Ignatian Spirituality: Set the World Ablaze
John Predmore, S.J., is a USA East Province Jesuit and was the pastor of Jordan's English language parish. He teaches art and directs BC High's adult spiritual formation programs. Formerly a retreat director in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ignatian Spirituality is given through guided meditations, weekend-, 8-day, and 30-day Retreats based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatian Spirituality serves the contemporary world as people strive to develop a friendship with God.
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Thursday, March 28, 2024
Poem: “The Last Supper," Ranier Maria Rilke (Austrian, 1875-1926)
round him, who like a sage resolved his fate,
and now leaves those to whom he most belonged,
leaving and passing by them like a stranger.
The loneliness of old comes over him
which helped mature him for his deepest acts;
now will he once again walk through the olive grove,
and those who love him still will flee before his sight.
To this last supper he has summoned them,
and (like a shot that scatters birds from trees)
their hands draw back from reaching for the loaves
upon his word: they fly across to him;
they flutter, frightened, round the supper table
searching for an escape. But he is present
everywhere like an all-pervading twilight hour.
Here they are gathered, wondering and deranged,
Round Him, who wisely doth Himself inclose,
And who now takes Himself away, estranged,
From those who owned Him once, and past them flows.
He feels the ancient loneliness today
That taught Him all His deepest acts of love;
Now in the olive groves He soon will rove,
And these who love Him all will flee away.
To the last supper table He hath led,
As birds are frightened from a garden-bed
By shots, so He their hands forth from the bread
Doth frighten by His word: to Him they flee;
Then flutter round the table in their fright
And seek a passage from the hall. But He
Is everywhere like dusk at fall of night.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
God’s Final Word: Easter Sunday, 2024
God’s Final Word:
Easter Sunday, 2024
March 31, 2024
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Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47
Last night the whole church gathered to witness God’s saving event through the Cross of Jesus. Amid the pain and suffering that Jesus of Nazareth endured, God remained present to the cries and pleas of the people, and even heard the prayers of Jesus. As a people, churches across the globe collectively remembered the many saving acts of God, assuring us that still today, God hears our prayers and is moved by our love for one another.
This morning, we become aware of what is almost incomprehensible. Our creative God has raised Jesus of Nazareth from the grave. God has vindicated Jesus and has definitively declared that Jesus was the true, righteous representative of God. Because of this, Jesus became our Christ of faith, the one who is seated at God’s right hand to intercede for us and to bring us near to God’s heart. Though painful and unjust, the death of Jesus was the way God was able to tell us that God cares deeply for our suffering. God understands it and God’s heart is broken when we feel pain.
You can imagine how perplexing that first morning was when Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and found the stone was rolled away. She did not go in, but in her confusion, she ran to tell Peter and the other disciple because she concluded that someone had rolled the stone away and taken his body. It was when the other disciple and Peter entered the tomb, saw how carefully the burial cloths were laid, that they began to sense that something supernatural had happened. They began to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. The empty tomb was enough proof that God continued to be active in their salvation history.
The resurrection remains perplexing to us today. We take it for granted, but do we let the reality of this event sink into our consciousness? Jesus has been raised from the dead and has become our Christ, our Advocate, the one who brings our prayers to God, the Steadfast Creator. That is a marvelous reality. It ought to change everything in our life. We have life with God because of the Christ event. We live in a world of possibilities, of newness, of promise. This is a God of creative possibilities. No more do we have to focus on sin or hardship. For a Christian, when we think of death, we automatically think of life. The sign of a Christian must be the smile. Or a sigh. What a relief we have because of the creative way God enters our world to call us closer. We seek what is above because we live in the “now” and “not yet.”
Since the Resurrection, the ministry of Jesus has been one of consolation. He first visited his mom to ease her pain, and then he went to Mary Magdalene who poured our her heart to him. He then went to places where there was once love so he could return and restore that love to its proper and privileged place, which is the reason he went to his disciples to wish them peace. He comes to us today when we have estrangement or tension in relationships. He is there to help us restore the pure love that once welcomed and forgave and healed. He tends the pain and heartache that we have, and he draws us together so we can console and strengthen one another. He gives us one another as a gift to be cherished and honored. He wants us to love one another without restrictions, and to have any blockages removed. He is going to keep trying, over and over again, as we believe more fully in the power of his resurrection, and when we reconcile, we will know the power of love, and we will give thanks to God of all possibilities, which is the reason we sing out today: Alleluia. Alleluia.
