Catholic Church

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Sunday, 17 July 2016 : 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard the message from the Holy Scriptures, about firstly how God appeared to Abraham and his wife Sarah, to reveal to them the promise of His covenant with Abraham, that is the coming of the promised son, which both Abraham and Sarah had awaited for a very long time, for they were barren and without child.

In the psalm today we heard about the virtues and qualities of those who obey the Lord, walking in His ways and listening to all of His will and commandments. We heard how those who have been blameless and true to the Lord shall be blessed and they shall receive great rewards for that faith. Abraham himself was an example of this, and he has been blessed beyond mankind’s reckoning, becoming the father of many nations as God had promised him.

In the second reading, we heard from St. Paul who told the faithful in the city of Colossae in Greece, about the Lord Who have revealed His will to the faithful ones, and those to whom He has been willing to show His grace, He shall bring them to the place which He had reserved for them. But at the same time, St. Paul also spoke to the people of Colossae about the suffering which he had endured and would have to endure even more for their sake.

And finally we should link all of these to what Jesus said to His Apostles James and John when they asked for Him for a great favour, the favour of being granted the place of honour at the sides of the Lord Himself. The Lord rebuked them for not knowing what it was they were asking for when they asked Him for such a favour. And God revealed to them that just as St. Paul had mentioned that suffering is part of his faith and mission, the Apostles too would endure suffering, the same suffering which Christ Himself had suffered.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, what does all the Scripture readings today seem to convey to us about? They seem to have numerous messages intended for us. But in fact all of them had one key core message in common. That those who are faithful to God, who are faithful and true in their actions, words and deeds shall be blessed and they shall receive the rich graces and blessings from God, while those who are not faithful and who prefer wickedness shall be cursed and be cast out from God’s presence and fall into the damnation of hell.

And the way and the path of the Lord is not going to be an easy one, as those who have gone before us and persevered in that path before us can show us. Abraham had to endure many sufferings and trials, and he left behind his families, his relatives, all those whom he knew, his nation and his homeland behind to follow the Lord, and he braved through all the difficult times, famines and even refuge in Egypt, conflict between his family members and others. And yet, to the end, Abraham remained truly faithful.

Many other faithful servants of God endured great challenges and suffering. Moses endured rejection and ridicule by the people of Israel, while the Pharaoh and the Egyptians would have sought for his death. He had to endure the countless complaints and unfaithfulness of the Israelites, who went to the pagan gods and rebelled when they faltered in their faith and chose rather to follow the way of the world.

The prophets like Elijah and Elisha also faced many difficulties, as were Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. All of them faced those who refused to listen to them, and these also persecuted them, as they saw them either as nuisance or as a threat to their own worldly power and influence. And therefore, these people also rejected the Lord when He came to them, willing to help them and to absolve them from their sins.

All these had to do with the fact that it is difficult for us to resist the temptations of the world. There are many good things in this world, and there are many of these that will threaten to sway us and to pull us away from our way towards the Lord. But there are things which we can do in order to resist that pull, and to turn back towards the Lord, being obedient once again to His laws and ways.

We have to learn to listen to the Lord and be obedient to Him in all things, so that if we are faithful to Him, we will not suffer the consequences of the disobedience caused by sin. And all of these require sacrifice and commitment. It is not a simple matter of just claiming that we are faithful in word alone, but in all that we do, in how we interact with our fellow men and women, we must show that genuine love and commitment to love and be caring towards one another, just as God has loved us.

Let us all devote ourselves anew and let us change our ways. If we once have hated and filled ourselves with wickedness, let us all now change these to righteousness and grace, doing what is good and doing what we can to help one another, especially those who are weak, downtrodden, hungry and rejected by others. May God help us in our journey and strengthen us all in our faith. God bless us all. Amen.

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Sunday, 17 July 2016 : 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Mark 10 : 38-42

At that time, Jesus said to James and John, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptised in the way I am baptised?”

