saint john of god parish

SAINT JOHN OF GOD PARISH
84 Carleton Avenue * Central Islip, New York 11722
Phone: 234-6535 * Fax: 234-7474 * Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stjohnofgodparish.org
Rev. Christopher Nowak, Pastor
Pastoral Staff
Rev. Humberto Contreras, Associate Pastor
Sr. Valerie Scholl, CSJ, Pastoral Associate / Admin.
Dcn. Ronald J. Gillette
Sr. Claudia Allen, CSJ, Apostolado Hispano
Dcn. Frank Gariboldi
Mrs. Maggie Martin, Religious Education
Mrs. Patricia Walsh, Cemetery Secretary
Mrs. Ana Sullivan, Parish Social Ministry Coordinator
Mrs. Eleanor Gould, Music Ministry
Parish Center: 234-6535
Religious Education: 234-4040
Outreach Office: 234-1884
Cemetery Office: 234-6535 x135
Parish Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 2 PM
(Mass Cards)
Emergency Sick Calls Any Time
Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5 PM Chapel
Sunday: 8 AM Church
9:30 AM Church
11:00 AM Chapel
Weekday Masses
Monday – Saturday:
9 AM Church
Devotions
Miraculous Medal Novena:
Monday at 9 AM Mass
Sacraments
Reconciliation: Saturday at 4:00 PM in the Church
or by appointment. Please call the Parish Center.
Baptism: 1st and 3rd Sunday at 2 PM. Parents must register
at the Parish Center at least 1 month before the baptism.
Marriage: Those wishing to be married must make arrangements
at least 6 months in advance. Call the Parish Center.
Our Lady of Providence Regional School
Pre-K (4 yrs.) through 8th Grade
234-1113 or 234-6324
www.olprov.org
Principal: Mrs. JoAnn DiNardo
April 10, 2011 
Apostolado Hispano
234-6535 x 106
Equipo Pastoral Que Habla Español
Rev. Christopher Nowak, Pastor
Rev. Humberto Contreras,
Pastor Asociado
Hna. Claudia Allen, CSJ
Sra. Ana Sullivan,
Ministerio Social
Misas En Español
Sábado: 7:00 PM Capilla
Domingo: 9:30 AM Capilla
12:30 PM Capilla
Martes: 7:30 PM Capilla
Sacramentos
Bautizos en Español:
2ndo y 4tro Domingo de cada mes, 2 PM Los padres de los niños
deben ir a la oficina antes de inscribirlos. Llame 234-6535 x 106
para una cita.
Confesiones: Los sábados a las 4:00 PM
Primera Comunión y Confirmación:
Niños de 6 hasta los 17años deben asistir a las clases de
Educación Religiosa de acuerdo a su edad. Llame: 234-4040
Sacramentos Para Los Adultos:
(18 años en adelante) Llame 234-6535 x 106 para más
información. Las clases para los adultos son los domingos a las
11 AM.
Matrimonio: Inscribirse 6 meses antes de la fecha de al boda.
Llame: 234- 6535 para hablar con un miembro del Equipo
Pastoral que habla español.
Nuestra Señora de la Providencia Escuela Católica
Pre-K (4 años) hasta 8vo grado
234-1113 o 234-6324
www.olprov.org
Principale: Mrs. JoAnn DiNardo
Fifth Sunday of Lent
STEWARDSHIP 2011
Mass Intentions for the Week of April 10th:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
9:00AM
5:00PM
8:00AM
– 9:30AM
– 11:00AM
– Geraldine Clavin
– Mary & Joseph McDonough
– Julia Espinoza
– In Honor of B.V.M.
