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Nativity Catholic Church, Burke Virginia Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
“I will return to my Father” - Luke 15:11-31
My dear parishioners, In the midst of Lent we are given a moment for rejoicing, Laetare Sunday. All of the readings provide us with reasons for rejoicing. The overarching theme is the goodness and love of God. In the story of the prodigal son, the elder son strikes an interesting posture. He resents his father’s joyous treatment of the errant one. Jesus is contrasting the compassion of God with the mean-spiritedness of the Pharisees and scribes. Like the elder brother, they lack compassion, and they seem to resent the fact that God is merciful toward sinners who repent. Human justice is harsh, God’s justice always includes mercy. So in the midst of our Lenten rejoicing, we find a challenge. We must undergo a change of heart if we are to rejoice in God! Let us pray for the prodigal son’s brother. Let us continue to love one another and pray for one another on our Lenten journey to Easter. Love and Blessings,
Fr. Bob Cilinski, Pastor
A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski
Lenten Penance Service with Bishop Burbidge
Thursday, April 11 from 6:30 - 8:00pm 25 Priests will be available for
Individual Confessions
LENTEN SCHEDULE
Extra Weekday Lenten Masses Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00 noon
Stations of the Cross Fridays at 7:00pm in English, 8:00pm in Spanish
Extra Confession, The Light is ON for You Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
Each Wednesday evening during Lent From 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel Every Wednesday during Lent from
8:00am to 2:00pm
Joyful Noise Praise and Worship, Adoration, Confession
Join us on Friday, April 12 from *8:00-9:30pm in the Church *This month only it will start a half hour later.
All ages are welcome! Come for vibrant praise music, Eucharistic Adoration, and an opportunity for confession.
Nativity Catholic Church, Burke Virginia Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Nativity Catholic Church, Burke Virginia Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Catholicism 101: A Refresher On Who Are We and What We Believe?
Adult Confirmation Preparation and Continuing Education
All Classes will be held from 7:15-8:45pm in the Fr. Ready Room starting Monday, April 1.
Adult Confirmations with the Bishop will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More at 2:30pm
on Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019 For the full class schedule and more information, please visit:
nativityburke.org/catholicism-101/
APRIL 3
Our last Parish Lenten Soup Supper takes place on April 3rd from 6:00-7:30pm in the cafeteria! Join us for delicious
homemade soups as we enjoy a meal with our parish family. No cost to attend - a free will offering will benefit the ministry hosting each week. We also still need YOU to sign up to make
soup, we can't do it without you!
Sign up at: nativityburke.org/soup-suppers-2019
Nativity Religious Education Student Registration for the 2019-2020
School year is now open - visit nativityburke.org/re/ Registration Requirements:
1) A completed 2019-2020 Student Registration Form (one per family).
2) Emergency Care Form (one per student).
3) Payment (cash or check) at time of registration. Please make payable to: Nativity Religious Education.
4) A copy of student’s Baptism certificate (a copy of the Baptism Certificate is a requirement for registration includ-ing students baptized at Nativity). Note – returning students, please check with the RE office if we have a copy of the baptism certificate on file.
Classes start the week of September 15th Parents are encouraged to register early. Classes fill up fast! Visit our website for more information or call 703-455-0372
Coming up Confirmation Parents:
GROUP 1 Mass Celebration: Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 10:00am. Students and Sponsors are required to arrive at: 9:00am in the school gym.
Session 1 (Sunday, 2:00 - 3:15pm) Session 2 (Sunday, 3:45 - 5:00pm) Session 3 (Sunday, 7:00 - 8:15pm) Nativity Catholic School
GROUP 2 Mass Celebration: Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 1:30pm. Students and Sponsors are required to arrive at: 12:30pm in the school gym.
Session 4 (Monday, 4:30 - 5:45pm) Session 5 (Monday, 7:00 - 8:15pm) Session 6 (Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:45pm) Session 7 (Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:15pm)
50% off for volunteer catechists and assistant catechists for a full school year of service
Early Bird Discount Applies to registrations received prior to August 1
1 child = $110 2 children = $130 3 or more children= $150
Regular Tuition after August 1 1 child = $140 2 children = $160 3 or more children= $180
**2 WEEKS TO GO ** Please don't wait until the last minute to sell your tickets. All tickets, stubs and monies are due by Tuesday, April 30th. Remember $5 gets a chance to win all five 2019 vehicles from Koon’s of Manassas (Honda Odyssey Van, Honda CRV Sport Utility, GMC Sierra truck, Buick Verano & a Honda Civic) plus up to $20,000 in cash.
