On the First Sunday of Lent we always hear about the temptations of Jesus. Certainly, it’s not a sin to be tempted. Otherwise, Jesus could not have been tempted. I like to say that temptation is what happens before we sin.
Also, temptation is never from God. But God does permit us to be tempted. Not so that we fall, but so that we grow in holiness. Temptation forces us to rise up and make a choice either for God or for the sin the temptation points to. God will always give us the grace to resist temptations and make the right choice.
Facing temptations and struggling against them can help us grow. We might even see temptations as “blessings” if we can grow from them. For example, enduring a temptation and conquering it helps us see the strength of God in our lives. Also, temptation humbles us, stripping away our pride and our struggle of thinking we are self-reliant and self-made. Third, there is great value in completely rejecting the devil. This not only robs him of his ongoing power to deceive us, but it also clarifies our vision of who he is so that we can continue “to reject him and all his works,” as we promised at Baptism. Fourth, overcoming temptation clearly and definitively strengthens us in every virtue.
Overcoming temptation is like acing an exam, winning a contest, completing a difficult project or accomplishing some challenging feat. We should take great joy in overcoming temptation in our lives, realizing that this strengthens us to the core of our being. As we do so, we must also do so in humility, realizing that we have not accomplished this on our own but only by the grace of God in our lives.
The opposite is true also. When we fail a particular temptation over and over again, we get discouraged and abandon hope. Yet God is always there for us with God’s grace. We can always return to God and seek his grace and mercy. That’s one of the key themes of Lent.
I remind you once again of my favorite Scripture passage: “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10:13)
St. Patrick Catholic Community joins all the parishes of the Diocese of San Diego in hosting listening sessions as a part of the worldwide Synod that is taking place over the next two years. Pope Francis would like it to be a grassroots process that begins at the parish level.
The focus is on listening to the People of God as they express their joys, hopes and concerns for the Church. Because we hope that many of our parishioners would like to be a part of these listening sessions, we have scheduled a number of opportunities with which to connect.
You may sign up by going to the parish website, use the QR below, or call the office.
Bishop McElroy and all the bishops of the United States are inviting all the faithful to contribute to a fund that will provide assistance to the victims of war in Ukraine. Our contributions, which are an expression of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, will assist the Church’s pastoral response and provide resources for humanitarian assistance.
Your donations will go to the people who need it, in particular, the refugees fleeing the country. The money will be channeled through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) You may use the link below or put an envelope marked “UKRAINE” in our regular collection; then we will make sure it goes to CRS.
Our parish will hold a mini-Lenten retreat on March 21-23 (Monday-Wednesday) in our parish church beginning at 7:00 pm. Each session will be approximately one hour. On Monday and Tuesday, the program will also be offered at 8:30 am (after the morning Mass).
On Monday March 21, the theme is Living the Mission. Fr. Ron will speak about how Baptism and the other sacraments call us to share in the mission of the Lord. Three parishioners will give brief witness talks about how they try to live the mission of Jesus in their family, workplace and the world.
On Tuesday, March 22, we will have a time of prayer called Taizé Prayer around the Cross. The cross will be our focus as we listen to readings from Scripture, meditate in silence and chant songs in the style of the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé in France.
On Wednesday, March 23, we will have our annual parish Lenten Penance Service. After a brief prayer service and examination of conscience, many priests will be on hand to hear individual confessions and give absolution.
Try to come to all three evenings or one or two if you can make it.
Stations of the Cross and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
During Lent communal praying of the Stations of the Cross will be held every Friday at 3:00 pm and again at 6:30 pm in the church. The church is open during the day for private praying of the Stations. Our outdoor stations of the cross are also available any time.
Every Tuesday, there will be an Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 2:00-5:00 pm. (During Lent, adoration will end at 5:00 pm due to a Mass at 5:30 pm.)
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Catholic Trivia
"Catholic Trivia”... not because they are trivial but because these might be things that not everyone knows. Test your knowledge by reading the five questions, remember your answers (or jot them down), then click the link below to find the answers.
What does the term “creation ex nihilo” mean?
How many stories of creation do we find in the Bible?
What books of the Bible are considered the Pentateuch or the Torah?
In what book(s) of the Bible do we find the 10 Commandments?
In which book(s) of the Bible does Jesus teach the Beatitudes as part of a sermon?
If you have other members of your family or your friends who would like to be on our email list, just let me know or write to Mary McLain at mmclain@stpatrickcarlsbad.com We will be pleased to add them.
Moses describes the offering of praise for God's deliverance of Israel.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 91:1-2,10-11,12-13,14-15
A prayer for God's protection
Second Reading
Romans 10:8-13
Paul teaches that we are saved by faith.
