5th Sunday of the year B
Evangelization and ministry of healing (1Cor 9:16; Mk.1:29-39) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The Apostle of nations declared: “Woe to me if I do not evangelize!” In principle, we all agree with him. We utter a fervent “Yes”, that is immediately followed by a “But” which almost annuls our primordial disposition. In the Middle East and elsewhere, for example in some African countries, the absence of our evangelization zeal finds refuge in the theocratic legislations that prohibit “Christian... Feb 2 2012
4th Sunday of the Year B
Like Moses, more than Moses! (Dt. 18:15; Mk. 1:21-28) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The text in Deuteronomy (18:15 and 18) that announces the coming of a “prophet like Moses, from among the people, in the midst of his brothers” was realized in Jesus, the prophet par excellence, the Word of God, the Verb incarnate who infinitely surpasses Moses, Yahweh’s interlocutor and his spokesman. It is St. Peter who gave us this univocal interpretation, inspired by the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 3, 1:20-24). As to the... Jan 25 2012
3rd Sunday of Advent Year B
Jonah: A prophet who turns a cold shoulder to God!
(Jonah 3:1ff. Mk. 1:14-20) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The first reading introduces us to Jonah, “the prophet to the pagans despite himself” who called upon the people of Nineveh to repent. They “believe in God”. Here, the verb that described the faith of Abraham is used as well האמין (cf. Gn. 15:6). The people of Nineveh fasted, repented “and renounced their evil ways”. God, in turn, “relented about the disaster... Jan 19 2012
2nd Sunday of Year B
Leave the Baptist, follow Jesus! (Jn 1:35-42) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The first reading (1Kings = 1Samuel 3:3 ff) talks about the naming of the child Samuel, a term which could also mean “the name of God upon him” (in Arabic: ism Allah aleyh اسم الله عليه). Priest Heli (Arabic “Alyy” عليّ) invites the young man to listen to the divine “vocation” and the entire accessibility: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening!” Some centuries later, a fundamentalist... Jan 12 2012
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Mt. 2:1-12)
“We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage” (By Fr. Peter Madros)
“After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea some wise men came from the east”, this first verse is somehow astounding. Actually, the initial report mentions the arrival of the Magi and the report on the birth of Jesus is subordinate, in effect secondary! One gets the impression, grammatically speaking, that the... Jan 5 2012
Unique qualities of Christianity
Unique qualities of Christianity
By Fr. Dr. Dr. Peter Madros
Chateaubriand wrote a wonderful book entitled "The genius of Christianity" (Le génie du Christianisme). He stated that it had to deal with violent and non-violent enemies who came across, as stubborn and holy opponents - on the Christian side, such as martyrs and apologists (defenders, like St Justin of Nablus in Palestine). To Chateaubriand´s mind, the worst enemies were the ones who mocked and... Jan 1 2012
the first Sunday after Christmas Solemnity of St. Mary, Mother of God
The human “parents” of the Divine Child ! (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The first day of this year is at the same time the first Sunday after Christmas, the feast of the Holy Family, the feast of the Virgin Mary, Theotokos Θεοτοκος, Mother of God, as well as the World Day for Peace. On the eighth day after Christmas, we celebrate the sacred Name of Jesus.
This concentration of the “sacred” invites and urges us, once again, to conquer... Dec 29 2011
Feast of our Lord 2011 A.D.
Feast of our Lord 2011 A.D. (Jn. 1:1 and 14; Lk. 2:1ff) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
“In the beginning was the Word”. These words by themselves announce the divinity of Christ since they reproduce, intentionally, the beginning of the Book of Genesis; “In the beginning God created heaven and earth”. The verb “was”, corresponds to the Hebrew היה hyh (Ex. 3:13ff.), talking about the Word, indicated perenniality. “And the Verb was God”. In the original, the attribute preceded... Dec 22 2011
4th Sunday of Advent year B
King of the Manger! (2 Sm. 7:16; Lk. 1:26-38)
(By Fr. Peter Madros)
The Lord foretold David that the kingdom of the sovereign will be eternal. Some think of a perceptible Davidic line that is difficult to establish during the many long centuries. Others think that it is the King-Messiah Jesus who will rule theocratically by means of a Government or an army in the Holy Land. However, the kingdom of Jesus is not “of this world”. It is spiritual in its universality and universal in its spirituality. To St.... Dec 15 2011
3rd Sunday of Advent Year B
Homage to the Precursor who bore witness! (Is. 61:1ff; Jn.1:6ff.)
