Poem: "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front" by Wendell Berry

 Love the quick profit, the annual raise,

vacation with pay. Want more

of everything ready-made. Be afraid

to know your neighbors and to die.

And you will have a window in your head.

Not even your future will be a mystery

any more. Your mind will be punched in a card

and shut away in a little drawer.

When they want you to buy something

they will call you. When they want you

to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something

that won’t compute. Love the Lord.

Love the world. Work for nothing.

Take all that you have and be poor.

Love someone who does not deserve it.

Denounce the government and embrace

the flag. Hope to live in that free

republic for which it stands.

Give your approval to all you cannot

understand. Praise ignorance, for what man

has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.

Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.

Say that your main crop is the forest

that you did not plant,

that you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested

when they have rotted into the mold.

Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus

that will build under the trees

every thousand years.

Listen to carrion – put your ear

close, and hear the faint chattering

of the songs that are to come.

Expect the end of the world. Laugh.

Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful

though you have considered all the facts.

So long as women do not go cheap

for power, please women more than men.

Ask yourself: Will this satisfy

a woman satisfied to bear a child?

Will this disturb the sleep

of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.

Lie down in the shade. Rest your head

in her lap. Swear allegiance

to what is nighest your thoughts.

As soon as the generals and the politicos

can predict the motions of your mind,

lose it. Leave it as a sign

to mark the false trail, the way

you didn’t go. Be like the fox

who makes more tracks than necessary,

some in the wrong direction.

Practice resurrection.

“Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” from The Country of Marriage, copyright © 1973 by Wendell Berry

Scripture: Psalm 65, Nan Merrill

In the desert flowers come forth,
the pastures flourish with
fruit and grain;
Creation's diversity is glorious!
May all people honor these gifts
with joyful song
while walking the path of Love.

Photo: Happy Cinco de Mayo

 

Spirituality: D.H. Lawrence in A Propos of Lady Chatterly's Lover

Oh what a catastrophe, what a maiming of love when it was made a personal, merely personal feeling, taken away from the rising and setting of the sun, and cut off from the magic connection of the solstice and equinox. This is what is the matter with us. We are bleeding at the roots, because we are cut off from the earth and sun and stars, and love is a grinning mockery, because, poor blossom, we plucked it from its stem on the tree of Life and expected it to keep on blooming in our civilized vase on the table.

Poem: Mary Oliver, "Moss" in New and Selected Poems

What a wild family! Fox and giraffe and wart hog, of course. But these also: bodies like tiny strings, bodies like blades and blossoms! Cord grass, Christmas fern, soldier moss! And here comes grasshopper, all toes and knees and eyes, over the little mountains of dust.

When I see the black cricket in the woodpile, in autumn, I don't frighten her. And when I see the moss grazing upon the rock, I touch her tenderly,

sweet cousin.

New Problems require New Solutions: The Fifth Sunday of Easter

                                  New Problems require New Solutions:

The Fifth Sunday of Easter 

May 7, 2023

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Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

 

The first reading details to us how the first Christian communities solved their internal disputes, and today, we always want to look back to see how they handled their affairs because it guides us when we have to tackle problems. The problems of the original community were not trivial or less important than the ones we face today. They are fairly similar in that the Hellenists were feeling discriminated against because they were not as important as the Jewish Christians. What did the disciples do? The Twelve called together the community to utter some guidelines and to let the community participate in creating solutions for the common good. Together, they created something new, something that did not exist before in the faith, and it seemed sensible, and everyone’s needs received attention. The Apostles blessed these new ministers, and the growth of the church continued organically. New problems require new solutions. 

 

The Gospel then tells us about the expansiveness of the reign of God. Jesus is telling his followers that there is a place for them and that everyone belongs. Jesus is showing us that the reign of God is about inclusivity. Here, Thomas and Philip have doubts that they express to Jesus. They are not certain of the way, and they are not certain how to get there, but they are willing to trust. Today, we have the Thomases and Philips who do have their doubts about the social and cultural issues facing the church and society, and many have doubts about the Synod and this “new” “old” way of walking together and solving problems. For many, people would rather not talk about racial or class issues, abortion, LGBTQ concerns, homelessness or addictions, but these issues touch every hot button in society. It is okay to have doubts. It is okay not to know the way. It is okay to express fear, and we also have to remember that Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled. Trust in him. The fear we have is not trust. This fear is not faith. He reminds us to be settled, and to stay in the conversation.