They answered, “We can.” And Jesus told them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptised in the way that I am baptised; but to sit at My right hand or at My left is not Mine to grant. It has been prepare for others.”

On hearing this, the other ten were angry with James and John. Jesus then called them to Him and said, “As you know, the so-called rulers of the nations act as tyrants, and their great ones oppress you.”

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Sunday, 17 July 2016 : 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Colossians 1 : 24-28

At present I rejoice when I suffer for you; I complete in my own flesh what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His Body, which is the Church. For I am serving the Church since God entrusted to me the ministry to make the word of God fully known.

I mean that mysterious plan that for centuries and generations remained secret, and which God has now revealed to His holy ones. God willed to make known to them the riches and even the Glory that His mysterious plan reserved for the pagan nations : Christ is in you and you may hope God’s Glory.

This Christ we preach. We warn and teach everyone true wisdom, aiming to make everyone perfect in Christ.

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Sunday, 17 July 2016 : 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 14 : 2-3ab, 3cd-4ab, 5

Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right, who speak truth from their heart and control their words, who do no harm to their neighbours.

Those who cast no discredit on their companions, who look down on evildoers but highly esteem God’s servants.

Who do not lend money at interest and refuse a bribe against the innocent. Do this, and you will soon be shaken.

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Sunday, 17 July 2016 : 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Genesis 18 : 1-10a

YHVH appeared to Abraham near the oak of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent, in the heat of the day, when he looked up and saw three Men standing nearby. When he saw Them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet Them.

He bowed to the ground and said, “My Lord, if I have found favour in Your sight, do not pass Your servant by. Let a little water be brought. Wash Your feet and then rest under the trees. I shall fetch some bread so that You can be refreshed and continue on Your way, since You have come to Your servant.”

They then said, “Do as you say.” Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said to her, “Quick, take three measures of flour, knead it and make cakes.” Abraham then ran to the herd, took a fine, tender calf, gave it to the servant who hurried to prepare it. He took butter and milk and together with the calf he had prepared laid it all before Them.

And while he remained standing, They ate. They then asked, “Where is Sarah, your wife?” Abraham answered, “She is in the tent.” And the visitor said, “At this same time next year I will return and Sarah by then will have a son.”

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Saturday, 16 July 2016 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we all celebrate one of the many great celebrations of the venerable and most blessed mother of our Lord and God, Mary, the mother of Jesus, who in her persona as the protector of the holy Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, has watched over all of us the children of God for many ages and years, interceding for our sake constantly.

The devotion to our Lady of Mount Carmel has begun since many centuries ago, from the time when our Blessed Mother Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock. St. Simon Stock was a member of the Carmelite order, which had its headquarters once at Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. Thus has our Lady of Mount Carmel been the protector and guide to the holy order of the Carmelites ever since.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel spoke to St. Simon Stock and promised us all through him that those who would wear the brown scapular as she had revealed to the holy saint. Thus was how the popular devotion to the Lady of Mount Carmel and the habit of wearing of the brown scapular began, and the Carmelite order itself played a great role in its propagation.

Mary promised St. Simon Stock and all those who wear the brown scapular with faith and devotion to God, that they will not suffer the punishment and the anger of God, and the forces of evil shall not prevail against them, for the mother of the Lord Himself, our greatest intercessor before Him is in front of us, interceding for us and guiding us to her Son.

In all these, we are all called to reflect on the role which Mary has played in the history of the salvation of all mankind, and how we too can share in what she has done for our sake. Mary is the mother of us all, just as she is also the mother of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus our Lord has entrusted her to us by entrusting her to John, His beloved disciple. And in the same manner, He has also entrusted him to her, and thus all of us have also been entrusted to the same love which our Lord Himself had received from His loving mother.

Mary is our role model, for all and every moment of her life has been dedicated to God and to the righteousness of His ways. She was ever faithful and committed, even though there were times when she was unsure of what God’s plan was for her. She placed her trust in God and obeyed Him. She showed tender love and care, and committed herself fully in the path and the plan God had placed her in.

