Photo: Mums

 

Prayer: Italian Sacramentary

Lord God, you offer to us this acceptable time to recover a sense of what life means and to be reconciled to you and to our neighbor.

Photo: Red on Green

 

Poem: "Crossing The Bar," by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

Photo: Blue Skies; Orange Leaves

 

Prayer: For Leaders Impacting Climate Change

 God of blessings,

the universe sings of your glory.

Deepen our gratitude for all you have made
and awaken in us a renewed commitment
to care for the earth and each other.

Inspire leaders with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change
and with courage to act urgently and wisely,
so that our common home may be healed and restored
and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it.

-Adapted from the COP27 Climate Summit prayer from the EcoJesuits

Spirituality: the Society of Jesus received papal approval

 In 1538, the companions of Paris, with Ignatius of Loyola as their leader, realized that their plan to go to the Holy Land was not possible. They chose to go to Rome and to offer their services to the pope for the missions he would entrust to them. The following year, Ignatius submitted a draft constitution for his group. Pope Paul III welcomed it verbally, but it was not until several months later, on 27 September 1540, that he promulgated the bull Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae, which recognised the Society of Jesus as a religious order.

During the intervening months, St Ignatius and his companions sought the support of many people, including some of the most prominent in Europe, and others of more humble status who had seen the fruits of the work of the first Jesuits in Rome. They were asked to intervene with the Pope to obtain official recognition, which would allow the group to achieve its fundamental goals: the greater glory of God and the service of the men and women to whom they would be sent.

Photo: Boston

 

Homily for Presidential Scholars

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen."  But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

 

Though this passage is sad because of the death of John the Baptist, and his killing was done callously at the hands of Herod, I find something to admire about Herod’s curiosity. He knows the truth: he murdered John the Baptist, and he is bewildered because of all the talk he hears. He does not dismiss what other people are saying, which is a positive trait. 

Think of how we deal with news, data, and information today. Many people summarily dismiss it as fake, or from a perspective different from their own, or a news cycle spin from the other side. We are dismissive of much that we hear. Herod holds the question before him and ponders it with curiosity. The root of his wondering is: Who is this Jesus of Nazareth and where does he get his power and authority? Some say Jesus has been reincarnated in the person of John the Baptist has come back to life; others claim that Jesus is the prophet Elijah who never died but was taken up to heaven on a chariot. Others point to Jesus being one of the prophets of old. Herod kept trying to meet and to know Jesus.

As Presidential Scholars, we cannot be quick to make absolute judgments. We must discern what is hearsay from what is verifiable. We must analyze what we are hearing in the classroom against the perspectives we hear at home. We must know the source of the material we are reading or watching online, and we must be diligent in testing our assumptions to see if they are verifiable and accurate, and we must always hold out the possibility that we are wrong, that there is always something more to learn. 

We also must see that education is one of the greatest gifts our parents and families give to us. It is not only for our own edification, but for build-up of the common good. St. Ignatius began schools to make graduates as people who would build up the citizenship on earth. A well-rounded person would be able to run cities, schools, governments, hospitals, and businesses with the view of being people for others. Early on, St. Ignatius saw the fruitful, necessary value of a liberal arts, universal education. One who was schooled in the academic arts would be able to discern rightly and make prudent decisions for the common good. Ignatius aimed to make students into saints who could lead society through virtuous living. 

As Presidential scholars, our hope is that you grow in gratitude for all those who support your education in many ways, especially through the prayers and hopes that many hold out for you. You will repay them by holding fast to wonder, to keep curiosity alive, to be creative in your pursuit for wisdom, and to provide the larger world with hope. And let us be like Herod in this regard only: he kept trying to see Jesus. Seek Jesus (or your God) in your pursuits, and you will find him by your side.

Photo: Color Blends

Prayer: Celtic Prayer

May your troubles be less, 

And your blessings be more. 

And nothing but happiness, 

Come through your door.

Healing an Indifferent Heart: Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025

                                            Healing an Indifferent Heart:

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025 

September 28, 2025

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Amos 6:1-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31

 

These readings point out that the enemy of human nature is indifference, and that our salvation is communal. The prophet Amos states it plainly: Woe to the complacent! Amos takes aim at those whose comfort keeps them from caring for the lesser fortunate around us. The Gospel is stark. The rich man in luxurious clothing and undisturbed comfort does not even see the suffering of Lazarus, who represents the collective world’s poor. The rich man’s entry into eternal life is tied to his treatment of Lazarus. When he comes around to see the errors of his way, he realizes the chasm is too great. He did not even know that Lazarus existed, and his indifference to him, cost him salvation.

 

Father Abraham reminded him that he and his brothers had all the resources at their disposal to discern the goodly way of life, but they were indifferent to the words of Moses and the prophets. They were indifferent to the guidelines that the faith provided. They did not see their relevance. Abraham says that even the preposterous event of someone being raised from the dead would not shake people out of their unconcern. A cold, apathetic heart is faith’s nemesis.

 

Scripture asks us, “How do we rouse a cold heart into caring?” We have great stories in our history that show us the wrongness of the ways of autocrats, narcissists, and tyrants. The Herods, Grinches, and Ebenezer Scrooges are the toughest hearts to break open because they simply do not care. Only the most persistent, sustained, penetrating effort to love those tormentors could have an effect. The one who persists in radically loving these bullies knows that love is the most powerful and least used force of energy in the world. Only real love can halt the progression of hate and indifference.

