The Sacred Readings

MOST HOLY TRINITY PARISH
10,000 PHEASANT RD.
EL PASO, TEXAS 79924

FR. TOM O’MAHONY, PASTOR
FR. PAUL D. O’TOOLE, ASSOCIATE

PARISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND CHURCH – 751-2566
RECTORY: 751-6416
CCD OFFICE AND PARISH HALL – 757-1693

PARISH OFFICE HOURS:
MON-FRI 8:30-5:00 P.M.
PARISH SECRETARY:
MRS. VIRGINIA REYNOLDS

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY 6, 1983

SATURDAY EVENING MASSES
5:30 p.m. (fulfills Sun. obligation)

SUNDAY MASSES
7:30 9:00 10:30 12:00 and 6:00 p.m.

WEEKDAY MASS (MON-FRI)
8:00 and 10:00 a.m.; Sat. 8:00 a.m.

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION
8:00 and 10:00 a.m.; 5:30 & 6:30 p.m.

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
Sat. 2:00-4:00 & 6:30-8:30 p.m.
9:30-9:55 a.m.; 5:30-5:55 p.m.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Twice monthly. Arrangements must be made in advance at rectory.

PERPETUAL NOVENA IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. followed by Benediction.
Rosary is publicly recited each Sun. before the 10:00 a.m. mass.

“We cannot expect an influx of vocations when they who teach deliberately create doubts. It is not doubt but certitude that draws vocations.”
— Cardinal Garrone, Prefect of the Congregation of Education and Seminaries.

“All who enter the military service in loyalty to their country should look upon themselves as the custodians of the security and freedom of their fellow-countrymen; and when they carry out their duty properly, they are contributing to the maintenance of peace.” — Vatican II.

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Though Jubilee or Holy Years are celebrated every 25 years and the next one is not due until the year 2,000, Pope John Paul II has decided to hold what he has called “a special Jubilee or Holy Year” to begin on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1983, and on Easter Sunday, 1984.

During Jubilee or Holy Years it is customary for Catholics to visit the Vatican in large numbers, but the Holy Father desires that during this “special” one the focus should be on the parish level.

“Some theologians act as if every teaching of the Church, prior to Vatican II, was to be dismissed. They are wrong.” — Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith.

“We encourage you to be zealous in your care of CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, whose worth must be ever kept before men’s eyes.” — Paul VI, Oct. 1977

THE SACRED READINGS (C)

1. Book of Isaiah 6, 1-2 and 3-8:

(a) Isaiah was born in or near Jerusalem about 765 B.C. and received his prophetic mission from God about 740 B.C. According to scholars, his writings rank among the world’s great literary masterpieces. He is praised as a highly gifted poet and master of a majestic prose style, and his works are capable of sustained brilliance of style, highlighted by a gift of magnificent imagery. Both he and the author of Job are regarded as the two great poets of the O.T. A. Gelin, late professor at the Catholic Faculties of Lyons, says of Isaiah: “His descriptive powers, his ability to suggest what is not directly said, his sense of propriety and order are the most evident aspects of his literary genius” (INTRODUCTION TO THE O.T., edited by A. Robert and A. Feuillet, Vol. 1, p. 379).

Some modern scholars question the Isaian authorship of the entire book. According to them, Isaiah authored Chapters 1-39; Chapters 40-55 are the work of an unknown 6th Century B.C. Jews and were written just before or immediately after the destruction of the Babylonian Empire by King Cyrus who permitted the Jews to return to their homeland; while Chapters 56-66 were written by another unknown Jew immediately after the return of the “remnant” from Babylon in 538 B.C. However, other scholars support with strong arguments the traditional view that Isaiah is the author of the entire work.

(b) We must beware of understanding the terms “prophet” and “prophecy” according to the commonly accepted meaning today i.e. one who predicts the future. Biblical prophets were men called by God for a special mission.

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here and now. Their message concerned the evils of sin, its punishment, and the moral and religious reform God demanded. Naturally, they inveighed against the social evils of the age in which the poor were badly treated and left without legal protection. But (and here our modern progressive clergy and others should take note) their concern for civil rights was but the fruit of their zeal to establish God’s Kingdom in the hearts of their fellow-countrymen.

