PALM SUNDAY (March 24, 2024) Yr. B: Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; (Gospel for Procession: Mk 11:1-10; Holy Mass Gospel: Mk 14:1--15:47 Introduction: The Church celebrates this Sixth Sunday in Lent as both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. It is on Palm Sunday that we enter Holy Week, welcoming Jesus into our lives and asking Him to allow us a share in His suffering, death, and Resurrection. This is the time of the year when we stop to remember and relive the events which brought about our redemption and salvation. These liturgies enable us to experience in our lives here and now what Jesus went through then. In other words, what we commemorate and relive during this week is not just Jesus’ dying and rising, but our own lifetime of dying and rising in Him, which result in our healing, reconciliation, and redemption. Just as Jesus did, we, too, must lay down our lives freely by actively participating in the Holy Week liturgies. Life Message: Are you a donkey with a Christian name only, or one carrying Christ? An interesting as well as challenging old fable tells of the colt that carried Jesus on Palm Sunday. The colt thought that the reception was organized to honor him. “I am a unique donkey!” this excited animal might have thought. When he asked his mother if he could walk down the same street alone the next day and be honored again, his mother said, “No, you are nothing without Him who was riding you." Five days later, the colt saw a huge crowd of people in the street. It was Good Friday, and the soldiers were taking Jesus to Calvary. The colt could not resist the temptation of another royal reception. Ignoring the warning of his mother, he ran to the street, but he had to flee for his life as soldiers chased him, and people stoned him. Thus, the colt finally learned the lesson that he was only a poor donkey without Jesus to ride on him. -- As we enter Holy Week, today’s readings challenge us to examine our lives to see whether we carry Jesus within us and bear witness to Him through our living or are Christians in name only. Conclusion: On Palm Sunday, we need, therefore, to ask ourselves the following six questions, and examine our conscience: 1) Does Jesus weep over me? There is a Jewish saying, “Heaven rejoices over a repentant sinner and sheds tears over a non-repentant, hardhearted one." Are we ready to imitate the prodigal son and return to God, our loving Father, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this last week of Lent and participate fully in the joy of Christ’s Resurrection? 2) Am I a barren fig tree? God expects me to produce fruits of holiness, purity, justice, humility, obedience, charity, and forgiveness. Do I? Or, worse, do I continue to produce bitter fruits of impurity, injustice, pride, hatred, jealousy, and selfishness? 3) Will Jesus need to cleanse my heart with His whip? Jesus cannot tolerate the desecration of the temple of the Holy Spirit that I have become by my addiction to uncharitable, unjust, and impure thoughts words and deeds; nor does Jesus praise my business mentality or calculation of loss and gain in my relationship with God, my Heavenly Father. Consequently, as we "carry Jesus" to the world, we may receive the same welcome that Jesus received on Palm Sunday, but we may also meet the same opposition, crosses, and trials later. Like the donkey, we are called upon to carry Christ to a world that does not know Him. Let us always remember that a Christian without Christ is a contradiction in terms. Such a one betrays the Christian message. Hence, let us become transparent Christians during this Holy Week, enabling others to see in us Jesus’ universal love, unconditional forgiveness, and sacrificial service.

5 th .Sunday of Lent. Year B). (3/17/21): Jer 31:31-34; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33. “… Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat…” During Lent, we try to, more intentionally, to shape our lives after the model of Christ. This canbe inconvenient and sometimes even involves suffering. The psalmist today begs God: “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast Spirit renew within me. Cast me not from your presence, and your Holy Spirit, take not from me.” (Ps.51:3-4;12-13;14-15). Part of the Christian story is a constant willingness to repent-to return and turn to God’s mercy- (Metanoia)! The disciples of Jesus learn that death, suffering, and violence do not have the last word. The powers of this world, will eventually, fade, and be conquered by the invincible Son of God, who leads us to eternal life. This hope is instilled in us by the Saints who have gone before us, to teach us by the witness of their holy lives. Indeed, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am there also will my servant be”, says the Lord. (Jn.12:26). Life message: “How, then, do we as Ambassadors of Christ, bring hope to those in this world of hopelessness and despair?” Today’s Gospel teaches us that new life and eternal life are made possible only by the death of the self through obedience, suffering and service. This upbeat message is assured us by Christ when he says: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit…” Summarizing then we can say that: salt gives its taste by dissolving in water. A candle gives light by having its wick burned and its wax melted. The oyster produces a priceless pearl by transforming a grain of sand through a long and painful process. Loving parents sacrifice themselves so that their children can enjoy a better life than they themselves have had. Conclusion: Only a life spent for others will be glorified, sometimes here in this world, but always in Heaven. We know that the world owes everything to people who have spent their time and talents for God and for their fellow human beings. Mother Teresa, for instance, gave up her comfortable teaching career, and with just 5 rupees (17 cents) in her pocket began her challenging life for the “poorest of the poor” in the crowded slums of Calcutta. We see similar cases in the history of great saints, scientists, and benefactors of mankind in all walks of life. They, literally, chose to burn out rather than to rust out. Let us pray that we may acquire this self-sacrificing spirit, especially during Lent, in order to spend ourselves for others. For, “…unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit…”

