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2nd Sunday of Lent
February 25, 2024
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." (Mk 9:7)
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In this edition:
Listening as Ego Reduction
"Bliss of God" Weekly Mini-Retreats
Light the City needs you!
Simple Lenten Meal with Humanitarian Action
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Masses
Saturday, February 24 at 5:30pm Vigil
Sunday, February 25 at 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm (en español) & 5:30pm
Online Offertory options | PayPal & FaithDirect
SCHEDULE INFO
LIVESTREAM LINKS
Mystical Word
L.J. Milone challenges us to ponder how we listen, and identifies attentive listening to the other as an act of ego reduction. "Listening has everything to do with today’s Gospel." READ THE REFLECTION
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Let us pray:
—for the sick, especially Maria da Silva, Margaret Judy, Sofía Valero, Dorianne Alvarado, Donald Klawiter, Simona, Halina Mielnik, Camilia Juber Carmona, Ramón De Pool, John Guerriero, Elsa Henderson, Yvette Romero, Enmanuel Del Valle, Patricia Castro, Michael Harrill, Eileen Elvin, Geralda Masi, Katie Roland, Peter Tan, Mary & Carl Milewski, Therese Fergo, Maria Gianino, Yolanda Mendez Acevedo, Anne Rader, Robyn Nishimi, Paul Gruber, and Blanca Rose Juarez; and
—for the recently deceased, especially Frances Mouflouze, mother of Pam Erwin.
Please also keep our RCIA group in prayer. Last Sunday candidates and catechumens from parishes in the Archdiocese, including St. Matthew's, who will become full members of the Church at the Easter Vigil were welcomed by Cardinal Gregory during the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at the Basilica of the National Shrine. READ THE CATHOLIC STANDARD ARTICLE
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Funeral Mass for Jean Fuller
The life of Jean Fuller, a member of our parish community who spent so much time in, around, and on the steps of the Cathedral for over 20 years, will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass (bilingual in English and Spanish) in the Cathedral on Tuesday, March 5 at 2pm. All are welcome to the Mass, to be celebrated by Msgr. Jameson with Fr. Benson as homilist. Jean died on January 8 at Georgetown Hospital, where she had been cared for since late December.
St. Matthew's clergy and staff are grateful for this opportunity to say goodbye and to commend Jean's soul to the Lord, from the place that became her home. Her love of God, and of the Cathedral, were as striking as her presence among us. She is missed and mourned by many.
Thank you to the many people who showed kindness and generosity to Jean over the years. A parishioner shared the following message on Jean's passing:
The community and staff of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle are mourning the loss of their long time “homeless” resident – Jeanne. She was a fixture of the Cathedral and slept overnight on the front steps of the Cathedral for umpteen years. She’d often roam the streets of Dupont Circle and pop into stores, like Blue Mercury, to buy some items to freshen up her makeup. She was very recognizable – hair wrapped up, always in dresses, the makeup applied just so…and wore flip flops. She was 81 years old. Many residents in and around the Dupont/Logan knew her to see…! Rest in Peace, Jeanne.
VEA EN ESPAÑOL
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Cenas Simples de Cuaresma, viernes de Cuaresma después del Vía Crucis
El viernes 23 de febrero, miembros de los Ministerios Litúrgicos de San Mateo sirve una cena simple en el salón de conferencias del norte. Ven, disfruta del compañerismo en la mesa y aprende sobre el trabajo de Humanitarian Action que ayuda a los migrantes en el área del DMV, con la oportunidad de hacer una donación.
Eventos Próximos
Grupo de Oración en español con Conferencia
Martes 20 de febrero, Rosario a las 7pm y conferencia con Diacono Juan Cayrampoma, "Oración, ayuno, limosna," a las 7:30pm en el salón de conferencias del oeste
Grupo de Oración en español con Conferencia
Martes 27 de febrero, conferencia a las 7pm con Sr. Joel de Loera,
"Los siete pecados capitales," en la Catedral
Santo Rosario por teléfono en español
todos los días a las 3pm (347-378-0694, PIN 283 201 937#)
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Contacto
Para más información sobre el Ministerio Hispano, envíe un email a Fatima Aybar o Padre John Benson o llame la oficina de la rectoría al 202-347-3215.
Ayuno y Abstinencia en Cuaresma - Un Recordatorio
El Miércoles de Ceniza, el cual celebramos el 14 de febrero, y el Viernes Santo, 29 de marzo, son días de ayuno y abstinencia. Los católicos que ya llegaron a los 18 años de edad, pero que son menores de 60 años, están obligados al ayuno, que consiste en una sola comida completa durante el día. Todos los católicos que han cumplido 14 años están obligados a los días de abstinencia en los cuales no se debe de comer carne. Miércoles de Ceniza, Viernes Santo y todos los viernes de Cuaresma son días de abstinencia.