The biblical prophets also predicted the future “but to a limited extent”. They were more concerned with the present and often just as much concerned with the past” (Harrington O.P., RECORD OF THE PROMISE, p. 172). They prepared the way for Christ by their optimistic vision of a future Kingdom of God to be established by one whom they called “Son of David”, the “suffering Servant of Yahweh”, the “son of Man”, etc.

(c) It was the prophets who were responsible for preserving and keeping alive the religious tradition among the chosen people. Without them, the identity of the Jewish nation would have been lost “in the melting-pot of the great empires of the Middle-East” (C.H. Dodd, THE BIBLE TODAY, pp. 50f), since the Jews were time and time again punished by God by being deported by their conquerors to distant pagan lands.

The prophets show a remarkable knowledge of God, sin, retribution, and grace. Their writings mark out the progress of the true religion toward the Christian ideal” (A. Gelin).

(d) Biblical commentators hold that the scene of the vision mentioned in today’s reading is the temple of Jerusalem. The trisagion or triple repetition of “holy” indicates that God is superlatively holy. “Hosts” means armies — God is the leader of the armies of angels and also of the armies of Israel (E. Power S.J., A CATHOLIC COMMENTARY ON SACRED SCRIPTURE, ed. 1953). Note that the divine presence is indicated in sacred scripture by “smoke” or a “cloud”. This is called a “theophany”: (See Isaiah 4, 5; Exodus 40, 34; I Kings 8, 10).

“The train of His garment filling the temple” — probably rays of light. (E. Power S.J., ibid).

2. I Cor. 15, 1-11:

This first epistle to his Corinthian converts was intended to answer certain doctrinal and moral questions, which has arisen in this new community due to some “false prophets” (II Cor. 11, 13) who were trying to lead the people astray. Paul, who was at this time in Ephesus, heard of it from these leading Corinthians, who came to visit him and present a report. The second letter followed about six months later.

The reader of these epistles can easily discover for himself the questions Paul was asked.

Note how Paul stresses the importance of learning, believing in and handing on the well-defined message of Christ. To be faithful to Christ’s teaching and thus gain eternal life, one must know it thoroughly, as it is mediated to us by those who are the spokesmen of Christ — the Pope and bishops in communion with him. Theologians, no matter how learned, are not part of the church’s Magisterium.

We find, also, that the “false prophets” were spreading erroneous views concerning the resurrection. Paul reminds the Corinthians that Christ really rose both in body and soul and mentions six appearances of Christ, chosen presumably because these witnesses were still alive. The James mentioned here is James the Less, the cousin of Our Lord and not John’s brother, who was already dead. This is the only mention in the New Testament of this appearance of Christ to James.

That wonderful article of our faith, concerning our resurrection in both body and soul, should fill us with joy and take the sorrow out of death: “O death, where is thy victory? O Death, where is thy sting?” (I Cor. 15, 55).

Luke 5, 1-11:

As stated in the introduction to the new Lectionary the First Reading is harmonized with the Third (gospel) on the Sundays of the year. So in the First Reading we see God choosing Isaiah to be His spokesman to lead the people back to God. In the gospel Christ selects His first four disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, John) to bring men into the net of the Catholic Church.

Though Andrew, Simon’s brother, is not mentioned here, we know from St. Mark 1, 16-20 that he was one of those called.

This scene offers much food for thought. Christ sitting in Simon’s boat teaches the people, works the great miracle of the catch of fish, and tells Simon that he would henceforth become a fisher of men. Here we see an example of the superb artistry of St. Luke symbolizing in this scene the future position of Simon Peter, the first Pope.

It is from the barque of Peter that Christ speaks to us today. Loyalty to the Pope and acceptance of his teaching as the Voice of Christ are the hallmarks of the true Catholic. We may not like what he says, but Christ’s words weren’t liked either. He would have had many followers if he had said: “Take up your golf clubs and follow Me”; instead, He gave us the key of life: “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

Notice how Peter and Isaiah reacted at the display of divine majesty; both became aware of their own sinfulness. But God reassured both. Holiness is within their reach, and they are to be His instruments to bring eternal life to their fellowmen.

