The Sacred Readings

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH
10,000 PHEASANT RD.
EL PASO, TEXAS 79924
FR. TOM O’MAHONY, PASTOR

FR. NORMAN X. BERNSTEIN,
ASSISTANT EDITOR OF BULLETIN:
FR. TOM O’MAHONY SECRETARY:
RACHEL MCNAIR RECTORY OFFICE:
751-6416 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-8 OFFICE HOURS:
MON-FRI 8:30-5:00 P.M. 751-2566
CCD OFFICE AND PARISH HALL
757-1693 SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
MOTHER OF GOD SATURDAY EVENING MASS
SUNDAY MASSES
WEEKDAY MASSES
(MON-FRI) FIRST FRIDAY HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION SACRAMENT OF PENANCE FIRST FRIDAY SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM PERPETUAL NOVENA IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL JANUARY 1, 1989 5:30 p.m. (fulfills Sunday obligation) 7:30 9:00 10:30 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., Sat. 8:00 a.m. 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., 5:30 & 6:30 p.m. Sat. 2:00-4:00 and 6:30-8:00 p.m. 9:30-9:55 a.m. and 5:30-5:55 p.m. TWICE MONTHLY. Arrangements must be made in advance at rectory. WEDNESDAY at 7:00 p.m. followed by Benediction. Scriptural rosary recited at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday before 10:30 a.m. Mass. MAY THE SON OF GOD MADE FLESH FOR OUR SAKES SHOWER COUNT- LESS GRACES AND BLESSINGS ON ALL OUR PARISHIONERS AND ON THE 407 FAMILIES OUTSIDE THE PARISH WHO RECEIVE THE WEEKLY BULLETIN.

PRAY DAILY AND DO SOME PENANCE FOR THE CONVERSION OF SIN- NERS DURING THE NEW YEAR. -2- Shine on, Christmas Star – in the Hearts of Homes and Men! THE SACRED READINGS (A) 1. Book of Numbers 6, 22-27: (a) The first five books of the O.T. form an ensemble, which the Jews call the “Torah” (law). The Greeks labelled them the “Book in Five Volumes”. (He Pentateuchos Biblos) from which the Latin name “Pentateuchus Liber” is derived. From this we got the English title “Pentateuch”. The Book of Numbers is the fourth volume. (b) The title “Numbers” was given to this book because it mentions a census of the Chosen People. However, it is misleading, as it fails to convey the main content of the Book as the numbering or census plays an insignificant part in the narrative. The more correct title is that given to it in the modern editions of the Hebrew Bible, namely, “In the Desert”, since the book deals with the wanderings in the desert from Mt. Sinai (where the Ten Commandments were given and the Covenant with God entered into) up to the plains of Moab. The historical narrative covers a period of about 38 years. In- terspersed here and there are groups of laws. (c) The reader of Numbers will learn the following important facts: (1) The Israelites were divided into twelve tribes, each tribe into clans, and each clan into ancestral houses. -3- The tribes originated in this way. Abraham had only one son, Isaac, who begot two children Esau and Jacob. Jacob, renamed “Israel” by an angel, had two wives, Lia and Rachel. By them he had twelve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin. From these sons came the twelve tribes. The Book of Numbers, however, tells us that the twelve tribes are listed in this way: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim and Manasseh (who were sons of Joseph), Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Naphtali. The tribe of Levi is not listed because God told Moses that they were not to receive any portion of the Promised Land, since He had set aside the men of this tribe to take care of divine worship. They were to be supported by the people.

(2) From the tribe of Levi, a sacred hierarchy was formed. Those who were of the ancestral house of Aaron were to be ordained to the priest- hood, while the other members of the tribe of Levi were to serve them in their sacerdotal duties (see also Exodus 28, 1).

(3) God’s love for His people was shown by His continual presence among them. Read 9, 15-23, where God visibly manifested His presence day and night during the day a cloud covered the Dwelling or Tabernacle (where the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments was placed), and by night this cloud appeared like fire. When the cloud lifted, the Israelites broke camp and continued their march, when it rested on the Dwelling or Tabernacle they pitched camp.

Read 35, 34, where God promises to be “in the midst of the Israelites”.

(4) God always punished sinners irrespective of their earthly dignity. Moses and Aaron were not spared. But, though He often wiped out large numbers, He spared enough to fulfill His promises.

