6th Sunday In Ordinary Time February 16, 2020

THIS WEEK’S REFLECTION

Let your “Yes” mean “Yes,” and your “No” mean “No.” Anything more is from the evil one.  (Mt. 5:37)

This teaching from our Lord comes after a series of new and deeper teachings from our Lord on the Commandments of old.  Jesus mentions the Old Testament teachings that we ought not kill, commit adultery, or lie.  He then follows up each of these commandments with a deeper insight.  In the New Law of Jesus’ teaching, “Thou shall not kill” is deepened to mean that we ought to avoid all anger in our hearts.  “Do not commit adultery” is deepened to mean we ought not have lust in our heart.  And “Do not lie” is deepened and presented in a new way in the above quoted Scripture.

The first thing to note is the more general fact that Jesus’ life and teaching brings us to a new depth of morality.  No longer are we to simply avoid seriously sinful actions, we are now called to avoid even interior tendencies toward these actions.  Not only must we purify our external actions, we must also purify our hearts.

This particular passage, that our “Yes” must mean “Yes,” and our “No” must mean “No,” is Jesus’ way of saying that the words we speak must flow from the honesty and integrity of our hearts.  In other words, what we say, exteriorly, must be spoken from the depths of our being.  Our words must flow from that which is in our hearts.

What a profound lesson for us.  It’s so very easy, in life, to live in a two-faced way.  It’s easy to say only that which we believe benefits us the most, makes us look good, or makes a particular situation easier.  It’s a common tendency to say what we believe others want to hear or to say that which paints our lives in the best light.

True honesty and integrity requires that we speak only from the truth that resides within our hearts.  No, we do not have a moral duty to reveal every truth of our hearts publicly.  Some things are to be reserved only for God or for confession.  But when we do feel compelled to speak, it’s essential that our words carry the integrity of truth in every way.  Otherwise, they are meaningless, deceptive and, ultimately, destructive.

Reflect, today, upon your own honesty and integrity.  When you speak to others, do your words flow from the truth alive within your heart?  When God hears your words, does He see honesty?  After a conversation, can you return to prayer and face your Lord in peace and with a clear conscience?  If you struggle with honesty, know that it is honesty that produces integrity.  Seek the goodness of integrity in your life and our Lord will help you to achieve it by becoming a person of truth who speaks from the heart.

-MyCathloicLife.com

PRAYER WALK

Bishop Madden invites you to join him for his next Prayer Walk for Peace on Wednesday, February 19 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church (4502 Park Heights Ave).The evening will begin with a light meal at 5:30 p.m. and end before 7:30 p.m.

 BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Next Sunday, February 23, as Black History Month draws to a close, we will celebrate with musical selections from our St. Ann’s Gospel Choir and we invite you to put on your African attire and bring your best covered dish and join us for a special celebration reception immediately following Mass in the Anchorage.

LENT

The start of Lent is 1 week away. Ash Wednesday is February 26. All are invited to join us for Mass at 7 pm here at St. Ann. This year our Lenten Program will focus on, “Encountering Christ…”, and will also include Soup and Scripture on each of the 5 Wednesdays of Lent with a special guest speaker and weekly reflections. We encourage all to join us as we gather together for our walk with Jesus. Within our Pastorate, Ash Wednesday Services will also be held at St. Wenceslaus Church at 9 am and St. Francis Xavier at 10 am and 7 pm.

SOCIAL MINISTRY CONVOCATION

The 41st Annual Social Ministry Convocation “Who Is My Neighbor” is Saturday, February 29th at Mercy High School, 1300 E. Northern Parkway 21239, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Former Director of Catholic Ministries for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will be the keynote speaker. To register and to view a list of workshops visit https://www.eventbrite.com.

OSP CHICKEN DINNER

The Oblate Sisters of Providence will hold their  Annual Chicken dinner at St. Francis Center 501 E. Chase St. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 11 AM – 3 PM. The price of the dinner is $10 for fried or baked chicken, potato salad and green beans. Beverages and desserts will be sold separately. Ralph Moore will be available in the back of the church with tickets. Please help in supporting the Oblate Sisters of Providence!

UNSUNG BLACK CATHOLIC WOMAN AWARD

Next Sunday, February 23, nominees of The Unsung Black Catholic Women Award of the Pastorate will be honored at the 11 am Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church. Each Parish within the pastorate will be represented. We congratulate this year’s recipient Danielle D’Almeida! As we celebrate Black History Month you are invited to wear your best African attire. A reception will follow in the St. Francis Xavier undercroft

CONGRTULATIONS

We congratulate Ralph Moore, Jr. as he has been awarded this year’s Rev. Joseph M. Kelley, SJ, Medal – the highest form of recognition given to a Loyola Blakefield alumnus. Ralph is being recognized for his work in social justice and education in Baltimore City. A graduate of Loyola Blakefield and Johns Hopkins University, Ralph is also the co-founder of the Nawal Rajeh Peace Camp in Baltimore City, a summer program that focuses on interpersonal conflict resolution and global peace. Recently, Ralph has been an instrumental member of the leadership committee to honor the legacy of Frank Fisher with the creation and growth of the Frank P. Fischer Diversity Scholarship Fund at Loyola Blakefield. Ralph is the 2nd African American to receive the award. Erich March was the 1st African American to receive the award in 2015. Congratulations Ralph Moore, Jr.!

SAVE THE DATE

Save the Date for Saturday, April 18th 5:00 pm as the St. Ann’s Choir presents a Gospel Music Celebration Concert, “Lord, You've Been Better Than Good To Me.” Along with our Choir, this event will have musical performances from local Churches and Organizations from the Baltimore area and will be performed here at St. Ann’s Church. Donations are $10. Please join us!!!

WITHIN OUR PASTORATE…

ST. WENCESLAUS - YOUTH SPAGHETTI DINNER, BINGO & BAZAAR

Our Youth will hold a Spaghetti Dinner, Bingo & Bazaar on Saturday, February 22nd at St. Francis Xavier Hall from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. Tickets are $6.00 each and can be purchased at St. Wenceslaus Church office or contacting Antoinette Shannon-410-675-7304

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please also continue to pray for all of our sick and homebound, especially Cornelia Baily, Florence Barber, Kathleen Beckhardt, Pat Brown, James Butts, Willie Curbean, Joshua Cousin, Elaine Edmonds, Gregory Epps, John Frederick, Pat Haley, Rita Hardy, Eric & Harriette Lowery, Tina Lutz, Tom Lutz, Nelson Outlaw, Penny Palmer, Bernadette Wallace, Brenda Waters, Rita Watkins and Vincent Watkins and ask that God grant them strength, comfort and healing.

FEBRUARY 2020

Sun., Feb.16      6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 am Mass

   Sunday School, 9:30 am   Anchorage, 2nd floor youth room

   Adult Bible Study, after Mass   Anchorage Dining Room

Wed., Feb.19     Prayer Walk, St. Ambrose   Church 4502 Park Heights Ave. 5:30 PM

Thurs., Feb. 21 Evening Mass, 7pm  Bible Study after Mass, Anchorage Chapel

Tues., Feb.25    Monthly Food Pantry    Anchorage, 10 am – 12 pm

Wed., Feb.26     Ash Wednesday   Mass, 7pm St. Ann’s Church

 READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

1st Reading                            Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18      

2nd Reading                                         1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Gospel                                             Matthew 5:38-48