 

Indifference has never solved any of the world’s problems. A gently intrusive love, a love that seeks connection, a creative love that sees new hope, is the love that will save the world. We cannot think we are saved if our hearts are not moved by the death of innocent children in Gaza. We cannot think we are saved if we hold fast to our political ideologies instead of trying to understand a person with a different perspective. We cannot think we are saved if we fail to bother to love a friend or family member who suffers mental illness, addiction, or is in great pain. We cannot be saved if we turn away.

 

Our prophetic life has to be one of unity where the rich man and Lazarus eat modestly at the same table. Today’s prophet cannot use words of blame, accusation, or division. Today’s prophet has to teach others to endure without losing hope, especially when there is sadness, anger, rejection, and silence. We must keep showing up. We must keep putting love in places where hate, division, and indifference exist. We must simply stay rooted when the ground beneath us feels uncertain and unstable. Our actions must be to be gently intrusive into the lives of others, so they know we are trying to love them a bit more – especially when they feel unlovable. We persist. We persist because God loved us first and we simply want to pass along what we have received. We rise, in body, mind, and spirit, because we believe in love’s power to enter deeply into the turbulence of another’s soul and offer hope. Each day, when we rise, we open our souls for a conversion of heart. Let’s us confidently witness what love can do to a fractured heart. It just may save the world. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

Monday: (Daniel 7) Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire.

 

Tuesday: (Zechariah 8) There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, "Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD"; and, "I too will go to seek the LORD."

 

Wednesday: (Nehemiah 2) In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,
when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. As I had never before been sad in his presence, the king asked me, "Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart."

 

Thursday: (Nehemiah 8) The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the LORD prescribed for Israel.

 

Friday (Baruch 1) During the Babylonian captivity, the exiles prayed: "Justice is with the Lord, our God; and we today are flushed with shame, we men of Judah and citizens of Jerusalem, that we, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our ancestors, have sinned in the Lord's sight and disobeyed him.

 

Saturday (Baruch 4) Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel, You were sold to the nations not for your destruction; It was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 1) Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"

 

Tuesday: (Luke 9) When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.

 

Wednesday (Luke 9) And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."

 

Thursday (Matthew 18) "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

 

Friday (Luke 10) For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

 

Saturday (Luke 10) Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.

 

Saints of the Week

 

September 28: Wenceslaus, martyr (907-929), was raised a Christian by his grandmother while his mother and brother were opposed to Christianity. His brother opposed him when he became ruler of Bohemia in 922. He introduced strict reforms that caused great dissatisfaction among nobles and political adversaries. His brother invited him to a religious ceremony where he was killed in a surprise attack.

 

September 28: Lawrence Ruiz and 15 companion martyrs (seventeenth century), were killed in Nagasaki, Japan during 1633 and 1637. Most of these Christians were friends of the Dominicans. Lawrence, a Filipino, was a husband and father. He and these other missionaries served the Philippines, Formosa, and Japan.

 

September 29: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels are long a part of Christian and Jewish scripture. Michael is the angel who fights against evil as the head of all the angels; Gabriel announces the messiah's arrival and the births of Jesus and John the Baptist; and Raphael is a guardian angel who protects Tobias on his journey. Together, they are venerated to represent all the angels during a three-day period.

 

September 30: Jerome, priest and doctor (342-420), studied Greek and Latin as a young man after his baptism by Pope Liberius. He learned Hebrew when he became a monk and after ordination he studied scripture with Gregory Nazianzen in Constantinople. He became secretary to the Pope when he was asked to translate the Bible into Latin.

 

October 1: These of Lisieux, doctor (1873-1897), entered the Carmelites at age 15 and died at age 24 from tuberculosis. During her illness, Pauline, her prioress, asked her to write about her life in the convent. These stories are captured in "The Story of a Soul." He focused on her "little way" of pursuing holiness in everyday life.

 

October 2: The Guardian Angels are messengers and intermediaries between God and humans. They help us in our struggle against evil and they serve as guardians, the feast we celebrate today. Raphael is one of the guardians written about in the Book of Tobit. A memorial was added to the Roman calendar In 1670 in thanksgiving for their assistance.

 

October 3: Francis Borgia, S.J. became a duke at age 33. When his wife died and his eight children were grown, he joined the Jesuits. His preaching brought many people to the church and when he served as Superior General, the Society increased dramatically in Spain and Portugal. He established many missions in the new territories. 

 

October 4: Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was from the wealthy Bernardone family who sold silk cloths. After serving as soldier as a prisoner of war, Francis chose to serve God and the poor. He felt called to repair God's house, which he thought was a church. His father was angry that he used family money so he disinherited him. He began to preach repentance and recruited others to his way of life. His order is known for poverty, simplicity, humble service, and delighting in creation.

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• September 28, 1572. Fifteen Jesuits arrived in Mexico to establish the Mexican Province. They soon opened a college. 
• September 29, 1558. In the Gesu, Rome, and elsewhere, the Jesuits began to keep Choir, in obedience to an order from Paul IV. This practice lasted less than a year, until the pope's death in August, 1559. 
• September 30, 1911. President William Howard Taft visited Saint Louis University and declared the football season open. 
• October 1, 1546. Isabel Roser was released from her Jesuit vows by St Ignatius after eight months. 
• October 2, 1964. Fr. General Janssens suffered a stroke and died three days later. During his generalate, the Society grew from 53 to 85 provinces, and from 28,839 to 35,968 members. 
• October 3, 1901. In France, religious persecution broke out afresh with the passing of Waldeck Rousseau's "Loi d'Association." 
• October 4, 1820. In Rome, great troubles arose before and during the Twentieth General Congregation, caused by Fr. Petrucci's intrigues. He sought to wreck the Society and was deposed from his office as Vicar General, though supported by Cardinal della Genga (afterwards Leo XII).

