VIII Sunday in OT:[A]: Is 49: 14-15; I Cor 4: 1-5; Mt 6: 24-34

VIII Sunday in OT:[A]: Is 49: 14-15; I Cor 4: 1-5; Mt 6: 24-34

Introduction:  We have arrived at the fourth and final section of the Sermon on the Mount before we begin the season of Lent this Wednesday. Today we get an invitation to avoid unnecessary worries by putting our trust in the love and providence of a merciful God, and then living each day’s life as it comes, doing His will and realizing His presence within us and others.  Criticizing the attitude towards money and material possessions, it warns us that we cannot serve God and money.

Exegesis: The word money used to be translated as Mammon. Mammon is an unusual but extremely old word and originally has an Aramaic origin which is reputedly the language that Jesus himself spoke. It literally means money and possessions but it has a negative connotation and so it actually means wealth in which one puts one’s trust and which could be classified as a false God.  Jesus uses the word slave to heighten the contrast between our relationship with God and money. According to him we should be a slave of God rather than a slave of money. Presumably he is implying that being a slave of God is actually a liberating experience, one which brings us true freedom and fulfillment, while becoming a slave of money means being oppressed by the weight of our material possessions and ending up captive to them. He knows how much our sense of security and satisfaction too often depend solely upon the fragile support of human effort alone. He wants us to realize that the only trustworthy support is God’s love for us. 

We can all think of people who place all their trust in material things whether they themselves are rich or poor. Pursuing the acquisition of possessions to the exclusion of other more spiritual values is something which ends up destroying our very humanity. A correctional attitude for Christians to adopt is to depend utterly on Divine Providence. He tells us that if we do so then God himself will ensure that we have enough to eat and enough to clothe ourselves with. 

Anecdote:1)   A University of Michigan study determined that 60% of our worries are unwarranted; 20% have already become past activities and are completely out of our control; 10% are so petty that they don't make any difference at all. Of the remaining 10% only 4 to 5% are real and justifiable, and we can't do anything about half of those. So, only 2% of our worries are real. 

2)A drunkard is searching for something under a street lamp.  A passerby asks: “What are you searching for?” The drunkard responds: “My house keys.” They start searching together. Ten minutes later a passerby asks: “Are you sure you lost them here?” The drunkard says: “I lost them over there, but there’s more light here”

We would listen to the sensible words of Jesus and notice how solicitous he is for even the smallest of creatures. It is the power of faith that enables us to tap into that divine source of goodness which consoles and liberates endlessly. Authentic faith is not limited to affirming the statements of a creed. Real faith is something that we pray for and yearn for. It is a gift that can change everything. 

Joke:  Four Catholic ladies are having coffee together. The first one tells her friends, "My son is a priest. When he walks into a room, everyone calls him 'Father'."
The second Catholic woman chirps, "My son is a Bishop. Whenever he walks into a room, people say, 'Your Grace'."
The third Catholic woman says smugly, "My son is a Cardinal. Whenever he walks into a room, people say, 'Your Eminence'."
The fourth Catholic woman sips her coffee in silence. The first three women give her this subtle "Well.....?"
She replies, "My son is a gorgeous, 6'2", hard bodied stripper. When he walks into a room, people say, 'Oh my God...'."

Practical Applications:   1) We need to avoid worry: a) By trusting in the providing care of a loving God. b) By acquiring the art of living one day at a time in God’s presence. c) By seeking God’s kingdom, doing His will every day and living a righteous life, serving others as best as we can.

2)It is said that Pope John XXIII, when visiting a group of seminarians in Rome and knowing that he was dying from cancer, said to them: ?My dear students. Every day is a good day-a good day for living and a good day for dying!? He could never have said that dying was a good day if he had not blessed every day in his long life, and by now have discovered that he can no longer change this habit. The implication is that one must take time in the easy days to bless the goodness of God’s world so that when the dark days comes one can scarcely know anything so clearly as the blessing of another good day.

3) We need to live one day at a time: Here are the three simple steps. First, we start the day with God by offering Him the day’s work for His glory. Then we ask for a 24-hour full-activation of the Holy Spirit, so that we may do good to others and avoid evil. In the second step, we live realizing God’s presence in every one we meet and renewing our awareness of God’s presence by saying some small prayers.  Taking the third step, we end each day with God. Before we go to sleep, we say, “Thank you, Lord, for walking through this day with me. I have wounded my soul today by my sins. Please pardon me. With your grace I shall be more faithful tomorrow. Good night, Lord. Into your hands I give my soul and my sleep."

