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Copyright. Do not reproduce without permission. © Redemptorist Pastoral Publications, P O Box 341, Merrivale, 3291. Phone 087 808 2369. Fax 086 545 4381. Email: janet@rpp.org.za. Internet: www.rpp.org.za. Printed by Paarl Media.

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SUNDAY MASSENTRANCE ANTIPHON:Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me; save the servant who trusts in you, my God. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 22:19-23.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 138.

RESPONSE:O Lord, your merciful love is eternal; discard not the work of your hands.

1. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I praise you. I bow down towards your holy temple. ℟2. I give thanks to your name for your merciful love and your faithfulness. You have exalted your name and your promise

over all. On the day I called, you answered me; you increased the strength of my soul. ℟3. The Lord is high, yet he looks on the lowly, and the haughty he knows from afar. O Lord, your merciful love is eternal; discard not the work of your hands.℟SECOND READING: Romans 11:33-36.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:Alleluia, alleluia! You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-20

COMMUNION ANTIPHON:The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord; you bring forth bread from the earth, and wine to cheer the heart.

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❈CHUR C H OF TH E WOR D

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A Divine Offi ce: Week I 23 August 2020

The Gospel of Matthew

St Matthew and the Angel by Guido Reni, painting in the Vatican Museum

As days have merged into weeks, weeks into months, Catholic Link has sought to inspire its readers to find deeper

meaning in the Word of God, whether studied and prayed at home as families, or through virtual groups. All the Link can hope to do is provide brush-stroke sketches of the books of the Bible with a view to encouraging readers to “tolle, lege” – the famous words which St Augustine heard that led to his conversion to Christ: “take up, read.”

Having looked at the Pentateuch, Prophets, P sa lms and W i sdom Literature of the Old Testament, we now move into the New Testament, b e g i n n i n g w i t h t h e Gospels. Nothing can replace personal reading of the Bible. As you know, the second page of Catholic Link always provides a list of the readings for the whole week. By default, there is a Gospel passage every day.

The Gospels are unique in literature. They are not biographical, and they are not historical narrative, although they have elements of both. Their purpose is theological – a message from God. Each Gospel highlights a particular aspect of God’s revelation in Christ.

We start with Matthew. What is his focus? His target audience gives the clue. Based in Antioch, the capital of the Roman province of Syria with a mixed population of Greek-speaking Gentiles and Jews, Matthew addresses the tensions between Jewish and Gentile Christians there. The church of Matthew, originally mainly Jewish Christian, had become one in which Gentile Christians were predominant. So, Matthew sets out to reassure Jewish-born Christians of the continuity between the Mosaic Law and the Law of Christ. In fact, Jesus, in Matthew’s version of the sermon on the Mount (See

Matthew 5 – 7), takes the Law a notch higher: “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you…”. Signifi cantly, the concluding thoughts of Matthew’s Gospel have the instruction to the disciples: “Teach [people] to observe all the

commands I gave you…” (28:20a).

M a t t h e w ’ s G o s p e l shows connections with the Pentateuch (the fi rst five books of the Bible, see Catholic Link of 12 July). It is divided into f i ve themat i c un i t s , marked by the recurrent phrase, “…when Jesus had finished these things…“ (7:28 / 11:1 / 13:53 / 19:1 / 26:1). In this way, Matthew portrays Jesus as the “new Moses”. Matthew often speaks of the “fulfi lment” in Christ of the Old Testament prophecies.

For personal study pu rposes , t he ma in sections of the Gospel according to Matthew are:

1. The Infancy Narrative (1:1–2:23)2. The Proclamation of the Kingdom (3:1–

7:29)3. Ministry and Mission in Galilee (8:1–11:1)4. Opposition from Israel (11:2–13:53)5. Jesus, the Kingdom, and the Church

(13:54–18:35)6. Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem (19:1–

25:46)7. The Passion and Resurrection (26:1–28:20)The wonderful thing Matthew shows about

Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom is that it is done both in word (often parables) and in action (miracles of healing). But the greatest “action” of all is that of Jesus himself in the gift of his life, through love and obedience to the Father, for the salvation of the world.

The fi nal verse of Matthew’s Gospel fi lls us with hope: “And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (28:20b).