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Readers of St. Luke will notice that there are many passages, such as the one today, where he stresses absolute discipleship as essential for a follower of Christ. There can be no half-measures — “You are either with Me or against Me”, as Christ said. Today we read that the first disciples “left everything and followed Him” (5, 11). In 5, 28 we find Levi (Matthew) “leaving everything” to follow Christ and rejoicing over his decision (see 5, 29). Read also 9, 62 where the same condition is stressed.

No wonder Luke’s gospel is often referred to as the “gospel of absolute renouncement”.

PSALM 138:

This Psalm is listed as one of the “thanksgivings of the individual”. Such Psalms consist of (1) an Introduction — the intention to thank God; (2) the Main Section — description of the evil from which the psalmist was delivered; (3) and a Conclusion.

REFLECTIONS:

Today we have a successor to Peter in Pope John Paul II and to him has been committed the authority of Peter as Chief Shepherd of Christ’s flock. He is the Voice of Christ in regard to matters concerning faith and morals, and is guaranteed the protection of the spirit of truth.

Let us renew our loyalty to him and faithfully observe his teachings. If we don’t, we run the risk of losing our faith, of being cut off from the Mystical Body of Christ. St. Ambrose tells us: “Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia” (where Peter is, there is the Church) and St. Patrick in the ‘Book of Armagh’ re-echoes this: “Ut Christiani, ut sit Romani sitis” (As ye are Christians, so be ye Romans”).

  1. Here, then, is the great test of our faith. If we hear Christ speaking through the Pope, our faith is strong. If, on the contrary, we question the Pope’s decision because we don’t like it, we have reason to fear that our faith is in jeopardy. The martyrs died cruel deaths because of faith in Christ’s promises. We must be prepared to do the same.
  2. Christ “called” His apostles individually. In other words, they received a “vocation” (“vocatio” is the Latin term for “calling”).

All of us have been individually called by Christ. Some to the priesthood, others to the religious life, still others to the married state, and others again to the single state. All are true vocations. They embody a special work of God. The duties of our state in life point to the nature of this vocation.

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Not all, unfortunately, realize that the single state is also a vocation for some. Only in this state can they devote the time and effort to carry out Christ’s mission for them. Some may have to suffer handicaps, illnesses of various kinds; others may have to look after aged and sick parents; others still may be called to be missionaries.

Let us, therefore, take our states in life seriously and carry out the duties imposed on us as the will of God. In this way only will we glorify God and help our neighbor.

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS

(1) Jeremiah 17: 5-8.
(2) I Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20.
(3) Luke 6: 17, 20-26.
(4) Psalm 1.

THIS WEEK’S FEASTS

Tuesday, February 8th – ST. JEROME EMILIANI
Thursday, February 10th – ST. SCHOLASTICA
Friday, February 11th – OUR LADY OF LOURDES
Visit the Grotto on the Church Grounds.

Joseph: “If you want to go over big, you must sing a little louder.”
Josephine: “I’m singing as loud as I can.”
Joseph: “Well, be more enthusiastic. Open your mouth wider and throw yourself into it.”

SPIRITUAL NOTES FOR THE JUBILEE OR HOLY YEAR
THE STATIONS OR WAY OF THE CROSS

During the Holy Year which begins on March 25th, 1983, and ends on Easter Sunday, 1984, the Holy Father wants all Catholics to meditate deeply on the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. That is why he has called it THE YEAR OF REDEMPTION (L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO, January 3,-10, 1983, p. 2).

The mercy of God shown in Christ’s Passion and death for us is, he said, “a call to repentance and to conversion, dispositions necessary for sharing in the grace of redemption. It is not man who redeems himself from his sins, but it is man who is redeemed by accepting the forgiveness acquired by the Redeemer”. (ibid)

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In his Encyclical DIVES IN MISERICORDIAE (RICH IN MERCY) the Pope had previously stated: “Authentic knowledge of the God of Mercy, the God of tender love, is a constant and inexhaustible source of conversion, not only as a momentary interior act, but also as a permanent attitude, as a state of mind. Those who come to know God in this way, who ‘see’ Him in this way, can live only in a state of being continually converted to Him.”

