saint john of god parish

SAINT JOHN OF GOD PARISH
84 Carleton Avenue * Central Islip, New York 11722
Phone: 234-6535 * Fax: 234-7474 * Email: SJOGNO1@AOL.COM
Website: www.stjohnofgodparish.org
Rev. Christopher Nowak, Pastor
Pastoral Staff
Rev. Javier Peñaranda, Associate Pastor
Sr. Valerie Scholl, CSJ, Pastoral Associate / Admin.
Dcn. Ronald J. Gillette
Sr. Claudia Allen, CSJ, Apostolado Hispano
Mrs. Maggie Martin, Religious Education
Mrs. Ana Sullivan, Parish Social Ministry Coordinator
Mrs. Patricia Walsh, Cemetery Secretary
Mrs. Eleanor Gould, Music Ministry
Parish Center: 234-6535
Religious Education: 234-4040
Outreach Office: 234-1884
Cemetery Office: 234-6535 x135
Apostolado Hispano
234-6535 x 106
Equipo Pastoral Que Habla Español
Parish Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4:30 PM
Rev. Christopher Nowak, Pastor
Rev. Javier Peñaranda,
Pastor Asociado
Hna. Claudia Allen, CSJ
Sra. Ana Sullivan,
Ministerio Social
Sunday: 9 AM – 2 PM
(For Mass Cards)
Emergency Sick Calls Any Time
Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5 PM Chapel
Sunday: 8 AM Church
9:30 AM Church
11:00 AM Chapel
Misas En Español
Sábado: 7:00 PM Capilla
Domingo: 9:30 AM Capilla
12:30 PM Capilla
Martes: 7:00 PM Capilla
Weekday Masses
Monday – Saturday:
9 AM Church
Sacramentos
Devotions
Miraculous Medal Novena:
Monday at 9 AM Mass
Sacraments
Reconciliation: Saturday at 4:00 PM in the Church
or by appointment. Please call the Parish Center.
Baptism: 1st Sunday at 2 PM. Parents must register
at the Parish Center at least 1 month before the baptism.
Marriage: Those wishing to be married must make arrangements
at least 6 months in advance. Call the Parish Center.
Our Lady of Providence Regional School
Pre-K (4 yrs.) through 8th Grade
234-1113 or 234-6324
www.olprov.org
Principal: Mrs. JoAnn DiNardo
September 30, 2012

Bautizos en Español:
2do y 4to Domingo de cada mes, 2 PM
Los padres de los niños deben ir a la oficina antes de inscribirlos.
Llame 234-6535 x 106 para una cita.
Confesiones: Los sábados a las 4:00 PM
Primera Comunión y Confirmación:
Niños de 6 hasta los 17años deben asistir a las clases de
Educación Religiosa de acuerdo a su edad. Llame: 234-4040
Sacramentos Para Los Adultos:
(18 años en adelante) Llame 234-6535 x 106 para más
información. Las clases para los adultos son los domingos a las
11 AM.
Matrimonio: Inscribirse 6 meses antes de la fecha de la boda.
Llame: 234- 6535 para hablar con un miembro del Equipo
Pastoral que habla español.
Nuestra Señora de la Providencia Escuela Católica
Pre-K (4 años) hasta 8vo grado
234-1113 o 234-6324
www.olprov.org
Principal: Mrs. JoAnn DiNardo
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mass Intentions for the Week of Sept. 30th:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
–
–
–
–
–
–
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
Sunday
– 5:00PM
– 8:00AM
– 9:30AM
– 11:00AM
– Mary & Joseph McDonough
– Joan Turek
– Henry Frank III
– Jill Mallon
– William Schroeder
– Andree Antoine, David Kidane
Claudy Jean-Louis,
– Rose Vavosa
– All those enrolled in the
Society of Prayer
– Michael, Christine & Kevin
Brennan
– People of St. John of God
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday, October 1st –
St. Thérese of Child Jesus
Jb 1:16-22
Weekend of Sept. 22nd & Sept. 23rd
Sharing One’s Resources in the Parish
Sunday Collection:
$ 7,892.61
Late Repairs
$ 185.00
Total collection to Parish:
$ 8,077.61
$30,000
$25,000
$15,000
$10,000
$8,500
$8,000
$7,500
St. Pius X Living Facility
$ 1,264.00
$7,000
$6,000
THANK YOU!
