June 10, 2012 – 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 – Living by Faith

"So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary but what cannot be seen is eternal."

Fr. John Newton1/ said in his homily that there are three things, which people like to hear: “I love you”; “I forgive you” and “Come to dinner.” Today, we are invited to gather in the Mass and celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. We can partake of the bread in the Communion, which symbolizes the Body and Blood of Christ that gives us support and life.

1/ Parish Priest of St. John Church, Toronto

June 8, 2012 – 2 Timothy 3:14–17 – Paul’s Charge to Timothy

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writing that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scriptures is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work."

The gospel invites us to imitate the quality of St. Paul to have great trust in the Lord thinking that God is there to rescue whatever happens to us. Like St. Paul, every parent’s duties are to give the first taste of goodness to children, discipline and teach them the courage of conviction, which is to learn how to cope up the hard things in life. God inspires all scriptures where we learn the word of God. God will teach us through the Holy Spirit so that our teachings may be verified by the truth itself.

June 16, 2012 - FATHER’S DAY

June 16, 2012 - FATHER’S DAY

Father’s day is a good day to celebrate and show our respect to all the fathers. Fathers do everything to work and support his family; he acts as the foundation of his house. We remember our father for the sleepless nights they experienced to feed and comfort us; for the times we have hurt their feelings and felt sorry for it; and for the gifts, we received from them. Therefore, I thank the Lord for giving me a wonderful, amazing father, my superhero. And as we pay tribute for their efforts today, we salute them and offer this psalm/prayer (Sirach 3:3):

DUTIES TOWARDS A FATHER

Listen to me your father, O children;

act accordingly that you may be kept in safety.

For the Lord honors a father above his children,

Those who honor their fathers atone for sins,

Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children

And when they pray they will be heard.

Those who respect their father will have long life,

Honour your father by word and deed that his blessing may come in you,

For a father’s blessings strengthen the houses of the children.

Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father,

For your father’s dishonor is no glory to you.

The glory of one father is one’s own glory.

My child, help your father in his old age,

And do not grieve him as long as he lives

Even if his mind fails, be patient with him;

Because you have all your faculties, do not despise him.

For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

And will be credited to you against your sins in the day of your distress,

It will be remembered in your favour

Like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.

June 5, 2012 – 2 Peter 3:14-18

"You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Fr. Glenn Mcdonald emphasized the value of decision-making based on the reading. He said that decision involves great deal of regrets like when we choose a job or go under operation if we are sick. It could also pertain to going on a relationship like marriage or friendship. What we need to do to escape regret is to develop humility. We have to pray to the Lord for humility and turn over to Him all our regrets. There are many ways to do things in life, which involves decision-making, but the best way is God’s way. God can change our wrong decision, transform our lives, and be a better person. The way out of a regretful situation is humility.

June 4, 2012 – Mark 12:1-12 – The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

The gospel speaks about the parable of the owner of the vineyard and his tenants. The owner sent his son but was killed by the tenants and threw him out of the vineyard. Jesus mentioned that the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Fr. Nino Cavoto explained  that the cornerstone pertains to Jesus as the  foundation of the church. He was rejected but became important to the building of the church.

June 2, 2012 – Jude 17-23

"But you, beloved, build yourselves up on you most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies."

Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick advised ways to the building of our faith - to pray to the Holy Spirit, to continue to love God, to let God love us and ask His mercy.

June 1, 2012 – 1 Peter 4:7-13 - Good Stewards of God’s Grace

"The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ."

Fr. Paul Cusack mentioned that we could be a source of inspiration to others, preach the gospel, and let our faith shine to others.

May 30, 2012 – Mark 10:42-45 – The Request of James and John

"Therefore, Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their ruler’s lord it over them and their great ones are tyrants over them. But, it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”"

Bishop Richard Greco told about Jesus’ message that greatness and authority in the kingdom of God are to be redefined in terms of service. James and John, the disciples of Jesus, desired recognition. But Jesus wanted his disciples to realize to look at life not at the top downward rather to share the point of reference to look not up but down to those who are poor, needy, and suffering. We should offer service to others with compassion, humility, respect, and dignity. He mentioned that there are different kinds of services to build Christian community:

1. Service of holding one’s tongue – to prevent criticisms
2. Service of humility – to honor opinion for the well-being of another before oneself
3. Service of listening – to listen carefully; to use our ears for the Lord and not to what others will say
4. Service of bearing one another’s burden
5. Service of proclamation – communicating consolation or admonition about speaking the truth

In summary, the authority given to us in the kingdom of God is to be humble, speak words that give life, ask to be helpful, bear the burden of others, and speak the words of love to others.