Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020 The landlord asked, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” They answered, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You too go into my vineyard.” - Matt 1:16 My dear parishioners: The parable of the landowner who goes out throughout the day hiring more workers for his vineyard, teaches us about God's invitation to be co-workers for the Kingdom and God's generosi- ty to those who respond. Timing is important. When is the best time to get in touch with God? Right now! Now is the acceptable time. Now is the moment! We don't want to regret waiting too long to share in the ministry of Jesus when he is calling us now. This week our catechist and parents are commissioned at all Masses. How richly blessed we are in the men and women who teach our faith and pass on our values to the next generation. Religious education will be different this year but not less grace filled. There is no need for anyone to stand idly by, for we are called and chosen to participate in something marvelous and joyful. Name the many ways you work for the Lord, some of which no one notices. Name the ways in which the Lord has been generous and loving to you. Everyday let us bless the Lord and praise God's name. Thank you for the love and goodness you share in our church. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do for the parish at Nativity. Love and blessings, Fr. Bob Cilinski Pastor A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski KOVAR COLLECTION - September 19-20 The Knights of Columbus will be collecting funds for KOVAR at each Mass this weekend, September 19 and 20. KOVAR is a Virginia Knights of Columbus Charity established in 1971 to provide financial assistance through grants and home loans to tax exempt organizations providing training and assistance to citizens with intellectual disabilities. If you are not attending Church in person you can send a check to: KOVAR, 16933 Four Seasons Drive, Dumfries VA 22025. Thank you! POLITICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES As the November Elections approach, it is a good time to review our policies regarding political activities on Church property. You can find additional excellent information in the VCC Political Activity Guidelines Booklet, for more information please visit: https://vacatholic.org/ A few Principals to keep in mind: • Distribution of partisan campaign literature (i.e. leaflets, bumper stickers, etc. that tend to support or oppose a candidate) on church property is not permitted. The same is true for any voter guides or other election-related materi- als (other than those prepared by Bishop Burbidge, the Virginia Catholic Conference or the USCCB). If you discover someone distributing such materials, politely ask them to stop and escort them off the property. If they will not comply with a polite request, the police (or sheriff) may be called to assist. • Candidates for political office may not be endorsed or opposed, either at Mass or through any official Church channel • If one candidate in a particular race is invited to speak at a parish event, his or her opponent(s) should also be invited. • Voter guides or election-related materials other than those prepared by Bishop Burbidge, the Virginia Catholic Conference or the USCCB, may not be distributed.
Transcript
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
The landlord asked, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” They answered, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You too go into my vineyard.”
- Matt 1:16 My dear parishioners: The parable of the landowner who goes out throughout the day hiring more workers for his vineyard, teaches us about God's invitation to be co-workers for the Kingdom and God's generosi-ty to those who respond.
Timing is important. When is the best time to get in touch with God? Right now! Now is the acceptable time. Now is the moment! We don't want to regret waiting too long to share in the ministry of Jesus when he is calling us now.
This week our catechist and parents are commissioned at all Masses. How richly blessed we are in the men and women who teach our faith and pass on our values to the next generation. Religious education will be different this year but not less grace filled.
There is no need for anyone to stand idly by, for we are called and chosen to participate in something marvelous and joyful. Name the many ways you work for the Lord, some of which no one notices. Name the ways in which the Lord has been generous and loving to you. Everyday let us bless the Lord and praise God's name. Thank you for the love and goodness you share in our church. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do for the parish at Nativity. Love and blessings,
Fr. Bob Cilinski Pastor
A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski
KOVAR COLLECTION - September 19-20
The Knights of Columbus will be collecting funds for KOVAR at each Mass this weekend, September 19 and 20. KOVAR is a Virginia Knights of Columbus Charity established in 1971 to provide financial assistance through grants and home loans to tax exempt organizations providing training and assistance to citizens with intellectual disabilities. If you are not attending Church in person you can send a check to: KOVAR, 16933
Four Seasons Drive, Dumfries VA 22025. Thank you!
POLITICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES As the November Elections approach, it is a good time to review our policies regarding political activities on Church property. You can find additional excellent information in the VCC Political Activity Guidelines Booklet, for more information please visit:
https://vacatholic.org/ A few Principals to keep in mind:
• Distribution of partisan campaign literature (i.e. leaflets, bumper stickers, etc. that tend to support or oppose a candidate) on church property is not permitted. The same is true for any voter guides or other election-related materi-als (other than those prepared by Bishop Burbidge, the Virginia Catholic Conference or the USCCB). If you discover someone distributing such materials, politely ask them to stop and escort them off the property. If they will not comply with a polite request, the police (or sheriff) may be called to assist.
• Candidates for political office may not be endorsed or opposed, either at Mass or through any official Church channel
• If one candidate in a particular race is invited to speak at a parish event, his or her opponent(s) should also be invited.
• Voter guides or election-related materials other than those prepared by Bishop Burbidge, the Virginia Catholic Conference or the USCCB, may not be distributed.
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
RCIA – Encounter Jesus through Full Communion
with the Catholic Church
Come and see! We welcome you to Nativity’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) journey of faith, with our Monday, 7:00 pm sessions starting September 14, 2020.
RCIA forms new disciples, as adults prepare to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 3, 2021, with reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Commun-ion. Our Monday sessions continue until just prior to Pentecost Sunday 2021, preparing for life in the Church as intentional disciples.
This faith journey deepens one’s personal relationship with Jesus by encountering him through passionate teaching, personal wit-ness, prayer and Eucharistic adoration, lively discussion and spir-itual events. RCIA is open to those who have not been baptized, Christians baptized in another faith, and baptized Catholics who have not received catechesis for the other Sacraments of Initiation.
Note: RCIA will begin virtually with online teaching and will continue until the pandemic subsides and we are able to gather safely in person. Please pre-register for RCIA to receive the instructions to gain online access.
For details, contact the Church at (703) 455-2400, e-mail Ron Riggins at [email protected] or Linda Loffredo
https://nativityburke.org/rcia/ for more information and online registration.
NEW Ecumenical Ministry
The Ecumenical Ministry will bring together diverse communities of faith to learn, serve and advocate for justice, peace and integrity of creation with mutual respect and understanding.
Nativity Catholic Church is a part of LARCUM- Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Methodist Church Covenant of Virginia. Nativity is also a part of the West Spring-field District Police and Faith Communities in Action.
Together with other ecumenical ministries of faith, we come together creating a more peaceful, just, sustainable and compassionate world. Our mission is to work with other faith communities in our common efforts to promote human life, dignity and care of God's creation. Our parish and institutions celebrate our strong working relationships with many Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith communities.
Contact Jennifer Sturgeon at [email protected] Director of Marriage Enrichment and Ecumenical Ministries for more information and follow us on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/320624262344629 Facebook Nativity Parish Burke - click on groups - click on
"Nativity Ecumenical Ministries."
Reserve your 2020 White House Ornament TODAY!
This year has not been like any other, to be sure we will be able to sell all our ornaments we need you to reserve yours now at:
https://nativityburke.org/white-house-ornament/
Reservations are open until this Weekend, September 20th. We need at least 500 reserved in order to sell them at the low price of $20 each.
This will be your only chance to buy White House Orna-ments at Nativity. They will not be sold in the Gift Shop nor are we ordering more than what is reserved. Once the ornaments come in, you will be notified as to how to make payment and pick them up around mid October.
The Women of Nativity appreciate your continued support of our only fundraiser benefiting ministries within Nativity and in the local community. You make our parish the giving parish that we are. For questions please email Annette Bursey at [email protected].
THANK YOU!!
Job Seeker Assistance Program Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington's Education and
Workforce Development program provides resources and connections with job mentoring volunteers to assist individuals in seeking employment, resources, and improved employment. Assistance with resume and cover letter writing, job searches,
interview practice, and job mentoring is provided. Contact [email protected] or call 571-208-1572 for more
program details.
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
Exposition and Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist
Tuesdays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Nativity
Benediction at 5:00pm, Reposition at 7:50pm
Eucharistic Adoration is an invitation by Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to spend time in prayer and presence with Him; to praise Him, to adore Him, to make reparation to
His Sacred Heart and to petition Him for our needs.
Eucharistic Adoration is a time when one can come face-to face with Jesus, the Lord of all creation. Jesus looks at us and we look at Him fully present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Eucharistic Adoration is an opportunity for us to take time out of our busy lives to come and rest in the Lord!