Introduction: Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Our heavenly father is with us, ever providing for our needs.  He is always mindful of us; in him we shall never be disturbed.  All should regard us as servants of Christ.

Saints and Events in this week: 3-Third-Monday-Saint Katharine Drexel, virgin; 4-Forth-Tuesday-Saint Casimir; 5-Fifth-Ash Wednesday-Obligation for Fasting and Abstinence; 7-Seventh-Friday-Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs; 8-Eighth-Saturday-Saint John of God, religious.

VII Sunday:[A]:Lev 19:1-2,17-18;ICor 3:16-23;Mt5:38-48

VII Sunday:[A]:Lev 19:1-2,17-18;ICor 3:16-23;Mt5:38-48

Introduction: Today’s readings explains the holiness of the loving, merciful and compassionate God. God’s chosen people were, and are, expected to be holy people, sharing God’s holiness by embodying His love. The first reading, from the book of Leviticus, gives the holiness code: “Be holy, for I the Lord, your God, am holy.” It also gives us the way to share God’s holiness:   “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In the second reading, St. Paul gives us an additional reason to be holy. We are to keep our bodies holy because we are the temples of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God lives in us.

Background: In the Gospel passages taken from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus condemns even the mild form of the “Law of the Talion, (Lex Talionis),” the tribal law of retaliation. Instead of the restricted retaliation allowed by Moses, Jesus gives his new law of love, grace, forgiveness, reconciliation and no retaliation. For Jesus, retaliation, or even limited vengeance, has no place in the Christian life, although graceful acceptance of an offense requires great strength, discipline of character as well as strengthening by God’s grace. The second part of today’s Gospel passage is the central part of the Sermon on the Mount. It presents the Christian ethic of personal relationships : love one’s neighbors and forgive one’s enemies. It tells us that what makes Christians different is the grace with which they treat others with loving kindness and mercy, even if they don’t deserve it. We have to love our enemies with agápe love, not because our enemies deserve our love, but because Jesus loves them so much that he died for them.  

Anecdote: An ABC News Poll says that almost 80% of Americans support capital punishment. 42% of that number say that they seek revenge for deeds done by the criminals. People advise, "Don't get angry. Get even." Uglies shout, "Get angry and get even." The Founder of our Firm says, "To return good for good is human. To return good for evil is divine." He wants us to be divine. He reminds us anger is but one letter short of DANGER. He tells us the best way to get even is to forgive as we have been forgiven. He wants us "always to keep a cool head and a warm heart." 

Exegesis: During their captivity in Egypt the Jews became familiar with the crude tribal law of retaliation (Lex Talionis = Tit-for-Tat), given by the ancient lawmaker Hammurabi during the period 2285-2242 BC. When this law was first developed, it made life better and more civilized. It restricted revenge and made it commensurate with the offense.  Moses instructed the Israelites to follow tit-for-tat retaliation, rather than to wreak total destruction upon their enemies. That is, instead of mutilating or murdering all the members of the offender’s family or tribe, they should discover the offender and only punish him/her with an equal mutilation or harm. Later, a milder version of this law was substituted. It demanded monetary compensation as decided by a judge in place of physical punishment. Moses also gave the Israelites several laws commanding merciful treatment for the enemy (e.g., Lev 19 : 18). By advising, “Turn to him the other cheek,” Jesus instructs his followers to forgive an insult gracefully and convert the offender. He commands that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us to prove that we are children of a merciful heavenly Father. The meaning of "turn the other cheek" is “Don’t return insult for insult.” The message of Jesus is, “Don't retaliate.” Instead, we are to win over the aggressor with tough, wise love, so that we may win people to Christ and transform human society into the Kingdom of God.

Joke: It was about a month ago when a man in Amsterdam felt that he needed to confess, so went to his priest:  "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. During WWII I hid a refugee in my attic."

"Well," answered the priest, "that's not a sin."

"But I made him agree to pay me 20 Gulden for every week he stayed." 

"I admit that wasn't good, but you did it for a good cause."

"Oh, thank you, Father; that eases my mind. I have one more question..." 

"What is that, my son?" 

"Do I have to tell him the war is over?"

Practical Application:  1) We need to have a forgiving heart : Jesus demands that we should forgive, pardon and be generous whether or not our offenders deserve it, and even if we are not loved in return. He also tells us to pray for those who willfully cause us suffering, hardship and unhappiness.