– In Honor of St. Jude
– Maria LaVecchia
– Joseph Shea
– Those Enrolled in the
Society of Prayer
– Patrick & Lucy Halloran
– People of St. John of God
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday, April 11th –
Saint Stanislaus, bishop & martyr
Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62; Jn 8:1-11
9:00AM – Daily Mass –
Tuesday, April 12th –
Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30
9:00AM – Daily Mass
7:30PM – Misa en Español – (Capilla)
GIVE GLORY TO GOD
On
the
Fifth
Sunday of Lent, just
before we begin to
enter Holy Week, we
are summoned to
Bethany. If we had
been friends of Mary,
Lazarus, and Martha,
and found out that
Lazarus was gravely
ill,
we
probably
would have dropped
everything to be with them. This was what was so
surprising about the behavior of Jesus. Although he
was their close friend, he chose to stay away, that
God’s glory would be manifested. This is a
persistent theme in John’s Gospel. Right to the very
end, Jesus’ works were meant to give glory to the
Father. As our Lenten journey reaches a crescendo,
let us be mindful that, as people who have “put on
Christ” in baptism, we are also called, by our
attitudes and actions, to give glory to God.
Wednesday, April 13th –
Saint Martin I, pope & martyr
Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95; Jn 8:31-42
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LORD
Collection Report for April 3, 2011
Budgeted
Weekly
Collection:
$ 8,000—
$8,500
9:00AM – Daily Mass –
Thursday, April 14th –
Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59
9:00AM – Daily Mass –
Friday, April 15th –
Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42
9:00 AM – Daily Mass –
Saturday, April 16th –
Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56
9:00 AM – Daily Mass
5:00 PM – Vigil Mass
7:00 PM – Misa en Español
– Mass – English
– Mass – English
– Misa en Español
– Mass – English
– Misa en Español
MASS ATTENDANCE
5:00PM (English)
—
164
7:00PM (Spanish)
—
133
8:00AM (English)
—
96
9:30AM (English)
—
114
9:30AM (Spanish)
—
387
11:00AM (English)
—
214
12:30PM (Spanish)
—
383
Restoring the Glory….
Sunday, April 17th – Palm Sunday of
the Lord’s Passion
Mt 21:1-11; Phil 2:6-11; Mt 26:14—27:66
8:00AM
9:30AM
9:30AM
11:00AM
12:30PM
Actual: Sunday:
$ 8115.50
Catholic Relief:
$1,922.00
THANK YOU!
–
–
–
–
–
(Church)
(Church)
(Capilla)
(Chapel)
(Capilla)
to welcome…to worship…
to grow…to serve…
GIFTS OF TREASURE SHARED
Pledge Report:
$1,291,799.75
Total Paid to Date: $ 1,157,171.75
Balance:
$ 134,628.00
WE ARE SAINT JOHN OF GOD PARISH - COMMITTED TO FAITH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY!
Bread & Wine Memorial for This Week:
In Loving Memory Of:
Gracy Campbell
Requested By:
Kitchie Deenihan
Remember in your thoughts and prayers,
the Sick of the Parish...
Joseph Acciarito
Jacob Aceiedo
Angelo Cristiano
Helen Boeke
William Campbell
Russell Carter
Sandy Comito
Gerri Eshun
Marie Ferdon
Ron Gillette II
Carol Hemmerich
Catherine Hennessy
Elaine O’Mara Hulbert
Karen Kelly
Eileen Lamanna
Kathleen Lamanna
Eddie Linz
Gerolyn Diaz Martinez
Judith McEvoy
Mike Meola, Sr.
Josh Mouzakes
Liz Mouzakes
Carmen Ramos
Janette D. Reilly
Grabiel Rivera
George Santiago
John Santiago
Marie Shay
Linda Smith
Stanley Tesoro
George Tintugo
Louis Vavosa
Joseph Vereline,Jr.
Mary Weber
Barbara Warfield
Timmy Warfield
Barbara Zarcone
Healthy Sunday
April 10, 2011
(This Sunday)
Palm Sunday – April 17, 2011
Vigil Mass – Chapel
5 PM (Eng.) & 7 PM (Esp.)
English Masses: 8 AM and 9:30 AM-Church
11 AM – Chapel
Misas en español: 9:30 AM-Capilla,
12:30 PM –Capilla and 12:30PM –Iglesia
Monday, April 18, 2011
Day of Reconciliation
Priest available for Confessions
in Church from 3 – 9 PM
Holy Thursday – April 21, 2011
9:00 AM – Church: Morning Prayer
8:00 PM-Chapel: Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(Bilingual)
Adoration in the Church until Midnight
Good Friday – April 22, 2011
9:00 AM – Church -Morning Prayer
10:00 AM-Via Crucis en Vivo
Church & Chapel are open
from Noon to 3 PM
for Private Prayer.
