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Without Christ, Without Direction

4th Sunday of Easter

“We are his people, the sheep of his flock.”Ps. 100

It’s quite understandable that Jesus wept over Jerusalem for not having welcomed the message that would lead them to peace, nor the messenger who came to be the way, the truth, and the life. Similarly, in another passage, He says He had compassion on them because they were wandering like sheep without a shepherd. Today, we see this reality more clearly than ever; every day we witness new madness, new foolishness invented and carried out by people who have no knowledge of God, as if they had no head or any sense at all.

This reminds us that we were expelled from paradise when we took the side of the devil, choosing to believe the devil over God. As a result, we suffer the dramatic consequences of being born with zero knowledge, with tendencies toward foolishness and every kind of sin, with the devil’s audacity to rebel against God and disobey Him as if we knew better than He does–so easily deceived by the devil and the world as we walk the path to hell, prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:31), if we do not accept the path that Christ came to offer, which leads to salvation (Jn 14:6).

In other words, it’s not that God may condemn us–we are already condemned to the extent that we disobey Him and do not believe in Him as the way to salvation (Jn 3:18), for we are already on the path of condemnation, following the devil and choosing the path of disobedience that the devil took. The decision to receive or reject God’s salvation is in our hands, depending on whether we choose to listen to Him and follow Him or not. My sheep hear my voice and follow me.

“You say: ‘I am rich; I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and ointment to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant to sit with me on my throne…”Revelation 3:17

Jesus came to save us. He wants us to let Him in, to allow ourselves to be loved and saved by Him, to be part of His flock who hear His voice and follow Him, for He is the only way that can lead us to eternal life. We should not trust our human foolishness, which thinks one thing one day and another the next, from its partial knowledge. He deserves our complete trust. The more we obey Him, the less we will suffer and the better we will live—even now—His kingdom of love, joy, and peace within ourselves.

Retreat, Explained!

Spiritual retreats are an act of removing oneself from one’s daily life for a period of prayer and reflection, with the intent of returning to that daily life transformed.

It was Christ himself who was the greatest and earliest advocate of spiritual retreat. In the Gospels, he is constantly depicted as withdrawing from other people to be alone in prayer. Likewise, participants in a modern retreat most often go somewhere like a retreat center to seek silence, solitude and communion with God. There are many different varieties of retreats; they can be guided and take place in a group setting, or they can be undertaken alone by just one person. Some are focused on a specific topic or theme; some are defined by periods of total silence. Though clerics are compelled by canon law to go on retreat regularly, all faithful are encouraged to make retreat part of their spiritual life.

Prayer for Mothers

Heavenly Father,
from the beginning you have chosen to entrust the human person to mothers in a special way.
We thank and praise you for the gift of mothers; for their tenderness, care, and compassion, for their intuition and encouragement, for commitment and sacrifice.
Bless all mothers this day. Keep, strengthen, and refresh them in your loving care.
May they be blessed by our open-hearted love and gratitude.
Amen.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Acts 13:14, 43-52/Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5 (3c)/Rv 7:9, 14b-17/Jn 10:27-30
Monday: Acts 11:1-18/Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4/Jn 10:1-10
Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26/Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7/Jn 10:22-30
Wednesday: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26/Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8/Jn 15:9-17
Thursday: Acts 13:13-25/Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27/Jn 13:16-20
Friday: Acts 13:26-33/Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab/Jn 14:1-6
Saturday: Acts 13:44-52/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4/Jn 14:7-14
Next Sunday: Acts 14:21-27/Ps 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13 (see 1)/Rv 21:1-5a/Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 4th Sunday of Easter; World Day of Prayer for Vocations; Mother’s Day
Monday: Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs; St. Pancras, Martyr
Tuesday: Our Lady of Fatima
Wednesday: St. Matthias, Apostle
Thursday: St. Isidore
Saturday: Armed Forces Day
Next Sunday: 5th Sunday of Easter

News for May



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Did You Know?

What to do if a child discloses abuse

If a child tells you about sexual abuse, the first and most important step to take is to listen to him or her. Let the child fully express the situation and how he or she is feeling. It’s important to be aware that children may not always disclose abuse in clear terms. Let the child know that you are listening, and that you believe him or her. Remind him or her of how brave it is to disclose this, and that you will help. Report any suspicion of abuse to authorities. For more tips, visit https://lacatholics.org/reporting-child-abuse/ and read the VIRTUS® article “When a Child Discloses” at https://virtusonline.org/virtus/free_article.cfm?free_articles_id=1673/.

Where Are We Going?

3rd Sunday of Easter

“I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”Ps. 30

This is the fundamental question of our life in this world, and many people neither know it nor want to know it. They close themselves off from believing that we are headed somewhere, that this life has a purpose and a goal worth pursuing, and so they wander aimlessly, with no reason to live.

The main topic that should be taught from an early age is where we are going, what happens after death-which can come at any age-what the purpose of life on this earth is. Only then can we truly fulfill it.

How can we walk correctly toward our destination if we don’t even know where it is, or whether we’re supposed to be walking toward somewhere at all? This is the sad reality of modern man, who has ignored what God Himself came to reveal to us-the path that leads to the Father, to the paradise our soul longs for.

If we understand what this life is about, we can walk the right path, and maybe we’ll do our best to reach our eternal destination. If someone knows the objective of a game and the rules of the game, it’s possible they might win it. But if they don’t know the rules, or what the game is even about, they won’t be able to play-they’ll just be getting in the way or committing serious fouls, like someone entering a soccer field without the faintest idea of what it’s about.

That’s how many people are in this world —with no idea why they’re here or what for. They don’t even know the basic rules of life, so they constantly break them. Many end up in jail because they don’t even know how to live with others. Others take their own lives because they don’t understand anything about what they’re supposed to do on this earth, nor do they believe there’s any purpose or meaning to life. What a contrast with Jesus, who gave His life to give us Life, and with the apostles, who were persecuted like Christ and yet were happy to suffer for Him-even to the point of giving their lives, just as He did -like thousands of saints throughout the centuries.

From a young age, more important than teaching the things of this world, the first and most essential thing would be to teach about God-our origin and our destiny, our Creator and Father, our final destination, our entrance into eternal life, our reason for being in this world. What good is it to teach children how to use gadgets and entertainment, to study history, math, and things most kids don’t even care about, if we don’t first tell them the fundamentals they need to know-the answers to life’s unavoidable questions: Where do I come from? Why am I here? What is the meaning and purpose of my life in this world? Where are we going? What happens after death?

This was the cry of a group of young representatives before the UN: “You’ve taught us many things, you’ve given us careers, studies, wealth, progress, technology, etc., but you haven’t taught us the ‘why’ of it all-why we should even want to know all this.” Many still live without purpose, searching for meaning in everything they see in the world-and still not finding it, because it’s not in this world, but in what comes next.