$5,000
0
Budget
Actual
$8,500.
$8,077.
Sunday Attendance:
1,250
Lk 9:46-50
Future Special Collections Dates:
9:00AM – Daily Mass
Tuesday, – October 2nd
The Holy Guardian Angels
Jb 3:1-3,11-17,20-23 Mt 18:1-5,10
October 7th
Diocesan Needs Collection For:
Respect Life
9:00AM – Daily Mass
7:00PM – Misa en Español – (Capilla)
October 21st
Diocesan Needs Collection For:
World Missions
Wednesday, October 3rd–
Jb 9:1-12,14-16
Lk 9:57-62
9:00AM – Daily Mass
Thursday, – October 4th – St. Francis of Assisi
Jb 19:21-27 Lk 10:1-12
9:00AM – Daily Mass
Friday, October 5th –
Jb 38:1,1-21;40:3-5
Restoring the Glory….
to welcome..to worship..to grow..to serve..
Donations to Date: $ 1,186,580.75
God’s Blessings on All!
Lk 10:13-16
Campaign ends 12-31-12
9:00AM – Daily Mass
Saturday, October 6th – St. Bruno, Priest
St. Marie Rose Durocher, Virgin, B.V.M
Dn 7:9-10,13-14 or Rv 12:7-12a Jn 1:47-51
9:00AM – Daily Mass
5:00PM – Vigil Mass
7:00PM – Misa en Español
Sunday, October 7th –
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Respect Life & World Communication Sunday
Nm 11:25-29 Jas 5:1-6 Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48
8:00AM
9:30AM
9:30AM
11:00AM
12:30PM
– Mass – English
– Mass – English
– Misa en Español
– Mass – English
– Misa en Español
–
–
–
–
–
(Church)
(Church)
(Capilla)
(Chapel)
(Capilla)
Twenty-Sixth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
September 30, 2012
Make yourself
familiar with the
angels, and behold
them frequently in
spirit. Without
being seen, they are
present with you..
WE ARE SAINT JOHN OF GOD PARISH - COMMITTED TO FAITH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY!
Banns of Marriage
2nd Announcement:
Christy Lynn Murphy
& Kevin J. Mc Ateer, Jr.
(Both of Saint John of God)
Bread & Wine Memorial for This Week:
In Loving Memory Of:
Anna Karl
Requested by:
Joan O’Connor
Service for
Blessing of Pets
Sunday — October 7th
3:00PM
In Front of the Chapel
Feast day of St. Francis
of Assisi is October 4th.
There will be a special
service on the steps of
the Chapel for all pets.
Please have all pets
on leashes or in
carriers for the
safety of all. If you
have a pet you wish
to be blessed,
please arrive
promptly at 3:00PM
Remember in your thoughts and prayers,
the Sick of the Parish...
Joseph Acciarito
Mary Anderson
Doris Arnold
Judy Benjamin
Leticia Colon
Sandy Comito
Angelo Cristiano
Dorothy Delueash
Doris Dogson
Mark Dixon
Helen, Leon, JoAnn Falk
Donna & Patricia Falk
Elizabeth & Robert Falk
Marie Ferdon
Ron Gillette II
Chris Gomez
Alice Hydell
Troy Liddell
Joyce Machin
Harleigh Martin
Gloria Martin
Ella Catherine Milone
Stella Minneci
Josh Mouzakes
Liz Mouzakes
Miriam Nadjek
Gloria Mirian Ochoa
Charlie O’Donnell
Arcadia Paz
Carmen Ramos
Cathy Sanchez
Gilberto Rivera
Dorothy Stevens
Stanley & Anne Tesoro
Louis Vavosa
Maryann Vavosa
Marvin Velasquez
Barbara & Tim Warfield
Mary Weber
Robert Wesnofske
Denise Williams
James A. Williams
Raymond Wolter
Barbara Zarcone
St. John of God Parish
Family Mass
next Sunday
October 7th
at 11:00Am
in the Chapel
All Are invited to attend
Public Square Rosary Rally
October 13, 2012
Please join us in praying for
our nation on October 13th,
2012 at 12:00Noon. The
local Public Square Rosary Rally will
take place at Saint John of God
Church. Please bring a chair.
