Spirituality: “Penance” by Dorothy Day

The Boston meeting was held on Ash Wednesday, and I spoke of penance. I said that I could understand a Kateri Tekakwitha taking on the severest of penances to atone for the cruelty of her people to the Europeans and for white cruelty to the Indians. Or the penances of a St. Rose of Lima, in a time when Indians were systematically being killed off, and African slave labor was being imported to supply the labor which the Indians could not stand up under.

Penance seems to be ruled out today. One hears of the Mass described as Sacrament, not Sacrifice. But how are we to keep our courage unless the Cross, that mighty failure, is kept in view? Is the follower greater than the Master? A man is a man, and to hear him crying out in pain and anguish, whether he is friend or enemy, is to have one’s heart torn out in unutterable sorrow. The impulse to stand out against the State and go to jail rather than serve is an instinct for penance, to take on some of the suffering of the world, to share in it ….

The thing is to recognize that not all are called, not all have the vocation, to demonstrate in this way, to fast, to endure the pain and long drawn out nerve-racking suffering of prison life. We do what we can, and the whole field of all the works of mercy is open to us. There is a saying, “Do what you are doing.” If you are a student, study, prepare, in order to give to others, and keep alive in yourselves, the vision of a new social order. All work, whether building, increasing food production, running credit unions, working in factories which produce for true human needs, working in the smallest of industries, the handcrafts – all these things can come under the heading of the works of mercy, which are the opposite of the works of war.

It is penance to work, to give oneself to others, to endure the pinpricks of community living …. So let us rejoice in our own petty sufferings and thank God we have a little penance to offer.

Dorothy Day, On Pilgrimage: The Sixties, in the chapter entitled, “February, 1969,” pp. 360-361.

Poem: T.S. Eliot, “Choruses from the Rock”

Who is this that has said: The house of God is a House of Sorrow, We must walk in black and go sadly, with longdrawn faces, We must go between empty walls, quavering lowly, whispering faintly,
among the few flickering lights?

They would put upon God their own sorrow, the grief they should feel for their sins and faults as they go about their daily occasions.

Yet the walk in the street proudnecked, like thoroughbreds ready for races, Adorning themselves, and busy in the market, the forum and all other secular meetings, Thinking good of themselves, ready for any festivity, doing themselves very well.

Let us mourn in private chamber, learning the way of penitence, and then let us learn the joyful communion of saints.

El Primer Domingo de Cuaresma

El Primer Domingo de Cuaresma

5 de marzo de 2017

Isaías 49: 14-15; Salmo 62; 1 Corintios 4: 1-5; Mateo 6: 24-34

La semana pasada me paré a orillas del río Jordán y miré al este al desierto donde Jesús pasó su Cuaresma. Necesitaba reflexionar sobre su bautismo y ser fortificado por su agotador ministerio. Respiré profundamente en medio de la arena arremolinada y recordé la línea de la Escritura donde Dios sopló la vida en el primer ser humano. Me paré donde el Jardín del Edén pudo haber sido localizado y contemplé los actos de creación de Dios. Miré a mi alrededor y vi que era bueno.

Durante la Cuaresma, pensamos inicialmente en la penitencia y en nuestras devociones personales. Es importante ver la Cuaresma como un conjunto de acciones positivas en las que podemos crear energía positiva en el mundo. Sufrimos demasiado. No nos detengamos en ella, sino que ayudemos a otros a ver las hermosas partes de nuestras almas.

Tengo el privilegio de escuchar muchas historias de sufrimiento. Veo el dolor de la gente mientras buscan significado dentro de su caos y los veo buscar la reconciliación y la armonía. En la raíz de cada conversación, las personas quieren sentirse amadas, valoradas y honradas, pero hacen todo lo posible para evitar que se sientan de esa manera. Cuando terminan nuestras conversaciones, simplemente siento que mi amor por ellos ha aumentado. Quiero que sepan que Dios los ama aunque su autoestima y su autoestima sean bajas. También me doy cuenta de que no puedo hacer nada para que se sientan justificados. Necesitan experimentar el cuidado misericordioso de Dios. Quiero hacer mi parte, pero Dios sólo puede ayudar a aquellos que quieren ser ayudados.

