Vol. 4, Issue 2 Saint Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church June 2014 The Feast of the Body of Christ CCC1391: Holy Communion augments our union with Christ. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus. Indeed, the Lord said: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." Life in Christ has its foundation in the Eucharistic banquet: "As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me." On the feasts of the Lord, when the faithful receive the Body of the Son, they proclaim to one another the Good News that the first fruits of life have been given, as when the angel said to Mary Magdalene, "Christ is risen!" Now too are life and resurrection conferred on whoever receives Christ. From the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Let us pray Body of Christ, save me! Save me from my great arch-enemy, my weak and faltering self. Save me from all greed of money, of power, and of praise. Save me from thirst for pleasure, worldly show, and midnight revelry. Save me from betraying You, Dear Lord, in thought, or in word, or in deed. Amen. St. Peter, The First Pope and Vicar of Christ Page 2 The Feast of the Body of Christ Page 3 The Feast of Pentecost Page 4 The Ascension of The Lord Page 5 The Memorial of The four Evangelists Page 6 The Rite of The Divine Mysteries Page 7 Thoughts and more Page 8 Celebrating our fathers and mothers Page 8 Page 1
Devotion to a Saint St. Peter, The First Pope and Vicar of Christ CCC765: The Lord Jesus endowed his community with a structure that will remain until the Kingdom is fully achieved. Before all else, there is the choice of the Twelve with Peter as their head... Apart from constructed components such as a building or a bridge, structure implies to an intricate system that is best considered from the point of view of the whole, rather than of any single part of it. Or, an order of many offices, meticulously fitting together so to function independently, while coherently fulfill their purpose as a whole. The Scriptures tell us how Jesus Christ our Lord, having heard that John was arrested, came down to Capharnaum, began to preach, and chose them who would follow Him, Matthew 4. The Scriptures also tell us that out of all His Disciples, The Lord chose the twelve to whom He gave the power to be His Apostles Mark 3. To preach in His Name, heal the sick, and to cast out demons. The Catechism, like The Scriptures, teaches us that The Lord Himself gave His Church a structure, a defined organizational order of many offices; His Apostles- Governing Pillars. He ordained them to authoritatively guard and preserve Her. Giving Simon, whom He surnamed Peter, the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and Blessed him for being the first among all to confess Him The Christ, The Son of the living God, Matthew 16. For in his confession, we see that Simon both believed that Jesus Is The Christ, and knew that Jesus Is The Son of The Living God. Thus, The Lord called on Peter by his full name: Simon, Hebrew for he has heard, and son of Bar-Jona, Hebrew for son of dove, an indication of his attentiveness to the Heavenly revelation of The Father. Jesus rewarded Peter with a Blessing, and chose him to lead His sheep and feed them, not because of Peter s virtues or his vices, his achievements or his letdowns; He chose him in spite of them. Peter, native of Bethsaida, a fisherman who followed Jesus and became a fisher of men. Peter who grew more firm in his convictions and his love for The Lord, and more noticeably as His Vicar. From the Acts of the Apostles we read how after the days of The Pentecost were accomplished, Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and preached to the multitude as on with authority. The Vicar of Christ, Prince of the Apostles and the first Pope. We clearly see in Acts 15, from the synopsis of the life of the Early Church the Council of Jerusalem, Peter s authority fulfilled his absolute universal primacy over the Church Christ Himself established- The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Structure The Lord endowed His Church withstood the tests of times, first with Peter and then his successors, heading its intricate system, coherently fulfilling its purpose as a whole. Page 2 Servant of SMYLE Ministry, mks, IGiT
The Feast of the Body of Christ: Real Food Made with Divine Love The Feast of the Body of Christ is also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi; Latin for the Body of Christ. During this lovely Feast Day we celebrate the Real Presence of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The word eucharistia (Eucharist) is a Greek word meaning thanksgiving. The Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist is the ultimate sign of God s love. In the Eucharist, we have the upmost intimate and personal relationship with God where He dwells within us. This is the God of love 1 John 4:16. Where Adam and Eve have eaten of the wrong tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Genesis 2:17; 3:6-7, Jesus has allowed us to partake in the tree of life. For Christ on the Cross is the tree of life, His flesh is the fruit of the tree, and His blood is the life giving substance/juices of the fruit. When we partake of this tree of life, which is His Body and Blood, we gain eternal life and will abide in Him, and Him in us John 6:53-56. His Body is true food and His blood is true drink John 6:55. This Eucharist is a heavenly feast that we are blessed to partake in. For it is not just ordinary bread but, supernatural bread where Jesus Christ dwells Hebrews 9:2 Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in. The Eucharist is a real Sacrament and not a symbolic act on the