A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski Next week, our diocese

Church of the Nativity, Burke, Virginia
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 19, 2016
A Message from our Pastor
Fr. Bob Cilinski
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed
yourself in Christ.” - Gal 3:27
My dear parishioners:
I love celebrating baptisms at Nativity. The families
arrive all dressed up carrying a tiny infant wrapped in a
long white gown which is the baptismal robe. It is a
perfect symbol. The child is “putting on Christ” and is
being “clothed in Christ.”
St. Paul asserts that baptism in Christ gives all equal
status in the family of God. All are children of God and
All are equal heirs. All are one and equal in Christ. The
distinctions between gender, class, nationalities are
dissolved in the waters of baptism. Baptism does not
wash away the differences, but it makes them
irrelevant. We are a community of equal disciples, All
who are clothed with Christ belong equally and have
equal status.
Jesus asks his followers to deny themselves and take
up their cross each day. Baptism is the first step of
dying to self and rising up to a new creation. The
question today is: “Are we willing to take up the cross
each day clothed in the power of the One who has
gone before us through death to new life?”
Happy Fathers Day to those who have said "yes" to the
vocation of being shepherds and protectors of their
children and families. We thank God for you today.
Seminarian assigned to Nativity
This summer, John Paul Heisler will be living with us at
Nativity Church for an eight week summer parish pastoral
experience. John Paul will live at the Rectory with
Fr. Cilinski and Fr. Korpi and will share in the life of the
parish…..liturgies, youth activities, work camp, vacation
bible school, visiting the sick, young adult/college ministry,
participate in staff meetings, and observe the workings of
Parish life. John Paul will be entering his fourth year of
college in the fall at
St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington DC.
We welcome John Paul to Nativity!
The next Praise and Worship event will take place on
Wednesday, June 22 from
7:30-8:30pm in the Church.
Experience vibrant contemporary
praise and worship with music lead
by those from Nativity and around
the diocese.
JOIN
Free Admission- All ages are
welcome! Intercessory prayer
teams available.
Love and Blessings,
Fr. Bob Cilinski
Pastor
Next week, our diocese will take up the Peter’s Pence
Collection, which provides Pope Francis with the funds
he needs to carry out his charitable works around the
world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on
the margins of society, including
victims of war, oppression, and disasters.
Join our Holy Father as a witness of charity to those
who are suffering.
During the Month of May, through the
Sacrament of Baptism, we joyfully welcomed the
following into our Parish Community:
Kennedy Gray Felschow
Lena Marie Continetti
Meghan Kathleen Van Hooser
Ethan Michael Lemons
Aidan Sweeny Paulson
Isabelle Imogene Paulson
Emmelyn Jade Pritchard
CONGRATULATIONS!
Church of the Nativity, Burke, Virginia
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 19, 2016
A FATHER’S DAY NOVENA OF MASSES
will be said during the month of June for all Fathers, living and
deceased. Spiritual Bouquet cards are available at the Church
entrance and the Parish office.
Their names will be placed on the alter during the
month of June. The Novena of Masses will begin on:
Sunday June 19th
Monday June 20th
Tuesday June 21st
Wednesday, June 22nd
Thursday, June 23rd
Friday, June 24th
Saturday, June 25th
Saturday, June 25th
Sunday, June 26th
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
7:30
9:00
5:00
7:30
AM
AM
AM
AM
AM
AM
AM
PM
AM
Handy Knights Ministry
Need a hand with minor home repairs? 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]
to let us know what your needs are and provide a way
to get to contact you. One of our Handy Knights will be
in touch to assess your problem and
hopefully provide a quick fix – no
charge for help, donations accepted
to help pay it forward to others.
Although this ministry is willing and
able, it is not intended for jobs better
suited for (or requiring) a certified
professional or contractor.
Nativity Annual Yard Sale
“Two Words…The Yard Sale is Coming
THIS SATURDAY!” Nativity’s Annual Yard
Sale for Charity sponsored by the Knights of
Columbus Father Vincent S. Sikora Council
7992, is Saturday, June 25, 2016, from 8 AM until 2 PM.
The Yard Sale raises funds to help respond to the many
charitable requests that the Council receives throughout the
year. Volunteers are needed for a variety of areas.
Please contact Brother George Getek at
[email protected] and let him know that you are ready,
willing and able to assist in one or more of the volunteer
positions posted in the May and June newsletters. The time
to volunteer is NOW! Thank You! to all Brother Knights who
have already committed their time and talent.