Scripture for Daily Mass
Monday: (Acts 2) Peter stands up on Pentecost to proclaim to Jews in Jerusalem that Jesus of Nazareth who they put to death has been vindicated by God and raised to new life.
Tuesday: (Acts 2) When the Jews realize the significance of their actions, they petition Peter to be baptized in the name of Jesus.
Wednesday: (Acts 3) Peter and John heal the crippled man at "the Beautiful Gate" at the temple.
Thursday: (Acts 3) All who witnessed the healing recognize that the man used to be the crippled beggar. Peter and John preach to the Jews gathered at Solomon's portico and tell them all that the prophets and scripture say about Jesus.
Friday (Acts 4) The priests, temple guards, and the Sadducees confront Peter and John and hold them in custody. The religious authorities question their teaching and healing power. The Sanhedrin dismissed them with instructions not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Saturday (Acts 4) Peter, John, and the healed man persevere in their boldness. The Sanhedrin wait to see if this is of God or of another source of power.
Gospel:
Monday: (Matthew 28) In Matthew, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary meet Jesus on the way and he exhorts them not to be afraid. The chief priests hire soldiers to say, "the disciples came and stole the body of Jesus."
Tuesday: (John 20) Magdalene weeps outside the tomb and thinks Jesus is the gardener, until he speaks to her familiarly.
Wednesday (Luke 24) Two disciples heading towards Emmaus meet Jesus along the way and he opens the scripture for them.
Thursday (Luke 24) As they recount their story to the Eleven, Jesus appears before them, beckons them not to be afraid, and eats with them.
Friday (John 21) Six disciples are with Peter as they fish at the Sea of Tiberius. After a frustrating night of fishing, Jesus instructs them to cast their nets wide and they catch 153 large fish. The beloved disciple recognized the man on the beach as the Lord and they rush to meet him.
Saturday (Mark 16) Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene who told the Eleven about him. Two other disciples on the road returned to speak of their encounter, and then Jesus appears to them while they were at table.
Saints of the Week
No saints are remembered during the Easter octave.
This Week in Jesuit History
- March 31, 1548: Fr. Anthony Corduba, rector of the College of Salamanca, begged Ignatius to admit him into the Society so as to escape the cardinalate which Charles V intended to procure for him.
- April 1, 1941. The death of Hippolyte Delehaye in Brussels. He was an eminent hagiographer and in charge of the Bollandists from 1912 to 1941.
- April 2, 1767. Charles III ordered the arrest of all the Jesuits in Spain and the confiscation of all their property.
- April 3, 1583. The death of Jeronimo Nadal, one of the original companions of Ignatius who later entrusted him with publishing and distributing the Jesuit Constitutions to the various regions of the early Society.
- April 4, 1534. Peter Faber (Pierre Favre) ordained a deacon in Paris.
- April 5, 1635. The death of Louis Lallemant, writer and spiritual teacher.
- April 6, 1850. The first edition of La Civilta Cattolica appeared. It was the first journal of the restored Society.
La última palabra de Dios: Domingo de Pascua, 2024
La última palabra de Dios:
Domingo de Pascua, 2024
31 de marzo de 2024
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Isaías 50:4-7; Salmo 22; Filipenses 2:6-11; Marcos 14:1-15:47
Anoche toda la iglesia se reunió para presenciar el evento salvador de Dios a través de la Cruz de Jesús. En medio del dolor y sufrimiento que soportó Jesús de Nazaret, Dios permaneció presente ante los gritos y súplicas del pueblo, e incluso escuchó las oraciones de Jesús. Como pueblo, las iglesias de todo el mundo recordaron colectivamente los muchos actos salvadores de Dios, asegurándonos que aún hoy, Dios escucha nuestras oraciones y se conmueve por nuestro amor mutuo.
Esta mañana tomamos conciencia de algo que es casi incomprensible. Nuestro Dios creador ha resucitado a Jesús de Nazaret de la tumba. Dios ha vindicado a Jesús y ha declarado definitivamente que Jesús era el verdadero y justo representante de Dios. Por eso Jesús se convirtió en nuestro Cristo de la fe, el que está sentado a la diestra de Dios para interceder por nosotros y acercarnos al corazón de Dios. Aunque dolorosa e injusta, la muerte de Jesús fue la forma en que Dios pudo decirnos que Dios se preocupa profundamente por nuestro sufrimiento. Dios lo entiende y el corazón de Dios se rompe cuando sentimos dolor.
