August 11th 2019– 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 de Agosto del 2019 - 19º Domingo de tiempo ordinario
St. Maximilian Kolbe, was baptized with the name of Raymund San Maximiliano Kolbe, fue bautizado con el nombre de Ray-
in Poland on January 8, 1894 . As a young boy he was faithful and mund en Polonia el 8 de Enero del 1894. De niño era fiel y devoto de
devoted to the Blessed Mother and became known as the Apostle la Santísima Madre y fue reconocido como el Apóstol de la Consagra-
of Consecration to Mary. At the age of 12, he had a vision of the ción a María. A los 12 años tuvo una visión de la Virgen María. "Esa
Virgin Mary. "That night I asked the Mother of God what was to noche le pregunté a la Madre de Dios qué iba a ser de mí. Luego vino
become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one a mí sosteniendo dos coronas, una blanca y la otra roja. Me
white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either preguntó si estaba dispuesto a aceptar cualquiera de estas coronas.
of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in La blanca significaba que debería perseverar en la pureza, y el rojo
purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I que debería convertirme en mártir. Dije que las aceptaría a ambas ".
would accept them both." Un año después de su visión, Kolbe y su hermano Francis se unieron
One year after his vision, Kolbe and his brother Francis joined the a los franciscanos conventuales. Obtuvo un doctorado en filosofía de
Conventual Franciscans. He earned a doctorate in philosophy from la Pontificia Universidad Gregoriana y un doctorado en teología.
the Pontifical Gregorian University and a doctorate in theology. Organizó la Milicia Inmaculada (Ejército de la Inmaculada) después
He organized the Militia Immaculata (Army of the Immaculate de presenciar manifestaciones contra el Papa San Pío X y Benedicto
One) after witnessing demonstrations against Pope St. Pius X and XV. Trabajó para la conversión de los pecadores y enemigos de la
Benedict XV. He worked for the conversion of sinners and Iglesia con la intercesión de María.
enemies of the Church with the intercession of Mary. En 1918, fue ordenado sacerdote y tomó el nombre de
In 1918, he was ordained and took the name Maximiliano Maria. Regresó a Polonia en 1919 y fundó un
Maximilian Maria. Maximilian returned to Poland in periódico titulado "Rycerz Niepokalanej" (Caballero de la
1919 and founded a monthly periodical titled, "Rycerz Inmaculada) y un nuevo monasterio franciscano conventual
Niepokalanej" (Knight of the Immaculate) and a new en Niepokalanow, que se convirtió en un centro de
Conventual Franciscan monastery in Niepokalanow, publicación religiosa. Utilizó imprentas modernas para
which became a religious publishing center. He used difundir las Buenas Nuevas a través de publicaciones
modern printing presses to spread the Good News religiosas mensuales y eventualmente diarias. Pasó seis años
through monthly, and eventually daily, religious como misionero en Japón y en 1936, su mala salud lo obligó a
publications. He spent six years as a missionary in regresar a Polonia. Durante la invasión de la Segunda Guerra
Japan and in 1936, his poor health forced him to return Mundial, el permaneció solo en el monasterio. Abrió un
home to Poland. During the WWII invasion by Germany, hospital temporal para ayudar a los necesitados. Cuando su
he became one of the only brothers to remain in the ciudad fue capturada, el fue enviado a prisión pero liberado
monastery. He opened up a temporary hospital to aid those in tres meses después. El escondió y proporcionó refugio a mas de 2.000
need. When his town was captured, he was sent to prison but judíos y polacos. Su monasterio actuó como una editorial y emitió
released three months later. Maximilian hid and provided shelter publicaciones alemanas anti nazis.
to more than 2,000 Jews and Poles. His monastery acted as a El 17 de Febrero del 1941, el monasterio fue cerrado y Maximiliano
publishing house and issued anti-Nazi German publications. fue arrestado por la Gestapo alemana. Fue llevado a la prisión de
On February 17, 1941, the monastery was shut down and Pawiak. Tres meses después, fue trasladado al campo de
Maximilian was arrested by the German Gestapo. He was taken to concentración de Auschwitz, donde fue víctima de graves actos de
the Pawiak prison. Three months later, he was transferred to violencia y acoso. En Julio de ese año, varios prisioneros escaparon y,
Auschwitz concentration camp where he was the victim of severe como castigo, el comandante del campo eligió a 10 hombres para que
violence and harassment. In July of that year, several prisoners murieran de hambre. Franciszek Gajowniczek, esposo y padre, fue
escaped, and as punishment, the camp commander picked 10 men uno de los condenados a muerte. Maximiliano ofreció su vida en el
to be starved to death. Franciszek Gajowniczek, a husband and lugar de aquel hombre. Mientras los condenados a muerte iban
father, was one of these sentenced to death. Maximilian offered his muriendo de hambre, él les celebraba misa y rezaba y cantaba con
life in the man's place. Each day, he celebrated Mass for the other ellos. Como él sobrevivió a los otros condenados a muerte, los
starving prisoners and prayed and sang with them. When he guardias le asesinaron con una inyección letal de ácido carbólico.
