Photo: The Death

 

Poem: “Gethsemane” By: Mary Oliver

 The grass never sleeps.

Or the roses.

Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.

 

Jesus said, wait with me. But the Disciples slept.

 

The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet, 

and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body, 

and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.

 

Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, 

maybe the wind wound itself 

into a silver tree, and didn’t move, maybe 

the lake far away, where once he walked as on a 

blue pavement, 

lay still and waited, wild awake.

 

Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not

keep that vigil, how they must have wept, 

so utterly human, knowing this too 

must be part of the story.

Photo: Behold the Man

 

Poem: “As I Have Done For You” By: Dan Schutte

I, your Lord and Master, 

now become your servant. 

I who made the moon and stars 

will kneel to wash your feet. 

This is my commandment: 

to love as I have loved you. 

Kneel to wash each other’s feet 

as I have done for you.

 

All the world will know that 

you are My disciples 

by the love that you offer, 

the kindness you show. 

You have heard the voice of God 

in the words that I have spoken. 

You beheld Heaven’s glory 

and have seen the face of God. 

The Resurrection: Easter Sunday 2025

                                                      The Resurrection:

Easter Sunday 2025 

April 20, 2025

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Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

 

Easter morning always starts in the tomb where the body of Jesus lay. We note the stillness. The silence. The darkness as the reality of death settles in. The sun has not yet risen, the dew covers the ground. The women sleep deeply because of their grief. They will soon rise to anoint the body that has been laid to rest three days ago. Within the grave, a place of darkness now meets the darkness of the morning. Daylight faintly appears. There is slight movement. 

 

There is a rise of consciousness. A wince of pain. The body of Jesus begins to move. He tries to rise, but it weighed down because of the lashes on his back because of the scourging. He tries again, by placing his weight on his hands, and realizes that his hands have been tied to the cross. He struggles to sit up and learns to breathe again. He composes himself and pushes himself to the ground, and he stumbles forward. His feet cannot support his body because they are unstable. He slowly supports himself and brings a foot forward. He is groggy as his eyes struggle to see clearly. He takes a deeper breath and sees the approaching daylight and sets his eyes on the exterior of the tomb. His steps are awkward, and he moves gingerly. He learns to walk again on feet that have been destroyed.

 

Finally, he makes it to the outside of the tomb, the daylight appears, and he stops for a deeper breath. He stands upon the earth and realizes he is alive again. The one who was handed over by his own people and killed is now alive. He realizes that he has found favor with God and that God wants him to continue his mission of bringing a people to righteousness. He stands outside the tomb and knows he something dramatically has shifted. He leaves the tomb, walks through the garden, and must go into the city center of Jerusalem. He knows that it is still morning, and most people are asleep, but he goes to find a solitary woman who has been sitting in her courtyard filled with grief. She has been unable to sleep, and he enters the garden area, sees the woman lift her head as she notices the movement, and he says, “Mom. I’m here.”

 

Mary’s life was changed by the experience of her son. Mary of Magdala and the Disciples were changed by the reality that their friend returned to them and visibly appeared before them. The empty tomb was enough for them to realize that something earth-shaking happened and that Jesus had been raised from the dead. The Resurrection is not an idea. It is not an event. It is a personal experience of meeting the Risen Jesus and being offered his consolation. Equally remarkable is that Jesus did not return from the dead seeking vengeance or justice. He offered forgiveness, a new way, second, new chances. He carries with him the wounds we and humanity have done to him, and he bears that pain and suffering. They are constant reminders of the potential of the human heart. They are reminders to us that when we see pain and suffering in the world, we are beholding the wounds of Jesus. He offers us to look into those wounds and to find the Risen One.

 

Forgiveness and a new way. His death gives us life. His experience of death shows us that love is stronger than death and that the love is the only way forward for a believer. No more do we have to live in human justice. God’s justice is the new way forward where we can console each other in our woundedness, where he can know that our love for each other is worth it, where this love gives us hope, and we can be assured that we are close to God’s heart. All that we have done has been forgiven and we are allowed to be close to God once again. Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead and appeared to his mom, then to Mary Magdalene and Peter, James, John, and the Beloved Disciple. He came back for them and called them into deeper friendship. That’s not the end of the story: He came back for you. Today, he appears in your life, holding out his wounded hands, and he says, “Friend. I’m here.”

