Photo: Young Disciple

Spirituality: To Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

To “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” then, speaks to this intensity of connectedness.

Jesus promises that when the hunger arises within you to find your own deepest aliveness within God’s aliveness, it will be satisfied—in fact, the hunger itself is a sign that the bond is already in place. As we enter the path of transformation, the most valuable thing we have working in our favor is our yearning. Some spiritual teachers will even say that the yearning you feel for God is actually coming from the opposite direction; it is in fact God’s yearning for you. “The eye with which I see God is the same one with which God sees me,” said Meister Eckhart, one of the greatest Christian mystics, stressing the complete simultaneity of the energy of connection. [1] When we yearn, we come into sympathetic vibration with a deeper heart-knowing. The heart is an organ of alignment; it connects us. Yearning is the vibration of that connectedness.

Photo: A Young John the Baptist

Spirituality: “A Prayer to Saints Elizabeth and Zechariah” by Marci Alborghetti

Dear Saints Elizabeth and Zechariah,

How I would love to hear God’s words and instructions the way you did! How I would love for God to tell me what he wants from me, to instruct me clearly and precisely through an angel! I wonder what it must have felt like for you to know God’s will directly!

And then, I wonder: Could I handle it? Could I handle it if God were to speak to me or through me directly? Could I willingly pay the price you paid for such direct communication? Could I give up all worldly concerns, stop worrying about what people might think of me, trust myself completely to God’s will and do nothing to protect myself against scorn, curiosity, and the sanctions of others? Could I give up my child to do God’s will if it meant losing her or him?

When I think about both of you and how you gave yourselves and your son to God’s word and will, I pray not only that I come to understand God’s will for me, but that I have the faith and courage to follow and fulfill it.

Amen.


Source: Marci Alborghetti, People of the Nativity: Living the Christmas Story Then and Now, pp. 50-51, slightly adapted.

Photo: Purple Star

Spirituality: “Carrying Difficulties with Strength” by Pope Francis

To suffer is to take the difficulty and to carry it with strength, so that the difficulty does not drag us down. To carry it with strength: this is a Christian virtue. Saint Paul says several times: endure. This means do not let ourselves be overcome by difficulties. This means that the Christian has the strength not to give up. Carry [these burdens], but carry them with strength. It is not easy, because discouragement comes, and one has the urge to give up and say, “Well, come on, we’ll do what we can and no more.” But no, it is a grace to suffer. We find so many Christians who are sad, discouraged, because they did not have this grace of enduring with patience and overcoming with love.

From: An Address on Vatican Radio

El Duodécimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

El Duodécimo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario

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25 de junio de 2017

Jeremías 20: 10-13; Salmo 69; Romanos 5: 12-15; Mateo 10: 26-33

Las Escrituras nos enseñan a incrementar nuestra confianza en Dios, el que sonda nuestra mente y corazón y entiende la bondad de nuestras almas. Cuando confiamos, ya no tenemos miedo. Jeremías nos dice que hay terror alrededor de nosotros y que mucha gente tratará de derribar a los justos, mientras que el Evangelio nos dice que debemos ser cautelosos de aquellos que causan división porque son más dañinos que aquellos que causan daño físico.

Mateo usa la palabra Gehenna para describir la condición de una fuente grave de división. Gehenna es un lugar real, un valle, al suroeste de Jerusalén, que era una barrera física que separaba las tribus de Judá de Benjamín. Algunos reyes de Judá usaron las colinas alrededor del valle para la idolatría y los sacrificios, lo que causó que Dios enviara su ira sobre la tribu. El valle llegó a ser conocido por los israelitas como un lugar de fuego y destrucción, símbolos que asociamos con el infierno. Gehenna se hizo conocido como un lugar del castigo de Dios de los impíos después de la muerte. No era un infierno, sino un lugar de castigo, donde todavía había esperanza de que los impíos se arrepintieran y volvieran a Dios.

