parishworks! 1Vol. 6 No. 21 August 21, 2010

Pastor’s MessageThe Narrow Gateby: Rev. Msgr. Emmanuel Suñga

SuNday GoSpel

lk 13:22-30

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Dear Parishioners:

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Our Mother Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, a foreshadowing of our own assumption wherein both body and soul we will be one with God someday. Remember our God is an Incarnated God. He became man so that man may one day be one with God. We were also reminded that by making herself lowly i.e. becoming the servant of God, was the reason why God lifted her to the highest heaven “He has cast down the mighty

website: http://www.saaparish.com and http://www.facebook.com/saaparish

August 29 is Pondo ng Pinoy Sunday. Please don’t forget to bring your properly labeled cans and offer them during the Presentation of the Gifts or bring them to the Parish Office.

august 29, Sunday

parish pastoral Council (ppC) plans for 2011(aug 13, 2010)

The meeting started with a Gospel Reading and followed by some words from our Rev. Msgr Sunga. Programs for 2011 was the main agenda and each Ministry and Sub-Parish presented their plans as well as reported some highlights of their 2010 activities.

Ed Cuenca, Coordinator for the Family and Life Ministry, is discussing Housebill 13 “An Act Providing for the Safety and Protection of the Unborn Child”. A move for a petition online and on paper is being worked on so our community can show their support for the said bill.

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from page 1... PPC Plans for 2011

august 28, Saturday

All young parishioners are invited to an afternoon of fun and friendship in the third anniversary of the Saint Andrew Youth Assembly on August 28 (Saturday), 2:00 p.m. at the Parish Jubilee Hall.

St. pius X Feast day: august 21

On June 2, 1835, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto was born at Riesi, Province of Treviso, in Venice.

Two of the most outstanding accomplishments of this saintly Pope were the inauguration of the liturgical renewal and the restoration of frequent communion from childhood. The Holy Father, presiding at the closing of the Congress in Rome, June 4, 1905, said: “I beg and implore of you all to urge the faithful to approach that Divine Sacrament. And I speak especially to you, my dear sons in the priesthood, in order that Jesus, the treasure of all the treasures of Paradise, the greatest and most precious of all the possessions of our poor desolate humanity, may not be abandoned in a manner so insulting and so ungrateful.” He also waged an unwavering war against the heresy and evils of Modernism. In 1909, Pius X, decreed the establishment in every diocese of a board of censors and of a vigilance committee whose functions are to find out and report on writings and persons tainted with the heresy of Modernism (Encyclical “Pascendi”, 8 Sept., 1907). The present-day legislation against heresy has lost nothing of its ancient severity; but the penalties on heretics are now only of the spiritual order; he also gave great impetus to biblical studies, and brought about the codification of Canon Law. His overriding concern was to renew all things in Christ.

He died on August 20, 1914. His last will and testament bears the striking sentence: “I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor.” He was canonized May 28, 1954.

In his honor, the Society of St. Pius X was established in 1970 to provide training for the Catholic priesthood in conformity with the Church’s Traditional teaching. The Society now consists of 4 Bishops, over 500 Priests, as well as Brothers and Nuns worldwide. It is runs 600 chapels in 55 countries worldwide, including the Philippines.

His feast day is August 21.

Chit de Leon, Coordinator for St. Michael the Archangel Sub-Parish (San Miguel Village), shared that one of their successful program is visiting the sick in their village with gifts coming from the villagers. She said the practice made them closer to one another.

Rev. Msgr. Sunga gets acquainted with our website www.saaparish.com and the www.facebook.com/saaparish. Photo was taken after the LC’s spiritual formation this August 21, 2010. Beside him is Christy Vasquez.

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pastor’s Messasge from page 1...

from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. (St. Luke 1: 52)

This Sunday however, the message of St. Luke in his gospel together with the other readings is teaching us how to be a true servant of God i.e. to be lowly like Mary so that we can enter through the NARROW GATE.

What is that narrow gate?