Sanando un corazón indiferente: Vigésimo sexto domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 2025

Sanando un corazón indiferente:

Vigésimo sexto domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 2025

28 de septiembre de 2025

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Amós 6:1-7; Salmo 146; 1 Timoteo 6:11-16; Lucas 16:19-31

 

Estas lecturas señalan que el enemigo de la naturaleza humana es la indiferencia, y que nuestra salvación es comunitaria. El profeta Amós lo dice claramente: ¡Ay de los complacientes! Amós ataca a quienes su comodidad les impide cuidar de los menos afortunados que nos rodean. El Evangelio es descarnado. El hombre rico, con ropas lujosas y una comodidad imperturbable, ni siquiera ve el sufrimiento de Lázaro, quien representa a los pobres del mundo. La entrada del hombre rico a la vida eterna está ligada a su trato con Lázaro. Cuando se da cuenta de sus errores, se da cuenta de que el abismo es demasiado grande. Ni siquiera sabía que Lázaro existía, y su indiferencia hacia él le costó la salvación.

 

El padre Abraham le recordó que él y sus hermanos contaban con todos los recursos para discernir el buen camino de vida, pero eran indiferentes a las palabras de Moisés y los profetas. Eran indiferentes a las directrices que proporcionaba la fe. No veían su relevancia. Abraham dice que ni siquiera el absurdo acontecimiento de que alguien resucitara de entre los muertos sacaría a la gente de su indiferencia. Un corazón frío y apático es el némesis de la fe.

 

Las Escrituras nos preguntan: "¿Cómo podemos despertar la compasión en un corazón frío?". Tenemos grandes historias en nuestra historia que nos muestran lo erróneo de las costumbres de autócratas, narcisistas y tiranos. Los Herodes , los Grinches y los Ebenezer Scrooge son los corazones más difíciles de romper porque simplemente no les importa. Solo el esfuerzo más persistente, sostenido y penetrante por amar a esos torturadores podría surtir efecto. Quien persiste en amar radicalmente a estos abusadores sabe que el amor es la fuerza más poderosa y menos utilizada del mundo . Solo el amor verdadero puede detener la progresión del odio y la indiferencia.

 

La indiferencia nunca ha resuelto los problemas del mundo. Un amor amable e intrusivo, un amor que busca la conexión, un amor creativo que ve nuevas esperanzas, es el amor que salvará al mundo. No podemos creer que estamos salvados si no nos conmueve la muerte de niños inocentes en Gaza. No podemos creer que estamos salvados si nos aferramos a nuestras ideologías políticas en lugar de intentar comprender a una persona con una perspectiva diferente. No podemos creer que estamos salvados si no nos molestamos en amar a un amigo o familiar que sufre una enfermedad mental, una adicción o un gran dolor. No podemos ser salvados si nos alejamos.

 

Nuestra vida profética debe ser una vida de unidad, donde el rico y Lázaro comen modestamente en la misma mesa. El profeta de hoy no puede usar palabras de culpa, acusación o división. El profeta de hoy debe enseñar a otros a perseverar sin perder la esperanza, especialmente cuando hay tristeza , ira, rechazo y silencio. Debemos seguir presentes. Debemos seguir infundiendo amor donde existen odio, división e indiferencia. Simplemente debemos mantenernos firmes cuando el suelo bajo nuestros pies se siente incierto e inestable. Nuestras acciones deben ser una intromisión sutil en la vida de los demás, para que sepan que intentamos amarlos un poco más, especialmente cuando se sienten indignos de ser amados. Persistimos. Persistimos porque Dios nos amó primero y simplemente queremos transmitir lo que hemos recibido. Nos levantamos, en cuerpo, mente y espíritu, porque creemos en el poder del amor para penetrar profundamente la turbulencia del alma ajena y ofrecer esperanza. Cada día, al levantarnos, abrimos nuestras almas a la conversión del corazón. Seamos testigos con confianza de lo que el amor puede hacer por un corazón herido. Quizás salve al mundo.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes: (Daniel 7) Se instalaron tronos y el Anciano tomó su trono. Su ropa era brillante como la nieve, y el cabello de su cabeza blanco como la lana; su trono era llamas de fuego, con ruedas de fuego ardiente.

 

Martes: (Zacarías 8 ) Vendrán aún pueblos, habitantes de muchas ciudades; y los habitantes de una ciudad se acercarán a los de otra, y dirán: "¡Venid! Vamos a implorar el favor del SEÑOR"; y: "Yo también iré a buscar al SEÑOR".

 

Miércoles: (Nehemías 2 ) En el mes de Nisán del año veinte del rey Artajerjes, 
estando el vino a mi cargo, tomé un poco y se lo ofrecí al rey. Como nunca antes me había sentido triste en su presencia, el rey me preguntó: "¿Por qué te ves triste? Si no estás enfermo, debes estar triste en el fondo".

 

Jueves: (Nehemías 8 ) Todo el pueblo se reunió como uno solo en la plaza delante de la Puerta de las Aguas, y llamaron a Esdras el escriba para que sacara el libro de la ley de Moisés, que el SEÑOR prescribió para Israel.