Plato de Arroz de CRS
Recoge tu Plato de Arroz de CRS (Catholic Relief Services) en la catedral o la oficina de la rectoría y vea el Calendario de Cuaresma de Plato de Arroz de CRS. Agregue limosnas a su tazón durante la Cuaresma; los tazones de arroz y las donaciones se recolectarán después de la Cuaresma. También puede unirse a las donaciones de nuestra comunidad parroquial en línea.
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Lenten Prayer & Confessions
Stations of the Cross
- Fridays of Lent | 6pm (English)
- Sundays of Lent | 2pm (en español)
Confessions
- Monday – Friday | 11am – Noon
- Saturdays | 4 – 5pm
- Monday, February 26 | during Eucharistic Holy Hour, 6 - 7pm
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Tuesday, March 26, Lenten Communal Penance Service | 12:10pm
- By appointment | call the rectory office at 202-347-3215
Rosary for Life
- Rosary for Life | Saturday, February 24 at 12:45pm, following the 12:10pm Mass.
Christian Meditation
Meditation Group meetings led by L.J. Milone are offered each week:
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In-person in St. Francis Chapel | Mondays & Wednesdays at 12:45pm
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On Zoom | Sundays at 1:30pm, and Wednesday at 8pm (find link)
Eucharistic Adoration
- Monday, February 26 | Eucharistic Holy Hour, 6 - 7pm
- Friday, March 1 | First Friday Exposition in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel following 12:10pm Mass until 5pm
- Saturday, March 2 | First Saturday Devotions with Adoration following 12:10pm Mass
- Monday, March 20 | Eucharistic Holy Hour, 6 - 7pm with Confessions
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Light the City
Volunteer with L.J. Milone for our March 16 evening of evangelization and prayer in front of the Cathedral!
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Weekly Lenten Mini-Retreats, The Bliss of God is Free and Easy
Beginning February 20, L.J. Milone leads a series of five mini-retreat sessions on how to realize the bliss of God simply and directly through Jesus’ way of mystical nothingness. It is a way to enjoy the Mystery of God and to let go of obstacles to love and relationships. Come, pray, meet fellow parishioners, and experience a way of living mysticism in daily life. Each session has spiritual talks, discussion, and contemplative practice.
Session 1 | "The Nature of God and Prayer"
Tuesday, February 20 or Thursday, February 22
7 – 9pm in the North Conference Room
(Tuesday session repeated on Thursday; attend either one)
Lenten Reading on the Raising of Lazarus
Plan to join the Cathedral Book Club discussion on Thursday, March 21—just before Holy Week begins—in the West Conference Room, 7 - 8pm, of "Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle" by Fr. James Martin, SJ, led by Fr. Jack Hurley.
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Lenten Fasting and Almsgiving
Fast and Abstinence
Ash Wednesday, which we celebrated on February 14, and Good Friday, March 29, are days of fast and abstinence. Catholics who have reached their 18th birthday and are less than 60 years old are bound to observe the fast, by which they are limited to a single full meal during the course of the day. Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday must observe days of abstinence, during which no meat may be eaten. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
Simple Lenten Meals, Fridays of Lent following Stations of the Cross
On Friday, February 23, members of St. Matthew's Liturgical Ministries serve a simple meal in the North Conference Room. Come, enjoy table fellowship, and learn about the work of Humanitarian Action assisting migrants in the DMV area, with an opportunity to make a donation.
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Simple Lenten Meals Donations
Can't attend a Friday meal but would like to donate to the guest organization? Drop off a check to the rectory office (organization name on memo line) or donate via PayPal or on the Social Justice Committee webpage (organization name in Note field). Thank you!
CRS Rice Bowl
Have you picked up a Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl in the Cathedral or the rectory office, and downloaded the CRS Lenten Rice Bowl calendar of reflections and prayer intentions? Add alms to your bowl throughout Lent; rice bowls and donations will be collected after Lent. You also may join in our parish online community giving.
Adopt-a-Family Easter Gift Card Drive
Assist local families of low-income this Easter through our 2024 Adopt-a-Family Easter gift card drive. Donate grocery gift cards (Walmart, Safeway or Giant, $25 or $50) or make a financial donation to be used to purchase gift cards.
HOW TO DONATE
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Auditions Available
There are limited openings for experienced singers in all voice parts of the Schola Cantorum. Please contact Tom Stehle for an audition.
