Poem: “The Prodigal Girl” by Unknown

Great poets have sung of the beauties of home, 

its comfort, its love and its joys; 

how back to the place of its sheltering dome 

I welcome the prodigal boy. 

They picture his father with pardoning smile 

and glittering robes to unfurl; 

but none of the poets thought it worthwhile 

to sing of the prodigal girl. 

The prodigal son can resume his old place 

as leader of fashion’s mad whirl, 

with never a hint of his former disgrace

– not so for the prodigal girl! 

The girl may come back to the home she had left, 

but nothing is ever the same: 

the shadow still lingers o’er the dear ones bereft, 

society scoffs at her name. 

Perhaps that is why when the prodigal girl 

gets lost on life’s devious track, 

she thinks of the lips that will scornfully curl, 

and hasn’t the heart to come back. 

Yes, welcome the prodigal son to his place, 

kill the calf, fill the free-flowing bowl; 

but shut not the door on his frail sister’s face; 

remember, she too has a soul.

Photo: The Water Guardians

 

Spirituality: Gerhard Lohfink, God does not stop reaching out to you

On the basis of the New Testament, one thing is certain: if someone is unwilling, God does not leave it there. It is with God, as with the shepherd who goes after a wandering sheep. God seeks reconciliation with the unwilling, as did a person who went to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice.

Hell is not something God impose on people. Hell can only be something that God does not want, in any case and under any circumstances. Then hell would be something a human being chooses for oneself.

If one fundamental option is directed immediately towards God, everything is simple and clear. The human person, and death, stands finally before the one whose face she, or he has always desired to see.

These people make a fundamental decision, perhaps for goodness, truth, justice, humanity. They have shot the truth in various ways, and they now stand before the absolute truth, who has a face. They have desired the good, and now in death, they behold what they have longed for as goodness and the one God, the absolute good. They have battled for a just society, and now they understand that in doing so they have reached out exactly for what is the will of God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They have worked for Peace, and now they stand before the God of Jesus Christ, who desires nothing other than a people who bring peace and reconciliation to the world.

Is This All There Is? page 169

Self-conviction is wisdom: The Fifth Sunday of Lent 2025

                                              Self-conviction is wisdom:

The Fifth Sunday of Lent 2025 

April 6, 2025

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Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11

 

This Gospel passage is beloved because of the forgiving wisdom of Jesus, who gently calls out hypocrisy in those who hold condemning judgments. What is remarkable is that those very willing to condemn others convict themselves when they are given a chance to reflect upon their own principles. Pope Francis identified with this passage when people were looking for him to authoritative make a pronouncement on a moral issue and he replied, “Who am I to judge?” It is a great question. We must ponder why we are so certain that our thoughts and opinions are right. Wisdom teaches us that we do not own the truth, and as we acquire more wisdom, we are less certain we become. Wisdom brings about tolerance, understanding, compassion and empathy. 

 

We must examine the unfortunate situation of this woman. Jesus gazes upon her and sees her. He sees beyond what others see. This sacred gaze takes the distorted image that society has of her and restores her to her true identity. She can become who she was intended to be. For us, to see ourselves clearly, we must look away from ourselves and take off our masks. We must let Jesus gaze upon us and behold our goodness. Otherwise, we only see our false selves. 

 

Before encountering Jesus, this woman was known for her sin. Now, as you look at your own sin, God does not have you for it. God does not even focus upon your sin, so it is best that you let it go. The sin that someone else committed against you? God does not despise you for it. God does not focus upon your guilt and shame. Jesus calls you into a relationship and your job is to cultivate it. He wants to be in the relationship with you more than you can imagine. If you could see how God sees you, you would do everything to grow into that image. There’s still so much more to learn about God, and as you do so, your image of God will expand. That is what happens in this Gospel passage. Those who were in process of judging had to expand their notion of God. 

 

Our false selves are born when we fail to move out of the stage in which an infant believes he or she is at the center of the universe. A person can develop illusions of autonomy, self-sufficiency, or centrality, and we must recognize that illusions are simply not the truth. The self is wounded by society through many ways. Childhood formation is designed to help us live in friendship with others, and in our faith, our false self must die. This is what happens when Jesus calls us into friendship. We grow into the person we are intended to be. 

