Aug 11-16: Please visit my websitehttps://frtonyshomilies.com/ when you miss any of my homilies. Aug 11 Monday: Saint Clare, virgin: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-clare-of-assisi: Mt 17:22-27: 22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” (nil in other gospels)

The context: The first part of today’s Gospel gives Jesus’ second prediction of His sufferings, death, and Resurrection. The second part is Jesus’ explanation of why He pays the Temple tax. Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus’ disciples were “distressed” by their master’s repeated reminders of a coming shameful death as a heretic and lawbreaker. They were distressed because the reminders shattered their dream of ruling Israel after Jesus had conquered the Romans and reestablished the Davidic kingdom. They did not understand that their master would be dying to liberate the whole of mankind from the bondage of sin. In the second part of today’s Gospel, Peter assures the Temple tax officials that the Master, Jesus, is a devout Jew and, hence, pays the Temple tax. All Jewish males 20 years old or older had to pay a half-shekel (roughly equivalent to two days’ wages), as Temple tax for the upkeep of the Temple and its sacrifices. When they reached Peter’s home, Jesus instructed Peter to go fishing, open the mouth of the first fish he caught and, with the coin he would find there, pay both Peter’s and his own tax. Jesus’ reason was that they were to give good example to others, even though, as the Son of God, Jesus was legally exempted from paying any type of tax to anyone. The Gospel passage foreshadows a dilemma that would be experienced by the first century Jewish Christians as to whether they should continue to pay the Temple tax meant for the Jews.

Life messages: 1) Let us express our gratitude to Jesus our Savior for the price of suffering and death He paid for our sins. We can do this by avoiding all occasions of sin, by offering our pains and sufferings as atonement for our sins, and by helping others sacrificially. 2) We should obey the laws of the Church and of our country as loyal Christians and loyal citizens and contribute to the needs of the Church and its mission by our regular donations, while we help the government by paying our taxes. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/25

For additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections.

Aug 12 Tuesday: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, religious: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-jane-frances-de-chantal/Mt 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14: 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 ..14

The context: Chapter 18 of Matthew’s Gospel is a “discourse on the Church,” giving leaders of the Church instructions for administration. Jesus’ apostles shared the Jewish hope that the Messiah would be a political ruler, and that they would hold important portfolios in the Messianic kingdom. Hence, in today’s passage (vv 1-5), Jesus warned his apostles and the future hierarchy of his Church against the natural human tendencies to pride and ambition. He exhorted the spiritual leaders, as well as all believers in responsible positions, to be humble, trusting and innocent – that is, to be like children. The additional parable of the shepherd rejoicing at the recovery of his lost sheep tells us that our Heavenly Father is very particular that His little ones should not perish due to our negligence.

Child-like qualities: Children are basically innocent and honest. They are naturally humble because they depend on their parents for everything. They trust and obey their parents because they know their parents love them. Hence, Jesus advises his disciples to forget their selfish ambitions and, with trusting Faith in a loving and providing God, to spend their lives serving others in all humility. Then they will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Life Messages: 1) We need to practice humility in thoughts, words and actions. “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” “What is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ?” St. Augustine asks, and then responds, “I shall reply: first humility, second humility and third humility.” 2) We should not seek recognition and recompense for the service we do for Christ and the Church as parents, teachers, pastors etc. 3) Trusting Faith, resulting from true humility, is essential for all corporal and spiritual works of mercy. 4) Since children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity and tenderness of our Lord, and since they are each given the protection of a guardian angel, we are to love them, train them and take care not to give scandal to them. 5) We need to try to treat everyone with love and respect because, “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life,” (St. Basil) CCC # 336. ((https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/25

For additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections.

Aug 13 Wednesday:: [Saints
Pontian, pope and martyr, and Hippolytus, priest and martyr: For a brief biography, click on: https://www.saintsfeastfamily.com/copy-of-sts-pontian-hippoytus-8-13

Mt 18:15-20: 15
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you
and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But
if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word
may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to
listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen
even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18
Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you,
if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them
by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.” USCCB video reflections: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/

 The
context: The first part of today’s portion of Matthew’s
Gospel is one of the passages many have found difficult to interpret. Many
Bible commentators think that Jesus never said these things, that probably they
were a later addition by the Church because 1) there was no organized Church at
that time, 2) Jesus never considered a sinner as a hopeless case, and 3) Jesus
loved Gentiles and tax collectors.