Demasiadas personas se sienten aisladas y desconectadas de quienes las aman. Toman malas decisiones cuando piensan que no les importa a nadie. A veces las dependencias de alcohol, droga y psicología hacen que se sientan poco amados. Esta Cuaresma, quiero traerles el amor de Dios. Será incómodo y doloroso, pero la meta vale la pena. Necesitamos ver el mundo con los ojos de Dios, pero significa que primero tenemos que mirar a los ojos de Dios.

Nuestros devocionales privados no pueden ser el alcance de nuestra disciplina de Cuaresma. Dios crea nueva vida en aquellos que necesitan aire fresco. Vamos a dar esperanza a algunas personas cuando están desprovistas de ella. Escuchemos a una persona en el dolor sin hablar.

Contemplémoslos amorosamente y pidamos lo que necesitan. Encontraremos que nuestra salvación está relacionada con la suya.

Aprendemos de nuevo a amar en situaciones difíciles manteniendo límites apropiados y manteniéndonos libres de co-dependencias. El amor no es fácil y requiere nuestra paciencia y una confianza radical en Dios. No hay modelos para amar bien. La Cuaresma no se centra en el pecado tanto como en el amor de Dios. Averigüe cómo va a amar a una persona difícil, a pesar de que ya ha dado demasiado. Dios no se rinde. Dios arriesga todo y renuncia a la vida de su Hijo para nuestra redención. Antes, sin embargo, tratamos de amar a los demás más plenamente, vamos a entrar en el desierto con Dios, para dejarnos ser amados primero. Abre tu alma a las posibilidades de que Dios pueda amarte cada vez más profundamente de lo que estás experimentando hoy. Quiero que sepas que el amor por encima de todas las demás cosas.

Escritura para la misa diaria

Primera lectura:
Lunes: (Levítico 19) El Señor da a Moisés diez mandamientos que él inscribe en tablas de piedra.
Martes: (Isaías 55) La palabra de Dios saldrá de su boca y no volverá hasta que haya cumplido su voluntad.
Miércoles: (Jonás 3) Jonás se dirigió a Nínive y les pidió que anunciaran un ayuno y luego se arrepintieran. El rey se arrepiente y el Señor dejó caer su amenaza porque se apartaron del mal.
Jueves: (Ester 3) La reina Ester pide ayuda a Dios para convertir el corazón del rey en odio al enemigo que los amenaza.
Viernes: (Ezequiel 18) Si el impío se vuelve de la pecaminosidad y guarda los estatutos del Señor, ciertamente vivirá. De la misma manera, si un hombre virtuoso se vuelve malvado, morirá.
Sábado: (Deuteronomio 26) Moisés dice al pueblo que observe los estatutos y decretos del Señor con todo su corazón y alma. El Señor estará a tu lado.

Evangelio:
Lunes: (Mateo 25) Jesús le dice a sus discípulos acerca del juicio final cuando las cabras y ovejas serán separadas. El palo de medir es la misericordia mostrada a los más vulnerables.
Martes: (Mateo 6) Los discípulos le piden a Jesús que les enseñe a orar. Él les dice que no oren como los paganos, que buscan honor y gloria, y luego les da la oración del Señor.
Miércoles: (Lucas 11) Jesús castiga a la multitud que busca un signo, pero ninguno les será dado. Debido a la predicación de Jonás, el rey y la gente se arrepintieron.
Jueves: (Mateo 7) Pide y se te dará; Busca y encontraras; Llamen y la puerta se abrirá. El Padre es generoso, especialmente para los que lo aman.
Viernes: (Mateo 5) Su justicia debe superar los niveles de los escribas y fariseos para entrar en el Reino de los Cielos. Demuestre justicia corrigiendo rápidamente las disputas.
Sábado: (Mateo 5) Ama a tus enemigos y ora por los que te persiguen, para que seas hijos de tu Padre Celestial. Sé perfecto como el Padre es perfecto.

