August 28, 2012 – Matthew 23:13-22 – Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe met, dill and cummin, and has neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faith. It is this you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisees! First, clean the inside of the cup so that the outside may be also clean.

Father Damian McPherson said that the scribes and Pharisees received severe criticisms from Jesus as they do not practice what they preach. They were unwashed, corrupt, undisciplined and sold their souls to values not respected by law. They were clean outside but inside a war in waging. We are inclined to choose God because sin and grace live side by side. We encounter stumbling blocks which we could turn into stepping stones to possess the truth of the gospel and follow it more convincingly. We should be open to the power of God’s grace.

Today is the feast of St. Augustine, the son of St. Monica.

August 27, 2012 – Matthew 23:13-22 – Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

St. Monica

And you say, “Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath. How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it and whoever swears by the sanctuary swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it."

Today is the feast of St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine and a convert of faith. Her husband and children did not follow her lead but she never gave up praying. She is the patron of  mothers and grandmothers who are praying for their sons, daughters and grandchildren. St. Augustine, the son of St. Monica, found his way and helped his mother until he was given the gift of faith. Father Paul Cusack said that it is a sad reality that most people do not attend mass. We should never stop praying for our loved ones so that they will still continue in their religious commitment. We should trust the truth that we did our best and live in our own decision.  

August 26, 2012 – Joshua 24:15-18 – The Tribes Renew the Covenant

Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living but as for my household, and me we will serve the Lord. The people answered, far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt out of the house of slavery and who did those great sins in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed.

Father Pierre Robitaille mentioned in his homily that God wants us to think well and decide that it is a matter of choice in terms of work/job and personal/family life. Let us use our judgment and maturity when it comes to definite choices that we make.

Father Pierre is leaving St. John’s Church for his next assignment in Europe. We extend our warm wishes of good health and luck for his travel.

  

ST. LUCY AND ST. ANTHONY

St, Lucy

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. LUCY, 

Patron of Good Eyesight

O God, our Creator and Redeemer, mercifully hear our prayers, and as we venerate your servant, St. Lucy, for the light of faith you bestowed upon her, increase and preserve this same light also in our souls, that we may be able to avoid even, to do good, and abhor nothing so much as the blindness and the darkness of evil and of sin.

Relying on your goodness, o God, we humbly ask you by intercession of your servant’s, Lucy, to give perfect vision onto our eyes, that they may serve for your greater honor and glory, for our salvation and that of others, and that we may come to the enjoyment of the unfailing light of the Lamb of God in paradise. 

St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.

St Anthony

      PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, Patron Saint of Lost Things

Glorious St. Anthony, I salute you as a good servant of Christ and a special friend of God. You once were favored to hold the Christ child in your arms as you cherished his word in your heart.

Today I place all my cares, temptations, and anxieties in your hands. I resolve ever to honor you by imitating your example.

Powerful patron, model of purity, please win for men and all devoted to you, perfect purity of body, mind, and hearts.  I promise by my example and counsel to help others to the knowledge love and service of God. Amen.