(5) Moses often exemplified the power of prayer over the heart of God.

(d) At first sight it may seem strange that this short poem from a little used Book should be used for the First Reading, but on reflection one can see its appropriateness.

It was to be the form of blessing used by the Jewish priests. “It is a prayer for material prosperity and safety from enemies, divine pleasures symbolized by the brightness of the face and bestowal of divine favors, divine protection and security against all misfortunes. Thus the name of the Lord invoked upon the people will be for them a source of blessings” (P. P. Saydon, A CATHOLIC COMMENTARY ON HOLY SCRIPTURE, ed. 1953).

Notice that it contains a triple benediction, an analogy to our triple benediction in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

-4-

which the Fathers of the Church adverted to.

(e) In the Bible the term “blessing” is used in three senses: the be- stowal of a divine favor, praise of thanksgiving to God by man, and the invocation of God for favors by man for man, as is the case in today’s First Reading.

The Aaronic blessing was given by five priests after the morning incense sacrifice; if pronounced at another time, it could only be given by a priest in the synagogue (Steinmuller, CATHOLIC BIBLICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA).

(f) Mary, a member of the Hebrew race, received the blessing of blessings by conceiving the Son of God made flesh.

  1. Galatians 4, 4-7:

(a) This is the earliest of the Pauline letters and was written while Paul was on his way to Jerusalem for the First Council of the Catholic Church in A.D. 49 (see Acts 15). Its purpose was to combat the teaching of “false brethren”, namely, Jewish converts to Christianity, who were spreading the erroneous view that observance of the disciplinary elements of the Mosaic Law was necessary for salvation. These “Judaizers”, as they were called, were a thorn in the side of Paul and the early Gentile converts. We have already seen how they caused upsets in the church of Antioch in Syria. In effect, this false view deprived the sacrifice of Calvary of its redemptive power as the source of grace.

(b) In his writings, Paul divided the religious movement from Abraham into three stages:-

(1) From Abraham to Moses justification was achieved by believing in God’s promises. There was no revealed divine positive law at this time.

(2) From Moses to Christ justification came by believing in God’s promises and conforming one’s actions to the Mosaic law given by God on Mount Sinai (the Covenant Law). Mere external observance was not enough; faith was also required.

(3) From Christ on justification is by belief in Him and in the obser- vance of the laws of the gospel, which went far beyond the Mosaic pre- cepts. As a result of belief in Christ, original and actual sins are removed by baptism and we are given divine life by which we truly become children of God and true descendants of Abraham, to whom the original promises were made. As Pope Pius XI said: “We are all spiritual Semites.”

(c)

-5-

Please note that in this Second Reading, as elsewhere in his writings, Paul was at pains to show that Christ had abolished the privileges of Judaism and that the new “People of God” were to be gathered from all races without exception. Besides, a new relationship was established between us and God. As members of Christ’s Mystical Body we, like Him, call God “Abba” (Father). Such a loving intimacy was foreign to contemporary Judaism.

  1. Luke 2, 16-21:

From Genesis 17, 10-14 we learn that God commanded through Abraham that all males be circumcised as a sign of God’s covenant with the Hebrews. Normally it took place on the eighth day after birth, counting the day of birth as the first day. Any Israelite could perform this ceremony. Ten relatives or friends were invited as witnesses.

Very probably Jesus was circumcised in Bethlehem and at this ceremony, as was the custom, He was given His name. When Christ founded His Church, He introduced the sacrament of baptism to replace the old outward sign of membership in the Chosen People, namely, circumcision.

Responsorial Psalm 67, 2-8:

(a) This is classified as a Psalm of Thanksgiving. The structure of these Psalms consists as a rule of an Introduction, the main section and a con- clusion (invitation). The introduction is usually a proclamation of the intent of the Psalmist to thank God: “Give thanks to the Lord” (33, 2); “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart” (9, 2 and 138, 1).

The main section or body of the Psalm includes the following parts: the danger or illness, from which he was rescued is vividly described by the Psalmist and the prayer of anguish he made is mentioned; then God’s intervention is joyfully proclaimed.

Not all these psalms have a distinctive conclusion in the form of an invitation to those present (or the readers) to praise and thank God, but many do.

(b) The following are Psalms of individual thanksgiving: 30, 32, 34, 40, 41, 116, 138.

