church of the nativity, burke va palm sunday march 25, … often came to regret his behavior. he...
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Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
- Isaiah 50:41
This week allows us the grace-filled opportunity to deepen our faith and to fall in love with Jesus all over again. Our "elect" will lead us to a new life in Christ as they are baptized, confirmed and share in Eucharist for the first time. Let us pray for one another that we might experience, during these holy days, the healing and peace that comes to us from our loving God. There are eight Easter Masses at Nativity this year beginning on Holy Saturday evening with the Great Easter Vigil at 8:30pm. Over 40 elect and candidates will become new Catholics. Sunday morning Masses include a sunrise 5:30am Mass and Masses at the Burke Fire Hall (next to the Post Office) at 9:30am and 11:30am. The seating capacity is 250 and we will need to abide by that. It is our hope that these off site Masses will relieve some of the seating and parking here at the Church. The full Easter Mass schedule is in today’s bulletin. May the new light and power of Easter fill you with Jesus’ life. . Love and blessings,
Fr. Bob Cilinski Pastor
A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski
Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Through the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you stand in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land as a
witness of peace, supporting Catholics there in parishes and schools, maintaining Christian shrines and caring for refugees
in the Holy Land. PLEASE BE GENEROUS!
Parish Office Easter Holiday Closings
In observance of Holy Thursday, March 29, the parish office will close at 12:00pm.
The office will be closed all day on Good Friday, March 30.
For Easter, the parish office will be closed all day on Sunday, April 1 and Monday, April 2.
* The office will be open on Saturday, March 31 - 9:00am-5:00pm
HAPPY EASTER
Palm Sunday They couldn't kill him for blasphemy, a religious crime Rome didn't recognize. But they could put him to death for a political crime like treason. So Jesus died under the accusation, "King of the Jews." He had no throne, no army, no power to threaten governments. But he threatened a lot of people with the power to change hearts.
Monday - Brave Mary of Bethany Was Mary a prophet? She forecast Jesus' death by preparing him for burial. Was she a minister of a sacramental, anointing his body with soothing oil? Was she a disciple, a friend, a woman in love? Unconcerned with others' judgments, she did what her heart commanded.
Tuesday - Passionate Peter Peter, too, followed his heart. He spoke and acted impulsively, and often came to regret his behavior. He swears he will die for Jesus, and within hours he denies him. But in fact, Peter will die for Jesus one day. He, likens, just needs to get the bugs out of his witness.
Wednesday - God's Suffering Servant . Isaiah wrote poems about the Lord's servant who suffers innocently for justice. The Gospel writers recognized Jesus in those poems. Innocent suffering may repel us, but it also emboldens our hearts. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." Such love finds its response in our courage.
Holy Thursday - Foot Washers Mothers of small children, caregivers for the elderly, nurses in sickrooms, take heart: Washing the feet of those who need us is an activity particularly blessed by God. Humble acts of service give glory to the Lord who once washed feet to show us how far our love should go.
Good Friday - Carrying the Cross The cross is the symbol of human suffering and death. No one wants to carry the cross, but each of us will be forced underneath it someday, like Simon of Cyrene, when we least expect it. How we carry it will depend on how well we've understood the sign of the cross, every time we've used it in blessing.
Easter Vigil - Standing at the Tomb Many visit the tomb in the early hours of Easter. The holy women. Angels. The disciples. We come to the tomb as well, to stand and peer into the very hollow where our faith lives. Is it empty? What do we see? Is he risen, or is it a trick? If we say Alleluia, we accept the challenge to say it with our whole lives.
Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY Holy Week Schedule 2018
HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 29 Morning Prayer 8:30am Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:30pm (Bilingual) Individual Prayer follows at Altar of Repose Night Prayer in the Chapel of Repose 11:45pm (Fr. Ready Room)
GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 30 Morning Prayer 8:30am Stations of the Cross 12:00pm Divine Mercy Chaplet 2:30pm The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 3:00pm Stations of the Cross 6:00pm (Spanish) The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 6:30pm (Spanish)
HOLY SATURDAY, MARCH 31 Morning Prayer 8:30am The Blessing of Easter Food 9:00am
THE EASTER VIGIL 8:30pm
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night Blessing of the new fire, Lighting of the Easter Candle
and the Celebration of the New Sacraments of Initiation with the Elect and Candidates in RCIA and RCIC
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD, APRIL 1
Masses at: 5:30am, 7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm (Spanish)
Celebrated at The Church of The Nativity
Masses at: 9:30am and 11:30am Celebrated at The Burke Station Fire Hall
There is NO Evening Mass on Easter Sunday
Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
“The Church affirms the inviolable dignity of every person, regardless of the duration or extent of the person's incapacity or dependency. Nothing diminishes the unchangeable dignity and sanctity of a person's life, or the obligation to protect and care for it.” USCCB
Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, “Catholic Considerations for Our Earthly Passing”, www.usccb.org/end-of-life-considerations
Choose Life Today. Choose Life Tomorrow. Pray Always. We Must Do No Less.
The Falls Church 40 Days For Life campaign concludes Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018.40 Days for Life is a focused Pro-Life effort that consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, 40 days of community outreach. See details at https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/falls-church/. Sign Up For Vigil Hours, become a "Prayer Warrior" and Stand Up For Life! For more info, please contact Ms. Soledad Olivera, 703-863-0710, [email protected]
KAIROS Cookie Ministry
If you or your family can make cookies--GOOD! God needs them! This year’s KAIROS Prison Retreat at Buckingham prison for men is April 19-22. Any kind of cookie is OK. The Nativity team will pick up cookie donations on Wednesday, April 18th around noon time from the drop off location in the School Office area. The only requirement: 1 dozen per zip lock bag (Quart Size). Nativity’s “cookie tax” is 500 dozen for the 4-day retreat in April and the 2-day follow-up in May. If you want to write encouragement notes to a “Kairos Brother in Christ,” do so but do not put your last name on it. Same goes with art, placemats and prayer cards—no last names. We have 47 residents signed up at this time. If you want to hear how it went, or have a Kairos Team Member talk about it, just send a request to: [email protected].
THANK YOU!
Spotlight on the Arts Summer Camps
Offers 1 week day-camps called: Camp Broadway, Drama Bootcamp, Arts & Crafts Fun Camp, and Art Explorer Camp, this July at All Saints in Manassas and the Church of the Nativity in Burke. Older Teens will enjoy advanced level training in Acting, Dance, Music, and Art while younger kids will be introduced to wonderful new activities through drama and art. Students are split by age group and placed in small classes to maximize instruction. All teachers are masters of their subject and are strong Catholics. This is truly a unique opportunity.
See www.SpotlightSummerCamps.com to learn more!
Easter Holiday — All Religious Education classes are cancelled during Holy Week and Easter Week, March 25-April 3. Classes resume their regular schedules on Sunday, April 8; Monday, April 9; and Tuesday, April 10.
2018-2019 Class Registration is now open! Take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and register prior to August 1. Class placement is based on first come first served. To register submit a completed 2018-2019 Student Registration form (one per family), an Emergency Care Form (one per student), tuition payment, and a copy of a student’s baptism certificate (including students baptized at Nativity) unless the baptism certificate is already on file in the Religious Education Office. Forms are available in the Religious Education Office and from the Religious Education webpage, www.nativityburke.org/nativityccd, click on Student Registration.
For the 2018‑2019 religious education school year! Please volunteer to extend the love of the Lord and his Church to the children of Nativity. Catechists, assistant catechists,
substitutes, babysitters, and office assistants are needed. The Volunteer Application form is available in the Religious Education Office, online at www.nativityburke.org/nativityccd, click on Volunteer Opportunities, or call the Religious Education Office at 703.455.0372.
The Inclement Weather Policy - We follow FCPS weather policy. More information can be viewed at www.nativityburke.org/nativityccd; link to the Inclement Weather Policy at the bottom of Current News and Events.
Thank you Nativity parishioners for your continued support of the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. As of March 15, our pledges and
one-time donations total $560,421 with one in five of our Nativity families participating. That’s 94% of our $595,000 goal!
We continue advancing but still need more families involved to get closer to our 100% participation goal. You may make a pledge or
gift online at: www.arlingtondiocese.org. Please consider a sacrificial offering for the many blessings our good God has given
you. Your support helps the many charities, ministries, and programs throughout the Diocese and so much here at Nativity.
