Winter 2017

Archdiocese of Newark

Call to Stewardship

Inside this issue:

Searching for the

Longest Marriage

2

The 20/20 Project

Prayer

2

Stewardship in St.

Joseph, Bogota

3-4

Giving Tuesday 4

Considering

Cremation English

5

Considering

Cremation Spanish

6

After 70 Years... 7-8

Planned Giving 9-11

Men’s Conference 12

Women's’ Commission 13

Relevant Radio 14

Box Tops Update 15

Bulletin Reflections:

English & Spanish

16-21

Office of Development & Stewardship

Tatiana Paredes

Special Events Coordinator

Office of Development

and Stewardship

171 Clifton Avenue

Newark, NJ 07104

973-497-4046

paredeta@rcan.org

Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year

from The Office of Development & Stewardship!

_____________________________________________________________

Christmas Greetings,

I have learned that Christmas magic is powerful, but the power in

our hearts is even more magical. Our ability to love one another,

to renew our faith and bring hope into our lives and the lives of

others, are the greatest of gifts to bestow and receive. Christmas

is indeed a time for gift giving and celebrating. And yet, the

greatest gifts are not those wrapped in fine papers or dressed in

colorful bows. They are those given with an open heart, one

wrapped in the lovely ribbons of faith, hope, and love.

To quote Charles Dickens’ classic tale, “A Christmas Carol,” “I will

honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”

Words of wisdom that should be echoed on this day and all the

days yet to be.

Peace, prayers & blessings,

Lynn Gully

Associate Director

Office of Development & Stewardship

The biggest happiness is when at

the end of the year you feel better

than at the beginning.

Henry David Thoreau

2

Searching for the Longest Married Couple in the US

In anticipation of World Marriage Day, February 12, 2017, Worldwide Marriage Encounter is searching for the longest married couple in the United States. Along with our Anniversary Masses once again being held in the Spring of 2017, this is another way to honor those couples who have lived the values of their marriage vows and loved each other as Christ loves His Church. For more information you can go to wwmelmc.com Blessings, Deacon James Detura Director of the Office of Family Life Ministries Archdiocese of Newark 171 Clifton Ave. Newark, NJ 07104-0500 973-497-4324 deturaja@rcan.org

The 20/20 Project Prayer : Babies in the Womb Feel Pain

3

Stewardship is Alive at St. Joseph, Bogota

* * * * * * * * * *

With many new immigrants moving into the ar-

ea St. Joseph Church has had an ESL (English as

a Second Language) for several years. Many

people arriving the US from their home country

have only a rudimentary knowledge of English

and want to learn the language so they can

more fully participate in the life of their new

country. Volunteer teachers have both basic and

conversation classes for their students. New im-

migrants often look to their parish as a place of

welcome and information as they adjust to their

new home. Many parishes of our Archdiocese

have similar programs of welcome as we wel-

come and serve our new brothers and sisters.

A group of parishioners from St. Joseph who

have come into the Church over the last two

years through the RCIA expressed their desire

to give back to the parish to their pastor, Fr.

Timothy Graff. They had noticed that the

Church was in need of a deep cleaning so 20

people helped out in cleaning the Church

over 3 days. They said that this was their way

of helping the parish and the Church which

had welcomed them and made them feel so

much at home. Without expressing it in so

many words, they have taken an ownership

within their own parish and become good

stewards of God's many gifts to them.

4

St. Joseph Church in Bogota hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for the first time this year. They were able to serve about 80 people which included seniors from the parish, young immigrant families and others from the area. Those who served were pleased to help others

continued... Stewardship is Alive at St. Joseph, Bogota

#GIVING TUESDAY 2016

Archdiocesan Center employees participated in #Giving Tuesday on November 29, 2016.

Employees collected nonperishables and socks for Catholic Charities and donated blood.

Did you know that 98 countries participated in #GivingTuesday, with 20 of those countries

organizing independent national #GivingTuesday Movements. Talk about Great giving!

5

6

7

After 70 years, it’s still a wonderful (Catholic) life

By: Terry Mattingly

December 6, 2016

“There’s no question that

Capra’s great enough” to

be listed among

Hollywood’s greatest

Catholic filmmakers,

said critic Steven D.

Greydanus of

DecentFilms.com and

the National Catholic

Register. He also serves

as a permanent deacon in

the Catholic Archdiocese

of Newark.