 

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 celebrated with the Octave of Easter

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• April 20, 1864. Father Peter de Smet left St Louis to evangelize the Sioux Indians. 
• April 21, 1926. Fr. General Ledochowski sent out a letter De Usu Machinae Photographicae. It stated that cameras should belong to the house, not the individual. Further, they should not be used for recreation or time spent on trifles rather than for the greater glory of God. 
• April 22, 1541. Ignatius and his first companions made their solemn profession of vows in the basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls. 
• April 23, 1644. A General Chapter of the Benedictines condemned the calumny that St Ignatius was not the real author of the Spiritual Exercises. A monk had earlier claimed that the content was borrowed from a work by Garzia Cisneros. 
• April 24, 1589. At Bordeaux, the Society was ordered to leave the city. It had been falsely accused of favoring the faction that was opposed to King Henry III. 
• April 25, 1915. Pierre Rousselot, Professor at the Institute Catholique in Paris, is wounded and taken prisoner during World War I. 
• April 26, 1935. Lumen Vitae, center for catechetics and religious formation was founded in Brussels. 

 

La Resurrección: Domingo de Pascua de 2025

La Resurrección:

Domingo de Pascua de 2025

20 de abril de 2025

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Hechos 10:34-43; Salmo 118; Colosenses 3:1-4; Juan 20:1-9

 

La mañana de Pascua siempre comienza en el sepulcro donde yacía el cuerpo de Jesús. Notamos la quietud. El silencio. La oscuridad mientras la realidad de la muerte se instala. El sol aún no ha salido, el rocío cubre la tierra. Las mujeres duermen profundamente a causa de su dolor. Pronto se levantarán para ungir el cuerpo que fue enterrado hace tres días. Dentro del sepulcro, un lugar de oscuridad se une a la oscuridad de la mañana. La luz del día aparece tenuemente. Hay un ligero movimiento.

 

Hay un despertar de la conciencia. Un estremecimiento de dolor. El cuerpo de Jesús comienza a moverse. Intenta levantarse, pero pesa sobre su espalda debido a los latigazos de la flagelación. Lo intenta de nuevo, apoyando su peso en las manos, y se da cuenta de que sus manos han sido atadas a la cruz. Lucha por incorporarse y aprende a respirar de nuevo. Se recompone, se impulsa al suelo y se tambalea hacia adelante. Sus pies no pueden sostener su cuerpo porque están inestables. Lentamente se sostiene y adelanta un pie. Está aturdido mientras sus ojos luchan por ver con claridad. Respira hondo y ve la luz del día acercarse y fija su mirada en el exterior de la tumba. Sus pasos son torpes y se mueve con cautela. Aprende a caminar de nuevo con los pies destrozados.

 

Finalmente, llega al exterior de la tumba, aparece la luz del día y se detiene para respirar profundamente. Se para en el suelo y se da cuenta de que ha vuelto a la vida. El que fue entregado por su propio pueblo y asesinado ahora está vivo. Comprende que ha hallado favor ante Dios y que Dios quiere que continúe su misión de llevar a un pueblo a la justicia. Se para fuera de la tumba y sabe que algo ha cambiado drásticamente. Sale de la tumba, camina por el jardín y debe ir al centro de la ciudad de Jerusalén. Sabe que todavía es de mañana y que la mayoría de la gente duerme, pero va a buscar a una mujer solitaria que ha estado sentada en su patio llena de dolor. Ella no ha podido dormir, y él entra en el jardín, ve a la mujer levantar la cabeza al notar el movimiento, y dice: "Mamá. Estoy aquí".