Cuando consideramos quiénes son los verdaderos enemigos, descubrimos que no son el extranjero o el extranjero, sino las personas más cercanas a nosotros: miembros de la familia, colegas, amigos de confianza. Ellos son los que se supone que están en el mismo lado que nosotros. Tomamos su amistad por sentado y confiamos demasiado en sus buenos motivos, sólo para ser abusados. Lo mismo sucede con la familia. Debido a que somos parientes de sangre, esperamos que todos tengan los mismos objetivos y prácticas, pero la angustia más profunda que experimentamos es cuando los miembros de la familia están separados unos de otros. Sabemos que si no podemos confiar en nuestros amigos y familiares más cercanos, no podemos confiar plenamente en Dios.

¿Cómo confiamos en Dios y no nos preocupamos por las acciones de los demás, sino que seguimos protegiéndonos de las personas cuyas intenciones preocupadas por sí mismas están en conflicto con los caminos de Dios? No es facil. Creo que mucha gente preferiría guardar silencio y evitar conflictos. Esta es la ruta que generalmente tomo y es insuficiente porque mi silencio permite que otros se aprovechen de mí. "Mi silencio les comunica: Adelante y haga su movimiento. No haré nada para detenerte porque confío en Dios y Dios hará que todo salga bien ". Mi enfoque preferido es incorrecto. Hace años, en el pavimento de las calles de Boston había un símbolo: El silencio equivale a la muerte. Este logotipo lleva mucha verdad.

Tengo que hacer esas cosas que no me gusta hacer. Tengo que hacer amigos con los enemigos, lo que significa que tengo que ser amable con esas personas que son crueles conmigo y están trabajando activamente contra mí. Se necesita coraje y paciencia porque prefiero evitar las personas poco amables, pero en cambio, tengo que traer los caminos de Dios a ellos. Tengo que dejar ir a mi orgullo y decidir activamente que voy a establecer una relación con mi adversario porque de alguna manera esta es mi confianza en Dios.

Tengo que cambiar en torno a mi pensamiento sobre la confianza, que parece un proceso pasivo, a uno en el que tengo que valientemente ponerme en presencia de daño y conflicto y tengo que dejar espacio para que Dios funcione. Estas cosas sé acerca de mi experiencia de Dios: (1) Dios se conecta y se une; Por lo tanto, debo comprometerme a resolver conflictos en las relaciones para que Dios pueda ser encontrado, (2) Dios no corrige mágicamente los asuntos en un instante; Por lo tanto, debo construir, cooperar, y cultivar relaciones tensas pacientemente, (3.) Dios crea algo nuevo de fuera de lo viejo; Dios no sólo restaura, Dios valida y modela una nueva creación, y (4.) Dios tiene que darme el coraje porque no puedo hacerlo bien por mi cuenta. Tengo que tragar mi orgullo, y saber que hay trabajo duro por delante de mí.

Cuando puedo pensar así, mi temor disminuye, como promete el Evangelio. Dios se preocupa tanto por la otra persona y Dios se preocupa por mí, así que puedo extender mi cuidado a mi adversario, que eventualmente se convertirá en un amigo. Lo más importante es que estoy haciendo lo que el Evangelio me pide: estoy dando testimonio públicamente de Dios a los demás y les digo que confío en que Dios está en el proceso - misteriosamente, creativamente, misericordiosamente - y dejaré que Dios guíe mis respuestas y acciones . Quiero que mi oración sea: Amar a Dios, estar presente en mis conflictos y guiarme para que yo pueda mostrar a otros que su cuidado por usted nos enseñará a construir un mundo con su misericordia en su fundamento. En este Dios en quien confío.

Escritura para la misa diaria

Primera lectura:
Lunes: (Génesis 12) Dijo el Señor a Abram: Vete de la tierra de tu familia a una tierra que te mostraré, y bendeciré a tu posteridad. Abram puso un altar en Betel.
Martes: (Génesis 13) Abram era muy rico en ganado, plata y oro. Lot también tenía mucho ganado y juntos tenían demasiados para compartir la tierra. Lot escogió la tierra a la derecha del Jordán, dejando la orilla izquierda a Abram.
Miércoles: (Génesis 15) En un sueño, el Señor le dijo a Abram que tendría un heredero. Abram hizo un sacrificio al Señor, que lo bendijo con una olla de fuego humeante y una antorcha encendida.
Jueves: (Hechos 12) El rey Herodes mató a Santiago y tuvo la intención de hacerle daño a Pedro, a quien encarceló. Un terremoto ocurrió en la noche y el guardia se convirtió a la creencia.
Viernes (Génesis 17) A los 99 años, el Señor bendijo a Abram con la noticia de que Sarai tendría un hijo. Como parte del pacto, a través de Isaac, no de Ismael, todo niño debe ser circuncidado.
Sábado (Génesis 18) Tres hombres misteriosos visitaron la tienda de Abram. Abram les dio gran hospitalidad y cuando se fueron, le dijeron a Abram que Sarai tendría un hijo en el próximo año.