Please contact Joan at 342-0795 or
973-945-6998.
Telephone: 234-6324
Visit us at: www.olprov.org
Mrs. JoAnn Di Nardo, Principal
A Piece of Providence
News from Our Lady of Providence,
the regional school for your parish!
New Parents Welcome Mixer
New OLOP Parents came to a Welcome
Mixer on September 13th and enjoyed
punch and cheese and crackers. They
met with Mrs. Fitzpatrick to see how to
work our website to view the school
calendar and the Parent Portal to access
student grades. Parents of PreK students
spoke to Ms. Long and Mrs. Garcia about
their child’s class.
Meet the Teacher Night
Parents of Grades K-8 visited the school
on September 20th to meet their child’s
teacher and find out more about the
curriculum, class rules and the teacher’s
grading system. Parents were informed
that New York State has adopted the
Common Core Curriculum which is
shared by over 40 other states. The goal
is to take more time for a unit and to
study a subject in a deeper way. This will
better prepare students for high school
and college.
OUR WEBSITE:
Keep up to date with
current events and individual class
information by visiting our school website www.olprov.org. Our website can be
translated by scrolling down to the
bottom left corner.
Fall has just begun and we have
already began shopping for Christmas
with student photos and fundraisers.
Our 8th grade will be hosting visits
from St. Anthony High School and St.
John the Baptist High School.
They are working hard to prepare
for the Catholic High Schools Entrance
exam on October 27th.
Mark Your Calendar:
October 3 (Wednesday) Prestige Fundraiser Ends
October 5 (Friday) - Dismissal 11:30AM
Diocesan in Professional Development
FUNDRAISING
CAMPBELL LABELS FOR EDUCATION
BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION
Please register at Stop and Shop so
the store will give us a percentage of the
money you spend on groceries. You do
not pay any EXTRA money but they will
give the school a donation based on sales.
You can shop at any Stop and Shop.
Just go to their website
www.stopandshop.com/aplus put in your
information and your Stop and Shop card
number. It is so easy! Remember to save
BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION LABELS so your
child’s class can win a pizza party…..
Also register at Boxtops for
Education Marketplace to earn boxtops for
the school each time you shop online
through their website.
Religious Education Office
Mrs. Maggie Martin, Director
Telephone: 631-234-4040
Email: sjogre@verizon.net
Office Hours for the week of September 30:
Monday, October 1:
Tuesday, October 2:
Wednesday, October 3:
Thursday, October 4:
Friday, October 5::
Saturday, October 6:
Sunday, October 7:
11:00am – 6:00pm
11:30am – 7:30pm
1:00pm – 6:00pm
4:00pm – 7:30pm
CLOSED
CLOSED
CLOSED
Class Schedule for the week of September 23:
Monday, October 1:
Level 9 Confirmation
Level 8 Confirmation
Level 8 Teen Team
7:00 – 8:15pm
Wednesday, October 3:
4:45 – 6:00pm
Levels 1 - 7
Mass & Regular Session
Chapel
Saturday, October 6:
NO CLASSES
Altar Vessel Memorials
that are needed:
+ 2 Ambries +
(where the Holy Oils are kept)
for Church and Chapel +
+ Processional Candles + Ciboria +
(used to carry and distribute communion)
for Church and Chapel +
If you are interested in Memorializing
any of the above items, please contact
Father Chris at 234-6535, Ext. 104
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
234-6535, ext. 103
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells
his disciples: “Anyone who gives
you a drink of water because you belong to
Christ will not, I assure you, go without his
reward.”
Jesus has a simple rule for who belongs in
his company—”whoever is not against us is for
us.” This is a contrast between generous
leadership and petty discipleship. It is difficult
to see Christ in the poor and sometimes in
those whom we deal with in our daily lives.