4th.Sunday of Lent (Year B). March 10, 2024 2Chron. 36:14-16,19-23; Eph. 2:4-10; Jn.3:14-21. “…God so Loved the World That He Gave Us His Only Son…” Do you know the healing power of Christ's redeeming love and victory which he won for us on the cross? When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, he prophesied that his death on the cross would bring healing and forgiveness and a "new birth in the Spirit" (John 3:3) and eternal life (John 3:15). Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the "Son of Man" must be "lifted up" to bring the power and authority of God's kingdom to bear on the earth. Life Message: This passage tells us of the great breadth and width of God's love. Not an excluding love for just a few or for a single nation, but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personal love for each and every individual whom God has created. God is a loving Father who cannot rest until his wandering children have returned home to him. Saint Augustine says, God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love. That’s why St. Paul tells us today, as he tells the Ephesians: “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love. By this I mean that we do not earn salvation but seek it in faith. And as seekers, we will be transformed into the image of God, if we open our hearts and model our lives to the heart and life of Jesus our Savior. Conclusion: Today, Jesus shows us the paradox of love and judgment. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief, or we can love the light of God's truth, beauty, and goodness. If our love is guided by what is true, and good and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer. Do you give the Lord the first place in your life, in your thoughts, decisions and actions? Let’s therefore heed St. Paul’s advice: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about these things…”(Phil.4:8).

3rd.Sunday of Lent (Year B). (March 3, 2024) Ex 20:1-17; I Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25. “Take these out of here, and don’t make my Father’s house a market place…” We all have the tendency to be distracted. In 1970, the average American saw between 500 and 1,600 ads a day. In 2023, that number jumped to between 6,000 and 10,000 ads per day, surfing the internet. We are so attracted and consumed that we lose track of our original intent and go down a wormhole of images and information bombarding us with the message that, our lives will be happier and more fulfilled with whatever is being advertised. (Unwholesome sites…?). Life Message: But it is not only advertisers and influencers who are aware of our tendency to lose attention or be distracted. God is also keenly aware and calls us back time and again to what truly matters. So, for instance our lent began with God speaking through the Prophet Joel: “…Rend your hearts, and not your garments; and return to me with your whole hear…” (Joel 2:12). Indeed, God knows that our desire is ultimately for him. But when we mistake our worldly distractions, some of which are dangerous and addictive, for true holiness, we begin to believe that we will be fulfilled in life. This means, sometimes, our distractions can become so ingrained that we come to believe they are our ultimate path to holiness. Hence in the 1st.reading, while Moses is busily receiving the 10 Commandments from Yahweh on the Mountain, the Israelites are worshipping a golden calf at the base. Their impatience quickly leads them astray, but God doesn’t give up, and calls them back again. Yes, God also knows our impatience, our fixations, and our longing in a world competing for our attention, yet He calls us back. Conclusion: When this happens, God’s intervention at times can seem intrusive and chaotic, disrupting our clear boundaries, and established methods and invented rules. Thus, in today’s gospel, Jesus overturns the tables of the moneychangers, drives away the animal and dove sellers (an enshrined practice in the Temple, aligned with the worship of God). Why? People are so fixated on making profits out of the engagements, rendering it a total distraction from what they are about: “the true worship of God”! Jesus' cleansing of the temple is also a prophetic sign of what he wants to do with each of us. He ever seeks to cleanse us of our sinful ways to make us into living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). God desires that we be holy as he is holy. Therefore, on our Lenten journey, God invites us to recognize our distraction and our holy longing. What are the tables in our lives that we think are essential, but really need to be overturned? How does God disrupt us every day, from the distractions that vie for our attention? God implore us to return to the source of our longing, and not settle for any imitation. (Song: Come back to me, with all your heart…).