One of the most traditional ways of carrying out the Pope’s desires is to make the Stations of the Cross at least once a week. This devotion has been highly praised and practiced by the saints down through the ages, and they have testified in their writings to its efficacy. So, let us once again practice this devotion.

The Stations or Way of the Cross devotion goes back to the earliest days of Christianity. Pilgrims visited the Holy Land and meditated before each of the fourteen places which are nowadays depicted in the pictures that normally grace the walls of churches. But during the Turkish occupation of the Holy Land in the late Middle Ages, pilgrims could not visit Jerusalem and so the custom arose of having replicas of the fourteen incidents in Christ’s passion and death placed either inside the churches or on the grounds. By the late 16th Century, this custom was worldwide.

In 1761 the great St. Alphonsus de Liguori, an Italian lawyer, who became a priest and founded the Redemptorists, published in Italian one of the best known prayers for Catholics making the stations. They are still available today. In his introduction to this booklet he wrote: “The pious exercise of the Way of the Cross represents the sorrowful journey that Jesus Christ made with the Cross on His shoulders, to die on Calvary for love of us. We should, therefore, practice this devotion with the greatest possible fervor, placing ourselves in spirit beside Our Savior as He walked this sorrowful way, uniting our tears with His, and offering to Him both our compassion and our gratitude.”

A plenary indulgence can be gained once a day making the Stations. No further prayers are required.

If, for some reason, the Stations are interrupted, a partial indulgence may be gained for each station.

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There are no set prayers to be said before each station. Just meditate briefly on the scene. However, it is advisable to use one of the many booklets composed for use while making the stations. The Daughters of St. Paul have a very beautiful text for young children and St. Alphonsus’s booklet is recommended for adults.

REFLECTIONS FOR THE JUBILEE OR HOLY YEAR

PROMISE OF REPARATION AND LOYALTY

This is the beautiful promise of loyalty to the Sacred Heart of Jesus made by the Missionary Sisters of Mother Teresa:

“We firmly promise the more your mysteries are blasphemed, the more firmly we shall believe them; the more hearts resist your divine attractions, the more we shall love you; the more Your Divinity is attacked, the more we shall adore it; the more your laws are transgressed and forgotten, the more we shall observe them; the more your sacraments are abandoned, the more we shall receive them we love and respect….”

Why not say it every day during the new Holy Year.

BAPTISM IS A COMMISSION

Few Catholics, unfortunately, reflect on the real meaning of baptism. For most it is regarded as a ceremony instituted by Christ during which He removes original sin by restoring sanctifying grace and makes us members of His Mystical Body, the Church. This is correct, as far as it goes.

But Baptism is also a commission as a member of Christ’s Mystical Body to share in his ministry as prophet and priest. In other words, it makes us “other Christs”. We must live and act as He would were He in our shoes, so to speak. This means that we must love others and practice patience in the home especially, and toward all others outside the home. At work we must not allow low moral standards to survive. Petty theft, laziness, poor workmanship, bad jokes, etc. are not uncommon today. What would Christ do if He were you?

To buck the immoral trends around us is no easy task, but by prayer, good example, and speaking out patiently, we can make a dent in the laxity of our times. And, even if we are ridiculed because of our fidelity to Christ, let us remember that He too was rejected by those He loved and came to save: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15: 18).

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ATTENTION!!!

The 15th Anniversary of the REMNANT CONFERENCE will be held at Minneapolis, Minnesota, HILTON INN, 1330 Industrial Blvd., on March 18-20, 1983. Deadline for conference tickets is February 28, 1983.

The MAIN SPEAKERS will discuss “ST. LOUIS DE MONTEFORT’S TOTAL CONSECRATION TO MARY”, the “CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA TO THE IMMACULATE HEART” and “ST. JOSEPH, PROTECTOR OF THE FAMILY AND CHURCH”.

SPEAKERS: FR. MARCHOSKY, HAMISH FRASER, and DR. WILLIAM A. MARRA (FORDHAM UNIVERSITY).

FOR DETAILS: Write THE REMNANT, 2539 MORRISON AVENUE, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55117.

