Parent Teacher Talk



4th Sunday of Lent

March 19, 2023



Gospel of John

Jn 9:1-41



A Reading from the First Book of Samuel

1Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

The readings of this Lenten season have a baptismal character as we are preparing for a renewal of our baptismal commitment to God at Easter.

Two elements of this reading throw light on baptism: (1) God's free choice: God chose the youngest son of Jesse, not the others; "There anoint him, for this is the one!" (2)The meaning of the baptismal anointing: Priests, prophets, and kings were anointed. Especially the kings were seen as the "Lord's anointed"-- Messiah-- Christ. Anointed to royal dignity, the king was viewed as God's adopted son with "the spirit of the Lord... upon "him.

The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him.

in your self-giving. He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord hears the cry of the poor!

A Reading, From the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians

Eph 5:8-14

" You are light in the Lord" through faith sealed with baptism. It is a basic human symbol: light as good and darkness as evil. "Live as children of light." Take a stand, as suggested in the theme. It concerns the Christian lifestyle: "goodness and righteousness and truth" as opposed to "the fruitless works of darkness."

Lent should wake us up, make us aware of what we should be as Christians. "Awake, O sleeper!"

In the Gospel of John



Jn 9: 1-41



The words "Rabbi [teacher], who sinned?" reveal that sickness and suffering were regarded by the Jews as punishment from God. Jesus does not agree. It is not that simple. Our Lord mentions only one possible reason for the sickness in question: that God's works may shine forth in the sick man. There are many others, and ultimately human suffering remains a mystery.

The main point of this reading (God's word) seems to be the need of faith to accept the rejection, suffering, death, life everlasting. Jesus' (and our) paschal mystery-passage through suffering and death to eternal life is one of the basics of Christian wisdom. "Father, you enlighten all who come into the world. Fill our hearts with the light of the gospel."

Newsy Notes

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Deacon Bob Brazier, CRE

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REMEMBER

"CONFIRMATION"

"Remember"

Our next 8th Grade Confirmation Class will be held in Faith Formation Room at 11:15 on March 26th

Remember to have Chapter 11 done and your Saint Project ready to turn in!







Address future PSR and Sacramental Preparation Questions to:

Deacon Bob Brazier at bbrazier@sttm.org

Bring Your Children To Mass?

When Jesus reprimanded the apostles for wanting

to keep children away from Him (see Mt 19:14),

He did not give an age or behavior requirement.

At the baptism of a child, parents and sponsors

promise to teach their children the Catholic faith

and “to bring them up according to

the law of Christ and His Church.”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us,

“The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day

and his Eucharist is at the

heart of the Church’s life” (No. 2177).

This importance is shown in attendance at Mass

and rest from labor, the first of the precepts of the Church.

Click the link below to read why you should bring your children to Mass:

BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO MASS

Divine Lord, send your Holy Spirit anew into our hearts and cleanse us from all sin so we may adore and worship you in Spirit and in truth. Create in us a greater love for your Word and a keener desire to serve you and our fellow men. Remove all malice, bitterness, and resentment from our minds, and fill us with your abundant grace. In Christ Jesus our Savior and Friend.

AMEN