen, this is part of the very essence of being a Christian...

It would be as contradictory to say that a Christian cannot be of any use to his neighbour as to deny the sun its ability to give light and heat. “

(end of quote)

 

So challenge yourself today. What kind of Christian are you? What outreach do you do? What function are you serving in Jesus’ church? Or are you spending yourself entirely on your family, your cultural group, yourself?

The Lord knows no favourites

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C Sunday, 27 October 2013

Sirach 35:12-14.16-18.

The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint;
He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
Nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right.

Ps 34(33):2-3.17-18.19.23.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
The lowly will hear me and be glad.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
To destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
And from all their distress he rescues them.

The is close to the brokenhearted;
And those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

2 Tim 4:6-8.16-18.

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Lk 18:9-14.

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."



Commentary of the day :

My wife commented today with surprise how there was an article in the news that said, "Even Beyoncé changes her baby's nappies".
So what? Why is she so special that she wont get her hands dirty for her baby? Do they pay people to change nappies for celebrities? Why is she special? She is a singer, an actress but other than that, she is a nobody special.. and nor is anyone. With God all are equal in His eyes.
As I see the poor lugging pieces of wood and plastic off the beach to sell to buy rice for their families I feel inclined to help them. And sometimes I do. Of course I can't help everyone although I wish I was positioned better to do so. But I help them carry their wood or offer them drinking water like they were celebrities because I believe in Jesus' eyes everyone is somebody.
The Gospel teaches us today not to think we are better than anyone because we will soon be humbled by some experience that we have no control over. The fact is in the reality that our faeces smells just like everyone else's.

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Discourses on the Psalms, Ps 86[85], 2-3

"O God, be merciful to me a sinner"

“Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer, for I am poor and needy” (Ps 86[85],1). He doesn't turn his ear to the rich man but to the poor and needy one, towards the man who is humble and acknowledges his sins, the one who begs his mercy not the one who is satisfied, who takes a superior position, who vaunts himself as though he lacked for nothing and who has just said: “I thank you that I am not like this publican”. For that rich Pharisee made much of his worthiness; the poor publican confessed his sins...

All those who reject pride are poor before God and we know that he turns his ear to the poor and needy. They have recognized that their hope can't rest in gold or silver or those possessions they own in abundance for a season... When someone despises within himself everything for which pride knows so well how to flatter itself, then that person is one of God's poor. God inclines his ear to him for he knows the sufferings of his heart...

Learn, then, to be poor and needy whether you own something in this world or not. We may find a proud beggar and a rich man who is pierced by the feeling of his own unworthiness. “God refuses the proud” whether they are clothed in silk or covered with rags; “he gives his grace to the humble” (Jas 4,6; Prv 3,34) whether they possess or do not posses this world's goods. God looks on what is within: that's what he weighs, that's what he tests. You don't see God's weights; your feelings, plans, thoughts, these are what he sets on the scale... If there is around or within you something prompting you to self-satisfaction, reject it. Let God be all your certainty. Be poor in him that he may fill you with himself.