FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
FEBRUARY 10, 2008
MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
Mon. Feb. 11 9;15am. Scott Family
Tues. Feb. 12 9:15am.
Wed. Feb. 13 9:15am.
Thurs.Feb. 14 9:15am
Fri. Feb. 15 9:15am
Sat. Feb. 16 8:30am Monica Dziadzio+
5:30pm
7:00pm Angelica De Leon+
Sun. Feb. 17 7:30am.
9:00am.
10:30am.
12:00noon Marie Moss Smith+
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK:
Angelita Sosa, Christopher Murphy, Germaine Mirzaoff, Cristina Ott, Angela Kuhns, Robert Neary, Arturo and Ana Laureano, Leonard Seigel, Bettye Purvis, Anne Wood, Genevieve Ackerman, Ryan Bethea, Barbara Enloe, Susan Martindale, Anne Reklaitis, Elizabeth Larocca, Rosemary Roberts, Minton and Alicia Francis, Mattie Parker.
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
First Reading: Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
This passage from Genesis narrates the creation of man, the temptation by the serpent, and the fall of Adam and Eve.
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19
Paul tells the Romans that Adam’s disobedience brought sin and death to the world, but Christ’s dying on the cross for us will bring us salvation and life.
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
In preparation for His ministry, Jesus goes into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days.
There He is tempted by the devil to give evidence of His miraculous powers, but Jesus resists the devil saying, “Away with you Satan! You shall do homage to the Lord your God; Him alone shall you adore.”
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
FEBRUARY 10, 2008
“If death began its reign through one man because of his offense, much more shall those who receive the overflowing grace and gift of justice live and reign through the one man Jesus Christ. To sum up, then, just as a single offense brought condemnation to all men, a single righteous act brought acquittal and life.”
Lent is all about dying and rising. We begin a time period leading to the Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising of Jesus. We wish to die to many things – sin and selfishness expressed through our pride, lust, evil desires, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth. These sins are real in our world and unfortunately in our lives. Maybe it’s been a time since we saw a list of the capital sins. Lent is the proper time to stop, look and listen and root them out of our lives.
As we do so we rise to a new life of grace in the Lord. The gift of justice speaks of my right relationship with God and with others. Jesus offers me this grace and invites me to accept this gift. The second beatitude “Blessed are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled” is directed to me, I ask forgiveness for my sins, for which I am truly sorry. I realize that they cause a separation from God and cause me great harm.
Beginning this first week of Lent I ask the grace of repentance for my sins and those of humankind and resolve to use the gift Jesus gives me for forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
“Blessed are the sorrowing, they shall be consoled.”
(May we suggest that you take this verse and repeat it as your slogan or mantra this entire week.)
LENT 2008
Pray, Proclaim and Promote the Gospel of Life. May this Grace Season of Lent find us renewed in body, soul, and spirit.
CHURCH REGULATIONS ON FASTING AND ABSTINENCE DURING LENT:
Abstinence from meat (beast or fowl) is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent.
This obligation prohibits the eating of meat, but not eggs, milk products, or condiments of any kind, even though made from animal fat. Fasting means limiting oneself to one full meal on a given day. Catholics who are 18 years of age but not 65 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
On fast days, two additional smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength. However, the two smaller meals together may not equal one full meal. Moreover, eating solid foods between meals on fast days is not permitted. However, liquids, including milk and fruit juices, are allowed. Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended.
WEEKLY OFFERTORY: February 3, $4,916.30
SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMISSION CORNER
" But if people had that deep respect for the dignity of poor people. I am sure it would be easy for them to come closer to them, and to see that they, too, are the children of God, and that they have as much right to the things of life and of love and of service as anybody else. In these times of development, everybody is in a hurry and everybody's in a rush, and on the way there people are falling down who are not able to compete. These are the ones we want to love and serve and take care of. “Mother Teresa, Praryertimes with Mother Teresa.
FOOD COLLECTION: Parishioners are reminded that every 4th Sunday of the month (February 23rd ) food donations will be accepted in the baskets provided in the vestibule of the church. Donations are for parish families in need.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS-: Every Friday during Lent we have the Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm in English and 7:30pm in Spanish in the church.
Don’t forget, “The Light is On for You”, on Wednesday nights from 6:30pm 8:000pm. A priest will be available for confession during that time every Wednesday night of Lent.
OUR PARISH TIMES: Please share your newsworthy events with KATIE HOLLAND, 8527 Second Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910-3378. Phone: HOME 301/495-4812, News may also be left at the Rectory. Email kh7@georgetown.edu.