The drawings will be held on Saturday, May 4 at All Saints in Manassas, VA. Please mail your sold ticket stubs directly to All Saints in the envelope provided. If you need more tickets or have questions please contact PGK Sam Morthland @ 703-455-2186.
2019 Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA) “Together in the Light of Christ”
The BLA is in full swing and we ask every household in our parish to support this appeal. You may make a pledge or gift online at: www.arlingtondiocese.org. As of March 21, our parishioners have pledged and donated a total of $518,586 toward our financial goal of $635,000. A great outpouring of your love! These gifts come from about one in five of our Nativity house-holds. 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. Thank you! For more information: nativityburke.org/2019bla.
Come Help Stella Marina – an Operation Starfish project – Build Birthing Kits!
When: Sunday, March 31 after all morning Masses Time: from 7:30am - 2:30pm Where: Nativity School Cafeteria
Stella Marina has a goal of bringing 2,000 kits to Haiti in June and we need your help! Making a birthing kit is easy and takes only a few minutes. Bonus – March 31 is also Donut Sunday. So after you make your kit, walk the short distance to the Father Martin Center and grab a donut for all your hard work!
Questions? Please email [email protected] or [email protected] or visit
https://nativityburke.org/build-birthing-kits/
Nativity Catholic Church, Burke Virginia Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Monday, April 1 7:30am † Ray Hamrick Tuesday, April 2 7:30am Special Intention for John Bradshaw 12:00pm † Catherine Perlik Wednesday, April 3 7:30am † Catherine Perlik (Sunrise) 3:00pm † Mary Ann Castranio Thursday, April 4 7:30am † Karisma Avila 12:00pm † Nimette Yousif Friday, April 5 7:30am † Thomas Dougherty (School Mass) 9:00am Special Intention for Jennifer No Saturday, April 6 7:30am † Rigoberto Amas 5:00pm † Richard & Tyler McMahon 7:00pm † Esmeralda Grillo Sunday, April 7 7:30am † Steven Mrowka 9:00am Parishioners 11:00am † Edward Hanrahan 12:45pm † Craig Kawamoto 5:30pm † Edward Bannon
The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage: nativityburke.org
In prayer, let us remember the sick and deceased of the parish.
On March 31, 2019, “Terri’s Day” will be observed to commemorate the 14th Anniversary of the 2005 death of Terri Schiavo who was cruelly and needlessly dehydrated to death while her family and millions of supporters stood
by, unable to stop her court-ordered sanctioned death. Visit www.terrisfight.org and please consider supporting
The Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network.
The Falls Church 40 Days For Life continues through Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019. 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 full 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 Soledad Olivera,
at 703-863-0710 or [email protected].
Please support the TEPEYAC FAMILY CENTER, 4001 Fair Ridge Drive Suite 304, Fairfax, VA 22033, 703-273-9440,
with your prayers and financial resources. Info on this pregnancy resource center can be found at www.tepeyacfamilycenter.com
VIRGINIA MARCH FOR LIFE Wednesday, April 3, 2019, Richmond VA
Departure would be approx. 8:00am and return by approx. 6:00pm. Cost for coach transportation would be approx. $35-$40 per person
based on joining other groups from our area. Interested? Contact George Getek at [email protected].
See additional details and FAQ's at: https://marchforlife.org/virginia-march-for-life/
or https://nativityburke.org/va-mfl/
Knights of Columbus French 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 at the parish office.
As a reminder entrant must be a 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.
In keeping with our tradition this Easter Season, we are again asking the Nativity community to help us in bringing even a small bit of joy to local children that are served by organizations in our community/congregation. Requested donations include:
Easter candy - individually wrapped candies, chocolate rabbits, chocolate lambs, etc.
Individually wrapped healthy snacks
Small toys - to include small stuffed animals, jump ropes
Bubbles, playdoh, story books, etc.