 

Viernes (Baruc 1 ) Durante el cautiverio babilónico, los exiliados oraron: "La justicia está con el Señor, nuestro Dios; y nosotros hoy estamos llenos de vergüenza, nosotros los hombres de Judá y ciudadanos de Jerusalén, porque nosotros, con nuestros reyes y gobernantes y sacerdotes y profetas, y con nuestros antepasados, hemos pecado ante los ojos del Señor y le hemos desobedecido.

 

Sábado (Baruc 4 ) ¡No temas, pueblo mío! Recuerda, Israel, fuiste vendido a las naciones no para tu destrucción; fue por enfurecer a Dios que fuiste entregado a tus enemigos.

 

Evangelio: 

Lunes: (Juan 1 ) Jesús vio a Natanael que venía hacia él y dijo de él: «Aquí hay un verdadero hijo de Israel. No hay duplicidad en él». Natanael le dijo: «¿Cómo me conoces?».

 

Martes: (Lucas 9 ) Cuando se cumplieron los días para que Jesús fuera llevado al cielo, decidió con firmeza viajar a Jerusalén y envió mensajeros delante de él. En el camino, entraron en una aldea samaritana para preparar su recibimiento, pero no lo recibieron porque su destino era Jerusalén.

 

Miércoles (Lucas 9) Y a otro le dijo: «Sígueme». Pero él respondió: «Señor, déjame ir primero a enterrar a mi padre». Pero él le respondió: «Deja que los muertos entierren a sus muertos. Pero tú, ve y proclama el Reino de Dios».

 

Jueves (Mateo 18) "¿Quién es el mayor en el Reino de los Cielos?" Llamó a un niño, lo puso en medio de ellos y dijo: "En verdad les digo que si no se vuelven como niños, no entrarán en el Reino de los Cielos.

 

Viernes (Lucas 10 ) Porque si las maravillas que se hicieron entre ustedes se hubieran realizado en Tiro y Sidón, hace tiempo que se habrían arrepentido, sentados en cilicio y ceniza. Pero será más tolerable para Tiro y Sidón en el juicio que para ustedes.

 

Sábado (Lucas 10) Jesús dijo: "He visto a Satanás caer como un rayo del cielo. 
He aquí, os he dado el poder de 'pisar serpientes' y escorpiones y sobre toda la fuerza del enemigo y nada os hará daño.

 

Santos de la semana

 

28 de septiembre: Wenceslao, mártir (907-929), fue criado como cristiano por su abuela, mientras que su madre y su hermano se oponían al cristianismo. Su hermano se opuso a él cuando asumió el poder en Bohemia en 922. Introdujo reformas estrictas que provocaron gran descontento entre la nobleza y sus adversarios políticos. Su hermano lo invitó a una ceremonia religiosa, donde murió en un ataque sorpresa.

 

28 de septiembre: Lorenzo Ruiz y 15 compañeros mártires (siglo XVII), Fueron asesinados en Nagasaki, Japón, entre 1633 y 1637. La mayoría de estos cristianos eran amigos de los dominicos. Lawrence, filipino, era esposo y padre. Él y estos otros misioneros sirvieron en Filipinas, Formosa y Japón.

 

29 de septiembre: Los arcángeles Miguel, Gabriel y Rafael forman parte de las escrituras cristianas y judías desde hace mucho tiempo. Miguel es el ángel que lucha contra el mal como líder de todos los ángeles; Gabriel anuncia la llegada del Mesías y los nacimientos de Jesús y Juan el Bautista; y Rafael es el ángel guardián que protege a Tobías en su viaje. Juntos, son venerados para representar a todos los ángeles durante tres días.

 

30 de septiembre: Jerónimo, sacerdote y doctor (342-420), estudió griego y latín de joven tras ser bautizado por el papa Liberio. Aprendió hebreo al hacerse monje y, tras su ordenación, estudió las Sagradas Escrituras con Gregorio Nacianceno en Constantinopla. Se convirtió en secretario del papa cuando este le encargó traducir la Biblia al latín.

 

1 de octubre: Estas de Lisieux, doctora (1873-1897), ingresó en las Carmelitas a los 15 años y falleció a los 24 por tuberculosis. Durante su enfermedad, Pauline, su priora, le pidió que escribiera sobre su vida en el convento. Estas historias se recogen en "La historia de un alma". Se centró en su "pequeño camino" para alcanzar la santidad en la vida cotidiana.

 

2 de octubre: Los Ángeles Custodios son mensajeros e intermediarios entre Dios y los seres humanos. Nos ayudan en nuestra lucha contra el mal y sirven como guardianes, festividad que celebramos hoy. Rafael es uno de los guardianes mencionados en el Libro de Tobías. En 1670 se añadió un monumento al calendario romano en agradecimiento por su ayuda.

 

3 de octubre: Francisco de Borja, SJ, se convirtió en duque a los 33 años. Tras el fallecimiento de su esposa y la edad de sus ocho hijos, se unió a los jesuitas. Su predicación atrajo a mucha gente a la iglesia y, durante su servicio como Superior General, la Compañía creció drásticamente en España y Portugal. Estableció numerosas misiones en los nuevos territorios.

