Fr Martin

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5655 Rigsby Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78222

Phone: (210) 648-1705

Fax: (210) 648-5365

Parish: stoninotx@usa.com

Fr. Martin: mart@priest.com

Fr Martin

Each week, Fr Martin reflects on the Gospel reading for Sunday. Here you will find his reflection for this week, and also those from past weeks.

Fr Martin's Reflection

Divine Mercy Sunday

Theme: “Eight days later Jesus came and stood in their midst” (John 20:19-31).

Reading I: Acts 5:12-16
Responsorial Psalm: 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Reading II: Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel: John 20:19-31

Reflection

Even though the doors were locked (for fear of the Jews), Jesus appeared to his disciples. The disciples already afraid, and some distraught, Jesus stood in their midst and assured of peace when he said, “Peace be with you.” The disciples’ fear turned into joy. Jesus commissioned them as He breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit. Their mission is to forgive sins.

The outpouring of God’s mercy happened when their fear turned into joy, when they recognized the risen Lord, and when they received the Holy Spirit. Thomas missed this incredible appearance of the Lord and so he doubted until he himself experienced by touching the hands and side of Jesus, he believed. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” says Jesus.

Doubting Thomas represents all those who continue to doubt the risen Lord. Their senses limit them to understand the power of God to conquer darkness and overcome evil. It is not because they cannot believe; it is because they rely too much on their own strength and power. Their trust and belief remains human and it is not in the state of being blessed. Faith is necessary and Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

So when is faith blessed? When can we say that we do not need to touch the wounds of Jesus in order to be convinced of his love and mercy? The faith that is mature is when we live it out in the mission we are asked to do; the mission is to proclaim his great mercy and forgiveness. Like the first disciples, like Thomas, we are all unworthy; but the Holy Spirit emboldens us to carry out God’s work. And like Sr. Faustina, we pray, “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have Mercy on us and on the whole world. Jesus I trust in You.

Fr Martin's Reflection, 2009-12-27

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Theme: “His parents found Jesus sitting in the midst of the teachers” (Luke 2:41-52).

“Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.’ And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.”

Reflection

We celebrate today the feast of the Holy Family; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The mystery of Incarnation is completed as God made man became part of the household of Joseph and Mary. With all the burdens as well as joys of being in the family, Jesus was truly incarnated. All families therefore became divine or holy when Jesus himself became part of it. Your family and mine have now an example of living up to family values and a model of what constitutes a holy family.

Pope John Paul II explains family in the modern world as, “Willed by God in the very act of creation, marriage and the family are interiorly ordained to fulfillment in Christ and have need of His graces in order to be healed from the wounds of sin and restored to their "beginning," that is, to full understanding and the full realization of God's plan” (Familiaris Consortio, 1981).

Let us celebrate families, support those seeking to create one, and embrace those looking for one. A blessed Feast of the Holy Family to all!

Peace!

Fr. Martin

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 January 2010 19:07

Fr Martin's Reflection, 2010-01-03

The Epiphany of the Lord

Theme: We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (Matthew 2:1-12).

“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.’ After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way” (Matthew 2:1-12).

Reflection

In life, we all seek and hunger for something meaningful, beautiful, and holy. There is a nagging desire to satisfy the spirit. We are all going somewhere yet some still do not know where. We need directions and a star to guide us to our destiny. Don’t mistake a star as a destiny; it is a guide (like GPS)!

The feast of Epiphany reminds us of our journey to seek Christ. Being wise like the three magi in today’s gospel is to be persistent of our journey even at the threat of death and harm. Also, being wise means to have something we treasure and gift it to Christ when we finally see him.

While we are on a journey, let us not forget the daily steps going there are as important as being there. “I’ve learned that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular” (Andy Rooney).

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 January 2010 18:28

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