PASTOR’S MEANDERINGS
5 – 6 MARCH 2016
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT LAETARE SUNDAY
THANK YOU: This past week we received a check from the Diocese in the amount of
$65, 382.84 based on the actual contributions and pledge payments received from you to the
Living Our Mission capital campaign. As stated in our Case for Support the money returned to
the parish by the Diocese as our portion of the Living Our Mission will be set aside for future
expansion of facilities and or land. All of this being made possible by your greatly appreciated
generosity.
LAETARE SUNDAY: (Lat., laetare, “rejoice”), the fourth Sunday of Lent, so-called from the
first word of the Introit (the antiphon of the Roman Gradual). Laetare, taken from the Latin
translation of Isa. 66:10, sets a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery, as do the
permitted rose-colored vestments as well as the slightly more decorated area in the front of the
altar which has some pink flowers scattered among the stones and the dry arrangement.
STEWARDSHIP FOURTH SUNDAY: The stewardship message in the parable of the prodigal
son is that it is never too late to become a good steward. Blessed is the elder brother who had
been a good steward all along, but blessed, too, is the prodigal, who had to lose all he had in
order to understand the value of what he’d been given.
Pope Paul VI
“A love of reconciliation is not weakness or cowardice. It demands courage, nobility,
generosity, sometimes heroism, an overcoming of oneself rather than of one’s adversary. At
times it may even seem like dishonor, but it never offends against true justice or denies the
rights of the poor. In reality, it is the patient, wise art of peace, of loving, of living with one’s
fellows, after the example of Christ, with a strength of heart and mind modelled on His.”
If the readings from Cycle A are used, consider the following reflection:
The blind man in today’s Gospel was willing to let Jesus minister to him and willingly did all
Jesus asked of him. The Pharisees were more resistant to His message, spending their time and
energy to disprove the miracle. Which am I more like, the man born blind or the Pharisees?
READINGS FIFTH SUNDAY LENT
13 MAR ‘16
Is. 43:16-21: God is doing a new deed. The prophet Isaiah calls on us to look again, with fresh
eyes, to see what graces the Lord has ready for us if we will put our trust in Him.
Phil. 3:8-14: The apostle Paul, in prison, yet filled with the freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit,
exhorts us by His own example: forget what is past, and keep running the race into the new life
of the resurrection.
Jn. 8:1-11: The woman Jesus meets is guilty and condemned, trapped by her sin. In His
forgiveness and compassion she is freed from her past, and her accusers are shamed by their
own past sins.
John Henry Cardinal Newman
“Here below to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
DEFINING MARKS OF LENT:
Prayer: Recite the Profession of Faith or Apostles’ Creed each day this week. Consciously
make an act of faith in everything your say.
Fasting: Look around your house to see if anything you have, wear or use implicitly denies
your faith in Jesus Christ and His values. Abstain from it during Lent – and then get rid of it.
Almsgiving: Pope John Paul taught that “moderation and simplicity ought to become the
criteria of our daily lives” (World Day of Peace address, 1993). Take time during Lent to simplify
your life-style, trim down your possessions, and give what you renounce to the poor.
ICON:
THE SAN DAMIANO CROSS
Cont.
The Images
Minor Witnesses
Three smaller figures are represented as witnessing the crucifixion. On the lower left is
Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus with a lance. He is represented here
as holding the lance and looking up at Jesus. The blood running down the arm of Jesus begins
at the elbow to drip straight down. It will land on the upturned face of Longinus. In other
representations the blood is shown as landing in the eye of Longinus, who, according to
tradition, was healed of blindness in one eye at the time of the crucifixion. (Jn. 19:33)
On the lower right is Stephation. Umbrian paintings of the crucifixion regularly represented
Longinus and Stephaton as complementary figures at the foot of the cross. Stephaton is
identified with the soldier who offered Jesus the sponge soaked in vinegar wine. The name
Stephaton is a faulty derivation from the Greek word for sponge. (Jn. 19:28-30) It is clear from
the posture of this figure, as well as from other art works depicting Longinus and Stephaton,
that he is holding a staff and sponge in the same manner as Longinus holds the spear. The 1938
restoration did not uncover this staff and sponge, but they undoubtedly were part of the
original painting. While his knee length garment indicates Roman dress, the rest of his
appearance would lead to the conclusion that he is a Jewish Temple guard.
The Onlooker. Peering over the left shoulder of the centurion is a small face. Some
commentators have suggested that this is the servant of the centurion healed by Jesus. This
does not seem likely. There is no indication that the centurion at the crucifixion is the same as
the centurion whose son was healed. Furthermore, a closer look at the face of the observer
reveals the tops of the heads of three other observers behind him. The observer is, therefore,
the front person in the crowd of spectators. It is far more likely that the face of the observer is
the face of the artist who in accordance with the practice of the day was both claiming
authorship and immortalizing himself as a witness to Christ.
