Let it Be Done Unto Me According to His Word
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“They caught a great number of fish.” Luke 6:5
What a joy is to be back after spending time with family but in a very special way, of being able to attend the World Youth Day in Panama City along with thousands of young people from around the world. Once again, Pope Francis shared with us his charism, humility and joy. Without doubt this journey was a true Pentecost where we can feel the presence of the Holy Spirt in the Church and at the same time, thousands of people were able to have an experience of conversion, that is, a personal encounter with Christ. But, what is the World Youth Day? (WYD) It is a meeting of young people from all over the world with the Pope, in a festive, religious and cultural atmosphere, which shows the dynamism of the Church and gives testimony of the actuality of the message of Jesus. “It’s much more than an event. It is a time of profound spiritual renewal, whose fruits benefit the whole society “(Benedict XVI). An extraordinary means of evangelization to strengthen youth ministry and it is held every three years. This year the city chosen to host this great of event was Panama which welcome us with open hearts and with a very hot weather. WYD has five central activities: An opening Mass with the Archbishop of Panama; Welcoming ceremony of Pope Francis; stations of the cross; vigil celebration with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; and closing ceremony.
The theme for the WYD of this year was taken from the gospel of Saint Luke 1:38. Here is a brief paragraph of what Pope Francis said during the opening ceremony: Mary was the age of many of you, the age of many girls like yourselves. She answered: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). Let’s close our eyes, everybody, and think of Mary. She was no fool, she knew what her heart felt, she knew what love was and she answered: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”. In this moment of silence, Jesus says to each of you – to you, to you, to you and to you – “Do you feel this? Do you want this”? Think of Mary and answer: “I want to serve the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word”. Mary found the courage to say “yes”. She found the strength to give life to God’s dream. This is what is asked of us today: Do you want to make God’s dream take flesh with your hands, with your feet, with your gaze, with your heart? Do you want the Father’s love to open new horizons for you and bring you along paths never imagined or hoped for, dreamt or expected, making our hearts rejoice, sing and dance?
Thus, with these words of “let it be done” as a background music, thousands of young people renewed their faith and their relationship with Christ and His Church. Refreshed by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father sent the youth to be true witnesses of a living Christ in His Church and a merciful Father who loves us with an unconditional love. Thank you so much for all your prayers during these last weeks and also want you to continue to pray for the youth here at Mary immaculate and for the Pastoral Youth Program in which we will be working during the next few weeks for the youth of our parish so they can open their hearts to Jesus and they can also say “Here I am Lord, let it be done according to your word.” Amen.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35c; Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: Gn 1:20 — 2:4a; Ps 8:4-9; 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 128:1-5; Mk 7:24-30
Friday: Gn 3:1-8; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: Gn 3:9-24; Ps 90:2-4abc, 5-6, 12-13; Mk 8:1-10
Sunday: Jer 17:5-8; Ps 1:1-4, 6; 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20; Lk 6:17, 20-26
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Marriage Day
Monday: Our Lady of Lourdes; World Day of the Sick
Tuesday: Lincoln’s Birthday
Thursday: Ss. Cyril and Methodius; Valentine’s Day-
Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary