Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 03-26-06, Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday

USCCb.org/New American Bible ^ | 03-26-06 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

The Need for Some Soul Searching
March 26, 2006

Jesus gives Nicodemus the answer to his unasked question

Fourth Sunday of Lent
Father Barry O’Toole, LC

John 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Introductory Prayer: As I place myself in your presence, Lord, I ask you to enlighten me during this prayer. Help me to shake off all laziness and distractions and listen to your words of life. Show me what it is that you want of me today, and give me the generosity and strength to surrender it all, not holding anything back for myself. Give me the same courage you gave Nicodemus to seek you above all else.

Petition: Lord, grant me the grace to discern your presence in the Eucharist and all of the circumstances of my day.

1. A Shaky Member of the Sanhedrin.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the leading class in Israel. He had certainly caught word about the miracles Jesus had worked. Perhaps he had heard one of Christ’s sermons. Something aroused in him a deeper search for God. But what would happen if “someone” were to find out that Nicodemus had gone to speak with “another rabbi” who was not part of their group? He was risking quite a bit in making this visit, for Jesus had already raised a few eyebrows in the Sanhedrin, some whom were already envious of Jesus. Nicodemus’ heart is not at peace. He seeks to know more about this new way; thus he comes to Jesus at night. Have I allowed routine to set in, diminishing or eliminating all desire for improvement in my life? Have I already labeled Christ as a “radical” so as not to lose my comfort zone? What price am I willing to pay for this peace of heart, for eternal life?

2. The Forbidden Question.  Jesus gives Nicodemus the answer to his unasked question. The problem the Pharisees had with Jesus was their outlook on life. God had chosen Israel as his people. He had made a covenant with them: If they would fulfill his commandments then God would bless them. But they had come to understand everything in a very legalistic manner and the true love of God and neighbor had been forgotten. This is why Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born again. He needed a radical change in his life. Have I too fallen into a legalistic mentality, concentrating on the mere fulfillment of my obligations and brushing aside the more weighty matters of loving God and neighbor? Have I opened the door for God to enter into my daily existence and bring his salvation?

3. The Serpent on the Pole.  A man cannot save himself. Only God can save man. How? "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." This phrase harks back to the Exodus, God leading his chosen people out of slavery into the Promised Land (cf. Numbers 20:4-9). That serpent fixed to a pole is a symbol of Jesus being nailed to the cross. Thus, as that serpent was a sign of curing (it is the logo for medicine even today), it only had healing power in as much as it symbolized the saving power of Christ’s cross. Every day, the hands of his priests lift Jesus up. As they celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus renews the memorial of his death as he offers himself to the Father for the salvation of mankind. Here is where Nicodemus was unable to comprehend the depth of Jesus’ words: “so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Dialogue with Christ: Lord Jesus, as I kneel before your cross in this prayer, I thank you for kindling in my heart a renewed desire for holiness and salvation. I know I need a new mentality and a deep conversion of heart. I therefore turn to you. Give me the strength to leave aside my mediocrity and truly search for you throughout this day. Grant me the grace of receiving you in the Eucharist today and retaining your presence in the midst of all of today’s struggles.

Resolution: I will attend Mass today with special fervor, seeking Jesus in the Eucharist, and if possible I will also receive him in Holy Communion.

[Ciexyz]

To all FReepers reading this thread, may you have a blessed Sunday!

[Ciexyz]

Faith-sharing bump.