3 PM-Chapel: The Lord’s Passion and
Communion (Eng.)
8:00 PM-Chapel: La Pasión del Señor
y Comunión (Español)
8:00 PM-Church: Tenebrae Service
(English)
Holy Saturday – April 23, 2011
9AM to 12:30PM
9:00 AM-Church: Morning Prayer
8:00 PM-Chapel: Easter Vigil (Bilingual)
There will be no 5 PM nor 7 PM Mass on
Holy Saturday.
Offering education and information
for your health and well-being
Easter Sunday – April 24, 2011
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE
AND DIABETES SCREENINGS
Our Lady of Providence School
Cafeteria
*Refreshments will be served*
631-465-6304
English Masses:
8 AM and 9:30 AM– Church
11:00 AM – Chapel
Misas en español:
9:30AM –Capilla
12:30 PM –Capilla
12:30 PM – Iglesia
Religious Education Office
Mrs. Maggie Martin, Director
Telephone: 631-234-4040-Email: [email protected]
Office hours for week of April 10:
Monday, April 11
Tuesday, April 12
Wednesday, April 13
Thursday, April 14
Friday, Apr. 15
Saturday, Apr. 16:
Sunday, April. 17:
1:00pm – 6:00pm
11:30am – 7:00pm
1:00pm – 7:00pm
4:00pm – 7:00pm
CLOSED
10:00am – 12:30pm
CLOSED
Schedule of Classes: Week of April 10:
Mon., Apr. 11:
Level 8 7:00 – 8:15pm
RCIC 7:00 – 8:00pm
Last Session
(Level 8 Teen Team will
begin meeting again
on May 23)
Wed., Apr. 13:
Levels 1 – 7
4:45 – 6:00pm
Last Session
Sat., Apr. 16:
Levels 1 – 7
& Miss Sandy
8:30–9:45am/
10:30–11:45am
Last Session
Beginning Monday, April 11, we will
be accepting NEW registrations for the
Fall, and registration for “The Road to
Emmaus Faith Camp” which takes
place July 11-22, 2011 from 9:00am –
12:00 pm. Registrations will take
place only during posted office hours.
If your child is already enrolled in
Religious Education, they will be
automatically re-registered for the
2011/2012 year.
“The Passion Narratives”
All are welcome to join us as we break open
sacred scripture and reflect on the Passion of Jesus
Christ. Two sessions will be offered in order to
accommodate all that would like to make this a part
of their personal observance of Lent.
Contact Maggie Martin at 234-4040 to register.
Monday evenings
from 5:30pm – 6:45pm
Discussion & video in the School Library
(March 28, April 5 & 12) OR
Tuesday mornings
from 9:45am – 11:00am
Discussion & video in the Chapel
(March 29, April 6 & 12)
Fifth Week
Jesus Carries the Cross
Read Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21,
Luke 23:26-32, John 19: 16-17
The discussion will include:
These passages are much shorter than the
previous sessions, yet the message is so
powerful. Why does Jesus so clearly
embrace the cross?
What does this say about the sin of mankind
and God’s love for us?
Although the Stations of the Cross are
depicted, and relived in the Catholic
Church especially in Lent, they are not
found in the Gospels. How do you think
that tradition came to be a part of the
popular Church culture?
“The Acts of the Apostles”
In the Easter Season, Maggie Martin will
offer a scripture study course on “The
Acts of the Apostles”. It has been
suggested that we offer this 5 week course
leading up to Pentecost on Tuesdays,
beginning May 10, , from 10:00 –
11:15am. If interested, please contact
Maggie Martin at 234-4040 to preregister..
TV STARS
Telephone: 234-6324
Visit us at: www.olprov.org
Mrs. Jo Ann DiNardo, Principal
A Piece of Providence
Registration
Registration for new families is now open. If
you would like to register, please call the
school at 234-6324 to schedule a tour.
EVERY DAY CAN BE AN OPEN HOUSE
Come and see all of the wonderful
things happening at Our Lady of
Providence Regional school!
Visit and our students will take you
for a tour of the school!
IPADS IN SCHOOL
Teachers are being trained in using the iPad
in the classroom. Through the generous gift
of Monsignor Simmons, OLOP has purchased
30 iPads to bring learning into the 21st
Century. We are planning to use them after
the Easter vacation.
PAINTED PRAYERS
April 1st Art Exibit
Some of our 7th and 8th grade students have
painted pictures of the Blessed Mother that
were included in the April 1st exhibit at St.
Martin de Porres in Uniondale.
We congratulate these students –
Nzinga Alfred, Sue Farfan, Kaitlin Phillips,
Lilibeth Contreras, Gianina Silva-Negron,
Gabriella Ambroise, and Danielle Jentsch—
for the beautiful pictures they created!
AID FOR JAPAN
Teachers and students are offering their
prayers and making small sacrifices to
collect money to send to the people of
Japan who have suffered such great losses.
We remember them in our morning prayers
each day.
Mrs. Wolter, Jessica Jimenez, and Francesca
Miranda were featured on the Telecare
program Total Praise.
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students
had worked on various projects in Social
Studies to highlight the men and woman in
our country’s history who worked to secure
the freedoms we have today. The issues of
immigration and civil rights were presented
in the study of American heroes, African
American poets, and the many ethnic
groups who have settled here to find a
better life.
FUNDRAISING - -SHOP TIL’ YOU DROP!
There are many ways to help Our
Lady of Providence just by shopping!
Visit our School Store at http://
olprov.propell.com to see some items you
can purchase as class souvenirs -Lastly,
register at Box Tops for Education marketplace and shop at over 100 great stores!
Please register at Stop and Shop
(www.stopandshop.com/aplus) so the
store will give us a percentage of the money
you spend on groceries. You do not pay
any EXTRA money but they will give the
school a donation based on sales. Just go to
www.stopandshop.com/aplus put in your
information and your Stop and Shop card
number. It is so easy!
Box Tops for Education & Campbell
Soup Labels & Empty Inkjets.
Please place the above
items in the collection
basket or drop them off at
the Parish Office. Box Tops
for Education are many products Please
check your purchases for the box tops.
We also collect Labels for Education.
We get 10cents for each Box Top Coupon.
With your help, we have received over
$4,600.00 since we started collecting.
Thank you for your continued support. It
is greatly appreciated.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
234-6535, ext. 103
The Gospel today challenges us to
see and believe the signs of grace
in our lives:
joy, peace,
forgiveness, mercy and kindness.
Jesus promises that “whoever lives
and believes in me will never die.” We see
the dying of our everyday lives—the pain,
suffering, death, sinfulness, discipline, giving
up our wills. We are challenged to see and
believe the signs of the grace of new life—joy,
peace, forgiveness, mercy, trust and
kindness. The “already” of eternal life is
God’s grace “already” working in our lives.
Accept the challenge of this Lenten
season and join the Society of St. Vincent de
Paul. Our next meeting is Tuesday, April
19th at 12:30pm in the Conference Room
of the Parish Center. Join us and bring the
signs of grace in your live to others.
PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE
Telephone: 234-1884
Ana Sullivan, Coordinator
Reminder
Catholic Health Service
FREE Blood pressure and Diabetes screenings
TODAY – 9AM to 12:30PM
Our Lady of Providence School Cafeteria
Our FOOD PANTRY
is very low or out of the following items:
-Oatmeal -Cereal -Rice (1 or 2Lb.Bag)
-Canned Potatoes
--Canned Fruit
-Pasta Sauce (24oz) -Tomato Sauce
-Canned Vegetables (Small Cans)
- Canned Potatoes -Jelly -Tuna
-Pancake Mix & Syrup -Soap
Thank you for your continued generosity in keeping
our shelves from going bare.