Evangelio:
Lunes: (Mateo 7) Deja de juzgar y no serás juzgado. No critique la astilla en el ojo de su hermano hasta que saque el registro en el suyo.
Martes: (Mateo 7) No dé lo sagrado a los perros. Haz a los demás como quisieras que te hicieran. Esta es la suma de la Ley y los Profetas.
Miércoles (Mateo 7) Cuidado con los falsos profetas. Un árbol malo no puede producir buenos frutos. Todo árbol que no produzca buen fruto será destruido.
Jueves (Mateo 16) Jesús preguntó a sus discípulos: ¿Quién dice la gente que soy? ¿Quién dices que soy? Pedro declaró: Tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios.
Viernes (Mateo 8) Un leproso rogó a Jesús que lo hiciera limpio. Él dijo: "Lo haré. No le digas a nadie, pero ve a mostrarte al sacerdote.
Sábado (Mateo 8) En Cafarnaúm, un centurión se acercó a Jesús acerca de su amado siervo. Sólo dices que la palabra y mi siervo serán sanados.

Santos de la Semana

24 de junio: Natividad de Juan el Bautista (primer siglo) fue celebrado el 24 de junio para recordarnos que él era seis meses más viejo que Jesús, según Lucas. Este día también sirve para recordarnos que, como Cristo es la luz del mundo, Juan debe disminuir a medida que disminuye la luz del día. El nacimiento de Juan es contado por Lucas. Él era el hijo de la madura Isabel y el Zechariah estupefacto. Cuando Juan fue nombrado, la lengua de Zacarías se aflojó y él cantó el gran Benedictus.

27 de junio: Cirilo de Alejandría, obispo y médico (376-444), presidió el Concilio de Éfeso que combatió Nestorian la herejía. Cirilo afirmó, contrariamente a Nestorius, que como lo divino y lo humano en Jesús estaban tan estrechamente unidos que era apropiado referirse a María era la madre de Dios. Porque condenó a Nestorio, la iglesia pasó por un cisma que duró hasta la muerte de Cirilo. El poder de Cyril, la riqueza y la experiencia teológica influyeron en muchos como él defendió la iglesia contra filosofías opuestas.

28 de junio: Ireneo, obispo y mártir (130-200) fue enviado a Lyon como misionero para combatir la persecución que la iglesia enfrentó en Lyon. Nació en Asia Menor y se convirtió en discípulo de Policarpo, discípulo del apóstol Juan. Ireneo afirmó que la creación no era pecaminosa por naturaleza, sino simplemente distorsionada por el pecado. Como Dios nos creó, Dios nos redimió. Por lo tanto, nuestra naturaleza caída sólo puede ser salvada por Cristo que tomó nuestra forma en la Encarnación. Ireneo refutación de las herejías sentó las bases de la teología cristiana.

29 de junio: Pedro y Pablo, los apóstoles (el primer siglo) son agrupados juntos para un día de fiesta debido a su importancia extrema a la iglesia temprana y contemporánea. Sobre la fe de Pedro fue construida la iglesia; Los esfuerzos de Pablo para llevar a los gentiles a la fe y para establecer un código moral era importante para las generaciones sucesivas. Es cierto que se unen como su trabajo es uno, pero con dos dientes. Para los jesuitas, este es un día que Ignacio comenzó a recuperarse de su enfermedad tras las heridas que sufrió en Pamplona. Marcó un punto de inflexión en su recuperación.