Crayons, markers, coloring books
Personal care items for pre-teens
The organizations that we assist request that we NOT accept the following:
NO Easter baskets, NO Easter grass, NO plastic eggs
NO candy that is not individually wrapped, i.e., jelly beans
We will collect items before and after all Masses ONLY on the weekend of April 6th and 7th. Please drop your donations in the boxes located in the church vestibule. Thank you for your continued generosity and support! If you have any questions, please contact:
Kathleen Powers at 703-455-1853, email: [email protected] or visit nativityburke.org/won-easter/
Nativity Catholic Church, Burke Virginia Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Join the Knights! Do you want to make a difference as a Catholic Gentleman? Then join the Knights of Columbus! Please contact DGK John Ostrowski at [email protected] if you are interested in joining our order or know someone who is. If you want a quick easy alternative way to join the Knights, try Online Membership. In only 5-10 minutes, just go to www.kofc.org/joinus, fill out the needed information, and put Council 7992 as your preferred Council. We’ll do the rest! Council Meeting: The next council meeting is Tuesday, April 2. Rosary starts at 7:15pm and the meeting will start at 7:30pm. Lenten Fish Fry: The next Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry will be held on Friday, April 12 in the school cafeteria. Easter Vigil Reception, Sacraments of Initiation: (Baptism, Confirma-tion & Eucharist) Knights will again be hosting the reception after the Easter Vigil (20 April) for the newly confirmed candidates and catechumens. This year the numbers are smaller than last year, and we are estimating 30-33 confirmations. Assuming 5 people per confirmandi, including family members, sponsors, clergy and team members, etc., this indicates a maximum number of 150-165 people for the reception. Fraternal Committee Caring For Caregivers and Care Recipients! At some point many of us may step into the role of caregiver for a spouse or other family member. What does it mean to be a caregiver? What are some ways to cope with the challenges of caring for someone else? What resources are available locally, regionally and nationally? How can you access and develop these resources? What does it take to build a coopera-tive relationship between the care recipient, family caregiver and professional caregiver? Learn more about advocacy and care for both the caregiver and care recipient! Join Us on Saturday morning April 27, 2019, at 9:45am in the Nativity School Cafeteria for a 1-hour presentation by the Fairfax County ElderLink, Options for Caring. Save a seat – RSVP now by email to [email protected]. VA K of C State Convention Virginia State Knights of Columbus is having its Annual State Convention 3-5 May, and there is a need from our Council for State Convention Support. Each NoVA District will be given a block of hours to man our hospitality suite. Presently we do not have that schedule yet, so more to follow. Opportunities to advance in the degrees of our Order: 1st Degree (Admission) Tuesday 16 April, 7:00pm, Council 7992, Nativity, Burke, Thursday, 18 April, 7:30pm, Council 9407, Franconia, Tuesday, 23 April, 8:00pm, Council 8600, Fairfax Station, Wednesday, 1 May, 7:30pm, Council 7165, Dale City, Monday, 13 May, 7:00pm, Council 12846, Springfield. 2nd Degree (Formation) Tuesday, 9 April, 8:00pm, Council 5332, Manassas, Wednesday, 8 May, 7:30 pm, Council 7992, Burke, Tuesday, 21 May, 7:30pm, Council 7365, Dale City, Sunday, 26 May, 7:30pm, Council 6292, Fairfax. 3rd Degree (Knighthood) Saturday, 13 April, 11am, Council 15256, Ashburn, Saturday, 22 June, 11:00am, Council 5332, Manassas. 4th Degree - (Exemplification) April 27, Edwards Church and School, 11:00am, 2700 Dolfield Dr, Richmond, VA 23235.
nativityschool.org
NATIVITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
You’re Not Too Late ~~ We Have a Seat for Your Child!
For details, contact Shannon Murphy at (703) 455-2300, or [email protected]
************************************** Registration for the 2019-20 School Year Open Now ~~
Preschool Through 8th Grade Please contact our Registrar, Shannon Murphy, at [email protected], or 703-455-2300, to schedule a tour and a day for your child to “shadow” here at school. Join us at Nativity to see how your child would spend his or her days here -- learning, praying, sharing, and laughing. We may be just the school for which you´ve been searching! Yes, Catholic education is worth the investment! 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.