[annalex]

Jn 3:14-21
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
14	And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up:	et sicut Moses exaltavit serpentem in deserto ita exaltari oportet Filium hominis
15	That whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.	ut omnis qui credit in ipso non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam
16	For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son: that whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.	sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam
17	For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world: but that the world may be saved by him.	non enim misit Deus Filium suum in mundum ut iudicet mundum sed ut salvetur mundus per ipsum
18	He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God.	qui credit in eum non iudicatur qui autem non credit iam iudicatus est quia non credidit in nomine unigeniti Filii Dei
19	And this is the judgment: Because the light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than the light: for their works were evil.	hoc est autem iudicium quia lux venit in mundum et dilexerunt homines magis tenebras quam lucem erant enim eorum mala opera
20	For every one that doth evil hateth the light and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved.	omnis enim qui mala agit odit lucem et non venit ad lucem ut non arguantur opera eius
21	But he that doth truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest: because they are done in God.	qui autem facit veritatem venit ad lucem ut manifestentur eius opera quia in Deo sunt facta

[annalex]

Christ the Light of the World

Constantine Youssis, Iconographer

St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church, Greensburg, Pennsylvania

[Salvation]

Here's the link if the picture does not show up.

http://www.comeandseeicons.com/ymg10.jpg

[Salvation]

Pray for A Voice in the Desert

The Archbishop's Response - with a commentary
Response of Fr. Altier and Fr. Welzbacher, pastor

Is this the reason Father Altier was silenced?
Father Altier innocent of any impropriety
About Father Altier and the Desert Voice Website
A Statement from the Webmaster at Desert Voice

Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us praise His name.
                              ~ Psalm 34:4

email@desertvoice.org

In obedient compliance with the expressed written request of Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Father Altier’s homilies and spiritual presentations can no longer be published on www.desertvoice.org or broadcast on Relevant Radio. This action of the Archbishop is not related to any scandal or sexual misconduct on the part of Father Robert Altier. We regret any inconvenience and humbly ask for your prayers. All concerns should be directed in a spirit of charity to: Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis  Most Reverend Harry J. Flynn 226 Summit Avenue Saint Paul, MN, USA 55102 (651) 291-4400 communications@archspm.org

[Salvation]

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

---

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 109 (110)

The Messiah, king and priest

The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”.

From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes.
Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn.

The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”.
The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings.

He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls;
he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

---

Psalm 111 (112)

How blessed are the just

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord and loves his commands above all things.
His seed will be powerful on earth: the descendants of the just will be blessed.
Glory and riches will fill his house, and his righteousness will stand firm for ever.

He rises up in the darkness, a light for the upright,
compassionate, generous, and just.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends, who directs his affairs with wisdom –
he will never be shaken.

The just man will be remembered for ever, no slander will he fear.
His heart is ready, hoping in the Lord; his heart is strong, it will not fear,
until he looks down on his defeated enemies.
He gives alms and helps the poor: his righteousness will endure for ever,
his future will be glorious.

The transgressor will see, and be enraged: he will grind his teeth and fade away.
The desires of the wicked will perish.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

---

Canticle	1 Peter 2
Christ's passion, freely chosen
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, to follow in his path. He committed no sin, in his speech there was no deceit; when they cursed him, he did not curse them; when he suffered, he did not threaten retribution, but committed them to the one just judge. He endured our sins in the sufferings of his body on the tree, so that we would die to our sins and live for righteousness – and by his bruises you have been healed. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,  world without end. Amen.

A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour –  me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed,  because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy,  his mercy lasts for generation after generation  for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength:  he has scattered the proud and conceited,  torn princes from their thrones;  but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things;  the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel,  he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,  world without end. Amen.

---

Prayers and Intercessions

?

Christ is the head and we are the body. Let us always give praise to our master, who came to serve all and do good for all. Humbly and faithfully, we ask him: - Come, Lord, to your family. Lord, lend your strength to the bishops and priests of your Church, who share your task as head and as shepherd. Let them lead all men to the Father through you. Send your angel to accompany travellers, keeping body and soul safe from the traps that await them. Teach us to serve men like you, who came to serve, not to be served. Make every human community a place where brother helps brother; may your presence make it like a city built on rock. Take pity on all the dead, and bring them into the light of your presence.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
 hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
 thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
 and forgive us our trespasses
 as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
 but deliver us from evil.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