When we know that we are citizens of heaven, that we are just passing through here, we enter the path of life in order to reach our final destination -to set our hearts on the treasures of heaven, and not those of the earth.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (2a)/Rv 5:11-14/Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14
Monday: Acts 6:8-15/Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30/Jn 6:22-29
Tuesday: Acts 7:51-8:1a/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab Jn 6:30-35
Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8/Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a/Jn 6:35-40
Thursday: Acts 8:26-40/Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20/Jn 6:44-51
Friday: Acts 9:1-20/Ps 117:1bc, 2/Jn 6:52-59
Saturday: Acts 9:31-42/Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17/Jn 6:60-69
Next Sunday: Acts 13:14, 43-52/Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5 (3c)/Rv 7:9, 14b-17/Jn 10:27-30

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Easter
Monday: Cinco de Mayo
Saturday: St. John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the Church; St. Damien de Veuster, Priest
Next Sunday: 4th Sunday of Easter; World Day of Prayer for Vocations; Mother’s Day

The Obedience of Faith

2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.”Ps. 118

“It is through Him that we have received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for the sake of His name.”Romans 1:5

Jesus was very clear in showing us that the path He came to offer us—to leave the ranks of the devil and enter those of God, thus recovering paradise-is the path of obedience. Just as Adam and Eve chose the path of the devil-of pride, of making themselves gods, and trusting more in themselves than in God, thereby losing the paradise they had in communion with Him—Mary already foreshadowed the path to recover paradise, which is obedience, as we see in her, in Joseph, in Jesus, and in all the saints.

All the teaching of the Gospels could be said to be summed up in this fruit, for the faith that gives us eternal life and which Jesus came to awaken in us is absolute trust in God, which we see sublimely in Christ, even unto death on a cross: “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not my will but yours be done.” The Risen One commands us: Do not be unbelieving but believe. Blessed is the one who believes.

Mary expressed it clearly from the very beginning: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” That is the trust that puts us on God’s side and gives us eternal life. That is why this is the very purpose of Christ’s coming. He came to give us the opportunity to choose differently than Adam and Eve, to leave the path of condemnation to which sin leads us, so that we may recover paradise by taking God’s side. As He asks us when revealing His Divine Mercy: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU. The mercy and love of God are received through faith-that is, by trusting in Him.

If we do not obey, we are not Christians, nor have we taken God’s side, even if our ideas somewhat align with those of Jesus, even if we enjoy listening to Him and going to Mass. Herod also liked listening to John the Baptist, but he did not change. We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are doing well because we say “Lord, Lord,” or because we listen to His word, but if we do not put it into practice, we are on the path to destruction, as Jesus clearly states in Matthew 7:21 and following.

We do not belong to ourselves—we have an owner. To be a disciple of Christ is to be His, to be one of His sheep.

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand…”John 10:27

Those who are consecrated take vows of obedience, thus ensuring that we abandon ourselves in order to follow Jesus. Every Christian should live in obedience to God through the Church and through concrete people, for the same purpose. Otherwise, it is very easy for the ego to get its way and refuse to submit to anyone but itself, thus depriving itself of living in the Kingdom of God.

“Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth for a sincere love…”1 Peter 1:22

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”Ephesians 5:6

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Acts 5:12-16/Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (1)/Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19/Jn 20:19-31
Monday: Acts 4:23-31/Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9/Jn 3:1-8
Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37/Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5/Jn 3:7b-15
Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26/Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9/Jn 3:16-21
Thursday: Acts 5:27-33/Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20/Jn 3:31-36
Friday: Acts 5:34-42/Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14/Jn 6:1-15
Saturday: 1 Cor 15:1-8/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5/Jn 14:6-14
Next Sunday: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (2a)/ Rv 5:11-14/Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)
Monday: St. Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr; St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest
Tuesday: St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Wednesday: St. Pius V, Pope
Thursday: St. Joseph the Worker; National Day of Prayer
Friday: Sts. Philip and James, Apostles
Next Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Easter

The Risen Christ Makes Us A New Creation

Easter Sunday

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”Ps. 118

Jesus did not come just to teach us to be better people, kinder, or even more charitable or sacrificial, nor to give us a moral code to follow. Christ came to make us new creatures, to divinize us, to make us children of God. This does not happen merely by following morality or even religious practices; it happens when we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit through faith and allow ourselves to be guided by Him, letting Him be our soul, our light, and our guide.

We cease to belong to ourselves and belong to Him. We stop commanding ourselves and doing our own will to instead do the will of God. We stop living for ourselves and begin to live for Him in everything: our way of seeing, thinking, loving; our criteria for judging, speaking, asking, spending. Our priorities and desires are no longer those we would have humanly; they have changed and been completely transformed by the light of Christ, which gives us the Gospel and the guidance of His Spirit.

The Christian life is, therefore, a new life in which one seeks not one’s own will but the will of God, not what pleases oneself but what pleases God, with the conviction that this is what is best for oneself and for others. Thus, the Christian is a gift from God to the world. So much does He love the world that He sends you, as His child, to be light and salt, to radiate His wisdom and love through various works of charity, according to the gifts each person receives from the Holy Spirit.

This is made very clear in many passages:

“That those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again for them… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, everything has become new. And all this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ… We are therefore ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God!”2 Corinthians 5:15ff

“If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”Romans 14:8

We are citizens of heaven, fellow citizens with the saints, members of His body. Christ came to reconcile us with God, to bring us into communion with Him, not merely to give us a moral code for better behavior. He came so that we might pass from death to life, from being without God to having Him as our soul and life.

“If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”Colossians 3

Seven Sorrows of Mary

The Seven Sorrows of Mary refer to seven key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in Jerusalem, the meeting of Jesus and Mary as he carried his cross to Calvary, the Crucifixion and death of Jesus, the removal of the Body of Christ from the cross, and the burial of Jesus.

These events illustrate the great suffering endured by Our Lord and his Blessed Mother, and remind Christians to unite our own sufferings with those of Jesus, following Mary’s perfect example.

Devotion to the sorrows of Mary dates to the early centuries of Christianity, with such proponents as St. Ephrem, St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Bridget of Sweden.

The Seven Sorrows devotion can take the form of seven Hail Marys, seven Rosaries or a novena, all recited while meditating upon the individual sorrows.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 (24)/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8/Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12
Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11/Mt 28:8-15
Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41/Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22/Jn 20:11-18
Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10/Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9/Lk 24:13-35
Thursday: Acts 3:11-26/Ps 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9/Lk 24:35-48
Friday: Acts 4:1-12/Ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a/Jn 21:1-14
Saturday: Acts 4:13-21/Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21/Mk 16:9-15
Next Sunday: Acts 5:12-16/Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 (1)/Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19/Jn 20:19-31

Observances for the Week

Sunday: Easter Sunday
Monday: Monday within the Octave of Easter
Tuesday: Tuesday within the Octave of Easter; Earth Day
Wednesday: Wednesday within the Octave of Easter; Administrative Professionals’ Day
Thursday: Thursday within the Octave of Easter
Friday: Friday within the Octave of Easter; Arbor Day
Saturday: Saturday within the Octave of Easter
Next Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)

Glory in the Cross of Christ

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”Ps. 22

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even with tears, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.””Philippians 3:18-19

A true Christian is a disciple of Christ, and Jesus clearly tells us the conditions for discipleship: “My sheep recognize my voice, listen to my voice, and follow me.” “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” Whoever rejects the cross and does not accept it cannot be His disciple. That is why St. Paul, with tears, warns that some have distorted Christ, molding Him to their own desires and interests, twisting the truth, living as enemies of the cross, and thus becoming enemies of Christ.