After receiving 30 pieces of silver for betraying

Jesus, Judas Iscariot repented, threw the money

away and hanged himself.

Religious authorities used the money, according

to St. Matthew’s Gospel, to buy the “potter’s

field, to bury strangers in,” which became

known as the “field of blood.”

Anyone who thinks it was a coincidence that the

slums owned by bitter banker Henry F. Potter in

“It’s a Wonderful Life” were called “Potter’s

Field” isn’t paying attention to the gospel

according to Frank Capra.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,”

he stressed, is also Capra’s greatest film and

the one that best captures his Catholic view

of life. Capra directed, co-wrote and

produced the film, which was released just

before Christmas in 1946. The movie’s 70th

anniversary will be celebrated Dec. 9-11 in

Seneca Falls, New York, the model for the

fictional Bedford Falls.

“Capra worked harder on this film than any

other,” said Greydanus. “He was passionate

about it and the themes in it. ... I think his

worldview was shaped by his Catholic

upbringing and, whatever idiosyncrasies he

added as an adult, that faith shaped this

movie.”

The star who played the movie’s protagonist

-- George Bailey, who sacrifices his dreams to

provide for family and friends -- described

that worldview in an interview included in

“The ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Book.”

“You’ve got to go back

to the value that Frank

puts on life, on work,

on responsibility and on

genuine family

togetherness,” said

Jimmy Stewart. “Those

are the values he has

and he has them very

strong. Love of country,

love of God -- he’s

tremendously strong on

those. And he’s able to

get them up on the

screen without

preaching.”

The film was initially considered a flop, in

part because of the dark, even angry scenes

in its story arc, with Bailey ending up on a

bridge considering suicide because of a

business scandal. Even after a whimsical

guardian angel is sent to his aid, Bailey

faces horrifying visions of what the world

would have been like if he had never been

born.

Continued…….

8

“It’s a Wonderful Life” achieved classic

status after decades of Christmastime

TV exposure. But critics initially called

it “Capra-corn” and, if anything, some

critics have become even more venom-

ous over the years.

The 1946 New York Times review

called the movie a “figment of simple

Pollyanna platitudes.” A 2008 Times

essay called it a “terrifying, asphyxiat-

ing story about growing up and relin-

quishing your dreams ... of being

trapped, of compromising, of watching

others move ahead and away, of becom-

ing so filled with rage that you verbally

abuse your children, their teacher and

your oppressively perfect wife.”

In his autobiography, “The Name

Above the Title,” Capra stressed that his

film “wasn’t made for the oh-so-bored

critics, or the oh-so-jaded literati” and

defended it in explicitly biblical terms.

This was, he wrote, a “film that said to

the downtrodden, the pushed-around,

the pauper, ‘Heads up, fella.’ ... A film

that expressed its love for the homeless

and the loveless; for her whose cross is

heavy and him whose touch is ashes; for

the Magdalenes stoned by hypocrites

and the afflicted Lazaruses with only

dogs to lick their sores.”

It’s all there in the first frames of “It’s a

Wonderful Life,” as the hero’s friends

and loved ones are heard whispering

prayers during his crisis.

“I owe everything to George Bailey.

Help him, dear Father.”

“Joseph, Jesus and Mary. Help my

friend Mr. Bailey.”

“Help my son George tonight.”

“He never thinks about himself, God, that’s

why he’s in trouble.”

“Please, God. Something’s the matter with

Daddy.”

The stars twinkle and the powers of heaven

act.

“This is a movie about faith, family, sacrifice

and redemption,” said Greydanus. “But

there’s a bigger picture here, and that’s the

intercession of the saints. ... George Bailey

really had a wonderful life and all of the peo-

ple he touched call out on his behalf. Their

prayers are heard and God sends help. ...

“There’s nothing cynical and ironic about it.

That’s why this movie still connects with

people.”

Terry Mattingly is the editor of GetReli-

gion.org and Senior Fellow for Media and

Religion at The King’s College in New York

City.

Continued…….

9

Charitable Gift Planning – December 2016

By Theresa Lynch, Planned Giving Manager

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! As the end of the year

quickly approaches, planning your estate and including the Church can signifi-

cantly reduce your income taxes, while making a meaningful difference. Planned

Giving involves a number of strategies to help you to save taxes and provide more

to your family, while also supporting your parish and the Church.

