15 January 2017
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 49:3,5-6
Psalm 39:2,4,7-10
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
The Gospel of John 1:29-34

Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.”

Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’

The Lamb of God

He is called the Lamb of God, because God the Father accepted His death for our salvation, or, in other words, because He delivered Him up to death for our sakes. For just as we say, This is the offering made by Him; in the same sense Christ is called the Lamb of God. He gave His Son to die for our salvation. And whereas all previous lambs did not take away any of man’s sins, this one has taken away the sin of the whole world, rescuing it from the danger it was in from the wrath of God. “Behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world,” he said not, “who will take,” but, “Who takes away the sin of the world,” as if He were always doing this. For He did not then only take it away when He suffered, but from that time to the present, He takes it away; not by being always crucified, for He made one sacrifice for sins, but by ever washing it by means of that sacrifice.
Saint Theophylact, Catena Aurea

Saints of the week
Tue 17 Saint Antony, Abbot
Fri 20 Saint Euthymius, Abbot,
Saint Fabian, Pope, Martyr  and Saint Sebastian, Martyr 
Sat 21 Saint Agnes, Virgin, Martyr 

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 8:23 – 9:3
Psalm 26:1,4,13-14
1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17
Gospel of Matthew 4:12-23

Psalter week II

The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Christian Unity

Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose, and we hope that it will continue to increase until the end of time. Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the   unity   that   Christ   wills   for   her.

This is why Jesus himself prayed at the hour of his Passion, and does not cease praying to his Father, for the unity of his disciples: “That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, … so that the world may know that you have sent me.” (Jn17:21) The desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit.

Certain things are required in order to respond adequately to this call:

Permanent renewal of the Church in greater fidelity to her vocation; such renewal is the driving-force of the movement toward unity.  

Conversion of heart as the faithful “try to live holier lives according to the Gospel”; for it is the unfaithfulness of the members to Christ’s gift which causes divisions;

Prayer in common … public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and merits the name ‘spiritual ecumenism;”‘

Fraternal knowledge of each other;

Ecumenical formation of the faithful and especially of priests;

Dialogue among theologians and meetings among Christians of the different churches and communities;

Collaboration among Christians in the service of mankind.
-Cf. CCC, 820, 821

News

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: From Wed 18 to Wed 25 Jan. An Ecumenical Service will be held on Fri 20 Jan at 6pm in Agia Kyriaki.

Catenian Social & Lunch Thurs 26 Jan 1pm. Gustoso Resturant on Tombs of the Kings, €25 incl wine. All welcome. We need reservations ASAP. Please call Richard Daly 99282385, richardinpeyia@gmail.com

Al-Anon Group: Will begin to meet on Wednesdays at 3pm in the Parish Conference Room. Share with people who are dealing with family problems caused by drinking and learn about this program.

CARITAS PAPHOS:

• We need nοn-perishable food to be distributed to the poor in the Paphos area. Prayers and Donations welcome.
• Lifts to come to Holy Mass are greatly appreciated, let us know if there is extra room in your car and where you are coming from. Please contact Wendy Burdon: 99040294.

Archangel Michael Hospice: Volunteers needed in the areas of reception, nursing assistants and cafeteria. Contact Mona 99 494140.

Fatima’s 100 Year Anniversary Pilgrimage: More details to come. 

Mass Times HERE