Puedes imaginar lo desconcertante que fue esa primera mañana cuando María de Magdala fue a la tumba y descubrió que la piedra había sido quitada. Ella no entró, pero en su confusión corrió a decírselo a Pedro y al otro discípulo porque concluyó que alguien había quitado la piedra y se había llevado el cuerpo. Fue cuando el otro discípulo y Pedro entraron al sepulcro, vieron con qué cuidado estaban colocados los lienzos funerarios, que comenzaron a sentir que algo sobrenatural había sucedido. Comenzaron a creer que Dios resucitó a Jesús de entre los muertos. La tumba vacía fue prueba suficiente de que Dios continuó activo en su historia de salvación.
La resurrección sigue siendo desconcertante para nosotros hoy. Lo damos por sentado, pero ¿dejamos que la realidad de este acontecimiento penetre en nuestra conciencia? Jesús ha resucitado de entre los muertos y se ha convertido en nuestro Cristo, nuestro Abogado, el que lleva nuestras oraciones a Dios, el Firme Creador. Esa es una maravillosa realidad. Debería cambiar todo en nuestra vida. Tenemos vida con Dios debido al acontecimiento de Cristo. Vivimos en un mundo de posibilidades, de novedad, de promesas. Este es un Dios de posibilidades creativas. Ya no tenemos que centrarnos en el pecado o las dificultades. Para un cristiano, cuando pensamos en la muerte, automáticamente pensamos en la vida. La señal de un cristiano debe ser la sonrisa. O un suspiro. ¡Qué alivio tenemos por la forma creativa en que Dios entra en nuestro mundo para acercarnos más! Buscamos lo que está arriba porque vivimos en el “ahora” y el “todavía no”.
Desde la Resurrección, el ministerio de Jesús ha sido de consolación. Primero visitó a su mamá para aliviar su dolor, y luego fue a María Magdalena, quien le derramó su corazón . Luego fue a lugares donde alguna vez hubo amor para poder regresar y restaurar ese amor a su lugar propio y privilegiado, razón por la cual acudió a sus discípulos para desearles paz. Él viene a nosotros hoy cuando tenemos distanciamiento o tensión en las relaciones. Él está ahí para ayudarnos a restaurar el amor puro que una vez acogió, perdonó y sanó. Él atiende el dolor y la angustia que tenemos y nos une para que podamos consolarnos y fortalecernos unos a otros. Él nos da unos a otros como un regalo que debemos apreciar y honrar. Él quiere que nos amemos unos a otros sin restricciones y que eliminemos cualquier bloqueo. Él va a seguir intentándolo, una y otra vez , a medida que creamos más plenamente en el poder de su resurrección, y cuando nos reconciliemos, conoceremos el poder del amor y le daremos gracias al Dios de todas las posibilidades, que es la razón por la que cantamos hoy: Aleluya. Aleluya.
Escritura para la misa diaria
Lunes: (Hechos 2) Pedro se levanta en Pentecostés para proclamar a los judíos en Jerusalén que Jesús de Nazaret, a quien mataron, ha sido vindicado por Dios y resucitado a una nueva vida.
Martes: (Hechos 2) Cuando los judíos se dan cuenta del significado de sus acciones, le piden a Pedro que sea bautizado en el nombre de Jesús.
Miércoles: (Hechos 3) Pedro y Juan sanan al hombre cojo en "la Puerta Hermosa" del templo.
Jueves: (Hechos 3) Todos los que presenciaron la curación reconocen que el hombre solía ser el mendigo lisiado. Pedro y Juan predican a los judíos reunidos en el pórtico de Salomón y les cuentan todo lo que los profetas y las Escrituras dicen sobre Jesús.
Viernes (Hechos 4) Los sacerdotes, los guardias del templo y los saduceos confrontan a Pedro y Juan y los mantienen bajo custodia. Las autoridades religiosas cuestionan su poder docente y curativo. El Sanedrín los despidió con instrucciones de no hablar ni enseñar nada en el nombre de Jesús.