For a complete list of collection times and list of
acceptable/non-acceptable donations, please access
fathersikoracouncil.org
We have begun Phase II of our building project.
Phase II includes a beautiful face lift to some parts of the
Church, with a wonderful soaring entrance lobby where
parishioners can congregate together in an all-weather
enclosed space.
In addition, there will be new offices and reception area, a
new meeting room, expanded bathrooms with additional
family restrooms and a new pantry to serve the narthex
lobby.
During construction, the front entrance to the Church, the
gift shop, the offices and the atrium walkway from the
school lobby will be closed. The temporary entrance to the
Church will be the two side doorways on the left side of
the Church. A third entrance / exit is on the choir side that
allows access to and from the school.
Let us pray for the success of our new renovation and the
safety of all the workers. Many thanks to the Nativity
parishioners for your generosity.
Plan B Parish Office Location
Instead of the temporary trailor and due to the delay of the
County permit process, our offices will be
relocated to the school lobby during construction.
This allows us to begin renovations sooner.
The school restrooms will be available on both floors.
Construction is expected to take five months. When it is
finished, our beloved Church will be a more
inviting place than ever before. Thank you for everyone's
patience during the construction.
Church of the Nativity, Burke, Virginia
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Everyone should take responsibility for
his or her own actions. The “choice” in
pro-choice should come before
conception, not after! If you believe that
fathers should be more involved in
decisions affecting the child they helped
to create, you’re right! This Father’s
Day, please pray for all fathers that they will be protective
of all their children, born and unborn. May God bless ALL
Fathers this day. Happy Father’s Day!
Choose Life Today. Choose Life Tomorrow. Pray Always.
We Must Do No Less.
Please support the TEPEYAC FAMILY CENTER, 11135
Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703-273-9440 x 107,
with your prayers and financial resources. Info on this
pregnancy resource center can be found at
www.tepeyacfamilycenter.com
24-Hour Crisis Pregnancy Hotline:
1-800-395-HELP (4357) Project Rachel (healing after
abortion): 1-888-456-HOPE (4673)
Pregnancy Resource Centers Phone Numbers:
Catholic Charities National: 1-800-CARE-002
Catholic Charities Local: 703-425-0100
June 19, 2016
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Please join the Nativity Italian Heritage and Culture Society
on Monday, June 27, 7:00-9:00pm in the Nativity School
Cafeteria. Local food writer and cookbook author Domenica
Marchetti will talk about her recently published 7th Italian
cookbook, "Preserving Italy." Her passion for Italian home
cooking along with many articles and recipes have been widely
published in The Washington Post, Food and Wine and Fine
Cooking. She is also the author of the Williams Sonoma Rustic
Italian book among others. When she is not in her kitchen,
Domenica leads culinary tours in Italy's magnificent
Abruzzo region.
A Woman's Choice: 703-538-4305
Gabriel Project: 1-866-444-3553
“We know that all things work for good for those who love
God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Theatre & Art Day Camps
in a Catholic Environment
Enroll your child in a fun and
exciting camp this July dedicated
to teaching excellence in the arts.
Instructors are top notch in their
field in topics such as visual art, dance, singing, acting, improvisation, crafts, and more. Opportunities from Pre-K
through High School make
Spotlight on the Arts Summer Camps perfect for the whole
family. For over 10 years, Rob Tessier has offered these
camps within the Arlington Diocese. See
www.SpotlightSummerCamps.com.
We need your help for the 2016-2017 religious education school
year! Please volunteer to extend the love for the Lord and his
Church to the children of Nativity; catechists, assistant
catechists, substitutes, babysitters, and office assistants are
needed. The V olunteer Application form is available in the
Religious Education Office, online at www.nativityburke.org/
nativityccd; click on Volunteer Opportunities, or call the
Religious Education Office at 703.455.0372.
Receive an Early Bird Discount; register your child(ren) by
August 1! Don’t delay; some classes are already closed and
others are filling up fast! Class placement is on a first-come,
first-serve basis according to the date the registration form is
received in the Religious Education Office. Submit a
completed Student Registration form (one per family), an
Emergency Care Form for each student, payment, and a copy of
a student’s baptism certificate (including students baptized at
Nativity) unless the baptism certificate is already on file in the
Religious Education Office. Forms are available in the
Religious Education Office and online at
www.nativityburke.org/nativityccd; click on Student
Registration.
Church of the Nativity, Burke, Virginia
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 19, 2016
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER FOR
JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY
Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be
merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever
sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being
enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking
happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his
betrayal, and assured Paradise to the
repentant sinner.