During the time of Christ, the usual question and concern of every disciple of a rabbi was the same question given to Christ in today’s gospel namely “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” The expected answer to this question was that ALL ISRAELITES, GREAT AND SMALL would have a place in the future kingdom. These would constitute THE FEW. And the great majority like the tax collectors, sinners and the gentiles would be excluded. This answer sounds very familiar for it reminds us of the many so called Christian sects and denominations today proclaiming and preaching the same answer. Their group alone will be saved while the rest will go to hell.

But to this, question Jesus gave a totally different answer: “Strive to enter through the NARROW GATE, for many I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough” (Lk. 13: 24)

Jesus’ response was so different from the expected answer to such question and must have shocked the Israelites who thought that they alone would be saved. Remember they were God’s chosen people. Jesus instead warned them and us of the “narrow gate”.

What is the meaning of “the narrow gate? The gate to the kingdom is indeed narrow as the cross. In other words the NARROW GATE IS THE CROSS. For those who cannot accept JESUS AND THE CROSS, there can be no entrance. Therefore entry into the kingdom is not guaranteed for those who cannot take up their cross and follow Jesus as the Messiah. There is a necessity to act immediately so as not to be left knocking in vain on a

closed door. The second coming can happen at any given moment. It needs a decisive action on each of us for the end may be near.

Another point to consider is favoritism. “We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets. (Lk. 13:26). There are no privileged citizens and heirs apparent to the kingdom. MERE LIP SERVICE or an uncommitted proclamation of faith cannot be a guarantee of entering the kingdom of heaven. Familiarity with Jesus cannot bring about a ready admission. It is not enough simply to have been around with Jesus. What is necessary for salvation is a committed faith that is a result of KNOWING AND BEING KNOWN BY THE LORD. Without this committed faith and personal relationship, we will be told “I do not know you, away from me, evildoers”

A story can help us to be clear in this matter.

Liamas the Lazy is given a very heavy cross to carry by the Lord. While he is carrying it on the road, he drops it and complains bitterly, “The cross is so heavy! I can’t carry it anymore.”

And so he gets a saw and cuts the cross in half in order to lessen its weight considerably. Eventually, he reaches his destination carrying only half a cross.

Seeing the Lord, he goes to him and says, “Lord, give me my reward for carrying my cross.”

The Lord takes to a place where there are many beautiful mansions. They stop in front of one of the mansions, and the Lord tells Liamas, “This is your mansion, your reward for carrying your cross.”

Liamas the Lazy excitedly enters the mansion. He is overwhelmed by confusion when he realizes that it is only half-finished.

This gospel with its powerful lessons should be a warning to the presumptuous and rattle the complacent into action.

Entry into the kingdom is not guaranteed for those who cannot take up their cross and follow Jesus as the Messiah

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Ria Salvaña Matthew LizaresParish Works StaffEllie Medina, Angelina Poe,Emilio Medina, Teresita CabralJohn David OngAnnouncements CoordinatorRochelle PinedaBulletin Board EditorEJ CarlosPowerpoint CoordinatorGing Santos, JayR PaduaContributors

Spiritual AdvisorRev. Msgr. Emmanuel Suñga

PublisherSt. Andrew the Apostle ParishN. Garcia St. cor. Kalayaan Ave.Bel-Air II, Makati CityPhones: (632) 890-1796 / 890-1743 media@saaparish.com

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Kiddie Corner21st Sunday in Ordinary time

Gospel Lk. 13:22-30

1. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

M E R J S E U A L

2. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

A M H B A A R

3. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

B J C O A

4. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ____ ____ ____

R P H T O P S E

5. ___ ___ ____ ____ ____

S C A A I

Sept 25 to 26

Married couples are invited to a “weekend experience designed to revitalize the interpersonal growth of the couple toward each other and toward God” on September 25 to 26 at the Parish Center. For inquiries, you may contact any of the following organizers:

Wina - (0917) 8326855; (02) 8964888

Jun - (0917) 8175867; (02) 8976643

Lita - (0921) 6129514; (02) 8976237

Eddie - (0917) 8951104; (02) 8951104

ANSWERS: 1.Jerusalem, 2.Abraham, 3.Jacob, 4.Prophets, 5. Isaac