Thank you once again and may God bless you for your sacrificial gift.
Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
You can designate Nativity Church or Nativity School as the beneficiaries of your Amazon Smile! You can choose Nativity by going to: YOUR ACCOUNT, YOUR AMAZON SMILE and designating Nativity. Amazon then contributes a small percentage of each purchase to Nativity. For questions, please contact Ann Benson: 703 455 2400.
3x Your impact! Amazon is tripling the donation rate on your first smile.amazon.com purchase now - through March 31!
Go to smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0942349 and Amazon donates to Church of the Nativity.
Nativity’s Grief Support Group Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month, from
7:30pm until 9:00pm, room 224. This Group is open to all.
Interested in advertising in the bulletin? Call Rick Cortez at 412-292-0132 or e-mail: [email protected].
Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour and Chaplet of the Divine Mercy April 8, 2018, 2:45-3:45 pm in the Church
There will be a Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour on Sunday, April 8th from 2:45 to 3:45 pm. Please join us in Eucharistic Adoration and in praying/singing the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer cards, rosaries and information pamphlets will be provided.
“Jesus, I trust in You!”
VOLUNTEER for VBC and CampEDGE! Current 7th—12th graders and Adults 18+
and for those young-at-heart
Vacation Bible CAMP VBC is a welcoming, Catholic ministry for Children currently in Pre-K to Grade 4 Tuesday, June 26 - Friday, June 29 From 9:00am—12:00pm Registration opens in mid-April
CampEDGE We go out into the community and serve!
Students currently in Grades 5, 6 and 7 Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday
June 26, 27, and 28 - 1:30pm—5:00pm Registration opens in mid-April
SAVE THE DATE! More info: email [email protected]
OPEN HOUSE!
Do you want to improve your spiritual and daily life as a Catholic man? Then join the Nativity Parish Knights of
Columbus! We will host an open house on Tuesday, April 3rd, at 7:30 p.m., in the Nativity School Cafeteria. We will
follow that with a Membership Ceremony on Tuesday, April 17th, at 7:30 pm. Contact DGK John Landy at
[email protected] or (703) 964-6294 to learn more about
the Knights of Columbus and our Council.
Monday, March 26 7:30am † Gloria Ngo Tuesday, March 27 7:30am † James Tsenghu Tsao 12:00pm † Toni Rausch Wednesday, March 28 7:30am † Thomas Green (Heatherwood) 10:00am † Dominic Hofert Thursday, March 29 7:30pm Special Intention for all Priests Friday, March 30 5:30pm Good Friday Saturday, March 31 8:30pm Easter Vigil Sunday, April 1 5:30am Parishioners 7:00am † Gertrude O’Keefe 9:00am † Franz Arakaky (Burke Firehouse)9:30am † Cerie Rowland 11:00am † Patricia Anne McGrath (Burke Firehouse)11:30am † Monica Conrad (Spanish) 1:00pm † Giovanni Jimenez
The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage: www.nativityburke.org
In prayer, let us remember the sick and deceased of the parish.
Church of the Nativity, Burke VA Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
http://www.nativityschool.org
NATIVITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Join us at the Knights OPEN HOUSE! Do you want to improve your spiritual and daily life as a Catholic man? Then join the Nativity Parish Knights of Columbus! We will host an Open House on Tuesday, April 3rd, at 7:15 p.m., in the Nativity School Cafeteria. We will follow that with a Membership Ceremony on Tuesday, April 17th, at 7:30 pm. Con-tact DGK John Landy at [email protected] for more info.
Council Family Event! We are going to the Museum of the Bible on March 24th at 9:00am (an hour before the museum opens to the general public). This will give our K of C families an opportunity to explore before the crowds come at 10 am. The council will provide the admission fee and there is a 20% discount in the gift shop. This is a great opportunity to spend quality family time at DC’s newest museum. To sign up visit the council website at http://fathersikoracouncil.org/ For questions contact Br. Russ Smith at [email protected].