 

4 de octubre: Francisco de Asís (1181-1226) pertenecía a la acaudalada familia Bernardone , dedicada a la venta de telas de seda. Tras servir como soldado como prisionero de guerra, Francisco decidió servir a Dios y a los pobres. Sintió el llamado a reparar la casa de Dios, que él consideraba una iglesia. Su padre, indignado por haber usado el dinero familiar, lo desheredó. Comenzó a predicar el arrepentimiento y a reclutar a otros para que siguieran su estilo de vida. Su orden es conocida por su pobreza, sencillez, servicio humilde y deleite en la creación.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 28 de septiembre de 1572. Quince jesuitas llegaron a México para fundar la Provincia Mexicana. Pronto abrieron un colegio.
• 29 de septiembre de 1558. En el Gesù, Roma y otros lugares, los jesuitas comenzaron a celebrar el coro, en obediencia a una orden de Pablo IV. Esta práctica duró menos de un año, hasta la muerte del Papa en agosto de 1559.
• 30 de septiembre de 1911. El presidente William Howard Taft visitó la Universidad de Saint Louis y declaró abierta la temporada de fútbol.
• 1 de octubre de 1546. Isabel Roser fue liberada de sus votos jesuitas por San Ignacio después de ocho meses.
• 2 de octubre de 1964. El Padre General Janssens sufrió un derrame cerebral y falleció tres días después. Durante su generalato, la Sociedad creció de 53 a 85 provincias y de 28.839 a 35.968 miembros.
• octubre de 1901. En Francia, la persecución religiosa estalló de nuevo con la aprobación de la " Ley de Asociación " de Waldeck Rousseau.
• 4 de octubre de 1820. En Roma, surgieron grandes disturbios antes y durante la Vigésima Congregación General, causados por las intrigas del P. Petrucci. Intentó destruir la Compañía y fue destituido de su cargo de Vicario General, aunque contó con el apoyo del Cardenal della Genga (posteriormente León XII).

 

Photo: Light and Shadow

 

Poem: "Goldenrod," by Mary Oliver

On roadsides,
in fall fields,
in rumpy bunches,
saffron and orange and pale gold,
in little towers,
soft as mash,
sneeze-bringers and seed-bearers,
full of bees sand yellow beads and perfect flowerlets
and orange butterflies.
I don’t suppose
much notice comes of it, except for honey,
and how it heartens the heart with its
blank blaze.
I don’t suppose anything loves it, except, perhaps,
the rocky voids
filled by its dumb dazzle.
For myself,
I was just passing by, when the wind flared
and the blossoms rustled,
and the glittering pandemonium
leaned on me.
I was just minding my own business
when I found myself on their straw hillsides,
citron and butter-colored,
and was happy, and why not?
Are not the difficult labors of our lives
full of dark hours?
And what has consciousness come to anyway, so far,
that is better than these light-filled bodies?
All day
on their airy backbones
they toss in the wind,
they bend as though it was natural and godly to bend,
they rise in a stiff sweetness,
in the pure peace of giving
one’s gold away.

Photo: A Labyrinth

 

Spirituality: Thich Nhat Hanh from "Please Call Me By My True Names"

Don't say that I will depart tomorrow—
even today I am still arriving.

Look deeply: every second I am arriving
to be a bud on a Spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with still-fragile wings,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and death
of all that is alive...

...Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughter at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up
and the door of my heart
could be left open,
the door of compassion.

Photo: Praying

 

Poem: "My Poem Will Not Save You" by Iraqi-American poet Dunya Mikhail

My poem cannot return
all of your losses,
not even some of them,
and those who went far away
my poem won’t know how to bring them back
to their lovers.

I am sorry.

I don’t know why the birds
sing
during their crossings
over our ruins.

Their songs will not save us,
although, in the chilliest times,
they keep us warm,
and when we need to touch the soul
to know it’s not dead,
their songs
give us that touch.

Prayer: Rich Villodas

The Bible is more communal than individual.
Jesus teaches us to pray "Our Father" not "My Father."
Paul uses the phrase, "our Lord" 53 times, & "my Lord" only 1 time.
"Jesus is my personal savior" is not found in Scripture.
We are the people of God.
We belong to each other.

Photo: A New Day

 

Prayer: "Teach Me Your Ways," by Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

Teach me your way of looking at people: 

as you glanced at Peter after his denial, 

as you penetrated the heart of the rich young man and the hearts of your disciples. 

I would like to meet you as you really are, 

since your image changes those with whom you come into contact. 

Remember John the Baptist’s first meeting with you? 

And the centurion’s feeling of unworthiness? 

And the amazement of all those who saw miracles and other wonders? 

 How you impressed your disciples, the rabble in the Garden of Olives, 

Pilate and his wife and the centurion at the foot of the cross. . . . 

I would like to hear and be impressed by your manner of speaking, listening, 

for example, to your discourse in the synagogue in Capharnaum 

or the Sermon on the Mount where your audience felt you “taught as one who has authority.”

Photo: Welcome

 

Prayer: The First Principle and Foundation, by David Fleming, S.J.

God who loves us creates us and wants to share life with us forever. Our love response takes shape in our praise and honor and service of the God of our life. 

All the things in this world are also created because of God’s love and they become a context of gifts, presented to us so that we can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily. As a result, we show reverence for all the gifts of creation and collaborate with God in using them so that by being good stewards we develop as loving persons in our care of God’s world and its development. 

But if we abuse any of these gifts of creation or, on the contrary, take them as the center of our lives, we break our relationship with God and hinder our growth as loving persons. 

 In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by some responsibility. We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one. For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a more loving response to our life forever with God. 

Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening life in me.