TICKETS FOR THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE: $42.50 (ADULTS) EACH. STUDENT TICKETS (UNDER EIGHTEEN): $27.50 EACH.

RECOMMENDED CATHOLIC PUBLICATIONS

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MORALLY OFFENSIVE MOVIES

“OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN” – “AIRPLANE II”, THE SEQUEL” – “AMITYVILLE II” – “FORTY-EIGHT HOURS” – “HONKY-TONK MAN” – “POLTERGEIST” – “CREEPSHOW” – “LADY CHATTERLY’S LOVER” – “MISSIONARY” – “HEY, GOOD LOOKING” – “BLADE RUNNER” – “CONAN THE BARBARIAN” – “FIGHTING BACK” – “GOING ALL THE WAY” – “HALLOWEEN III” – “I LOVE YOU” – “I, THE JURY” – “NIGHTSHIFT” – “PORKY’S” – “THE ROAD WARRIOR” – “THE THING” – “YOUNG DOCTORS’IN LOVE” – “THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER” – “YES, GIORGIO” – “THE MONSIGNOR”.

PARISH MISSION

Fr. Kohler, a La Salette priest, will give the Parish Mission this year (1983) during the second week of Lent. Please do not make any other appointments for this week.

He will also give a special talk on the Message of Our Lady of La Salette, with slides, depicting the story of these apparitions.

MORALITY IN MEDIA – TARGET OF THE MONTH YOUR MAYOR – ASK THAT HE WRITE THE PRESIDENT

The traffic in pornography is out of control. It is a $6 billion plus industry, and growing — largely because the U.S. Department of Justice is not vigorously enforcing the federal laws prohibiting the interstate transportation, mailing and importation of obscene materials. We are at the point where only a directive from the President will bring about the aggressive enforcement that is necessary. Morality in Media suggests you write the Mayor of your city or town. Tell him that the vilest pornography imaginable is crossing state lines and coming into your city in violation of federal law. Tell him that vigorous enforcement of federal obscenity law could stop this traffic within 18 months. Ask him to write the President of the United States and request that he direct the Attorney General to enforce the federal obscenity laws to keep this vicious traffic out of your city.

Recently the Mayor of a New Jersey town wrote to the President, and he contacted 500 other New Jersey mayors asking them to take the same action. It is this sort of action on the part of Mayors that could bring about the Presidential directive that is needed to get the U.S. Department of Justice to move.

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Ask your Mayor to write the President, telling him that the obscenity traffic has reached a level of national concern; that it is being shipped into your city and state in violation of federal laws; that enforcement of those laws has been wholly inadequate; and that federal enforcement must be more effective and aggressive if this social ill is to be cured.

MORALITY IN MEDIA suggests you write your Mayor now. Ask him to write the President requesting that he publicly announce that the federal laws relating to the mailing, importing, interstate transportation and broadcasting of obscenity is a matter of utmost importance; that he direct the Attorney General to issue instructions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and all United States Attorneys to make this a matter of prime concern; and request that such instructions authorize and encourage all U.S. Attorneys to institute criminal proceedings of violations of such laws brought to their attention by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Customs. Ask that your Mayor tell the President that aggressive enforcement of federal obscenity laws can and will stop the traffic in pornography that is flooding your state and your city. Suggest to your Mayor that he inform other Mayors in your state that he has written the President, and ask them to take the same action. Please send a copy of your letter to the Mayor and his or her subsequent reply to: MORALITY IN MEDIA, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, N.Y. 10115. Please write your Mayor now, while you have this Newsletter before you.

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MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7 THRU 13TH:

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR FATHER TOM.

FROM THE CCD OFFICE:

Our Upper Grade Students will receive First Holy Communion at the 5:30 mass, Saturday, February 12th. A reminder to the students, there is a practice session at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12th. Everyone MUST attend. NO EXCEPTIONS.

There is a CRAFT SALE after all masses today. Many handmade Valentine items are on display.

The ROSARY-ALTAR SOCIETY will have its Bake Sale next Sunday after all morning masses. Your contributions are always welcomed. The Installation of officers will take place this coming Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the church.