Given the conditions Christ set for following Him, we must understand that we cannot embrace or follow Christ if we do not accept our cross. Christ did not come to take away our daily cross but to give it meaning. I can accept my fragile human condition, with tendencies toward sin, limitations, sickness, and mortality, because Christ assumed this very condition with all its weaknesses, making it valuable. It is the path that can lead us to eternal salvation if we live it as He taught us—through acceptance and offering to God.

As St. Paul says:

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Church.”Colossians 1:24

“As for me, may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”Galatians 6:14

When Paul asked God to free him from some suffering, God replied: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, Paul declared:

“I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”2 Corinthians 12:9-10

We must recognize that in today’s pagan and hedonistic culture, where we are constantly indoctrinated by mass media manipulation, we have largely lost the sense of faith and obedience to God. As a result, we have lost the understanding of sin, sacrifice, and the fundamental values of Christian life —values that are inseparably linked to true faith, which leads us to love, a love always connected to sacrifice. The cross is an offering and self-giving, a sacrifice of love for God and neighbor; rejecting it means rejecting Christ Himself, while accepting it means accepting Him, manifesting our love and faith, which is expressed in obedience and trust.

Prayer for Holy Week

Dear Lord,
I open my heart to You, offering every day and night to You in sacred surrender. I pray for the grace to accompany You in a special way this Holy Week, joining and offering the trials I encounter on our shared journey to the cross… and to a victorious hope.
Amen.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Lk 19:28-40/ls 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (2a)/Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14—23:56 or 23:1-49
Monday: Is 42:1-7/Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14/Jn 12:1-11
Tuesday: Is 49:1-6/Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17/Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a/Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34/Mt 26:14-25
Thursday:
Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9/Ps 89:21-22, 25 and 27/Rv 1:5-8/Lk 4:16-21
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14/Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 (see 1 Cor 10:16)/1 Cor 11:23-26/Jn 13:1-15
Friday: Is 52:13-53:12/Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 (Lk 23:46)/Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9/Jn 18:1-19:42
Saturday:
Easter Vigil: Gn 1:1-2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a/Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10,12, 13-14, 24, 35 or Ps 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20-22 (5b)/Gn 22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 (1)/Ex 14:15-15:1/Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18 (1b)/Is 54:5-14/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (2a)/ /Is 55:1-11/ls 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 (3)/Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:4/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 (Jn 6:68c)/ Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28/Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19 (12a)/Rom 6:3-11/Lk 24:1-12
Next Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8/Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12

Observances for the Week

Sunday: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Tuesday: Tax Day
Thursday: Holy Thursday
Friday: Good Friday
Saturday: Holy Saturday
Next Sunday: Easter Sunday

News for April

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Did You Know?

Gardens of Healing for survivor-victims in all five of the Archdiocese’s pastoral regions

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has created gardens of healing in each of the Archdiocese’s pastoral regions, dedicated to those harmed by sexual abuse, in their family, church or community. Located at St. Camillus Pastoral Center in Boyle Heights (San Gabriel Pastoral Region), Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Ventura (Santa Barbara Pastoral Region), St. Francis de Sales Parish in Sherman Oaks (San Fernando Pastoral Region), St. Bernadette Parish in Los Angeles (Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region), and Our Lady of Refuge in Long Beach (San Pedro Pastoral Region) these gardens offer a sacred space for all those impacted by abuse to seek comfort and solace. In each garden there is a weeping wall and a plaque with a reflection by Archbishop Gomez, which starts with: “Dedicated to all those impacted by sexual abuse in the Church, their communities, their families – may all who visit find some measure of renewal, peace and comfort in doing so.” For more information, visit https://lacatholics.org/healing-gardens/.

Are you on the Path to Salvation?

5th Sunday of Lent

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”Ps. 126

Many today believe they are on the path to salvation simply because they are not like Hitler or because they don’t go around kicking dogs. But what did Jesus actually teach us? Are we truly on the path to salvation? Let’s look at key statements from Jesus that show us what the true path to salvation is:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”John 14:6

“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.'”John 6:53

“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'”John 3:3,5

“Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you,
you have no part with me.'”John 13:8

“‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.'”John 15:4

“‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”Matthew 18:3

“‘No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'”Luke 13:3,5

“‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; but whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.'”John 3:36

“‘Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.'”1 John 5:12

“‘And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'”Matthew 10:38-39

As we can see, Jesus never said that we will be saved simply by not being criminals or even by having some religious practices. Jesus showed us the path of obedience to Him, which is the only way to follow Him and be united with Him in order to receive the divine and eternal life that He came to offer us. Only in this true communion with Him will we have salvation.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'”Matthew 7:21-23

GO, AND SIN NO MORE.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer invoking mercy on the world, utilizing words drawn from the text of The Diary of St. Faustina Maria Kowalska. St. Faustina was a Polish nun who received visions of Christ imploring her to spread the message of his Divine Mercy, specifically through the recitation of this chaplet.

Prayed with an ordinary five-decade Rosary, the chaplet opens with a recitation of the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostle’s Creed. The beads usually used for the Our Father are used to recite this prayer: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world,” followed by ten Hail Marys and the words “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)/Phil 3:8-14/Jn 8:1-11
Scrutiny: Ez 37:12-14/ Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6/Jn 8:12-20
Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21/Jn 8:21-30
Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56/Jn 8:31-42
Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9/Jn 8:51-59
Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7/Jn 10:31-42
Saturday: Ez 37:21-28/Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13/Jn 11:45-56
Next Sunday: Lk 19:28-40/ls 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (2a)/Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14-23:56 or 23:1-49

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 5th Sunday of Lent
Monday: St. John Baptist de la Salle, Priest
Friday: St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr
Next Sunday: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Signs of Human Slavery

4th Sunday of Lent

“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”Ps. 34

Human beings are often slow to recognize the state of slavery they are in because, at first glance, they feel free to do as they please, much like the prodigal son. They see people making their own choices and believe that everyone is free to decide what they do with their lives. But after a while, when we observe the reality of the world and human nature in the light of divine revelation, we realize that this is not the case, they are not free, and they do what they don’t want. We are in a state of rebellion against God, the giver of life, and to attain eternal life, we need to be in communion with Him and mend this rupture, as illustrated in the parable of the Merciful Father.

Adam and Eve were the initiators of the situation we find ourselves in today by making the grave mistake of disobeying God and listening to the devil. They chose the wrong side and were thus expelled from paradise, falling into this fragile human condition—one that is susceptible to sickness, accidents, and death, born with no knowledge, and living in near-total ignorance of eternal realities and truths.

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. But if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free.'”John 8:34

Let us look at some signs of the tyranny imposed on us by the world, the devil, and the flesh (our selfish disorder) that seek to keep us chained in sin, devoid of the life, dignity, and freedom of the children of God:

• They live worried about what others will think, subjected to the trends and dictates of the world, which is governed by the devil, the prince of this world and the father of lies.
• They are enslaved by appearances, constantly wanting to be above others, and for this, they are willing to spend fortunes and even sell their souls to the devil.
• They are subjected to the tyranny of carnal instincts, seeking satisfaction even when they don’t want to, because they neither know how nor are able to control themselves.
• They are overcome by pride, anger, envy, lust, sloth, gluttony, and all the cravings of selfish disorder, leading them to do what they don’t want to do or preventing them from doing what they truly want.
• They pursue honors, wealth, and pleasures—modern golden calves before which they bow down. By denying God, they end up chasing after any idol this world offers, just like the prodigal son.
• They are capable of stealing and even killing for money and power, as seen in dictators, human trafficking rings, drug cartels, and so on.