******************************** Kindergarten Seats Open - 2019-20 School Year
A couple of Kindergarten seats just opened up for next school year -- contact Shannon Murphy, at [email protected], or 703-455-2300, for more information. Join Us!
Photo: Kindergartners creating “pizza fractions” in Math class -- and then rather joyfully eating them!
*******************************
Join Us Next Saturday ~~ ‘Swinging on a Star’ When: Saturday, April 6, 2019
What: The Annual Nativity Parish & School Auction Where: Father Martin Center
Have a gift card you’re not using? Please donate it to the school auction. Just place it in an envelope and drop it off at the Church or School Office - ATTN: School Auction. Thanks!
Auction tickets ($50/person) and Raffle tickets for Classroom baskets will be sold this weekend -- after Masses, as well as online. Got Questions? Want to Help? Email Kathleen Baldino, Auction Chair, at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!
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STEM-Steeped Second Graders Set for Spring Showers
Our Second Graders built rain gauges, which they are using at school.
They really enjoyed the Science -- and learned quite a bit, too!
Catholic Relief Services Second Collection
This week, we take up The Catholic Relief Services Collection to help Jesus in disguise. This collection helps six Catholic agencies provide relief and support to struggling communities and work for peace and reconciliation among our marginalized brothers and sisters here and around the world. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection. Learn more about the collection at: www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.
Light the World! is a Summer Institute that takes place at The Catholic University of America. Rising Juniors and Seniors
are invited to join us either June 23-29 or July 7-13 as we explore how our faith is lived within the fields and careers of Art, Science, Sport, Business, and Politics. Visit lighttheworldcua.org
for more information and application materials.
Website: www.nativityburke.org Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Appalachia Home Building The Knights continue to seek your help to raise funds to build Nativity's 21st home in the heart of Appalachia. To date, the collections total is at $62,500 towards our goal of $65,000 with new donations arriving every day. Checks may be made payable to Nativity Catholic Church, but please annotate that it is for the Appalachia Home Building. Checks can also be mailed to: Nativity at 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015. Questions may be referred to Bob Corsi at 703-239-2890, [email protected]. Please help if you can!
Donut Sunday, this weekend after all Masses in the Fr. Martin Center
St. Paul VI High School presents Brigadoon Come out to support the arts as St. Paul VI High School
presents “Brigadoon,” a classic love story set in the Scottish Highlands. Experience this timeless tale April 5-6th at 7:00pm
and April 7th at 2:00pm. All performances are held in the PVI Auditorium: 10675 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax VA 22030.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.
Nativity Parish and School will be hosting their Annual Auction Saturday, April 6th, 2019, in the Father Martin Center.
Entitled "Swinging on a Star", this year's auction is 1940's themed. All proceeds will continue to expand Nativity School's
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program and purchasing reading materials for all of
the classrooms. Tickets are on sale after Mass in the vestibule. The annual tradition of Class Raffle Baskets will
also be available for viewing and raffle ticket purchase. Please stop by on your way out or visit.
https://501auctions.com/nativityauction2019/tickets. For more information, please visit our website:
nativityschool.org/2019-auction.
NATIVITY CATHOLIC CHURCH Holy Week Schedule 2019
HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 18 Morning Prayer 8:30am Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Bilingual) 7:30pm Individual Prayer follows at Altar of Repose Night Prayer in the Chapel of Repose 11:45pm (Fr. Ready Meeting Room)
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 19 Morning Prayer 8:00am Divine Mercy Chaplet 8:30am Stations of the Cross 12:00pm The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 3:00pm Stations of the Cross (Spanish) 6:00pm The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 6:30pm (Spanish)
HOLY SATURDAY, APRIL 20 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 21
Celebrated at Nativity Catholic Church: Masses at: 5:30am, 7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am
and 1:00pm (Spanish)
Celebrated at The Burke Station Fire Hall: Masses at: 9:30am and 11:30am
There is NO Evening Mass on Easter Sunday
Women of Nativity (WON) - Stella Marina Kit Build
The April meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 10th. Instead of our regular scheduled meeting, we will be participating in another Stella Marina kit build. Start time is 7:00pm in the Fr. Ready Room. Hope to see you there!