And she had followed her Son faithfully, devoting her entire time and attention to Him, even through difficult and challenging moments, when she had to endure the pain of seeing her own Son being humiliated and rejected before her eyes, having to endure great suffering and bearing the burden of the cross for our sake. And she followed Him all the way to the end.

And just as her Son was committed to the salvation of all the people of God, therefore, she is also committed to help us to find our way to the salvation which her Son has promised us even as He laid dying up on the cross. And thus she appeared many times to us, including the giving of the brown scapular, as a reminder that all of us have a lot of things to do in order to reach out to the Lord and His salvation.

All of us have to rediscover that spiritual devotion inside each one of us. We have to realise that in this world we cannot remain passive and uncommitted in how we live our lives. To be a genuine and true follower of Christ we must show it through real commitment and courage to do what may be frowned upon by the world, but approved by the Lord.

Let us all therefore, on this feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel, make a new dedication to the Lord our God with the help of His ever loving mother, Mary, the Lady of Mount Carmel, our intercessor and protector, our loving mother who cares for us all just as much as she had cared for Jesus her Son. Let us all renew our commitment to do what is right and just in the presence of our God, and thus draw ever closer to the salvation which He promised us all. God bless us all. Amen.

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Saturday, 16 July 2016 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Matthew 12 : 14-21

At that time, the Pharisees went out, and made plans to get rid of Jesus. As Jesus was aware of their plans, He left that place. Many people followed Him, and He cured all who were sick. Then He gave them strict orders not to make Him known.

In this way Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled : ‘Here is My servant Whom I have chosen, the One I love, and with Whom I am pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him and He will announce My judgment to the nations. He will not argue or shout, nor will His voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed He will not crush, nor snuff out the smouldering wick. He will persist until justice is made victorious, and in Him, all the nations will put their hope.’
Alternative reading (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Matthew 12 : 46-50

At that time, while Jesus was still talking to the people, His mother and His brothers wanted to speak to Him, and they waited outside. So someone said to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside; they want to speak with You.”

Jesus answered, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” Then He pointed to His disciples and said, “Look! Here are My mother and My brothers. Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is for Me brother, sister or mother.”

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Saturday, 16 July 2016 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Psalm 9 : 22-23, 24-25, 28-29, 35

Why, o Lord, do You stand afar? Why hide from us in times of distress? The wicked are in power; the weak suffer harassment; the poor become victims of evil schemes.

Exploiters boast in their power and greed; the covetous blasphemes and defies God. In their pride the wicked say, “There is no God.” They see no further.

Their mouths are filled with cursing, deceit and threats; spite and mischief are under their tongues. They lie in ambush near the villages, murdering the innocent and the unfortunate, spying upon their next victim.

But You see those in misery, o God, and You take it in hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; the orphan turns to You for help.

Alternative reading (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Luke 1 : 46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my Saviour!

He has looked upon His servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is His Name!

From age to age His mercy extends to those who live in His presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

He held out His hand to Israel, His servant, for He remembered His mercy, even as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.

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Saturday, 16 July 2016 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Micah 2 : 1-5

Woe to those who plot wickedness and plan evil even on their beds! When morning comes they do it, as soon as it is within their reach. If they covet fields, they seize them. Do they like houses? They take them. They seize the owner and his household, both the man and his property.

This is why YHVH speaks, “I am plotting evil against this whole brood, from which your necks cannot escape. No more shall you walk with head held high for it will be an evil time.”

On that day they will sing a taunting song against you and a bitter lamentation will be heard, “We have been stripped of our property in our homeland. Who will free us from the wicked who allots our fields.”

Truly, no one will be found in the assembly of YHVH to keep a field for you.

Alternative reading (Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Zechariah 2 : 14-17

“Sing and rejoice, o daughter of Zion, for I am about to come, I shall dwell among you,” says YHVH. “On that day, many nations will join YHVH and be My people, but My dwelling is among you.”

