Scriptual Commentary

4th Sunday of Lent – Walking in the Light

| Fr. William Smith

The Good Shepherd, c. 300–350,
at the Catacombs of Domitilla, Rome (Wikipedia)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
(Psalm 23:1-3a)

Fr. Smith’s Commentary on the Second Reading
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Ephesians 5:8–14
March 19, 2023

We have all heard that Christians must be in the world but not of it. The author of Ephesians today shows us that this idea was with us from the beginning. As we have seen when we examined the letter to the Colossians last year and Ephesians the year before, we are not sure if these letters were written by Paul or a successor. The church has clearly taught that both are inspired and trustworthy. Let us keep in mind that Paul wrote in Romans that “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (12:2). There is at least continuity. These are the concerns of cosmopolitan urban Christians: now as well as then.

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Homilies

Homily – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Fr. Smith)

| Fr. William Smith

Jesus enters a situation today of great discord and division and leaves one of peace and concord. Let us see how.

This community is broken in many ways with three particularly bad fractures.

The Jews and the Samaritans hated each other. Their enmity went back centuries. David’s kingdom was held together under Solomon but in 922 BC was divided between the 10 tribes of the North, Israel, and the two of the south, Judea. In 721 BC the Assyrians conquered the north, deported many of the inhabitants and resettled other people in Israel. They intermarried, accepted the worship of the LORD, and became known as the Samaritans. There was always friction between them and the Jews of Judea, but it became irrevocable when the Jews destroyed the Samaritan temple at Mt. Gerizim in 129 BC. (See footnote below)

Samaria was situated between Judea and Galilee but as the Samaritans were very hostile to Jews who would take a detour around it. Jesus however says that he “had” to pass through Samaria. This was not for practical reasons but in obedience to his earthly mission to make us one as he and the Father are one. (John 10:30) He knew it would be neither easy nor pleasant.  The first fracture was between Jews and Samaritans and Jesus confronts this intentionally and directly. It will not heal itself.

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Events, Videos

Community Mass – 3rd Sunday of Lent

| St. Charles Borromeo


On Sunday, March 12, 2023, join us in person or online for the Third Sunday of Lent.
Daylight Savings Time begins today – advance one hour.

Our current Sunday Mass times are:

  • 9 AM ET – Morning Mass
  • 11:15 AM ET – Community Mass
  • 7:00 PM ET – Evening Mass

Watch the video live by clicking in the window above.
Automated closed captioning is available.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel stcharlesbklyn at this link to watch on your Internet enabled TV or viewing device.

Today’s readings will be from Cycle A.

Readings/Psalm – 1022

Entrance: Again We Keep This Solemn Fast – 487

Offertory: Come to the Water – 584

Communion: Shepherd Me, O God – 35

Closing: Somebody’s Knockin’ at Your Door – 470

The Gather 3rd Edition Hymnal/Missals are available for use in the church – pick one up as you enter and return it after Mass. Instructions on how to use the hymnal missal are available here: https://www.stcharlesbklyn.org/hymnal-missal/ .

Today’s readings are also available to read online at the USCCB website https://bible.usccb.org .

Bulletin

Fr. Gibino to Join as Pastor in July

| St. Charles Borromeo

Bishop Brennan has appointed Fr. Joseph Gibino as the next Pastor of St Charles Borromeo Parish. He is presently Pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Whitestone and Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis and Academic Dean for the Permanent Diaconate Program for the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Fr. Gibino is grateful to be coming to St. Charles and we look forward to welcoming him to his new home. He will begin in early July.

Fr. Smith turned 71 in December and will retire from full-time service at the end of June. We have been blessed by Fr. Bill’s leadership and counsel over the past five years. He has filled this church with much joy. All our best for a fulfilling next chapter.

Bulletin

Parish Fish Fry: March 31

| St. Charles Borromeo

We had a great time at our parish fish fry last year and we will be holding it again this year on Friday, March 31. We hope to dine in the rectory backyard (weather permitting).

We will start with evening prayers (Vespers) in the rectory chapel at 5 PM followed by a social gathering starting around 5:30 PM.

Plans have been made to have quite a delicious fish dinner. The best part will be sharing it with each another.

Join us. Please let us know through by signing up below so we can order the right amount of food. You can also contribute online to help defray the costs and support our social gatherings.

Parish Fish Fry
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Bulletin

Novena to St. Joseph

| St. Charles Borromeo

We invite you to join in saying a Novena to St. Joseph. St. Joseph is patron of the Universal Church, unborn children, fathers, workers, travelers, immigrants, expectant parents, families, and a happy death. 

The novena will begin this Sunday, March 12 and end on Monday, March 20, when St. Joseph’s feast day is celebrated this year. We will pray it together at the start of our 5 PM parish Zoom events (Sunday faith sharing, rosaries on Monday and Wednesday, and Friday Vespers). Don’t worry if you can’t join in every night. The materials are available online here if you want to pray one or more days on your own.