Stir it up: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025

                                                                     Stir it up:

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2025 

September 21, 2025

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predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13

 

This is a confusing statement by Jesus in a parable: The master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. You would have thought that Jesus would have urged the dishonest man to act morally upright, but that is not what he said. It is true that Jesus would have wanted him to do the right thing from the start, but the steward was clever enough to save himself from further punishment. Jesus is not applauding the actions, but the clever resourcefulness of the man, and he encourages his disciples to be clever in dealing with their predicaments. He does not want them to be naively victimized by the children of this world, but to combat it appropriately, because the goal is to reach heaven.

 

To be clear: the Scriptures are about caring for the needy and shrewdly stopping those who take advantage of the poor. We must unsettle the patterns and systems designed to exploit the poor. Richar Rohr in his book The Tears of Things speaks about a necessity of sacredness of disruption because it is motivated out of care and compassion for others. The motivation of this particular steward was designed to save his own hide, but it serves as a model for those who stand up against injustice.

 

Few of us like to disrupt the status quo. We are cautioned to be conflict avoidant, to stay comfortable, and to keep daily life smooth. If we look the other way, we become part of a system that is flawed. If we are silent and permissive, we will permit the systemic injustice to perpetuate, but if we stop, raise our voices, and speak of our displeasure, we interrupt a system that needs fundamental change. This disruption can be sacred if it is honest and loving and is benefitting the common good.

 

Few like to be prophets. I am not one who likes to stand or march in protest. I prefer to write letters and to have conversations that will bring about change. I am not conflict avoidant and my advocacy is done more relationally. Others I know will stand outdoors and raise their voices in public. I have learned that few people like to be in-your-face prophets, and few people take them seriously, so I try to find a more effective way for myself. Disrupting a system is not about being loud or aggressive, but it is about caring enough to say the uncomfortable statement. Being silent would be a betrayal of love.

 

We cannot be afraid of discomfort or unsettledness. Stress is good; distress in less good. It is important for us to see that discomfort is disguised as an invitation to grow. Stress leads to breakthroughs that are unforeseen and unanticipated. It is important for us to stop fearing disruption or disorder because something better will come out on the other side, if our agitation is holy and derived from compassion. We need to stop fearing conflict and embrace the possibilities that come from making matters uncomfortable. This is the faithful and clever activity that Jesus wants from us. It may be the most faithful thing we can do. Comfort is not peace; peace is built upon truth, a trust that comes from unsettled conflict. Perhaps it is time to act more like the dishonest steward who made peace with dishonest wealth. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

Monday: (Ezra 1) "Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: 'All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

 

Tuesday: (Ezra 6) The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building,
supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius.

 

Wednesday: (Ezra 9) I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you, O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads and our guilt reaches up to heaven.

 

Thursday: (Haggai 1) Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed.

 

Friday (Haggai 2) And take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD, and work! For I am with you, says the LORD of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt.

 

Saturday (Zechariah 2) Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (Luke 8) "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.

 

Tuesday: (Luke 8) The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you."

 

Wednesday (Luke 9) Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.

 

Thursday (Luke 9) "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded.

 

Friday (Luke 9) “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

 

Saturday (Luke 9) "Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men." But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them.

 

Saints of the Week

 

September 21: Matthew, evangelist and Apostle (first century), may be two different people, but we have not historical data on either man. Since Matthew relies heavily upon Mark’s Gospel, it is unlikely that the evangelist is one of the Twelve Apostles. The Apostle appears in a list of the Twelve and in Matthew’s Gospel he is called a tax collector. The Evangelist is writing to Jewish-Christians who are urged to embrace their Jewish heritage and to participate in their mission to the Gentiles. To Matthew, Jesus is the fulfillment of the hopes of Jews and the inaugurator of a new way to relate to God.

 

September 22: Tomas Sitjar, S.J. and the martyrs of Valencia (1866-1936), were killed in the Spanish Civil War just a week after the war broke out. Sitjar was the Rector of Gandia and was formerly the novice director and metaphysics professor. The Jesuit Order was suppressed at the beginning of the war, which sent the men to disperse into apartments, but since they were known to the community, they were sought out, imprisoned, and later executed because of their belief in God. 

 

September 23: Pio of Pietrelcina, priest (1887-1968) was affectionately named Padre Pio and was a Capuchin priest who received the stigmata (wounds of Christ) just as Francis of Assisi did. He founded a hospital and became the spiritual advisor to many at a monastery at San Giovanni Rotondo.

 

September 26: Cosmas and Damian, martyrs (d. 287), were twins who became doctors. They were noted because they never charged anyone a medical fee. They died in the Diocletian persecution. Great miracles have been attributed to them and the Emperor Justinian is claimed to be healed through their intercession. 

 

September 27: Vincent de Paul, priest (1581-1660), was a French peasant who selected to be chaplain at the Queen's household after his ordination. He provided food and clothing to the poor, including prostitutes, the sick, disabled, and homeless. He founded the Congregation of Missions (Vincentians) to preach and train clergy and he co-founded the Daughters of Charity with Louise de Marillac.

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• September 21, 1557. At Salamanca, Melchior Cano wrote to Charles V's confessor, accusing the Jesuits of being heretics in disguise. 
• September 22, 1774. The death of Pope Clement XIV, worn out with suffering and grief because of the suppression of the Society. False stories had been circulated that he was poisoned by the Jesuits. 
• September 23, 1869. Woodstock College of the Sacred Heart opened. With 17 priests, 44 scholastics, and 16 brothers it was the largest Jesuit community in the United States at the time. 
• September 24, 1566. The first Jesuits entered the continental United States at Florida. Pedro Martinez and others, while attempting to land, were driven back by the natives, and forced to make for the island of Tatacuran. He was killed there three weeks later. 
• September 25, 1617. The death of Francisco Suarez. He wrote 24 volumes on philosophy and theology. As a novice he was found to be very dull, but one of his directors suggested that he ask our Lady's help. He subsequently became a person of prodigious talent. 
• September 26, 1605. At Rome, Pope Paul V orally declared St Aloysius to be one of the "Blessed." The official brief appeared on October 19. 
• September 27, 1540. Pope Paul III signed the Bull, Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae, which established the Society of Jesus.