outlived the other men, the guards killed him by lethal injection of Maximiliano murió el 14 de Agosto y sus restos fueron cremados el 15
carbolic acid. Maximilian died on August 14 and his remains were de Agosto, el mismo día de la fiesta de la Asunción de María. Fue
cremated on August 15, the feast day of the Assumption of Mary . beatificado como "Confesor de la Fe" el 17 de Octubre del 1971 por el
He was beatified as a "Confessor of the Faith" on October 17, 1971 Papa Pablo VI y canonizado por el Papa Juan Pablo II el 10 de
by Pope Paul VI and canonized by Pope John Paul II on October Octubre del 1982. Franciszek Gajowniczek, por el que S. Maximiliano
10, 1982. Franciszek Gajowniczek was present at the ceremony. dio su vida, estuvo presente en su canonización. La fiesta de San
St. Maximilian Kolbe feast day is celebrated on August 14. Maximiliano Kolbe se celebra el 14 de Agosto.
MASSES FOR THE WEEK
Saturday, August 10th
› Renewal of Vows›
8:15am For the Living & Deceased Priests of 5o
th
Anniversary
Santa Maria Parish
5:00pm Filippo Faso;
For the Health, Humility & Patience of Julio y Alma Aviles to renew
Luz A. Paulino de Rodriguez their vows at Santa Maria on
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Sunday, August 11th
8:00am Rosa Campisi
9:15am Por el alma de José Dolores Rodríguez; Fundraiser for the Celebration of
12Noon For the Deceased Members of The Green Our Lady of Guadalupe
This Sunday, August 11
and LaCroce Families; after the 9:15 am & 12 noon Masses in
Saint Joseph’s Parish Hall
Ana Padilla– 5 years in Heaven; Come enjoy a variety of food.
Rosa Angelica Pagan;
Recaudación de fondos para la
Gloria and Leovigildo Villarama Celebración de Nuestra Señora
Monday, August 12th de Guadalupe
Este Domingo 11 de Agosto
7:00am Leovigildo Villarama después de la Misa de las 9:15 am y 12 del medio
7:00pm Guadalupe Herrera día en el Salón Parroquial de San José
Venga a disfrutar de una variedad de comida.
Tuesday, August 13th
7:00am Luz S. Esguerra;
Leovigildo Villarama
7:00pm Francisco & Dolores Ortiz
Registration: Faith Formation Program
Wednesday, August 14th Inscripción: Programa de Formación en la Fe
7:00am Fr. Antiom Fiorillo; Sunday/Domingo August/Agosto 18
Leovigildo Villarama *After the 9:15 am & 12 noon masses in the Rectory.
Please bring a copy of the child’s baptism certificate and con-
7:00pm For the Health & Holiness of all Parishioners tact Deacon Vinny.
Thursday, August 15th Después de las misas de las 9:15 am y las 12 del mediodía en
la Rectoría.
7:00am For the Health & Holiness of Angelina Por favor traiga una copia del certificado de bautismo del
niño/a y contacte con el Diácono Vinny.
D’Rozario;
New Carpets: Please be mindful the carpets require care,
Leovigildo Villarama
therefore no food, candies, drinks or gum should be
7:00pm Misa en Español/ Mass in Spanish consumed inside the church. Please keep the parish hall
Por el alma de Olimpio y Heroina de Paulino clean. Thank you for your collaboration.
Friday, August 16th Nuevas Alfombras: Por favor tenga en cuen-
7:00am Margaret Doyle; ta que las alfombras requieren cuidado, por
lo tanto, no se deben consumir alimentos,
Leovigildo Villarama caramelos, bebidas o chicles dentro de la iglesia. Por
7:00pm For the Health & Holiness of Julio & Alma favor mantener el salón parroquial limpio y en orden.
Aviles on their 50th Wedding Anniversary Muchas gracias por su colaboración.
