July 20, 2012 – Matthew 12:1-8 – Plucking Grain on the Sabbath

"At that time, Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. When the Pharisee saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath… But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the son of Man is lord of the sabbath."

Father John Carten spoke about the gospel which challenges us to ask ourselves if we criticize the actions of others or understand the motives of their actions. Are we suspicious when people do things different from the way we do our tasks? Are we compassionate or look for perfection that we do not have for ourselves? Do we look for our own wrong or give thanks for the blessings we received? We should be reminded that Jesus desires mercy and not sacrifices.  

July 19, 2012 – Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus Thanks His Father

Food for thought:

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

July 18, 2012 – Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16 – Arrogant Assyria also judged

"Ah, the rod of my anger-the club in their hands is my fury! Against a godless nation, I send him, and against the people of my wrath, I commend him, to take spoon and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the street. But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few… For he says: By the strength of my hand, I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones."

 
Father Michael Traher cited that the gospel gives us an image of an angry God because of His suffering on the enemies. God does not inflict pain and suffering on anyone but on the choices we make. God wants us to flourish and live, make our own choices and know its consequences. We should look at circumstances around like the survival of the global community due to natural calamities, poverty, unemployment, ill health, etc. Let us ask ourselves how we deal with creation or our problems and not look at it because of God’s anger. Jesus helps us to understand our situation. God is humble and cares for the poor and marginalized

July 17, 2012 – Matthew 11:20-24 – Isaiah Reassures King Ahaz

"And say to him, Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah.…. Therefore thus says the Lord God: It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass… If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all."

Father Glenn McDonald mentioned that the gospel offers an insight on what friends of God do. Jesus intercedes for everyone even for those who do not deserve it and gives His life so that all maybe saved.   

July 16, 2012 – Matthew 10:34-11:1 – Not Peace, but a Sword / Rewards

First Reading: Isaiah 1:10-17 – The Wickedness of Judah

"Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1 – Not Peace, but a Sword / Rewards

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.…. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple - truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

Father Michael Busch conveyed the gospel’s theme is about open communication. We are invited to communicate openly and freely our opinions to our family, others and to God. We should discuss our concerns even how difficult it may seems and be available to open dialogue. Jesus’ message is to love your father and mother, bring comfort to children, and impart to them that we need each other. Jesus is the way the truth and the life; he is the first and foremost to any other people. We are communicating to Jesus in a way that whoever welcomes the church in their lives welcome Jesus. Let us continue to love and not abandon one another.

July 14, 2012 – Matthew 10-24-33 – Whom to Fear

"A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master…..so have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven."

In his homily, Father Carmelo Borg’s words of advice is “To have no fear; Do not fear; and Do not be afraid.” The only fear we can have is the fear of God, which is the feeling of awe and reverence to the Mighty Lord who is full of compassion. When you begin to fear, manipulate it and deal with life. Jesus’ message is that fear has to be displaced, dispelled and replaced with something positive. We should overcome fear by total commitment to the Lord.

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."