Monday, June 20
7:30am Father’s Day Novena Mass
Tuesday, June 21
7:30am Father’s Day Novena Mass
Wednesday, June 22
7:30am Father’s Day Novena Mass
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you
spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!”
Thursday, June 23
7:30am Father’s Day Novena Mass
You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who
manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the
Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen
and glorified.
Friday, June 24
7:30am Father’s Day Novena Mass
You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness
in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and
error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved
and forgiven by God.
Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,
so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,
and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news
to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and
restore sight to the blind.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy.
You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for
ever and ever. Amen.
Saturday, June 25
9:00am Father’s Day Novena Mass
5:00pm † Jerry Dwyer
Sunday, June 26
7:30am
Father’s Day Novena Mass
9:00am
Joe Gabriel Alcala
11:00am Parishioners
12:45pm Michael Ponti
5:30pm Madeline Rispoli
The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage:
www.nativityburke.org
In prayer, let us remember
the sick and deceased of the parish.
SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY
Diocesan WorkCamp 2016
Please pray for our 25 teens and 12 adult chaperones.
They depart June 24, St. Don Bosco—Pray for us!
Altar Flowers
Donated by
Francia Prososky
In Memory of son Brett
and
Nancy and Jim Iannuzzai
On the Occasion of
their 55th Wedding Anniversary
If you have a family member or friend, aged 18 years of age or
older, with a mental illness we would welcome you to a
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Northern
Virginia Family Support Group where we will share
strategies and information to help
ourselves and our loved ones. The next
monthly meeting will take place in
Classroom 242 in the Nativity School on
Wednesday, June 22, 2016,
7:30 – 9:00 pm.
For more information, go to
www.NAMI-NorthernVirginia.org
and visit the “Families” page.
The group is led by co-facilitators trained by NAMI.
Church of the Nativity, Burke, Virginia
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 19, 2016
NATIVITY CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
Appalachia Home Building Underway.
Please keep the Nativity Knights of Columbus
Appalachia Home Building Team in your
prayers so they have a safe and productive
build effort and that the weather cooperates.
They are building two homes this year.
Nativity Annual Yard Sale. “Two Words…
The Yard Sale is Coming!” Nativity’s Annual
Yard Sale for Charity sponsored by the
Knights of Columbus Father Vincent S.
Sikora Council 7992, is Saturday, June 25,
2016, from 8 AM until 2 PM. The yard sale
raises funds to help respond to the many
charitable requests that the Council receives
throughout the year. Volunteers are needed for a variety of
areas. These include: Donation collections at the Parish Hall
beginning Thursday, June 16th and ending Thursday, June
23rd; tent set up and take down; furniture pick up; and Parish
Hall set up and clean up. Please contact Brother George
Getek at [email protected] (703-978-6674) and let him know
that you are ready, willing and able to assist. Volunteer
NOW! Thank You! to all Brother Knights who have already
committed.
New Officer Installation Ceremony. There will
be an Installation Ceremony for newly elected
officers for the 2016 – 2017 Columbian Year
on Sunday, July 10th, at 7 p.m. in Nativity
Church. Father Bob Cilinski, our Pastor and
Chaplain of Council 7992, will be attending as
will the new District Deputy, Fidel Rodriguez.
Please join us for this important event. Spouses, family
members and friends are all welcome. Attire is coat and tie.
Join the Knights of Columbus! Interested in becoming a
Knight or know someone that is? Contact WDGK Mike
Litzelman at [email protected] or (703) 250-7750. If
you want to learn more about the Nativity Parish Knights of
Columbus, Council 7992, please visit our website at:
http://fathersikoracouncil.org/.
"May God's Blessings Continue To Shine Brightly
Upon All Fathers Today. Happy Father's Day!"
A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
http://www.nativityschool.org
Kindergarten Teacher Needed!
Nativity Catholic School Seeks a
Kindergarten Teacher
for the 2016-2017 School Year ~~
************************************
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited
institution with certification (or eligibility for certification) in
Elementary Education for the state of Virginia.
Preferred Qualifications: M.Ed., Elementary Education,
with 3+ years of experience.
Please submit resumes via email to Maria Kelly, School
Principal, at [email protected].
~~ How About You?
************************************
Playful Preschool, Pre-K Progeny Par-tay!
The very youngest among us started celebrating summer before
anyone else did -- and, from the smiles I see -- they were happy
to oblige! With an entire week dedicated to fun and frolic, our
Preschool and Pre-K students ended the school year in style.