Live the Word T H E W E E K A H E A D

(KEY: SOLEMNITY; FEAST; Memorial; (Optional Memorial)A=Apostle; Pr=Priest; B=Bishop; D=Doctor

Mon 24 Aug ST BARTHOLOMEW, ARevelations 21:9-14; Psalm 145; John 1:45-51Today's readings remind us that God's kingdom is an 'ultimate aim' and 'all around', both 'now' and 'not yet'. If we listen deeply to the Spirit, we can catch glimpses of God's kingdom surrounding us.

Sun 30 Aug 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEJeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63; Matthew 16:21-27What is intimacy with God? It means we have a deep personal relationship with God. In today's fi rst reading and psalm we fi nd honesty and deep passion. Pray these readings quietly with God.

Sat 29 Aug Passion of St John the BaptistJeremiah 1:17-19; Psalm 71; Mark 6:17-29There are many small and fearful people in today's world who aggressively attack people of faith. They may call us naïve, uneducated, or worse. But we press on nonetheless, blessed to be fools for Christ.

Fri 28 Aug St Augustine, BD1 Corinthians 1:17-25; Psalm 33; Matthew 25:1-13When Jesus breaks into my busy life through a tragic story or in the voice of a family member needing my listening ear, am I awake? Do I meet the Bride-groom willingly, with all my gifts and all my will?

Thu 27 Aug St Monica 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Psalm 145; Matthew 24:42-51

Nearly all living things must be attentive in order to seize their prey. Humans, however, are easily distracted, but if we look deeply and clearly we will fi nd the Lord in the most unikely people and events.

Wed 26 Aug Liturgy of the Day2 Thess. 3:6-10.16-18; Psalm 128; Matthew 23:27-32Introspection can sometimes reveal that we do God's will for our own ends, and not for God's. Even holy people can fi nd it diffi cult to have their self-idolatry rooted out. My God, teach me to love you above all.

Tue 25 Aug (St Joseph of Calasanz, Pr) 2 Thess. 2:1-3.14-17; Psalm 96; Matthew 23:23-26A gnat is tiny compared to a camel. Jesus uses this wonderfully humorous image to point out how easily we focus on relatively minor matters while neglect-ing the essential principles of mercy and justice.

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Order from our website www.rpp.org.za or email orders@rpp.org.za

This is a revised edition of the e v e r- p o p u l a r R e d e m p t o r i s t Pastoral Publication, “Learn to Pray: Discovering different forms of prayer.” The title itself evokes the incident in the Gospels where the disciples petitioned Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray!”

Th roughou t t h e Ch r i s t i a n centuries, subsequent disciples of Jesus have also wanted to learn how to pray, and have developed different techniques of praying. This booklet gathers together some of the many different possible ways of praying.

LEARN TO PRAY

A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication

Revised Edition

The lotus flower is a universal symbol of prayer: its beauty, stillness, and centred-ness speak of the praise we give to God. Its many petals, all reaching upward and outward, speak of the many forms of prayer available to us.

This booklet is a second printing, with revisions, of the ever-popular Redemptorist Pastoral Publication, “Learn to Pray: Discovering different forms of prayer.” The title itself evokes the incident in the Gospels where the disciples petitioned Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray!”

Throughout the Christian centuries, subsequent disciples of Jesus have also wanted to learn how to pray, and have developed different techniques of praying. This booklet gathers together some of the many different possible ways of praying. May God lead you gently into discovering the kind of prayer that best suits your personality and your needs!

Order from our website www.rpp.org.za or email

R40 plus postage

Date Intentions

Sunday 23rd

09h00 18h00

21st Sunday of the Year Rosary & Prayer

Missa pro Populo

Monday 24th

08h00 18h00

St Bartholomew Rosary & Prayer

Ernst (Andy) Kapp RIP

Tuesday 25th 08h00 18h00

Mass of the Day Prayer & Rosary

Clyde Mountford

Wednesday 26th 08h00 18h00

Mass of the Day Prayer & Rosary

Riccardo Dell’Erba RIP

Thursday 27th 08h00 18h00

St Monica Prayer & Rosary

Mortuary List

Friday 28th 08h00 18h00

St Augustin Prayer & Rosary

Mortuary List

Saturday 29th 09h00 18h00

Passion of St John the Baptist Prayer & Rosary

Fr Declan Doherty

CONFESSION BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Birthdays and Anniversaries this week * Birthday ∞ Marriages † In Remembrance