 

La vida de María cambió gracias a la experiencia de su hijo. María Magdalena y sus discípulos se transformaron al ver que su amigo regresó y se les apareció visiblemente. La tumba vacía les bastó para comprender que algo trascendental había sucedido y que Jesús había resucitado. La Resurrección no es una idea. No es un acontecimiento. Es una experiencia personal de encontrar a Jesús Resucitado y recibir su consuelo. Igualmente notable es que Jesús no regresó de entre los muertos buscando venganza ni justicia. Ofreció perdón, un nuevo camino, una segunda oportunidad, nuevas oportunidades. Lleva consigo las heridas que nosotros y la humanidad le hemos infligido, y soporta ese dolor y sufrimiento. Son recordatorios constantes del potencial del corazón humano. Nos recuerdan que cuando vemos dolor y sufrimiento en el mundo, estamos contemplando las heridas de Jesús. Él nos invita a mirar esas heridas y a encontrar al Resucitado.

 

Perdón y un nuevo camino. Su muerte nos da vida. Su experiencia de muerte nos muestra que el amor es más fuerte que la muerte y que el amor es el único camino a seguir para un creyente. Ya no tenemos que vivir en la justicia humana. La justicia de Dios es el nuevo camino a seguir donde podemos consolarnos mutuamente en nuestras heridas, donde él puede saber que nuestro amor mutuo vale la pena, donde este amor nos da esperanza y podemos estar seguros de que estamos cerca del corazón de Dios. Todo lo que hemos hecho ha sido perdonado y se nos permite estar cerca de Dios una vez más. Jesús de Nazaret resucitó de entre los muertos y se apareció a su madre, luego a María Magdalena, a Pedro, a Santiago, a Juan y al Discípulo Amado. Regresó por ellos y los invitó a una amistad más profunda. Ese no es el final de la historia: regresó por ti. Hoy, se aparece en tu vida, extendiendo sus manos heridas y diciendo: "Amigo. Estoy aquí".

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes: (Hechos 2) Pedro se pone de pie en Pentecostés para proclamar a los judíos en Jerusalén que Jesús de Nazaret, a quien ellos condenaron a muerte, ha sido vindicado por Dios y resucitado a una nueva vida.

 

Martes: (Hechos 2) Cuando los judíos se dan cuenta de la importancia de sus acciones, 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 sanación 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 detienen. Las autoridades religiosas cuestionan su poder de enseñanza y sanación. El Sanedrín los despidió con instrucciones de no hablar ni enseñar en absoluto 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 proviene 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 sumos sacerdotes contratan soldados para que digan: «Los discípulos vinieron y robaron el cuerpo de Jesús».

 

Martes: (Juan 20) Magdalena llora fuera del sepulcro y piensa que Jesús es el jardinero, hasta que Él 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 aparece ante ellos, les pide que no tengan miedo y come con ellos.

 

Viernes (Juan 21) Seis discípulos están con Pedro pescando en el Mar de Tiberio. Tras una noche de pesca frustrante, Jesús les ordena que lancen sus redes y pescan 153 peces grandes. El discípulo amado reconoce al hombre en la playa como el Señor y corre a su encuentro.

 

Sábado (Marcos 16) Jesús se aparece a María Magdalena, quien les contó a los Once sobre él. Otros dos discípulos regresaron en el camino para contarles su encuentro, y luego Jesús se les aparece mientras estaban a la mesa.

 

Santos de la Semana

 

No se celebra ningún santo con la Octava de Pascua

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 20 de abril de 1864. El padre Peter de Smet dejó San Luis para evangelizar a los indios sioux.
• 21 de abril de 1926. P. El general Ledochowski envió una carta a De Usu Máquinas Photographicae . Declaraba que las cámaras debían pertenecer al hogar, no al individuo. Además, no debían usarse para la recreación ni para dedicarse a nimiedades, sino para la mayor gloria de Dios.
• 22 de abril de 1541. Ignacio y sus primeros compañeros hicieron su profesión solemne de votos en la basílica de San Pablo Extramuros.
• 23 de abril de 1644. Un Capítulo General de los Benedictinos condenó la calumnia de que San Ignacio no era el verdadero autor de los Ejercicios Espirituales. Un monje había afirmado anteriormente que el contenido estaba tomado de una obra de Garzia Cisneros.
• abril de 1589. En Burdeos, se ordenó a la Sociedad abandonar la ciudad. Se la había acusado falsamente de favorecer a la facción opositora al rey Enrique III.
• 25 de abril de 1915. Pierre Rousselot, profesor del Instituto Católico de París, es herido y hecho prisionero durante la Primera Guerra Mundial.
• 26 de abril de 1935. Se funda en Bruselas Lumen Vitae , centro de catequesis y formación religiosa.