Sábado (Hechos 4) Pedro, Juan y el hombre sanado perseveran en su valentía. El Sanedrín espera para ver si esto es de Dios o de otra fuente de poder.
Evangelio:
Lunes: (Mateo 28) En Mateo, María Magdalena y la otra María se encuentran con Jesús en el camino y él las exhorta a no tener miedo. Los principales sacerdotes contratan soldados para que digan: "Vinieron los discípulos y robaron el cuerpo de Jesús".
Martes: (Juan 20) Magdalena llora fuera de la tumba y piensa que Jesús es el jardinero, hasta que le habla familiarmente.
Miércoles (Lucas 24) Dos discípulos que se dirigen a Emaús se encuentran con Jesús en el camino y él les abre la Escritura.
Jueves (Lucas 24) Mientras cuentan su historia a los Once, Jesús se aparece ante ellos, les hace señas para que no tengan miedo y come con ellos.
Viernes (Juan 21) Seis discípulos están con Pedro mientras pescan en el Mar de Tiberio. Después de una frustrante noche de pesca, Jesús les ordena que lancen sus redes a lo ancho y capturan 153 peces grandes. El discípulo amado reconoció al hombre en la playa como el Señor y corrieron a su encuentro.
Sábado (Marcos 16) Jesús se aparece a María Magdalena, quien le habló a los Once de él. Otros dos discípulos que estaban en el camino volvieron para contarles su encuentro, y luego Jesús se les aparece mientras estaban a la mesa.
Santos de la semana
Durante la octava de Pascua no se recuerda a ningún santo.
Esta semana en la historia jesuita
- 31 de marzo de 1548: P. Antonio Corduba , rector del Colegio de Salamanca, rogó a Ignacio que le admitiera en la Sociedad para escapar del cardenalato que Carlos V pretendía procurarle.
- 1 de abril de 1941. Muerte de Hippolyte Delehaye en Bruselas. Fue un eminente hagiógrafo y estuvo a cargo de los bolandistas desde 1912 hasta 1941.
- 2 de abril de 1767. Carlos III ordena el arresto de todos los jesuitas en España y la confiscación de todos sus bienes.
- 3 de abril de 1583. Muerte de Jerónimo Nadal, uno de los compañeros originales de Ignacio que más tarde le encomendó la publicación y distribución de las Constituciones jesuitas en las diversas regiones de la primitiva Compañía.
- 4 de abril de 1534. Peter Faber ( Pierre Favre) es ordenado diácono en París.
- de abril de 1635. Muerte de Louis Lallemant , escritor y maestro espiritual.
- Aparece la primera edición de La Civiltà Cattolica . Fue la primera revista de la Sociedad restaurada.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Spirituality: Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love
The true protagonists of history are those who are most united with God, because with God’s viewpoint they can best attend to the signs of the times, the ways of Providence, the building of history. Oh, if we only had persons of prayer among those who oversee the fate of the nation and the fate of the economy! If, instead of relying on human devices, people would rely on God and on his devices, we would have a world like the one the church dreams of, a world without injustices, a world with respect for rights, a world with generous participation by all, a world without repression, a world without torture.
JULY 17, 1977
Poem: “Spring” by Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. (1844-1889)
Nothing is so beautiful as Spring –
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden – Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Poem: “The Box of Ointment” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (British, 1809-1892)
Her eyes are homes of silent prayer,
Nor other thought her mind admits
But, he was dead, and there he sits,
Anh he that brought him back is there.
Then one deep love doth supersede
All other, when her ardent gaze
Roves from the living brother’s face,
And rests upon the Life indeed.
All subtle thought, all curious fears,
Borne down by gladness so complete,
She bows, she bathes the Savior’s feet
With costly spikenard and with tears.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Prayer: Blessed Palm Sunday
Loving God, help us to realize that you are calling us to decide, just as you called Israel to decide, to choose your rule in the world today. Yours is one of non-violence and of seeing each person as a brother and sister with dignity and goodness. As we pray through this week, help us care for Jesus as he goes through his Passion. Help us to learn about the suffering he faced, so that we may lessen the suffering of others. Help us to see how you display your power in silence and with steadfastness. Jesus entered this week powerless, so that your power could be on display. Help us to notice how you move throughout this week, so that we may cooperate with your plan with greater trust and understanding. Bless us and keep us. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.