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For more photos of the fun, visit our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Nativity-Catholic-School424938377552958/ (Nativity Catholic School Burke Virginia).
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Join us to see how your child would spend his or her days here -learning, praying, sharing, and laughing. Contact us at: (703)4552300, [email protected], or www.nativityschool.org. Unete
hoy con nuestras familias Hispanas de Nativity para que vean lo importante que es tener a sus hijos aquí. En este colegio oramos juntos,
compartimos y ensenamos con amor y diversión. Como sería un día en
Nativity para su hijo? Llámen nos hoy para reservar su día: (703)4552300, por email [email protected], o visiten la página web
www.nativityschool.org.
Website: www.nativityburke.org
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Altar service at Nativity Parish is open to all
boys and girls in fifth grade (or age 11) and
older. Servers assist at all weekend
liturgies, weddings, funerals, and other
liturgical services. New server orientation
and training sessions are held several times
a year. For more information, please
contact Maureen Andersen at
703-978-6318 or email at
[email protected], thank you.
Nativity Catholic School Seeks a
Kindergarten Teacher
for the 2016-2017 School Year
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree from an
accredited institution with certification (or eligibility for
certification) in Elementary Education for the state of Virginia.
Preferred Qualifications:
M.Ed., Elementary Education, with 3+ years of experience.
Please submit resumes via email to Maria Kelly, School Principal,
at [email protected].
OUTSIDE THE PARISH
June 19, 2016
Election Officers Needed
Fairfax County needs Election Officers for upcoming
elections. Training has begun for the General
Election November 8th. Election Officers must be registered
voters in Virginia and complete required training and forms.
You may choose to accept the $175 stipend for a full day, or
volunteer your time.
View the “Being an Election Officer” Video on YouTube
and listen to the “Need for Election Officers” Podcast on
SoundCloud. For more information, visit the Office of
Elections website or call 703-324-4735, TTY 711.
Attention Class of 2016!!
The Associates of St. John Bosco is conducting 3
workshops on how to keep your Catholic faith intact when
you enter college this fall. The nights are designed for
rising college freshmen to prepare for transition into
college. Catholic student representatives from George
Mason, University of Maryland, UVA, The University of
Mary Washington, Benedictine College and other schools
will be on hand to offer advice and support. It is a great
opportunity to network with other Catholic students and to
receive resources. The nights will be held on Thursday
June 23 at St. Mark Catholic Church Parish Hall (9970
Vale Road, Vienna), Wednesday, July 20 at St. Mary
Catholic Church Lyceum (310 South Royal Street,
Alexandria), and Wednesday July 27 at St. Mary of the
Immaculate Conception Parish Hall (1009 Stafford Ave.
Fredericksburg) all at 7:00pm.
To register for one of the nights and for additional
information visit our website at www.asjb.org.
Registration is limited to 50 students per night.
Annual Diocesan Multicultural Mass & Fair – June 25
“The Lord called me before I was born.”
Do you pray to know your vocation which was given
to you before you were born?
Could it be as a priest, deacon, sister or brother?
Call Father J.D. Jaffe at (703) 841-2514, or write:
[email protected].
Interested in advertising in the bulletin?
Call Rick Cortez at 412-292-0132
e-mail: [email protected]
Mass to Pray for Healing for Victims/Survivors of
Sexual Abuse – June 27
All are invited to pray for the healing of victim/survivors of sexual
abuse during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul S. Loverde at
7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic
Church, 130 Keating Drive in Winchester. For more information,
please contact the Office of Victim Assistance at (703) 841-2530 or
visit: arlingtondiocese.org/victim-assistance.
Join the many cultural communities throughout the Diocese of
Arlington at the Annual Diocesan Multicultural Mass & Fair on
June 25 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 3901 Cathedral
Lane, Arlington. Mass will begin at 5:30 p.m. The
Multicultural Fair and Reception will follow immediately after
Mass, where the various cultural communities will display
exciting news, events and information about their ministry.
Each cultural community will provide food representative of
their native country for the reception. All are welcome!
For more information,
please contact [email protected].
Summer Discernment Camps
Quo Vadis Days and FIAT Days are camps for Catholic high
school students (rising freshmen through rising seniors) to
deepen their faith, learn more about all vocations and better
discern God’s call in their lives. FIAT (for girls) runs July
10-14; Quo Vadis (for boys) runs July 16-20. Both are held at
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD.