---

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Sunday, March 26, 2006 Meditation John 3:14-21 Ask a physicist to define light, and you might learn that light consists of electromagnetic radiation visible to the human eye. Ask a biologist to define life, and you might learn that it manifests itself in growth, reproduction, and response to stimulus. Ask one of the writers of the New Testament, however, and you’ll get an entirely different answer. Most likely, you’ll hear that light and life are divine gifts from God given to us in Jesus Christ. There is so much more to the Christian life than the “light” of intellectual understanding. There is so much more to “life” than simply surviving in this world. Endless galleries of divine revelation and unmerited grace exist that can bring us to a personal knowledge of God and his plan for our lives—to his own light and life. Where do we find this revelation? In Jesus Christ, the Word of God. According to the church, “in giving us his Son, God spoke everything to us at once—and he has no more to say” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 65). Now we can spend the whole of our lives digging ever more deeply into that revelation. “He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures; however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit” (St. John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle). Why do we need the light and life of Christ? Because without him, we are dead. Scripture tells us that because of sin, we have forfeited our inheritance of divine life. The law of death holds sway over all of us, and there is no escaping it on our own power. Only the wooden cross and the open grave can restore this life to us. Faith in Christ can open so many more doors than we can imagine. Let us come to Jesus today and ask for a double portion of his light and his life. “Lord Jesus, I believe that by your cross you have overcome my darkness and restored me to divine life. May I be like you, bringing light and life into a needy world.” 2 Chronicles 36:14-16,19-23; Psalm 137:1-6; Ephesians 2:4-10

[Salvation]

Faith and Works

by Fr. Rodney Kissinger

Other Articles by Fr. Rodney Kissinger

Faith and Works

03/14/06

Perhaps the most publicized verse in the whole of Scripture is John 3:16. In all of the nationally televised sport events, as the camera pans the baseball park, football stadium, hockey or basketball arena, you can see a sign which simply reads: John 3:16.

Protestants, of course, know this chapter and verse by heart, and nod approvingly and say, “Amen, brother.” The Catholics wonder, “What in the world is this? What are they trying to say?” And they scramble for the Bible to see what it means, and discover, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

This is a good example of the necessity to define our terms. Often in a discussion people are using the same word to mean different things. Here the problem word is faith. What do you mean by faith? Taken in its proper context this verse really is a summary of the good news of the Gospel. Unfortunately, those who publicize it in this way take it out of its proper context to mean "we are saved by faith alone." Faith alone recalls the old Reformation debate: Are we saved by faith or works? The answer is neither and both.

We are not saved by faith alone. “Faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:17). “If I have faith to move mountains and do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Cor 13:2). The essence of Christianity is not faith, but love. And love is not found in words; love is found in deeds. Sacrifice is the language of love. It costs to be a lover.

On the other hand, we are not saved by works alone, either. Politicians, philanthropists and secular humanists do many good works for purely worldly reasons — to be elected, to create or preserve an image, for power, for prestige or simply to feel good.

We are saved by faith, working through love, producing loving deeds. This is the virtuous circle which is the dynamic of Christianity. Faith generates hope, faith and hope generate love, and love produces loving deeds. And the loving deeds are the sign that I really do believe, that I do have faith.

The crux of the matter, of course, is that the theological virtues of faith, hope and love, although mentally distinguishable, are practically inseparable. Conceptually we can distinguish one from the other. Faith is not hope, and hope is not love. But in the concrete world of reality it is not possible to have one without the other, at least in some degree. It is difficult to see how anyone could believe in Jesus and not trust Him. And the expression “to know Him is to love him” surely applies to Jesus.

Knowledge precedes love. We cannot love what we do not know. But it is in loving that we really get to know that person. Many theologians, for example, know a lot about God. But it is the mystic, who in the union of love really knows God. We know about Jesus through faith, but it is in loving Jesus that we really get to know Him. Love is not found in words, love is found in deeds. “If you love Me keep My commandments.”

Understood in its proper context, John 3:16 deserves to be on national TV, because it is a summary of the good news of the Gospel. We are saved by faith working through love to produce loving deeds. The loving deeds are a sign that we have faith, that is, loving, trusting faith. Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived in faith, hope and love, which produces loving deeds. And the deeds are a sign that we have the faith that saves.