BAPTISMS: Every fourth Sunday of each month after the noon Mass, or by request. For more information call the rectory at (301) 589-8616.
FAITH SHARING SCRIPTURE GROUP: The Faith-sharing scripture group meets on Thursdays at 10:00am in the religious education building. Come join fellow parishioners in reading the Sunday scripture and discussing how it applies to life today.
REFLEXIONES
TIEMPO DE CUARESMA
NUESTRA DEBIL CONDICION
“En aquel tiempo Jesús fue llevado al desierto por el Espíritu para ser tentado por el diablo>>”.
Juan Jacobo Rousseau nos dijo en “El Emilio” que cada uno de nosotros es totalmente bueno. Pero enseguida la sociedad nos corrompe. Federico Nietzsche nos asegura que somos plenamente malvados. Parece que el filósofo alemán exagera un poco las tintas.
La verdad de todo esto, se encuentra en un término medio. Somos personas con inmensa capacidad para el bien pero, a la vez, con amplias posibilidades de mal. Nuestra vida es como una película en la cual el mismo personaje se desempeña como héroe y como criminal.
El Evangelio nos presenta a Cristo tentado en el desierto por el diablo. Los evangelistas describen tres tentaciones diversas que equivalen a otras, tantas circunstancias peligrosas en la vida de cualquier mortal. Coyunturas en las que nos sentimos impulsados a abrazar el mal, apartándonos de Dios.
Convertir las piedras en pan significa vivir a ras de tierra. Sin cultivar ideales superiores. Arrojarse desde el pináculo del templo equivale a aparentar lo que no somos. Es hacer de la vida una comedia para evitar compromisos y responsabilidades. Arrodillarse ante el demonio es renunciar a la propia dignidad, dejarnos corromper, y entronizar en el corazón el ídolo de turno.
A veces la tentación no presentara unos perfiles definidos. Nos sentiremos empujados, no tanto a realizar lo ilícito cuanto a romper unos moldes, a quebrar una marca de libertad, a afirmar nuestra autonomía, para compensarnos de ciertas frustraciones inconscientes.
A veces desconocemos la tentación, pues nos dejamos llevar de todo impulso. Pero enseguida el remordimiento nos hará comprender que obramos mal.
A otros, como en el caso de Jesús, la tentación no los conducirá al pecado. Pero siempre será una prueba, una cruz, una angustia, una atracción de polos distintos, una pesada oscuridad.
Tentados de diversas maneras y concientes de nuestra débil condición, sentimos un deseo tenaz de abandonar nuestra vida ordinaria, nuestras ocupaciones y correr al desierto. Pero por extraña coincidencia, allí fue donde Cristo se encontró con el mal.
Ese desierta, es nuestra propia intimidad, nuestra soledad personal. Rilke nos dice: <<No es que el hombre este solo. Es que sencillamente es solitario. Por eso los acontecimientos más solemnes de nuestra historia transcurren siempre en nuestro desierto interior.
Sin embargo, desde nuestra pobreza, podemos invocar al Padre de los Cielos con una antigua oración de la liturgia: <<Señor, en el conflicto se para nosotros ayuda, descanso en el camino, sombra en la canícula, abrigo en el frió y en la lluvia, vehiculo en el cansancio, refugio en la adversidad y en el naufragio puerto seguro>>.
ANUNCIOS
CUARESMA 2008
Ora, y proclama el Evangelio de la vida que este tiempo de Cuaresma sea de renovación.
CONFESIONES EN ESPAÑOL: Todos los sábados de 4:30 p.m. a 5:15 p.m. en la Iglesia.
BAUTIZOS EN ESPAÑOL: Todos los bautizos en español son el cuarto sábado de cada mes. Por favor llamar a la rectoría para hacer una cita con el Padre Juan 301 589-8616.
LA LEGIÓN DE MARIA: invita a todos los feligreses de Cristo Rey a compartir este ministerio todos los sábados a las
5:00pm en el sótano de la rectoría. Para más información llame a la rectoría 301 589-8616.
GRUPO DE ORACIÓN: El Grupo de Oración de Cristo Rey se reúne todos los viernes de 7:00pm a 10: 30pm en la capilla. Todos están invitados.
SANTO VIA CRUCIS: todos los viernes durante la Cuaresma tendremos el
Santo Via Crucis a las 7:00 en ingles a las 7:30pm en español en la iglesia.