Santos de la Semana

7 de marzo: Perpetua y Felicity (d. 203), fueron dos catecúmenos detenidos y asesinados durante una persecución en el norte de África. Perpetua era una joven noble que fue asesinada junto a su esposo, su hijo pequeño, y su esclava embarazada, Felicity. Fueron bautizados mientras estaban bajo arresto y no renunciaron a su fe. Felicity fue excusada de la muerte porque era ilegal matar a una mujer embarazada, pero ella dio a luz prematuramente tres días antes de la ejecución prevista. Fueron azotados, burlados por bestias salvajes, y luego decapitados. Aparecen en la Primera Oración Eucarística.

8 de marzo: Juan de Dios (1495-1550), fue un soldado portugués de la fortuna que fue llevado a España como un niño. Era un maestro de esclavos, pastor, cruzado, guardaespaldas y vendedor ambulante. Al darse cuenta de que desperdició su vida, buscó consejo de Juan de Ávila. Luego dedicó su vida al cuidado de los enfermos y los pobres. Formó la Orden de los Hermanos Hospitaleiros y es el santo patrón de los hospitales y los enfermos.

9 de marzo: Frances de Roma (1384-1440), nació en una familia romana rica y se casó a la edad de 13 años. Ella tuvo seis hijos y cuando dos murieron en la infancia, trabajó para traer las necesidades de los menos afortunados a otros. Llevaba comida a los pobres, visitaba a los enfermos, cuidaba de los necesitados en sus hogares. Cuando otras mujeres se unieron a su misión, se convirtieron en oblatos benedictinos. Ella fundó un monasterio para ellos después de la muerte de su marido.

Esta Semana en la Historia de los Jesuitas

• 5 de Marzo de 1887. En Roma, los obsequios del P. Beckx que murió el día anterior. Tenía 91 años de edad y había gobernado la Sociedad como General durante 34 años. Está enterrado en San Lorenzo en Campo Verano.
• 6 de Marzo de 1643. Arnauld, el Jansenista, publicó su famoso tratado contra la Comunión Frecuente. Quince obispos franceses le dieron su aprobación, mientras que los padres jesuitas enseguida expusieron los peligros en ella.
• 7 de marzo de 1581. La Quinta Congregación General de la Sociedad obligó a los profesores de la Sociedad a adherirse a la doctrina de Santo Tomás de Aquino.
• 8 de Marzo de 1773. En Centi, en la diócesis de Bolonia, el cardenal Malvezzi hizo una visita sorpresa a la casa de los jesuitas, exigiendo la inspección de sus libros de contabilidad.
• 9 de marzo de 1764. En Francia, todos los jesuitas que se negaron a abjurar a la Sociedad fueron ordenados por el Parlamento a abandonar el reino dentro de un mes. De 4.000 miembros solamente cinco sacerdotes, dos escolásticos, y ocho hermanos tomaron el juramento requerido; Los otros fueron llevados al exilio.
• Mar 10, 1615. El martirio en Glasgow, Escocia, de San Juan Ogilvie.
• 11 de marzo de 1848. En Nápoles, Italia, durante la revolución de 1848, 114 jesuítas, después de mucho sufrimiento, fueron puestos en carros y expulsados ​​ignominiosamente de la ciudad y del reino.

Song: O Day of Peace

O day of peace that dimly shines

through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,

Guide us to justice, truth, and love,

delivered from our selfish schemes.

May swords of hate fall from our hands,

Our hearts from envy find release,

Till by God’s grace our warring world

Shall see Christ’s promised reign.

Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb,

Nor shall the fierce devour the small;

As beasts and cattle calmly graze,

A little child shall lead them all.

Then enemies shall learn to love,

All creatures find their true accord;

The hope of peace shall be fulfilled,

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For all the earth shall know the Lord.

Prayer: “A Prayer for Ash Wednesday” by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Dear Lord, the Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death.

I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lea an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, human respect, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.

I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are no times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.

Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life which you have prepared for me.

Amen.

Source: Henri J. M. Nouwen, Show Me the Way: Readings for each Day of Lent, page 13.

The First Sunday of Lent

 Ignatian Spirituality: Set the World Ablaze

predmore.blogspot.com

The First Sunday of Lent

March 5, 2017

Isaiah 49:14-15; Psalm 62; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34

            A week ago I stood on the banks of the Jordan River and looked to the east where Jesus spent his days in the desert. I realized he needed some time to reflect upon the significance of his baptism and needed fortification to commit himself to an exhausting ministry. I breathed deeply amidst the swirling sand from the archeological dig and I remembered the line from Scripture where God blew the breathe of life into the first human. I stood in the approximate region where the Garden of Eden was said to be located and I contemplated God’s acts of creation. I looked around and saw that it was good.

            As we stand at the start of Lent, our thoughts automatically go towards the ways we can do penance and carry out our personal devotions. While we want to align our lives with the sufferings of Jesus and the world, it is equally important to see Lent as a set of positive actions in which we can create positive energy in the world. Life has too much suffering. Let’s not live in the suffering, but help others see the most beautiful parts of our souls.

            I feel privileged in life because I get to hear the great sufferings of many people. I see their pain as they put together some meaning into their chaos and I watch their good actions unfold as they seek reconciliation and harmony. At the root of every conversation, a person wants to feel loved, valued, and honored, and often they do the many actions that keep them from feeling that way. As I finish a conversation with these people, I simply feel that my love for them has increased. I want them to know that God loves them even though their self-worth is tarnished and their self-esteem is low, but I also realize I cannot do anything to help them feel justified on my own. They need to turn to God to experience God’s merciful care. I want to bridge the gap as best I can, but God can only help those who want to be helped.

            Too many people feel isolated and disconnected from someone who can love them. They sometimes make poor decisions because they realize they do not really matter to anyone – at least not sufficiently enough to take care of themselves. Sometimes alcohol, drug, and other dependencies make them feel unlovable, and then they act in a way where they push away loving people. This Lent, I want to bring God’s love to them. It will be uncomfortable and painful at times, but the overall goal is worth it. We need to see the world with the eyes of God, but it means that we first have to spend time looking into God’s eyes. God’s eyes will give us the answers we need.

            It is very fine that we want to start Lent with private devotionals, but that cannot be the extent of our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Let’s work with God to create new life in those who need air breathed into them. Let’s give some people hope when are feeling devoid of it. Let us take the time to listen to a person in pain without feeling any need to make a statement. Let us just give them a loving gaze and ask them what they need. It is the best gift we can provide them, and we find our salvation is linked with theirs.

            We have to relearn how to love in difficult situations while maintaining proper boundaries and keeping free from co-dependencies. Love is not easy and it requires our patience and our radical trust in God. There are no blueprints for loving well. Lent is not about focusing on sin as much as it is increasing the extent of God’s love in this world. Take some time to map out the ways you will try to love a difficult person, even though you have already given enough. God does not give up. God risks everything and even gives up the life of his Son for our redemption. Before, however, we try to love others more fully, let’s us go into the desert with God, to let ourselves be fully loved first. Open your soul to the possibilities that God can love you ever more deeply than you are experiencing today. I want you to know that love above all other things.

Scripture for Daily Mass

First Reading:

Monday: (Leviticus 19) The Lord gives Moses ten commandments that he inscribes on stone tablets.

Tuesday: (Isaiah 55) God’s word will issue forth from his mouth and shall not return until it has fulfilled his will.