Art Auction: The Annual Art Auction for 2018 will be held on April 7th, 2018. Preview begins at 7:00 PM, Auction starts at 8:00 PM. Hors D'oeuvres by "A Bit More" Catering. Wine and beer will be served. Cost: $15.00 per person or become a Patron, $60.00 for 6 tickets. Need more information? Contact Tom Savage, (M) 512.983.5641, [email protected].
Knights of Columbus Church Event: Father Sikora Council, 7992, will be conducting a Church Event visiting and touring the Mission of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, on Saturday, 21 April. We plan to tour the Monastery, Garden, Catacombs, Gift Shop, submit prayer requests, and have a bite to eat, as well as attend the 5:00pm Mass. The Monastery is located at 1400 Quincy Street, N.E., Washing-ton, DC 20017; Parking is available, and also accessible from the CUA Metro Stop. Please email PGK Mike Litzelman if interested: [email protected]. More information about the Monastery can be found at: https://www.inspirock.com/united-states/washington-dc/franciscan-monastery-of-the-holy-land-a121453471gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwNHW1Zfg2QIVQksNCh1QlgREEAAYAiAAEgIXBPD_BwE
Inputs for the April Newsletter: Are due by Wednesday, 28 March. Earlier inputs are welcome.
Council Meeting: The next council meeting is Tuesday, 3 April. Rosary starts at 7:15pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm.
The following are nearby opportunities to advance in the degrees of our Order: 1st Degree (Admission): Tues, 17 April 7:30 pm, Council 7992, Nativity. 2nd Degree (Formation): Tues, 8 May 7:30 pm, Council 7992, Nativity. 4th Degree (Ceremonial): Sat, April 21, 11:00am, Charlottesville. Please contact DGK John Landy at [email protected] if you'd like to participate in these ceremonies so that we can coordinate with the host Councils.
Join the Knights! Do you want to make a difference as a Catholic Gentleman? Then join the Knights of Columbus! Please contact DGK John Landy at [email protected] if you are interested
or know someone who is.
Open House This Wednesday! ~ Enrollment NOW OPEN
For the 2018-19 School Year ~ OPEN HOUSE
March 28, 2018 * 9:00 am-11:00 am April 18, 2018 * 9:00 am-11:00 am Contact us at (703)455-2300, www.nativityschool.org, or [email protected]. We look forward to meeting you!
************************************************ Nativity Catholic School is committed to making Catholic
education accessible to those who desire it, and offers financial assistance to make their dream come true.
Yes, Catholic education is worth the investment! **************************************
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, April 21! ~ Nativity Golden Star Saloon Casino & Auction ~ The website is open to donate, buy tickets, or volunteer. www.501auctions.com/nativityauction2018 Consider donating an item, advertising in the auction catalogue, or volunteering to help with this event.
************************************** Second Graders Populate Presidents’ Hall In one of our favorite Second Grade traditions -- in honor of Presidents’ Day -- each student adopts the persona of one of our U.S. Presidents, delineates his policy, and responds to questions in-character.
Photos above: Kennedy left; Reagan right.
Join Us! A Few Preschool Seats Still Available ~~
Mystery Readers are a happy addition to our classroom -- who doesn’t enjoy it when Mom or Dad, or Nana or Pappy, or a favorite Aunt or Uncle stop by with a favorite book to share? We love it when they visit our classroom!
Come join us -- see how we spend the rest of our school day! For more information -- including on our Extended Care Program -- please contact Mrs. Mazzella at 703-455-2300.
Website: www.nativityburke.org Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
OUTSIDE THE PARISH
3rd Annual Nativity Parish Golf Tournament To Benefit Youth Programs at Nativity Parish
Monday, May 7, 2018 Westfields Golf Club, Clifton, VA
8:00am shot gun start
Please join Father Bob for 18 holes of golf, driving range, beverages, lunch following play, prizes, and much more, in our 3rd annual tournament to benefit the youth of Nativity
Parish. Spaces are filling up fast!
Register at: http://www.nativityparishgolf.com/ Interested in joining the Planning Committee?
Contact: [email protected]
Saturday, September 29th 2018
The 2017 Fall Festival was a great success, we are already planning the 2018 Fall Festival. We still need help in the following areas: outside games, pony rides, and much, much more. This year we are looking for groups again that would like to volunteer to prepare their favorite food for the International Food Court. If you have ideas for new things, and would like to help plan and coordinate, please come to our planning meeting.
