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July 4, 2012 – Amos 5:14-24 – A Lament for Israel’s Sin

St. Elizabeth of Portugal

"Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."

Fr. Michael Coutts mentioned that today is the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal. She is known as a peacemaker and the Queen of Portugal. She reconciled her son and grandson who were fighting for the throne. Just like Elizabeth, we are called to seek good and not evil.

July 3, 2012 – John 20:24-29 – Jesus and Thomas

"But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe”….Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to them, “Have you believed because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”"

Father Jack Lynch said that many of us identify ourselves with Blessed Apostle Thomas in the gospel. Doubting Thomas is an authentic searcher and represents us who have questions and doubts about Jesus. Thomas questioned on what he believed but relied on his faith  when he met Jesus. He inspires us to have the courage to question and  believe in Jesus. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to ask the healing power of peace.

Note: We extend our prayers for Father Jack who will be leaving for his sabbatical year.   

July 2, 2012 – Matthew 8:18-22 – Would-Be Followers of Jesus

"A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him. “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”"

Cardinal Tomas Collins said that the gospel reading emphasizes simplicity. We need simplicity and should not get caught with complexity. This means we should focus on what is important. During confession, the priest gives a simple penance consisting mostly of one “Our Father.” We must follow the Lord and seek to serve God faithfully. We live faithfully as we seek to serve God day by day until we see him face to face.

CANADA DAY - JULY 1, 2012

In his homily last June 28, 2012, Father Dan Donovan talked about the celebration of Canada Day on July 1. Canadians will celebrate its achievements and challenges as a nation, its beauty and nature, its freedom from terror, violence and war. Due to the large immigrants, we enjoy multiculturalism, multi-religion, and multiethnic society. Canada has been a model of love. It reminds us to be grateful and invites us to make Canadian society better.

June 27, 2012 – Matthew 7:15-20 – A Tree and its Fruit

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will know them by their fruits."

Fr. Michael Coutts mentioned that today is the feast of the three prophets – St. Cyril of Alexandria, Blessed Nykita Budka, and Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky. Saint Cyril was a great bishop of Alexandria and has great devotion to Jesus. Blessed Nykita was born in Europe and became a bishop in Ukrainian who settled in Winnipeg, Canada. He gave stability to his parish and school. He was persecuted and died martyr. Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky was also a bishop of Winnipeg of Canada who fought for the poor, persecuted, and died a martyr due to ill health. These three bishops are great men with great works as prophets who continued to spread the kingdom of God. They inspire us to imitate their works.

  

June 26, 2012 – Mathew 7:6, 12-14 – Profaning the Holy/ The Golden Rule/ The Narrow Gate

"Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for other gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that lead to life, and there are few who find it."

How do we cultivate openness to God in order to be in union with Him? Father Glenn Mcdonald mentioned that the gospel reading speaks to us about going through the narrow gate. Memory plays a difficult role in our lives. We are invited to let go of our memory of the past. By holding in the past, we are prevented from going to the narrow gate. We live so much in the past from being in the present like the parents who create mental images of their children’s past. Parents should realize to try their best to move forward and forget their children’s memories. Let us seek openness of the future with the final goal that one day we can become in union with Him.

June 25, 2012 – Matthew 7:1-5 – Judging Others

"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Let me take the speck out of your eye, while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye."

Why do we see the speck in the eyes of others and ignore our own faults? Father Michael Busch advised that we should first deal with our own blind spots, i.e., to deal with what is wrong in ourselves. It is a difficult task in religion to accept our own imperfections, admit our faults, and deal honestly. We are trapped in our bad habits and mislead by condemning others. Father Michael reiterated for us not to be anxious, stop fretting and we must be full of confidence and power. We should be free from fears, give courage, and work very hard. If we have faith in Jesus, we are free and every speck has been removed. We cannot hide or diminish our faults by pointing our faults to others. Christ has mercy and forgiveness for all of us.