Celebration of the Word
Join us Wednesday evenings (next meeting, February 21) at 7:30pm in the East Conference Room for a simple liturgy: readings, a homily, and prayers.
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Prayer List
To add a name to the prayer list of the sick or the recently deceased, email Msgr. Jameson. If asking for prayers for a person who is sick, please first get their permission.
Social Justice Committee Meeting Interested in finding out about our Social Justice ministries? Drop by the next monthly committee meeting on February 26 at 6:15pm in the North Conference Room.
Adult Confirmation Classes
Confirmations will be celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 19 at a 3pm Mass with Cardinal Gregory. Preparation classes begin in late March. FIND REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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National Eucharistic Revival
This year, the U.S. bishops are sponsoring a National Eucharistic Revival. The aim is to kindle love for the Risen Jesus in the Eucharist and revitalize the Catholic people’s participation in Sunday Mass. To this end, we present brief weekly meditations on the Eucharist until the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2, 2024.
From the writings of Meister Eckhart
Meister Eckhart continues discussing detachment as the key spiritual practice for the follower of Jesus and for the celebration of the Mass in Counsel 6:
But whoever does not truly have God within themselves, but must constantly receive him in one external thing after another, seeking God in diverse ways, whether by particular works, people or places, such a person does not possess God. The least thing can impede them, for they do not have God and do not seek, love and intend him alone. It is not only bad company but also good company that can obstruct them, not only the street but also the church, not only evil words and deeds but also good words and deeds, for the obstruction lies within themselves, since in them God has not become all things. If this were the case, they would be at peace in all places and with all people, for they would possess God, and then no one would be able to take him away from them nor impede them in his work.
But where is this true possession of God, whereby we really possess him, to be found? This real possession of God is to be found in the heart, in an inner motion of the spirit towards him and striving for him, and not just in thinking about him always and in the same way. For that would be beyond the capacity of our nature and would be very difficult to achieve and would not even be the best thing to do. We should not content ourselves with a God of thoughts for, when the thoughts come to an end, so too shall God. Rather, we should have a living God who is beyond the thoughts of all people and all creatures. That kind of God will not leave us, unless we ourselves choose to turn away from him.
Whoever possesses God in their being, has him in a divine manner, and he shines out to them in all things; for them all things taste of God and in all things it is God’s image that they see. God is always radiant in them; they are inwardly detached from the world and are in-formed by the loving presence of their God. It is the same as when someone has a great thirst and, although they may be doing something other than drinking and their minds may be turned to other things, the thought of a drink will not leave them for as long as they thirst, whatever they do, whoever they are with, whatever they strive for, whatever their works or thoughts; and the greater their thirst, the greater, the more intense, immediate and persistent the thought of a drink becomes. Or if someone loves something passionately with all their might, so that nothing else pleases them or touches their heart, and they desire that alone and nothing else, then certainly whoever it may be, or whoever they may be with, whatever they are doing or are setting out to do, the object of their love will never be extinguished in them, but they will find its image in all things, and the greater their love becomes, the more present to them it will be. Such a person does not seek peace, for it is already theirs.
This person is far more praiseworthy in God’s eyes because they grasp all things in a divine way and make of them something more than they are in themselves. Truly, this demands hard work and great dedication and a clear perception of our inner life and an alert, true, thoughtful and authentic knowledge of what the mind is turned towards in the midst of people and things. This cannot be learned by taking flight, that is by fleeing from things and physically withdrawing to a place of solitude, but rather we must learn to maintain an inner solitude regardless of where we are or who we are with. We must learn to break through things and to grasp God in them, allowing him to take form in us powerfully and essentially. It is the same as when someone wants to learn to write; if they wish to acquire this skill, then they must practice hard and often, however difficult it may seem, even to the point of impossibility. If they do that, they will master the art of writing, although of course they will at first have to concentrate on every letter and commit it to memory. But then, when they have acquired this skill, they will no longer have any need for the image or the concentration, but will write freely and spontaneously. The same is true of learning to play the violin or anything else which is based on the acquisition of a skill. All that is necessary is that someone should desire to perform their art, and then, whether they are concentrating upon it or not, they are able to perform on the basis of the skill which they have acquired.
Thus we should be permeated with the sense of a divine presence and be in-formed with the form of our beloved God and be so established in him that we see his presence effortlessly and, more than this, remain unencumbered by anything, free of all things. But this will initially demand of us much application and concentration, as any art does of one who will learn it.
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See you 'round the Cathedral! | |
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