The Angels. Six angels are represented as marveling over the event of the crucifixion. They
are positioned at both ends of the crossbar. Their hand gestures indicate they are both
discussing this wondrous event of the death of the Son of God and calling us to marvel and
worship with them.
The Patron Saints. At the foot of the cross there is a damaged picture of six figures, two of
whom we clearly see with halos. In accordance with the tradition of the day, these six are the
patrons of Umbria: St. John, St. Michael, St. Rufino, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter and St. Paul.
The Rooster. On the right side of the picture next to the left calf of Jesus, there is a small
rooster. This rooster represents the sign of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus and is placed there as a
warning to all of us not to be presumptuous of our strength or complacent in our faith. We
need to turn to the Crucified Lord continually and seek the grace we need for our lives. (Jn.
18:25-27)
LENTEN ATMOSPHERE: Next week, the 5th Sunday of Lent, you will notice that the
environment of the church will have somewhat changed; the statues and major art work will be
draped in purple. At one time it was the tradition to cover all crucifixes, statues, and pictures in
purple cloth from two Sundays before Easter until Good Friday. Those were the days when the
Fifth Sunday of Lent, one week before Palm Sunday, was called Passion Sunday or Judica
Sunday after the first word of the introit “Judge me, O Lord …” (from Psalm 43). The veiling
referred to the closing words of the Sunday’s gospel, “They picked up stones to throw at Him,
but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple” (Jn. 8:59). The Lenten veil also expressed
the sorrow of the Church at this time. As a matter of fact, the Roman Missal still says, in a note
about the Saturday of the fourth week of Lent, that this tradition may be observed, continuing
the veiling until the beginning of the vigil. Also, the unveiling of the cross prior to veneration on
Good Friday is still an optional part of the liturgy.
ST. JOSEPH’S TABLE:
History:
Throughout the Catholic Church St. Joseph has always been regarded as the family
protector. Although other cultures observe St. Joseph’s Day, the Sicilian version
is the most elaborate. Several centuries ago, a severe famine in Sicily caused
considerable suffering and starvation. The peasant farmers turned in prayer to
St. Joseph, foster-father of the Infant Savior, and asked his intercession before
the throne of God. Their prayers were answered. The famine soon ended and in
gratitude, the farmers honored St. Joseph by covering an altar with their most
prized possession: food. St. Joseph altars evolved into family open houses,
offered in gratitude for special prayers that had been answered.
Today it is also used as a petition for favors, and for family and loved ones. In an effort to keep
the tradition alive, and because of the geographical changes in the Italian community, most
tables are prepared and planned by the ‘church family,’ led by those of Italian heritage.
The food placed on the St. Joseph Table and served to guests has always been meatless
because St. Joseph’s Day always falls within Lent. The majority of the dishes are prepared with
grain products in keeping with the original donations of those Sicilian farmers. All proceeds
from the Table are given to the poor and needy.
Our own version of the “St. Joseph Table”, less elaborate this year, will be placed in the
Commons next weekend, 19 - 20 March. The parish is invited to celebrate St. Joseph by brings
bread, bakery products to place on the altar. Instead of us feasting at the bounty all donations
will be distributed to local food pantries and homeless shelters.
SAINT OF THE WEEK: GREGORY OF NYSSA c. 335-395
9 MAR
Bishop and brother of St. Basil, one of the Cappadocian Fathers and “the Father of the Fathers.”
He was born in Caesarea, Cappadocia (modern Turkey), the son of St. Basil and St. Emmilia.
Educated as a rhetorician, he married Theosebeia. St. Gregory Nazianzus ordained him a priest
and he was made the bishop of Myssa, Armenia, in 372. Facing Arians in his diocese, he was
falsely accused of crimes and imprisoned. He escaped but was deposed in 376. Emperor
Gratian (r. 367-383) restored him in 378 after the death of the Arian Emperor Valens at the
hands of the Goths at the Battle of Adrianople. The following year he attended the Council of
Antioch, where he was most outspoken against Arianism. In 380, he was elected bishop of
Sebaste against his wishes, and in 381 he emerged as one of the most ardent orthodox leaders
at the Council of Constantinople. As a consequence of this, he was long honored as one of the
most prominent and respected theologians in the Eastern Church. He wrote numerous
theological treatises, including Catechetical Discourse; commentaries on the Scriptures;
explanations and defenses of the faith; and ascetical treatises, including On Virginity, On
Perfection, and On the Christian Life. The second General Council of Nicaea (680-81) praised his
works. Many consider him the most profound of the three Cappadocian Fathers, Sts. Basil,
Gregory Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa.
Guide for Examination of Conscience for Confession of Sins
6 STEPS FOR A GOOD CONFESSION
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Examine your conscience - what sins have you committed since your last good
confession.
Be sincerely sorry for your sins.
Confess your sins to the priest.
Make certain that you confess all your mortal sins and the number of them.
After your confession, do the penance the priest gives to you.
Pray daily for the strength to avoid the occasion of sin, especially for those sins you were
just absolved from.