Church. Due to this, we are to examine ourselves 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 to ensure that we are worthy partakers of this wonderful miracle of God. Nevertheless, we are to ensure ourselves that we are free of any mortal sins before partaking of the Eucharist. The pay offs will be having our venial sins forgiven, grace given to us, and having an intimate relationship with our Lord CCC: 1391-1395. Questions to ponder about: when you go up to receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament do you truly realize and act in manner knowing that you are receiving and consuming God? When Mass has ended, do you realize that your body has been made a tabernacle for our Lord? Have you been made aware, that if you are to receive the Eucharist worthily, that your body has become the Holy of Holies? Every day we are called to become closer to the Lord and become holy 1 Peter 1:16. In your own personal life, what changes can you make to help make yourself a holier person? What changes can you make to help make the Holy Eucharist a part of your daily bread Matthew 6:11? Our friend and Franciscan brother Michael Carranza, RSM, CA Page 3
Mass of The Feast of Pentecost Homily of St. John Paul II And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost Acts 2:4 Thus, it happened at Jerusalem on Pentecost. Even in our own day, as in the Upper Room at Jerusalem, a "strong wind" blows through the Church. She experiences the divine breath of the Spirit who opens her for the evangelization of the world. The light of the Holy Spirit breaks forth from the first words of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles... The intense movement of the divine Spirit precedes and accompanies the evangelizers and breaks into the souls of those who listen, while extending the confines of the Catholic Church to the ends of the earth, allowing her to traverse all the centuries of history. With these words, our Beloved Pope and Blessed Saint helped us to grasp the fact that The Church is born as missionary, because she is born of the Father who sent Christ into the world, she is born of the Son who, dead and risen, sent the Apostles to all nations, and she is born of the Holy Spirit, who pours out on them the necessary light and force to accomplish their mission. Even in her distinctive missionary dimension, the Church is the icon of the Holy Trinity: for she reflects in history the superabundant fruitfulness proper to God himself, the subsisting fount of love who generates life and communion. Come, Holy Spirit, come. Amen. Our dedication in honor of our Beloved and Blessed St. Pope John Paul II, who was canonized on April 27, 2014 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/2001/documents/hf_jpii_hom_20010603_pentecoste_en.html CCC731-732: On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ's Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person: of his fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance. On that day, the Holy Trinity is fully revealed. Since that day, the Kingdom announced by Christ has been open to those who believe in him: in the humility of the flesh and in faith, they already share in the communion of the Holy Trinity. By his coming, which never ceases, the Holy Spirit causes the world to enter into the "last days," the time of the Church, the Kingdom already inherited though not yet consummated. We have seen the true Light, we have received the heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith: we adore the indivisible Trinity, who has saved us. Page 4 Dedication on behalf of Daughters of Charity
The Ascension of The Lord And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them and was carried up to heaven. And they adoring went back into Jerusalem with great joy. And they were always in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Luke 24:50-53 To grasp what we cannot touch and believe what we cannot see, is a state of spiritual conversion- a state of spirit over the mind. Just as that of Mary Magdalene, who was the first witness to the Resurrection of The Lord, John 20:16-17. Even as that of Peter and the Disciples who were in the upper room, to whom The Lord appeared and breathed on, John 20:22. Also, as that of Thomas, the first whom The Lord allowed to touch His wounds. Even as that of Peter, whom The Lord called him by name thrice, to reaffirm his love for Him, and to feed His sheep, John 21:15-17. As well as that of the two Disciples on the way to Emmaus, being the first to whom the bread The Lord Blessed, broke, and gave, Luke 24. Even more so, as that of the eleven disciples who went into Galilee, the mountain where Jesus had appointed them to go to, so to receive the mission of Apostleship The Lord commanded, Matthew 28. To go into the world, teach all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. To observe all that He commanded them, and gave them His eternal presence, even to the consummation of the world. From the early days of The Church, approaching the Mystery of The Ascension of The Lord, the Disciples began to grasp what they could no longer touch physically, but with the spiritual understanding they were to see that The Only-begotten, Who was equal with the Father, Is now Ascended. And today, as we approach His Altar, may we also with the same spiritual understanding, perceive our Risen and Ascended Christ, with the offering of His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, to The Eternal Father. For the forgiveness of our sins, and of all mankind. In CCC666 and CCC667 we read: Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father's glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever. Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Page 5 Dedication on behalf of Daughters of Mary
