SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806 EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS: Celebrant Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
March 13, 2011 First Sunday of Lent
Epistle: II Cor. 6: 1-10
Gospel: Mt. 4:1-11
Mass schedule March 14 through March 18
Monday-Feria of Lent-NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Feria of Lent
Wednesday-Ember Wednesday
Thursday-Feria of Lent
Friday-Ember Friday
NO LATIN MASS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 20. THE RITE OF ELECTION TAKES PLACE AT SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL AT 3:00 AND 7:00PM.
On each of the Fridays of Lent, a plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, after Communion, recite the “Prayer before a Crucifix” before an image of Christ crucified:
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Thy face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity; true contrition for my sins; and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me while I call to mind the words which David Thy prophet said of Thee, my Jesus; “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones.” Amen.
Saint Matthew reminds us that Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted by the devil on several occasions. We should be happy and grateful to our Lord for allowing Himself to be subjected to these temptations because they show us how we too can gain victory over our own temptations. Saint Matthew’s Gospel shows us that temptation in necessary for us because it teaches us a greater knowledge of ourselves.
Temptation is necessary to convince ourselves of our unworthiness. Temptation prevents us from being mastered by pride. Consider the life of Saint Augustine. While he chose to live his life in sin, he did not know what temptation was. He believed he was at peace. But from the time Augustine chose to reject Satan, the devil attacked him for the better part of five years. God eventually gave him the grace to win the victory over his struggle with sin.
Saint Augustine teaches us that everything we do without overcoming temptation in this life is of little value. We should never allow temptation to discourage us. On the contrary, we should thank God and continue to fight the good fight. Victory is ours is we choose it.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