Gospel Reading
Luke 4:1-13
In the desert, Jesus is tempted by the devil.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In each of the three Synoptic Gospels, after his baptism, Jesus is reported to have spent forty days in the desert, fasting and praying. In Luke and in Matthew, the devil presents three temptations to Jesus. The devil tempts Jesus to use his power to appease his hunger, he offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him, and he tempts Jesus to put God's promise of protection to the test. In each case, Jesus resists, citing words from Scripture to rebuke the devil's temptation.
Each temptation that Jesus faces offers insight into the spirituality we hope to develop as we keep the forty days of the Season of Lent. We can trust God to provide for our material needs. We worship God because God alone has dominion over us and our world. We can trust God to be faithful to his promises. Jesus' rejection of the devil's temptations shows that he will not put God to the test. Grounding himself on the Word and authority of Scripture, Jesus rebukes the devil by his confidence in God's protection and faithfulness.
This Gospel highlights for us one of the central themes of the Season of Lent. We are dependent upon God for all that we have and all that we are. Anything that leads us to reject this dependency or to distrust its sufficiency, is a temptation from the devil.
Luke ends his report of Jesus' temptation in the desert by noting that the devil departs for a time. The implication is that the devil will return. Jesus knows that he will be tempted again in the Garden of Gethsemane. The depth of Jesus' trust in God is shown most fully when Jesus rejects the temptation to turn away from the task God has given to him. Jesus' final rebuke of the devil is his sacrifice on the Cross.
Jesus' responses to the temptations of the devil teach us how we can respond to temptation. As we start our journey through Lent, this Sunday's Gospel calls us to adopt the same confidence that Jesus had in the face of temptation: God's word alone will suffice, God's promise of protection can be trusted, and God alone is God.
This beautiful traditional Lenten hymn sings of the wondrous love of God which is revealed in so many ways.
Food Drive During Lent
The Saint Patrick Parish Knights of Columbus Council 15076 will be hosting their annual Lenten food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank North County Branch! The food drive will begin on March 5th & 6th and continue through the weekend of April 2nd & 3rd. There will be Knights there before and after each Mass to collect donations. We are also hoping for help from the Boy Scouts! Non-perishable food items (except for glass containers) will be accepted. Or we will accept cash and/or checks made out to the San Diego Food Bank.
This food drive exemplifies giving to others in need as a way for us to show our gratefulness for our blessings that God has provided us! Just like last year, the donation station will be located at the back door of the Parish Hall. Stop by and donate from your car.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Please join the Knights of Columbus in Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 12th, at 5:30pm in the Church Hall. Out of an abundance of caution, we have scaled down the event this year in keeping with parish and community health leader’s recommendations for public gatherings. This year the Knights will present a series of Heavy Hors D’oeuvre Stations and a Cash Beer & Wine Bar. Tickets are $10 per person, with children under 12 free. Proceeds go to Life Ministries. Come toast our Parish’s Namesake with some Irish Pub Grub and Pint! Tickets available at all the Masses and at the Parish Office.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
En aquel tiempo, Jesús, lleno del Espíritu Santo, regresó del Jordán y conducido por el mismo Espíritu, se internó en el desierto, donde permaneció durante cuarenta días y fue tentado por el demonio. Hoy celebramos el primer domingo de cuaresma y leemos en el Evangelio de San Lucas, cómo el demonio tienta a Jesús tres veces en el desierto. Pero Jesús con su mirada fija en su Padre, puede resistir las tentaciones y no caí. ¿Cómo puede Jesús resistir las tentaciones? Orar, orar, y orar, pidiéndole al Padre que le ayude y pueda mantener su mirada en Dios. ¿Acaso, tú y yo podemos resistir las tentaciones que el demonio nos ofrece? Si, si podemos. Dios nos ha dado la voluntad libre. Tu y yo tenemos “el poder” de decir sí o no a las tentaciones, el poder que sólo viene de Dios. Pero, para “conectarnos a ese poder” necesitamos orar, orar, y orar como Jesús. Pensemos en esas veces que fuimos tentados y no hicimos nada y dejamos entrar esa tentación en nuestra mente y corazón. ¿Qué paso? Ahora, piensen en esas veces que fuimos tentados y esta vez acudimos a Dios que nos ayudara, orando, “¡Señor ayúdame!”¿Qué paso? No somos perfectos, somos débiles, y fácilmente somos influidos a ser lo que no queremos ser. Orar, orar y oraral Dios de amor y misericordia que nos acompaña y no fortalece.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su meditación.
Here is a song for Catholic kids during Lent! Hope you enjoy the song and hand motions.
3821 Adams Street
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.729.2866
The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe is open
Our parish offices are open, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm
In case of emergency, you can always reach a priest. Call the parish number 760-729-2866 and press number 6 which will connect you directly to one of our priests.
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