 

We judge and convict from our false selves, and that may serve as an indicator that we must pause to get more information. Self-conviction is a sign of wisdom. It may tell us that we have gone too far or acted too harshly, and all we have control over is how we choose and act. Jesus did not only gaze upon that woman; he gazed upon those who cast judgment, and they walked away because they knew they needed to grow in wisdom. We are all in a process of growing. Let’s help each other by being a little more tolerant and a little less certain. In fact, why don’t we learn to walk with each other and support one another in our journey of faith? That is a more sacred walk. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

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 celebrated this week.

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• 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. 
• April 9, 1615. The death of William Weston, minister to persecuted Catholics in England and later an author who wrote about his interior life during that period. 
• April 10, 1585. At Rome, the death of Pope Gregory XIII, founder of the Gregorian University and the German College, whose memory will ever be cherished as that of one of the Society's greatest benefactors. 
• April 11, 1573. Pope Gregory XIII suggested to the Fathers who were assembling for the Third General Congregation that it might be well for them to choose a General of some nationality other than Spanish. Later he expressed his satisfaction that they had elected Everard Mercurian, a Belgian. 
• April 12, 1671. Pope Clement X canonized Francis Borgia, the 3rd general of the Society.

La autoconvicción es sabiduría: Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma de 2025

                                              La autoconvicción es sabiduría:

Quinto Domingo de Cuaresma de 2025

6 de abril de 2025

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Isaías 43:16-21; Salmo 126; Filipenses 3:8-14; Juan 8:1-11

 

Este pasaje del Evangelio es apreciado por la sabiduría indulgente de Jesús, quien con dulzura denuncia la hipocresía de quienes emiten juicios condenatorios. Lo notable es que quienes están muy dispuestos a condenar a otros se condenan a sí mismos cuando se les da la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre sus propios principios. El Papa Francisco se identificó con este pasaje cuando la gente esperaba que se pronunciara con autoridad sobre un tema moral, y él respondió: "¿Quién soy yo para juzgar?". Es una gran pregunta. Debemos reflexionar sobre por qué estamos tan seguros de que nuestros pensamientos y opiniones son correctos. La sabiduría nos enseña que no somos dueños de la verdad, y a medida que adquirimos más sabiduría, nos volvemos menos seguros. La sabiduría genera tolerancia, comprensión, compasión y empatía.

 

Debemos examinar la lamentable situación de esta mujer. Jesús la contempla y la ve. Él ve más allá de lo que otros ven. Esta mirada sagrada transforma la imagen distorsionada que la sociedad tiene de ella y la restaura a su verdadera identidad . Ella puede convertirse en quien estaba destinada a ser. Para que podamos vernos con claridad, debemos apartar la mirada de nosotros mismos y quitarnos las máscaras. Debemos dejar que Jesús nos mire y contemple nuestra bondad. De lo contrario, solo vemos nuestro falso yo.

 

Antes de conocer a Jesús, esta mujer era conocida por su pecado. Ahora, al analizar tu propio pecado, Dios no te tiene en cuenta. Dios ni siquiera se fija en tu pecado, así que es mejor que lo dejes ir. ¿El pecado que alguien más cometió contra ti? Dios no te desprecia por ello. Dios no se fija en tu culpa ni en tu vergüenza. Jesús te llama a una relación y tu tarea es cultivarla. Él desea estar en esa relación contigo más de lo que imaginas. Si pudieras ver como Dios te ve, harías todo lo posible por crecer a esa imagen. Aún hay mucho más que aprender sobre Dios, y al hacerlo, tu imagen de Dios se ampliará. Eso es lo que sucede en este pasaje del Evangelio. Quienes estaban en proceso de juicio tuvieron que ampliar su noción de Dios.

 

Nuestro falso yo nace cuando no logramos superar la etapa en la que un bebé se cree el centro del universo. Una persona puede desarrollar ilusiones de autonomía, autosuficiencia o centralidad, y debemos reconocer que esas ilusiones simplemente no son la verdad. La sociedad hiere al yo de muchas maneras. La formación infantil está diseñada para ayudarnos a vivir en amistad con los demás, y en nuestra fe, nuestro falso yo debe morir. Esto es lo que sucede cuando Jesús nos llama a la amistad. Crecemos como la persona que estamos destinados a ser.