The next meeting will be: Wednesday, March 28th at 7:00pm in the Fr. Ready Room.
For more information, please contact Barry or Janet Basselgia at 703-451-2106
Please join the Bishop O'Connell community for a 5K fun run/walk on Saturday, April 14. Proceeds from this event benefit the Expanded Services program at O'Connell, which provides inclusive Catholic high school education for kids with special needs. To register, please go to bishopoconnell.org/5k. If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Finnegan at [email protected]. See you there!
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Class basket raffle tickets and 50/50 raffle tickets will be on sale after all Masses on April 7/8 and April 14/15.
VOLUNTEER AS AN ESOL TEACHER
Help your newcomer neighbors learn English with Catholic Charities. We are actively looking for volunteer English teachers for classes at St. Bernadette. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-9:00PM, teachers must commit to at least one night per week. Classes begin on April 12th and end on June 14th. No teaching experience or foreign language necessary – volunteers receive training and curriculum! Want to teach with a friend or spouse? Teaching pairs are highly encouraged! Please contact Pablo at (571) 208-1572 ext 105 or [email protected] to get started!
Knights of Columbus Frenchy Cyr Memorial Scholarships
Once again, Nativity's Knights of Columbus Council 7992 will be awarding Cyr Memorial scholarships for Catholic secondary
school tuition (grades 9-12). Scholarship application forms will be available in the later part of March. As a reminder entrants must be registered parishioners at Nativity, or a son, daughter, or grandchild
of an active member of Council 7992. Questions, please contact Dave Zivich at [email protected] or 703-440-8437.
2018 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal Living in Faith ~ Giving in Gratitude
The Bishop’s Lenten Appeal is in full swing and we are asking every household in our parish to support this to the extent that they are able.
The BLA funds many programs, services and ministries that serve people in need and furthers the Gospel mission of Jesus Christ in our diocese. Let us join together to do the Lord’s work – works that touch the lives and souls of thousands of people in our diocese.
Website: www.nativityburke.org Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
Get our weekly CYM Update—Get on our list!
• Send an email to Ms. Ingrid to • [email protected] • Include Child’s Name, School, Grade and Birthdate • Parent/Guardian names, cell numbers
Contact Director: Alison Fram [email protected], cell: 703-577-5329
Find us on the parish website
COLLEGE MINISTRY and
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Young Adult Ministry Serving people ages 21-39
Weekly: - Every Tuesday - Small Group from 7:30-9:00pm in the Youth Room - Every Thursday - Basketball from 8:30-10:30pm in the Gym
3/29-
COLLEGE MINISTRY
Serving people ages 18-21
Nativity Youth Ministry Sunday Nights Schedule
EDGE Middle School Ministry Grades 6, 7, 8 3:30 pm — 5:00 pm
GLORY High School Ministry 6:30 pm Meal 7:00 pm Ministry 8:30-9:00 pm M-Hang Out
Bring a Friend and an Open Heart!
Visit our web site and social media
@nativi tycathol icyouthminist ry
@nativi tyCYM
www.nat ivi tyburkecym.org
THANK YOU for the GLORY DAYS RECEIPTS! Place itemized receipts in the collection baskets at Mass.
Thank you for Supporting Youth Ministry!
For new and continuing ministry with our parish teens. If you have felt the call to work with youth—give us a call—we’ll help you answer.
College Age Students, Young Adults, Parents, and Grandparents, Retirees….all are welcome to share the faith! Volunteering is a great way to meet new peers and be involved in the Nativity-Family!! Contact Ms. Ingrid to talk.