For more info, visit ArlingtonVocations.org.
Website: www.nativityburke.org
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 19, 2016
COLLEGE MINISTRY and
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Contact Director: Alison Fram
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 703-577-5329
Find us @nativitycollege or parish website
Facebook: Catholic Life Young Adult Ministry
YOUNG ADULTS
We move into Summer
Schedule in July.
Visit the Youth/Young Adult Web
page schedule/ministry information
or get on the CYM UPdate LIST.
Vacation Bible School
Camp on the EDGE
Tomorrow! Fairfax Theology on Tap
Monday, June 20, at The Auld Shebeen
Speaker: Our very own Fr. Rich Miserendino
Topic: “Finding Joy in the Journey–
A Theology of Beer, Wine, and More!”
Meet in the basement– dinner/happy hour
starting at 6:30pm, with the talk at 7:30pm
Contemporary Praise and Worship Event
Wednesday, June 22, 7:30-8:30pm in the Church. Vibrant
contemporary music that is open to all ages! Young adults
are sponsors of the event and are invited to go out for food
after the event.
COLLEGE
See the full list of summer activities on the parish website
We look forward to seeing you in July!
Adult volunteers still needed
Adult is 18 and older.
Go to the web site to find out more.
Diocesan WorkCamp 2016
Please pray for our 25 teens
and 12 adult chaperones.
We depart June 24.
St. Don Bosco—Pray for us!
Congrats High School Graduates!
We have CYM through the summer
AND...
You can also start getting into
College Ministry
See what’s in store this summer...
Instagram @nativitycollege
College “Hangouts”- rotating between a small group
(faith in daily life discussions) and social gatherings.
Wed, June 15– Small Group *6-7pm in Room 240 at Nativity
Wed, June 22– Small Group, 7-9pm
Wed, July 6– Baseball Game! Nats vs. Brewers @ 4:05pm.
Email Alison (above) to sign up
Wed, July 20– No Meeting– Haiti Mission Trip!
Wed, July 27– Small Group, 7-9pm
Wed, August 3– Social at Top Golf in Alexandria
Email Alison (above) to sign up
Wed, August 17– Last Small Group, 7-9pm
Pray for us!
Haiti College Mission Trip:
July 18 – July 22
During construction, please
put your itemized receipts
in the collection baskets.
Thank you for Supporting Youth Ministry!
Director: Ingrid Sánchez-Seymour
Email: ingridss@nati vityburke.org
Web: nativityburke.org/ youth programs
Join the CYM UPdate
Get on our weekly E-list for UPdates
 Send an email to Ms. Ingrid with:
 Child/s name, School, Grade
 Parent/Guardian names, cell numbers
Website: www.nativityburke.org
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Negarse a sí mismo y cargar con la cruz”.
XII Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario, Ciclo C
Autor: Padre Pedro Crespo
Estamos en el domingo XII del tiempo ordinario. En este domingo
se nos viene a interpelar sobre quién es Jesucristo para nosotros y
cómo es nuestro cristianismo.
1º.- ¿Quién dice la gente que soy yo? - Dice Jesucristo -.
San Pedro le dice que es el Mesías de Dios.
Y para ti ¿quién es Jesús? ¿Cuál es tu respuesta más intima?. Una
respuesta que no sea aprendida, sino vital. ¿Es significativo Jesús
para tu vida? ¿Está presente en tus pensamientos, deseos, opciones, actitudes y actos? O ¿es simplemente una referencia social,
un sentimiento recurrente en momentos más difíciles?. Fíjaos que
es sustancial lo que cada uno responda a esta pregunta. Todos
tenemos una respuesta, aunque no esté verbalizada. Tendríamos
que conocer nuestra respuesta y saber contrastarla con el Evangelio, por si tenemos que purificar nuestra imagen de Jesús.
Jesús dice de él mismo que tiene que padecer, ser desechado por
los sumos sacerdotes, que su destino es morir para luego resucitar. Es decir, deja claro a sus discípulos que su ser y su misión
pasan por la cruz. Es un gran misterio de la personalidad de Cristo: el hecho de asumir libremente la muerte y la cruz. Sin este
misterio no podemos comprender a Cristo. Es claro que según sea
la concepción que tengamos de quien es Jesucristo así entenderemos nuestro cristianismo.
2º.- ¿Qué es ser cristiano?