OUTREACH AND FOOD PANTRY
Help Available For Families
ATLANTIC CITY
resorts CASINO
April 25th
(Monday)
Departs: 9:00AM
(CIFD West Parking Lot)
Donation: $37.00 per person
$22.00 Casino Return
Must be 21 Years or
Older
Tickets or Information:
Irene Miller at 234-8593
Benefit For:
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Are you or someone you love DRINKING too much?
Are DRUGS causing FAMILY problems?
Catholic Charities’ Talbot House, for males and
females over the age of 18, is a crisis center for
withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs. Each call is
confidential. Each person who is eligible for Talbot
House services is evaluated individually, by phone
and/or appointment. The medical and clinical staff
helps to determine the kind of care the person needs,
to begin his/her journey to recovery. For more
information, please call: 631-589-4144. Talbot House
staff can assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. NO fees are necessary. The only requirement
is the desire to be "clean and sober."
Thrift Store Hours
Our thrift store is opened on Sundays from
10:00 A.M to 2:00 PM
Monday and Thursday: 10 AM – 2 PM
Monday and Thursday: 6 PM to 7:15 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 AM to 2 PM
Food Pantry Hours
Monday and Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon
From Father Chris:
Your Favorite and Most Meaningful
Prayer, Here in the Bulletin to Share.
Prayers:
My Prayer for Thursday:
Lord, thank You for another day
within this life of mine.
Give me the strength to live it well,
whatever I may find.
Bestow from Your abundance
whatever I may lack.
To use the hours wisely,
for I cannot have them back.
Lord, thank You for another day,
in which to make amends
for little slights or petty words,
inflicted on my friends.
For sometimes losing patience
with problems that I find.
For seeing faults in others lives,
but not the ones in mine.
Lord, thank You for another chance,
in which to try to be
a little more deserving
of the gifts You’ve given me.
For yesterday is over,
and tomorrow’s far way,
and I remain committed
to the good I do today!
CHOIR Rehearsal SCHEDULES:
Adult Choir Wednesday
7:30PM in the Chapel:
April 13th
April 20th
April 27th
May 4th
May 11th**
May 8th
May 25th
June 1st
June 8th
June 15th
June 22nd
May 12th
May 19th
May 26th
June 2nd
June 5th
** NO REHEARSAL
 April
13th — OLOP Science Fair –
Large & Small Cafeteria – All Day & Evening
 April 16th — Vigil of Palm Sunday –
Masses in Chapel: 5:00PM English
7:00PM Spanish
 April 17th — Palm Sunday –
See Mass Schedule in the bulletin
 April 18th — Day of Reconciliation –
Priest available for Confession in Church
From 3:00PM to 9:00PM.
 April 19th — Society of St. Vincent de
Paul Monthly Meeting—12:30PM in the
Conference Rm. of the Parish Center. All welcome.

May 9th, 10th, 11th — Parish Mission
with Father Cedric See information in this
bulletin. Please join us and bring a friend.
Night at the Races
April 29th (Friday)
6:00PM (Food)
7:00PM (Post Time)
Shipboard Style Races
Knights of Columbus Hall
Children’s Choir Thursday
7:00-8:00PM in the Chapel
April 14th
April 21st**
April 28th
May 1st
Sing
May 5th
Mark Your Calendar
Sing
62 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip
Cost: $ 15.00 per person
For information, call: 348-3507
Sponsored by and proceeds go to:
Knights of Columbus Council #1816
April 14th (Thursday)—7:00PM
All are welcome: to a Catholic Seder Meal in the small cafeteria.
It is the Passover Meal our Lord celebrated and changed the Meal
into his Last Supper which we know as the Eucharist in the small Cafeteria
14 de abril (Jueves)—7:00PM
Todos están Bienvenidos: a Una Cena Pascual Judía en la cafetería pequeña.
Vengan a participar en la Cena que Jesucristo convirtió a su Ultima Cena Y
que sabemos como La Eucaristía
Annual Super Raffle & Cocktail Party
July 8th, 2011 – 7:30PM
Knights of Columbus Hall, 62 Carleton Av., C.I.
