IT TAKES TWO On previous Sundays Jesus has been curing people. Yet an odd thing happens in each case. He tells them, “Your faith has saved you.” Which is it? Quite obviously Jesus does the healing, so why does he say their faith did it? Why didn’t he just say “Go in peace, I have healed you”? Let us seek the answer in today’s Gospel. Jesus is in Caesarea Philippi and the disciples are just back from their mission of preaching. Jesus asks them who people think he is. The disciples laugh boyishly and repeat some answers they have heard. Obviously they regard these guesses as absurd. Something like this:

Believe it or not, some think you are John the Baptist returned from the dead! The ones I talked to said you were the prophet Elijah! It was hilarious! A few of them said you are Jeremiah or one of the other prophets! They just don’t know what to make of you.

Laughter all around. But Jesus’ question had been a curve ball, and now it crosses the plate. He says abruptly, “And what about you? Who do you say I am?” Eyes wander, feet scuff, laughter turns into a cough. The disciples’ faith is still young and perhaps they are confused about it, not to mention the fact that up to this point they have not been required to profess anything out loud. Red faces. Peter is bold, awkwardly, walking on water again, figuratively this time. He stammers out his best answer.

You … you are … uh, … yes, uh, the … the Son … you are the Christ, the Son of the living God! Silence and then nods and relief all around. “Simon, how great is your faith,” Jesus says. “Whatever you open with this faith will stay open. Whatever your faith shuts will remain shut, not only here but in heaven.” A high compliment to Peter’s tottering belief status. But does this answer the contradiction we began with? Is it Jesus or their act of faith? Jesus is always seeking a two-way liaison between himself and us, not just one-way. He wants us to have a relationship to the fullness of who he is. Besides being a charismatic leader or a good friend, he is the very reality of God’s love, present in the world, wide open to loving each of us. Therefore he wants a mutual love-relationship with you and me, one in which we open up our hearts and let Godly love in. The name of that openness to God’s love on the part of a person is “faith.” Faith. The answer is truly “Your faith has saved you.” But it is faith as an opening up to Jesus’ cures. These are never just a matter of him acting on his own, like a mechanic replacing spark plugs. They are love being given and love being received. The ones who were cured must have opened themselves and have at least a beginning relationship with Jesus as the loving Messiah. Healing is at last able to take root. So, in fact, it surely is their faith that saves them, together with the love from Jesus. The healing power of that love could never get to them unless the open heart named “faith” were finally awakened in them. Fr. John Foley, SJ, is a composer and scholar at Saint Louis University. Copyright © 2020, John B. Foley, SJ All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Holy Eucharist. I love You above all things, and

I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You are already here and unite myself

wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen . Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Most Divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine (3x)

Sheila Bacon, Joseph Gerard Borg, John Patrick, Daniel Justin O’ Carroll, Carmel Azzopardi, Donald Roy Beaton,

Muriel Teresa Ellis, Patricia Bourke, John Riggs, John Arelette, Agnes Ryan,

Tom Bonica, Caterina Bonica, John Bailey, Annie Frances Kellly, William Curtain,

Luigi Lazzari, Arthur Willett, John Patrick, Claire McCorquodale, Irene Munsey,

Yvonne Therese Blanchfield, Bill Hurley, Basil Bingham.

“Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid?” (Romans 11:35)

St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give the Lord anything - God already owns it all. God made everything. All we can do is return a portion of God’s many gifts back to Him. Sincere gratitude for our gifts opens our hearts to joyful generosity! Through your generous sharing, you just may be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Thank you for using St Timothy’s Parish Thanksgiving Online Payment Portal and for your continuing support to our parish. Our

site link is Parish Pay Portal https://secure.artezpacific.com/registrant/

TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=116521&langPref=en-CA

You may also opt to use the direct/debit facility, kindly email or call us for the Parish bank details.

LET US CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO OUR HOUSEBOUND NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS & RELATIVES. YOU CAN ALSO DONATE GOODS TO OUR ST VINCENT DE PAUT SOCIETY. CALL SVDP (1800 305 330) TO MAKE DONATION ARRANGEMENTS OR THE PARISH

OFFICE AND LEAVE A MESSAGE.