Adorers can sign up through the Nativity website (https://nativityburke.org/prayer-adoration/)
or on the Sign-up Sheet outside the Chapel. Drop-ins always welcome, even for a brief visit. Quiet please, no talking or visiting. Face masks required. Please keep social distancing
guidelines and sit in marked pews inside the Main Church.
Come, spend time in prayer with our Eucharistic Lord
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
https://nativityburke.org/knightscouncil7992/ Facebook: Knights of Columbus Father Sikora 7992
Twitter: @kofc7992
Join the Knights! Do you want to make a difference as a Catholic Gentleman? Then join the Knights of Columbus! Please contact DGK Br. Adrian Santillan-Lecaside or GK Barry Basselgia with any questions or if you need a form 100. If you want a quick easy alternative way to join the Knights, try Online Membership. It only takes 5-10 minutes. Just go to Go to https://www.kofc.org/ and click “Join” and put Council 7992 as your preferred Council. We’ll do the rest for you to make you a member of our Order and our Nativity Council! Council Meeting: Our regular business meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Meetings are conducted virtually via GoToMeeting. Name Tag Assistance: If you have not received a name tag, please provide your name so the Worthy Warden Tom Siepmann can place the order at: [email protected]. Handy Knights Ministry: Need a hand with minor home repairs or know someone who needs help? If you are unable to perform basic maintenance tasks or small repairs in your home due to health or other factors, there is a ministry within the Knights of Columbus that may be able to assist, the “Handy Knights.” You can reach us at the following email: [email protected]. Food For Others Food Recovery Ministry: Consider joining our ministry to recover food on Tuesdays between 11:00AM and 1:00PM from the Giant location on Burke Center Parkway and delivering it to Food For Others in Fairfax. We average 300-400 lbs of food picked up per week, but have seen loads over 900lbs. If you are interested contact me at [email protected]. Join Nativity’s Usher Ministry: Several weekend Masses at Nativity are in need of additional ushers. The greatest need is at the 9:00am, 12:45pm, and 5:30pm Masses on Sundays. Nativity offers an usher training program sponsored jointly by the Dio-cese and Nativity. If you are interested in joining the Usher Min-istry, please contact Br. Tom Wilder at [email protected]. Prison Ministry: Fr. Vaccaro is asking brother knights help in writing letters to those incarcerated. He has a list of names whose lives might be impacted for the better with your correspondence. Please contact him if interested. Stephen Ministry: Brothers, Father Bob has enlisted the parish council to assess the possibility of establishing a Stephen Minis-try in Nativity. This will be a parish program, and they are look-ing for volunteers from across the parish to join in this ministry. As Knights, our reputation for service precedes us, so Jim has asked that we canvass the council to see who can support as indi-vidual volunteers to serve as leaders and/or ministers. Contact parishioner Jim Crawford at [email protected].
A message from The Nativity Creation Care Ministry
Our next virtual ZOOM meeting is Thursday Sept. 24 from 8:00 to 9:15 pm. In honor of Season of Creation, we will have a presentation of current Creation Care projects so you can learn more about living Laudato Si through our parish projects. Please email [email protected] to receive the ZOOM link. Laudato Si’ reminds us that “the ecological crisis is . . . a summons to profound interior conversion . . . which entails the recognition of our errors, sins, faults and failures, and leads to heartfelt repentance and desire to change.” (217- 218) At the recent Synod on the Amazon, ecological sin was defined “as an action or omission against God, against one's neighbor, the community and the environment.” The seven deadly sins (pride, greed, lust, wrath, gluttony, envy, sloth) can be a way to examine where we have turned away from our Creator and creation. In these weeks of the Season of Creation, we will continue to examine each sin through the lens of creation and pair it with an ecological virtue that can help us to restore our relationships and to live in sublime communion. (89) Ecological Sin: GREED traps us into following a “‘use and throw away’ logic...because of the disordered desire to consume more than what is really necessary” (LS 123). Greed breaks us away from being responsible for our own consump-tion, and from understanding the Earth’s limitations. Ecological Virtue: CHARITY: Laudato Si’ reminds us that social love is a form of charity. “Love for society and commitment to the common good are outstanding expressions of a charity which affects not only relationships between individuals but also “macro-relationships, social, economic and political ones’” (LS 231). Healing Action: SOCIAL LOVE: How might you engage in a charitable act for the common good? Join with Nativity's Creation Care Ministry to help with a project for the common good! (excerpted/adapted from The Global Catholic Climate Covenant)
Are you stretched and would like a way to refuel and be refreshed while making authentic connections with others? Would you like to have a better understanding of your faith and learn more about God? Walking with Purpose is a Catholic Bible study for women that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ by offering a personal study and small group discussion that link our everyday challenges with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. Opening Your Heart – The Starting Point is a 22-week foundational course that is designed for women who are new to WWP as well as those with more Bible study experience. Join us as we examine the core questions that we wrestle with if we want to experience all that God has for us.