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”Romans 6:16

LET’S OBEY OUR MERCIFUL FATHER.

The Apology

By Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman

Mini Reflection: God doesn’t need our repentance. We need our repentance.

The Apology
I like to imagine the Prodigal Son practicing his apology in the mirror.

He wouldn’t have, of course. Mirrors weren’t exactly a dime a dozen back then. But I imagine him anyway, rehearsing the words as he contemplates his own gaunt reflection: “Father, I have sinned against God and against you. Treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”

In other words, I have done wrong. I deserve nothing from you. But please, don’t let me starve. Save me.

The apology wasn’t necessary to move the heart of the father. We know that because before they meet, before anything is said, the father is overcome with compassion—not because he got his satisfaction, that long-awaited “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” No, he’s simply overjoyed to see his son alive. Even without apology, we know the father will beg his son to stay.

So why does the son apologize?

The father doesn’t need the “I’m sorry.” He isn’t starving and lost. He knew all along it was a bad idea. He doesn’t need to learn any lessons.

But what a tragedy it would have been, if the son had never said he was sorry. Undoubtedly, his father would have let him stay as a hired worker, and he would have had food to eat. He would have survived. But he woudn’t have been what he was born to be.

I often think of the son’s apology as I am kneeling in the confessional, awkwardly reciting sins God already knows and is eager to forgive. Why are you doing this? some people would ask. God doesn’t need this.

It’s the apology, you see. The apology means everything. The Prodigal Son was dead. The apology brought him back to life.

God doesn’t need our repentance. We need our repentance.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Jos 5:9a, 10-12/Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-(9a)/2 Cor 5:17-21/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Scrutiny: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (1)/Eph 5:8-14 Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
Monday: Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b Jn 4:43-54
Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12/Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9/Jn 5:1-16
Wednesday: Is 49:8-15/Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18/Jn 5:17-30
Thursday: Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23/Jn 5:31-47
Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23/Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Saturday: Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12/Jn 7:40-53
Next Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)/Phil 3:8-14/Jn 8:1-11
Scrutiny: Ez 37:12-14/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 4th Sunday of Lent
Tuesday: April Fools’ Day
Wednesday: April Fools’ Day
Friday: St. Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saturday: St. Vincent Ferrer, Priest
Next Sunday: 5th Sunday of Lent

Obey Christ to Be Free

3rd Sunday of Lent

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”Ps. 95

Jesus chose to be of our same blood to destroy the devil through His death—the one who, through death, held power over humanity—and to free those who, out of fear of death, lived as slaves all their lives (Hebrews 2:14).

The fear of death is a lack of trust in God, who has promised us salvation and eternal life in Christ. The love that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the divine life within us that frees us from fear-the fear with which the devil seeks to enslave us, and indeed, many are under his control.

To have no purpose for dying is to refuse to accept reality and life as they truly are. Christ teaches us to live life with purpose, embracing all that life encompasses, including what we find humanly unpleasant-sufferings and the daily cross that Jesus Himself bore by assuming our human condition, thus giving meaning to everything.

This is why Jesus said that He came to give us life in abundance. He leads us to live and embrace this life with all it entails so that we may love life and love God in prosperity and adversity, not only in health but also in sickness, every day of our journey through this world until we are called to be born into the life of heaven—for this is how we who follow Jesus understand death.

Those who do not follow Jesus do not trust Him, nor do they know His words or promises. Therefore, they live in darkness and suffer much more because they do not receive the light of Christ, who came with His wisdom and revelation to spare us much suffering. They fear every daily cross, every daily death-that is, they fear suffering, or things not turning out as they wish—because they have put themselves in God’s place, erecting their will as the ultimate truth to which everything and everyone must submit. For this reason, the text says that they live as slaves out of fear of death, as enemies of the cross of Christ, subject to idols.

Indeed, we are slaves to the one we obey-either to sin leading to death or to Christ leading to life (cf. Romans 6:16). Those who prefer to obey their own ego fall under the worst tyrant; the self is like a cowardly hired shepherd who flees at the first sign of danger, clinging to life in this world (and they will lose it). In contrast, Christ is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. By following Him, we also lay down our lives, denying ourselves (our ego that loves sin), accepting the cross, and finding freedom in obedience to Christ.

Freedom is the ability to choose the path of Life, which is Christ, for this is the only goal worth living and dying for—the greatest and the only truly important one. What good would it be to gain the whole world if we do not have eternal life? Unless you repent, you will all perish likewise. The human soul is truly enriched only by the life that God gives us. He calls us to conversion and to bear goof fruits.

Mortal versus Venial Sin

Question:
What is the difference between mortal and venial sin?

Answer:
Sin is a deliberate thought, word, action, or omission contrary to God’s law. Since the beginnings of the Church, sin has been distinguished by its gravity. “Grave matter” is traditionally defined by the Ten Commandments. If a person commits a grave sin with full knowledge of the action’s evil and with the complete consent of their will, this is a mortal sin. The effects of mortal sin are grave—the loss of sanctifying grace, which can be restored by a fresh outpouring of God’s mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Venial sin does not fit one or more of these conditions (for example, a less serious matter still freely chosen or grave matter committed while under force or ignorance of God’s law). The effects of venial sin—while still damaging to the human heart and human society—are less severe. Even so, smaller sins build habits, which can obstruct our growth in virtue. When we are serious about following Jesus, we should do our best to avoid all sin, whether large or small!

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 (8a)/1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12/Lk 13:1-9
Scrutiny: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42
Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b/Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4/Lk 4:24-30
Tuesday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10/Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10,11/Heb 10:4-10/ Lk 1:26-38
Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9/Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20/Mt 5:17-19
Thursday: Jer 7:23-28/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/Lk 11:14-23
Friday: Hos 14:2-10/Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9,10, 11ab, 14 and 17/Mk 12:28-34
Saturday: Hos 6:1-6/Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab/Lk 18:9-14
Next Sunday: Jos 5:9a, 10-12/Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (9a)/2 Cor 5:17-21/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Scrutiny: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (1)/Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Lent
Tuesday: The Annunciation of the Lord
Next Sunday: 4th Sunday of Lent

What is the Point of a Life Without God?

2nd Sunday of Lent

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.”Ps. 27

The main purpose of life is to reach eternal life, and this is what Christ came to give us or to make accessible through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, along with all His teachings and miracles, which clearly showed that He is true God and true man. To reject Him is to reject God Himself (Luke 10:16).

What would be the point of merely surviving if everything ended in the grave? What good would it be to enjoy a few days on a cruise ship if it’s headed toward a waterfall leading to death? If everything becomes just a fleeting yesterday that fades away, what was the purpose?

Imagine yourself a few years ahead, on your deathbed on the last day of your life. What would you wish you had done with your life at that moment? What kind of person would you wish you had been? What deeds would you have liked to accomplish? What legacy would you want to leave behind? What place would you wish you had given to God? Right now, you have the chance to make that happen.

