Reflections on the weekly gospel from our Pastoral Team.
In these last Sundays of Lent, when we have listened to the beginning of the Gospel, Jesus has always been on his way. The evangelists do not mention where Jesus is going. We now know that he was on his way to fulfill his mission, the paschal mystery, which was the will of his Father. With his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus brings salvation, but he also brings liberation.
This Sunday we hear the Gospel of John about the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at the well. This is the story of the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, an encounter between two people who did not get along, and in the end, there was a happy ending
Recently, someone asked me whether it is alright to replace the Lenten fasting requirements with other deeds like prayers or works of charity. I was reminded of the rich young man who came to Jesus and asked him what he must do to gain eternal life (Matthew 19:16-30)
In today’s Gospel, we hear about Jesus’ temptation in the desert. I want to invite you to reflect on two verses of this passage. The first one, “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” and the second, “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Today’s readings invite us to realize who we are in relation to God, our neighbor, and creation. The first reading says: “’Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.’” This code of holiness is not something unattainable in our lives, that which is only reserved for a select few. Nor is it supernatural or merely spiritual behavior that occurred in the past.
This past Monday, we started our new program called Forming Missionary Disciples. It is our response to your request to grow as active disciples of Christ. Even though the number was less than expected, it is hopeful to see that there are parishioners who want to grow in their faith. As we hear in the first reading today, God is willing to respect our decisions, but at the same time, He is telling us to continue trusting in Him, so we can have life everlasting.
On February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, popularly known as Candlemas, the Catholic Church also celebrates the World Day for Consecrated Life. The U.S. Bishops Conference has asked parishes to celebrate that day this weekend. Just as candles are usually blessed on the Feast of the Presentation to symbolize Christ as the light of the world, so too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Today’s Gospel is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This is one of the most famous passages in the Bible. Known as “The Beatitudes,” these statements define for us what it means to be a follower of Christ
This time that we begin in our liturgical calendar is called “Ordinary Time,” but there is nothing ordinary about it! Rather, we should call it “extraordinary time,” since after having lived and experienced all the grace and gifts that we receive from our God, the Emmanuel, who can live in an ordinary way?
With this celebration, we understand that today, all the gentiles of the world understand that Jesus came, not just for the people of Israel, but for all people everywhere.
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