When this happens, begin by trying to be Christ
to such people: to say nothing, to do nothing
which Christ would not say or do. That calls for
faith. Jesus keeps us focused — God’s
kingdom is important, not jealousy and
pettiness.
To give thanks for all that God has given
you, have you considered answering the call to
help serve the poor by joining the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul? We meet at 12:30PM on the
third Tuesday of each month in the Conference
Room of the Parish Center. We welcome new
members and can be reached at 23406535,
ext. 103. Join us and help the poor and
forgotten know that they belong to Jesus’
company
ATLANTIC CITY
resorts CASINO
October 29th
(Monday)
Departs: 9:00AM
(CIFD West Parking Lot)
Donation: $39.00 per person
$25.00 Casino Return
Must be 21 Years or Older
Tickets or Information:
Irene Miller at 234-8593
Benefit For:
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE
TELEPHONE: 234-1884
Ana Sullivan, Coordinator
Prayer For Peace
Mary, Queen of Peace, save us all,
who have so much trust in you, from
wars, hatred, and oppression. Make us
all learn to live in peace, and educate
ourselves for peace, do what is
demanded by justice and respect the
rights of every person, so that peace
may be firmly established. Amen
Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)
Our Food Pantry is
very low or out of
the following items:
*Means we have none
-Mac & Cheese
- Rice
-Peanut Butter
- Jelly *
-Green Vegetables (Cans)*
-Dry or Canned
-Fruit (Cans)*
Milk -Tuna Fish
-Hand Soap
-Toothpaste
-Shampoo
-Most of all Supermarket Gift Cards.
Donations can be
dropped off in the
Outreach , Monday through Friday from 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions,
please contact Ana Sullivan at the above
phone number.
Rite of Christian
Initiation for
Adults
Begins October 15th (Monday)
At 7:00PM in the Chapel
Those who need all or some of
their sacraments or if you know
someone that does, have them
contact: Father. Chris
at: 234-6535 ext 104
♫
♪♪
♫
Please consider joining the
Adult Choir!
New Members Always Welcome!
Next Rehearsal
September 26th—7:30PM In the Chapel
We would like to invite
all those who would be
interested in joining us
in giving praise to God
as part of the Saint
John of God Music Worship
Program. Come to our next
rehearsal. The schedule is in the
bulletin. All are welcome! ♫
Children’s Practice
Are you or someone you know having family or
interpersonal problems due to drinking
ALCOHOL and/or using DRUGS?
CATHOLIC CHARITIES/Talbot House, a
voluntary Chemical Dependence Crisis Center
located in Bohemia, provides withdrawal services for
males and females over the age of 18, who are seeking
to stop and/or withdraw from alcohol and/or drug
use. The medical and clinical staff at Talbot House
will assess the kind of care the person needs, to begin
his/her journey to recovery. For more information,
please call: 631-589-4144. Talbot House
Please Join Us!!!
Next Rehearsal is
Thursday–September 27th— 7:00PM
in the Chapel
All Children of the
Parish in Grade Levels
4 to 8 are welcome.
Share your God given
musical talents with the rest of the
parish. Come and bring a friend!
Mark Your Calendar

October 1st — Confraternity of
Christian Mothers—7:30PM Monthly Meeting
in the small Cafeteria of the School. All women of the
Parish are welcome.

October 5th — First Friday Devotions
— Church — 9:30AM to 8:00PM
 October 14th — The Holy Name Society
will gather at the 8:00AM Mass with their monthly
meeting following. All members of the Parish are
invited to join them.

October 14th — Ministry to Catholics of
African Ancestry will hold their regular monthly
meeting at 12Noon in Room 11 of the school.

October 16th — Society of St. Vincent
de Paul Monthly Meeting—12:30PM in the
Conference Rm. of the Parish Center. All welcome.
October 27th / 28th – Confraternity of
Christian Mothers Annual Halloween
Bake & Craft Sale— Proceeds go to our “Adopt
-a-Family” Project. Your support will be greatly
appreciated. If you wish to donate baked goods,
please drop them in the School Lobby before Mass.
October 28th – Robe Sunday—11am
Mass For all Confirmation Candidates.
October 30th – Confirmation
 November 1st – All Saints Day—Holy
Day of Obligation. Parish Office Closed.
 November 2nd — All Souls’ Day
Cemetery Mass—11AM Queen of All Saints
Cemetery.
We Pray:
Lord, hold our troops
in your loving hands. Protect
them as they protect us. Bless
them and their families for the selfless
acts they perform for us in
our time of need. We ask this
in the name of your Son, Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen
Adult Choir Rehearsal—(Wednesday)
7:30PM in the Chapel
October 3 October 10
October 17 October 24
October 31 — NO REHEARSAL
November 7 November 14
November 21 — NO REHEARSAL
November 28 December 5
December 12 December 19
December 24 — 12:00 Midnight Mass
December 25 — 11AM Mass
December 26 — NO REHEARSAL
Children’s Choir (English) Rehearsal
(Thursday)
7:00PM — 8:00PM in the Chapel
October 4
October 7 — Sing at 11:00 Mass
October 11 October 18 October 25
November 1 — NO REHEARSAL
November 4 — Sing at 11:00 Mass
November 8 November 15
November 22 — Sing at 11:00 Mass
November 22 — NO REHEARSAL
November 29
December 2 — Sing at 11:00 Mass
December 6 — December 13
December 20 — December 24 Mass
December 6 — NO REHEARSAL
Prayer For Our Country
Hi Lord, it’s me:
We are getting older and
things are getting bad here.
Gas prices are too high, no jobs, and
food and heating costs too high.
I know some have taken you out of our
schools, government and even
Christmas, but Lord I’m asking you to
come back and re-bless America. We
really need you! There are more of us
who want you than those who don't!
IN THE WORKS:
I just wanted you to be aware of all the projects that have
been completed and/or have been in the works over the past several weeks. Cabrini
Room: this room which used to be the teachers’ lounge has been used for storage for some
time after demolition of the former rectory which had given us storage space. Just several
weeks ago with one of the several down pours that we’ve had, the room and especially a
closet where all the electronics for the phone system are kept, was also flooded and
saturated with water. We were able to get a proposal from a contractor for half of the cost of
the deductible for the Diocesan Property Insurance. A new floor was put down; new treated
sheet rock was put up and painted; the mold was remediated (there is no smell anymore);
the wood in the closet has been replaced.
The Memorial Garden: if you walk over by the Garden you can see the foundations
for the memorial stones have been poured. (These marble stones will have the 608 names).
Also the underground electricity for the lighting for each stone has been installed.
The 5000 gallon oil tank for the school: Suffolk county has required by law that all inground oil tanks over 1,100 gallons have to be tested for leakage and contamination. To do
so the tank has to be filled with oil to the cost of $20K. The school heating system has been
running on gas as it is cheaper and cleaner. Through the diocese, all parishes and schools
get the most competitive price for gas. So the 5,000 gallon oil tank was removed from the
ground and the hole filled and paved before school started...........shared cost – us and
school.
The School Roof: the roof on the first level of the school was replaced about 5 years
ago by a company called Roof Services. The manufacturer of the materials to do the job and
the company that provides the 20 years warranty is called GAF. With all the rain we’ve been
having the roof has been leaking profusely. Roof Services has been out numerous times in
the past several months attempting to re-seal many of the seams in the lining of the roof (no
cost to us) and repair many of the drains (some cost to us and school).
The windows in the first level of the school: all have to be replaced. We have
several proposals but are waiting on the Diocesan Department of Renovation and
Construction.
Father Chris N.
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSES
You are invited to explore the benefits of a Catholic High School Education
Please feel free to visit our schools during the times and dates listed below:
DATE
TIME:
SCHOOL:
SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY 30
1:30PM—4:00PM
Saint Dominic College Prep High School
OCTOBER;
SATRUDAY
SUNDAY
10:00AM—1:00PM Kellenberg Memorial High School
2:00PM—4:00PM Chaminade High School
10:30AM—2:00PM Saint John the Baptist Diocesan
High School
LA SEMANA DE
PREVENCION FUEGOS
HAY QUE TENER 2 SALIDAS
FPW.ORG
FRIENDS OF THE SEMINARY COMMUNION BREAKFAST
The Friends of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, 440
West Neck Road, Huntington, invite you to the 5th Annual Friends
Communion Breakfast on Sunday, October 21, 2012. Mass at 11AM
followed by breakfast in the refectory. Celebrant and speaker will be
Msgr. Jim Vlaun, CEO & President of Telecare.