The Memorial of The four Evangelists St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John The fullness of Faith given to us through our One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, is so to see that in Jesus Christ, God said everything. Through His Gospel according to The Four Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John we see Christ The Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation. In our observance to this Memorial, we will look, though in brief, into some of the main particulars of each one of the four accounts. Which is said to have been composed between 70 and 110 A.D. with most scholars preferring the period 80-90AD. It is good to remember that each of these symbols reflects on the theme of each Gospel, hence, to fully encounter our Lord, we must rely on all four Gospels. St. Matthew A Jew and an Apostle, writing for the Jews. He emphasized on the fact that Jesus was The Messiah. Highlighting Jesus entry into this world first by presenting His family lineage, and second, His Incarnation and Birth. The traditional symbol of Matthew s Gospel according to St. Irenaeus is a winged man, an evident description of Christ the son of man. St. Mark A Jew writing for Gentile believers in Rome, and is being held to have written what Peter had preached, mainly, the Galilean Ministry of Christ and the Jerusalem. The traditional symbol according to St. Irenaeus, is a winged lion, for his Gospel begins with John the Baptist, whose preaching is described as a voice crying like the roar of a lion. St. Luke A Greek physician and the companion of St. Paul. This synoptic Gospel is an account of the life and the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details events from His birth to His Ascension. The traditional symbol according to St. Irenaeus, is a winged ox. A reminder of the priestly character of our Lord and His sacrifice for our redemption. St. John A Jew and an Apostle, and the brother of James. He was the author of the Gospel. Emphasized on the Divinity of Christ The Son of God, the son of man. He began with the Divine and most deepest mysteries of God, connecting us with the deepest teachings of our Lord. For that reason, the traditional symbol according to St. Irenaeus is a rising eagle. St. Irenaeus was prompted by the images in both the OT Ezekiel 1 and the NT Revelation 4 to liken them to the four Gospel writers, because of the substance of their Gospels and their particular focus on Christ. Excerpts from Faith; my personal journey by mks IGiT Page 6
SMYLE Jr. Its Project Disciples 2014 As SMYLE Jr. kids continue learning what silent prayers and meditation mean. They began to take notice of the kneeler in our classroom, and the small journal placed on its shelf, and some have already been spending a few moments in silence, kneeling before the beautiful Crucifix in meditation, or writing their own little prayers, such as this one by Merna: Help me to be like You dear Jesus. You are All Goodness and Kindness. Jr., remember that Mass is like the Last Supper, when Jesus broke bread and drank wine with His Disciples. Jesus commanded them to do that also in order to remember Him. We are Catholics you know, and Catholics are disciples of Jesus too. So it is important for us to honor the Last Supper just as the Disciples did. Remember from CCC2181, those who miss Mass on purpose, commit a grave sin! O my, I better go now then! Jesus Is waiting for us. We are learning The Rite of The Divine Mysteries you know. Hand Sketch Arland Page 7
Thoughts and more! Celebrating our fathers and our mothers with prayers Observing the fourth commandment, Honor your father and your mother, enables us to celebrate our fathers and mothers not only on their special Days, but on each and every day. From the Catechism of our Holy Mother Church we learn all too well about the family and its order. We also learn that honoring our fathers and mothers is an act of a prayer. Through which we too may be among the witnesses of our Faith, and the recipients of The Heavenly Spiritual Fruits. For it is from within the Christian family, education in prayer begins. To my father on Father s Day Servant of SMYLE Ministry, mks, IGiT God gave mountain its strength. The tree its majesty. The summer sun its warmness. The quite sea its calmness. The night its comforting arms. The ages their wisdom. The eagle flight its power. Then God combined all these attributes. Added to them the faith as that of a mustard seed, and patience as of eternity. And when there was nothing more to add. He knew His master piece was complete. And there it was, the attributes of a loving Dad. Joceleen, SMYLE Jr. My father s reflection on the day of the Washing of the Feet Celebrating this year s Father s Day, Majed shared with us this beautiful reflection of his own father s experience, being among the twelve whose feet were washed on Passover Thursday, April 17 th, 2014. Regarding this amazing Blessing Majed s father, Mr. Ammari said: The Holy Spirit touched my heart, I felt different. I felt like I was back at the time were Jesus came to us; it felt very graceful! Majed, SMYLE Jr. For Majed and his siblings, experiencing that Holy Thursday was surely a bliss. However, to think about it during Father s Day, was an added Grace indeed. Servant of SMYLE Ministry, mks, IGiT Page 8 Saint Matthew Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church 3005 6th Street, Ceres, CA 95307 Ph: (209) 541-1660 Fax: (209) 541-3952 www.stmatthewca.org Editor in Chief: Fr. Awraha Mansoor Arabic Editor: Fr. Peter Georgis English and Aramaic Editor, Design, and Layout: Saint Matthew Media Team