The
real meaning: What Jesus actually meant was, “Do whatever you can to make the guilty person
realize and confess his fault, thus helping him to repair the damage he or she
has done to his or her personal and communal relationships.” Jesus
seems to suggest the following steps to repair a broken personal relationship:
1) One-on-one encounter: If you are sure that somebody has wronged you,
tell him lovingly and politely that he has hurt you. 2) The group encounter:
If the first step does not work, meet him again in the company of two or three
wise and honorable persons and try to make the culprit realize what he has done
wrong. 3) Parish encounter: If steps one and two do not work, bring his
case to the pastor or to the parish council or the Christian fellowship. 4) Leave
him to Lord’s mercy: If the culprit remains stubborn, like a Gentile or
proud tax collector, continue to pray for him and leave him to God’s mercy.

Life messages: 1)
Let us have the good will and generosity to accept our mistakes and ask pardon
and forgiveness from the offended victim. 2) Let us also learn to forgive and
forget the offenses done against us (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/25

For
additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video;
https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections.

 

Aug 14  Thursday St.
Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr, For a short biography, click here: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maximilian  Mt
18:21–19:1:
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”  22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to
you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of
heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his
servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him
ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be
sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, `Lord, have patience with
me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that
servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 …35

The lessons
taught by the parable: (1) We must forgive so
that we may be forgiven. Jesus explains this truth after teaching the
prayer, “Our Father.” He warns us, “For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your Heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Mt
6:14-15). As James states it later, “For judgment is without mercy to
the one who has shown no mercy” (Jas 2:13). Clearly, Divine and human
forgiveness work together.

(2) We represent the
greater debtor in the parable; that is, we owe God the ten thousand talents
of the parable. We commit sins every day and, hence, we need God’s forgiveness
every day. The sum total of all the offenses which our brothers and sisters
commit against us is equivalent to the small debt of the second debtor in the
parable, namely 100 denarii. Yet, shockingly and sadly, we are merciless
towards our fellow human beings. The lesson of Jesus’ story is that, as members of a community, we must treat
one another as God has treated each of us. Here is a Divine call to throw away
the calculator when it comes to forgiveness.  We must choose the more
honorable path and forgive one another “from the heart.” We have
been forgiven a debt beyond all human paying – the sin of man which God forgave
through the willing, sacrificial death of His own Son, Incarnate in human
flesh. Since that is so, we must forgive others as God has forgiven us. Otherwise,
we cannot hope to receive any mercy ourselves. 

Life messages: 1) We need to forgive: Having experienced forgiveness at
the hands of God and God’s people, we are then called to make it possible for
others to experience the same forgiveness. Let us forgive the person who has
wronged us before hatred eats away at our ability to forgive.

 2) Forgiveness will
not be easy, but God is there to help us. We can call on God’s help by
offering that individual to God, not by sitting in judgment, but simply by saying,
“Help so-and-so and mend our relationship.” We may never forget the hurt
we have experienced, but we can choose to forgive. 3) We need to remind
ourselves that with God’s grace we have already forgiven the one that hurt us.
As life goes on, we may
remember the incident or occasion that was hurtful. Then let us offer the
offender to God’s mercy again, and pray for God’s blessings on him or her.  (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/23

For
additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

 Aug 15 Friday: Assumption
of the Virgin Mary into Heaven, Holyday of obligation: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/the-assumption-of-mary:

Lk 1:39-56: Three Questions answered:

Q 1: Do Catholics
worship Mary?  Fact 1: Catholics
don’t worship or adore Mary because we worship only God,
and Mary is not God. Fact 2: We venerate her, honor her, and love
her as Jesus’ mother and our Heavenly Mother.