30 de junio: Los Primeros Santos Mártires de la Santa Iglesia Romana (c 64) fueron mártires bajo la persecución de Nero en 64. Nero reaccionó al gran incendio en Roma acusando falsamente a los cristianos de ponerlo. Aunque nadie creyó las afirmaciones de Nero, los cristianos fueron humillados y condenados a muerte de manera horrible. Este día sigue siempre la fiesta de los mártires, Sts. Pedro y Pablo.


Julio 1: Junipero Serra, sacerdote, fue un misionero franciscano que fundó misiones en Baja California y viajó al norte a California a partir de 1768. Los franciscanos establecieron las misiones durante la supresión de los jesuitas. San Diego, San Francisco y Santa Clara están entre los más famosos. La estatua de Serra está en el Capitolio de los Estados Unidos para representar a California.

Esta Semana en la Historia de los Jesuitas

• 25 de junio de 1782. Los jesuitas de la Rusia Blanca fueron autorizados por la emperatriz Catalina a elegir un general. Eligieron a Fr. Czerniewicz. Tomó el título de Vicario General, con los poderes del General.
• 26 de junio de 1614. Por un ardid de los calvinistas, el libro, "Defensio Fidei" de Francis Suárez fue condenado por el Parlamento francés. Además, en Inglaterra James ordenó que el libro fuera quemado públicamente.
• 27 de junio de 1978. Bernard Lisson, mecánico, y Gregor Richert, párroco, fueron muertos a tiros en la Misión de St Rupert, Sinoia, Zimbabwe.
• Jun 28, 1591. Fr. La enseñanza de Leonard Lessius sobre la gracia y la predestinación causó mucha excitación y agitación contra la Sociedad en Lovaina y Douai. El Nuncio Papal y el Papa Gregorio XIV declararon que su enseñanza era perfectamente ortodoxa.
• 29 de junio de 1880. En Francia entró en vigor la ley de spoliation, que fue aprobada a finales de marzo, y todas las Casas y Colegios jesuitas fueron suprimidas.
• 30 de junio de 1829. La apertura de la XXI Congregación General de la Orden, que eligió al P. John Roothan como General.
• 1 de julio de 1556. El comienzo de la última enfermedad de San Ignacio. Vio sus tres grandes deseos cumplidos: la confirmación del Instituto, la aprobación papal de los Ejercicios Espirituales y la aceptación de las Constituciones por toda la Sociedad.

Photo: A potential Monet

Spirituality: “Lead Us Not into Temptation” by Alfred Delp, S.J.

We ought to offer this prayer [The Our Father] very seriously. Out Lord knew what it was to be tempted and what bitter struggles temptation may entail. Who can be sure of himself? When things are going well we let these words pass over us negligently, thinking very little about them as if they really did not apply to us at all. And then all of a sudden the sky becomes overcast – a storm arises, and with the wind blowing from all directions at once we do not know which way to turn.

Take this journey of mine up this perilous face of my cliff. How many hours of weakness and despair have to be endured in making that climb, hours of sheer helplessness, of doubt, not knowing which was the best course. How is it that conditions suddenly get distorted, their balance disturbed and their threads twisted and entangled, producing a pattern far from our intention and quite beyond our power to unravel?

No one can escape the hour of temptation. It is only in that hour that we begin to sense our weakness and to have a faint inkling of the vital decisions we are expected to make. If only I can manage to keep a hold on this perilous perch and not faint and let go.

I have committed my soul to God and I rely on the help of my friends.

Source: Alfred Delp, S.J., Prison Letters, as found in Magnificat, February 2016, pp. 253-254; Fr. Delp, A German Jesuit priest, was executed because of his resistance to the Nazi regime.

The Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time

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June 25, 2017

Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33

Scripture teaches us to increase our trust in God, the one who probes our mind and heart and understands the goodness of our souls. When we trust, we no longer have any fear. Jeremiah tells us there is terror all around us and that many people will try to bring down the righteous while the Gospel tells us to be cautious of those who cause division because they are more harmful than those who cause physical harm.

