Catholic Commission for Social Justice
Gospel: Matthew 17, 1 – 9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Let us join the Holy Father in praying for those who died in Japan’s recent 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the tsunami that followed. He invoked “divine blessings of strength and consolation” on grieving friends and families and expressed solidarity with those involved in the rescue and relief efforts.
If anyone wishes to contribute to the relief efforts, please contact the St Vincent de Paul Society tel: (1-868) 623-4926, 625-3562. E-mail: secretariat@svdptt.org
Gospel: Matthew 4, 1 – 11
At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
Have you read the Holy Father’s 2011 Lenten Message? The title of his message is taken from St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians: “You were buried with Him in Baptism, in which you were also raised with Him”. (Col 2:12)
CCSJ’s Lenten Newsletter will be distributed shortly and can be accessed on our website. The following is my introduction to the Newsletter: “As Zenit reports: ‘Pope Benedict XVI is proposing a journey with the Word of God this Lent and a deepening in the mystery of baptism. The Holy Father noted a ‘particular connection’ between baptism and Lent, ‘as the favourable time to experience this saving grace.’
Gospel: Matthew 7, 21 – 27
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’