 2) We are to try to be perfect, to be like God : We become perfect when we fulfill God’s purpose in creating us, i.e., when we become Godlike by cooperating with His grace. We become perfect when we try to love as God loves, to forgive as God forgives and to show unconditional good will and universal benevolence as God does.

Intoduction: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Offer no resistance to one who persecutes you.  Rather, love your neighbor as you love yourself.  As the Lord is gracious and merciful, treat others in the same way, humbling yourself before the Lord.

VI Sunday in OT:(A): Sir 15: 15-20, I Cor 2: 6-10, Mt 5: 17-37

VI Sunday in OT:(A): Sir 15: 15-20, I Cor 2: 6-10, Mt 5: 17-37

Introduction: In the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in today’s Gospel, while challenging his disciples to live a life of justice and righteousness which should exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus, as the new lawgiver, sets forth his own position with regard to the Law given through Moses, by providing new interpretation and meaning for the old laws.  In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus explains the real meaning of three Mosaic laws concerning murder, adultery and false oaths.

Exegesis: What Jesus adds in each case is “intention”. It is not really enough not to murder, for example, but there are many ways to “murder” someone. It can be hate in one’s mind for another, it can be destroying the reputation of another, it can be taking revenge – even if it is just something you think about. If you harbor these feelings, you must reconcile yourself with the other person.

You shall not commit adultery. All of this is very complex and reasons for divorce are very complex. All we need to know here is that the ideal of marriage is that it last and it should not be tainted by unfaithfulness in thought or action, especially since thoughts lead to actions.  We can’t all meet that ideal… but we must strive for it.

The last example is from the commandment about not giving false witness and it is a plea to be perfectly honest, so that your “yes” and “no” will be enough to be accepted as truth by everyone. For a person known to be a speaker of truth, oaths are unnecessary. Jesus says that oaths for every trivial thing, which was common in his day, is unnecessary, and makes the oath-swearer look like a liar.

Joke: Clock that counts lies: Someone is getting a tour around Heaven and he asks "Um what are those clocks for?" "Oh those" Says the tour guide angel "well those clocks tell lies. Each tick is counted as one lie, like this one here. It says Mother Theresa under it and that means that it tells how many times she lied. As you can see, she only lied a couple of times." "how about that one" "well that one shows how many times peter from the bible lied. Again, only a small amount." "Hmmmmmm. How come I don't see very many non christian famous people's clocks on the wall." "Oh" says the tour guid "those are in jesus' office... he uses them as ceiling fans...on and on…. Ya." 

Practical Applications:  1) We need to obey God’s Law, appreciating its basic principles: In obeying God’s law and Church law, let us remember the two basic principles on which these laws are based, namely, the principle of reverence and the principle of respect. In the first four of the Ten Commandments, we are asked to reverence God, reverence His holy Name, reverence His holy day and reverence our father and mother. The next set of commandments instructs us to respect life, one’s personal integrity and good name, the legal system, another’s property and another's spouse. Our obedience to these laws must be prompted by love of God and gratitude to God for His blessings. 

2) We need to forgive, forget and move toward reconciliation as soon as possible.  St. Paul advises us “Be angry (righteous anger) but do not sin” (Eph 4: 26). When we keep anger in our mind, we are inviting physical illnesses like hypertension and mental illnesses like depression. Let us relax and keep silence when we are angry, wait before acting on our anger, give it time to detoxify and cool off, pray for God’s strength for self-control, and give the Holy Spirit time to help us to see the event through Jesus’ eyes instead of through anger’s eyes. 

3) We need to be true to God, to ourselves and to others. Let us allow God’s word of truth to penetrate our minds and hearts and to form our consciences, making us men and women of integrity.

Introduction - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: In Jesus is revealed a new wisdom, a new law, a new way of living.  Happy are they who choose to keep his commandments and follow his ways.

Saints and Events in this week: 17-Seventeenth-Monday-The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order; 21-Twentyfirst-Friday-Saint Peter Damian, bishop, doctor of the Church; 22-Saturday-The Chair of Saint Peter, The Apostle.

V Sunday in OT: Is 58: 7-10; I Cor 2: 1-5; Mt 5: 13-16

V Sunday in OT: Is 58: 7-10; I Cor 2: 1-5; Mt 5: 13-16

Introduction:  The common theme of all three readings today is our mission to the world as salt and light. In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives examples of how we are to allow the light of God to shine through us.  St. Paul, in the second reading, tells us that our proclamation of faith will carry the Spirit and His power when we rely on the power and wisdom of God. 