We’ve been updating our College Ministry page on the website! Take a look and you’ll find…
*Faith Connection- stories of what Nativity students are doing with their college’s Campus Ministry *Links to connect students with College Campus Ministries in the area *Events here at Nativity for students staying closer to home *Information about our July College Mission Trip to Haiti
Apply now for Nativity’s 3rd College Mission Trip to Haiti July 9-13, 2018
If you’d like more information about this opportunity, send an email to
Website: www.nativityburke.org Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
SEMANA SANTA Se Celebra en la Parroquia
DE LA NATIVIDAD
JUEVES SANTO, 29 DE MARZO Oraciones de la Mañana a las 8:30am Misa de la Cena de Señor: 7:30pm (Bilingüe) Oración Individual en el Altar de Reposo ~ Oraciones de la Noche 11:45 en la Capilla de Reposo (Salon de reunión Padre Ready ) VIERNES SANTO, 30 DE MARZO Oraciones de la mañana a las 8:30am Estaciones de la Santa Cruz: 6:00pm (Español) Celebración de la Pasión de Nuestro Señor: 6:30pm (Español) SABADO SANTO, 31 DE MARZO Oraciones de la mañana a las 8:30am Bendición de los Alimentos de Pascua: 9:00am VIGILIA DE PASCUA, 31 DE MARZO A LAS 8:30pm La Vigilia de Pascua en la Noche Santa Bendición del fuego Nuevo, Iluminación de la Vela de Pascua y la Celebración de los Sacramentos de Iniciación con los Ele-gidos y Candidatos de RICA, RCIC DOMINGO DE PASCUA DE LA RESURRECIONDEL SENOR, 1 DE ABRIL Misas a las: 5:30am, 7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am (Ingles) y 1:00pm (Español) Se celebra en la Iglesia de la Natividad 9:30am Se celebra en Ingles en los Salones de la Estación de Bomberos en Burke (Capacidad para 250 personas) 11:30am Se celebra en Ingles en los Salones de la Estación de Bombe-ros en Burke NO Hay Misa Vespertina el Domingo de Pascua
DOMINGO RAMOS + Mons. D. Ciriaco Benavente Mateos Las palmas: martirio y victoria “Como Jerusalén con su traje festivo/ vestida de palmeras, coronada de olivos/ viene la cristiandad en son de romería/ a inaugurar tu Pascua con himnos de alegría ”.
Así canta la liturgia del domingo de Ramos, aclamando jubilosa al que viene como Rey de un reino singular, cuyos dominios son el amor y la paz. La gente alfombra el camino con sus vestidos, co-mo si se tratara del rito propio de una entronización real, pero Jesús hace su entrada montado no en un brioso corcel, que hubiera sido signo de poder y de fuerza, sino en un borriquillo, el humilde trasporte de la gente pobre. Mientras el pueblo sencillo le aclama espontáneamente, se trama en la sombra el complot para acabar con él. Unos días más tarde, Jesús se proclamará rey ante Pilato, mientras el pueblo pedirá a gritos que lo crucifiquen. Veremos con qué facilidad pasa el pueblo, tan manipulable por los poderes de turno, de las palmas a los pitos, de la aclamación al vituperio. Las palmas son signo de martirio y, a la vez, de victoria. Y tras las escenas festivas que rememoramos en la procesión de los ramos, la liturgia, bruscamente, como lanzando un jarro de agua fría, nos pone delante la pasión. Y eso, como decía aquel verso de Machado, “es algo perfectamente serio”. “Es algo perfectamente serio” porque fue totalmente real, y porque es la historia de nunca acabar: Al mártir por antonomasia, sigue la multitud casi incontable de los mártires de la fe de ayer y de hoy, la larguísima lista de los que, mientras unos triunfan, gozan y se enriquecen, otros son crucificados o víctimas de la explotación, la marginación o la droga. Con ellos también quiso Jesús identi-ficarse. Cuando se tiene la vista afinada, enseguida se encuentra uno con el rostro doliente del Crucificado en miles de crucificados de ayer y de hoy. Alrededor de los ramos andamos todos: Unas veces entre las vic-timas, otras, entre los curiosos, los indiferentes y los cínicos. Po-demos estar entre los que ríen de lo más sagrado, como aquellos que se mofaban diciendo: “A ver si viene Elías a libarlo!”