This will be the fourth year that it is offered for our Nativity women and despite all that is going on in the world today, we are coming back! We start virtually on September 22nd and 23rd. Tuesdays at 7:00pm and Wednesday at 9:30am. Go to nativityburke.org/wwp to register today or email [email protected] for more information. We would love to have you!
The Rosary Ministry invites you to join them in the recitation of the Holy Rosary via Zoom
on Sunday evenings @7:30pm. Please email Brenda Zepf, [email protected]
for a Zoom invite. All are welcome!
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
ADULTS—YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG PERSON
YOU can make a difference in the life of a young person - leading them closer to Christ. College-Age, Young Adults, Parents, Grandparents, Retirees ...all are welcome to share the Catholic faith! Contact Ms. Ingrid to inquire how YOU can make a difference.
Follow Us nat ivi tycym
Nativity Youth Ministry
Get the Weekly CYM UPdate! Via FlockNote
High School: nativityburke.org/cym/lifeteen/ Grades 5-8 nativityburke.org/cym/edge/
nativityschool.org
NATIVITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
THIS Week ~~ National Box Tops Week! September 21 - 27
Earn 1 Bonus Box Top with every valid receipt scanned (limit 5)
Need to Sign Up? Download the Box Tops app
Share electronically with your friends Scan Box Tops receipts and earn for your school
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sign up a friend this week and you BOTH earn
Box Tops for Education is an easy way to earn cash for Nativity -- cash for gear and equipment students can use at school. Simply scan your store receipt with the Box Tops
mobile app to identify participating products -- products you likely already buy -- and instantly add cash to Nativity’s earnings online. For more information (including special
To ensure our return to the classroom, Nativity School follows a strict regimen of health and safety guidelines. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to our families -- and to
countless others -- who are helping to make our transition back into the classroom truly a working partnership.
Mass for Disability Awareness
The annual Mass for Disability Awareness will be held on Sunday, September 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in
Annandale (8800 Braddock Road). The Very Reverend Jamie R. Workman, Vicar General of the Diocese of Arlington, will be the
celebrant and homilist. All families with members with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited.
Serving students in Grades 5 thru 12 in a
variety of teen groupings
For Complete Information Visit the Nativity Website
Starting September 2020 - All gatherings will take place bi-week outside in the fresh air
• All Groups meet from 5:00pm - 6:30pm
• Masks required Bring a Camp Chair
• Parent involvement is requested to support this ministry during COVID-19
EDGE is middle school ministry Grades 5, 6, 7, 8 LifeTEEN is high school ministry Grades 9-10-11-12
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
“Sometimes our actions speak for themselves; other times, words are needed. Whatever the situation,
Jesus knows how to speak to each person's heart; we simply need to follow where he leads.” USCCB
Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities “How to Build a Culture of Life,” www.usccb.org/culture-of-life
The GABRIEL PROJECT supports women who are facing a crisis pregnancy and need help. Contact 1-866-444-3553 or
[email protected] You are not alone! (Gabriel Project is a crisis pregnancy program open to all
and sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.)
MASS INTENTIONS
"We are God's People" 1 Peter 2:10
Monday, September 21
7:30am † Stephen Kozich
Tuesday, September 22 7:30am Special Intention for The Holian Family
12:00pm † William & Marjorie Paulsen
Wednesday, September 23 7:30am † Stephen Lisi Jr. HW † Rev. Bob Gunn
Thursday, September 24
7:30am † Mark Lord 12:00pm Special Thanksgiving Intention
Friday, September 25 7:30am † Cathleen Conway Del Polito (School) 9:00am † Marcel Lieteau
Saturday, September 26 9:00am † Marjorie & Philip McCann 5:00pm † Marshall Levitan 7:30pm † Ruffino Hernandez
Sunday, September 27 7:00am † Ann Nuzzetto † Neoma Hoying 11:00am † Edward Sweeney † David Gardinier 5:30pm Parishioners
The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage:
https://nativityburke.org/calendar/ In prayer, let us remember
the sick and deceased of the parish.