KOVAR Collections: The Knights of Columbus will be collecting donations for KOVAR in the back of the Church after each Mass the weekend of 6 and 7 April. KOVAR is a Virginia Knights of Columbus Charity established in 1971 to provide financial assistance through grants and home loans to tax exempt organizations providing training and assistance to
people with intellectual disabilities. Please be generous!
Website: www.nativityburke.org Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Contact Director: Alison Fram [email protected], cell: 703-577-5329
Find us on the parish website: nativityburke.org
COLLEGE MINISTRY and
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Young Adult Ministry Serving people ages 21-39
Facebook Group - “Catholic Life Young Adult Ministry”
Instagram - @nativityyam
Weekly: Tuesdays 7:30pm - Small Group Thursdays 8:30pm - Basketball
“Joyful Noise” Praise and Worship, Adoration, Confession - Friday, April 12, *8:00-9:30pm in the
Church. *This month only, it starts half an hour later.
YA Pilgrimage with Fr. Vaccaro - Saturday, April 27 8:00am-4:30pm - save the date! Visit the Dominican Monastery in Linden, VA, hike along the Appalachian
trail and end with an outdoor Mass.
Fairfax TOT - Monday, April 15 at 7:30pm at The Auld Shebeen
Speaker is Fr. Tipton, Them: “The Pipe, The Pint and the Cross” (Integration of Public and Private Prayer)
See our full list of u coming events: nativityburke.org/youngadult
COLLEGE MINISTRY
Serving people ages 18 - 21
Follow us on social media!
Facebook Group - Nativity College Ministry
Instagram - @nativitycollege
Our College Mission Trip is July 8 - 12, 2019 “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about Haiti and Jonael. It continues to be the single greatest moment of my life; meeting him. He is such a beautiful
person and I feel so blessed every day that God brought him into my life. I do not know the impact I had
on his life, but he changed mine.” Madison Shock, JMU
Applications are online! Visit nativityburke.org/collegemission2019
See our full list of upcoming events: nativityburke.org/college
Serving students in Grades 6 thru 12
For Complete Information nativityburke.org/cym
March - June 2019 High School (HS) - Weekly - Sundays LifeTEEN - 6:30pm dinner, 7:00pm Ministry - Thursdays Boys Small Group - 7:00pm
Middle School (MS) - Grades 6, 7, and 8 Sundays - EDGE - 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Seasonal -One Act Theater Ministry - Winter - MS& HS
-RALLY - Diocesan HS Event - Fall
-BASH - Diocesan MS Event - Spring
-Trunk or Treat - Fall (Family Event)
-Life Is VERY Good - Diocesan HS Event -Winter
-Living Stations of the Cross - 8th and HS - Lent
Summer of Service - HS Summer Mission July 21-28 (registration closed)
- Vacation Bible Camp - June 25-28, 2019
CampEDGE - Grades 5, 6 and 7, June 25-27. 2019
- Volunteers Grades 8-12 and ages 18-99
Find out what’s going on in Youth Ministry
Get the Weekly CYM Instant UPdate!
Send Email to Ms. Ingrid [email protected] -Include Child’s Name, School, Grade and Birthdate, Cell -Parent/Guardian names, cell numbers, emails
Follow Us nativi tycym
CampEDGE June 25, 26, 27 Current Grades 5-6-7
VBC June 25, 26, 27, 28 Current Grades PreK-4
Visit: nativityburke.org/cym/summercamps/ On Line Registration Opens May 1
Website: www.nativityburke.org Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
IV Domingo de Cuaresma, Ciclo C. Jesús y los pecadores Autor: P. Raniero Cantalamessa, ofmcap Sitio Web: P. Raniero Cantalamessa, ofmcap Josué 5, 9a.10-12; 2 Corintios 5, 17-21; Lucas 15, 1-3.11-32. El Evangelio del IV domingo de Cuaresma constituye una de las páginas más célebres del Evangelio de Lucas y de los cuatro Evangelios: la parábola del hijo prodigo. Todo, en esta parábola, es sorprendente; nunca había sido descrito Dios a los hombres con estos rasgos. Ha tocado más corazones esta parábola sola que todos los discursos de los predicadores juntos. Tiene un poder increíble para actuar en la mente, en el corazón, en la fantasía, en la memoria. Sabe tocar los puntos más diversos: el arrepentimiento, la vergüenza, la nostalgia.