Wednesday: (Jonah 3) Jonah set out to Nineveh asking them to proclaim a fast and then repent. The king does repent and the Lord dropped his threat because they turned from evil.

Thursday: (Esther 3) Queen Esther appeals to God for help in converting the king’s heart for hatred of the enemy that threatens them.

Friday: (Ezekiel 18) If the wicked turns from sinfulness and keeps the Lord’s statutes, he will surely live. Likewise, if a virtuous man becomes wicked, he shall die.

Saturday: (Deuteronomy 26) Moses tells the people to observe the Lord’s statutes and decrees with their whole heart and soul. The Lord will stand by you.

Gospel: 

Monday: (Matthew 25) Jesus tells his disciples about the last judgment when the goats and sheep will be separated. The measuring stick is the mercy shown to the most vulnerable.

Tuesday: (Matthew 6) The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. He tells them not to pray like the pagans, who seek honor and glory, and then gives them the Lord’s prayer.

Wednesday: (Luke 11) Jesus chastises the crowd that seeks a sign, but none will be given to them. Because of Jonah’s preaching, the king and people repented.

Thursday: (Matthew 7) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. The Father is generous, especially to those who love him.

Friday: (Matthew 5) Your righteousness must surpass the levels of the scribes and Pharisees in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Show righteousness by quickly settling disputes.

Saturday: (Matthew 5) Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Heavenly Father. Be perfect as the Father is perfect.

Saints of the Week

March 7: Perpetua and Felicity (d. 203), were two catechumens arrest and killed during a persecution in North Africa. Perpetua was a young noblewoman who was killed alongside her husband, their young son, and their pregnant slave, Felicity. They were baptized while under arrest and would not renounce their faith. Felicity was excused from death because it was unlawful to kill a pregnant woman, but she gave birth prematurely three days before the planned execution. They were flogged, taunted by wild beasts, and then beheaded. They appear in the First Eucharistic Prayer.

March 8: John of God (1495-1550), was a Portuguese soldier of fortune who was brought to Spain as a child. He was a slave master, shepherd, crusader, bodyguard and peddler. As he realized that he frittered away his life, he sought counsel from John of Avila. He then dedicated his life to care for the sick and the poor. He formed the Order of Brothers Hospitallers and is the patron saint of hospitals and the sick.

March 9: Frances of Rome (1384-1440), was born into a wealthy Roman family and was married at age 13. She bore six children and when two died in infancy, she worked to bring the needs of the less fortunate to others. She took food to the poor, visited the sick, cared for the needy in their homes. When other women joined in her mission, they became Benedictine oblates. She founded a monastery for them after her husband's death.

This Week in Jesuit History

·      Mar 5, 1887. At Rome, the obsequies of Fr. Beckx who died on the previous day. He was 91 years of age and had governed the Society as General for 34 years. He is buried at San Lorenzo in Campo Verano.

·      Mar 6, 1643. Arnauld, the Jansenist, published his famous tract against Frequent Communion. Fifteen French bishops gave it their approval, whereas the Jesuit fathers at once exposed the dangers in it.

·      Mar 7, 1581. The Fifth General Congregation of the Society bound the professors of the Society to adhere to the doctrine of St Thomas Aquinas.

·      Mar 8, 1773. At Centi, in the diocese of Bologna, Cardinal Malvezzi paid a surprise visit to the Jesuit house, demanding to inspect their accounting books.

·      Mar 9, 1764. In France, all Jesuits who refused to abjure the Society were ordered by Parliament to leave the realm within a month. Out of 4,000 members only five priests, two scholastics, and eight brothers took the required oath; the others were driven into exile.

·      Mar 10, 1615. The martyrdom in Glasgow, Scotland, of St John Ogilvie.

·      Mar 11, 1848. In Naples, Italy, during the 1848 revolution, 114 Jesuits, after much suffering, were put into carts and driven ignominiously out of the city and the kingdom.