Take the first step and plan…

If you plan your estate, a wise step to take at any age is to find ways to

strategize and leave a legacy with your parish, rather than having a significant

portion of it go to the I.R.S.

If you don’t plan, someone else will plan for you….

The most basic type of planned gift is a bequest in your Will. If you haven’t

done so already, please write your Will and keep it up to date. Also, consider mak-

ing a Catholic Will by including elements of your faith in the charitable plans you

make. Without a plan, New Jersey state law will dictate how your assets will be

dispersed.

You can ensure that the programs and services of the Church that you have

supported and that many individuals have come to depend upon will be there for

generations of future Catholics. I have more information on creating a Catholic

Will if you are interested in learning more.

The Legacy Society: One of the benefits of being a planner….

If you have already named your parish in your Will, or plan to make your

parish one of your beneficiaries, you are already eligible to

become a member of the Legacy Society. Please contact me

so that I may enroll you in this special society and invite

you to special Archdiocesan functions throughout the year.

10

Charitable Gift Planning – December 2016

By Theresa Lynch, Planned Giving Manager continued...

Charitable Gift Annuities….

A life income arrangement for the ultimate benefit of the church, such as a

Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA), creates a stream of reliable income you can never

outlive. If you are interested in supplementing your retirement income or that of

a loved one, the Archdiocese of Newark guarantees your annuity payments will be

locked in for the rest of your life. If you would like to receive a confidential illus-

tration of how a CGA would benefit you and current annuity rates, please contact

me for more information.

Advance Directives….

Please also consider creating your Advance Directives documents, such as a

Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare. These documents

will ensure that important decisions that need to be made in the event that you

are not able to make them for yourself are made according to your wishes and

with the direction of someone you trust. Please don’t leave these difficult decisions

to your loved ones.

Reduce Taxes…

If you are looking for income tax relief, there are some planned giving tools

that will generate substantial income tax benefits, if they are implemented before

the end of the year: Life Estate Agreements, Charitable Lead Trusts, and Charita-

ble Remainder Trusts are all gifts that the Archdiocese can help you facilitate to

benefit yourself, your family and also your parish.

Contact me today…

Express your faith by making a planned gift of kindness today. As Christ-

mas and the end of the year approaches, consider giving a gift that will help the

Church you love. What is your faith story? What will your legacy be? Please call

me today so I can tell you more about how you can enhance your financial situa-

tion while making a difference in the world around you at (973) 497-4042 or

PGINFO@rcan.org and please also check our website at

www.rcan.org/plannedgiving for more helpful information.

11

Autumn Years Living Expo

On October 20, 2016, the Stewardship and Planned Giving Departments attended

the Autumn Years Living Expo, which was held at the Cresskill Community Cen-

ter in Cresskill, NJ. This bi-annual Expo, sponsored by Autumn Years Living

Magazine, was from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with companies from all over New Jer-

sey. It was a wonderful day chock-filled with information and insight into health

and well-being, travel, technology, nutrition, finance needs, fitness, volunteer ser-

vices and much more. Though it was geared for the sixty and over crowd, it was

still informative for all ages, especially for children of aging parents. We found the

companies at the Expo very helpful on all aspects of aging. There was no registra-

tion fee with a complimentary buffet breakfast and lunch. Plus there were vendor

giveaways and free raffle drawings. For further information or to find out when

the next Expo will take place, contact Autumn Years Living at autumnyearsliv-

ing@gmail.com or by calling (201) 747-2874.

Here is wishing you and your family a very joyous and merry Christmas and a

blessed New Year!!!

Theresa Lynch and Guest at the Expo

12

13

14

15

Box Tops For Education

We are glad to share

that we collected over

$50 worth of box tops

so far this school year

and will be sending

them to Saint Joseph

School in Jersey City.

Continue to send them

in and lets see how

much we can collect

this school year!

Please save your Box Tops

(if you are not already sav-

ing for someone) and mail

to Lynn Gully to benefit

our Catholic Grammar

Schools.

lease mail to: Lynn Gully,

Archdiocese of Newark, 171

Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ

07104. Help make a differ-

ence!

Box Tops for Education® is

one of the nation’s largest

school fundraising loyalty

programs and has been help-

ing schools succeed since

1996. With over 250 partici-

pating products, it’s an easy

way for schools to earn cash

for the things they need.