La parábola se introduce con estas palabras: «Solían acercarse a Jesús los publicanos y los pecadores a escucharle. Y los fariseos y los escribas mur-muraban entre ellos: "Ése acoge a los pecadores y come con ellos". Entonces Jesús les dijo esta parábola...» (Lc 15, 1-2). Siguiendo esta indicación, queremos reflexionar sobre la actitud de Jesús hacia los pecadores, contemplando el Evangelio en su conjunto, movidos por el objetivo que nos hemos fijado en este comentario a los Evangelios de Cuaresma de conocer mejor quién era Jesús, qué sabemos históricamente de Él.
Es sabida la acogida que Jesús reserva a los pecadores en el Evangelio y la oposición que ello le procuró por parte de los defensores de la ley, que le acusaban de ser «un comedor y un bebedor, amigo de publicanos y pecadores» (Lc 7, 34). Uno de los dichos históricamente mejor atestiguados de Jesús enuncia: «No he venido a llamar a los justos, sino a los pecadores» (Mc 2, 17). Sintiéndose por Él acogidos y no juzgados, los pecadores le es-cuchaban gustosamente.
¿Pero quiénes eran los pecadores, qué categoría de personas era designada con este término? Alguno, en el intento de exonerar del todo a los adversa-rios de Jesús, a los fariseos, sostuvo que con este término se entiende «a los transgresores deliberados e impenitentes de la ley», en otras palabras, a los criminales, a los fuera de la ley. Si así fuera, los adversarios de Jesús tenían toda la razón de escandalizarse y de considerarle una persona irre-sponsable y socialmente peligrosa. Sería como si hoy un sacerdote frecuentara habitualmente a mafiosos y criminales y aceptara sus invitaciones a comer, bajo el pretexto de hablarles de Dios.
En realidad las cosas no son así. Los fariseos tenían una visión propia de la ley y de lo que es conforme o contrario a ella, y consideraban réprobos a todos los que no se conformaban con su rígida interpretación de la ley. Pecadores, en resumen, eran para ellos todos los que no seguían sus tradiciones y dictámenes. Siguiendo la misma lógica, ¡los Esenios de Qumran consideraban injustos y transgresores de la ley a los propios fariseos! También ocurre hoy. Ciertos grupos ultraortodoxos consideran automáticamente herejes a cuantos no piensan exactamente como ellos.
Un eminente estudioso escribe al respecto: «No es verdad que Jesús abriera las puertas del reino a criminales empedernidos e impenitentes, o negara la existencia de "pecadores". Jesús se opuso a las empalizadas que se levantaban en el cuerpo de Israel, por las cuales algunos israelitas eran tratados como si estuvieran fuera de la alianza y excluidos de la gracia de Dios» (James Dunn).
Jesús no niega que exista el pecado y que existan los pecadores. El hecho de llamarles «enfermos» lo demuestra. Sobre este punto es más riguroso que sus adversarios. Si estos condenan el adulterio de hecho, Él condena también el adulterio de deseo; si la ley decía no matar, Él dice que no se debe siquiera odiar o insultar al hermano. A los pecadores que se acercan a Él, les dice: «Vete y no peques más»; no dice: «Vete y sigue como antes».
Lo que Jesús condena es establecer por cuenta propia cuál es la verdadera justicia y despreciar a los demás, negándoles hasta la posibilidad de cam-biar. Es significativo el modo en que Lucas introduce la parábola del fariseo y del publicano. «Dijo también a algunos que se tenían por justos y despreciaban a los demás, esta parábola» (Lc 18, 9). Jesús era más severo hacia quienes, despectivos, condenaban a los pecadores que hacia los pe-cadores mismos.
Pero el hecho más novedoso e inaudito en la relación entre Jesús y los pecadores no es su bondad y misericordia hacia ellos. Esto se puede explicar humanamente. Existe, en su actitud, algo que no se puede explicar humanamente, esto es, sosteniendo que Jesús fuera un hombre como los demás, y es el hecho de perdonar los pecados.