CONFIRMATION MASSES
Below please find the schedule for the two remaining Confirmation Masses. The 2020 celebrations are for
immediate family members only but will be live streamed on our YouTube channel.
Group Date and Time
Group 5 Wednesday, September 23rd
at 7:00pm-Church
Group 5 Saturday, September 26th
at 11:30am-Church
NEW Marriage Enrichment Ministry
The Marriage Enrichment Ministry will support all couples called to the holy vocation of marriage. We support those married in the Catholic Church, or would like to be, and also interfaith couples. All couples are welcome to join the ministry.
We want to foster a community of mutual support and offer date nights that affirm spousal love, provide continual learning, and encourage spiritual growth. We will have monthly date nights with refreshments, inspirational talks and guest speakers, different themes and topics, interactive discussions, social mingling, and prayer to enrich marriages. If engaged or married, this ministry is for you. Every couple is called to grow and witness in love for God and one another.
Contact Jennifer Sturgeon at [email protected], Director of Marriage Enrichment and Ecumenical Ministries for more information and to sign-up to join the ministry.
Follow us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/groups/3389623641124158
(Facebook Nativity Parish Burke- click on groups- click on "Nativity Marriage Enrichment Ministry."
The Falls Church 40 Days for Life campaign starts Wednesday, September 23, 2020 and continues through
Sunday, November 1, 2020. 40 Days for Life is a focused Pro-Life effort that consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, 40 days of community outreach.
See full details at https://40daysforlife.com/fallschurch Sign Up For Vigil Hours, become a "Prayer Warrior" and Stand Up
For Life! For more info, please contact Soledad Olivera, 703-863-0710, [email protected].
ALTAR FLOWERS
Donated by Steve and Monica Lisi In loving memory of Their Son Stephen Lisi Jr.
Bishop Burbidge to Lead Praise and Worship Holy Hour! Join us for a very special evening of prayer, praise and worship on
Tuesday, October 20 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Fairfax from 7:30-8:30pm. We are honored to welcome Bishop Michael F. Burbidge as presider and homilist. Musical artist will
be Michelle Jacobeen. Our special intention will be for the conversion and healing in families. Confession will be available.
All are welcome so please bring a friend. To learn more visit www.arlingtondiocese.org/healingandconversion/ or
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
DRIVE THRU
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
DOMINGO 25 EN TIEMPO ORDINARIO
(Septiembre 20, 2020)
Énfasis Sugerido “Busquen al Señor ahora que lo pueden encontrar, llámenlo ahora que está cerca.” Perspectiva Salesiana Todos buscamos al Señor en nuestras vidas, estemos conscientes de ello o no. Nosotros buscamos a Dios en nuestros hogares, en nuestros barrios, en nuestras escuelas y oficinas. Nosotros buscamos a Dios en nuestros éxitos y también en los obstáculos que se nos presentan. Nosotros buscamos a Dios en nuestras es-peranzas, en nuestros miedos y en nuestros sueños. Nosotros buscamos a Dios en todas aquellas cosas que tenemos que hacer el día de hoy. Con todo lo que tenemos que hacer, quién tiene tiempo para pasarlo en esta búsqueda? La verdad es que buscar a Dios no implica tener que hacer algo extra: buscar a Dios es simplemente abrir nuestras mentes, nuestros corazones, nuestros oídos, nues-tros ojos y nuestra imaginación a Dios quien siempre está con nosotros, presente en todas esas tareas que tenemos pendientes por hacer. San Francisco de Sales escribió: “Dios esta en todas las cosas y en todos los lugares. No hay una cosa o un lugar en donde Dios no se encuentre verdaderamente presente. Así como las aves siempre encuentran aire en donde quiera que vuelan, de la misma forma nosotros encontraremos a Dios presente a donde quiera que vayamos, o donde quiera que estemos. Todo el mundo conoce esta verdad – intelectualmente hablando- pero no todo el mundo internaliza esta verdad y la asume como pro-pia” ( Introducción a la Vida Devota, Parte II, Capítulo 2). Dios no solo sabe en donde están ustedes, sino que “esta presente de manera particular en sus corazones y en el centro mismo de sus espíritus. El los aviva y los anima con su divina presencia, por que Dios está ahí como el corazón de su corazón y el espíritu de su espíritu". (Ibid) Entonces, el problema no es que Dios no este presente en nues-tras vidas, sino que nosotros simplemente –y trágicamente- fra-casamos a la hora de reconocer la presencia de Dios. Francisco escribió: “Aún cuando la fe nos garantiza su presencia, como no podemos verlo con nuestros propios ojos muchas veces nos olvidamos de Dios y nos comportamos como si Dios estuviese lejos de nosotros. Aún cuando nuestro intelecto nos dice que Di-os esta presente en todas las cosas, fracasamos a la hora de re-flexionar sobre esta verdad y actuamos como si no la supiéra-mos.” (Ibid) Uno de los métodos más poderosos y efectivos para buscar al Señor – para poder ver al Señor quien siempre está presente- es la oración. No importa cuan ocupados, frustrados, solitarios o jubilosos nos sintamos, no importa cuan atareados resulten nues-tros días, siempre tenemos oportunidad de orar: una palabra, una frase, un pensamiento o una imagen que nos recuerde que el Dios que nos creo, quien nos redimió y quien nos inspira, es verdader-amente Emanuel, un nombre que significa Dios está con no-sotros!