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH St Joseph, You were receptive to God working in your life. Help us by your prayers at this time of trial. You kept Jesus and Mary under your watchful care: may your prayers assist our local Church to respond to those in need. You taught the Christ Child your trade and prayers: help us to follow his

example of love. You were part of God’s plan for all humanity: assist us to be vigilant and responsible this day. You spent your life in service: may we be mindful of others, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, caring for them in these difficult days. You trusted in the clear primacy of God over all history and every situation: help us to grow in faith and pray to the Father, Thy will be done. Amen.

FEASTS OF THE WEEK

24 August - St Bartholomew

27 august - St Monica

28 August - St Augustine

29 August - The Passion of St John the Baptist GET INVOLVED

Are you able to give vulnerable families a helping hand? CatholicCare offers hope and support to the

vulnerable and marginalised, responding to the changing needs of the community with a commitment to addressing social disadvantage. The numbers of marginalised and excluded in our society are growing, and we want to reach as many in need as possible. Our supporters are vital in helping us do this. We rely on volunteers and donors to keep many of our programs alive, and we need you more than ever to make a real difference to the lives of the less fortunate in our community. What actions can you take: Volunteer, Fund Raise, Donate, Gifts in Memory. Donate: www.ccam.org.au/donate or

Call (03) 9287 5513

At St Timothy’s School Ground

6 weeks to 5 years old includes

3 and 4 Year Old Kinder

A funded Kindergarten program available

Expressions of interest are being taken.

Please call: Celine on (03) 98075208 or email at info@vermontchildcare.com.au

Online resources for daily prayer, reflection and

prayer articles are available from this website:

https://www.pray.com.au/ . You can also subscribe

to get a reminder and link of the reflections each

morning on your mobile.

JOIN FR TONY’S SUNDAY MASS AT 10:15 AM AND WEEKDAY MASSES AT 12:00 NOON LIVE STREAMING AND REPLAY AT

CATHOLIC-PARISH-OF GREATER-BOX HILL (https://www.facebook.com/GBHparish)

ON YOUTUBE:

Fr Tony continues to be present for chats, updates, counselling, queries and prayer requests. You can contact him at

tony.kerin@cam.org.au or call 9401 6371.

VIETNAMESE SUNDAY MASS AT 5:00 PM https://www.facebook.com/sttimvn

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL SUNDAY MASS

Live streamed at St Patrick’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/archmelb

Mon-Fri: 1pm, Sat: 8am, Sun:11am

Just a friendly reminder that all volunteers who access the Church while in Stage 4 restriction are required to

hold a valid working permit as well as adherence to other mandated State safety guidelines, including:

1. Face mask and sanitising 2. Hygiene and distancing regulations 3. Contact details recording

Please contact the parish office for details.

AROUND THE CHURCH—THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY

Catholic Resources : melbournecatholic.org.au; cathnews.com

PRIEST SHEDS TEARS FOR PARISHIONERS IN NURSING HOME

Melbourne priest Fr Hien Vu was moved to tears as he spoke of the news that COVID-19 had spread to a nearby nursing home where some of his parishioners live. His emotion flowed from a deep commitment to the people of his parish in inner-city Melbourne, one of Australia’s pandemic hotspots.

Ordained in Melbourne 17 years ago after having migrated from Vietnam in 1999, the 50-year-old said ministering during the pandemic was like something he could never have imagined. “We say that it’s the unknown, the unknown,” he said. He and his parishioners in Flemington and Kensington were thrust into the unknown when about 3000 people in residential towers across the area were forced into hard lockdown because of coronavirus infections in the community.

Being apart from his parishioners has been one of the hardest things for Fr Vu during the pandemic restrictions. He said it had been one of his most challenging times as a priest, and he becomes emotional talking about it. Fr Vu said he is reminding himself that this time of challenge is an opportunity “the opportunity to reveal to see who we are and why we are here, and how we can take and make this challenge”.

HOSPITALS ORDERED TO TREAT OLDER CORONAVIRUS SUFFERERS

Health Minister Greg Hunt insists hospitals must admit infected COVID-19 patients who require clinical care regardless of age, following concerns older Australians are being sedated and left to languish in nursing homes.

Mr Hunt said he had made “absolutely clear” what was expected of the state health systems and already received assurances from the Victorian Government that any infected aged-care resident with a clinical need would be treated in hospital.

The deal comes as the Morrison Government was forced to send health authorities to take over two aged-care facilities in Victoria in a bid to avoid another nursing home disaster, following claims frail residents were being abandoned as the pathogen swept through aged-care homes.