God came to show us the path to life, the one that can restore the lost paradise. In Christ, God offers us the opportunity to undo Adam and Eve’s rupture and disobedience with all its grave consequences and to regain the harmony God intended to have with us from the beginning, for complete happiness. It is in our hands to accept or reject this; to choose whether we want a covenant of love with God or prefer to make gods of ourselves, as the fallen angels did, and end up on their side, leading to eternal perdition.

According to Jesus’ teachings-which we cannot distrust-trusting in Him is more serious than life or death because it concerns eternal life or eternal condemnation. The devil blinds us, preventing us from seeing beyond the grave. He wants us to be trapped in the here and now, without considering what comes after this brief journey on earth. But the truth is inescapable —we do not determine it; it simply is, and we are called to seek, know, and live it because it concerns life or condemnation.

God loves us so much that He took on our condition as exiles from paradise-our frail, sinful flesh. He endured slander, humiliation, torture, and death to show us the path to life that leads to the Father. Yet, despite this, many, in human stubbornness, chose to ignore, reject, and not receive the gift of life and eternal salvation He came to offer. By rejecting Christ, they reject the truth and the way that leads to life.

Many prefer not to think about this and continue distracted, trapped in the here and now, without considering tomorrow, thus choosing to listen to the devil’s lies rather than God’s truths, just like Adam and Eve.

Jesus prepares us on the mountaintop of the Eucharist so that we are not scandalized or abandon Him when faced with the cross that inevitably awaits us. He allows us to see Him transfigured and to know His word so that in times of trial, we do not falter and can maintain hope, for He conquers death.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

St. Cyril of Jerusalem was a bishop in the fourth century. His teachings on the Eucharist, among other topics, secured his place as a Doctor of the Church. Though his ministry was marked by estrangement, exile, and ultimately, reconciliation, he never lost his faith!

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18/Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14/Phil 3:17-4:1 or 3:20—4:1/Lk 9:28b-36
Monday: Dn 9:4b-10/Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13/Lk 6:36-38
Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20/Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23/Mt 23:1-12
Wednesday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29/Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/
Thursday: Jer 17:5-10/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Lk 16:19-31
Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Next Sunday: Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15/Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 (8a)/1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12/Lk 13:1-9
Scrutiny: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Lent
Monday: St. Patrick, Bishop [OM]; St. Patrick’s Day
Tuesday: St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Wednesday: St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Next Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Lent

Deceptions of the Devil

1st Sunday of Lent

“Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.”Ps. 91

The devil has been gaining ground in today’s world as humanity has pushed God aside and turned its back on Him. As Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” One of the devil’s main achievements evident today is the disdain for truth. Many no longer believe in anything or seek the truth. They have swallowed the lies of the modern world, which, through every possible means-movies and other mediums—insists that there is no absolute truth and that everyone can see things differently and believe whatever they want.

I believe this is an emptying of the human soul, destroying something essential to our identity, our being made in the image and likeness of God, which distinguishes us from animals. The world, the devil, and the flesh (selfish disorder) are on the same team, as they aim to separate us from God and thus deprive us of divine life, leading to the dehumanization and animalization of humanity. This has largely happened due to the disdain for truth.

From birth, we are configured with a longing for knowledge, as we are born with nothing, in darkness, and our life becomes a search for light, knowledge, and truth. Lies and false news naturally offend and frustrate us because they undermine trust.

This is precisely what is happening on a massive social scale like never before in history. Lies abound from governments, the media, and even recognized institutions guilty of deceit and abuses of power. This leads people to feel abused, creating a crisis of trust in institutions due to countless lies that result in frustration, skepticism, and distrust.

This culture, sometimes called post-truth, teaches that each person can construct their own truth and decide what it is. As a result, truth loses its importance and relevance because people believe in many possible truths, to the extent that today they may accept one and tomorrow a completely different one–just as proponents of gender ideology change gender or even species. Consequently, they stop seeking the truth, cease to believe in an absolute truth, and stop searching for God, thinking they alone decide everything—an obviously absurd notion and a clear manifestation of the one Jesus called the father of lies.

Let’s examine how our love for truth stands; this should distinguish us as disciples of Jesus, who is the Truth. Out of love, we must seek the truth constantly and passionately, to be witnesses of the truth as Jesus and all the saints were. (Jo 18,37).

Prayer for Lent

Dear Jesus,
This is the first Sunday of Lent, and I want to commit myself more deeply to you this season. Inspire me with the Lenten penances you most desire, the ones that help me to grow ever nearer to you.
Amen.

Lent

After attending our parish retreat and feeling much better and stronger about my faith, I want to make this Lent worthwhile. What can I do to keep the spirit and practice of Lent? You’ve already taken the first step by going on the parish retreat. It is important for us to “tune up” our faith, taking some time to renew ourselves through prayer, meditation and education. By deepening our knowledge and understanding of faith, we are often better attuned to its richness and meaning for our life.

Lent is an intense retreat, a forty-day period of reflection and penance that prepares us to celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Our communication with God and our awareness of him is the purpose of prayer. Setting aside extra time each day helps intensify the season. Prayer includes daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, communal penance services and private confession. Making restitution for sin as well as disciplining our hearts and minds to focus on God is the purpose of penance. It helps us restore a sense of balance to our souls, thrown off kilter by sin. Penance includes personal sacrifice, self-denial, fasting, almsgiving and charitable works.

Finally, spiritual practices help us sharpen our understanding and insight into the meaning and understanding of our faith. When you take your faith seriously, you do what is necessary to follow Jesus more closely, to integrate your life and your faith more carefully.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Dt 26:4-10/Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 (see 5b)/Rom 10:8-13/Lk 4:1-13
Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15/Mt 25:31-46
Tuesday: Is 55:10-11/Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19/Mt 6:7-15
Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10/Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19/Lk 11:29-32
Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8/Mt 7:7-12
Friday: Ez 18:21-28/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8/ Mt 5:20-26
Saturday: Dt 26:16-19/Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8/Mt 5:43-48
Next Sunday: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18/Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14/Phil 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1/Lk 9:28b-36

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 1st Sunday of Lent, Daylight Saving Time begins
Next Sunday: 2nd Sunday of Lent

From Appearance to Truth

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.”Ps. 92

A song lyric says: A world of appearances drowns out trust, words, empty as they are, reveal deceit, we have adulterated the word of God to justify our vain pursuits.

In reality, in this world, it is as easy to deceive others as it is to deceive ourselves, and we often fall into this trap – thinking that just by going to confession and receiving communion, our soul has reached a higher level, or that by singing praises, our soul is truly singing. Yet, it is very easy to pray and sing with our lips while our hearts remain far from God. It is like a first-grade student walking into an eighth-grade classroom and thinking they have advanced eight years just by being there.

Let’s carefully examine where our soul truly stands because, when we come face to face with God, it will be revealed whether our hearts truly love Him or not. At that moment, there will be no lips to deceive or give the “right” answer out of self-interest to secure a place in heaven. It will be evident whether we belong in heaven, purgatory, or hell-based on the true longing of our hearts for love of God and others. Many may have attended Mass daily, yet if they have not grown in love for God and their neighbor, the hour of truth will reveal the true level of their soul.