  

Photo: Behold the Wood

 

Photo: Holding Vigil

 

Spirituality: St. Andrew of Crete, Syrian, 650-750

It is ourselves that we must spread under Christ’s feet, not coats or lifeless branches or shoots of trees, matter which wastes away and delight the eye only for a few brief hours. But we have clothed ourselves with God’s grace, with the whole Christ – “for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” – so let us spread ourselves like coats under his feet. 

Photo: Behold the Man

 

Poem: Denise Levertov, “Salvator Mundi: Via Crucis”

 Maybe He looked indeed

much as Rembrandt envisioned Him
in those small heads that seem in fact
portraits of more than a model.
A dark, still young, very intelligent face,
A soul-mirror gaze of deep understanding, unjudging.
That face, in extremis, would have clenched its teeth
In a grimace not shown in even the great crucifixions.
The burden of humanness (I begin to see) exacted from Him
That He taste also the humiliation of dread,
cold sweat of wanting to let the whole thing go,
like any mortal hero out of his depth,
like anyone who has taken herself back.
The painters, even the greatest, don’t show how,
in the midnight Garden,
or staggering uphill under the weight of the Cross,
He went through with even the human longing
to simply cease, to not be.
Not torture of body,
not the hideous betrayals humans commit
nor the faithless weakness of friends, and surely
not the anticipation of death (not then, in agony’s grip)
was Incarnation’s heaviest weight,
but this sickened desire to renege,
to step back from what He, Who was God,
had promised Himself, and had entered
time and flesh to enact.
Sublime acceptance, to be absolute, had to have welled
up from those depths where purpose
Drifted for mortal moments.

Poem: “Despised and Rejected” by Christina Rossetti

 My sun has set, I dwell

In darkness as a dead man out of sight;

And none remains, not one, that I should tell

To him mine evil plight

This bitter night.

I will make fast my door 

That hollow friends may trouble me no more.

 

“Friend, open to Me.” – Who is this that calls?

Nay, I am deaf as are my walls:

Cease crying, for I will not hear

Thy cry of hope or fear.

Others were dear,

Others forsook me: what art thou indeed

That I should heed

Thy lamentable need?

Hungry should feed,

Or stranger lodge thee here?

“Friend, my feet bleed.

Open thy door to Me and comfort Me.”

I will not open, trouble me no more.

Go on thy way footsore,

I will not rise and open unto thee.

 

“Then it is nothing to thee? Open, see

Who stands to plead with thee,

Open, lest I should pass thee by, and thou

One day entreat My face

And howl for grace,

And I be deaf as thou art now.

Open to me.”

 

Then I cried out upon him: Cease,

Leave me in peace:

Fear not that I should crave

Aught thou mayest have.

Leave me in peace, yea trouble me no more,

Lest I arise and chase thee from my door.

What, shall I not let

Alone, that thou dost vex me yet?

 

But all night long that voice spake urgently”

“Open to me.” 

Still harping in mine ears:

“Rise, let Me in.”

Pleading with tears:

Open to me that I may come to thee.”

While the dew dropped, while the hours were cold:

“My feet bleed, see My face,

See my hands bleed that bring thee grace,

My heart doth bleed for thee,

Open to me.”

 

So till the break of day:

Then died away 

That voice, in silence as of sorrow;

Then footsteps echoing like a sigh

Passed me by,

Lingering footsteps slow to pass.

