32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 11, 2018
THIS WEEK’S REFLECTION
Prayer and Humility
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40
It’s important to note here that Jesus says, “They will receive a very severe condemnation.” These words are spoken from Him who is the source of mercy and grace. His heart is full of kindness and compassion, He is gentle and forgiving, and He wants nothing other than our eternal salvation. And yet Jesus is clear that the scribes will be severely condemned. Ouch!
The first thing we should think is that we do not want to be like the scribes! We do not want to receive similar condemnation and, thus, we should avoid their state of sin. So that begs the question, “What sin of the scribes earned them this severe condemnation?”
The bottom line is that they were frauds. They were consumed with a desire for “places of honor.” They clearly treated others poorly: “They devour the houses of widows.” What’s worse, they presented themselves as people of prayer when they clearly were not. As a result, Jesus severely condemned them.
So what do we learn from their errors? We should learn at least the following two lessons:
1) The true “place of honor” is the place of the greatest humility. True honor, in the eyes of God, is found when we serve without notice and give without recognition. In this way our giving and serving are done purely out of a motivation of love and not self-serving intentions. The humble person does not seek to be praised and honored for the love they give. The act of giving and serving is itself the gift they receive.
2) Reciting lengthy prayers is not the same as praying. Prayer is about one thing. It’s about entering into communion with God. It’s about establishing a relationship with Him in a deep, beautiful and abiding way. It’s about love. Prayer is not for show or to gain the admiration of others.
Reflect, today, upon the harsh judgment Jesus issued toward the scribes. Know that this is done, in part, to teach us what to avoid in life. Avoid all selfish pride. Seek humility and true prayer and you will be greatly blessed.
-MyCathloicLife.com
SISTA CIRCLE
The Sista Circle will meet this Tuesday, November 13, 6:00 pm in the Anchorage.
FOOD DONATIONS
St. Ann’s Food Pantry Committee will be collecting items for this month’s Thanksgiving outreach. Items that are needed are stuffing mix, cake mix, gravy, green beans and cranberry sauce. All donations will need to be collected by next Sunday, November 18.
THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
It is our tradition at St. Ann’s to celebrate our Thanksgiving Mass on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Please join us for a mass on Wednesday, November 21 at 7pm in the church. Everyone is invited to bring a food item for your holiday table to be blessed during mass as well as a food item for the Pantry to be distributed to the those in need. Mass will also be offered Thanksgiving morning at 9:00 at St. Wenceslaus and 10 am at St. Francis Xavier.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER REVIVAL
The Historic St. Francis Xavier Church of the Pastorate of St. Ann/St. Wenceslaus and St. Francis Xavier, host their annual Revival entitled "Your Condition Is Not Your Conclusion" It will take place at the church Thursday, November 29th through Saturday, December 1st at 6:30 p.m. on each of the three evenings. The Revival will be led by Reverend Maurice J. Nutt, C.Ss.R., D.Min.
Redemptorist Missionary Vice-Postulator of the Cause for Canonization of Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA. St. Ann’s Choir will join the choirs of St. Francis Xavier and St. Wenceslaus also during the Revival Services.
THE JOSEPHITES FATHERS & BROTHERS 125TH ANNIVERSARY
The Josephites Fathers & Brothers will celebrate their 125th Anniversary November 16–17 with a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 5:30 pm and Banquet to follow at the Baltimore Convention Center at 7:30 pm. Please help the Josephites keep to their missions to the African American Community and support the Josephite programs home and abroad.
SIGHT AND SOUND TRIP – ‘JESUS’
Just a reminder, if you signed up for the Sight and Sound bus trip to see ‘Jesus’ on November 28th all payments are due NOW! If you have not yet submitted your final payment please do so as soon as possible. You may give your payment to Cynthia Johnson, Marlene Howard, or Mary Middleton or turn it into the church office.
PASTORATE PASTORAL VISITATION
On Sunday, December 2nd, the First Day of Advent, Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore will make his Pastoral Visitation to our Pastorate of St. Ann, St. Wenceslaus and St. Francis Xavier. Archbishop Lori will celebrate the 11 am Mass at St. Francis Xavier on this day. All parishes within the Pastorate are invited to attend. This will be the only 11 am Mass on this day. There will be no Mass at St. Ann’s. A 9 am Mass will be offered at St. Wenceslaus. A luncheon celebration will be held immediately following Mass in St. Francis Xavier’s Church Hall where the Archbishop will meet and speak with parishioners. Pray for God’s Spirit to bless and inspire all who will be a part of our Pastorate Pastoral Visitation.
SISTA CIRCLE HOLIDAY TEA
Save the date for Saturday, December 8, 2018 as St. Ann’s Sista Circle presents their Holiday Tea at St. Matthew’s Church, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd. 1 pm – 5 pm. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased from members of the Sista Circle. Help support our ladies as proceeds benefit the St. Ann Health & Wellness Fair.
ADVANCE DIRECTIVES WORKSHOP
We are looking to host an Advance Directives Workshop sponsored by the Maryland Department of Health in partnership with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Spiritual Care Department. The “Honor My Wishes: My Voice Matters” workshop will provide important information regarding End of life decision making and addresses What an Advanced Directive is and its importance, How to create, plan and complete an Advanced Directive, and How to communicate your last wishes. If you are interested, please use the sign-up sheet located in the back of church so that we can gauge the amount of interest for participation and plan for a date. A flyer has also been inserted in today’s bulletin.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please also continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Florence Barber, James Butts, Augustine Christian, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Odessa Johnson, Tom Lutz, Josephine McCoy, Penny Palmer, Kenyette Sanders Bernadette Wallace, Nelson Outlaw, Jeannette Rice, Rita Watkins, and Harry Wheeler and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.
NOVEMBER 2018
Sun., Nov.11 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 AM Mass
Sunday School, 9:30 AM Anchorage 2nd Floor youth room Adult Bible Study after Mass
Tues., Nov.13 Sista Circle Meets Anchorage, 6:00 pm
Thurs., Nov.15 Evening Mass (confession before/after) Bible Study 7-9 pm
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
1st Reading Daniel 12:1-3
2nd Reading Hebrews 10:11-14,18
Gospel Mark 13:24-32