Matthew uses the word Gehenna to describe the condition of a grave source of division. Gehenna is an actual location, a valley, southwest of Jerusalem that was a physical barrier that separated the tribes of Judah from Benjamin. A few kings of Judah used the hills around the valley for idolatry and sacrifices, which caused God to send his wrath upon the tribe. The valley became known to the Israelites as a place of fire and destruction, symbols we associate with hell. Gehenna became known as a place of God’s punishment of the wicked after death. It was not hell, but a place of punishment, where there was still hope for the wicked to repent and turn back to God.

When we consider who our real enemies are, we find out they are not the stranger or foreigner, but the people closest to us – family members, colleagues, trusted friends. They are the ones who are supposed to be on the same side as us. We take their friendship for granted and we trust too much in their good motives – only to be abused. The same happens with family. Because we are blood relatives, we expect that everyone has the same goals and practices, but the deepest heartache we experience is when family members are estranged from one another. We know that if we cannot trust our closest friends and family members, it makes it much more difficult to fully trust God.

How do we trust in God and not worry about the actions of others, but still protect ourselves from people whose self-concerned intentions are in conflict with God’s ways? It is not easy. I think many people would prefer to keep silent and avoid conflict. This is the route I generally take and it is insufficient because my silence permits others to take advantage of me. “My silence communicates to them: Go ahead and make your move. I’ll not do anything to stop you because I trust in God and God will make everything turn out fine.” My preferred approach is wrong. Years ago, on the pavement on the streets of Boston was a symbol: Silence equals death. This logo bears much truth.

I have to do those things that I do not like doing. I have to make friends with enemies, which means that I have to be kind to those people who are unkind to me and are actively working against me. It takes courage and patience because I would rather just avoid unkind people, but instead, I have to bring God’s ways to them. I have to let my pride go and actively decide that I am going to establish a relationship with my adversary because somehow this is my trust in God.

I have to change around my thinking about trust, which seems like a passive process, to one in which I have to courageously put myself in the presence of harm and conflict and I have to allow room for God to operate. These things I know about my experience of God: (1.) God connects and joins; therefore, I must commit to resolving conflicts in relationships so God can be found, (2.) God does not magically correct matters in a instant; therefore, I must build, cooperate, and nurture strained relationships patiently, (3.) God creates something new of out of the old; God does not just restore, God validates and fashions a new creation, and (4.) God has to give me the courage because I cannot do it well on my own. I have to swallow my pride, and know there is hard work ahead of me.

When I am able to think like this, my fear is lessened, as the Gospel promises. God cares just as much for the other person and God cares for me, so can I extend my care to my adversary, who will eventually become a friend. Most importantly, I am doing what the Gospel asks: I am testifying publicly about God to others and I am telling them that I trust that God is in the process – mysteriously, creatively, mercifully – and I will let God guide my responses and actions. I want my prayer to be: Loving God, be present in my conflicts and guide me so I may show others your care for you will teach us how to build a world with your mercy at its foundation. In this God I trust.  

Scripture for Daily Mass

First Reading: 

Monday: (Genesis 12) The Lord said to Abram: Go forth from the land of your family to a land I will show you and I will bless your posterity. Abram set up an altar in Bethel.    

Tuesday: (Genesis 13) Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. Lot also had much livestock and they together had too many to share the land. Lot chose the land to the right of the Jordan, leaving the left bank to Abram.  

Wednesday: (Genesis 15) In a dream, the Lord told Abram he would have an heir. Abram made a sacrifice to the Lord, who blessed him with a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch.

Thursday: (Acts 12) King Herod killed James and intended to harm Peter, whom he imprisoned. An earthquake occurred in the night and the guard was converted to belief.   

Friday (Genesis 17) At age 99, the Lord blessed Abram with news that Sarai would bear a son. As part of the covenant, through Isaac, not Ishmael, every boy must be circumcised.

Saturday (Genesis 18) Three mysterious men visited Abram’s tent. Abram gave them great hospitality and as they left, they told Abram that Sarai would bear a son within the next year.

Gospel: 

Monday: (Matthew 7) Stop judging and you will not be judged. Don’t criticize the splinter in your brother’s eye until you take out the log in yours. 

Tuesday: (Matthew 7) Do not give what is holy to the dogs. Do unto others as you would want them to do to you. This is the summation of the Law and the Prophets.