163. Longer life spans now mean that close and exclusive rela- 163. La prolongación de la vida hace que se produzca algo que no era
tionships must last for four, five or even six decades; conse- común en otros tiempos: la relación íntima y la pertenencia mutua de-
quently, the initial decision has to be frequently renewed. While ben conservarse por cuatro, cinco o seis décadas, y esto se convierte en
one of the spouses may no longer experience an intense sexual una necesidad de volver a elegirse una y otra vez. Quizás el cónyuge ya
desire for the other, he or she may still experience the pleasure of no está apasionado por un deseo sexual intense que le mueva hacia la
mutual belonging and the knowledge that neither of them is alone otra persona, pero siente el placer de pertenecerle y que le pertenezca,
de saber que no está solo, de tener un « cómplice », que conoce todo de
but has a “partner” with whom everything in life is shared. He or
su vida y de su historia y que comparte todo. Es el compañero en el ca-
she is a companion on life’s journey, one with whom to face life’s
mino de la vida con quien se pueden enfrentar las dificultades y disfru-
difficulties and enjoy its pleasures. This satisfaction is part of the tar las cosas lindas. Eso también produce una satisfacción que acompa-
affection proper to conjugal love. There is no guarantee that we ña al querer propio del amor conyugal. No podemos prometernos tener
will feel the same way all through life. Yet if a couple can come up los mismos sentimientos durante toda la vida. En cambio, sí podemos
with a shared and lasting life project, they can love one another tener un proyecto común estable, comprometernos a amarnos y a vivir
and live as one until death do them part, enjoying an enriching unidos hasta que la muerte nos separe, y vivir siempre una rica intimi-
intimacy. The love they pledge is greater than any emotion, feeling dad. El amor que nos prometemos supera toda emoción, sentimiento o
or state of mind, although it may include all of these. It is a deeper estado de ánimo, aunque pueda incluirlos. Es un querer más hondo, con
love, a lifelong decision of the heart. Even amid unresolved con- una decisión del corazón que involucra toda la existencia. Así, en medio
flicts and confused emotional situations, they daily reaffirm their de un conflicto no resuelto, y aunque muchos sentimientos confusos
den vueltas por el corazón, se mantiene viva cada día la decisión de
decision to love, to belong to one another, to share their lives and
amar, de pertenecerse, de compartir la vida entera y de permanecer
to continue loving and forgiving. Each progresses along the path
amando y perdonando. Cada uno de los dos hace un camino de creci-
of personal growth and development. On this journey, love re- miento y de cambio personal. En medio de ese camino, el amor celebra
joices at every step and in every new stage. cada paso y cada nueva etapa.
164. In the course of every marriage physical appearances change, 164. En la historia de un matrimonio, la apariencia física cambia, pero
but this hardly means that love and attraction need fade. We love esto no es razón para que la atracción amorosa se debilite. Alguien se
the other person for who they are, not simply for their body. Al- enamora de una persona entera con una identidad propia, no sólo de un
though the body ages, it still expresses that personal identity that cuerpo, aunque ese cuerpo, más allá del desgaste del tiempo, nunca deje
first won our heart. Even if others can no longer see the beauty of de expresar de algún modo esa identidad personal que ha cautivado el
that identity, a spouse continues to see it with the eyes of love and corazón. Cuando los demás ya no puedan reconocer la belleza de esa
so his or her affection does not diminish. He or she reaffirms the identidad, el cónyuge enamorado sigue siendo capaz de percibirla con el
instinto del amor, y el cariño no desaparece. Reafirma su decisión de
decision to belong to the other and expresses that choice in faith-
pertenecerle, la vuelve a elegir, y expresa esa elección en una cercanía
ful and loving closeness. The nobility of this decision, by its inten-
fiel y cargada de ternura. La nobleza de su opción por ella, por ser inten-
sity and depth, gives rise to a new kind of emotion as they fulfill se y profunda, despierta una forma nueva de emoción en el cumplimien-
their marital mission. For “emotion, caused by another human to de esa misión conyugal. Porque « la emoción provocada por otro ser
being as a person… does not per se tend toward the conjugal act”. humano como persona […] no tiende de por sí al acto conyugal ». Ad-
It finds other sensible expressions. Indeed, love “is a single reality, quiere otras expresiones sensibles, porque el amor « es una única reali-
but with different dimensions; at different times, one or other dad, si bien con diversas dimensiones; según los casos, una u otra puede
dimension may emerge more clearly”. The marriage bond finds destacar más ». El vínculo encuentra nuevas modalidades y exige la
new forms of expression and constantly seeks new ways to grow in decisión de volver a amasarlo una y otra vez. Pero no sólo para conser-
strength. These both preserve and strengthen the bond. They call varlo, sino para desarrollarlo. Es el camino de construirse día a día. Pe-
for daily effort. None of this, however, is possible without praying ro nada de esto es posible si no se invoca al Espíritu Santo, si no se cla-
ma cada día pidiendo su gracia, si no se busca su fuerza sobrenatural, si
to the Holy Spirit for an outpouring of his grace, his supernatural
no se le reclama con deseo que derrame su fuego sobre nuestro amor
strength and his spiritual fire, to confirm, direct and transform
para fortalecerlo, orientarlo y transformarlo en cada nueva situación.