(c)

There are a few communal or national thanksgiving psalms in the Psalter (65, 66, 67, 68, 118, 124) which were used in liturgical celebrations, which occurred either annually or on the occasion of some extraordinary act of God.

(d) These psalms of thanksgiving can be used with great profit as they

-6-

teach us the proper attitude of soul to be adopted towards the sufferings of this life, the confidence we must have in God’s fidelity and love for us, and the obligation to praise and glorify God in gratitude for His favors.

Even though the affliction from which the psalmist is delivered is different than ours, nevertheless we can quite easily use the psalm as a prayer by making the words refer to our own distress and dangers.

REFLECTIONS:

(a) Paul VI: “In the Revised ordering of the Christmas period it seems to us that the attention of all should be directed towards the restored Solemnity of Mary the holy Mother of God. This celebration, placed on 1 January in conformity with the ancient indication of the liturgy of the City of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the ‘holy Mother … through whom we were found worthy to receive the Author of Life’. It is likewise a fitting occasion for renewing adoration to the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad tidings of the angels (cf. Lk 2:14), and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace. It is for this reason that, in the happy concurrence of the Octave of Christmas and the first day of the year, we have instituted the World Day of Peace, an occa- sion that is gaining increasing support and already bringing forth fruits of peace in the hearts of many.” (MARIALIS CULTUS, Apostolic Exhortation, 2nd February, 1974, N. 5).

(b) “… devotion to the Blessed Virgin is firmly rooted in the revealed Word and has a solid theological foundation. It is based on the singular dignity of Mary, Mother of the Son of God, and therefore beloved daughter of the Father and Temple of the Holy Spirit Mary, who, because of this extraordinary grace, is far greater than any other creature on earth or in heaven.” (No. 56)

“Devotion to Mary recalls too her mission and the special position she holds within the People of God, of which she is the preeminent member, a shining example and the loving Mother; it recalls her unceasing and effi- cacious intercession which, although she is assumed into heaven, draws her close to those who ask her help, including those who do not realize that they are her children,” too; “He (God) loved her for His own sake, and He loved her for our sake, He gave her to Himself and He gave her also to us” (ibid).

“The Blessed Virgin’s role as mother leads the People of God to turn with filial confidence to her who is ever ready to listen with a

-7-

mother’s affection and efficacious assistance.” (Ibid N. 57)

“The Catholic Church, endowed with centuries of experience, recognizes in devotion to the Blessed Virgin a powerful aid for man as he strives for fulfillment.” (ibid)

“She is given to us as a pledge and guarantee that God’s plan in Christ for the salvation of the whole man has already achieved realization in a creature: in her.” (ibid)

(c) Mary is really and truly the Mother of the God-Man, Christ because a mother is a mother to a person. It is because of this unique dignity that she received all her other privileges — the Immaculate Conception, Assumption, etc.

It is also because of her divine maternity that the Fathers of Vatican II logically proclaimed her to be the “Mother of the Church”, since the Church is Christ’s Mystical Body.

(d) Pope Paul VI has for many years designated January 1st as a day of prayer and peace. Let us ask her, who is rightly called “Queen of Peace” in the litany of Loreto, to hear our prayers during 1989 especially in the land of her birth and wanderings, the Middle-East.

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS

(1) Isaiah 60, 1-6.

(2)

(3)

Ephesians 3, 2-3 and 5-6. Matthew 2, 1-12. Responsorial Psalm 72, 1-13.

Monday, January 2nd;

Wednesday, January 4th;

Thursday, January 5th;

Friday, January 6th;

THIS WEEK’S FEASTS

Saturday, January 7th;

ST. BASIL THE GREAT & ST. GREGORY NAZIANZEN

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON

ST. JOHN NEUMANN

BLESSED ANDRE BESSETTE

ST. RAYMOND OF PENYAFORT

-8-

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

IS THIS THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOPE?

IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY CLEAR OVER THE LAST DECADE THAT AMERICAN COURTS ARE BECOMING INVOLVED IN THE ENDORSEMENT OF, AND, IN SOME CASES, ALMOST BLATANT SUPPORT OF ACTIVE EUTHAN- ASIA.

If you have been following the course of the Catholic League’s involve- ment in euthanasia cases over the years, you have probably shared our anguish and frustration at repeated defeats before the courts.