Pues es tener una respuesta, a la llamada que Dios nos hace, reconociéndole como lo más central de nuestra vida. Podemos tener
diferentes ideas sobre lo básico de la religión: ideas más estáticas
o dinámicas, ideas del ser o el hacer cristianos, más ontológicas o
más existenciales. Ser cristiano o vivir como cristiano. Nos interesan las dos visiones. En la segunda lectura se nos dice que somos
Hijos de Dios por la fe, que estamos incorporados a Cristo por el
Bautismo, que estamos revestidos de Cristo. Por el hecho de estar
bautizados somos ya cristianos. Esto es cierto; pero puede suponer una concepción automática del sacramento (el bautizado ya no
tiene que hacer nada más), una concepción mágica, que por hacer
determinados ritos ya está todo solucionado. Esto no es el sacramento cristiano, que para realizarse requiere la colaboración del
hombre. Pero esto no está claro en los que piden el bautismo para
sus hijos. De tal manera que estamos tristemente acostumbrados
a ver que no todo bautizado es cristiano. Es decir, se requiere que
ese ser, que somos, se haga existencia concreta en nuestra vida,
con la colaboración de quienes reciben el sacramento y de la labor
educativa de los padres. Hay una concepción insuficiente del ser
cristianos (estática, ontológica). Por eso ser cristiano es, además
de estar bautizado, seguir a Jesús; “el que quiera seguirme...”,
dice Jesús en el evangelio; es pues una actitud dinámica, que supone una identificación o asimilación. Cristo es nuestro modelo, a
quien nos tenemos que parecer en actitudes y actos.
Las lecturas de este domingo dejan claro que el seguimiento a
Jesús requiere, entre otras muchas cosas, asumir el sufrimiento:
- “el Mesías tiene que padecer”, dice el Evangelio;
- también en el Evangelio: “el que quiera seguirme que se niegue
a sí mismo y cargue con su cruz cada día”;
- el Señor nos da la gracia para poder mirar al que atravesamos
con nuestros pecados, dice la primera lectura.
Para seguir a Jesucristo hay que asumir el sufrimiento que ello
conlleva. Seguir a Jesucristo es entrar en comunión con su destino, que no fue otro que la cruz. Es cierto que triunfó sobre la
muerte y la cruz; pero, en primer lugar, su destino, irrenunciable
para sus seguidores, es la cruz. ¿Qué cruz tomar?. Hay sufrimientos injustos y evitables, los que se deben al pecado de los hombres y los que se deben a limitaciones de la naturaleza, que el
hombre está llamado a desvelar (enfermedad). Por eso yo creo
que se refiere al sufrimiento que se vive cuando uno siguiendo a
Jesucristo, queriendo ser coherente, choca con el mundo. Todos
hemos de cargar con las cruces que nos proporciona la vida y la
edad; pero, además, hemos de decidirnos, en este mundo nuestro,
cada vez menos cristiano, a “perder la vida por la causa de Jesús”.
¡Qué necesitado está nuestro mundo de personas que den testimonio a la hora de afrontar la cruz; qué necesitado de personas
que “pierdan” (la vida, la salud, el prestigio, los años, el tiempo,
los bienes...) por la causa de Jesús!.
June 19, 2016
Señor Jesús, también hoy nos preguntas a nosotros:
¿quién dicen que soy yo? O mejor ¿quién soy para ustedes?
En medio de un mundo que prefiere ídolos y promesas de engaño
Te confesamos Hijo de Dios y único salvador del hombre.
¿A quién otro podemos seguir, Señor, que no nos defraude?
Solamente tú tienes palabras y hechos de vida eterna.
Te creemos resucitado y vivo en el mundo, hoy como ayer,
Y estamos seguros: vives en nosotros por medio de tu Espíritu.
Concédenos conocerte a fondo por la fe, la amistad y la oración;
Y haz que, queriendo a nuestros hermanos, nos entreguemos
A la fascinante tarea de amarte apasionadamente.
Amén.
Un día sin aparatos
Un reto que vale la pena si reconocemos que lo
más hermoso de una familia es esa convivencia
que une corazones
Por: P. Fernando Pascual | Fuente: Catholic.net
Muchas familias viven esclavizadas. Padres e
hijos dependen de la televisión, del móvil, del teléfono, de internet, de
la radio, de juguetes electrónicos, de mil aparatos nacidos con la moderna tecnología.
¿Podemos imaginar qué puede hacer una familia que “apaga” todo?
¿Somos capaces de dejar de lado maravillas de la técnica que nos han
llenado de entretenimientos y que muchas veces nos han vaciado de
contenidos profundos y de relaciones humanas enriquecedoras?
