St. David Catholic Church

Very Rev. Oswald P. Pierre-Jules, Jr., S.S.J., Pastor

February 21, 2021

From Loyola Press:

Gospel Reading
Mark 1:12-15                                                                     

Jesus is tempted in the desert by Satan.

Background on the Gospel Reading:
 

On the first Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading in each Lectionary cycle is about Jesus’ temptation in the desert. This event in the life of Jesus is reported in each of the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—but it is not found in John’s Gospel. This year we read Mark’s account of this event.

Compared to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the details throughout Mark’s narrative are sparse. This is evident in Mark’s account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Mark tells us only that Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit and that for 40 days he was tempted by Satan. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke explain that Jesus fasted while in the desert, that Satan presented him with three temptations, and that Jesus refused each one, quoting Scripture. Only the Gospels of Matthew and Mark report that angels ministered to Jesus at the end of his time in the desert.

In each of the Synoptic Gospels, the temptation of Jesus follows his baptism by John the Baptist. In Mark’s Gospel, we are told that Jesus went into the desert immediately after his baptism, led by the Spirit. Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee begins after his temptation in the desert. Mark’s Gospel makes a connection between the arrest of John the Baptist and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus’ preaching about the Kingdom of God is in continuity with the preaching of John the Baptist, but it is also something new. As Jesus announces it, the Kingdom of God is beginning; the time of the fulfillment of God’s promises is here.

The fact that Jesus spent 40 days in the desert is significant. This recalls the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert after being led from slavery in Egypt. The prophet Elijah also journeyed in the desert for 40days and nights, making his way to Horeb, the mountain of God, where he was also attended to by an angel of the Lord. Remembering the significance of these events, we also set aside 40 days for the season of Lent.

In Mark’s Gospel, the desert marks beginning of Jesus’ battle with Satan; the ultimate test will be in Jesus’ final hours on the cross. In a similar way, our Lenten observances are only a beginning, a preparation for and a reinforcement of our ongoing struggle to resist the temptations we face in our lives. During Lent, we are led by the Holy Spirit to remember the vows of Baptism in which we promised to reject sin and to follow Jesus. Just as Jesus was ministered to by the angels, God also supports us in our struggle against sin and temptation. We succeed because Jesus conquered sin once and for all in his saving death on the cross.

 Parish Theme:

 St. David: Faith, Family & Fellowship

                   All are invited to attend Sunday Mass at  9:00 AM 
                   which live-streams on Facebook.  The link on
                   Facebook is:  St. David Catholic Church        

              Parishioners of St. David Parish are invited to join together
             to pray the Rosary on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.  
             Telephone-Conference Call:  1-712-770-4721 - Code:  222140

            The Pastor's conference call with his parishioners:                         St. David: every Wednesday, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. 
Haitian Community:  every Thursday, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. 

          My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed
          Sacrament.  I love You above all things and I desire to receive
          You into my soul.  Since I can not now receive You sacramen-
          tally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as
          if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You.
          Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen          

                                                                                     St. Alphonsus Liguori

        From: Mary M. Aucoin
        Realtor New Orleans:  The Advocate

        I  suggested  all Catholics continue to make   their contributions                    to the Church as they would have at Mass.  If you participated in                    the envelope system, mail your check to your parish Church.  If                        you usually put cash in the collection, consider writing a check                      and sending it.  I would also like to suggest increasing your                              contribution.  After all, what do you have to  spending on?                                  Restaurants, bars, movie theaters, etc. are closed.  Our parishes                     still have to pay bills.       

The bankruptcy court in case number 20-10846 pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has set a deadline of March 1, 2021 to file a Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy. A Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim form may be found at: www.NolaChurchclaims.com
 

The bankruptcy court in case number 20-10846 pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has set a deadline of November 30, 2020 to file a General Proof of Claim in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Bankruptcy. A General Proof of Claim form may be found at: 
https://www.donlinrecano.com/Clients/rcano/Static/BDPOC