Many do not take the Christian and spiritual life seriously, treating it as a hobby or a mere alignment of ideas, but they have not entered the new life in Christ–the life in the Spirit. They continue living superficially in the flesh, chasing after the fleeting values of this world, relegating God to a secondary role.

Only God knows where each person’s heart truly is. We may deceive ourselves into thinking we love God while actually treating Him as less important, using Him as we please. We also may think we love someone, but in reality, we only want them to make us feel good–meaning we love selfishly, only while they bring us comfort–because we do not know how to truly love and seek their genuine well-being, even at the cost of personal sacrifice, which is the essence of true love.

LET US PREPARE FOR LENT. Examine yourself and reflect: What place does God hold in your life? Do you love Him? Do you seek to please Him and do His will? Do you give Him your time? Do you enjoy being with Him, listening to Him, and learning from Him? Is He the love of your life, the one you desire to please? Only by placing God first can you truly love Him and your neighbor. Without this first love for God, something or someone else takes His place-leading to idolatry of people or even material things, which push God into the background. Give Him his place within your heart, so you may enjoy his Life in abundance.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Sir 27:4-7/Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 (see 2a)/1 Cor 15:54-58/Lk 6:39-45
Monday: Sir 17:20-24/Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7/Mk 10:17-27
Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12/Ps 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 and 23/Mk 10:28-31
Wednesday: JI 2:12-18/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17/2 Cor 5:20-6:2/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Lk 9:22-25
Friday: Is 58:1-ga/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19/Mt 9:14-15
Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6/Lk 5:27-32
Next Sunday: Dt 26:4-10/Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 (see 5b)/Rom 10:8-13/Lk 4:1-13

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin
Tuesday: St. Casimir
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday
Friday: Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs
Saturday: St. John of God, Religious
Next Sunday: 1st Sunday of Lent, Daylight Saving Time begins

News for March

Thank You for Your Donations and Pledges to Together in Mission

Report as of March 3, 2025
Parish Goal: $110,396
Payments: $15,267
Balance: $95,129
Please help us reach our Parish goal by using the QR code. Thank you!

Gifts of the Heart | 2025 Annual Appeal

Parish Goal: $110,396
Find your Parish: Mary Immaculate Parish – Pacoima (P369)

Ash Wednesday Schedule

March 5, 2025

Church

• 6:30AM Liturgy (SP)
• 7:00AM Mass (SP)
• 8:00AM Liturgy (SP)
• 9:00AM Liturgy (SP)
• 10:00AM Liturgy (Bilingual)
• 11:00AM Liturgy (SP)
• 12:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 1:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 2:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 3:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 4:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 4:30PM Liturgy (SP)
• 5:00PM Liturgy (Bilingual)
• 5:30PM Liturgy (SP)
• 6:30PM Mass (SP)
• 7:45PM Liturgy (SP)
• 8:30PM Liturgy (SP)
• 9:15PM Liturgy (SP)

Fr. Luciano Hall

• 6:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 6:45PM Liturgy (SP)
• 7:15PM Liturgy (SP)
• 8:00PM Liturgy (SP)
• 8:30PM Liturgy (SP)

Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Spirit of the Living God,
You have breathed life into me today, from ashes and dust. You invite me to live, walk, and love in your will. Draw me closer to you today, this Lent, and always.
Amen.

Ash Wednesday

Is Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation?

Despite the often packed churches, you may be surprised to hear that the answer is no! Holy days of obligation commemorate a particular event (such as the birth of Christ at Christmas) or celebrate particular people (such as Mary’s Immaculate Conception or the feast of All Saints). Ash Wednesday is a day of penance, fasting, and abstinence to begin the season of Lent. In a sense, it focuses on a concept rather than something particular and concrete.

Of course, repentance ought to be reflected in particular, concrete ways! That’s one of the reasons that attending Mass on Ash Wednesday is a very good idea. It marks the beginning of a solemn season of penance. Despite all its comparisons to the desert, Lent can be very fruitful for our spiritual growth! Beginning this season with the celebration of Mass and the reception of ashes is a sign of our commitment to God and to spiritual growth.

Mary Immaculate Spring Raffle

• Grand Prize: $7000
• 2nd Prize: 70″ HDTV
• 3rd Prize: $500
• 4th Prize: $250

Drawing Sunday, April 13, 2025
Will be held after the 8pm mass

DONATION $10
Seller of the winning Grand Prize ticket will receive $250

(818)834-8551
10390 Remick Ave. Pacoima, CA 91331

Winners need not be present to win. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days following the drawing.

Did You Know?

Teaching your children boundaries

Communities thrive with appropriate boundaries in place. Without them, everyone is left vulnerable, especially children, in an “anything goes” culture. As safe adults, we can empower children by defining and strengthening our own boundaries. Children learn by watching the adults around them. Seeing us make and hold boundaries will teach them this incredibly important skill. To learn more about setting and upholding boundaries, read the VIRTUS® article “When Boundaries Abound, Our Lives Can Fluorish” at https://lacatholics.org/did-you-know/.

What does Love Consist of?

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The Lord is kind and merciful.”Ps. 103

Many claim to love and believe they know how to do it, but it could happen they only love themselves. When they say they love someone else, it is often because they feel good with that person or be cause they have a personal interest in them. However, that is not true love, for love is not selfish nor does it seek its own interest, as the Word of God says (1 Corinthians 13).

Loving is very different from wanting. What I “want” comes from my ego—it is for my own well-being, for personal gain, for pleasure. True love, however, is not of the flesh but of the spirit and soul. The ego tends to be possessive and imposing, unwilling to accept distance or anything contrary to its desires, even the will of the other person. Selfishness may believe it loves while it actually uses others, disregarding their well-being. But love is not selfish.

This is the nature of the ego—it seeks only its own will and disregards others. It does not understand sacrifice for love because it seeks to impose itself. Love, on the other hand, can be defined as seeking and ensuring the well-being of another, even at the cost of personal sacrifice and denial of one’s own desires, preferences, and interests. It rises above ego, striving for what is best for the person who is loved.

Do you know how to love? Love means not overriding another person’s will but respecting them and the boundaries they set, as long as those boundaries are reasonable and not harmful to them. We must be committed to seeking their true good, investing effort and any sacrifice necessary. Their true good may not always align with what they want, but God’s will is always our ultimate good, and that is what we must seek for ourselves and for others.

