11 March 2018
4th Sunday of Lent
1st: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Psalm: 136:1-6
2nd: Ephesians 2:4-10
The Gospel of John 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.’
Not to Condemn but to Save
Let us remember, that there are two advents of Christ; one past, the other to come. The former was, not to judge but to pardon us: the latter will be, not to pardon but to judge us. It is of the former that He says, I have not come to judge the world. Because He is merciful, instead of judgment, He grants an internal remission of all sins by baptism; and even after baptism opens to us the door of repentance, which had He not done all had been lost; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Afterwards, however, there follows something about the punishment of unbelievers, to warn us against flattering ourselves that we can sin with impunity. Of the unbeliever He says, ‘he is judged already.’ – But first He says, He that believes in Him is not judged. He who believes, He says, not who inquires. But what if his life be impure? Paul very strongly declares that such are not believers: They confess, he says, that they know God, but in works deny Him. That is to say, Such will not be judged for their belief, but will receive a heavy punishment for their works, though unbelief will not be charged against them.
Catena Aurea (St. John Chrysostom)
The Sunday with Many Names
At some point around the sixth century, the middle day of Lent, which is the Thursday before fourth Sunday, was “moved” to the following Sunday. During this Middle Sunday, after having pondered the malice of sin and the terrible punishment which it deserves, and engaged in penitential works, the faithful get a break, that is why it is also called: Refreshment Sunday. On this day, the children of God are invited to look beyond Calvary and contemplate the first rays of the Easter Sun, so in the Entrance Antiphon we are told, “Laetare Jerusalem” (Rejoice, Jerusalem). The joy of this Sunday soon became manifest in the liturgy with cheerful hymns and rose-coloured vestments, hence the name Rose Sunday.
Lastly, on this Sunday, the penitent faithful are reminded to look up to God as Father and to the Holy Roman Church as mother, and so Mothering Sunday is observed. This Sunday must contrast with all other days of Lent since the purging away of sins allows us look forward with our hope placed on the risen Christ and his promises.
Cf. Catholic Encyclopedia, Laetare Sunday; Rose Sunday.
This week’s feasts
Sat 17 Saint Patrick, Bishop and missionary
Psalter week IV
Readings for 5th Sunday of Lent
1st: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm: Ps 50:3-4, 12-15
2nd: Hebrews 5:7-9
Gospel: John 12:20-33
St. Paul’s Passion of the Lord 2018 25 March 3:45pm on Agia Kyriaki grounds. Free admission. For information call 9993 3130.
Fridays of Lent Mass will be at 11.30am followed by Stations of the Cross.
Cup of soup, roll and cheese at the Coffee Shop on Fridays during Lent after Stations of the Cross. Donation 5€. (Hospice and Caritas).
CARITAS is looking for a new storeroom. Call Wendy at 9904 0294. Thank you for your prayers
Mass Times HERE