September 10, 2012 – 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 / Luke 6:6-11

1 Corinthians 5:1-8  – Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing…Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch as lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the year of malice and evil but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Luke 6:6-11 – The Man with a Withered Hand

On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and taught and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking he said to the man how he had the withered hand, “Come and stand here!” He got up and stood there. Then, Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do well or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?” After looking around at all of them, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

In his reflections, Father Michael Busch spoke about the scribes and Pharisees who were blind guides and lead people astray. He asked everybody if we use the law as an excuse for not doing well. Are we required to do what is necessary or to destroy life? How much are we willing to sacrifice? There is no real love, no honesty, and no sincerity in what we do if we are not true to ourselves. We become antagonistic to anyone including priests and laymen who try to open our eyes and have a look of what is happening around us. The church has changed its core beliefs, is open to new ways, and the needs of modern life. But real worship means love in action and that includes sacrifice. We should listen to God’s voice and deny ourselves or step out of our comfort zone. Nothing will change unless we put our prayers into action, love one another, and do something about it.

September 8, 2012 – Matthew 1:1-16,18-23 – The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived her from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save, his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord through the prophet had spoken: "Look, the virgin shall convene and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel who means God is with us.”

Father Patrick Fitzpatrick announced that today is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary. Joseph, her husband, the man of Bethlehem, had a meeting with Angel Gabriel about Mary's pregnancy. In his second visit, Angel Gabriel told Joseph in his dream “Don’t be afraid!” So Joseph stood by Mary until the child Jesus was born. Father Patrick recited the Litany of St. Mary.

September 7, 2012 – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – The Ministry of the Apostles

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.  I am not aware of anything against myself but I am not thereby acquitted. The Lord judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

Father Liborio Amaral said that we can act as servants of Christ and stewarts of God's mystery. When we become stewarts, it is our decision to serve but not to be served. A clergy is a stewart of God’s mystery and so does other sectors of the society. They are stewards of mysteries of faith, trustworthy and who bring faith in God to others. They do not ask what we can gain, but for Christ's sake and are called servants of the Lord.

September 6, 2012 – 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 / Luke 5:1-11

1 Corinthians 3:18-23 - On Divisions in the Corinthian Church

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you maybe become wise. For the wisdom of these worlds is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness, and again, The Lord knows the thought of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas of the world or life or death of the present or the future-all belong to you, and you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.

Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus Calls the First Disciples

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down our nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their tents were beginning to break. So they signaled to their partners in the other board to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying: “Go away from me Lord for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken; and so were James and John, son of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Father Dan Donovan said that the context of the gospel is about the remarkable catch of fish by the disciples of Jesus. We can find in  the gospel images such as nets and fish  which symbolizes man’s journey. There is a widespread of images around the world signifying that  we are all in a journey, whatever the images are. With the words of Jesus to Peter, “Do not be afraid you; will be catching people”, Father Dan advised the crowd to reap for hope whenever we are touched by fear and trepidation.

As the school starts, Father Dan mentioned that independent young people, especially the university students who are launching into the deep, need encouragement and support from their families. We hear stories calming the storms and see images of the church as boat in the sea of the world. To the members of community, his words of advise is “Do not be afraid, in joy and success, in pain and fear, God is with you!”