Fr. Rodney Kissinger was Director of Montserrat, the Jesuit retreat house in Dallas, and Retreat Master at the Jesuit retreat house in New Orleans and at the Jesuit retreat house in Grand Coteau. He was Pastor of St. John’s Church in Shreveport, Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, and taught in the Jesuit high schools of Dallas and Tampa.

This article previously appeared on the website of Fr. Kissinger and is used by permission.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Sunday, March 26, 2006 >>

Fourth Sunday of Lent

2 Chronicles 36:14-17, 19-23
Ephesians 2:4-10

Psalm 137
John 3:14-21

View Readings  

GOD IS RICH

"God is rich in mercy; because of His great love for us He brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. By this favor you were saved." —Ephesians 2:4-5

Today is traditionally called "Laetare Sunday." "Laetare" means "rejoice," for Lent is half over and Easter is only three weeks away. We rejoice not because we don't have to fast for much longer but because God has already done marvelous works this Lent, and this is only the beginning.

What are you expecting for Holy Week and the Easter season? Do you expect a fifty-day Sunday for the Easter season? No matter how high your hopes, the Lord will do more than you could ever ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). "Is it possible that He Who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?" (Rm 8:32)

After God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son (Jn 3:16), we can only underestimate the love, grace, and glory God has in store for us (1 Cor 2:9). He "gave us a place in the heavens, that in the ages to come He might display the great wealth of His favor" (Eph 2:6-7). We are so small and closed in on ourselves. God is so great and lavish in His love. How can the ocean of God's love be poured into the thimble of our selfishness? "Open wide your hearts!" (2 Cor 6:13)

Prayer: Father, it must be frustrating to want to love but have no one to receive. I repent. Do anything You want to open wide my heart.

Promise: "Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of His people, let him go up, and may his God be with him!" —2 Chr 36:23

Praise: Praise Jesus, the Reflection of God the Father (Heb 1:3), Who is rich in mercy (Eph 2:4).

[Salvation]

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

---

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

---

Psalm 90 (91)

The protection of the Most High

He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night.

He who lives under the protection of the Most High
 dwells under the shade of the Almighty.
He will say to the Lord:
 “You are my shelter and my strength,
 my God, in whom I trust”.

For he will free you from the hunter’s snare,
 from the voice of the slanderer.
He will shade you with his wings,
 you will hide underneath his wings.
His faithfulness will be your armour and your shield.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
 nor the arrow that flies by day;
nor the plague that walks in the shadows,
 nor the death that lays waste at noon.

A thousand will fall at your side,
 at your right hand ten thousand will fall,
 but you it will never come near.
You will look with your eyes
 and see the reward of sinners.
For the Lord is your shelter and refuge;
 you have made the Most High your dwelling-place.
Evil will not reach you,
 harm cannot approach your tent;
for he has set his angels to guard you
 and keep you safe in all your ways.

They will carry you in their arms
 in case you hurt your foot on a stone.
You walk on the viper and cobra,
 you will tread on the lion and the serpent.

Because he clung to me, I shall free him:
 I shall lift him up because he knows my name.
He will call upon me and for my part, I will hear him:
 I am with him in his time of trouble.
I shall rescue him and lead him to glory.
I shall fill him with length of days
 and show him my salvation.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.

He will shade you with his wings; you will not fear the terror of the night.

---

Reading	Apocalypse 22:4-5
They will see the face of the Lord, and his name will be marked on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need sunlight or lamp-light, because the Lord God himself will shine upon them. And they will reign for ever and ever.

---

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

---

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.  You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;  the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,  world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

---

Prayer
Let us pray. Today we have celebrated the mystery of the Christ’s resurrection, and so now we humbly ask you, Lord, that we may rest in your peace, far from all harm, and rise rejoicing and giving praise to you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.

[Ciexyz]

God is indeed rich in mercy!