The people of Judah will be for YHVH as His portion in His holy land. He will choose Jerusalem again. Keep still in YHVH’s presence, for He comes, having risen from His holy dwelling.

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Friday, 15 July 2016 : 15th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard about the Lord Who reminded all of us that He is the Lord over all things, over the matters of life and death, and that we live at His behest and pleasure. But yet, at the same time, God Who is loving and merciful towards us has given us so much in this life, that especially this very life is the boon and the grace He has granted to all of us.

In the first reading today from the book of the prophet Isaiah, we heard how the faithful king Hezekiah of Judah laid in pain and dying from his ailment, and he begged the Lord to remember all the good and faithful things which he had done before Him, all the efforts he had put into place to return the people of God back to the ways of the Lord, after many generations of unfaithful people and kings.

He was a mortal after all, even after all the great deeds which he had done, and after all the good things that he had committed in his life. In the fear and the despair which Hezekiah felt, the attachment which he has to life made him to beg the Lord and to humble himself before his God, trying to seek His mercy and the chance to life and enjoy more years of his earthly existence.

And God granted him that desire, and indeed, not only that he was healed from his afflictions, but he was granted several more years of blessed life on earth as the reward of God for the faith and dedication which he had shown. But if we are to read on, we should see the part where king Hezekiah after he had been blessed with new life and grace, he boasted about his wealth to the envoys of the Babylonian king, despite the warning given to him about what was to come by the prophets.

Hezekiah grew proud of his human and worldly achievements and he forgot that all that he has obtained he has gained because of the Lord and His kindness and love alone. The same is often what is happening to many of us who are unable to let go of our pride, our human greed and desires. And that is why we tend to put our trust in our own human achievements and sense of greatness, without acknowledging God Who is behind of all of them.

In the Gospel, we heard one of the common confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, as well as with the teachers of the Law. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were very particular in their observation of the Law, especially the laws and rules regarding the Sabbath day, when the people of God were not supposed to have any activities and keep that day holy for the Lord.

That Law was intended for a good purpose, that is to help the people of God in finding their way to Him, but in the implementation, it had been twisted beyond recognition by the wrong purposes of the leaders of the people who cared only for their own personal gain and for their own human pride, greed and desire, exactly what had also affected the king Hezekiah of Judah.

What does this mean brothers and sisters in Christ? It means that we mankind should learn to restrain ourselves and to forgo those pride, those greed and desires that are exactly what have become hindrances and obstacles on our way as we journey on towards the Lord our God. And indeed we should not fall victim to those things, or else that is why we will be like those whom God had condemned for their lack of faith.

Let us all look at the example of St. Bonaventure, the holy servant of God whose feast we are celebrating on this day. St. Bonaventure was an Italian Franciscan monk, who was renowned for his great piety and for his dedication to the Lord. He preached to the people and cared for them, leading them by the example of his piety. He was also involved in the process of the reform of the Church at the time, leading the Church as well as the Franciscan order whom he led, into a path of piety and commitment to God.

St. Bonaventure was eventually appointed to high positions in the Church, becoming a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, and the leader of the Cardinals himself. He was influential in the reforming of the Church and his initiatives helped to strengthen the Church and save many more souls. However, he remained humble and committed to the mission which had been entrusted to him. He did not allow ego or human greed to overcome him.

The disciplined life of St. Bonaventure is a great example and he is indeed a good role model for us all. St. Bonaventure has shown us how to be good in our deeds and actions, be examples for one another and yet remain humble and remain true to our calling. It is indeed not easy to resist those temptations of power, fame and glory, as our human frailty and imperfections have allowed us to seek all of them, and many have fallen along the way because of those things.

Let us all heed that good example, and let us hope that through whatever we have done, we may become ever closer to the Lord and become more and more like Him, that He Who loves us all may recognise us as His own when He comes again to bring all of His beloved ones to His eternal glory. God bless us all. Amen.