August 20, 2012 – Matthew 19:16-22 – The Rich Young Man

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why you ask me about what is good. There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandment.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, I have kept all these, what do I still lack.” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving for he had many possessions.

Father Nino Cavoto said that the gospel is about the encounter of Jesus with the good rich man who is looking for more and is conscious with his relationship with God. Jesus replied “if anyone wishes to be whole, give to the poor, sell your possessions, come and follow me.” But the young man has to walk away sad from Jesus. In reality, we do not know our future and we change our circumstances. For some, there is a radical response to Christ’s  ideal way and find it  too much to follow Him. But with the grace of His love and our faith, we respond to Jesus in a positive way.

August 18, 2012 Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32 – Individual Retribution / Matthew 19:13-15 – Jesus Blesses Little Children

Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32 – Individual Retribution

The word of the Lord came to me, “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel. “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?” As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine; it is only the person who sins that shall die. 

If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right – if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel; does not defile  his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period; do not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge; commits no robbery; give his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not take advance or accrued interest; withholds his hand from iniquity; executes true justice between contending parties; follows my statues, and is careful to observe my ordinances, acting faithfully-such a one is righteous; he shall surely live, says the Lord God.

Therefore, I will judge you, o house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, say the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast always from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Matthew 19:13-15 – Jesus Blesses Little Children

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

The homily is about Jesus'  love for the little children. Jesus expects us to provide the best for our children to grow. God provides the covenant of marriage in which children can develop values. Jesus teaches us to be like little children. In the first reading, Jesus’ message  is to opt for the spiritual and live below our means as He wants us to imitate him and live faithfully. We need God continuously so let us extend our hearts to those who needs help.

August 17, 2012 – Matthew 19:3-12 – Teaching about Divorce

Some Pharisees came to him, and met him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?” Therefore, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined, let no one separate. They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but at the beginning, it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marry commits adultery.

Father Nino Cavoto said that the gospel passage has association with the teaching of Christ about the sacrament of marriage, which is the union of husband and wife. The sacrament is essential to the structure and sanctity of marriage. The Lord advised  husbands and wives not to be alone but to provide help to your mate or partner. It is not good for us to be alone. Loneliness is not part of the plan, which God intended to those He loves. Hardness of the heart keeps us to be lonely and if it persists, creates problems in our world such as the outcasts who were suffering loneliness of life experiences. Also, God did not intend us to be alone for loneliness is not part of God’s design which prevents the flow of peace and harmony. We have our heart to give to our family by loving them and become more humanitarian to others. Let us understand the meaning of Eucharist which is to give life as bread to the family of Christ.