our love in every new situation. 165. El amor siempre da vida. Por eso, el amor conyugal « no se agota
165. Love always gives life. Conjugal love “does not end with the dentro de la pareja […] Los cónyuges, a la vez que se dan entre sí, dan
couple… The couple, in giving themselves to one another, give not más allá de sí mismos la realidad del hijo, reflejo viviente de su amor,
just themselves but also the reality of children, who are a living signo permanente de la unidad conyugal y síntesis viva e inseparable del
reflection of their love, a permanent sign of their conjugal unity padre y de la madre ».
and a living and inseparable synthesis of their being a father and a
mother”.
REFLECTION
Book of Wisdom 18:3.6-9; Letter to the Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19; Saint Luke 12:32-48.
Serving around the clock
Many of you probably know the following story about the young St. Aloysius
Gonzaga. One day when he was playing ball, someone jokingly asked: Aloysius,
if God called you to Himself tonight, what would you do right now? Aloysius
calmly answered: I would continue playing ball.
A conclusion we can draw from this episode of his life is that it is always pos-
sible to do anything in the name of God.
Whether it is a small daily matter or a high responsibility to society, in God we
should and we can complete them all. They are all works that help us prepare
to meet God, they all are missions.
In fact, this is one of the teachings of the first Parable we hear today in the Gos-
pel:
A noble man went to a wedding party and left home his servants. They know
that the master will come back, but they do not know the time; they only know
that it is necessary to be ready to welcome him. What is the lesson for us all?
It is easy to come to the conclusion that one has to be prepared to welcome God at the end of life. Of course, unexpected death can happen and
we have to be prepared. Who could deny it? But Jesus is subtler.
It is true that God meets man at the end of life. However, if we observe well, death does not always behave like a thief. It typically announces its
coming; it is preceded by very specific signs: old age, sickness, pain, decay.
The sudden coming of God is another story. They are comings that take us by surprise like that of a thief. They are those in which he comes not
to steal, but to save, to invite us to welcome the Kingdom of God.
The image of the thief has an undeniable intimidating tone. The aim is to warn of the danger of losing our current opportunity for salvation
that never arises again. Remember that one of the meanings of salvation is immediate union with Christ and His mission.
Vigilance is equivalent to the constant availability of service. A true disciple does not have free moments in which he can withdraw into himself
in the pursuit of self-interest, times in which he is not ready to help those who need his help. The disciple is always on duty.
Two images describe the vigilant disciple: to gird his loins for action and to keep the lamp burning. The wise steward does not turn off the
light, he acknowledges his need of God’s guidance and inspiration and, at the same time, anyone who needs him knows that he is always avail-
able.
The parable ends saying that the master of the house will make the faithful steward sit at table, this is the promise of bliss reserved for those
who already are part of the kingdom of God, the divine response in the form of new missions, new gestures of trust.
* Sometimes we are able to choose from a wide variety of possibilities, not just between doing good or bad things, but between dif-
ferent possible good actions: With whom should I be now? Is it better now to listen to this person or to give him an advice? How can I help this
young person to live his generosity?
The problem is NOT that we resemble Buridan’s ass, who died from hunger and thirst after being unable to choose between two equally good
options (a bucket of water and a bundle of hay) equally distant from it. The true difficulty is that we use only our poor reason and our limited
experience to make decisions about our service. Thus, most of times, we do not come to Christ to find out His opinion; we forget that we are
stewards of the gifts we received, and our generosity becomes void of meaning, purpose and direction.
This is why Jesus gives us today a very practical rule: Sell what you have and give alms.
The rich farmer of last Sunday’s parable did not have time to listen to that Word that would have revealed the secret for not losing his capital,
to remember what the Old Testament always suggests, that almsgiving is a precious treasure in the eyes of God:
The wise always try to listen, and they will pay attention to a wise saying. Money given to the poor brings forgiveness for sins, just as water
puts out a fire (Sir 3:29-30).
Almsgiving represents to make available to our neighbor all spiritual, intellectual and material riches.
It is exemplary, in this sense, the Gospel episode of the poor widow's offering, and her giving of the only money she had left. Her insignificant
coin becomes an eloquent symbol: this widow gives to God not out of her abundance, not so much what she has, but what she is. Her entire
self. Today, Jesus is trying to teach us that if we receive more, we need to share more and give more of our time, our talent, and our treasure.
