July 13, 2012 – Matthew 10-16-23 – Coming Persecutions

"See, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…..When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Father John Carten’s reflection on the gospel is about Psalm 51 written by King David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he committed adultery with Bathsheba. King David asked for God’s mercy and compassion. The Psalm 51 is  a source of hope, our own goodness, and faithfulness. It  reminds us of God’s love which never changes, always constant and steadfast. Based on the gospel, Father John advised us  not to worry on what to speak and to make the right choice for ourselves and for others. We should do the right thing and not to be consumed by worry about tomorrow by trusting in God’s constant love.  

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, a day sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being, therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bone that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from our presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvations, and  my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt-offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burn-offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Source: HOLY BIBLE, The New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, 1999, Oxford University Press, Inc., New York, USA

July 11-12, 2012 – The Mission of the Twelve

Matthew 10:5-7 

"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, the kingdom of heaven has come near.”"

Father Liborio Amaral said that the message of the gospel is to proclaim the good news as the kingdom of heaven has come near. St. Benedict is a monk who work in silent and was able to proclaim the good news. Jesus asks us to proclaim the good news. Let us do our part to be kind to one another, not only in the church but to show our joy, gifts, and belief in Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10-7:15

"Whatever town or village you enter, find out whom in it is worth, enter the house, and greet it. If the house is worth, elect your peace come upon it; but if it is worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."

July 10, 2012 – Matthew 9:32 – 38 – Jesus heals one who was mute

"After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute  spoke, and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisee said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”"

Fr. Glenn McDonald said that we could identify strongly the Pharisees in the gospel because they were blind to the actions of Jesus. The Pharisees had limited experience of God, who could not see His compassion. We are invited to think about the image of God and experience God in our hearts by moving faith from our head to our heart. By having unique thought of God, we can reflect on the image of God and ask for grace to experience Him in a fuller way.

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July 9, 2012 – Matthew 9:20-26 – A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

"Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering form hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to her, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well… When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute–players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping. …But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand and the girl got up."

Father Michael Busch mentioned that the gospel has two stories intertwined together – raising a dead child and healing miracle of a sick woman. Jesus’ touch is an act of compassion. He allowed himself to be touched by a bleeding woman who was considered an outcast and an impure woman but was given the title of being a daughter of Israel and God’s chosen one. Jesus showed that no one is unworthy of the love and grace of God. God declares his own beloved children. No one is beyond the love of God or unworthy due to ethnic background, age, gender, or lifestyle like the beggars and those suffering from drugs or alcohol. We call ourselves Christians and can declare each one of us as worthy child of God.

July 7, 2012 – Matthew 9:14-17 – The Question about Fasting

"Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we, and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The wedding-guest cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and the they will fast.” No one sews a piece of shrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put not fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

In his homily today, Father Patrick Fitzpatrick advised that the message of the gospel is to look at the past but not to live in the past. We do not need to patch up the past like putting a new cloak into old wineskins. Father Patrick wants us to meditate on the serenity prayer “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

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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.