Exegesis: Using two simple metaphors of salt of the earth and light of the world in today’s Gospel, Jesus outlines the role of Christians in this world. As a symbol of purity, salt was the common ingredient in sacrifices offered to God by Jews and pagans. In the ancient world it was the commonest of all preservatives, used to prevent putrefaction/decay of meat, fish and fruits in pickles. Salt lends flavor to food items and was used to season and preserve food. An ingredient that makes things everlasting, or preserving.  

Speaking about the usefulness of the salt, he was referring to wisdom.  The ancients associated salt with value.  Slaves were often purchased for salt.  The expression, “He’s not worth his salt,” is based on this.  When Jesus speaks about salt, He is speaking about that which gives us value.  That which gives us value is that which we have received from God.  That is wisdom.  This wisdom, this salt, is a new way of life, far different from the values of the world. We refer to this different way of living, this radically different value system, as the way of holiness. 

A light is something which is meant to be seen.  A lamp or light is a guide to make clear the way.  Light on a mountain is seen from everywhere.  It cannot be hidden, but come to be known or seen by everyone. Finally, light, particularly the sun’s, gives warmth and heat.

The ultimate purpose of our life is the glorification of the Father.  “Seeing your good deeds let people glorify your the heavenly father”.  Be useful like salt with your wisdom and be light of the world so that people can see your good deeds and thus the world may glorify the heavenly father with you.

Anecdote: A teacher asked a boy to define salt. The pupil hesitated. Finally he stammered, "Salt is what makes French Fries taste good when you sprinkle it on."  The examples are: Mother Angelica who in 1981 started broadcasting Catholic TV for just a few hours a day from the garage of her Poor Clare Monastery in the US.  The courage and conviction she had is the salt and light of the world.  Mother Theresa spent her life for the poor people in Culcutta.  Many people have done charities like Mother Theresa. But she did it with wisdom and became an example of salt and light of the world. 

Joke:  One day Jesus was going up to the mountain to pray with his disciples but he noticed that Judah wasn't there and went out to find him.... So he did and said, “Judah let's go up to the mountain and pray”. But Judah replied “no Jesus i'm too tired and I haven't rested all night”. But Jesus said “ohhh come on” So Judah left. When they were half way up the mountain Jesus said, “okay guys I want you all to pick up a stone”. So everyone picked up a big one except for Judah because he was so tired he got a little one. So when they got up to the mountain Jesus said “okay. we're going to pray and your stone is going to become a loaf of bread”. So Judah got upset because since he got a small stone he's going to have the smallest bread... So the whole day he was mad and hungry.... Then it was the next day and Jesus wanted to go again to the mountain and again had to go off and find Judah. He did and said "Hey let's go to the mountain again”. Judah said “okay” When they were half way up there Jesus again said “every one pick up a stone again”. So Judah went and found the biggest stone of all thinking to his self ‘today I am not going to stay hungry’ He was struggling the whole way up there to get to the mountain. Once when they were up there and finished praying Jesus said “Well everyone throw away your stone's because today were having sandwiches and coke!”

Life messages: 1) We need to be the salt of the earth and be useful: a). As the salt of the earth, the Christian must be an example of purity in speech, in conduct, and even in thought. And thus make life tasty. b) As the salt of the earth, the Christian must have a certain antiseptic influence on life and society, defeating corruption, fighting against injustice and making it easier for others to avoid sin. c) As salt preserves foods, we have to preserve the religious faith, Christian cultural values and moral principles, which Jesus has given us, and we need to work at reconciling the quarreling factions in families and communities.  As the salt of the earth, we also have to add flavor to the lives of desperate people, give hope where there is no hope. 

2) We need to be the light of the world: The second role of Christians is to receive the light of Christ and radiate it to people all around us in the form of love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness and humble service. With a little bit of Christ’s Light, we become a veritable lighthouse, illuminating the way for many and removing the darkness caused by hatred, spite and jealousy. We radiate Christ, the Light of the world, by our kindness and respect for others with different ethnic backgrounds, different lifestyles, other faiths or no faith at all. 

Introduction: V-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Through the power of God, we can be a light of the world, by our loving concern for others, especially the poor and the oppressed.

Saints and Events in this week: Today is Word Marriage Day; 1-Tenth-Monday-Saint Scholastica, virgin; 11-Eleventh-Tuesday-Our Lady of Lourdes; 14-Forteenth-Friday-Saint Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop;