Photo: Lenten Fridays

 

Prayer: Cyprian of Carthage

Let us pray that peace may very soon be restored in us, help reach us in our dangers, draw us from our dark retreats, and may God’s gracious promises find fulfillment. May we see after the rain, fair weather, after the darkness, light, after these storms and tempests, a gentle calm.

Photo: Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

 

Poem: “To Know All is to Forgive All,” by Nixon Waterman

 If I knew you and you knew me – 

If both of us could clearly see,

And with an inner sight divine

The meaning of your heart and mine – 

I’m sure that we would differ less

And clasp our hands in friendliness;

Our thoughts would pleasantly agree

If I knew you and you knew me.

 

If I knew you and you knew me,

As each one knows his own self, we

Could look each other in the face

And see therein a truer grace.

Life has so many hidden woes,

So many thorns for every rose;

The “why” of things our hearts would see,

If I knew you and you knew me.

The reason for our Palm-waving: Palm Sunday

                                     The reason for our Palm-waving:

Palm Sunday

April 2, 2023

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Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66

 

  Because this is Passion Sunday, it is customary to speak about the Passion narratives, and I’m drawn to the entrance narrative when Jesus first arrived in Jerusalem. He had done most of his ministry in Galilee and regions near the Jordan River, and to be a true prophet to Israel, one must set one’s gaze to Jerusalem, the Holy City. The whole of Jesus’ existence was for the sake of the reign of God so that the reign of God had a place within Israel to exist. He arrives in an unusual fashion – riding upon a donkey and a young horse and people are cheering for his arrival, waving palm branches and laying them on the ground out of respect for his honor. He arrives as the Messiah to take possession of it as the messianic kingdom is now breaking into view for all. Jesus is victorious because he is the ultimate, righteous ruler who does the will of God entirely, and at the same time, he is a lowly person, low before God. Likewise, we are ready to take up our branches – somewhat in jubilation – so that we can pay fitting tribute to this important start to Holy Week.         

 

          We know what will happen to Jesus by the end of the liturgy, and we are still filled with excitement to see him arrive in cultured Jerusalem, the center of all things Jewish, and to be a part of his story. We want to get our palms and wave them because Jesus is fulfilling his mission and we know he is doing it for us. What do you expect to see? What are your hopes as this part of his story begins? He remains a curiosity. Jesus’s entrance was an unmistakable sign. He was the sign as the representative of God. He came to the city as a poor, unarmed king, the Messiah of peace, the one who proclaimed God’s reign. He rejected all force and violence as he made himself publicly known as the Messiah. He called Israel to make a fundamental decision. He was at the Temple in the center of Israel at their greatest feast with all its inhabitants assembled. This was Israel’s decision day. This was big. Scripture says, “The whole city was shaken.” Who is this man who has captured the hearts and minds of so many people? As the prophet arrives, the city is put on edge as they know there will be a clash with the religious establishment. They wondered, “What does this mean for our faith’s future.” 

 

          In Jerusalem, the conflict will intensify as his action in the Temple forces Israel to choose. Will Israel recognize and see the inbreaking of the kingdom and become a part of this new Israel that Jesus is assembling around him. This is the hour. The Passover feast is near, and Jesus will celebrate this meal that commemorates God’s abiding presence to Israel, and Jesus is constituting something new, a new Israel, one that was more faithful to God’s rule. The nation must decide, and Jesus knows he may be a rejected prophet who will be handed over, lifted up, but all done for the sake of Israel. 

 

          Jesus always directs us to steadfastness of God. This week, we watch what happens with Jesus, and we keep an eye on the movements and actions of God, who stands by Jesus. The week becomes a celebration of what God is doing, even amidst pain and suffering. God hopes Israel, and we, will return wholeheartedly to the covenantal promises we made. It is our decision day too. Can we see the inbreaking of God’s reign in our world today through Jesus? He always creates something new. Will we deepen our friendship with him, no matter what happens? He showed us that God’s fidelity never dies, and as long as our world exists, God will stay faithful to God’s hopes for and promises to us. This is the reason we wave our palms.

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

Monday of Holy Week: We hear from Isaiah 42 in the First Oracle of the Servant of the Lord in which God’s servant will suffer silently but will bring justice to the world. In the Gospel, Lazarus’ sister, Mary, anoints Jesus’ feet with costly oil in preparation for his funeral.

Tuesday of Holy Week: In the Second Oracle of the Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 49), he cries out that I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth. In deep hurt, distress and grief, Jesus tells his closest friends at supper that one of them will betray him and another will deny him three times before the cock crows.

(Spy) Wednesday of Holy Week: In the Third Oracle of the Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 50), the suffering servant does not turn away from the ridicule and torture of his persecutors and tormentors. The time has come. Matthew’s account shows Judas eating during the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread with Jesus and their good friends after he had already arranged to hand him over to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver. The Son of Man will be handed over by Judas, one of the Twelve, who sets the terms of Jesus’ arrest.

Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday: Only an evening Mass can be said today and we let our bells ring freely during the Gloria that has been absent all Lent. In Exodus, we hear the laws and customs about eating the Passover meal prior to God’s deliverance of the people through Moses from the Egyptians. Paul tells us of the custom by early Christians that as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. In John’s Gospel, Jesus loves us to the end giving us a mandate to wash one another’s feet.

Good Friday: No Mass is celebrated today though there may be a service of veneration of the cross and a Stations of the Cross service. In Isaiah, we hear the Fourth Oracle of the Servant of the Lord who was wounded for our sins. In Hebrews, we are told that Jesus learned obedience through his faith and thus became the source of salvation for all. The Passion of our Lord is proclaimed from John’s Gospel.

Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil: No Mass, baptisms, or confirmations can be celebrated before the Vigil to honor the Lord who has been buried in the tomb. The Old Testament readings point to God’s vision of the world and the deliverance of the people from sin and death. All of Scripture points to the coming of the Righteous One who will bring about salvation for all. The Old Testament is relished during the Vigil of the Word as God’s story of salvation is told to us again. The New Testament epistle from Romans tells us that Christ, who was raised from the dead, dies no more. Matthew's Gospel finds Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at dawn arriving at the tomb only to find it empty. After a great earthquake that made the guards tremble, and angel appears telling the women, "Do not be afraid." The angel instructs them to go to the Twelve to tell them, "Jesus has been raised from the dead, and is going before you to Galilee." 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• 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. 
• April 7, 1541. Ignatius was unanimously elected general, but he declined to accept the results. 
• April 8, 1762. The French Parliament issued a decree of expulsion of the Jesuits from all their colleges and houses.

La razón de nuestro movimiento de palmas: Domingo de palma

 La razón de nuestro movimiento de palmas:

Domingo de palma

2 de abril de 2023

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Isaías 50:4-7; Salmo 22; Filipenses 2:6-11; Mateo 26:14-27:66

 

          Debido a que este es el Domingo de Pasión, es costumbre hablar sobre las narraciones de la Pasión, especialmente si las personas no pueden asistir a los servicios del Viernes Santo, pero me atrae la narración de la entrada cuando Jesús llegó por primera vez a Jerusalén. Había realizado la mayor parte de su ministerio en Galilea y las regiones cercanas al río Jordán, y para ser un verdadero profeta para Israel, uno debe poner la mirada en Jerusalén, la Ciudad Santa. Llega de una manera inusual: montado en un burro y un caballo joven y la gente vitorea su llegada, agitando ramas de palma y colocándolas en el suelo por respeto a su honor. Asimismo, nos disponemos a tomar nuestras ramas -un tanto jubilosas- para rendir el merecido homenaje a este importante inicio de Semana Santa.

 

          Sabemos lo que le sucederá a Jesús al final de la liturgia, y todavía estamos emocionados de verlo llegar a Jerusalén y ser parte de su historia. Queremos levantar nuestras palmas y agitarlas porque Jesús está cumpliendo su misión y sabemos que lo está haciendo por nosotros. Que esperas ver? ¿Cuáles son sus esperanzas ahora que comienza esta parte de su historia? No llega en un alarde de poder, y sigue siendo una curiosidad. Para gran parte de la Jerusalén culta, el centro de todo lo judío, Jesús y su andrajoso grupo de discípulos y simpatizantes deben haber sido un espectáculo. Las Escrituras dicen: “Toda la ciudad se estremeció”. ¿Quién es este hombre que ha capturado los corazones y las mentes de tantas personas? Cuando llega el profeta, la ciudad se pone nerviosa porque saben que habrá un choque con el establecimiento religioso. Se preguntaron: “¿Qué significa esto para el futuro de nuestra fe?”.

 

          ¿Qué estaba haciendo Jesús? Jerusalén siempre fue su meta, y su predicación y ministerio siempre terminaría en esta ciudad donde entraría en conflicto con las autoridades del Templo encargadas de preservar la fe. Predicar en el Templo era el objetivo, seguía siendo el centro de la creencia a pesar de que predicaba una teología centrada en el reino donde Dios estaba presente y podía ser adorado en cualquier lugar. La fiesta de la Pascua estaba cerca, y Jesús celebraría esta comida que conmemoraba la presencia permanente de Dios en Israel, y Jesús estaba constituyendo un nuevo Israel, uno que era más fiel al gobierno de Dios. Jesús demostraría su fidelidad a Dios pero aceptando el destino debido a un profeta rechazado. Sería entregado por su propio pueblo y levantado , y sabía que moriría por el bien de Israel.

 

          Jesús siempre dirige su ministerio a la constancia de Dios. Esta semana, observamos lo que sucede con Jesús y estamos atentos a los movimientos y acciones de Dios, quien está junto a Jesús y las personas fieles que se han reunido a su alrededor. La semana se convierte en una celebración de lo que Dios está haciendo, incluso en medio del dolor y el sufrimiento. Dios está apoyando a Israel para que regrese de todo corazón a las promesas del pacto que hizo, y Jesús revela cómo vivir fiel y plenamente en la comunidad de Dios. El mundo rechaza a Dios ya Jesús, pero es su fe en Dios la que nos da nueva vida. Caminemos con Jesús esta semana y observemos la fidelidad mutua que Dios y Jesús tienen el uno en el otro. Jesús muere por Israel. Tenemos que dejarlo morir porque él muere por nosotros, para que nos acerquemos al corazón de Dios, quebrantado como está, porque la fidelidad de Dios nunca muere. Mientras exista nuestro mundo, Dios se mantendrá fiel a las esperanzas y promesas de Dios para nosotros. Esta es la razón por la que agitamos nuestras palmas.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

 

Lunes de Semana Santa : Escuchamos de Isaías 42 en el Primer Oráculo de la Sierva del Señor en que la sierva de Dios sufrirá en silencio pero traerá justicia al mundo. En el Evangelio, la hermana de Lázaro, María, unge los pies de Jesús con aceite costoso en preparación para su funeral. 

Martes de Semana Santa : En el Segundo Oráculo de la Sierva del Señor (Isaías 49), clama que te haré luz de las naciones, para que mi salvación llegue hasta los confines de la tierra. Con profundo dolor, angustia y dolor, Jesús les dice a sus amigos más cercanos en la cena que uno de ellos lo traicionará y otro lo negará tres veces antes de que cante el gallo. 

(Espía) Miércoles de Semana Santa : En el Tercer Oráculo de la Sierva del Señor (Isaías 50), el siervo sufriente no se aparta del ridículo y tortura de sus perseguidores y verdugos. El tiempo ha llegado. El relato de Mateo muestra a Judas comiendo durante el primer día de la Fiesta de los Panes sin Levadura con Jesús y sus buenos amigos después de que él ya había dispuesto entregarlo a los principales sacerdotes por treinta piezas de plata. El Hijo del Hombre será entregado por Judas, uno de los Doce, quien fija las condiciones del arresto de Jesús.

Misa de la Cena del Señor el Jueves Santo : Hoy solo se puede decir una Misa vespertina y dejamos que nuestras campanas suenen libremente durante el Gloria que ha estado ausente durante toda la Cuaresma. En Éxodo, escuchamos las leyes y costumbres acerca de comer la cena de la Pascua antes de que Dios liberara al pueblo de los egipcios a través de Moisés. Pablo nos habla de la costumbre de los primeros cristianos de que cada vez que comemos este pan y bebemos esta copa, proclamamos la muerte del Señor hasta que él venga. En el Evangelio de Juan, Jesús nos ama hasta el extremo y nos da el mandato de lavarnos los pies unos a otros. 

Viernes Santo : Hoy no se celebra Misa aunque puede haber un servicio de veneración de la cruz y un servicio de las Estaciones de la Cruz. En Isaías, escuchamos el Cuarto Oráculo del Siervo del Señor que fue herido por nuestros pecados. En Hebreos, se nos dice que Jesús aprendió la obediencia a través de su fe y así se convirtió en la fuente de salvación para todos. La Pasión de nuestro Señor se proclama en el Evangelio de Juan. 

Sábado Santo y Vigilia Pascual : No se pueden celebrar misas, bautizos o confirmaciones antes de la Vigilia para honrar al Señor que ha sido sepultado en el sepulcro. Las lecturas del Antiguo Testamento apuntan a la visión de Dios del mundo y la liberación del pueblo del pecado y la muerte. Toda la Escritura apunta a la venida del Justo que traerá la salvación para todos. El Antiguo Testamento se saborea durante la Vigilia de la Palabra mientras se nos cuenta nuevamente la historia de salvación de Dios. La epístola del Nuevo Testamento de Romanos nos dice que Cristo, que resucitó de entre los muertos, ya no muere más. El Evangelio de Mateo encuentra a María Magdalena y la otra María al amanecer llegando a la tumba y encontrándola vacía. Después de un gran terremoto que hizo temblar a los guardias, aparece un ángel diciéndoles a las mujeres: "No tengan miedo". El ángel les indica que vayan a los Doce para decirles: "Jesús ha resucitado de entre los muertos y va delante de vosotros a Galilea".

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 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 primeros compañeros de Ignacio, quien más tarde le encomendó la publicación y distribución de las Constituciones jesuitas a las diversas regiones de la primera Compañía.
• 4 de abril de 1534. Peter Faber ( Pierre Favre) es ordenado diácono en París.
• 5 de abril de 1635. Muere Louis Lallemant , escritor y maestro espiritual.
• Aparece la primera edición de La Civilta Cattolica . Fue la primera revista de la Sociedad restaurada.
• 7 de abril de 1541. Ignacio es elegido general por unanimidad, pero se niega a aceptar los resultados.
• 8 de abril de 1762. El parlamento francés emite un decreto de expulsión de los jesuitas de todos sus colegios y casas.

Photo: Orchids, Orchids, Orchids

 

Spirituality: The Fourth Gospel

 Today, I was asked why John's Gospel was so different. We often refer to it as the Fourth Gospel because scholars are not quite sure about the author, but it does fit within the Johannine school of writing. 

The question is, "is the Gospel inaccurate?" The Fourth Gospel is not inaccurate. It has a completely different focus than Mark, Matthew, and Luke and its intent that sets it apart from the rest of the Synoptic Gospels. It was written to encourage a beleaguered community that was constantly being thrown out of the synagogues and family gatherings. There was much hostility between the community of Greek Jews that were at odds with the Jesus Jews, and families and friendships were ripped apart. For a Jesus Jew, a believer could no longer go to the Synagogue to celebrate the Sabbath or any feast. They could not attend family gatherings. This Fourth Gospel was written to solve a particular local community's dilemma. Conservative Jews were breaking off into rabbinical Judaism and the Jesus Jews were in a sense becoming Christians. 

The Fourth Gospel was written to show that (1.) Jesus Jews could continue to celebrate its traditional feasts - Weeks, Booth, Passover, Sabbath, The Dedication, and all the agricultural feasts, but it would be done in and through the person of Jesus, (2.) that Jesus was the fulfillment of these feasts, and all the celebrations would be done in his name and body, (3.) it shows Jesus, in his Risen State, in full power so that he combatted the forces of the Greek world with its philosophy and attention to Wisdom, which is the reason Jesus became the Word, and (4.) that Fourth Gospel introduces a high Christology, a high ecclesiology, a high-theology, which was different from the low Christology, low ecclesiology, and low-theology of the Synoptics.

The Fourth Gospel is complex. My Johannine professor quoted another source who said, "The Fourth Gospel can be likened to a magic pool in which an infant can piddle and an elephant can swim." 

Photo: Pussy Willows

 

Prayer: Joan of Arc

One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it, but to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.

Photo: Woman with orchids

 

Prayer: Pope Francis

Mary, Mother of the Church, help our faith and open our ears to hear God’s word and recognize God’s voice and call. Awaken in us a desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to go forth from our own land, and to receive his promise. Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith. Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our faith is called to mature. Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he might be light for our path.

Spirituality: Marie Howe, "Annunciation" in The Kingdom of the Ordinary Time

Even if I don't see it again — nor ever feel it
I know it is — and that if once it hailed me
it ever does—

And so it is myself I want to turn in that direction
not as toward a place, but it was a tilting
within myself,

as one turns a mirror to flash the light to where
it isn't — I was blinded like that — and swam
in what shone at me

only able to endure it by being no one and so
specifically myself I thought I'd die
from being loved like that.

Photo: The Cross

 

Poem: “Mother and Child” by: R. S. Thomas

No clouds overhead; 

no troubles freckling 

the maid’s eye. The shadows 

are immediate and are thrown 

by upholstered branches, 

not by that angled 

event that from beyond 

the horizon puts its roots 

 

down. This is Eden 

over again. The child 

holds out both his hands 

for the breast’s apple. The snake is asleep. 

Photo: Living Hearts

 

Poem: "A Poison Tree” by: William Blake

                                    I was angry with my friend;

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe;

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

 

And I watered it in fears,

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

 

And it grew both day and night.

Till it bore an apple bright.

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine.

 

And into my garden stole,

When the night had veiled the pole;

In the morning glad I see;

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

Life in Abundance: The Fifth Sunday of Lent

                                                  Life in Abundance:

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 26, 2023

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Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45

 

          Jesus calls his friend Lazarus out of the tomb, and because God is a creator God, when we Christians speak of death, we speak of life. Jesus’s story does not end in death; God’s story is about the continuation of life. Lazarus’s death was not to end in sadness, but to reveal God’s glory. Through God’s extraordinary grace, Jesus calls the dead to life, and life is given in abundance.

 

          Following this story, we know that many Jews came to see Lazarus and came to believe in Jesus. You can imagine the questions they had with Lazarus. What was death like? What did you experience when you died? Is there a heaven? What is it like? Is it a place? What happens to our body after death? Did you meet God? And, now you are back to life. What are you going to do differently as you have a new perspective and worldview?

 

          You can imagine Lazarus’s first moments when he was called back to life. As the cloth was being unwound around his body, the looseness he felt of that cloth on his skin and the air that touched the hairs on his arm. When his nose was uncovered and he could gasp for air once again, and to see anew when his eyes refocused. All his sense were most likely heightened as he could hear the voice of Jesus, his sisters, and the crowd as they stood nearby in grief and in amazement. Come out, he heard, as he was given life once again. I bet he was giddy. I bet he wanted to use every sense he had to embrace the life given to him once again.

 

          We, too, are called by Jesus in the same words, “Come out. Live in abundance and use it well.” Life is too short to squander, and we have no time to waste. It is best that we reflect upon our most meaningful values and then orient our lives around it. With God as our creative, life-giving source, we can celebrate the goodness that is around us, and delve into our gifts to use them to bring us, not just happiness, but joy because joy is the proof that we trust in the Resurrection. We can be like Lazarus who can hear, see, taste, smell, and feel again. We can be giddy that we wake up each morning and realize we are surrounding by loving people who deeply care for our well being. We can chuckle at the graces and blessings that surround us and give life deeper meaning and relief. The presence of death makes us appreciate life, and when we are honest with ourselves, death is always around, and we know life to be both precious and precarious. 

 

          We also know that we have a God that loves life and creates life out of nothingness. We have to listen to God’s call who whispers, “Come out. Live again. Live fully this time. I’ve got your back. Together, we can create that which is vibrant and full. Live in my abundance. And together, we will laugh. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

First Reading: 

Monday: (Daniel 13) Daniel’s sharp advocacy skills spare the life of Susannah who has been unjustly accused of immoral sexual relationships.

 

Tuesday: (Numbers 21) As the wandering Israelites passed through the desert near the Red Sea, many are bitten by seraph serpents, but Moses erected a bronze serpent that he lifted up for those bitten to gaze upon the image and be cured. 

 

Wednesday: (Isaiah 7) Annunciation: Ahaz is tempted by the Lord to ask for a sign but he will not. The Lord gives it anyways: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel.

 

Thursday: (Genesis 17) The Lord said to Abraham: You are to become the father of a host of nations. You will become fertile; kings will stem from you.   

 

Friday: (Jeremiah 20) Terror on every side. Let us denounce him. The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.

 

Saturday: (Ezekiel 37) My dwelling shall be with my people. I will be their God and they shall be my people.   

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 8) A woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus for a verdict, but he does not answer as he calls upon those who are without sin to cast the first stone. 

 

Tuesday: (John 8) Jesus tells the Pharisees that they will lift up the Son of Man and will then realized that I AM. 

 

Wednesday: (Luke 1) Gabriel was sent to Mary of Nazareth to inform her that she has been chosen by the Lord to bear a son who will be called holy, the Son of God.

 

Thursday: (John 8) Whoever keeps my words will never see death. Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.

 

Friday: (John 10) The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus, but he wanted to know for which of the works he was condemned. He went back across the Jordan and remained there.

 

Saturday: (John 11) Many came to believe in Jesus. Caiaphas asked, “do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people?”

 

Saints of the Week

 

No saints are remembered on the calendar during this week.

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• March 26, 1553: Ignatius of Loyola's letter on obedience was sent to the Jesuits of Portugal. 
• March 27, 1587: At Messina died Fr. Thomas Evans, an Englishman at 29. He had suffered imprisonment for his defense of the Catholic faith in England. 
• March 28, 1606: At the Guildhall, London, the trial of Fr. Henry Garnet, falsely accused of complicity in the Gunpowder Plot. 
• March 29, 1523: Ignatius' first visit to Rome on his way from Manresa to Palestine. 
• March 30, 1545: At Meliapore, Francis Xavier came on pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. 
• 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.

Vida en Abundancia: El Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma

                                                    Vida en Abundancia:

El Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma

26 de marzo de 2023

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Ezequiel 37:12-14; Salmo 130; Romanos 8:8-11; Juan 11:1-45

 

          Jesús llama a su amigo Lázaro fuera de la tumba, y porque Dios es un Dios creador, cuando los cristianos hablamos de muerte, hablamos de vida. La historia de Jesús no termina en la muerte; La historia de Dios es acerca de la continuación de la vida. La muerte de Lázaro no fue para terminar en tristeza, sino para revelar la gloria de Dios. Por la extraordinaria gracia de Dios, Jesús llama a los muertos a la vida, y la vida se da en abundancia.

 

          Siguiendo esta historia, sabemos que muchos judíos vinieron a ver a Lázaro y llegaron a creer en Jesús. Te puedes imaginar las preguntas que tenían con Lázaro. ¿Cómo fue la muerte? ¿Qué experimentaste cuando moriste? ¿Hay un cielo? ¿A qué se parece? ¿Es un lugar? ¿Qué le sucede a nuestro cuerpo después de la muerte? ¿Conociste a Dios? Y, ahora estás de vuelta a la vida. ¿Qué vas a hacer diferente ahora que tienes una nueva perspectiva y visión del mundo?

 

          Puedes imaginarte los primeros momentos de Lázaro cuando fue llamado de nuevo a la vida. A medida que la tela se desenrollaba alrededor de su cuerpo, la holgura que sentía de esa tela en su piel y el aire que tocaba el vello de su brazo. Cuando su nariz estuvo descubierta y pudo jadear por aire una vez más, y ver de nuevo cuando sus ojos se reenfocaron. Todos sus sentidos probablemente se agudizaron cuando pudo escuchar la voz de Jesús, sus hermanas y la multitud mientras estaban cerca con dolor y asombro. Sal, escuchó, mientras se le daba vida una vez más. Apuesto a que estaba mareado. Apuesto a que quería usar todos los sentidos que tenía para abrazar la vida que se le había dado una vez más.

 

          Nosotros también somos llamados por Jesús con las mismas palabras: “Salid. Vive en abundancia y utilízala bien”. La vida es demasiado corta para desperdiciarla, y no tenemos tiempo que perder. Es mejor que reflexionemos sobre nuestros valores más significativos y luego orientemos nuestras vidas en torno a ellos. Con Dios como nuestra fuente creativa y dadora de vida, podemos celebrar la bondad que nos rodea y profundizar en nuestros dones para usarlos para traernos, no solo felicidad, sino alegría porque la alegría es la prueba de que confiamos en la Resurrección. . Podemos ser como Lázaro, que puede oír, ver, saborear, oler y sentir de nuevo. Podemos sentirnos mareados porque nos despertamos cada mañana y nos damos cuenta de que estamos rodeados de personas amorosas que se preocupan profundamente por nuestro bienestar . Podemos reírnos de las gracias y bendiciones que nos rodean y dar a la vida un significado y un alivio más profundos. La presencia de la muerte nos hace apreciar la vida, y cuando somos honestos con nosotros mismos, la muerte siempre está presente y sabemos que la vida es preciosa y precaria.

 

          También sabemos que tenemos un Dios que ama la vida y crea vida de la nada. Tenemos que escuchar el llamado de Dios que susurra: “Sal. Vivir de nuevo. Vive plenamente este tiempo. Tengo su espalda. Juntos, podemos crear lo que es vibrante y pleno. Vive en mi abundancia. Y juntos, nos reiremos.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

 

Primera lectura: 

Lunes: (Daniel 13) Las agudas habilidades de defensa de Daniel salvan la vida de Susannah, quien ha sido acusada injustamente de relaciones sexuales inmorales.

 

Martes: (Números 21) Mientras los israelitas errantes pasaban por el desierto cerca del Mar Rojo, muchos son mordidos por serpientes serafín, pero Moisés erigió una serpiente de bronce que levantó para que los mordidos miraran la imagen y se curaran .

 

Miércoles: (Isaías 7) Anunciación: Acaz es tentado por el Señor para pedir una señal pero no lo hace. El Señor lo da de todos modos: la virgen concebirá y dará a luz un hijo llamado Emanuel.

 

Jueves: (Génesis 17) El Señor le dijo a Abraham: Serás padre de una multitud de naciones. Te volverás fértil; reyes brotarán de ti.

 

Viernes: (Jeremías 20) Terror por todos lados. Denunciémoslo. El Señor está conmigo como un poderoso campeón.

 

Sábado: (Ezequiel 37) Mi morada estará con mi pueblo. Yo seré su Dios y ellos serán mi pueblo.

 

Evangelio:

Lunes: (Juan 8) Una mujer sorprendida en adulterio es traída a Jesús para un veredicto, pero él no responde y llama a los que están libres de pecado a que tiren la primera piedra.

 

Martes: (Juan 8) Jesús les dice a los fariseos que levantarán al Hijo del Hombre y entonces se darán cuenta de que YO SOY.

 

Miércoles: (Lucas 1) Gabriel fue enviado a María de Nazaret para informarle que ella ha sido escogida por el Señor para dar a luz un hijo que será llamado santo, el Hijo de Dios.

 

Jueves: (Juan 8) El que guarda mis palabras, nunca verá muerte. Abraham se regocijó al ver mi día; él lo vio y se alegró.

 

Viernes: (Juan 10) Los judíos tomaron rocas para apedrear a Jesús, pero él quería saber por cuál de las obras estaba condenado. Volvió a cruzar el Jordán y se quedó allí.

 

Sábado: (Juan 11) Muchos llegaron a creer en Jesús. Caifás preguntó: “¿Consideras que es mejor para ti que muera un hombre en lugar del pueblo?”

 

santos de la semana

 

No se recuerdan santos en el calendario durante esta semana.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 26 de marzo de 1553: Se envía a los jesuitas de Portugal la carta de Ignacio de Loyola sobre la obediencia.
• 27 de marzo de 1587: En Messina muere el P. Thomas Evans, inglés a los 29 años. Había sufrido prisión por su defensa de la fe católica en Inglaterra.
• 28 de marzo de 1606: en Guildhall, Londres, el juicio del p. Henry Garnet, acusado falsamente de complicidad en el complot de la pólvora.
• 29 de marzo de 1523: Primera visita de Ignacio a Roma en su camino de Manresa a Palestina.
• 30 de marzo de 1545: En Meliapore , Francisco Javier va en peregrinación a la tumba de Santo Tomás Apóstol.
• 31 de marzo de 1548: P. Antonio Corduba , rector del Colegio de Salamanca, rogó a Ignacio que lo 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.