2nd.Sunday of Lent (Year B) (Feb. 25, 2024) Gen 22:1-2, 9a,10-13,15-18; Rom 8:31b-34; Mk 9:2-10 “God always breaks into our world in a new way, and our lives will never be the same!” Today’s readings reveal a God of surprises, who acts in ways that his followers don’t understand. And yet, they trust and follow, and their lives are transformed/changed forever. In the 1st.reading, advanced in age, Abraham and his wife Sarah, were saddled with barrenness. God intervened, thus promising them Isaac, to perpetuate their generation. But soon after, God told Abraham, at age hundred to leave everything to an unknown land. Add to that, God orders Abraham to sacrifice his only son he gave him. How could God demand such sacrifice after giving such a gift? Yet Abraham is faithful, climbs the mountain, prepares to do the unimaginable, until God reveals himself as a demander, not of sacrifice, but of fidelity. This means, God always breaks into our world in a new way, and our lives will never be the same! We only must stay vigilant, trust and obey! Life Message: “Stay awake spiritually - Don't miss God's glory and action”: Luke's Gospel account tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions in the light of Christ's truth. The life of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing demands of Christ to forsake all for him and his kingdom. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory of God. Conclusion: How spiritually awake are you to Christ's presence and word of life for you? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Christ are called to be witnesses of his glory. How? We, therefore, need transformation in our Christian lives so that we may seek reconciliation instead of revenge, love our enemies, pray for those who hate us, give to the needy without expecting a reward, refuse to judge others and make friends with those we don’t naturally like. This transformation will also enable us to hold back on harsh words and let love rule so that we may seek reconciliation rather than revenge, pray for those who give us a hard time, avoid bad-mouthing those we don’t agree with, forgive those who hurt us, and love those who hate us. Remember, God always breaks into our world in a new way, and our lives will never be the same! We only must stay vigilant, trust and obey!

1 st. Sunday of Lent (Year B). (Feb 18, 2024). Gen. 9:8-15; I Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15. “Repent and believe in the Good News of God’s Kingdom.” Introduction: Factory re-setting and software update of Christian life during Lent: Referred to as a factory reset or factory restore, a computer's factory settings are the settings the computer had when it was first purchased. ... A factory reset is often performed before a computer is resold to help resolve any software issues or eliminate the previous user's profile and personal data. Significance: Lent is the time to do the “factory resetting” of our spiritual life and update it by leading a life of repentance and renewal of life. Today’s 1 st . Reading makes a “factory reset” by reminding us of the New Covenant God made to Noah after the deluge, and the 2 nd . Reading “updates” the meaning and significance of our Baptism in the context of Lenten season which invites us to renew our Baptismal promises. Hence, the primary purpose of Lent is spiritual preparation for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery recalling Jesus’ death on Good Friday and Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Hence, the Church leads her children to “repentance,” a type of conversion. Life Message: We can then say that “Repentance” is the process by which one reorders one’s priorities, and changes one’s values, ideals, and ambitions, through fasting, prayer, and penitential mortification. Lent, then, is a period of self-examination, prompting us to repent of our sins, and so to effect a real conversion: to turn completely to God and to His teaching, and to do good for others. Lent also challenges us to reform our lives by turning away from self, from evil, and from sin, so as to turn toward God and toward others with renewed Faith and fervor. Lenten observances are also intended to lead us to our annual solemn renewal of Baptismal vows on Holy Saturday. Consequently, through Baptism, we are called to live justly, to love God with all our being, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to build the kingdom of God by our acts of charity. That is why the three readings chosen as today’s Scripture refer to Baptism directly or indirectly, and Jesus put the icing on the cake, with his clarion: “This is the time of Fulfillment. Repent and believe in the Good News of God’s Kingdom.” Conclusion: Let us convert Lent into a time for spiritual growth and Christian maturity by: a) participating in the Mass each day, or at least a few days in the week; and setting aside some part of our day for personal prayer; b) setting aside some money we might spend on ourselves for meals, entertainment, or clothes and giving it to an organization which takes care of the less fortunate in our society; c) abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and other evil addictions; d) receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lent and participating in the “Stations of the Cross” on Fridays. In a nutshell, let us use Lent to fight daily against the evil within us and around us by practicing self-control, relying on the power of prayer, and seeking the assistance and the daily anointing of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, “This is the time of Fulfillment. Repent and believe in the Good News of God’s Kingdom.”

Continue your Lenten Journey with our Parish Reconciliation Mass. March 7th at 7pm, Main Church

Come enjoy fellowship and a delicious meal provided by the Knights of Columbus. Following the 5 pm mass on January 27th. All are welcome.

Enjoy a night full of music, dancing, burger, dessert, and a 1950's theme. Hosted by the Knights of Columbus February 10th, 6 pm Parish Hall Ticket sales begin before/after 5, mass on Saturday and 8 am and 10 am mass on Sunday.

Starting January 11th Thursday 3 to 4:30 pm Parish Meeting Rooms (Church Basement) 24 Week Study on the story of salvation throughout the scriptures. If you have questions or wish to register please contact Allison Ramirez at allison@stbarbarachurch.org. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, January 7th, 2024 Come join the Knights of Columbus for good food and fellowship after both of the morning masses. We will have ham eggs, fruit and pancakes! See you there.

Bloodwork's Northwest Blood Drive January 4th and 5th. This event will take place in the parish hall. Come and support our community. Sign up for a time here Jan 4th https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/68810 Jan 5th https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/68811