On the morrow

I saw upon the grass

Each footprint marked in blood, and on my door

The mark of blood for evermore.

Photo: Spring Flowers

 

Poem: Mary Oliver, "Nothing Is Too Small Not to Be Wondered About"

The cricket doesn't wonder
if there's a heaven
or, if there is, if there's room for him.

It's fall. Romance is over. Still, he sings.
If he can, he enters a house
through the tiniest crack under the door.
Then the house grows colder.

He sings slower and slower.
Then, nothing.

This must mean something, I don't know what.
But certainly it doesn't mean
he hasn't been an excellent cricket
all his life.

A Decision Day: Palm Sunday 2025

A Decision Day:

Palm Sunday 2025 

April 13, 2025

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Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56

 

A fast-moving whirl of events are set in motion during today’s Scripture. The First Gospel sets up the ultimate clash between Jesus and the religious authorities. After preaching, healing, and creating a new community based on the law of God, Jesus sets his eyes on the prize – Jerusalem, the heavenly city of peace. During his ministry, the religious authorities sent Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees to question and test Jesus to find the origins of his wisdom and power. Jesus taught a new way directed by God, and now he faced the Temple to force Israel to decide its fate: Would it accept God’s values and teachings as Jesus showed by example, or would it hold fast to long-standing custom and doctrine? This is the clash set up by Jesus as he enters the Temple. The crowds who travelled with him triumphantly waved palms in celebration, but perhaps not fully recognizing the prophetic action he was to undertake. Jesus was calling all Israel to make a fundamental choice – to choose God’s amended ways or to reject all that Jesus did.

 

We heard Luke’s version of the Last Supper, Betrayal and Passion, and ultimately the death of Jesus. The readings are told as if we do not know the end of the story. We are to fully grasp that Jesus died, and we are intended to grieve with the church. Jesus experiences the brutality and violence that the human heart, religious ideology, and power can do to a good person. When violence and power become friends, the human heart can become vicious and act without reasonableness. Even Pontius Pilate was perplexed at the voracity of hate. Pilate did not find Jesus guilty, but Jesus did not meet violence with more violence or revenge. He stayed faithful to the commandments and principles of God’s rule. Not only that, he realized what the human heart could do, and in the face of it, he continued to teach us that forgiveness is more powerful than hatred and violence.

 

Jesus stood upon what Scripture taught. Isaiah informed him “the Lord is his help

and will stand by him, even in times of shame, and Psalm 22 provides the cry of Jesus, “Why have you forsaken me?” All Israel, the elders, the chief priests, the scribes, and the people, stood against him. His disciples scatter as well. Jesus goes to his death without God answering him or comforting him. He hands over his spirit to God in trust that God hears him. God does not respond. Jesus trusts that God is still there for him. Jesus and his friends celebrated at the Passover Meal, the feast of God’s great abiding presence to the Israelites. Surely, God continues to abide by Jesus, but he dies without hearing those comforting words. Because Jesus remained obedient to God, even to death, he was able to connect us better to God. He showed us the way of non-violence and hatred. He showed us fidelity to God above all other forces in the world was the way to salvation. This is our decision day too. Are we going to reject or choose the way of Christ against the forces of the world? We have already chosen, and we must choose it anew each day. Now we have the great task of building a community of non-violence, empathy, and compassion. 

 

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." 

 

Saints of the Week

 

April 13: Martin I, pope, (6^th century – 655), an Umbrian was elected pope during the Byzantine papacy. One of his earliest acts was to convene the Lateran Council that dealt with the heretical Monothelitism.  Martin was abducted by Emperor Constans II and died in the Crimean peninsula. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• April 13, 1541. Ignatius was elected general in a second election, after having declined the results of the first election several days earlier. 
• April 14, 1618. The father of John Berchmans is ordained a priest. John himself was still a Novice. 
• April 15, 1610. The death of Fr. Robert Parsons, the most active and indefatigable of all the leaders of the English Catholics during the reign of Elizabeth I. 
• April 16, 1767. Pope Clement XIII wrote to Charles III of Spain imploring him to cancel the decree of expulsion of the Society from Spain, issued on Aprilil 2nd. The Pope's letter nobly defends the innocence of the Society. 
• April 17, 1540. The arrival in Lisbon of St Francis Xavier and Fr. Simon Rodriguez. Both were destined for India, but the King retained the latter in Portugal. 
• April 18, 1906. At Rome, the death of Rev Fr. Luis Martin, twenty-fourth General of the Society. Pope Pius X spoke of him as a saint, a martyr, a man of extraordinary ability and prudence. 