.No esta-mos asistiendo a una constante caricatura contra la fe y la moral? Podemos ser de los cobardes que huyen, como los apóstoles: -“ abandonándole, huyeron ”. De la crítica a un cristianismo triun-falista hemos pasado a un cristianismo vergonzante, timorato, con-temporizador. En esa gran procesión que recorre la historia, po-demos ir también de cireneos y verónicas, que también hay per-sonas, más de las que se cree, cuyas corazonadas diarias salvan al mundo de sus muchas bajezas. Será bueno que el domingo de Ra-mos tomáramos la palma o el ramito de olivo; que lo lleváramos con arte, que es tanto como saber conjugar la paradoja de proclamar a un Rey que ha venido a servir o de anunciar una muerte que genera Vida, de un fracaso que florece en victoria. Porque, ya sabéis el comentario de Jesús ante los que pretendían acallar a la gente: “ Si estos callan, hablarán las piedras ”. Caminamos hacia la Pascua, seguros de que tras la cruz estallará el ¡Aleluya! de la resurrección. Hay hoy quienes prefieren hablar de vacaciones de primavera en vez de hablar de Semana Santa. Incluso se dice que el reloj de la historia marca la hora del ocaso de lo religioso, de la descristian-ización, de la muerte de Dios en la conciencia de los hombres. Seguramente es así en no pocos casos. Pero también es verdad que muchos hombres mueren de consumismo, de vacío, de soledad, de sin-sentido, de desesperanza. Y también es verdad que otros muchos exigimos el derecho a cantar al que viene como Rey humilde; que nos apuntamos, aunque sea con temor y temblor, a la hondísima sabiduría de la cruz “Ibas, como va el sol a un ocaso de gloria/. Cantaban ya tu muerte al cantar tu victoria / pero tú eres el Rey, el Señor, el Dios fuerte,/ la vida que renace del fondo de la muerte”, sigue cantando la liturgia del domingo de Ramos.
Website: www.nativityburke.org Palm Sunday March 25, 2018
Cristo que nos llama a la conversión del espíritu Meditaciones para toda la Cuaresma Sábado tercera semana Cuaresma. ¿Qué esfuerzo he hecho para que Cristo sea el centro de mi vida? Por: P. Cipriano Sánchez LC | Fuente: Catholic.net
La experiencia de buscar convertir nuestro corazón a Dios, que es a lo que nos invita constantemente la Cuaresma, nace necesariamente de la expe-riencia que nosotros tengamos de Dios nuestro Señor. La experiencia del retorno a Dios, la experiencia de un corazón que se vuelve otra vez a nues-tro Señor nace de un corazón que experimenta auténticamente a Dios. No puede nacer de un corazón que simplemente contempla sus pecados, ni del que simplemente ve el mal que ha hecho; tiene que nacer de un cora-zón que descubre la presencia misteriosa de Dios en la propia vida.
Durante la Cuaresma muchas veces escuchamos: “tienes que hacer sacrifi-cios”. Pero la pregunta fundamental sería si estás experimentando más a Dios nuestro Señor, si te estás acercando más a Él.
En la tradición de la Iglesia, la práctica del Vía Crucis —que la Iglesia reco-mienda diariamente durante la Cuaresma y que no es otra cosa sino el recorrer mentalmente las catorce estaciones que recuerdan los pasos de nuestro Señor desde que es condenado por Pilatos, hasta el sepulcro—, necesariamente tiene que llevarnos hacia el interior de nosotros mismos, hacia la experiencia que nosotros tengamos de Jesucristo nuestro Señor.
Tenemos que ir al fondo de nuestra alma para ahí ver la profundidad que tiene Dios en nosotros, para ver si ya ha conseguido enraizar, enlazarse con nosotros, porque solamente así llegamos a la auténtica conversión del corazón. Al ver lo que Cristo pasó por mí, en su camino a la cruz, tengo que preguntarme: ¿Qué he hecho yo para convertir mi corazón a Cristo? ¿Qué esfuerzo he hecho para que mi corazón lo ponga a Él como el centro de mi vida?