Each Box Tops coupon is

worth 10¢ and they add up

fast!

Schools can use their Box

Tops cash to buy whatever

they need most, from

books to

field trips to playgrounds.

Once you start looking, you'll

see these little pink coupons

everywhere!

Each eligible school participat-

ing in the Box Tops for Educa-

tion program may earn up to,

but not more than, $20,000

cash per year (beginning on

March 2 of every year) from the

Clip program.

Thank you!

16

STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS

January 2017 – March 2017

January 1, 2017

Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” LUKE 2:19

Mary is the perfect role model for living a stewardship lifestyle. She listened to God and said “yes” to His

invitation to be the Holy Mother of His son. She also trusted in the God’s providence on a daily basis. As

we start a new year, take time every day to listen to how God is calling you; trust that He has a better

plan for you than you could ever imagine.

January 8, 2017

Epiphany of Our Lord

“Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” MATTHEW 2:11

The image of the Magi kneeling before the infant Jesus and opening their treasure chests for Him is an

image that we should all try to follow all year long. In gratitude for all that we have been given, we are

called to generously share all of our gifts, not just the ones we pick and choose. God wants us to be the

most generous with that one thing that means the most to us.

January 15, 2017

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb...” ISAIAH 49:5

You have to do what God is calling you to do and I have to do what God is calling me to do. Guess what,

each of has been given a different plan! So, stop comparing yourself to others. Don’t let envy and jeal-

ousy enter your life. Be thankful for the gifts God has given you and generously share them with others.

January 22, 2017

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him.” MATTHEW 4:22

Just as Jesus called the first apostles, He calls each of us to follow Him, too. Not everyone is called to

leave their business or family behind, but we are expected to put God first in everything. Everything

from our time in daily prayer, our talent in participating in one of our parish ministries and our treasure

to support the financial needs of our parish mission.

January 29, 2017

4th Sunday in Ordinary Times

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” MATTHEW 5:3

This one confuses people. Replace the word “humble” for “poor” and it makes more sense. People that

are humble recognize their dependence on God and trust that He will provide all that they need. Unfor-

tunately, for many of us, pride and ego enters our lives and we think we can live without God. Remem-

ber – God first in all circumstances.

17

February 5, 2017

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is

in heaven.” MATTHEW 5:16

The generosity of being a good steward of your gifts has a positive effect on people and it is contagious!

Good works encourages more good works. Let your light shine! Be careful to recognize that God is work-

ing through you and don’t put yourself above the people you have been called to help.

February 12, 2017

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the

kingdom of heaven.” MATTHEW 5:20

The scribes and Pharisees lived according to the letter of the law and they used this to elevate themselves

above the other people. Jesus is clear – it’s the love that you have in your heart that will get you to heav-

en. Simply following church rules out of obligation, not love, does not put you on the path to heaven. At-

tending Mass on Sunday and then gossiping about a fellow parishioner on the parking lot is an example of

a modern day Pharisee.

February 19, 2017

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” MATTHEW 5:44

Love your enemies, easier said than done, no doubt. But, remember, the foundation of stewardship is

prayer. When we are in close communication with God, it opens our heart and it turns our attention away

from “me” and moves it towards God and others. It allows us to have a little more empathy for “our ene-

my”. When we pray for others, even “our enemies”, maybe it softens their hearts as well.

February 26, 2017

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the

one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (material wealth).” MATTHEW 6:24

For many people, God and money run “neck and neck” as their first priority. Making money and spending

money becomes the center of their life and they actually become a slave to money. The solution – become

more generous. Giving money to Church and charity frees us from slavery to money and from making

money a “god” before God.

18

March 5, 2017

1st Sunday of Lent

“It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” MATTHEW 4:10

Tempted between the riches and power of this world and service to God, Jesus chose service to His Fa-

ther. If we wish to truly follow Jesus, we, too, must decide to turn away from power and riches and put

God at the center of our lives. How is God calling you to serve?

March 12, 2017

2nd Sunday of Lent

“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.”

GENESIS 12:1

God calls all of us to leave behind our old ways and to follow Him, placing our complete trust in Him.

Some of the old ways that we may have to struggle to leave behind might be materialism, selfishness

and greed. Yet God promises to show us a new land and a better way to live.

