1715 n - the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER
Dear parishioners,
Lent season is already here. Today’s Gospel shows us how Jesus was tempted by the devil
(Greek word that means one who divides). He teaches us how to be strong before temptations
and how to survive in the middle of this society full of indifference, materialism and secularism.
Lent is the proper time, or better said, an excellent time to implore a close relationship with God
through the different liturgical services. The sacrament of reconciliation has a special place in this
time because God calls us for reconciliation to live in grace. Prayer is a fundamental necessity in
our Christian journey; in it, we find everything we need to go forward. Almsgiving invites us to
share with our neighbors what gratuity we have received. I encourage you to make time in your busy life to offer God and
your neighbor something from your heart. Finally, I want to let you know that I will be in Oklahoma City from March 12th to
21st . I will preach the spiritual talks for the Little Flower Parishioners and help with the visitation of our Father General
from Rome and Carmelite Nuns from all over the USA. For those who don’t know, last Friday, March 4th From the Desk of the Pastor and Rector...
, Fr. Luis Joaquin
Castaneda, O.C.D was elected as new provincial of the Discalced Carmelite Province of Saint Therese (Oklahoma)
for the triennium 2011-2014 in place of Fr. Gregory Ross, O.C.D. who will be acting as provincial until the June 2011 installation.
Fraternally,
Fr. Luis Gerardo Belmonte-Luna, O.C.D.
Pastor & Rector
Stewardship Reflection for the Week of March 12, 2011
Today’s readings present us with two different accounts of temptations that could lead us to not being good
stewards. God had put the man in the garden to care for it — to be its steward. In return, God told the man he
could eat the fruit of all the trees except one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But when tempted by
the serpent to eat the fruit from that one tree, the humans ate it, showing they were not trustworthy stewards.
The result was separation from God and death.
On the other hand, when Satan tempted Jesus, he held firm. He showed he was a good steward of treasure, by
not using it for his own comfort (turning stones into bread). He proved he was a good steward of talent, by not
using his abilities for his own glory (jumping from the parapet of the Temple). He was a good steward of time ,
which is to be used to worship only the true God (refusing to fall down in worship before Satan). He maintained
this faithfulness throughout his ministry, being obedient even to a death on the cross.
Reflexión sobre la corresponsabilidad para la semana del 12 de Marzo de 2011
Las lecturas de hoy nos presentan dos diferentes relatos de las tentaciones que pudieran conducirnos a no ser buenos administradores. Dios
ha puesto al hombre en el Jardín para cuidar de el – para ser su administrador. A cambio, Dios le ha dicho que puede comer del fruto de todos
los arboles excepto de uno, el árbol del conocimiento del bien y del mal. Pero cuando es tentado por la serpiente para comer del fruto de
ese árbol, los humanos comemos, ensenando que no son administradores de confianza. El resultado fue la separación de Dios y la muerte.
Por otro lado, cuando el diablo tienta a Jesús, él se mantiene firme. Nos ensena que fue buen administrador del tesoro, pero no usándolo
para su propio beneficio (cambiando las piedras en pan) Nos muestra que fue buen administrador del talento, no usando sus habilidades
para su propia gloria (saltando desde la parte más alta del templo). El fue buen administrador del tiempo, usándolo adorando al verdadero
Dios (reusando arrodillarse para adorar al diablo). El mantiene su fidelidad a través de su ministerio, siendo obediente hasta la muerte en
cruz. Por esa obediencia, Pablo escribe a los romanos, que Jesús aniquilo la muerte, el resultado del pecado de Adán. Esta cuaresma, usemos
la gracia que Dios nos ofrece, para que nosotros mismos podamos ser administradores obedientes del tiempo, talento y tesoro confiado
a nosotros, de acuerdo con la llamada de Cristo en nuestras vidas.