April 19, 1602. At Tyburn, Ven. James Ducket, a layman, suffered death for publishing a work written by Robert Southwell. 

Un día de decisión: Domingo de Ramos 2025

                                                           Un día de decisión:

Domingo de Ramos 2025

13 de abril de 2025

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Isaías 50:4-7; Salmo 22; Filipenses 2:6-11; Lucas 22:14-23:56

 

Un torbellino de acontecimientos se desencadena durante la Escritura de hoy. El Primer Evangelio plantea el enfrentamiento definitivo entre Jesús y las autoridades religiosas. Tras predicar, sanar y crear una nueva comunidad basada en la ley de Dios, Jesús pone la mira en el premio: Jerusalén, la ciudad celestial de paz. Durante su ministerio, las autoridades religiosas enviaron escribas, fariseos y saduceos para interrogar y poner a prueba a Jesús y descubrir el origen de su sabiduría y poder. Jesús enseñó un nuevo camino dirigido por Dios, y ahora se enfrentaba al Templo para obligar a Israel a decidir su destino: ¿Aceptaría los valores y las enseñanzas de Dios, como Jesús mostró con su ejemplo, o se aferraría a las costumbres y doctrinas arraigadas? Este es el enfrentamiento que Jesús desencadenó al entrar en el Templo. La multitud que lo acompañaba ondeaba palmas triunfalmente en celebración, pero quizá sin reconocer plenamente la acción profética que iba a emprender. Jesús llamaba a todo Israel a tomar una decisión fundamental: elegir los caminos enmendados de Dios o rechazar todo lo que Jesús hizo.

 

Escuchamos la versión de Lucas de la Última Cena, la Traición y la Pasión, y finalmente la muerte de Jesús. Las lecturas se narran como si desconociéramos el final de la historia. Debemos comprender plenamente que Jesús murió y debemos acompañar a la iglesia en su duelo. Jesús experimenta la brutalidad y la violencia que el corazón humano, la ideología religiosa y el poder pueden infligir a una buena persona. Cuando la violencia y el poder se alían, el corazón humano puede volverse cruel y actuar sin razonar. Incluso Poncio Pilato se sintió perplejo ante la voracidad del odio. Pilato no declaró culpable a Jesús, pero Jesús no respondió a la violencia con más violencia ni venganza. Se mantuvo fiel a los mandamientos y principios del gobierno de Dios. No solo eso, sino que comprendió lo que el corazón humano podía hacer y, ante ello, continuó enseñándonos que el perdón es más poderoso que el odio y la violencia.

 

Jesús se mantuvo firme en lo que enseñaban las Escrituras. Isaías le informó: «El Señor es su ayuda».