“For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments.”1 John 5:3

Of course, affectionate feelings make true love easier, but they are not essential. You can love everyone, and you must, as Jesus asks us to do. Loving as Jesus loves-as His new commandment at the Last Supper demands-means loving everyone, just as He loves us despite our sins. Love is an act of will; it means seeking the good of others, whether or not they are sympathetic to us. To be children of God, as Jesus emphasizes:

“Love your enemies, do good, and lend without expecting anything in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”Luke 6:35

Weekly Readings

Sunday: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23/1 Cor 15:45-49/ Lk 6:27-38
Monday: Sir 1:1-10/Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5/Mk 9:14-29
Tuesday: Sir 2:1-11/Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40/Mk 9:30-37
Wednesday: Sir 4:11-19/Ps 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175/Mk 9:38-40
Thursday: Sir 5:1-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/Mk 9:41-50
Friday: Sir 6:5-17/Ps 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35/Mk 10:1-12
Saturday: Sir 17:1-15/Ps 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18/ Mk 10:13-16
Next Sunday: Sir 27:4-7/Ps 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 (see 2a)/ 1 Cor 15:54-58/Lk 6:39-45

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thursday: St. Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Next Sunday: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Heart in Heaven

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.”Ps. 1

The Lord knows that we are just passing through this earth, which can be compared to the 40 years of journey through the desert, in the imperfection and precariousness of this world and our human condition, until we reach the Promised Land, which is a metaphor for heaven. For this reason, God wants us not to become attached to anything in this world, to keep our hearts set on our final destination, not to get stuck by being dazzled by fleeting pleasures or the idols of this world, nor to stray from the path that Christ has set for us. Instead, we should follow Him as our sure guide until we reach His Kingdom.

This is why Saint Paul tells us:

“If you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on the things above, not on earthly things.”Colossians 3:3

Just as when you travel, your heart is set on the destination, on the family you will meet or the places you will see, you do not settle into the bus or airplane as if it were your final destination, refusing to leave it. The destination is incomparably better than the bus. Even if you like the bus, you must not become attached to it, because the destination is the true goal, which is far more worthwhile.

In other words, do not mistake the means for the end itself. Food is a necessary means for life, but do not turn it into the purpose of your existence, as those do who live to eat instead of eating to live. Similarly, the bus is a means, not the final goal–otherwise, you would lose sight of the purpose of your journey. It is just as absurd to become attached to this life as if there were no heaven, setting our hearts on the here and now as if there were no tomorrow. This earth and this body in which you live are merely the vehicles to reach the final destination, which is heaven. This pilgrimage on earth is not the goal but the journey. We are still in the process of growth and spiritual maturation, preparing to be born into full Life.

Saint Paul expresses it this way:

“Life is short. Therefore, those who are married should live as if they were not; those who suffer, as if they did not suffer; those who rejoice, as if they did not rejoice; those who buy, as if they did not own; those who use the things of this world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world, as we know it, is passing away.”1 Corinthians 7:30

In other words, we should not set our hearts on the things of this world, for everything passes-both joys and sorrows. Do not be overly enthusiastic about the former nor overwhelmed by the latter, for both are part of the journey, but they are not the final destination. Jesus also expresses this in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor, those who suffer and weep, the persecuted, for they are walking toward the Kingdom of God. Lk 6.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Jer 17:5-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6, (40:5a)/1 Cor 15:12, 16-20/Lk 6:17, 20-26
Monday: Gn 4:1-15, 25/Ps 50:1 and 8, 16bc-17, 20-21/Mk 8:11-13
Tuesday: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10/Ps 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10/Mk 8:14-21
Wednesday: Gn 8:6-13, 20-22/Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 18-19/Mk 8:22-26
Thursday: Gn 9:1-13/Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23/Mk 8:27-33
Friday: Gn 11:1-9/Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15/Mk 8:34-9:1
Saturday: 1 Pt 5:1-4/Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6/Mt 16:13-19
Next Sunday: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23/1 Cor 15:45-49/Lk 6:27-38

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order; Presidents’ Day
Friday: St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saturday: The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle
Next Sunday: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

You Are Called To Be A Blessing

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.”Ps. 138

The Lord is the Son of God, the one who came to show us the path to follow in order to be children of God.

“He called us to reproduce the image of His Son so that He might be the firstborn among many.”Romans 8:29

He came to be our salvation, to show us the way to follow, to be our light and guide. For this reason, He also calls us to be light and role models.

“You are the light of the world; let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.Matthew 5:13ff

Many of us seek the easy path—that is, allowing ourselves to be carried away by the tendencies of our selfish disorder: pride, lust, laziness, and so on. Jesus clearly taught us that this path leads to perdition, and many follow it. In contrast, narrow is the way that leads to salvation, and few choose it.

As Catholic, do you live your vocation to be a role model? Can you say, as St. Paul did, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ”? Are you a light to those around you? Can others see your good deeds and recognize God’s work in your life? “From the heart of those who believe in me will flow rivers of living water.” Can others see the fruits of the Spirit in you? “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Do you let yourself be guided by the Spirit? Only then are you truly walking the path of life, which is Christ.

Many may think they are following Christ just because they practice a religion, but this can be a deception. Christ came to give us a new life, new values, a metanoia—a change of mind—a new heart and a new spirit, so that we no longer live guided by our flesh, which leads us to sin, nor by the pagan world, but by the Spirit, who leads us to life.

For this reason, Christians should not allow themselves to bear bitter fruits, for God has planted the seed of His Kingdom within us, His Holy Spirit, so that His fruits may grow in us. It is up to us to nurture that life of the Spirit so that it matures and bears fruit. This is how we become a blessing to others, ceasing to be sterile and unfruitful for them—or worse, a burden or a source of trouble.

We must not allow ourselves to bear bad fruits, which St. Paul refers to as the works of the flesh, and which Jesus describes as what comes from within and defiles:

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person.”Matthew 15:19

These are essentially the capital sins, led by pride, which is rebellion and disobedience to God.

We cannot let ourselves be ruled by that ego, which is the worst tyrant both for others and for ourselves. Only by being guided by the Spirit will we bring the blessing of love to all, as Jesus and the saints did. “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8/Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8 (1c)/1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11/Lk 5:1-11
Monday: Gn 1:1-19/Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10 and 12, 24 and 35c//Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: Gn 1:20-2:4a/Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mk 7:1-13
Wednesday: Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17/Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30/ Mk 7:14-23
Thursday: Gn 2:18-25/Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5/Mk 7:24-30
Friday: Gn 3:1-8/Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7/Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: Gn 3:9-24/Ps 90:2, 3-4abc, 5-6, 12-13/Mk 8:1-10
Next Sunday: Jer 17:5-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6, (40:5a)/1 Cor 15:12, 16-20/Lk 6:17, 20-26

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Marriage Day
Monday: St. Scholastica, Virgin
Tuesday: Our Lady of Lourdes
Friday: Sts. Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop; Valentine’s Day
Next Sunday: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What Does it Mean to Imitate Christ?

The Presentation of the Lord

“Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!”Ps. 24

Who is Christ to you? Is He your model, your Good Shepherd, and your guide? If He isn’t, what place does He hold in your life? Do His commandments and teachings carry the same weight as anyone else’s? Are they on par with those of your parents or teachers? Whom do you follow?

“But you are not to be called Rabbi, for you have one Teacher…”Matthew 23:8

Indeed, Jesus is our teacher of life, the one who should accompany our steps on this pilgrimage through exile, leading us to eternal life with Him. He guides us and teaches us to live as children of God, staying on the path of life that He Himself is. The Word of God shows us our vocation and mission:

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”1 Corinthians 11:1

Following Jesus means imitating Him, as He calls us to follow Him. But this is not something physical, like following a bus down the road. It means following His teachings and the lessons He gave us through both His words and His example. He Himself explained what this entails and the conditions necessary to truly follow Him.