Reservation required: $25.00 per ticket.
For reservations and information, please call the Seminary Development
Office, at 631-423-0483, extension 102 or bmalone@icseminary.edu.
Ceremonia para
La Bendición de las Mascotas
Domingo, el 7 de Octubre,
A las 3:00 PM
Frente de la Capilla
La Fiesta de San Francisco de Asís será el 4tro del Octubre.
Habrá una ceremonia especial en las escaleras de la Capilla
para todas las mascotas. Favor de tener todas las mascotas en
correas o en portadoras para la seguridad de todos.
Si tiene una mascota para ser bendecida, favor de llegar a las 3:00PM en punto.
Somos La Parroquia de San Juan de Dios - Comprometidos a La Fe, La Familia, y La Comunidad!
RESTAURANDO LA GLORIA...
para acoger..para alabar..para crecer..para servir
Donaciones hasta la fecha
$1,186,580.75
Bendiciones de Dios a Todos
La campaña termina el 31 de diciembre, 2012
PROCLAMEN LA MARAVILLA DE DIOS
El don del Espíritu se da libremente, y
no de acuerdo con expectativas humanas, sino
de acuerdo a la generosidad de Dios. Josué
quiere que Moisés ponga un alto a Eldad y Medad que estaban profetizando en el campamento, porque no estuvieron con los demás cuando
el espíritu descendió sobre ellos. Moisés, tan
cerca de la mente de Dios en este asunto, quiere que todo el mundo pueda poseer el espíritu
de Dios y proclamarlo a las naciones.
El Salmo 18 celebra la perfección de la
ley de Dios y la forma en que trae alegría y deleite. Es mejor que el oro más fino o la más dulce miel. Además, Dios nos da la sabiduría de
los profetas a todos, especialmente los sencillos
y humildes, incluso a los niños. Son los
“pequeños” que proclaman las maravillas de
Dios a todos.
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA
Lunes:
Job 1:6-22; Lc 9:46-50
Martes: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Mt 18:1-5, 10
Miércoles: Job 9:1-12, 14-16; Lc 9:57-62
Jueves:
Job 19:21-27; Lc 10:1-12
Viernes: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Lc 10:13-16
Sábado: Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; Lc 10:17-24
Domingo: Gén 2:18-24; Sal 128 (127);
Heb 2:9-11; Mc 0:2-16 [2-12]
El que te dé un vaso de agua a
beber por causa de Cristo, recibirá
su recompensa
RITO DE INICIACION PARA LOS
ADULTOS
Como ustedes saben, hay muchos
adultos en la comunidad hispana que no
han recibido algunos o todos los sacramentos de iniciación; este quiere decir:
el Sacramento de Bautizo, El Sacramento
de Confirmación, El Sacramento de la
Comunión. Sin estos tres sacramentos
ninguna persona pueda actuar como
madrina o padrino.
Para los que tienen 18 años en adelante
nuestra parroquia tiene un proceso durante
lo cual estos adultos pueden recibir el sacramento o sacramentos que faltan. Venga
a la cafetería a las 11: 00 AM los domingos
donde tenemos estas clases y si quiere más
información llame a Sister Claudia a
234-6535 X106
Domingo,
7 de Octubre
a las 3:00
De la tarde
From Fr. Chris N
Today’s scripture readings give us a strong warning against jealousy, intolerance and scandal.
In the first reading from the Book of Number we find jealousy, in its destructive form of envy, raising its
ugly head in Moses’ assistant and successor, Joshua. Joshua could not tolerate the two men who had
been on the list, but had not attended, the Spirit-giving ordination ceremony Moses and they had been
called to by the Lord God in the Tent of Meeting, yet had started prophesying in the camp. This
selection is intended to provide a Biblical background for Jesus’ response to the same kind of jealousy.