¿Es correcto decir: Dios te bendiga? ¿Hay algún fundamento bíblico para que podamos decir esta frase? Por: P. Samuel Bonilla | Fuente: PadreSam.com A menudo escuchamos “Dios te bendiga” o simplemente “bendiciones”, ¿es eso correcto? ¿Hay algún fundamento bí-blico? Veremos que sí, pero hay que hacerlo adecuadamente. ETIMOLOGÍA: la palabra “bendición” viene del latín benedi-tio, beneditionis, es decir, se compone de bene (bien) y dicere (decir), por lo que bendecir es “decir bien” de alguien. FUNDAMENTO BÍBLICO: lo encontramos en Números 6,22-27, en donde expresamente dice así: El Señor le ordenó a Moisés: «Diles a Aarón y a sus hijos que impartan la bendición a los israelitas con estas palabras: “El Señor te bendiga y te guarde; el Señor te mire con agrado y te extienda su amor; el Señor te muestre su favor y te conce-da la paz”. Así invocarán mi nombre sobre los israelitas, para que yo los bendiga». De aquí podemos concluir que la acción de bendecir pertenece a Dios, no al hombre. Cuando alguien bendice (un papá, ma-má, amigo) debe siempre hacer referencia a Dios. No pode-mos banalizar, ni que se convierta en una muletilla el decir “bendiciones”, sino que al hacerlo se debe siempre mencionar el sujeto de la bendición: Dios. Lo correcto entonces es “Dios te bendiga”, “el Señor te bendiga”, no simplemente “bendiciones”. La bendición entonces no es una simple “buena suerte”, sino más bien pedirle a Dios que acompañe, proteja… bendiga a esa persona a la cual la dirigimos. ¡Que Dios te bendiga!
Porqué es tan importante todo esto? Cuando estamos conscien-tes de la presencia de Dios es más probable que nos tratemos los unos a los otros de forma amorosa, pacífica, preocupada, con dulzura, con verdad y con gentileza. Por el contrario, cu-ando no recordamos la presencia de Dios, nosotros… somos mas propensos a comportarnos de formas que van en contra de sus designios. Busquen… vean al Señor quien siempre está presente en ustedes… en los demás… en todas las actividades de cada día. Y una vez conscientes de esta verdad, recuerden que deben pensar, sentir, soñar, trabajar y actuar de acuerdo a la misma!