Frecuentemente oímos: “es que la vida espiritual es muy costosa”; “es que seguir a Cristo es muy costoso”; “es que ser un auténtico cristiano es muy costoso”. Yo me pregunto, ¿qué vale más, lo que a mí me cuesta o lo que yo gano convirtiéndome a Cristo? Merece la pena todo el esfuerzo interior por reordenar mi espíritu, por poner mis valores en su lugar, por ser capaz de cambiar algunos de mis comportamientos, incluso el uso de mi tiempo, la eficacia de mi testimonio cristiano, convirtiéndome a Cristo, porque con eso gano. A la persona humana le bastan pequeños detalles para entrar en peniten-cia, para entrar en conversión, para entrar dentro de sí misma, pero po-dría ser que ante la dificultad, ante los problemas, ante las luchas interio-res o exteriores nosotros no lográramos encontrarnos con Cristo. Nosotros, que tenemos a Jesucristo todos los días si queremos en la Euca-ristía; nosotros, que tenemos a Jesucristo si queremos en su Palabra en el Evangelio; nosotros, que tenemos a Jesucristo todos los días en la oración, podemos dejarlo pasar y poner otros valores por encima de Cristo. ¡Qué serio es esto, y cómo tiene que hacer que nuestro corazón descubra al auténtico Jesucristo! Dirá Jesucristo: “¿De qué te sirve ganar todo el mundo, si pierdes tu alma? ¿Qué podrás dar tú a cambio de tu alma?” Es cuestión de ver hacia dónde estamos orientando nuestra alma; es cuestión de ver hacia dónde esta-mos poniendo nuestra intención y nuestra vida para luego aplicarlo a nuestras realidades cotidianas: aplicarlo a nuestra vida conyugal, a nues-tra vida familiar, a nuestra vida social; aplicarlo a mi esfuerzo por el creci-miento interior en la oración, aplicarlo a mi esfuerzo por enraizar en mi vida las virtudes.
Domingo de Ramos - B Evangelio de la Misa. Relato, Pasión-Muerte de Jesús: Mc 14,1-15,47 Este año (ciclo B) corresponde como Evangelio de la Santa Misa la narración de la Pasión y Muerte de Jesús según San Marcos. La Semana Santa se abre con esta larga lectura que cada año se toma de un evangelio sinóptico. Antes, en la ben-dición de los ramos con los que se entra procesionalmente en la Iglesia para la celebración eucarística, se ha recordado el relato de la entrada triunfal de Cristo en Jerusalén, aclamado y vitoreado por las gentes sencillas de la ciudad. _________________________________________________ Señor, Jesús, que te vemos aclamado y vitoreado por las gen-tes de Jerusalén, las mismas que dentro de unos días, van a pedir tu muerte. ¡Qué gran lección nos ofreces, Señor, en estos últimos días de tu vida! ¡Qué ejemplos a repudiar y despreciar nos ofrecen algunos personajes que te siguieron y te rodearon estos días! Pero ¡qué consoladores y estimulantes los ejemplos de tu Ma-dre, de Juan, de Pedro, cobarde primero pero sincera y valien-temente arrepentido después! También quiero aprender de Simón Cireneo y de la Verónica. Y como ellos quiero ayudarte a llevar la Cruz de los pecados de la humanidad, y a vivir con tu imagen divina gravada en mi corazón y manifestada en mi testimonio de ciudadano cristiano y de apóstol compro-metido. Hoy quiero, Señor, vitorearte gozosamente como aquellas buenas gentes de Jerusalén. Acoge mis aplau-sos de cristiano sincero y valiente, de trabajador responsable y solidario, de amigo y compañero leal y optimista, generoso y sacrificado, y de hijo, siempre fiel y solícito, piadoso y confi-ado. Que aproveche, un año más, esta semana, que con todo merecimiento llamamos santa, para que ante el recuerdo de tu Pasión y Muerte, se afiancen mis senti-mientos y propósitos de perseverancia en la santidad y en el apostolado. Que con mi buen ejemplo, mis palabras y mis buenas obras, contribuya a crear, en el entorno familiar y so-cial, el ambiente apropiado a estos días, para que todos nos sintamos más cerca de Ti por el perdón de la Confesión y en la participación de la Eucaristía; y así llegar a la Pascua de Resur-rección con el corazón henchido de alegría, agradecimiento y mayores compromisos apostólicos. . Padre Segismundo Fernandez Rodríguez
Cuando en esta Cuaresma escuchemos en nuestros oídos la voz de Cristo que nos llama a la conversión del espíritu, pidámosle que sea Él quien nos ayude a convertir el corazón, a transformar nuestra vida, a reordenar nuestra persona a una auténtica conversión del corazón, a una auténtica vuelta a Dios, a una auténtica experiencia de nuestro Señor.