26th March
Fifth Sunday of Lent
If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live
Readings:
Ezekiel 37:12-14.
Psalm 129.
Romans 8:8-11.
Gospel Acclamation: Glory and praise to you, o Christ!
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord: whoever believes in me will never die.
Gospel –John 11-1-45 (short version).
The sisters sent this message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the man you love is ill.’ On receiving the message, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death but in God’s glory, and through it the Son of God will be glorified.’
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, yet when he learned that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judaea.’
On arriving, Jesus found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days already. When Martha heard that Jesus had come, she went to meet him.
Mary remained sitting in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘If you had been here, my brother would not have died, but I know that even now, whatever you ask of God, he will grant you.’ ‘Your brother’ said Jesus to her ‘will rise again.’ Martha said, ‘I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? ‘Yes Lord,’ she said, ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.’
Jesus said in great distress, with a sigh that came straight from the heart, ‘Where have you put him?’ They said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But there were some who remarked, ‘He opened the eyes of the blind man, could he not have prevented this man’s death?’ Still sighing, Jesus reached the tomb; it was a cave with a stone to close the opening. Jesus said, ‘Take the stone away.’ Martha said to him, ‘Lord, by now he will smell; this is the fourth day.’ Jesus replied, ‘Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted up his eyes and said:
‘Father, I thank you for hearing my prayer. I knew indeed that you always hear me, but I speak for the sake of all these who stand round me, so that they may believe it was you who sent me.’
When he had said this, he cried in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, here! Come out!’ The dead man came out, his feet and hands bound with bands of stuff and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, let him go free.’
Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel — the raising of Lazarus — we listen to the voice of faith from the lips of Lazarus’ sister, Martha: “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day”. But Jesus repeats: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”. Christ pulls down the wall of death and in him dwells all the fullness of God, who is life, eternal life. Therefore, death did not have power over him and the raising of Lazarus is a sign of his full dominion over physical death which, before God, resembles sleep.
Pope Benedict XVI,
Angelus for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
Readings for next Sunday (Palm Sunday)
- (Entrance Matthew 21:1-11.)
- Isaiah 50:4-7.
- Psalm 21:8-9,17-20,23-24.
- Philippians 2:6-11.
- Matthew 26:14 – 27:66.
ST. PAUL’S LENTEN ALMS
This year will help “Hogar San Anibal”, IVE Home for Disabled Children in Peru. Donation box on the way out. Thank you for your prayers too.
PARISH FINANCES
Our 2022 finances are available at the shop. For further information, just make an appointment at the parish office.
ST. PAUL’S PASSION PLAY 2023
Join us on Palm Sunday 2 April at 4pm on Agia Kyriaki grounds. Invite your friends! For info contact Fr. Fernando.
HOLY WEEK
Leaflets with the upcoming Mass schedule are available at the entrance of the church. For more information contact any of the priests.
TEMPORARY CHOIR SINGERS
We need singers for the upcoming celebrations. Volunteers must attend rehearsals. Please contact Wendy Burdon at 99 040294.
FISH AND CHIPS AT NEO’S
Friday 31 March, 1:30pm, €15 includes first drink. Contact Fr. Jim.
ST. JOSEPH PRAYER GROUP
Will begin gathering on Tuesdays 5PM-6PM (For French Speakers). For information, please Contact Hervé (96295598)
CARITAS PAPHOS
Thank you for your donations of non-perishable foods. Clothing and household item donations may be dropped off at the priest-house. Info, please contact Fr. Fernando.
COFFEE SHOP
Join us for some tea or coffee, shop bric-a-brac, enjoy community time. Volunteers needed, please contact Fr. Jim.
Mass Schedule for this week
- Mon, Tues and Thurs …… 9 am at Agia Kyriaki.
- Wednesday ………… 12, preceded by Holy Hour.
- Fridays of Lent ………… Mass 11:30 followed by Stations of the Cross.
- Sat ……………………… 4 and 6pm AK. /// 6 pm Polis.
- Sun …………………… 10am (Latin), 11am (Polish), 12pm (English) in AK.
Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:15 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.
Maronite Mass: Sunday at 9 am, Info: Fr. Youakim 9981 4316.