Jesús dijo al paralítico: «Hijo, tus pecados te son perdonados». «¿Quién puede perdonar los pecados, más que Dios?», gritan espantados sus adversari-os. Y Jesús: «Para que sepáis que el Hijo del hombre tiene poder para perdonar los pecados, "Levántate" –dijo al paralítico-, toma tu camilla y vete a casa». Nadie podía verificar si los pecados de aquel hombre habían sido o no perdonados, pero todos podían constatar que se levantaba y caminaba. El milagro visible atestiguaba lo invisible.
También el examen de las relaciones de Jesús con los pecadores contribuye a dar una respuesta a la pregunta: ¿Quién era Jesús? ¿Un hombre como los demás, un profeta, o algo más y diferente? Durante su vida terrena Jesús no afirmó jamás explícitamente que fuera Dios (y hemos explicado con ante-rioridad también por qué), pero actuó atribuyéndose poderes que son exclusivos de Dios. Volvamos ahora al Evangelio del domingo y a la parábola del hijo pródigo. Hay un elemento común que une entre sí las tres parábolas de la oveja perdida, de la dracma perdida y del hijo pródigo narradas una tras otra en el capítulo 15 de Lucas. ¿Qué dice el pastor que ha encontrado la oveja per-dida y la mujer que ha encontrado su dracma? «¡Alegraos conmigo!». ¿Y qué dice Jesús como conclusión de cada una de las tres parábolas? «Habrá más alegría en el cielo por un pecador que se convierta que por noventa y nueve justos que no tengan necesidad de conversión». El leitmotiv de las tres parábolas es por lo tanto la alegría de Dios. (Hay alegría «ante los ángeles de Dios» es una forma hebraica de decir que hay alegría «en Dios»). En nuestra parábola, la alegría se desborda y se convierte en fiesta. Aquel padre no cabe en sí y no sabe qué inventar: ordena sacar el vestido de lujo, el anillo con el sello de familia, matar el ternero cebado, y dice a todos: «Comamos y celebremos una fiesta, porque este hijo mío estaba muerto y ha vuelto a la vida, estaba perdido y ha sido hallado». En una novela suya, Dostoiewski describe una escena que tiene todo el ambiente de una imagen real. Una mujer del pueblo tiene en brazos a su niño de pocas semanas, cuando éste –por primera vez, dice ella- le sonríe. Compungida, se hace el signo de la cruz y a quien le pregunta el por qué de aquel gesto le responde: «De igual manera que una madre es feliz cuando nota la primera sonrisa de su hijo, así se alegra Dios cada vez que un pecador se arrodilla y le dirige una oración con todo el corazón» ( L'Idiota , Milano 1983, p. 272). Tal vez alguno, al oír, decida dar por fin a Dios un poco de esta alegría, brindarle una sonrisa antes de morir...
Website: www.nativityburke.org Fourth Sunday of Lent March 31, 2019
Como te prepares para la Pascua?
El Miercoles de Ceniza iniciamos la Cuaresma - tiempo de preparacíon para la
celebracíon de los misterios pascuales.
Este año la parroquia te invita a una serie de sábados (durante cuaresma)
de reflexíon sobre como CAMINAR CON ALEGRIA HACIA LA
PASCUA, en los que tendrás la oportunidad de profundizar en los momentos
importantes de la Misericordia de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo y meditar en
Su Pasíon, muerte y resurreccíon.
RETIRO DE CUARESMA 2019
Cuaresma: Camino de Alegria
Hacia la Pascua
PARA REGISTRARTE, CONTACTAR A: Lucy Benavides
FECHA Y HORA:
6 de Abril: 11:00am-2:00pm
Diácono José Lopez
13 de Abril: 11:00am-2:00pm Padre Francis Russo, ofm cap.
Lugar: Salon de P. Ready Costo: Gratis
“Traer su almuerzo y biblia”
SEMANA SANTA Se Celebra en la Parroquia
DE LA NATIVIDAD
JUEVES SANTO, 18 DE ABRIL 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, 19 DE ABRIL
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, 20 DE ABRIL
Oraciones de la mañana a las 8:30am Bendición de los Alimentos de Pascua: 9:00am
VIGILIA DE PASCUA, 20 DE ABRIL 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 Ini-
ciación con los Elegidos y Candidatos de RICA, RCIC
DOMINGO DE PASCUA DE LA RESURRECIONDEL SENOR, 21 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 Bomberos en Burke
NO HAY MISA VESPERTINA el Domingo de Pascua
