Readings for Wednesday 19 March 2014
2 Sm 7:4-5, 12-14, 16. Ps 88:2-5, 27, 29, R/ v 37. Rm 4:13, 16-18, 22. Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24 or Lk 2:41-51. www.catholicbishops.ie/readings
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
‘The virtues of Saint Joseph have been the object of ecclesial reflection down through the centuries, especially the more recent centuries. Among those virtues the following stand out: faith, with which he fully accepted God’s salvific plan; prompt and silent obedience to the will of God; love for and fulfilment of the law, true piety, fortitude in time of trial; chaste love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, a dutiful exercise of his paternal authority, and fruitful reticence’ (Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy 219).
Today is the anniversary of the inauguration of the Petrine ministry of Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome in 2013. An intention for the Holy Father should be included in the Prayer of the Faithful at all Masses.
Pope Francis on Twitter
“I greet all those who are sick and suffering. Christ Crucified is with you; cling to him!”
Excerpt from Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel
“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.” – Evangelii Gaudium 2
Have big hearts: always forgiving others – Pope Francis
“Merciful men and women have big, big hearts: always forgiving others and thinking about their own sins. This is the way of mercy for which we must ask. But if all of is, if all people, individuals, families, neighbourhoods, had this attitude, how much peace there would be in the world – how much peace in our hearts! Because mercy brings us peace. Always remember: ‘Who am I to judge? Have shame and enlarge your heart. May the Lord give us this grace.” – Pope Francis, Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, 17 March 2014.
Video: Bishop Brendan Leahy on the Creed
Bishop Brendan Leahy introduces the section of the Creed on God the Son. For more on this series please see www.catholicbishops.ie/creed
Diocese of Galway Lectio Divina for Lent
Those who would like to experience Lectio Divina are invited to a series of five sessions on the Tuesdays of Lent.
Reading the Scripture, Reflecting on the Meaning, Responding through Prayer, Resting in God & Responding in Action.
Venue: Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Newtownsmith.
Time: 11.30a.m.
Dates: Tuesday 11th, 18th, 25th March, 1st & 8th April.
Stations of the Cross
Click here for the Stations of the Cross led by Father Paul Clayton Lea, a priest of the Archdiocese of Armagh.
Daily Lenten Prayers
(i) We pray for all who spread the gospel;
that they may bring the good news of Christ
to all nations and people.
(ii) We pray for the women and men who are preparing
for Baptism this Easter;
may they find purification and enlightenment
in their Lenten journey.
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.