y estará a su lado, incluso en tiempos de vergüenza, y el Salmo 22 ofrece el grito de Jesús: "¿Por qué me has abandonado?" Todo Israel, los ancianos, los principales sacerdotes, los escribas y el pueblo, se levantaron contra él. Sus discípulos también se dispersan. Jesús va a su muerte sin que Dios le responda ni lo consuele. Entrega su espíritu a Dios confiando en que Dios lo escucha. Dios no responde. Jesús confía en que Dios todavía está allí para él. Jesús y sus amigos celebraron la Cena de Pascua, la fiesta de la gran presencia permanente de Dios para los israelitas. Seguramente, Dios continúa morando junto a Jesús, pero muere sin escuchar esas palabras de consuelo. Porque Jesús permaneció obediente a Dios, incluso hasta la muerte, pudo conectarnos mejor con Dios. Nos mostró el camino de la no violencia y el odio. Nos mostró que la fidelidad a Dios por encima de todas las demás fuerzas en el mundo era el camino a la salvación. Este es también nuestro día de decisión. ¿Rechazaremos o elegiremos el camino de Cristo contra las fuerzas del mundo? Ya lo hemos elegido, y debemos elegirlo de nuevo cada día. Ahora tenemos la gran tarea de construir una comunidad de no violencia, empatía y compasión.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes de Semana Santa : Escuchamos de Isaías 42 en el Primer Oráculo del Siervo del Señor en el que el siervo 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 del Siervo del Señor (Isaías 49), clama que te haré luz de las naciones, para que mi salvación llegue a los confines de la tierra. Con profundo dolor, angustia y pena, 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 del Siervo del Señor (Isaías 50), el siervo sufriente no se aparta del ridículo y la tortura de sus perseguidores y torturadores. Ha llegado el momento. 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 haber acordado entregarlo a los principales sacerdotes por treinta monedas 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 celebrar una misa vespertina y dejamos que nuestras campanas repican libremente durante el Gloria, que ha estado ausente durante toda la Cuaresma. En el Éxodo, escuchamos las leyes y costumbres sobre la cena de 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 venga. En el Evangelio de Juan, Jesús nos ama hasta el extremo, dándonos 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 Vía Crucis. 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, por lo tanto, 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, bautismos ni confirmaciones antes de la Vigilia para honrar al Señor, quien fue sepultado en el sepulcro. Las lecturas del Antiguo Testamento señalan la visión de Dios sobre el mundo y la liberación del pueblo del pecado y la muerte. Toda la Escritura señala la venida del Justo que traerá la salvación a todos. El Antiguo Testamento se disfruta durante la Vigilia de la Palabra, ya que se nos relata la historia de la salvación de Dios. La epístola a los Romanos del Nuevo Testamento nos dice que Cristo, quien resucitó de entre los muertos, ya no muere. El Evangelio de Mateo muestra a María Magdalena y a la otra María llegando al sepulcro al amanecer, solo para encontrarlo vacío. Tras un gran terremoto que hizo temblar a los guardias, aparece un ángel que les dice a las mujeres: «No tengan miedo». El ángel les ordena que vayan a los Doce para decirles: «Jesús ha resucitado de entre los muertos y va delante de ustedes a Galilea».

 

Santos de la Semana

 

13 de abril: Martín I, papa (siglo VI ^- 655), umbro, fue elegido papa durante el papado bizantino. Uno de sus primeros actos fue convocar el Concilio de Letrán, que abordó el monotelismo herético. Martín fue raptado por el emperador Constante II y murió en la península de Crimea .

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 13 de abril de 1541. Ignacio fue elegido general en una segunda elección, después de haber rechazado los resultados de la primera elección varios días antes.
• 14 de abril de 1618. El padre de John Berchmans es ordenado sacerdote. John mismo era aún novicio.
• 15 de abril de 1610. Muere el padre Robert Parsons, el más activo e infatigable de todos los líderes de los católicos ingleses durante el reinado de Isabel I.
• 16 de abril de 1767. El Papa Clemente XIII escribió a Carlos III de España implorándole que anulara el decreto de expulsión de la Compañía de España, emitido el 2 de abril . La carta del Papa defiende noblemente la inocencia de la Compañía.
• 17 de abril de 1540. Llegada a Lisboa de San Francisco Javier y el Padre Simón Rodríguez. Ambos se dirigían a la India, pero el Rey retuvo a este último en Portugal.
• 18 de abril de 1906. Falleció en Roma el Rev. P. Luis Martín, vigésimo cuarto General de la Compañía. El Papa Pío X lo describió como un santo, un mártir, un hombre de extraordinaria capacidad y prudencia.

19 de abril de 1602. En Tyburn , el venerable James Ducket, un laico, sufrió la muerte por publicar una obra escrita por Robert Southwell.