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
Jesús, tú eres mi Pescador Jesucristo
Jesús sabía muy bien lo que necesitamos, nos ha observado durante demasiados años nadar lejos de Él. Por: Oscar Schmidt | Fuente: reinadelcielo.org El hombre se despertó de madrugada en esa ciudad que no era la suya, a la que había ido tantas veces. No podía dormir. Pensó, ¿dónde estoy? con esa extraña sensación del que viaja demasiado y termina perdiendo sentido de tiempo y lugar. Ah, se dijo a si mismo algo confundido, aquí estoy, en esta ciudad tan bendecida por la Mano de Dios. Pero no puedo dormir. El Rosario sobre la mesita de luz del hotel llamó su atención. Es bueno rezar a estas horas, el Señor siempre lo necesita porque es el horario en que más cosas feas pasan y los buenos están durmiendo, así que es importarte llenar este espacio oscuro con oraciones ofrecidas simplemente por las intenciones del Señor, que El las use a Su mejor conveniencia. El pensamiento atravesó su mente, “de paso ayudo a bendecir un poco esta ciudad”. El rechazo a la idea fue inmediato, ¿qué clase de bendiciones puedo pedir yo al Señor, si es que soy literalmente “un pecado” que camina? El Señor le respondió, muy breve y conciso: “eres un pescado”. Nuestro amigo se quedó sorprendido, estupefacto. Pero Señor, yo dije que soy un “pecado que camina”, ¿y cómo es que Tú me dices que soy un pescado? El Señor le volvió a responder, tan breve y con el mismo tono de la vez anterior: “yo te pesqué”. El señor de nuestra historia rió, y el Señor de la Historia rió también. Rieron juntos. Si, soy tu pescado, le dijo, y Tú, nadie menos que Tú, eres mi Pescador. Nuestro amigo se quedó absorto en sus pensamientos, alegre de sa-ber que él mismo era la presa de Jesús. Y entonces recordó el signo, aquel signo que precedió a la Cruz, y que fue la forma en que se reconoció al pueblo cristiano y a Cristo mismo durante los primeros siglos de la Iglesia: el Pez. Aquel signo representaba lo que él era, no un pez, sino un pescado. Y se sintió parte de esa Iglesia primitiva, se sintió en una catacumba viendo ese signo pintado una y otra vez en las paredes alumbradas por la tenue luz de las lámparas de aceite. Y luego recordó cómo había sido pescado por Jesús. Se imaginó al Señor pensando cual era la mejor estrategia para atrapar a Su presa, para que ese pez que andaba suelto por las peligrosas aguas del mar del mundo, mordi-era su anzuelo y fuera recogido a su barca, la misma barca que San Juan Bosco viera en sus sueños, la gran Bar-ca de la Iglesia. Jesús pensó: tengo que usar el mejor señuelo, el que tenga el color y el sabor adecuados, el que mejor llame la atención de Mi presa. El estudió al hombre, miró sus costumbres, sus gustos, sus hábitos, y trazó Su plan. El buen pescador sabe muy bien que debe tener absolutamente todo en cuenta antes de abordar su desafío: el horario del día, la transparencia y temperatura del agua, la profundidad a la que hay que buscar a la presa, y en función de ello elige su señuelo. Los que son realmente buenos pescadores diseñan y construyen ellos mismos sus señuelos, utilizando materiales que encuentran aquí y allá. Ellos miran y sopesan una y otra vez de qué modo serán capaces de atraer la atención del pez buscado, y luego se lanzan a su misión con perseverancia, hasta hacer morder el anzuelo a su presa. ¡Entonces la alegría vale doble! Jesús sabía muy bien lo que Su presa necesitaba, la había observado durante demasiados años nadar lejos de El. De tal modo que esta vez eligió utilizar el mejor señuelo del que disponía, uno literalmente irresistible. El lo llama de diversos modos, como Señuelo Santo, o Estrella de la Mañana, o también Rosa Mística, aunque lo más habitual es que lo llame simplemente Mamá. Con gran expectativa nuestro Pescador de hombres lanzó a las aguas del mundo a Su Gran Señuelo, y atrapó a Su presa esta vez. El pequeño hombre mordió el anzuelo con ganas, y aunque luego se resistió como todo buen pez que no quiere volverse pescado, no lo soltó nunca más. Y así fue como se transformó en un orgulloso pescado, presa del Pescador de hombres, atrapado por no poder resistir el llamado del Señuelo Santo, de la Madrecita del mismo Dios. Nuestro amigo vio todo esto con tanta claridad que no pudo más que sonreír, abrazarse a la Cruz del Rosario, y sentirse feliz de comprender la profun-didad de aquel signo que nos representa, el Pez, Ictis, símbolo de Jesucristo, Pescador de hombres. Así lo conoci-eron, así se presentó al mundo El desde la barca de Pedro, la misma Barca que dos mil años después sigue transportándolo por los mares del mundo, mientras El sigue pescando a hombres y mujeres de buena voluntad.
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
Church of the Nativity, Burke Virginia 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time September 20, 2020
