Summary: This section of Matthew’s gospel recalls the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Through various symbols, such as bread, safety, and kingdoms, Jesus is presented with what have been and continue to be the temptations of human beings: pleasure, power and failure to accept responsibility. These particular things can displace the primary position of our relationship with God. Jesus consistently counters each of the devil’s temptations with a reliance on the Grace of God. Throughout the scriptures we will see Jesus place ultimate trust in the Father’s love (Grace) and providence.

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Summary: Love is the word and the action that is called of us as followers of Christ Jesus. Jesus addresses himself to the ancient law of an “eye for an eye,” as the code that spoke to equal retribution for an offense. What Jesus says is that in living a life founded on the law of Love there is no room for retribution and, in fact, retribution is to be replaced by love of one’s enemies. Forgiveness and love of one’s enemies is one of the greatest challenges to us and it is only with being rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ that this can even become a reality.

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Summary: It should not surprise us that Jesus goes beyond the requirements of the laws of the Old Testament, even while saying they need to be observed. In this section of Saint Matthew’s gospel Jesus fleshes out a deeper meaning and intent of the commandments. For example when he speaks of the sin of murder, the taking of another’s life, he speaks of it as including the diminishment of a person’s life by harsh words or actions. Likewise Jesus speaks of taking the commandments beyond the thou shalt not to another level of understanding. The level that speaks of the fact that in the greatest commandment to love we are called to go far and above the stated words of the commandments and enter into the spirit of the commandments. This is true obedience

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Photo from this year's Crab Feed

Summary: This section of Saint Matthew’s Gospel is preceded by the Beatitudes, which like the commandments offer us a way to live in a faithful and loving manner. Living a life of goodness is a manner of praising and worshiping God. Doing good and acting justly is giving honor and glory to God. This gospel passage uses the images of salt and light to illustrate or demonstrate the call of each person to enhance the world with our presence, just as salt enhances the flavor of food. One of our charges from God is to enhance this life. Another charge is to be light, that is to allow the light of Christ to shine through our actions so that others may be drawn to Christ. We are to enhance and not detract, to illuminate and not darken.

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The First Communion Retreat that was Saturday, January 25 at St Francis of Assisi Parish

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Summary: This passage speaks to the fact that Jesus was born into a family that is observant of the law. Mary and Joseph are careful to have this child, the firstborn, circumcised and presented to the Lord as prescribed by the Law. As Jesus’ parents prepare to make their offering to the Lord for their child, they encounter the holy man Simeon, who was on his way to the Temple. Simeon takes the child into his arms and realizes that this is the Christ of God. On Simeon’s lips are the words of the prayer that is used each night by those who pray the Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. The prayer is known as the Nunc Dimitis, Now Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples; a light for the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Clearly the words of the prayer are filled with hope.

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Summary: Transformation is the theme, yet again, as we look at the words and movement of Jesus in today’s gospel selection. Jesus is inviting people to move from darkness to light. Jesus identifies with the servant, Isaiah in calling the people out of their gloom, and is in fact in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. The preaching of Jesus, the prophets of old and the present day prophets, if authentic, call and lead people to understand that transformation of heart and mind is what our God seeks in each person and community.

2019-2020 English Faith Formation calendar of events

Click here to see important dates for First Communion

Summary: In today’s gospel we encounter the prophet John. Notice that in this gospel he is never referred to as the Baptist. His purpose in this gospel, as in the others, is to announce and point to Jesus as the Messiah. This is John’s unique call from God, to indeed prepare the way of the Lord and point to Jesus as the Lamb of God. John makes it clear that his call is to be the, if you will, advance man for Jesus. John, like all of us who claim Jesus Christ as Messiah, are to point to Jesus. Ultimately, our call, like that of John’s, is to direct others to Christ Jesus.

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Summary: In this very brief story, we are given a glimpse of the relationship between Jesus and Saint John the Baptist. Both individuals are true models of humility. Jesus humbles himself when he comes forward to be baptized as an example for others, while Saint John the Baptist states that his baptizing of others is merely a preamble to the great baptism that will come through Jesus. Neither men are driven by ego, but rather are led by the virtue of humility.

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