(By Fr. Peter Madros)
“The spirit of Lord Yahweh is on me for Yahweh has anointed me.” That this initially seems to be about someone of a messianic “stature” entrusted with comforting a people recently arrived from the Babylonian captivity, for us Christians, this text applies to “Christ” Jesus as He Himself distinctly declared it at the Synagogue in Nazareth (Lk.4:16 and 18). The Lord “closed” the Book and... Dec 8 2011
2nd Sunday of Advent B
Prepare the ways of the Lord
(By Fr. Peter Madros)
« The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. » “The genitive “of Jesus” designates much more than the Good News “of” Christ as also it is news about His being the Beginning and the End. Certainly, this is the Good News par excellence, first proclaimed, masterly, by Jesus himself. Why do we decline to see in the word "éuaggelion"... Dec 1 2011
1st Sunday of Advent Year B
“Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down!” (Is. 63:19 ff.; 1Cor. 1:3-9; Mk13:33-37)
(By Fr. Peter Madros)
This cry of the prophet Isaiah comes as a complaint (qînah קינה), to a point of desperation, the height of irritation. Theologically and psychologically, a physical and visible descent of God was regarded impossible. We are aware of the impatience and disappointment of many of the Old Alliance people who continue to wait for the “Mashiah”. A few among them abandoned the... Nov 24 2011
34th Sunday, Year A
Feast of Christ the King - A King whose subjects are Queens and Kings! (By Fr. Peter Madros)
(1Cor: 15:20-26 and 28; Mt. 25:31-46)
In his book “The Little Prince”, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry observed that to Kings all other humans are “subjects”. In Jesus, the incarnation of the Verb (Jn.1:14), the phrase inspired by the Scripture “To serve God is to reign” is realized. We are “a people of priests, a people of Kings”, as the Prince of the Apostles has emphasized (1P... Nov 18 2011
33rd Sunday, Year A
The divine gifts that multiply (Mt. 25:14-30) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The Book of Proverbs (31:10ff.) portrays to us, in an alphabetical poem, the house mistress, the woman of value, literally “the strong woman” (אשת חיל). The portrait paints the characteristics of a wife and the ideal mother. This text balances the writings of Proverbs, which are at times so critical, if not negative, regarding the place of a woman in general (excessive line followed by many passages of the Talmud) and... Nov 11 2011
Faith and Scripture, Challenges and Responses
Challenges and Responses :: Book by: Frs. Y. H. Saadeh and P. H. Madros
Pages 160 to 166 covers:
- Sacred images (icons) and statues
- The Crucifix
- Alcohol
Download pdf file.
Nov 5 2011
32nd Sunday, Year A
The wisdom that is so becoming to virginity! (Mt. 25:1-13) (By Fr. Peter Madros)
The five “foolish” virgins do not take oil for their lamps, as opposed to the sensible ones. The lesson is evident: one is to predict the arrival, even if sudden, of the bridegroom with his retinue to take the bride home. One must be ready to stand before God when death comes and surprises us.
St. Augustine explains: the lamps filled with oil are the good deeds done with a clear conscience... Nov 3 2011
31st Sunday, Year A
In the Holy Land: Feast of Our Lady of Palestine (By Fr. P. Madros)
Marian Maternity and Spiritual Paternity
In 1929, the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem, Msgr. Barlassina, established the “Our lady of Palestine” sanctuary, in the Palestinian village of Rafat, located on the road between Jerusalem and Jaffa. The prelate entrusted the diocese and the country to the protection of the Virgin Mary, daughter of this land and mother of the faithful, also venerated by Moslems. Therefore, the... Oct 27 2011
30th Sunday Year A
Love, Summary of the Law and “definition” of God! (Mt. 21:35ff.)
(By Fr. Peter Madros)
A master of the law asked Jesus to test him in matters of the law: “Which is the great commandment in the law?” Thus, the Galilean Master had a choice to make from among 613 precepts: six hundred and eleven Mosaic commandments and the first two of the Decalogue: “No other God but Yahvé”; “Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image!” (Ex. 20:2ff.). Another trap: Is the first... Oct 20 2011
The 29th Sunday Year A
Between God and Caesar (Mt. 22:15 ff.) (By Fr. P. Madros)
The Pharisees and Herodians, irreconcilable enemies in principle, united against Jesus. Later on, the disdain for Jesus of Nazareth strongly united two indomitable adversaries: Herod Antipas and Pontius Pilate. With regard to occupation and Roman hegemony (from 63 B.C.), they held diametrically opposed stances: the Pharisees theocratically refused this pagan invasion. Herodians, vassals of Rome, approved of the Romans and willingly collaborated with... Oct 13 2011
28th Sunday Year A
A divine eternal banquet, a constant “human” rejection! (By Fr. Peter Madros)
Isaiah’s prophecy comes after a collective line, started in chapter 2:1 ff., where, all nations, and the abominable goyim shall climb up “to the Mountain of Yahvé”. Here, in Is. 25:6 ff. they will be the guests of a divine banquet, specially prepared for them! It is interesting to know how the Rabbis had interpreted and continue to interpret this last text at present. It deals with a banquet hard... Oct 6 2011
