August 13, 2012 – Matthew 17:24-27 – Jesus and the Temple Tax

When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others? When Peter said, “From others.” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook, take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.”

 

The gospel theme is about Jesus who was facing persecution from the tax collectors. Jesus and Peter did not have money to pay the tax. So Jesus  reminded Peter that God cared for them and rescued them. Father Gilles Mongeau explained in his homily that we should trust in God and ask for his help in times of need, as the saying goes “God provides.” There is a double teaching on the gospel – to receive God’s love and imitate Christ by being compassionate and humble with others.

August 11, 2012 – Matthew 17:14-20 - Jesus cures a boy with a Demon

When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often in the water… And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible  for you.

Father Carmelo Borg relayed that the gospel message is about the “complaints department” of Jesus. As written on the bible, if you have faith the size of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move. Thru faith, we can do impossibility. Jesus focuses on our faith not so much on why are we being healed but He just wants to heal. We must live by faith and expect God’s power of faith. Faith is an assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. The assurance is a result of deep relationship with Jesus. Faith is not just reading the bible. Like a piece of cake, you must taste it. Thus, we must taste and see the goodness of the Lord. We should try to be close at him, listen to what he says, and be in love with God. Let us believe in Him and pray for our lack of faith.

August 10, 2012 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 – The Collection for Christians at Jerusalem

The point is this: The one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

St. Lawrence

Father John’s Bertao’s reflection on the reading is about patience. Today is the feast of St. Lawrence, a deacon and martyr who exercised great patience until the hour of his death. He practiced patience to forgive to those who offended him, be it words and actions. Let us pray for St. Lawrence to give us patience and give thanks to God.

August 9, 2012 – Matthew 16:15-23 – Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

St. Peter

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build, my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind on earth will be bound on heaven, and whatever you loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

August 8, 2012 – Jeremiah 31:1-7 – The Joyful Return of the Exiles

Thus says the Lord,  The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you…..For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.”

Father Michael Coutts said that the first reading of Jeremiah is about great hope and optimism. It focused on people close to God who worked hard and tend to be overlooked. Jesus’ message is ‘I will love you with everlasting love.” He is the God of mercy and compassion. 

St. Dominic

Today is the feast of St. Dominic of Spain who lived during the time of slavery in 1170.  He has great love for his faith. He founded  the Order of Preachers  or the convent of Dominicans. Their motto is to strengthen the faith and to fight the heresy -  "our body is a source of evil and sin". He also shared his gift of rosary with his devotion to Mary. Let us pray to St. Dominic to continue his morality and his faith.

August 7, 2012 - Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 / Matthew 14: 22-36

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 – Restoration Promised for Israel and Judah

For thus says the Lord: Your hurt is incurable, your wound is grievous. There is no one to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are so numerous. Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because your guilt is great, because your sins are so numerous, I have done these things to you.

Matthew 14: 22-36 – Jesus Walks on the Water

Peter answered him, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he notices the strong wind, he became frightened and begging to sink, she cried out, “Lord save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand, and caught him saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying ‘Truly you are the Son of God.”

Father John Bertao mentioned in his reflection that there are days when we are edgy so we travel in our mind to find a place of peace and tranquility where there is no feeling of fear. In the readings of Jeremiah, we find that the old world was living on the edge of disaster and distress. However, we find Jesus saving Peter despite his frailty in the gospel of Matthew, which gives us hope. Beyond disasters and storms we encounter in our lives, we shall be at peace one day in God’s kingdom. Turbulence inside of us can cause us to fear and fall into sin. Let us continue to find peace and tranquility in the Eucharist in order to receive nourishment from God.

August 6, 2012 – Daniel 7:9-10; 13-14 – Visions of the Four Beasts - Judgement before the Ancient One

As I watched, throne were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool: his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out for his presence. A thousand thousand served him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court said in judgment, and the books were opened. 

As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven, and he came to the ancient one and was presented before him. To him was given dominion, glory, and kingship that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. 

Transfiguration

Last August 6, 2012, a CIVIC Holiday in Canada, we celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The transfiguration is one of the greatest miracle that happened to Jesus himself when he transfigured and became radiant upon a mountain. When Jesus went to a mountain with three apostles, he shined with bright rays of light. Then, prophets Moses and Elijah appeared next to him and  talked to them.

August 5, 2012 – John 6:24-35 - The Bread from Heaven

Holy Communion

Jesus  answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which is the son of man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal. Then they said to him, “What we must do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. So they said to him, What sign are you going to give us then so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestor’s ate the manna in the wilderness as it is written. He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. They said to him, “Sir give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”