At the end of today’s Gospel, Jesus sets out a principle for our relationship with the Holy Spirit as stewards of his gifts: Much will be required
of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. This statement should not be taken as
a threat, but rather is a sign of God’s expectations of us and His faith in us.
We often speak about how important faith in the God is, but we also need to understand that He has a strong element of faith and trust in us as
well. Today’s Parable of the Faithful Servant represents another form of saying this: He will put him in charge of all his property, He will show
more and more signs of faith and trust in his servant. First, we must recognize our gifts and that we are gifted. Then God’s expectations of us
are tied to how we use our gifts. This is a form of dialogue: we give a sign of faithfulness and then He responds with a new sign of trust.
The letter to the Hebrews today speaks about the faith of Abraham as a model for the first Christians, and for us today. Most of all, Abraham is
presented as someone who was active in his faith. Faith is not passive, it is active. Abraham did not simply believe in a passive way, but actively
sought to do God's will in his life. So too, we are called to be active in our faith, to discern what God wants of us, and to pursue that in our lives.
The Gospel speaks also of an active kind of faith. Jesus uses the parable of the thief in the night to warn his listeners that there must be a sense
of urgency about the Christian life.
The basis for an active faith life is prayer, because only in a state of in prayer we discern the divine will for us. Abraham discerned God's will, by
making space and time for God in his life. We are called to do the same, to make space and time in our daily schedule, for the still, small voice
that comes to us in moments of silence and reflection, and in our encounters with our neighbors, who are always in need.
We recall that, in the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping, he warned them to watch and
pray (Mk 14:38). He could just as easily have said, Watch, that is, pray. For it is only our prayerful remembrance of God’s presence among us
and of the promise of the Kingdom that will protect us from the fatal distractions that lead us to live by the world’s standards and to be found
unprepared when He comes for us.
Jesus would spend time in prayer with His Father. After a long day’s ministry, He would retire in prayer: And after he had dismissed the
crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray (Mt 14: 23). And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a
lonely place, and there he prayed (Mk 1: 35). And before important decisions, He would pray: In these days he went out into the hills to pray;
and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apos-
tles (Lk 6: 12f).
* At other times, in contrast, we are so limited by our health, energy, or ignorance, that we wonder how can we make a differ-
ence in the life of others and in the kingdom of God. Impotence is then our dominant feeling. This explains the words of Christ in today’s
Gospel text:
Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the Kingdom. The disciples are afraid: they know they are few and weak
in the face of a hostile world. They get scared because evil is strong; it triumphs everywhere; it seems overwhelming and they feel fragile and
unable to resist. The Kingdom of God -Jesus assures- will come because it is not the work of man; it is our Father’s gift.
This is also the spirit of today’s First Reading. During the difficult times in the history of Israel, the people have regained confidence looking at
its past. Verifying that her God had always protected and freed her from all forms of slavery, she felt comforted, confronted adversity with re-
newed vigor and looked optimistically to the future. Our suffering becomes prayer.
The Book of Wisdom narrates that, while the Egyptians were surrounded by darkness, the Israelites were accompanied by a pillar of fire; the
Lord himself led them to unknown paths. On the night they left the land of the Pharaoh, the righteous were saved and the enemies extermi-
nated. That’s the reason why they have decided to meet regularly every year to celebrate on Easter Vigil, these glorious events.
We also have to remember with gratitude what the Lord had done for us, lest we turn to false gods and worship ourselves. Remembering that
God is the creator and provider of all things, help us to be humble and grateful for what we receive, and be less anxious about our future needs.
Instead, we can trust in His divine providence, and also share with those who are in need.
Sarah and Abraham died without seeing the fulfillment of the promise that had been made to them. They had one child only, not a multitude,
and they did not live in the Promised Land. They saw only a small sign, a beginning of the fulfillment of the promises: a fragile son and a land
contemplated only from afar, but they believed all the same.
Many of us look forward to the realization of the promises of good done by Jesus and are discouraged because we do not see the quick estab-
lishment of the Kingdom of God in the world. We verify that evil continues: this is perhaps the toughest test of our faith.
Considering what happened to Abraham and Sarah, we are invited to regain confidence and to be able to read, though not always with spec-
tacular signs, that the new world is being born.
When they reflect on what God has done for them, a song of thanksgiving and praise flourishes out of their lips. The same confidence that filled
the hearts of their fathers emerges in them. And we are called to live the same experience. As we say in the holy Mass: to give thanks is our
duty and our salvation.