26 February 2017
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 49:14-15
Psalm 61:2-3, 6-9
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
The Gospel of Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.

‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are we not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?” It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’

Seek the Spiritual Things

If spiritual things hold first place in our lives, material needs will cause us no concern, for God in his goodness will give them to us in abundance. On the other hand, devoting ourselves to earthly pursuits makes us neglect our spiritual life; concern for what this life has to offer will lead us to neglect our souls…

Jesus wants to free us from anxiety about temporal affairs, and to be free to take care of things of the Spirit. He says: “Your part is to seek spiritual blessings, and I myself will provide amply for your material needs. Look at the birds in the sky. They neither sow nor reap nor gather crops into barns, and yet your Father feeds them.” In other words, “If I supply irrational creatures with all that they need, I will take much greater care of you who are endowed with reason, if only you make up your minds to put spiritual things before temporal ones. If I made all creatures for your sake,  and take such care of them, of what great care will I not deem you worthy – you for whom I created all of this?”
Cf. Saint John Chrysostom, Baptismal catechesis

Saints of the week
Wed 1 Ash Wednesday
Sat 4 Saint Casimir

Psalter week IV

Next Sunday Readings
Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
Psalms 50: 3-6, 12-14, 17
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Dies Cinerum

The practice of Ash Wednesday, also called, dies cinerum (day of ashes), goes back as such, at least to the eighth century. On this day, all the faithful are exhorted to approach the altar and receive a mark on the forehead with the sign  of  the  cross  made  with  blessed  ashes;  

these ashes are made with the palms from the previous Palm Sunday. While the ashes are applied, the minister says the words: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you will return.” This pious practice arose in imitation of the early public penitents. A seventh century homilist wrote: “Both in the Old Law and in the New, the men who repented of their sins bestrewed themselves with ashes and clothed their bodies with sackcloth. Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent that we strew ashes upon our heads to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten fast.”
Cf. Catholic Encyclopedia, Ash Wednesday

NEWS

The Way of the Cross: Our Passion of the Lord 2017 is coming (9 Apr). We need actors and readers, as well as help with props, costumes, publicity, etc. Call Fr. Fernando 9993 3130.

Friday Mass during Lent at 11:30am, Stations of the Cross at 12pm.

Fast for CARITAS. Every Friday of Lent after Mass and stations. Fast lunch of Soup and roll. 2€ suggested donation.

International Woman’s Day Fashion Show Wed 8 March, 11 am at Archangel Michael Hospice. Buffet Lunch and a glass of bucks fizz. €15.00. Call Linda 99562387

Saint Patrick’s 2017: Sat 18 Mar, 7pm at St. Giorgio’s Restaurant. Buffet. Music by Joe Mac. Raffle. 15€ per person (100 seats) entrance by ticket (none sold on night). Call Joe Mac 99043329, or Fr. Jim.

Paphos 2017 European Capital of Culture is looking for volunteers to help with the exhibitions. Contact Fr. Carlos 99121404.

CARITAS PAPHOS:

• Nοn-perishable food needed for the poor in the Paphos area. Prayers and Donations always welcomed.
• A lift to come to Holy Mass would be greatly appreciated. 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