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread
the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who
are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess
my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.
Amen.
FIRST COMMANDMENT
"I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before Me." (Ex 20:2,3)
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Did I doubt or deny that God exists?
Did I refuse to believe what God has revealed to us?
Did I believe in fortune telling, horoscopes, dreams, the occult, good-luck charms, tarot
cards, palmistry, Ouija boards, seances, reincarnation?
Did I deny that I was Catholic?
Did I leave the Catholic Faith?
Did I give time to God each day in prayer?
Did I love God with my whole heart?
Did I despair of or presume on God's mercy?
Did I have false gods in my life that I gave greater attention to than God, like money,
profession, drugs, TV, fame, pleasure, property, etc.?
SECOND COMMANDMENT
"You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain." (Ex 20:7)
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Did I blaspheme or insult God?
Did I take God's name carelessly or uselessly?
Did I curse, or break an oath or vow?
Did I get angry with God?
THIRD COMMANDMENT
"Remember that you keep holy the Sabbath Day." (Ex 20:8)
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Did I miss Mass Sunday or a Holy Day of Obligation through my own fault?
Did I come to Mass on time? Leave early?
Did I do work on Sunday that was not necessary?
Did I set aside Sunday as a day of rest and a family day?
Did I show reverence in the presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament?
FOURTH COMMANDMENT
"Honor your father and your mother." (Ex 20:12)
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Did I disobey or disrespect my parents or legitimate superiors?
Did I neglect my duties to my husband, wife, children or parents?
Did I neglect to give good religious example to my family?
Did I fail to actively take an interest in the religious education and formation of my
children?
Did I fail to educate myself on the true teachings of the Church?
Did I give scandal by what I said or did, especially to the young?
Did I cause anyone to leave the faith?
Did I cause tension and fights in my family?
Did I care for my aged and infirm relatives?
Did I give a full day's work for a full day's pay?
Did I give a fair wage to my employees?
FIFTH COMMANDMENT
"You shall not kill." (Ex 20:13)
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Did I kill or physically injure anyone?
Did I have an abortion, or advise someone else to have an abortion? (One who procures
an abortion is automatically excommunicated, as is anyone who is involved in an
abortion, Canon 1398. The excommunication will be lifted in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation.)
Did I use or cause my spouse to use birth control pills (whether or not realizing that birth
control pills do abort the fetus if and when conceived)?
Did I attempt suicide?
Did I take part in or approve of "mercy killing" (euthanasia)?
Did I get angry, impatient, envious, unkind, proud, revengeful, jealous, hateful toward
another, lazy?
Did I give bad example by drug abuse, drinking alcohol to excess, fighting, quarreling?
Did I abuse my children?
SIXTH COMMANDMENT
"You shall not commit adultery." (Ex 20:14) "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife." (Ex
20:17)
Note: In the area of deliberate sexual sins listed below, all are mortal sins if there is sufficient
reflection and full consent of the will. "No fornicators, idolaters, or adulterers, no sodomites,...
will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor 6:9-10) "Anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has
already committed adultery with her in his thoughts." (Mt 5:28)
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Did I willfully entertain impure thoughts or desires?
Did I use impure or suggestive words? Tell impure stories? Listen to them?
Did I deliberately look at impure TV, videos, plays, pictures or movies? Or deliberately
read impure materials?
Did I commit impure acts by myself (masturbation)?
Did I commit impure acts with another - fornication (premarital sex), adultery (sex with
a married person)?
Did I practice artificial birth control (by pills, device, withdrawal)?
Did I marry or advise anyone to marry outside the Church?
Did I avoid the occasions of impurity?
Did I try to control my thoughts?
Did I engage in homosexual activity?
Did I respect all members of the opposite sex, or have I thought of other people as
objects?
Did I or my spouse have sterilization done?
Did I abuse my marriage rights?
SEVENTH & TENTH COMMANDMENTS
"You shall not steal." (Ex 20:15) "You shall not covet your neighbor's goods." (Ex 20:17)
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Did I steal, cheat, help or encourage others to steal or keep stolen goods? Have I made
restitution for stolen goods?
Did I fulfill my contracts; give or accept bribes; pay my bills; rashly gamble or speculate;
deprive my family of the necessities of life?
Did I waste time at work, school or at home?
Did I envy other people's families or possessions?
Did I make material possessions the purpose of my life?
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Ex 20:16)
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Did I lie?
Did I deliberately deceive others, or injure others by lies?
Did I commit perjury?
Did I gossip or reveal others' faults or sins?
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Did I fail to keep secret what should be confidential?
OTHER SINS
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Did I fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?
Did I eat meat on the Fridays of Lent or Ash Wednesday?
Did I fail to receive Holy Communion during Eastertime?
Did I go to Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin? Without fasting (water and
medicine permitted) for one hour from food and drink?
Did I make a bad confession?
Did I fail to contribute to the support of the Church?