September 21, 2012 – Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me” and he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Father Joe Gorman said that the gospel is about Jesus invitation, i.e. “Walk with me.” and his message of hope, healing, wholeness. The gospel is about a story of tax collector named Matthew who is a public sinner who cheated in tax and disliked by Jewish people. He also mentioned about outside oppression of foreign domination, interior events and journey of faith and healing. We should also reflect upon our opportunities.

Sept. 18, 2012 – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31 / Luke 7:11-17

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31 – One Body with Many Members

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members so the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the  one spirit, we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and were  all made to drink of one spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greatest gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus raises the widow’s son at Nain 

Soon afterwards, he went to a town called Nain and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mothers' only son, and she was a widow and with her was a large crowd drowns the town. When the Lord saw her he had compassion for her and said to her “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier and the bearers stood still. And he said “Young man, I say to you Rise.” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them, and they glorified God saying, “A great prophet has risen among us.” And God has looked favorably on his people. 

Father Liborio Amaral said that the gospel is about the  widow of Nain, which begins in tragedy and ends in joy. It is a story of light turning to darkness, a life near death. Jesus is the light as he performed miracle to the widow’s only son who met tragedy but no one to defend her. Her life was in deep darkness. Jesus was compassionate and turned her life from darkness to become light. Like all of us who have pains and struggle, God gives light, joy, and freedom. We have our own cross to carry, a story of life of commitment to Christ’s compassion. 

Sept. 17, 2012 – Luke 7:1-10 – Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

After Jesus had finished all this sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people and it is he who build our synagogue for us.”  

In addition, Jesus went with them but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. Only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am also a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one “Go” and he goes  to another “Come” and he comes, and to my slave “Do this” and the slave does it. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Father Michael Busch said that the gospel is the story about the Roman soldier, a pagan who occupied Israel. He revealed his own character as a soldier who knew his authority. He knew Jesus had the power to heal his servants. The centurion was aware of the chain of command and Jesus’ power to heal which came from God. In the present times, why is it hard to have that kind of faith? Why can’t we accept the weakness of each other? Why can’t we trust God? The problem is two-fold: there is a power greater than our own. There are some who are reluctant to obey the discipline of obedience or to put a trust in the chain, which could maintain an empire. Thus, we should understand that the chain of command begins with God. For all of us and those who exercise their authority, we should have strong link in the chain of command and pledge our obedience to Him.

Sept. 15, 2012 – John 19:25-27 – The Crucifixion of Jesus

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of
Clopas and Mary Magdalena. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then, he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Father Patrick Fitzpatrick said that today is the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows, Mary at the foot of the cross in Calvary with Jesus. She was receiving the body of Jesus in linen shroud for the burial of Jesus. Mary said, “I have to let you go.”

September 10, 2012 – 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 / Luke 6:6-11

1 Corinthians 5:1-8  – Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing…Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch as lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the year of malice and evil but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Luke 6:6-11 – The Man with a Withered Hand

On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and taught and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the Sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking he said to the man how he had the withered hand, “Come and stand here!” He got up and stood there. Then, Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do well or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?” After looking around at all of them, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

In his reflections, Father Michael Busch spoke about the scribes and Pharisees who were blind guides and lead people astray. He asked everybody if we use the law as an excuse for not doing well. Are we required to do what is necessary or to destroy life? How much are we willing to sacrifice? There is no real love, no honesty, and no sincerity in what we do if we are not true to ourselves. We become antagonistic to anyone including priests and laymen who try to open our eyes and have a look of what is happening around us. The church has changed its core beliefs, is open to new ways, and the needs of modern life. But real worship means love in action and that includes sacrifice. We should listen to God’s voice and deny ourselves or step out of our comfort zone. Nothing will change unless we put our prayers into action, love one another, and do something about it.