In present times, we often associate the religious dimension of our lives with “values,” both ethical and aesthetic. This passage from the Gospel helps us question the value we attribute to the Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The crucifixion certainly became a little overwrought in 19th century interpretations, and this was later redressed to a certain degree. But what do we make of the Cross now, this instrument of torture and torment, presented here as the means by which Jesus was elevated and glorified by God? This Gospel reading casts the cross in a more positive light.

This is the third and final “Scrutiny” that the Church proposes for catechumens and candidates.

In the first “Scrutiny”— focusing on the Woman at the Well — Jesus tells us of his thirst for mankind. When we respond in faith, we quench the thirst of Jesus. It’s amazing to ponder that God thirsts for us!

A series of books titled, “La Teologia di Papa Francesco” (The Theology of Pope Francis) have been published by the Vatican’s publishing house.

Following is the abstract of the books:

Bishop Semeraro’s pastoral instruction: an application document of “Amoris laetitia” prepared and shared together with the priests.

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is called Laetare Sunday in the Extraordinary Form, since its theme is one of rejoicing and expectation that Easter is near. It occurs just over half way through the penitential season of Lent. Laetare Sunday, takes its name from the first word in the entrance antiphon (introit) for that Sunday’s Mass, "Rejoice" [Latin: laetare]: "Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together all you that love her; rejoice with joy you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation" (Isaiah: 66:10, 11).

The story of Joseph and his brothers from the Old Testament’s Book of Genesis is no doubt familiar to all of us. Joseph is the favorite of their father, Jacob, who after wrestling with the Angel is now Israel. He, along with his brother, Benjamin, are the sons from his favorite wife, Rachel. No doubt, Jacob loved all of his sons, but he adored these two youngest. They reminded him of his own dear wife, now long dead, having passed in childbirth.

“You do not pay for the Mass, if you want you can make an offering, do it but you don’t need to pay for the Mass”. Pope Francis, in the audience hall in the Vatican, raises his gaze from the prepared speech and speaks off the cuff to the faithful. The subject of his catechesis is the Eucharistic prayer, the heart of the Mass, which accompanies the consecration of the bread and wine. It is an opportunity to remember that there can be no “price-list” for the sacraments and that not even the suffrage Mass for the deceased should be “paid” for.

GOD’S GAME PLAN (JOHN 3:16-21)

“How precious must man be in the eyes of the Creator, if he gained so great a Redeemer, and if God ‘gave his only Son’ in order that man ‘should not perish but have eternal life.’” – Saint John Paul II

Vatican News interviews the 85-years-old German cardinal, “Tradition is not a stagnant lake, but is like a spring, or a river: it is something alive”.

“Tradition is not a stagnant lake, but is like a spring, or a river: it is something alive. The Church is a living organism and thus it always needs to validly translation the Catholic tradition into present situations. This is the meaning of the renewal about which Pope John XXIII spoke”. Cardinal Walter Kasper, who turned 85 years old yesterday, told Vatican News.

Why has Pope Francis just instituted a new feast titled "Mary, Mother of the Church"?

Pope Francis has recently declared that a new obligatory memorial is to be celebrated in honor of our Blessed Mother under the title: Mary, Mother of the Church (Mater Ecclesiae). Fittingly, this memorial will take place on the Monday following Pentecost Sunday. The decree was signed on February 11 (the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes) and released this past Saturday, March 3, 2018, by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.