Quote of the Week

Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God

1st   Sunday of Lent

19^th   of February 2012

1st Reading / Exodus   34: 1-7

Listen to the Book of Exodus: Barekhmar.

The LORD said to Moses, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain." So Moses chiselled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation

This is the Word of the Lord

People:  Thanks be to God

2nd Reading / Ephesians 4: 17-23

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the EPHESIANS : Barekhmar

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness

The grace and peace be with you all brothers. Amen.

Gospel Reading/ Matthew 3: 16-4: 11

A reading from the Gospel of Saint Matthew

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: “`He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Priest: Glory be to God for ever.

People: Glory be to the Christ Our Lord

Focolare Word of life –Fabruary 2012

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel" (Mk 1:15)

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus begins his announcement to the world, his message of salvation, with these words: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.''

The coming of Jesus marks the beginning of a new era, an era of grace and salvation. His first words are an invitation to embrace this great change, this reality of the kingdom of God that he brings within reach for all people, close to every person.

And he immediately indicates the way: repent and believe in the Gospel — that is, radically change your life and accept the word that God, in and through Jesus, is addressing to humanity in all times.

Repentance and faith must go hand in hand: there cannot be one without the other; rather, both spring forth from contact with the living word, from the presence of Jesus who today, too, repeats to the crowds:

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."

The word of God accepted and lived out brings about a complete change of mentality, that is, repentance. Christ's sentiments as they relate to circumstances, individuals and society become instilled in the hearts of all — Europeans, Asians, Australians, Americans, Africans.

But how can the Gospel work the miracle of profound conversion, giving us a new and vibrant faith? The secret lies in the words of Jesus and the mystery they hold. They are not simply exhortations, suggestions, indications, directives, orders or commands. Jesus himself is present in his words to us. His words are Jesus himself.

So it is possible to find Jesus in his word. And by welcoming the word into our hearts as he wants it to be welcomed (that is, ready to translate it into life), we are one with him and he is born and grows within us. This is why each one of us can and must welcome this pressing and demanding invitation of Jesus.

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."

Some people might consider the words of the Gospel to be too lofty, too out of touch and difficult, too distant from our common way of living and thinking. They might feel tempted to close themselves off from these words and get discouraged.

But this can only happen if they intend to move this mountain of disbelief on their own. Instead, living just one word of the Gospel is enough to experience unexpected help, unique strength, a light for our path (cf Ps. 119:105). Precisely because each word of the Gospel is a presence of God, connecting with it makes people free, purifies, converts, brings comfort and joy, and gives wisdom.

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."

How often these words can be light for us during our day! Every time we run up against our own weakness or that of others, every time following Jesus seems to be impossible or absurd, every time problems threaten to overcome us, these words can give us wings. They can be like a breath of fresh air, a stimulus to begin anew.

A small, quick change of course would be enough to emerge from the limits of our ego and open ourselves up to God and experience another life, the true one.

Moreover, if we are able to share this experience with friends whose code of life is the Gospel, we will see the Christian community blossoming or re-blossoming around us.

The word of God lived out and communicated works this miracle too: it gives rise to a visible community that becomes yeast and salt for society, bearing witness to Christ in every corner of the globe.

Chiara Lubich 1997