Imaginemos por un momento una familia que acepta este reto. En el
comedor, los padres lanzan la propuesta. Los hijos la escuchan sorprendidos. Alguno estará descontento, protestará. Pero al final, después de un rato de diálogo, llega el sí definitivo.
La televisión queda muda y tranquila. Por un día no lanzará imágenes,
ni suscitará emociones, ni gritará canciones, ni angustiará con noticias
de atentados y de robos. La radio también guarda silencio. Lo mismo
ocurre con el dvd, el iPod, las computadoras, el Nintendo...
Lo más difícil es desconectar el teléfono y apagar los móviles. Es que
todos esperan una llamada, o tienen miedo de que alguien les busque y
encuentre la línea con un sonido extraño de “ocupado”... Pero la decisión está hecha, y hay que lanzarse a la aventura.
La tecnología, con sus mil posibilidades, queda entre paréntesis. La
familia se descubre, por unas horas, simplemente como eso, como
familia. Entre cuatro paredes, con cosas que decirse o que escuchar,
con silencios extraños, sin posibilidades de fuga.
Apagar esos aparatos que se han convertido en “imprescindibles” pone
a la familia a corazón abierto. Quizá el esposo se dará cuenta de que
vive casi drogado por las noticias en internet. O la esposa reconocerá
que ya casi no puede vivir sin una telenovela. O el hijo descubrirá que
está siempre pendiente de las últimas novedades de su chat favorito. O
la hija notará la angustia al ver que ni manda ni recibe mensajes por
sms a sus amigas. Más de uno notará hasta qué punto “necesita” ese
jueguito electrónico con el que pasar las horas de modo tan emocionante...
La técnica esconde este peligro: poco a poco nos encierra en pequeños
mundos, aislados de los demás, obsesionados por los propios deseos.
O ha hecho que todos juntos seamos esclavos de un programa televisivo que parece unir a la familia, cuando en realidad disminuye los tiempos para el diálogo profundo y para la ayuda a quien necesita un rato
de desahogo.
Website: www.nativityburke.org
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
El experimento no sólo nos permite ver hasta qué punto vivimos atados a
la técnica. De un modo positivo, lleva a la familia a disponer de un tiempo
magnífico para que todos miren hacia dentro y hacia afuera.
La vida como una cadena de hechos
Reflexiones para el cristiano de hoy
¿Qué riquezas tengo y ofrezco a quienes viven bajo el mismo techo durante
tantas horas del día? ¿Qué recibo de los míos, de los que están a mi lado?
¿Qué digo, qué hago, qué tengo para que la familia empiece a vivir de
modo nuevo?
En esa cadena, ¿cuál es mi responsabilidad? ¿Cuál la de otros? ¿Ha
sido una casualidad? ¿Puede evitarse un daño futuro?
Muchos notarán que en casa viven como se viviría en un hotel: entre las
mismas paredes, pero cada quien con sus propios planes personales. Otros,
en cambio, notarán una especie de liberación profunda: por fin tienen tiempo para dedicarse a fondo a los demás.
Por: P. Fernando Pascual LC |
Fuente: Catholic.net
Entonces, ¿qué hacemos ahora con este tiempo? Podemos preguntar qué tal
le va al pequeño en los estudios. O cómo se siente el chico con su novia. O
qué piensa la hija mayor sobre su posible trabajo profesional. O cómo el
padre o la madre notan que los años pasan y los hijos crecen en edad y en
decisiones, cómo avanzan hacia el día doloroso pero bello de “volar del
nido”.
Al hacernos estas y otras preguntas nacerá un deseo profundo de dialogar.
Ahora hay tiempo, en grupos pequeños o todos juntos. Así es posible abrirse, descubrir sueños no realizados, esperanzas maravillosas, desilusiones
amargas, alegrías y éxitos en la vida académica o en el trabajo.
Dialogar en familia, si hay cariño, hace que el tiempo sin aparatos sea no
sólo un momento de sacrificio, sino una ocasión magnífica, deseada intensamente, para dedicarse a aquellos temas magníficos que cada quien esconde en su corazón.
El “día sin aparatos” nos permite, además, darnos cuenta de tantos detalles
por mejorar en casa. Una pared que hay que arreglar, un cuadro que necesita un nuevo marco, unos calcetines que piden un lavado más intenso, unos
libros que se ahogan entre el polvo del olvido.