Tickets ($100.00 each)
325 tickets will be sold
Our Annual Super Raffle Tickets are now on sale in the Parish Office. Get your
lucky number before someone else gets it. Last year we sold all 325 tickets.
Please help us do the same this year. You can either take the entire ticket
yourself or split it with a relative or friend or divide it up as many ways as you
would like. Don’t forget to ask your relatives, co-workers, friends or neighbors,
they might want a chance to win $10,000.00.
Súper Rifa Y Fiesta de Cóctel
8 de Julio, 2010 – 7:30PM
Salón de Los Caballeros de Colón
62 Carleton Avene, C.I.
Boletos ($100.00 cada uno)
Boletos para el Súper Rifa están de venta en la Oficina de la Parroquia ahora.
El año pasado todos los boletos fueron vendidos tres semanas antes
del sorteo. Este año vamos a vender 325 boletos y hemos añadido
tres premios de consolación de $500 cada uno.
Somos La Parroquia de San Juan de Dios - comprometidos a La Fe, La Familia, y La Comunidad!
RESTAURANDO LA GLORIA
Para Acoger….Para Alabar
Para Crecer….Para Servir
Cantidad total de los Compromisos
$ 1,291,799.75
Cantidad total de los Pagos
$ 1,157,171.75
SEMANA SANTA
MISAS Y DEVOCIONES EN
ESPAÑOL
DA GLORIA A DIOS
En el quinto domingo de Cuaresma,
justo antes de entrar en la Semana Santa,
somos llamados a Betania. Si hubiéramos
sido amigos de María, Lázaro y Marta, y nos
hubiéramos enterado que Lázaro estaba
gravemente enfermo, probablemente lo
habríamos dejado todo para estar con ellos.
Eso es lo más sorprendente del comportamiento de Jesús. Pese a que era su amigo
cercano, eligió mantenerse alejado, para que
la gloria de Dios se manifestara. Este es un
tema persistente en el Evangelio de Juan.
Hasta el mismo final, las obras de Jesús son
para dar gloria al Padre. A medida que
nuestra jornada de Cuaresma llega a su
apogeo, recordemos que, como personas que
“se han revestido de Cristo” en el Bautismo,
también somos llamados a dar gloria a Dios
en nuestras actitudes y acciones.
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA
Lunes:
Martes:
Miércoles:
Jueves:
Viernes:
Sábado:
Domingo:
Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
[41c-62]; Jn 8:1-11
Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30
Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42
Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59
Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42
Ez 37:2128; Jn 11:45-56
Mt 21:1-11 (procesión);
Is 50:4-7; Sal 22 (21); Fil 2:6-11;
Mt 26:14 — 27:66 [27:11-54]
DOMINGO DE RAMOS
Sábado, 16 de abril, 7:00 PM
Domingo, 17 de abril, 9:30 AM
12:30 PM– CAPILLA
12:30 PM- IGLESIA
Lunes: 18 de abril-Confesiones en la
Iglesia de 3:00PM –9:00 PM
Jueves Santo: 21 de abril-Misa
Bilingüe –8:00 PM en la Capilla
Viernes Santo: 22 de abril(a) Vía Crucis en Vivo-10 AM
(Comenzará en los pasos de la
Iglesia frente de avenida Carleton)
(b) LITURGIA DEL PASION
DEL SEÑOR —8:00 PM– CAPILLA.
SÁBADO DE GLORIA: 23 de abril
VIGILIA A LAS 8:00 PM-CAPILLA
DOMINGO DE PASCUA
MISA: 9:30 AM-CAPILLA
MISA: 12:30 PM—CAPILLA
MISA:12:30 PM-IGLESIA
Abre nuestras tumbas, Señor, sácanos de la
cárcel de la muerte Pon tu Espíritu en nosotros para que podamos vivir en un mundo
de libertad. (De oraciones bíblicas por L.