Q 2: Why do Catholics venerate Mary? Mary
herself gives the reason in her “Magnificat” recorded in Luke
(1:48-49): 48: “For he has looked upon his
handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. 49:
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is his Name.^”

1)
God has honored Mary in four ways, and
we honor her because God honored her:

a)    He
chose her as the mother of His Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah.

b)    In
preparation for this role, God made her “Full
of grace” by her Immaculate Conception.

c)     He
anointed her twice with His Holy Spirit: at the Annunciation and at Pentecost,
making her the most

Spirit -filled of all women.

d)    God
allowed her to participate actively in Christ’s suffering and death, suffering
in soul all Jesus suffered in body.

2)
Mary is our Heavenly Mother, given to us
by Jesus from the cross.

3)
Mary is our role model for all virtues,
particularly, love, fidelity, humility, obedience, surrender to the will of
God, and patience.

Q 3: Why do we believe that Mary was taken
to Heaven after her death and burial? (“Assumption” means,
after her death, Mary was taken into Heaven, both body and soul. The word
Assumption comes from the Latin verb “assumere”, meaning “to
take to oneself.” Our Lord, Jesus Christ took Mary home to himself
where he is. It was on November 1, 1950, that, through the Apostolic
Constitution Munificentimus Deus, Pope
Pius XII officially declared the Assumption as a Dogma of Catholic Faith,
giving the following reasons: 

1)    Uninterrupted
tradition in the Catholic Church starting from the first century AD. (The first
trace of belief in the Virgin’s Assumption can be found in the apocryphal
second-to-third century AD accounts entitled Transitus Mariae [Latin: equals “The Crossing Over of Mary”].

2) The feast is found in all the ancient liturgies

3) The belief in the assumption of Mary is taught by all early Fathers of the Church, e.g., Origen (died AD 253), St. Jerome (died AD 419) and St. Augustine (died AD 430).

4) Negative evidence: Mary’s tomb was never reported or venerated.

5) Old Testament evidence of corporal assumption of Enoch (Gn 5: 24) and Elijah (2 Kgs 2:1).

6) Theological reasons: her Immaculate Conception and sinless life.

Life messages: 1) We are challenged to keep ourselves pure and holy children of a Holy Mother. 2) We are challenged to accept total liberation from all our bondages. 3) We are assured of our resurrection and given the inspiration to face pain, suffering, despair, disappointment, and temptations as Mary did.

Aug 16 Saturday:Saint Stephen of Hungary: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-stephen-of-hungary: Mt 19:13-15: 13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.Additional reflections: Click on https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections

The context: Today’s Gospel passage describes one of the loveliest incidents in the Gospel story. Jewish mothers used to bring their children to great rabbis to have them pray over the little ones, especially on their first birthday. Naturally, mothers wanted the healing touch and blessing of the most popular rabbi, Jesus. In an attempt to protect their master from the crowd of mothers and noisy children, the apostles started rebuking them. The passage describes Jesus’ reaction and teaching.

Childlike qualities for entrance into Heaven: By showing his displeasure at the rough reaction of his apostles, Jesus made it clear that everyone is equally important to him as a child of God. The mothers came to Jesus because he was welcoming, warm, and approachable. Jesus decided to use the occasion as a teachable moment. He taught his disciples that entry into Heaven demands the childlike qualities of humility, innocence, obedience,simplicity, openness, teachability, freedom from prejudice, readiness for change and adaptation,total trust in a loving and providing God, confidence in the essential goodness of people and the readiness to forgive and forget. Only such people are ready to hear the message of the Gospel in its fullness and accept it.

Life messages: 1) Let us live in the awareness that we are the children of a loving and providing Heavenly Father and that, by Baptism, we are members of God’s family. Hence, we are expected to behave well every day, as worthy children of a Holy Father. 2) Let us pray for all the children in our families and for all our young parishioners and let us find time to cooperate in the parish ministries meant for children and young people. (https://frtonyshomilies.com/) L/25

For additional reflections, click on: https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/video; https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/; https://www.epriest.com/reflections