In the recently published Catholic League book, MEDICAL NIGHTMARES: GERMAN DOCTORS/AMERICAN DOCTORS, author Charles Sykes draws a chilling comparison between the numbing effect of the German euthanasia program and the euthanasia movement that is even now becoming an accept- ed part of American medical practice.

Sykes quotes Robert H. Jackson, Chief Counsel at the Nuremberg trials, who described the “easy stages” in which the German euthanasia program developed: “To begin with, it involved only the incurably sick, insane and mentally deficient patients… It was easy to see that they were a sub- stantial burden to society, and life was probably of little comfort to them. It is not difficult to see how…a completely painless method could appeal to a hardpressed and unsentimental people….Once any scruples and in- hibitions about killing were overcome and the custom was established, there followed naturally an indifference as to which lives were taken….”

Anyone who doubts the reality of this insidious progression of the eu- thanasia movement should carefully examine the case of Nancy Beth Cruzan as reported by Rita L. Marker in OUR SUNDAY VISITOR (August 21, 1988). The Cruzan story was also reported in a documentary titled LET MY DAUGHTER DIE which was aired on the PBS broadcast, FRONTLINE. Seriously injured in a 1983 auto accident, Cruzan is totally paralyzed and requires feeding assistance (currently, she is being fed through a stomach tube). She is NOT in a coma, but is conscious, unable to speak but able to hear and see, and clearly responds to visitors, smiling at fun- ny stories, crying when they leave. She is not a financial burden to her family; her expenses are completely covered by insurance and Social Security.

On July 27, 1988, Jasper County, Missouri Circuit Court Judge Charles E. Teel, Jr. gave Nancy Beth Cruzan’s parents permission to order hospi- tal personnel to end her life by STARVATION AND DEHYDRATION. The case is being appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court, but its many im- plications are simply staggering.

IF her care was a crushing financial burden to her family, one MIGHT understand the family’s wish to be spared further expense. But that’s not the case.

-9-

If she were in a coma, in a completely vegetative state, with little likli- hood of ever regaining consciousness, one MIGHT be more understanding of the family’s request. But she’s not.

Perhaps most incredible of all is the method of euthanasia authorized by the court: the withholding of food and drink. The Nazis with their lethal injections and gas chambers look merciful alongside Judge Teel!

Nancy Beth Cruzan is a nuisance, a psychological burden, to her family. For that she must die. The court has spoken.

The decision to authorize her murder by starvation is simply staggering. We can only hope that some higher court will speak up and stop this un- folding nightmare.

Saving Nancy Beth Cruzan, will not stop the euthanasia movement. She is just a stepping stone, a marker on the journey toward their goal. Next month, next year, somewhere in America there will be another Nancy Beth Cruzan. And next time they’ll ask for a lethal injection and that will make them look more merciful.

That is what euthanasia is all about, isn’t it? Mercy?

-Newsletter of the Catholic League

THE POPE SPEAKS:

ON THE DECLINE IN PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

  1. “Today there are those who interpret the decline in priestly vocations since the Council as a sign that the ministerial priesthood is to be super- seded or greatly diminished, rather than complemented, BY NEW FORMS OF MINISTRY. Others argue that THE REQUIREMENT OF CELIBACY for all Latin Rite priests should be abolished; still others claim that traditional doctrine about the priesthood, which is rooted in the institution of this sacrament by Christ and in Christian theology, should be abandoned, so that WOMEN could be ordained to the priesthood. In these ways, it is asserted or implied, an abundance of laborers will be assured for the Lord’s harvest.”

“May we not rather say that in keeping with God’s ways and not our own, the ordained priesthood and the Church’s love and understanding of it are being tested, precisely so that WHAT IS ESSENTIAL MAY BE STRENGTHENED, PURIFIED AND RENEWED in a spiritual rebirth to greater fruitfulness?