“lf anyone wants to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”Matthew 16:24-25

It is clear why He asks us to deny ourselves: otherwise, we would follow ourselves instead of Him. Like Mary, who said “yes” to God and declared, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” she had to renounce her own plans, desires, and will. Only by doing so could she fulfill God’s will.

Thus, to follow Him, we must be willing to do His will instead of our own. That is why He tells us repeatedly and in many ways: These are my mother and my brothers–those who hear the word of God and put it into practice. You are my friends if you do what I command you, and so on.

Through disobedience, sin entered the world–the rebellion that aligned us with God’s enemy and separated us from God. This resulted in humanity’s expulsion from paradise and the hardships we face in this mortal, imperfect, and frail life. Obedience, however, is the door that restores our access to divine dignity, makes us children of God, and heirs of salvation and eternal life.

“Though He was a Son, He learned obedience through suffering; and having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.”Hebrews 5:9

We pray for the consecrated and religious individuals who have left everything to follow Him. We all are also called to this divine vocation—to be part of God’s family and to build His Kingdom. All Christians should see themselves in this way: we belong to Him and no one else. We are here to serve Him and His Church in whatever He asks of us.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Mal 3:1-4/Heb 2:14-18/Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Monday: Heb 11:32-40/Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24/Mk 5:1-20
Tuesday: Heb 12:1-4/Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32/ Mk 5:21-43
Wednesday: Heb 12:4-7, 11-15/Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a/Mk 6:1-6
Thursday: Heb 12:18-19, 21-24/Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11//Mk 6:7-13
Friday: Heb 13:1-8/Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc/Mk 6:14-29
Saturday: Heb 13:15-17, 20-21/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6/ Mk 6:30-34
Next Sunday: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8/Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8 (1c)/1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11/Lk 5:1-11

Observances for the Week

Sunday: The Presentation of the Lord, World Day for Consecrated Life
Monday: St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; St. Ansgar, Bishop
Wednesday: St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Thursday: St. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Saturday: St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin; BVM
Next Sunday: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Marriage Day

News for February

Mary Immaculate Spring Raffle

• Grand Prize: $7000
• 2nd Prize: 70″ HDTV
• 3rd Prize: $500
• 4th Prize: $250

Drawing Sunday, April 13, 2025
Will be held after the 8pm mass

DONATION $10
Seller of the winning Grand Prize ticket will receive $250

(818)834-8551
10390 Remick Ave. Pacoima, CA 91331

Winners need not be present to win. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days following the drawing.

Gifts of the Heart | 2025 Annual Appeal

Sharing God’s Overflowing Love

Together in Mission 2025: Gifts of the Heart Annual Appeal
This year, as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church, we invite you to make a special gift to Together in Mission to mark this sacred time of renewal and hope. Together in Mission 2025 “Gifts of the Heart” Annual Appeal launches with Announcement Weekend on February 1-2, Commitment Weekend on February 8-9, and Follow-up Weekend on February February 15-16, 2025

As one Catholic community of faith, rooted in prayer, let us reflect on how we can support our underserved parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Did you know that one in every five parishes and one in every four Catholic schools rely on financial assistance to continue their vital ministries? Your generosity directly impacts these communities, providing the resources they need to thrive.

This year’s cumulative Together in Mission goal is $16.9 million, representing the collective efforts of our Catholic family across all five regions. Your parish’s goal and progress throughout the year can be tracked on the Together in Mission Leaderboard at togetherinmission.org. Let us come together to make a difference and bring the love of Christ to those in need. Please consider making a special Jubilee Year gift to Together in Mission today!

Select your parish: Mary Immaculate Parish – Pacoima (P369)

Did You Know?

Resources to help with coping during natural disasters

Disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, transportation accidents, or wildfires are typically unexpected, sudden, and overwhelming. For many people, there are no outwardly visible signs of physical injury, but there can be nonetheless an emotional toll. It is common for people who have experimented disaster to have strong emotional reactions. Understanding responses to distressing events can help you cope effectively with your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and help you along the path to recovery. For resources from the American Psychology Association. For resources from the American Psychology Association please visit: https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma.

Mission of Christ and Mission of the Church



3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.”Ps. 19

We have been anointed by the Spirit, like Jesus, to carry out the same mission with which He came to this world.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”Luke 4:18

This is the text Jesus quotes from Isaiah, affirming that He has come to fulfill it. He is the Anointed One and came to accomplish this mission, which continues today through the Church, His body, with Him as the head. All of us, with the various gifts and charisms we have received, are called to continue this mission of being the light of the world, opening the eyes of the blind and proclaiming the good news of salvation.

What Jesus has done for us; He asks us to do for others. “Freely you have received; freely give.” “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” “You are the light of the world; let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We are anointed with His same Spirit, called to be citizens of Heaven, His ambassadors on earth. This is our divine vocation: to be guided by the Spirit as children of God, with Christ as our head, to make His Kingdom present, as He teaches us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer.

Building His Kingdom on earth begins by allowing Him to reign in our hearts and in every aspect of our lives so that we may become seeds of His Kingdom. By following us, many will come to follow Him. Living the values of the Gospel is to make His Kingdom present and to build it. We can do this in different ways, according to the gifts and charisms of each person, as we are not all the same. Some are better suited to works of corporal mercy, while others excel in spiritual works.

“If the whole body were one part, where would the body be? The parts are many, but the body
is one.” The eye cannot say to the hand, don’t need you,” and the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”1 Co 12

We need one another and complement one another. Not all of us have the same talents and charisms, just as the body needs different parts. Similarly, the mystical body of Christ comprises various groups and individuals with diverse charisms and gifts.

It is essential to remain united to the head, for only then can we serve Christ and be fruitful, becoming living members of His body who place their gifts at the service of others, just as the members of the body do. Everyone is necessary; Christ needs us all.

“So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”1 Corinthians 12

Devotions, Explained! | St. Blaise Blessing of the Throat

Perhaps it’s an example of divine providence that the feast of St. Blaise falls on Feb. 3 – right in the middle of cold and flu season! This fourth-century Armenian saint was a bishop and martyr and is venerated as the patron of those who suffer from illnesses of the throat.

On his feast day, Catholics traditionally receive a blessing of the throat. This blessing is administered by a priest, deacon or a lay minister who follows the rites and prayers designated for a layperson. During the blessing, the minister takes two candles that were blessed on the feast of the Presentation and makes a cross in front of the throat, saying “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.” A priest or deacon will then make the sign of the cross.

Weekly Readings

Sunday: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 (see Jn 6:63c)/1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Monday: Heb 9:15, 24-28/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6/Mk 3:22-30
Tuesday: Heb 10:1-10/Ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11/Mk 3:31-35
Wednesday: Heb 10:11-18/Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4/Mk 4:1-20
Thursday: Heb 10:19-25/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6/Mk 4:21-25
Friday: Heb 10:32-39/Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40/Mk 4:26-34
Saturday: Heb 11:1-2, 8-19/Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75/Mk 4:35-41
Next Sunday: Mal 3:1-4/Heb 2:14-18/Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10/Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

Observances for the Week

Sunday: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time; Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Monday: St. Angela Merici, Virgin
Tuesday: St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Friday: St. John Bosco, Priest
Next Sunday: The Presentation of the Lord, World Day for Consecrated Life