The increasing number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the state’s nursing homes is intensifying pressure on the federal Government, which has responsibility for aged care. There have been more than 200 deaths linked to the state’s aged-care sector, with 2075 active cases.

POPE: PRAY FOR UNEMPLOYED, FOR DIALOGUE, FOR PEACE

People should not forget those who are suffering because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis said after reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors in St Peter’s Square on Sunday.

The Pope’s call for prayers for those who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic was just one of several public appeals he made at the weekend.

Marking the feast of the Assumption of Mary on Saturday and referring to Our Lady under the title “Mother of Hope,” he encouraged people to “invoke her intercession for all the situations in the world that are most in need of hope: hope for peace, for justice, hope for a dignified life.”

The Pope drew attention to the people of northern Nigeria suffering because of “violence and terrorist attacks” both by suspected members of Boko Haram and other fundamentalist groups and by gangs of “bandits” who are terrorising villages and farms, stealing cattle and murdering people.

Pope Francis also said he is “following with particular attention the situation of the difficult negotiations regarding the Nile between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. I invite all parties to continue on the path of dialogue so that the ‘Eternal River’ might continue to be a source of life that unites, not divides, that always nourishes friendship, prosperity, fraternity and never enmity, misunderstanding or conflict.”

At the midday Angelus gathering on Sunday, Pope Francis said he was continuing to pray for Lebanon, still reeling from the massive explosion on August 4 at Beirut’s port, “and for other dramatic situations in the world that are causing people to suffer.”

WEBINAR WILL HELP PARISHES USE DATA TO SHAPE MINISTRY

People engaged in parish ministry are being encouraged to attend a webinar next week to help understand how data from the 2016 Australian Census can inform the way they support their local communities. Source: ACBC Media Blog. In June, the National Centre for Pastoral Research published social profiles on almost 1300 Catholic parishes across Australia. Each profile looks in great detail at the demographic makeup of those living within a parish’s boundaries, according to the 2016 Census, particularly those who identified as Catholic. The reports provide statistics on a range of measures, including age, sex, country of birth, the language people speak at home, the makeup of their families and households, income levels, employment status and educational background. Trudy Dantis, director of the National Centre for Pastoral Research, said the webinar will invite people to translate statistical data in those profiles into pastoral plans relevant to a local context. “The great power of these profiles is knowing how you can most effectively minister to the community in which your parish is located,” Ms Dantis said.

The 25 August webinar, “Knowing the community whom we are called to serve”, will be hosted by the Pastoral Ministry Network, formerly the NSW Association of Pastors, Pastoral Associates and Parish Workers (NAPPA). Details: Knowing the community whom we are called to Serve webinar Email: ncpr@catholic.org.au or call (02) 6201 9812 St Timothy ‘s Parish Social Profile : (root:https://ncpr.catholic.org.au/2016-Parish-Social-Profiles/12-Melbourne/Forest%20Hill.pdf

INTRODUCTION: The question that Jesus asks the disciples is a question he asks of all of us. How we answer that question reflects our relationship with Jesus. But more importantly, how we answer that question reflects the way we live our life in response to who we believe Jesus to be. If we truly say that we believe in Jesus as the Son of God, then how do we live our lives in such a way that we act on that belief? PENITENTIAL RITE:

FIRST READING: Isaiah 22: 19-23

Thus says the Lord of hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace: I dismiss you from your office, I remove you from your post, and the same day I call on my Servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. I invest him with your robe, gird him with your sash, entrust him with your authority; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the House of Judah. I place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; should he open, no one shall close, should he close, no one shall open. I drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a throne of glory for his father's house.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM :

Response: Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands. 1. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth. Before the angels I will bless you. I will adore before your holy temple. (R.) 2. I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you. On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul. (R.) 3. The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly and the haughty he knows from afar. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands. (R.)

SECOND READING: Rom ans 11: 33-36

How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:

Alleluia! Alleluia! You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church; the gates of hell will not hold out against it. Alleluia!

GOSPEL : Matthew 16: 13-20 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Lord Jesus, you have built your Church on a firm foundation .

Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, your love is eternal. Christ, have mercy: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the Christ the son of the living God. Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.

Next Week: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 7-9; Second Reading: Romans 12: 1-2

Gospel: Matthew : 16: 21-27