Deiss )
From Fr. Chris N.:
Resurrection Hope is the central theme of the Scripture readings for the fifth Sunday of
Lent. We can see the progression in themes from the thirst for living water (on the third Sunday of
Lent), through the desire to be healed of our spiritual blindness (IV Sunday) to our ultimate desire to
share in eternal life with the risen Lord (V Sunday). In his vision, Ezekiel, in the first reading, bears
witness to the reanimation of the dead Israel in preparation for her return to the Promised Land. He
guarantees his community in exile that Yahweh will one day bring them back to live in the freedom
of the Promised Land. He assures his people that not even death will stop God from carrying out
this promise. For John, in today’s gospel, the raising of Lazarus is the final and greatest sign of
Jesus, the Deliverer, a symbolic narrative of his victory over death at the cost of his own life and a
sign anticipating his resurrection. Describing this great miracle, the Church assures us that we, too,
will be raised into eternal life after our battle with sin and death in this world. Thus, resurrection
hope is the central theme of the Scripture readings for the fifth Sunday of Lent. The readings
assure us that our faith in Jesus, who is “the resurrection and the life,” promises our participation in
resurrection and new life.
The raising of Lazarus is the sixth of seven signs. It is also the last and greatest of the
miracles worked by our Lord to prove that he is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God, and that
through faith in him believers will receive eternal life. In other words, Jesus wanted to make this,
his last recorded miracle, a convincing proof of his claim to be what he was---the Messiah, sent by
God to give new life, eternal life, to mankind. As this miracle took place a few miles from
Jerusalem, Jesus also knew it would give his enemies the impulse and motivation to carry out his
condemnation and crucifixion, which was the “debt” he, "the suffering servant" of God, was to pay
for the sins of mankind.
God’s Blessings Always, Fr. Chris N.
De Padre Chris N.:
La Esperanza de la resurrección es el tema central de las lecturas hoy, el quinto domingo de
Cuaresma. Podemos ver la progresión en los temas del sed para el agua viva( el tercer domingo de
Cuaresma) a través del deseo para ser curado de nuestra ceguera espiritual (el cuarto domingo de
Cuaresma) a nuestro deseo último a compartir la vida eterna con el Señor resucitado (quinto
domingo). En su visión Ezequiel, en la primera lectura, da testimonio a la reanimación del Israel
muerto en preparación para su regreso a la tierra prometida. Él garantiza a su comunidad en el
exilio que un día Yavé les traerá de vuelta a vivir en la libertad de la Tierra Prometida. Él asegura a
su gente que ni siquiera la muerte parará el Dios de llevar a cabo esta promesa. Para Juan, en el
Evangelio de hoy, el resucitar de Lázaro es el último y signo más grande de Jesús, el Libertador,
una narración simbólica de su victoria sobre la muerte a costa de su propia vida y un signo
previendo su resurrección. Describiendo este milagro, la Iglesia nos asegura que nosotros, también,
nos resucitarán a la vida eterna después de nuestra lucha con el pecado y la muerte en este
mundo. Por eso, la esperanza de la resurrección es el tema central de las lecturas para el quinto
domingo de Cuaresma. Las lecturas nos aseguran que nuestra fe en Jesús que es “la resurrección
y la vida” promete nuestra participación en la resurrección y la nueva vida.
La resurrección de Lázaro es el sexto de los siete signos. También es el último y más grande
de los milagros obrados por nuestro Señor para probar que Él es el Mesías, el Cristo, el Hijo de
Dios y que por fe en Él, los creyentes van a recibir la vida eterna. En otras palabras, Jesús quiso
hacer este, su último milagro anotado, una prueba de su afirmación para ser lo que fue—el Mesías,
enviado por Dios para dar la vida nueva, la vida eterna, a la humanidad. Ya que este milagro tomó
lugar algunas millas de Jerusalén, Jesús supo les daría a sus enemigos el impulso y la motivación
para llevar a cabo su condenación y crucifixión, que fue la “deuda” que Él “el siervo de Yavé” iba a
pagar por los pecados de la humanidad.
Bendiciones de Dios Siempre, Padre Chris N.