In the second reading, James warns the rich against giving scandal by their denial of social justice to
their workers in refusing to give them a living wage, by ignoring the needs of others and by condemning
and murdering the innocent and the righteous. Withholding a day-laborer's wage was a terrible act of
injustice, tantamount to murder in the agricultural economy of the ancient Middle East. There's hardly
a more emphatic passage in the New Testament. Baptism commits every Christian to work for social
justice, through peaceable (rather than violent), means. In the Gospel, we find intolerance among the
apostles of Christ. John complained to Jesus that a man outside their group of selected disciples was
exorcising demons in Jesus’ Name, in spite of their attempt to prevent him from doing so. Jesus taught
the Apostles lessons in his kind of tolerance and in the reward to be given to outsiders for good deeds
they had done for the disciples of Jesus.
Jesus warned the Apostles, and us, that, just as a doctor might remove by surgery a limb or some
part of the body in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so we must be ready to part with
anything that causes us or others to sin and which leads to spiritual death. Christian tolerance asks that
we bear with the weaknesses of others (without condoning the evil they do), by a) remaining true to our
conscience and beliefs, b) respecting the differences we encounter, c) working together on projects of
common interest, d) affirming what is good in the other person’s position, even when we disagree on
certain things, and e) allowing the light of Christ to shine through our loving words and deeds.
Blessings Always, Fr. Chris N.
De Padre Chris N
Las lecturas de hoy nos dan una advertencia fuerte contra celos, la
intolerancia, y el escándalo. En la primera lectura del libro de Los Números, encontramos celos en su
forma destructiva de la envidia. Podemos ver su cabeza fea en el asistente y el sucesor de Moisés, Josué.
Josué no pudo tolerar a los dos hombres que habían estado en la lista sino no asistieron a la ceremonia
de ordinación llena del Espíritu a que Moisés y ellos habían sido llamados por el Señor Dios en la
Tienda de la Reunión. Sin embargo, ellos comenzaron profetizando en el campamento. Esta sección se
intenta a proveer un fondo bíblico para la respuesta de Jesús a este mismo tipo de celos. En la segunda
lectura, Santiago advierte a los ricos contra dando escándalo por su negación de la justicia social a sus
trabajadores en rechazar a darles un pago justo, por ignorar las necesidades de los demás y por
condenar y asesinar a los inocentes y los justos. Reteniendo el jornal de un trabajador fue un acto de
injusticia terrible equivalente al asesinato en la economía agricultura del Medio Oriente antiguo. No hay
casi nunca un mensaje más rotundo en el Nuevo testamento. El bautizo compromete a cada cristiano a
trabajar para la justicia social a través de la manera pacifica en vez de una manera violenta. En el
Evangelio, encontramos intolerancia entre los apóstoles de Cristo. Juan se quejó a Jesús que un hombre
fuera de su grupo de discípulos escogidos fue exorcizando a los demonios en el nombre de Jesús, a pesar
de su atento de prevenirlo de hacerlo. Jesús les enseñó a los apóstoles las lecciones de su tipo de
tolerancia y en el premio que los forasteros van a recibir por los hechos buenos que habían hecho por los
discípulos de Jesús.
Jesús caucionó a los Apóstoles y nosotros que igual de el medico quitara por cirugía un miembro
o parte del cuerpo para que preserve la vida del cuerpo entero, que tenemos que estar listos de
separarnos de cualquier cosa que nos causa o los demás a pecar y que conduce a la muerte espiritual. La
tolerancia cristiana pide que tenemos paciencia con las debilidades de los otros (sin condonar el mal
ellos hacen) por a) mantenernos firmes en la verdad de nuestras conciencias y creencias, b) respetar las
diferencias que encontramos, c) trabajar juntos en proyectos de interés común, d) afirmar lo que es
bueno en la posición de la otra persona aún cuando no estamos de acuerdo en ciertas cosas. e), dejar la
luz de Cristo brillar a través de nuestras amorosas palabras y hechos.
Bendiciones Siempre, P. Christopher N.