March 19, 2017

3rd Sunday of Lent

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.” JOHN 4:13

Jesus reminds us that material things, even something as basic as water, can never satisfy us for long.

When we build our lives around material possessions we always want more. True Joy and Peace only

comes when we follow Jesus; when we become more “God-centered” and less “self-centered”.

March 26, 2017

4th Sunday of Lent

“Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”

1Samuel 16:7

How often do we invest our time, talent and treasure in creating an appearance that does not matter at

all to God? We strive to impress with our clothing, home, career, possessions, car and other marks of

distinction. But none of these illusions of greatness will impress God. Instead, He will look into our

hearts to see how much we loved Him, how much we loved others and how we showed that love by the

way we used our time, talents and treasure here on earth.

19

REFLEXIONES DEL BOLETÍN DE CORRESPONSABILIDAD

Enero 2017 - Marzo 2017

1 de enero de 2017

Solemnidad de María, Santa Madre de Dios

"Y María guardó todas estas cosas, reflexionando sobre ellas en su corazón." LUCAS 2:19

María es el modelo perfecto para vivir un estilo de vida de corresponsabilidad. Escuchó a Dios y dijo "sí"

a su invitación a ser la Santa Madre de su Hijo. Ella también confiaba en la providencia de Dios a diario.

Al comenzar un nuevo año, tómate un tiempo todos los días para escuchar cómo Dios te está llamando;

confía en que Él tiene un mejor plan para ti de lo que jamás te podrías imaginar.

8 de enero de 2017

Epifanía de Nuestro Señor

"Entonces abrieron sus tesoros y le hicieron ofrendas de oro, incienso y mirra." MATEO 2:11

La imagen de los Reyes Magos arrodillados ante el niño Jesús y abriendo sus arcones de tesoros para Él

es una imagen que todos debemos tratar de seguir durante todo el año. En agradecimiento por todo lo

que nos ha sido dado, estamos llamados a compartir generosamente todos nuestros dones, no sólo los que

tomamos y elegimos. Dios quiere que seamos los más generosos con eso que signifique más para no-

sotros.

15 de enero de 2017

2º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Y ahora ha hablado el Señor, que me formó como su sirviente desde el seno materno ..." Isaías 49:5

Tú tienes que hacer lo que Dios te está llamando a hacer y yo tengo que hacer lo que Dios me está lla-

mando a hacer a mí. ¿Adivina qué?, ¡para cada uno hay un plan diferente! Por lo tanto, deja de compa-

rarte con los demás. No dejes que la envidia y los celos entren en tu vida. Sé agradecido por los dones que

Dios te ha dado y compártelos generosamente con otros.

22 de enero de 2017

3er domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Él los llamó, y de inmediato dejaron su bote y a su padre y lo siguieron." MATEO 4:22

Así como Jesús llamó a los primeros apóstoles, Él también nos llama a cada uno de nosotros para seguir-

lo. No todos están llamados a abandonar su negocio o su familia, pero se espera que pongamos a Dios en

primer lugar en todo. Todo, desde nuestro tiempo en la oración diaria, nuestro talento en participar en

uno de nuestros ministerios parroquiales y nuestro tesoro para apoyar las necesidades financieras de

nuestra misión parroquial.

29 de enero de 2017

4º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Bienaventurados los pobres de espíritu, porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos." MATEO 5:3

Esto confunde a la gente. Reemplacen la palabra "pobre" por "humilde" y tiene más sentido. Las per-

sonas que son humildes reconocen su dependencia de Dios y confían en que Él les proveerá todo lo que

necesitan. Desafortunadamente, para muchos de nosotros, el orgullo y el ego entran en nuestras vidas y

pensamos que podemos vivir sin Dios. Recuerda - Dios primero en todas las circunstancias.

20

5 de febrero de 2017

5º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Dejen que su luz brille ante de los hombres, para que vean vuestras buenas obras y glorifiquen a vuestro

Padre que está en los cielos." MATEO 5:16

¡La generosidad de ser un buen mayordomo de sus dones tiene un efecto positivo en las personas y es

contagioso! Las buenas obras animan más buenas obras. ¡Deja que tu luz brille! Ten cuidado de recono-

cer que Dios está obrando a través tuyo y no te pongas por encima de las personas a las que has sido lla-

mado para ayudar.