 

Juzgamos y condenamos desde nuestro falso yo , y eso puede servir como indicador de que debemos detenernos y obtener más información. La autoconvicción es señal de sabiduría. Puede indicarnos que hemos ido demasiado lejos o actuado con demasiada dureza, y que solo podemos controlar cómo elegimos y actuamos. Jesús no solo contempló a esa mujer; contempló a quienes emitieron juicios, y ellos se alejaron porque sabían que necesitaban crecer en sabiduría. Todos estamos en un proceso de crecimiento. Ayudémonos unos a otros siendo un poco más tolerantes y un poco menos seguros. De hecho, ¿por qué no aprendemos a caminar juntos y a apoyarnos mutuamente en nuestro camino de fe? Ese es un camino más sagrado.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes: (Daniel 13) Las agudas habilidades de defensa de Daniel salvan la vida de Susana, 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 fueron mordidos por serpientes serafines, pero Moisés erigió una serpiente de bronce que levantó para que los mordidos contemplaran la imagen y fueran curados.

 

Miércoles: (Isaías 7) Anunciación: Acaz es tentado por el Señor para pedirle una señal, pero no la concede. El Señor se la concede de todos modos: la virgen concebirá y dará a luz un hijo llamado Emmanuel.

 

Jueves: (Génesis 17) El Señor le dijo a Abraham: «Serás padre de muchísimas naciones. Serás fértil; de ti surgirán reyes».

 

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

 

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 llevada ante Jesús para un veredicto, pero él no responde mientras llama a los que están sin pecado a tirar 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 elegida por el Señor para dar a luz un hijo que será llamado santo, el Hijo de Dios.

 

Jueves: (Juan 8) El que guarda mi palabra no morirá jamás. Abraham se regocijó al ver mi día; lo vio y se alegró.

 

Viernes: (Juan 10) Los judíos tomaron piedras para apedrear a Jesús, pero él quería saber por cuál de las obras lo condenaban. Regresó al otro lado del Jordán y se quedó allí.

 

Sábado: (Juan 11) Muchos creyeron en Jesús. Caifás preguntó: "¿Consideran que es mejor para ustedes que muera un hombre en lugar del pueblo?"

 

Santos de la semana

 

Esta semana no se celebra ningún santo.

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 6 de abril de 1850. Apareció la primera edición de La Civiltà Cattolica . Fue la primera revista de la Sociedad restaurada.
• 7 de abril de 1541. Ignacio fue elegido general por unanimidad, pero se negó a aceptar los resultados.
• 8 de abril de 1762. El Parlamento francés emitió un decreto de expulsión de los jesuitas de todos sus colegios y casas.
• 9 de abril de 1615. Muere William Weston, ministro de los católicos perseguidos en Inglaterra y más tarde autor que escribió sobre su vida interior durante ese período.
• 10 de abril de 1585. En Roma, muere el Papa Gregorio XIII, fundador de la Universidad Gregoriana y del Colegio Alemán, cuyo recuerdo será siempre recordado como el de uno de los mayores benefactores de la Compañía.
• 11 de abril de 1573. El Papa Gregorio XIII sugirió a los Padres reunidos para la Tercera Congregación General que sería conveniente elegir a un General de nacionalidad distinta a la española. Posteriormente, expresó su satisfacción por haber elegido a Everardo Mercurian, belga.
• 12 de abril de 1671. El Papa Clemente X canonizó a Francisco Borgia, tercer general de la Compañía.

Photo: To Get Oneself Started

 

Poem: "IX" by Wendell Berry

I go by a field where once

I cultivated a few poor crops.
It is now covered with young trees,
for the forest that belongs here
has come back and reclaimed its own.
And I think of all the effort
I have wasted and all the time,
and of how much joy I took
in that failed work and how much
it taught me. For in so failing
I learned something of my place,
something of myself, and now
I welcome back the trees.