Unos libros... También el día sin aparatos nos ofrece tiempo para acceder a
tantos medios que ayudan a trabajar en la propia cultura. La lectura de un
buen libro (hay que dejar de lado aquellos que no valen nada o que dañan)
enriquece al lector y permite luego, en familia, aportar ideas y reflexiones.
¿Recordamos todavía a la abuela o a los propios padres cuando nos contaban cuentos e historias apasionantes, cuando nos enseñaban lo que ellos
antes habían aprendido gracias a lecturas muy valiosas?
Un día sin aparatos también nos permite mirar hacia fuera del hogar. A la
naturaleza, con sus maravillas, con su vida, con sus ciclos, con su misterio
de nacimiento y de muerte. A los hombres y mujeres del mismo barrio,
muchos de ellos necesitados de un rostro que les mire y les escuche con
cariño. ¿No es hermoso ver a familias que visitan un asilo de ancianos o
que dedican parte de su día a ayudar en tantas posibles tareas de voluntariado social?
Abiertos a la naturaleza y a los demás, nos abrimos también a Dios. Existimos porque nos ama. Podemos disfrutar de alimentos, paredes y electricidad porque vela por cada uno de sus hijos. Sería triste que los aparatos,
fruto del ingenio que Dios nos otorga como seres racionales, nos hayan
apartado de Aquel hacia el cual caminamos cada día.
Para muchos imaginar una jornada sin aparatos es casi como suspirar por
un sueño inalcanzable. Pero al menos podemos tener la sana osadía de
hacer el experimento, aunque sea por unas horas. Vale la pena si nos ayuda
a sacar lo bueno que existe en nosotros, si permitimos curar lo malo que
también nos acompaña en los mil caminos de la vida, si acogemos y nos
dejamos acoger por tantas personas que nos quieren de veras bajo los mismos muros de una casa.
Un día sin aparatos: ahí queda el reto. Un reto que vale la pena si reconocemos que lo más hermoso de una familia es esa convivencia que une corazones y que permite acoger y dar lo que tenemos y lo que somos para que
la vida de los demás entre en la nuestra, y para que la nuestra se convierta
en un esfuerzo continuo por hacer felices a los que viven a nuestro lado.
June 19, 2016
Un pinchazo en la rueda del coche. Un volantazo. El golpe. Ida al hospital. Una semana en reposo. Tiempo para
reflexionar.
Pensamos en lo ocurrido. ¿Por qué aquel pinchazo? Quizá se pudo haber evitado con una revisión a tiempo en el
mecánico. O tal vez alguien dejó un objeto puntiagudo en
la carretera.
Empezamos a buscar causas y consecuencias, responsabilidades y medios para prevenir algo parecido en el
futuro.
Muchas veces vemos la vida como una cadena de hechos. Lo que pasa hoy se explica por lo que pasó ayer y
prepara lo que ocurrirá mañana.
En esa cadena, ¿cuál es mi responsabilidad? ¿Cuál la de
otros? ¿Ha sido una casualidad? ¿Puede evitarse un daño futuro?
Duele constatar cuando uno inició una cadena de eventos
negativos. Al revés, sentimos alegría si dimos el primer
empujón a una cadena de hechos positivos.
Entonces, ¿qué voy a decidir ahora? ¿Hacia dónde dirigiré mi mente y mi corazón? ¿Cómo dar inicio a algo
bueno? ¿Cómo prevenir peligros para mí y para otros?
El mundo tiene muchos rincones de misterio que conviven con zonas de responsabilidad. Los primeros explican
tanta incerteza. Las segundas nos abruman: mis decisiones a veces tienen consecuencias sumamente graves.
Por eso ahora, entre las muchas opciones que tengo ante
mí, necesito luz para decidir prudentemente. Una luz que
viene desde la Palabra de Dios y las luces del Espíritu
Santo. Una luz que también me llega gracias a amigos
sensatos y reflexivos.
En estos momentos, inicia una nueva cadena de eventos.
Pido a Dios, humildemente, que esos eventos me hagan
más bueno, promuevan la justicia, abran la historia humana a la belleza, y nos acerquen un poco al encuentro
eterno con nuestro Padre de los cielos...
La próxima semana la (arqui)diócesis realizará la Colecta
Peter’s Pence, la cual le proporciona al papa Francisco los
fondos que necesita para llevar a cabo sus obras de caridad
alrededor del mundo. Lo recaudado beneficia a nuestros hermanos y hermanas que viven al margen de la sociedad, incluyendo a las víctimas de guerra, opresión y desastres. Únanse a
nuestro Santo Padre como un testigo de la caridad para aquellos que sufren.