Readings for Tuesday 1 April 2014 (4th Week of Lent)
Ez 47:1-9, 12. Ps 45:2-3, 5-6, 8-9, R/ v 8. Jn 5:1-3, 5-16. www.catholicbishops.ie/readings.
The water of Baptism gives great joy to the Church. By this water we are healed and saved. By Baptisms all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as punishments for sin. Nothing remains that would impede the baptised from entry into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Today we remember Saint Ceallach (Celsus) born in 1080. He became Abbot of Armagh in 1105 and was ordained priest. He was influenced by the reform then in progress in Munster. He presided at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111. In 1129, on a visitation of Munster, he died and is buried in Lismore in accordance with his own request.
Pope Francis on Twitter
“Lent is a time to change direction, to respond to the reality of evil and poverty.”
Follow Pope Francis on Twitter @Pontifex.
Excerpt from Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel
“In our time humanity is experiencing a turning-point in its history, as we can see from the advances being made in so many fields. We can only praise the steps being taken to improve people’s welfare in areas such as health care, education and communications. At the same time we have to remember that the majority of our contemporaries are barely living from day to day, with dire consequences. A number of diseases are spreading. The hearts of many people are gripped by fear and desperation, even in the so-called rich countries. The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect for others and violence are on the rise, and inequality is increasingly evident. It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little dignity. This epochal change has been set in motion by the enormous qualitative, quantitative, rapid and cumulative advances occuring in the sciences and in technology, and by their instant application in different areas of nature and of life. We are in an age of knowledge and information, which has led to new and often anonymous kinds of power.” – Evangelii Gaudium 52.
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intentions for April 2014
Pope Francis’ universal prayer intention for April is: “That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources”.
His intention for evangelisation is: “That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those who are being tested by pain and sickness”.
Trócaire Fast ….. Can you help to make a difference this Lent?
Take part in Trócaire’s 24 hour Fast on Friday 18th April 2014! Ask your family and friends to sponsor you. If you don’t want to give up food for the day, you can give up anything else you want.. as long as it’s a challenge! Try giving up your phone or social media.
For more information see http://www.trocaire.org/takeaction/fundraise
Daily Lenten Prayers
(i) A Child’s Prayer for Brothers and Sisters
Dear Lord, I thank you for my brothers and sisters. Though sometimes we quarrel and bicker, help us to be more patient. Help us to know when teasing is fun and when it begins to hurt and annoy; help us to never be jealous of those older ones who have privileges we do not. Give us patience with those younger and weaker and more in need of our care and concern. Teach us to share cheerfully; not to tell tales; to be understanding.
Give to me and all of us the gifts of strong loyalty and deep love for our family.
AMEN
(ii) Living in Justice and in Love
O Lord,
the Christian family
is the first community
called to live together the gospel.
Let us always help one another to discern
our own vocations and to accept responsibility
in the search for greater justice
and in our interpersonal relationships
to be rich in justice and in love.
Resources on the Vatican website for Lent 2014
The Vatican is collating all the resources for Lent 2014 on a special link on the home page of www.vatican.va. It includes the catechesis, addresses and homilies of the Holy Father, information on liturgical events and video and other multimedia content. Click here to access it.
The Meaning of Lent
The English word ‘Lent’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon word Lencten, meaning ‘Spring’. In other languages the word comes from the Latin, Quadragesima – a period of 40 days. In the Christian tradition the forty days is understood to refer to a time of intense prayer and preparation; we remember the biblical stories of Noah and the flood of 40 days, the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness and Christ’s forty day fast in the desert in preparation for his earthly ministry.