Revuélvelo: Vigésimo Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 2025

                                                              Revuélvelo:

Vigésimo Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 2025

21 de septiembre de 2025

www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com

predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673

Amós 8:4-7; Salmo 113; 1 Timoteo 2:1-8; Lucas 16:1-13

 

Esta es una declaración confusa de Jesús en una parábola: El amo elogió a ese mayordomo deshonesto por actuar con prudencia. Uno pensaría que Jesús lo habría instado a actuar con rectitud moral, pero no fue eso lo que dijo. Es cierto que Jesús habría querido que hiciera lo correcto desde el principio, pero el mayordomo fue lo suficientemente astuto como para evitar un castigo mayor. Jesús no aplaude las acciones, sino la astucia del hombre, y anima a sus discípulos a ser astutos al afrontar sus dificultades. No quiere que sean víctimas ingenuas de los niños de este mundo, sino que lo combatan adecuadamente, porque la meta es alcanzar el cielo.

 

Para ser claros: las Escrituras hablan de cuidar a los necesitados y detener con astucia a quienes se aprovechan de los pobres. Debemos desestabilizar los patrones y sistemas diseñados para explotar a los pobres. Richard Rohr, en su libro "Las Lágrimas de las Cosas", habla de la necesidad de la sacralidad de la disrupción, motivada por el cuidado y la compasión hacia los demás. La motivación de este mayordomo en particular fue salvar su propio pellejo, pero sirve de modelo para quienes se oponen a la injusticia.

 

A pocos nos gusta alterar el statu quo. Se nos advierte que evitemos los conflictos, que nos mantengamos cómodos y que mantengamos la vida cotidiana tranquila. Si ignoramos, nos convertimos en parte de un sistema defectuoso. Si guardamos silencio y somos permisivos, permitiremos que la injusticia sistémica se perpetúe; pero si nos detenemos, alzamos la voz y expresamos nuestro descontento, interrumpimos un sistema que necesita un cambio fundamental. Esta disrupción puede ser sagrada si es honesta y amorosa, y beneficia al bien común.

 

A pocos les gusta ser profetas. No soy de los que les gusta protestar ni marchar. Prefiero escribir cartas y tener conversaciones que generen cambios. No evito los conflictos y mi defensa se basa más en las relaciones. Otros que conozco se paran al aire libre y alzan la voz en público. He aprendido que a pocas personas les gusta ser profetas directos y pocas las toman en serio, así que intento encontrar una manera más efectiva para mí. Alterar un sistema no se trata de ser ruidoso ni agresivo, sino de preocuparse lo suficiente como para decir la declaración incómoda. Quedarse callado sería una traición al amor.

 

No podemos temerle a la incomodidad ni a la inestabilidad. El estrés es bueno; la angustia, menos. Es importante que veamos que la incomodidad se disfraza de una invitación a crecer. El estrés conduce a avances imprevistos e inesperados. Es importante que dejemos de temer la disrupción o el desorden, porque algo mejor surgirá al final, si nuestra agitación es santa y proviene de la compasión. Necesitamos dejar de temer al conflicto y aceptar las posibilidades que surgen de generar incomodidad. Esta es la acción fiel e inteligente que Jesús espera de nosotros. Quizás sea lo más fiel que podamos hacer. La comodidad no es paz; la paz se construye sobre la verdad, una confianza que surge de un conflicto sin resolver. Quizás sea hora de actuar más como el administrador deshonesto que hizo las paces con la riqueza deshonesta.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

Lunes: (Esdras 1) "Así dice Ciro, rey de Persia: 'El Señor, el Dios de los cielos, me ha dado todos los reinos de la tierra, y también me ha encargado que le edifique una casa en Jerusalén, que está en Judá.

 

Martes: (Esdras 6 ) Los ancianos judíos continuaron avanzando en la construcción, 
apoyados por el mensaje de los profetas Hageo y Zacarías, hijo de Iddo. Terminaron la construcción según el mandato del Dios de Israel y los decretos de Ciro y Darío.

 

Miércoles: (Esdras 9 ) Dije: “Dios mío, estoy demasiado avergonzado y confundido para levantar mi rostro hacia ti, oh Dios mío, porque nuestras malas acciones se acumulan sobre nuestras cabezas y nuestra culpa llega hasta el cielo.

 

Jueves: (Hageo 1 ) ¡Consideren sus caminos! Han sembrado mucho, pero han recogido poco; han comido, pero no se han saciado; han bebido, pero no se han alegrado; se han vestido, pero no se han calentado.

 

Viernes (Hageo 2 ) ¡Ánimo, pueblo todo de la tierra, dice el SEÑOR, y trabajad! Porque yo estoy con vosotros, dice el SEÑOR de los ejércitos. Este es el pacto que hice con vosotros 
cuando salisteis de Egipto .

 

Sábado (Zacarías 2 ) ¡Canta y alégrate, hija de Sión! Mira, vengo a morar entre ti, dice el Señor. Muchas naciones se unirán al Señor en ese día.

