June 23, 2012 – Matthew 6:24-34 – Serving Two Masters and Do not Worry

"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?.....And can any of you by worrying add single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing?....Therefore do not worry, saying “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or What will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

Bishop William McGratton said that people are filled with emotions of anxious thoughts and worries. We are burden by the past and preoccupied with the future. We should understand that we need Jesus’ presence in our lives. Everything we have is a gift from the hands of the Lord thru the gifts of prayers and the Eucharist.   Let us trust that he will provide our needs and open our hearts to Him filled with the service of gratitude.

June 22, 2012 – Matthew 6:19-23 – Concerning Treasures and the Sound Eye

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for you treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"

Fr. Joe Gorman mentioned that clean eyes are a prerequisite to a life well lived. The truth will reveal it and unlock your personal treasures. The key to unlock treasures is happiness, peace, and security. We should look for the light that is  God. Seek things that are heavenly on earth. Let us search light with our eyes and look for personal treasures that lasts forever – faith, hope, and charity.

June 21, 2012 – Matthew 6:14 – Concerning Prayers

"When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows where you need before you ask him. Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…..For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father will forgive your trespasses."

Fr. Dan Donovan said that the main  point in the gospel focuses on what Jesus said about prayers that it should come from the heart and avoid hypocrisy. The purpose of prayer is not to inform God but to become aware of God’s presence. Another purpose is to ask forgiveness from God and pray for the ability to forgive so that if we can forgive others when we are hurt; we will also be forgiven for our wrongdoings.

June 20, 2012 – Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18 - Concerning Almsgiving and Fasting

"Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets, so that others may praise them. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

In the gospel, Jesus is asking us that when we pray, fast and give alms, we should do it in secret. Fr. Michael Coutts explained that we  should not impress others in order to build our interim life. We should have deep and great foundation to be grateful to God and give glory to Him. People are encouraged to do acts of charity.

June 19, 2012 – Matthew 5:43-48 – Love for Enemies

"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those how love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect."

How do we conduct with those who hurt or provoke us to anger or temptation? Jesus is telling us to love our enemies and those who persecute us. In his homily today, Father Jack Lynch advised us to remove all restrictions and set no boundaries for love to those who intimidate us. It is the most challenging act of Christianity. Loving and praying is based on the inclusive love of God. He mentioned that the expression “Do not get mad, get even” and the bible verse “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” concerning retaliation are written to promote harmony not violence.  A disciple is not allowed hostility but is called for compassion and love. The only way to end the cycle of hatred is to pull the plug, which we call forgiveness. We must never be afraid to admit our errors and mistakes. We should understand and acknowledge the insights of others whom we may not agree.