12 de febrero de 2017

6º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Por eso les digo, a menos que su rectitud supere la de los escribas y fariseos, nunca entrarán en el reino

de los cielos." MATEO 5:20

Los escribas y los fariseos vivían según la letra de la ley y usaban esto para elevarse por encima de los

demás. Jesús es claro - es el amor que tienes en tu corazón lo que te llevará al cielo. Simplemente si-

guiendo las reglas de la iglesia por obligación, no por amor, no te pone en el camino hacia el cielo. Asistir

a misa el domingo y luego chismear sobre otros feligreses en el estacionamiento es un ejemplo de un fari-

seo moderno.

19 de febrero de 2017

7º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Pero yo les digo, amen a sus enemigos y recen por sus perseguidores ..." MATEO 5:44

Amar a tus enemigos, es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo, sin duda. Pero recuerda, el fundamento de la co-

rresponsabilidad es la oración. Cuando estamos en estrecha comunicación con Dios, se abre nuestro cora-

zón y se desvía nuestra atención del "yo" y se mueve hacia Dios y los demás. Esto nos permite tener un

poco más de empatía por "nuestros enemigos". Cuando oramos por otros, incluso por "nuestros enemi-

gos", tal vez eso suavice también sus corazones.

26 de febrero de 2017

8º domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

"Nadie puede servir a dos amos; porque o bien odiará a uno y amará al otro, o se dedicará a uno y despre-

ciará al otro. No puedes servir a Dios y a las riquezas (riquezas materiales)." MATEO 6:24

Para mucha gente, Dios y el dinero corren "cabeza a cabeza" como su primera prioridad. Ganar dinero y

gastar dinero se convierte en el centro de sus vidas y en realidad se convierten en esclavos del dinero. La

solución - ser más generoso. Dar dinero a la Iglesia y a la caridad nos libera de la esclavitud del dinero y

de hacer del dinero un "dios" ante Dios.

21

5 de marzo de 2017

1er domingo de Cuaresma

"Está escrito: Adorarás al Señor, tu Dios, y solo a Él servirás." MATEO 4:10

Cuando fue tentado entre las riquezas y poder de este mundo y el servicio a Dios, Jesús escogió el servi-

cio a Su Padre. Si verdaderamente deseamos seguir a Jesús, también nosotros debemos decidir apartar-

nos del poder y de las riquezas y poner a Dios en el centro de nuestras vidas. ¿Cómo te está llamando

Dios a servir?

12 de marzo de 2017

2º domingo de Cuaresma

"Salgan de la tierra de sus parientes y de la casa de su padre, a una tierra que yo les mostraré.

" GÉNESIS 12:1

Dios nos llama a todos a dejar atrás nuestros antiguos caminos y a seguirlo, poniendo nuestra plena con-

fianza en Él. Algunas de las viejas formas que tendremos que luchar para dejar atrás pueden ser el ma-

terialismo, el egoísmo y la codicia. Sin embargo, Dios promete mostrarnos una nueva tierra y una mejor

forma de vivir.

19 de marzo de 2017

3er domingo de Cuaresma

"Todo el que beba esta agua tendrá sed otra vez." JUAN 4:13

Jesús nos recuerda que las cosas materiales, incluso algo tan básico como el agua, nunca nos pueden sa-

tisfacer por mucho tiempo. Cuando construimos nuestras vidas alrededor de posesiones materiales siem-

pre queremos más. La verdadera alegría y paz sólo nos llega cuando seguimos a Jesús; cuando nos volve-

mos más "centrados en Dios" y menos "egocéntricos".

26 de marzo 2017

4 º domingo de Cuaresma

"Dios no ve como lo hace el hombre, porque el hombre ve las apariencias, pero el Señor mira el corazón.

" 1 Samuel 16:7

¿Con qué frecuencia invertimos nuestro tiempo, talentos y tesoros en crear una apariencia que a Dios no

le importa en absoluto? Nos esforzamos para impresionar con nuestra ropa, hogar, carrera, posesiones,

automóvil y otras marcas distintivas. Pero ninguna de estas ilusiones de grandeza impresionará a Dios.

En todo caso, Él mirará en nuestros corazones para ver cuánto lo amamos, cuánto amamos a otros y có-

mo mostramos ese amor por la forma en que usamos nuestro tiempo, talentos y tesoros aquí en la tierra.