Sunday 23rd *Jai Clifford-Holmes †Iris Myburgh †Tony McLoughlin

Monday 24th *Agostina Fabio *Gaudi Stipinovich †Ernst (Andy) Kapp

Tuesday 25th *Beth Ann Torocsik *Ryan Seebregts †Riccardo Dell’Erba

Wednesday 26th *Lee-Ann Manas *Marie Robertson †James Southworth †Joan Underwood

Thursday 27th ∞Joe & Fiona Viglietti

Friday 28th *Martin Killick *Nigel Matthews *Patricia McKenzie

Saturday 29th *Joy Brady *Peter Gibbs *Olivia Whitney

Prayer Intentions: For all in need of our prayers and their families: William De Villiers, Elaine Urry, Margaret Savage, Allen Galvin, Andrew J Spiers, Cecco Giovannini, Deolinda & Egidio Gouveia.

Reflection:

Each of us must make our own personal discovery of Jesus and answer the living question: "Who do you say I am ?"

It's WE not HE who's judged by our answer. Salvation is a personal affair. It really doesn't matter what other people think because when we stand before God, WE STAND ALONE.

Richard

21st Sunday of the Year A 23th August 2020

4 Price Drive, P O Box 161, Constantia 7848 Office Phone: 021 794 5185 Gate: 082 433 4957 Email : materecl@constantiacatholic.co.za : parishpriest@constantiacatholic.co.za Website : www.constantiacatholic.co.za Parish Priest: Rev Fr Robert Bissell Deacon: Rev Dcn Michael Brooks Secretaries: Deborah Jordan / Vivien Cones Office Hours: Weekdays 08h30-13h00

Bank Details: Constantia Catholic Church | Standard Bank: Branch 025 309 | Current Account No 07 169 8965

Mass Intentions will continue as requested, except for Sundays, as Father Robert is required to offer this Mass pro Populo (for the people). If you wish to have Mass said for a special intention, please email the office with your request. You may EFT or Snapscan your donation and simply use reference: MASS INTENTION <your name> <preferred day>. Thank you.

HUNGER Is Real Fund

Initiated by our parish in this time of crisis, this is a long-term project to alleviate the very real and ongoing need in our surrounding areas. Please contribute by EFT into the Parish Account - details at the bottom of this page - reference: HUNGER.

To all those who have made donations and continue to do so, a huge thank you for your amazing generosity.

Prayer and Reflection

During lockdown a prayer and reflection will be presented every Wednesday by Archbishop Brislin, and every Friday by Bishop David OMI. Available on Archdiocese of Cape Town’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Our mission is to be a welcoming and evangelising Catholic community, striving, with the grace of the Holy Spirit,

to know, love and serve God more, as disciples of Jesus Christ.

COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

As all our public Masses, Services and events are cancelled until further notice due to the national Covid-19 lockdown, our prayers and worship continue online and at home.

• Constantia Catholic on YouTube: All our Masses and services will be live-streamed. Please use this link to join: https://bit.ly/YouTubeConstantiaCatholic

• ZOOM: To join Father's Prayer meetings, use this link to join meeting on ZOOM:

• New Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4358352419?pwd=MFR5MkdSWlQzTmR6ZGZxcThCYk9YUT09

• Please see our emailers for regular updates.

Level 2 Lockdown Re-Opening Places Of Worship

All updates and developments will be emailed to our parishioners and posted on our website.

THEOLOGY CLASS ESCHATOLOGY: The Study of the Last Things

Thurs, September 3 @7:00 pm

Our next Theology Class will be via Zoom on THURSDAY, 03 September. To register for this Zoom meeting, please see email sent last week. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom link via email. All most welcome!

Message from Fr Declan Doherty

Fr Declan sends his grateful thanks for the many messages, emails and phone calls received from Constantia parishioners congratulating him on his 85th birthday and thanking him for his 60 years of service to the Church. God bless you all.

“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”

― St. Francis of Assisi