17 September 2017

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ecclesiasticus 27:30 – 28:7
Ps 102
Rom 14:7-9
The Gospel of Matthew 18:21- 35

Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.

‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time,” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me,” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’

Mercy Towards our Fellow Servants

See the exuberance of heavenly love! The servant asked only a brief respite, but he gives him more than he had asked a full remittance and cancelling of the whole debt. He was minded to have forgiven him from the very first, but he would not have it to be of his own mere motion, but also of the other’s suit, that he might not depart without a gift. But he did not remit the debt till he had taken account, because he would have him know how great debts he set him free of, that by this he should at the least be made more merciful to his fellow servants.

And indeed as far as what has gone he was worthy to be accepted; for he made confession, and promised that he would pay the debt, and fell down and begged, and confessed the greatness of his debt. But his after deeds were unworthy of the former, for it follows, “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants which owed him a hundred denarii.”

But there is as great difference between sins committed against men, and sins committed against God, as between ten thousand talents and a hundred denarii; yea rather there is still greater difference. This appears from the difference of the persons, and from the fewness of the offenders. For when we are seen of man we withhold and are loath to sin, but we cease not daily though God see us, but act and speak all things fearlessly. Not by this only are our sins against God shown to be more heinous, but also by reason of the benefits which we have received from Him; He gave us being, and has done all things in our behalf, has breathed into us a rational soul, has sent His Son, has opened heaven to us, and made us His sons. If then we should every day die for Him, could we make Him any worthy return? By no means; it should rather redound again to our advantage. But, on the contrary, we offend against His laws.
St. John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea

Saints of the week
Tue 19 Saint Januarius, Bishop, Martyr  
Wed 20 Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs 
Thu 21 Saint Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist Feast 
Sat 23 Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina 

Psalter Week IV

Next Sunday’s Readings
Isaiah 55:6-9
Psalm 144:2-3, 8-9, 17-18
Philippians 1:20-24, 27
Matthew 20:1-16

AMH FUNDRAISING: Sunday 24th Sept. €2 Money Trail. At Paphos Harbour. From 9 am until 5 pm. Let’s defeat the last year’s € 2,800- Fantastic donation to kick start the event. Thank you to Mr and Mrs Whitehouse and A. Mandziak Estate Agency Limited (Daryl & Anna). Volunteers are needed. Contact Linda 99562387.

Trip To FAMAGUSTA, 11/10/17. Departure 8 am. Visit to St. Barnabas Monastery. The cost is € 32- Call Mona: 99494140 or Linda: 99563287

Latin Parish Hall is available for hire 8.50€ per/ h. For details contact Mon to Fr, 9am to1pm Dave White 96374108 or Fr.Jim 9793169.

Parish Autumn BBQ, 8th Octotber at LPHall. (sugted dotion 10€) Big Raffle and take a book. If coming please put your name on list in church or let Fr. Jim know; not later than Wed 4th Oct. Thank you.

Closing of Parish Hall LIbrary. If you would like to take, for free, any of the books from the library come to the “book giveaway” on Saturday 14 Oct., from 10.30 to 12midday. At the Latin Parish hall. Tea and coffee available

Blessing of animals Wednesday October 4th Feast of St. Francis, at 4pm in grounds of AK.

CARITAS PAPHOS currently needs:

• Nοn-perishable food to help about 40 households weekly.  
• Computer whiz -Teachers -Transportation. Prayers and donations always help and are welcome! Contact Wendy Burdon 99 040294.

CARITAS PAPHOS needs your prayers and support!

Archangel Michael Hospice: Volunteers needed in the areas of reception, nursing assistants and cafeteria. Contact Mona (99 494 140).

Mass Times HERE