March 11, 2012
Total Allegiance
In previous weeks we have seen how the theme of covenant - as a preparation for the baptismal covenant celebrated at Easter - occupies an important place in our cycle of Lenten readings. The notion of covenant as a relationship between two parties carries with it an expecteation, and it would forever permit them familiar access as the Chosen People. For their part, the Jewish people were to observe the dictates of law, summarized most succinctly here in the form of the Ten Commandments. To be in a covenantal relationship with the Lord God requires an exclusive relationship, just as discipleship with Jesus - ritualized in baptism - demands a total allegiance to him and none other.
Treasures from our tradition
On this Sunday, our attention is drawn to an enriched diet of scripture readings in the liturgy's three-year cycle. Forty years ago, there was merely one set of readings for Sunday: two readings only, an Epistle, and a Gospel. Each Sunday of the year had two readings, and they never varied from year to year. In the late 1960s, we received an enriched book of readings (a lectionary) keyed to a course of readings over three years, named A, B, and C. The architects of this new plan realized that in Jesus' time, it took three years to read through the Law and the Prophets completely in synagogue worship. With the renewed liturgy, our worship has embraced this same rhythm that Jesus experienced in public prayer.
This year we are using the readings from Year B. The readings for Year A, however, are closely attuned to the Church's work of preparing to celebrate baptism at Easter. When the worship assembly includes people in the final stages of preparation, the Year B readings will often be set aside in favor of the readings from Year A, which this week include the story of the woman at the well. She is a fitting companion for those thirsting for living water.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School is now accepting applications for 2012-2013 school year.
Applications are available online at www.olphdc.org or at the school office between 8:00AM and 3:00PM. Please call 650-755-4438 for more information. Kindergarten applicants must have a certificate of attendance from the pre-school. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin, age, gender or disability in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Lenten Discipline:
Abstinence
Everyone fourteen years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on ASH WEDNESDAY, the Fridays of Lent and GOOD FRIDAY
Fast:
Everyone eighteen years of age and older but under the age of sixty is also bound to fast on ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY.