Readings for Tuesday 8 April 2014
Num 21:4-9. Ps 101:2-3, 16-21, R/ v 2. Jn 8:21-30. www.catholicbishops.ie/readings
Christ lifted up on the Cross is the image which identifies his followers everywhere. Christians have knelt before the Cross in all times of need and distress. It has been held before the eyes of those facing death. It has led missionary journeys so that those who looked upon it might have new life.
Pope Francis on Twitter
“How good it is for us when the Lord unsettles our lukewarm and superficial lives.”
Follow Pope Francis @pontifex
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.
Dublin confession boxes stay open longer for Lent
The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, is asking city centre shoppers and commuters to consider receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter, even if it has been many years since their last Confession.
This Saturday and the following Saturday, priests will be available in twelve city Churches, north and south of the Liffey, for over eight hours allowing ample time for anyone considering it to come back to Confession. Dublin Churches taking part in the “Light is on for You” initiative have helpful leaflets aimed at people returning to Confession after a long time, to assist them to prepare and reflect on the Sacrament
In a letter to priests and parishes all over the Archdiocese encouraging as many as possible to take part in this initiative, Archbishop Martin said “Lent is the season of conversion and return to God. It is a time also in which we can rediscover the joy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He said the “The Light is Still on for You” initiative was inspired by a call from Pope Francis who earlier this year set out a challenge: “I would like to ask you — but don’t say it aloud, everyone respond in his or her own heart: when was the last time you made your confession? Two days, two weeks, two years, twenty years, forty years? And if much time has passed, do not lose another day. Be courageous and go to Confession! Jesus will receive you; he will receive you with so much love”. (Pope Francis)
The Dublin city churches taking part will provide Confessions continually this Saturday, 12th and again on 19th April, from 9.30am until 6pm. There will be a number of confessors available throughout the day so that sufficient time will be available for people to have a conversation about their life.
Churches taking part close to the city centre include:
- Saint Mary’s, Pro-Cathedral
- Saint Andrew’s, Westland Row
- Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street
- Saint Teresa’s, Clarendon Street
- Our Lady Queen of Peace, Merrion Rd.
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Bachelors Walk
- Saint Joseph’s, Berkely Road
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar St.
- Our Lady Refuge of Sinners, Rathmines
- Saint John’s Priory, Johns Lane
- Saint Saviours, Dominick Street
- Saint Mary’s, Haddington Road
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.