Wednesday (Matthew 7) Beware of false prophets. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be destroyed.

Thursday (Matthew 16) Jesus asked his disciples: Who do people say I am? Who do you say I am? Peter declared: You are the Christ, the Son of God.

Friday (Matthew 8) A leper begged Jesus to make him clean. He said, “I do will it. Tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest.”

Saturday (Matthew 8) In Capernaum, a centurion approached Jesus about his beloved servant. Only say the word and my servant shall be healed.

Saints of the Week

June 24: Nativity of John the Baptist (first century) was celebrated on June 24^th to remind us that he was six months older than Jesus, according to Luke. This day also serves to remind us that, as Christ is the light of the world, John must decrease just as the daylight diminishes. John’s birth is told by Luke. He was the son of the mature Elizabeth and the dumbstruck Zechariah. When John was named, Zechariah’s tongue was loosened and he sang the great Benedictus.

June 27: Cyril of Alexandria, bishop and doctor (376-444), presided over the Council of Ephesus that fought Nestorian the heresy. Cyril claimed, contrary to Nestorius, that since the divine and human in Jesus were so closely united that it was appropriate to refer to Mary was the mother of God. Because he condemned Nestorius, the church went through a schism that lasted until Cyril's death. Cyril's power, wealth, and theological expertise influenced many as he defended the church against opposing philosophies.

June 28: Irenaeus, bishop and martyr (130-200) was sent to Lyons as a missionary to combat the persecution the church faced in Lyons. He was born in Asia Minor and became a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of the Apostle John. Irenaeus asserted that the creation was not sinful by nature but merely distorted by sin. As God created us, God redeemed us. Therefore, our fallen nature can only be saved by Christ who took on our form in the Incarnation. Irenaeus refutation of heresies laid the foundations of Christian theology.

June 29: Peter and Paul, apostles (first century) are lumped together for a feast day because of their extreme importance to the early and contemporary church. Upon Peter's faith was the church built; Paul's efforts to bring Gentiles into the faith and to lay out a moral code was important for successive generations. It is right that they are joined together as their work is one, but with two prongs. For Jesuits, this is a day that Ignatius began to recover from his illness after the wounds he sustained at Pamplona. It marked a turning point in his recovery.

June 30: The First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church (c. 64) were martyrs under Nero's persecution in 64. Nero reacted to the great fire in Rome by falsely accusing Christians of setting it. While no one believed Nero's assertions, Christians were humiliated and condemned to death in horrible ways. This day always follows the feast of the martyrs, Sts. Peter and Paul.

July 1: Junipero Serra, priest, was a Franciscan missionary who founded missions in Baja and traveled north to California starting in 1768. The Franciscans established the missions during the suppression of the Jesuits. San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara are among the most famous. Serra’s statue is in the U.S. Capitol to represent California.

This Week in Jesuit History

·      Jun 25, 1782. The Jesuits in White Russia were permitted by the Empress Catherine to elect a General. They chose Fr. Czerniewicz. He took the title of Vicar General, with the powers of the General.

·      Jun 26, 1614. By a ruse of the Calvinists, the book, "Defensio Fidei" by Francis Suarez was condemned by the French Parliament. In addition, in England James I ordered the book to be publicly burned.

·      Jun 27, 1978. Bernard Lisson, a mechanic, and Gregor Richert, a parish priest, were shot to death at St Rupert's Mission, Sinoia, Zimbabwe.

·      Jun 28, 1591. Fr. Leonard Lessius's teaching on grace and predestination caused a great deal of excitement and agitation against the Society in Louvain and Douai. The Papal Nuncio and Pope Gregory XIV both declared that his teaching was perfectly orthodox.

·      Jun 29, 1880. In France the law of spoliation, which was passed at the end of March, came into effect and all the Jesuit Houses and Colleges were suppressed.

·      Jun 30, 1829. The opening of the Twenty-first General Congregation of the order, which elected Fr. John Roothan as General.

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·      Jul 1, 1556. The beginning of St Ignatius's last illness. He saw his three great desires fulfilled: confirmation of the Institute, papal approval of the Spiritual Exercises, and acceptance of the Constitutions by the whole Society.