 

Evangelio: 

Lunes: (Lucas 8 ) "Nadie que enciende una lámpara la esconde con una vasija ni la pone debajo de la cama, sino que la pone sobre un candelero para que los que entren vean la luz. Porque no hay nada oculto que no haya de hacerse visible, ni secreto que no haya de ser conocido y salir a la luz.

 

Martes: (Lucas 8 ) La madre de Jesús y sus hermanos fueron a verlo, pero no pudieron acompañarlo debido a la multitud. Le dijeron: «Tu madre y tus hermanos están afuera y desean verte».

 

Miércoles ( Lucas 9) Jesús convocó a los Doce y les dio poder y autoridad 
sobre todos los demonios y para curar enfermedades, y los envió a proclamar el Reino de Dios 
y a sanar a los enfermos.

 

Jueves (Lucas 9) «Juan ha resucitado de entre los muertos»; otros decían: «Ha aparecido Elías»; otros: «Ha resucitado uno de los antiguos profetas». Pero Herodes dijo: «A Juan lo decapité».

 

Viernes (Lucas 9 ) “¿Quién dice la multitud que soy yo?” Respondieron: “Juan el Bautista; otros, Elías; y otros: “Uno de los antiguos profetas se ha levantado””. Entonces él les dijo: “Pero ustedes, ¿quién dicen que soy yo?”

 

Sábado (Lucas 9) «Presten atención a lo que les digo: el Hijo del Hombre será entregado a los hombres». Pero ellos no entendieron estas palabras; su significado les era desconocido.

 

Santos de la semana

 

21 de septiembre: Mateo, evangelista y apóstol (siglo I), podría ser dos personas diferentes, pero no disponemos de datos históricos sobre ninguno de ellos. Dado que Mateo se basa en gran medida en el Evangelio de Marcos, es improbable que el evangelista sea uno de los Doce Apóstoles. El apóstol aparece en una lista de los Doce y en el Evangelio de Mateo se le llama recaudador de impuestos. El evangelista escribe a los judeocristianos, a quienes se les insta a abrazar su herencia judía y a participar en su misión entre los gentiles. Para Mateo, Jesús es la culminación de las esperanzas de los judíos y el inaugurador de una nueva forma de relacionarse con Dios.

 

22 de septiembre: Tomás Sitjar , SJ, y los mártires de Valencia (1866-1936), murieron en la Guerra Civil Española tan solo una semana después del estallido de la guerra. Sitjar era rector de Gandía y anteriormente director de novicios y profesor de metafísica. La Orden de los Jesuitas fue suprimida al comienzo de la guerra, lo que obligó a los hombres a dispersarse en apartamentos, pero como eran conocidos por la comunidad, fueron buscados, encarcelados y posteriormente ejecutados por su fe en Dios.

 

23 de septiembre: Pío de Pietrelcina , sacerdote (1887-1968) , apodado cariñosamente Padre Pío, fue un sacerdote capuchino que recibió los estigmas (llagas de Cristo) al igual que Francisco de Asís. Fundó un hospital y se convirtió en consejero espiritual de muchos en un monasterio de San Giovanni Rotondo.

 

26 de septiembre: Cosme y Damián, mártires (m. 287), eran gemelos que se convirtieron en médicos. Destacaron por no cobrar honorarios médicos. Murieron durante la persecución de Diocleciano. Se les atribuyen grandes milagros y se afirma que el emperador Justiniano sanó gracias a su intercesión.

 

27 de septiembre: Vicente de Paúl, sacerdote (1581-1660), fue un campesino francés que fue elegido capellán de la casa de la Reina tras su ordenación. Proveía de alimento y ropa a los pobres, incluyendo prostitutas, enfermos, discapacitados y personas sin hogar. Fundó la Congregación de las Misiones (Vicentinos) para predicar y formar al clero y cofundó las Hijas de la Caridad con Luisa de Marillac.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 21 de septiembre de 1557. En Salamanca, Melchor Cano escribe al confesor de Carlos V acusando a los jesuitas de ser herejes disfrazados.
• 22 de septiembre de 1774. Falleció el Papa Clemente XIV, agobiado por el sufrimiento y la pena a causa de la supresión de la Compañía. Circulaban rumores falsos de que había sido envenenado por los jesuitas.
• 23 de septiembre de 1869. Se inauguró el Colegio Woodstock del Sagrado Corazón. Con 17 sacerdotes, 44 escolásticos y 16 hermanos, era la comunidad jesuita más grande de Estados Unidos en aquel entonces.
• 24 de septiembre de 1566. Los primeros jesuitas entraron en los Estados Unidos continentales por Florida. Pedro Martínez y otros, al intentar desembarcar, fueron rechazados por los nativos y obligados a dirigirse a la isla de Tatacurán . Fue asesinado allí tres semanas después.
• 25 de septiembre de 1617. Falleció Francisco Suárez. Escribió 24 volúmenes sobre filosofía y teología. Como novicio, se le consideró muy torpe, pero uno de sus directores le sugirió que pidiera la ayuda de Nuestra Señora. Posteriormente se convirtió en una persona de talento prodigioso.
• 26 de septiembre de 1605. En Roma, el Papa Pablo V declaró oralmente a San Luis Beato. El escrito oficial se publicó el 19 de octubre.
• 27 de septiembre de 1540. El Papa Pablo III firmó la Bula Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae , que fundó la Compañía de Jesús.