“If we are being brought to our knees, so to speak, by the need for more priests, is it not in order that we may understand with greater hu- mility and love who the Lord of the Harvest truly is? As Paul VI wisely taught us: ‘Christ did not hesitate to confide the formidable task of evan- gelizing the world … to a handful of men to all appearances lacking in number and quality. He bade his ‘little flock’ not to lose heart for, thanks

-10-

to His constant assistance … they would overcome the world … The harvest of God’s Kingdom is great, but the laborers, as in the beginning, are few. Actually they have never been as numerous as human standards would have judged sufficient. But the Lord of the Kingdom demands PRAYERS, that it may be He … who will send out laborers ….’ (Encycl. SACERDOTALIS CAELIBATUS, 24 June, 1967, N. 47)

L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO, 5th December, 1988

(DISCOURSE TO THE BISHOPS OF WESTERN CANADA)

NEWS AND VIEWS:

  1. Catholic Democratic Senators who consistently vote pro-abortion are: Edward Kennedy, John F. Kerry, Daniel P. Moynihan, Thomas Daschle, Patrick J. Leahy, Barbara Mikulski, George Mitchell, Tom Harkin, Joseph R. Biden, Christopher Dodd.

Kennedy and Dodd are members in good standing of the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.

In the Senate there are nineteen Catholic Senators. The six Republicans consistently vote pro-life, while ten of the thirteen Democratic Senators consistently vote pro-abortion.

In the House 75 Catholics vote pro-life while 46 vote pro-abortion; of the 81 Catholic Democrats, 39 only vote pro-life.

It is becoming increasingly clear that to be upwardly mobile in the Dem- ocratic Party, one must be pro-abortion.

The Vatican Commission set up by Pope John Paul II has recognized three priestly and religious organizations composed of former followers of Archbishop Lefebvre. A fourth group, including 20 – 25 nuns, is in the process of being recognized by the Church.

Three of the groups are in France and the other is in West Germany. They are allowed by Rome to have the Tridentine Mass in Latin, and their own spiritual and liturgical traditions.

On November 30, 1988, Cardinal Ratzinger lectured on morality at SACRED HEART CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY in Rome. He revealed that his Congregation is preparing a long-expected document on moral theology. However, instead of publishing it, it may be given to the Pope for his use in preparing a document on this theme.

Rushing back into church for something he’d forgotten, Father was stopped cold by a sign the janitor had just put on the floor he was washing: “PLEASE DON’T WALK ON THE WATER.”

-11-

A SPECIAL THANK YOU!

TO ALL THE LADIES WHO HELP- ED CLEAN THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS:

CARMEN DENMAN, MELESSA A. DENMAN, RITA PATRICK, IRENE ROSS, MIKE MURRAY, ELEANOR HEH, LETICIA LOPE, OLIVIA SAMANIEGO, CAROLYN RODELA, DOROTHY RASMUSSEN, MARY NELL BOWLING.

NAZARETH HALL NURSING CENTER, owned and administered by the Sis- ters of Loretto has opened its services to the lay population in El Paso. The Center accepts both private and Medicaid patients. For further in- formation call Sister Bernice at 565-4677.

The Ladies of the ROSARY-ALTAR SOCIETY will be receiving Corporate Communion at the 10:30 mass this morning. The Bake Sale will be held next Sunday, January 8th after all the morning masses. The regular monthly meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, January 12th at the Hall. All women of the parish are cordially invited to attend.

Some parishioners have not picked up the boxes of envelopes for 1989. There are special envelopes for the young people on a separate table. Par- ents should encourage their children to use them and so realize their ob- ligation to support the church and its apostolates.

The monthly class on the SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM will be held this com- ing Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Parish Hall. This is mandatory for parents and godparents as well. Baptism dates for January will be the 8th and the 22nd.

-12-

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 2ND THRU 8TH:

MON: (8:00 a.m.) (10:00 a.m.) TUES: (8:00 a.m.) (10:00 a.m.) WED: (8:00 a.m.) (10:00 a.m.) THURS: (8:00 a.m.) (10:00 a.m.) FRI: (8:00 a.m.) (10:00 a.m.) SAT: (6:00 p.m.) (8:00 a.m.) (5:30 p.m.) SUN: (7:30 a.m.) (9:00 a.m.) (10:30 a.m.) (12:00 noon) (6:00 p.m.)

This coming Friday is the FIRST FRIDAY of the month. Masses will be at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Confessions will be heard from 9:30- 9:55 a.m. and from 5:30-5:55 p.m. Adoration will begin immediately following the 6:00 p.m. mass with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:00 p.m.

Collections for Sunday, December 18, 1988:

Regular Collection Building Fund

$4,299.50 420.00

Collections for Sunday, December 25, 1988

Regular Collection & Christmas Collection: Building Fund

$7,700.00 215.00

Armenia Earthquake Victims:

1,639.50

Total

$9,554.50