 

It is not okay to refuse to talk about these issues politely and civilly so we may be enriched, though we might not be skilled at it. It is not okay to clam up and be silent and to close down our minds in an attitude of presumption. It is not okay to shut out the Holy Spirit thinking that we know best and can control the narrative. The conversations we have can awaken our hearts, minds, attitudes, and imagination to be able to resolve tensions and conflicts lovingly and thoughtfully as the first disciples did. Their consciouses were awakened to new possibilities and opportunities as they wrestled with boundary-expanding questions. Tensions in the Church and society shouldn’t divide our church, but ought to the be impetus to bring us together so that we walk together and enlarge the tent. Jesus tells us the reign of God has many dwelling place; it has many tents that need to be enlarged. It starts with our ability to manage conflict.

 

The bishops put out a statement late last month saying that there needs to be a culture of formation about the Synod that helps people realize that walking and talking with each other, journeying with one another, learning from one another is the new pathway forward for the church. It is a new pathway for new solutions. This is a time of excitement for us as we return to the ways of the first communities of faith and we learn how to move forward by providing everyone with respect and dignity. You have faith in Jesus. Do not let your hearts be troubled. The Disciples showed us how to live prayerfully in a unified community anchored by Jesus the Lord. There are no problems that we cannot resolve as long as we come together with living faith. 

          

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

Monday: (Acts 14) As Gentiles and Jews in Iconium were about to attack Paul and Barnabas, they fled to Lystra where Paul healed a lame man.  

 

Tuesday: (Acts 14) The crowds began to put their faith in Paul and Barnabas as gods, but the men protested and told the story of the Christ event. Opposition to Paul increased shortly afterwards and he was stoned. They left for Derbe to strengthen the disciples in those cities and encouraged them during their times of hardship.

 

Wednesday: (Acts 15) Some of Paul’s Jewish opposition raised the question of circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic laws. Along the way to Jerusalem to seek the advice of the Apostles, they told everyone of the conversion of the Gentiles.

 

Thursday: (Acts 15) After much debate, Peter and James decided that no further restrictions were to be made on the Gentiles.

 

Friday (Acts 15) The Apostles and presbyters chose representatives and sent them to Paul and Barnabas with word that the Gentiles were indeed welcomed into the faith with no extra hardships placed upon them. The people were delighted with the good news.

 

Saturday (Acts 13) In Derbe and Lystra, Paul heard of a man named Timothy who was well regarded by the believers. Paul had him circumcised and they travelled to Macedonia to proclaim the good news.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 14) In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus reassures his disciples that he will remain with them if they keep his commandments to love one another. 

 

Tuesday: (John 14) To punctuate his message of consolation, he tells them he will send an advocate to teach and remind them of all he told them.

 

Wednesday (John 15) Jesus leaves them with his lasting peace that will help them endure many difficult times. This peace will allow us people to remain close to him – organically as he is the vine and we are the branches. 

 

Thursday (John 15) Remaining close to Jesus will allow us to share complete joy with one another. 

 

Friday (John 15) Jesus once again proves his love to his friends by saying that the true friend, the Good Shepherd, will lay down his life for his friends.  

 

Saturday (John 14) However, even with the love of Jesus, his followers will experience hatred in this world, but as his friends and as God’s elect, their harm can never really harm the souls of a believer.

 

Saints of the Week

 

May 10: Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i, priest (1840-1889), was a Belgian who entered the Congregation of the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He was sent on mission to the Hawaiian Islands and was a parish priest for nine years. He then volunteered as a chaplain to the remote leper colony of Moloka'i. He contracted leprosy and died at the colony. He is remembered for his brave choice to accept the mission and to bring respect and dignity to the lepers. He was canonized in 2009. A statue of him stands in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

 

May 12: Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs (early second century), were Roman Imperial soldiers who converted to Christianity. They left the army and were martyred when they refused to sacrifice to idols during Emperor Trajan's reign.

 

May 12: Pancras, martyr, (d. 304)was a Syrian orphan who was brought to Rome by his uncle. Both soon after converted to Christianity. Pancras was beheaded at age 14 during the Diocletian persecution and buried on the Via Aurelia. A cemetery was named after him, but his remains were sent to Northumbria in England where six churches are dedicated to him.

 

May 13: Our Lady of Fatima is a name given to Mary after she appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal between May 13 and October 13, 1917. During her appearances, Mary stressed the importance of repentance, ongoing conversion, and dedicated to the heart of Mary through praying the Rosary. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• May 7, 1547. Letter of St. Ignatius to the scholastics at Coimbra on Religious Perfection. 
• May 8, 1853. The death of Jan Roothan, the 21st general of the Society, who promoted the central role of the Spiritual Exercises in the work of the Society after the restoration. 
• May 9, 1758. The 19th General Congregation opened, the last of the Old Society. It elected Lorenzo Ricci as general. 
• May 10, 1773. Empress Maria Teresa of Austria changed her friendship for the Society into hatred, because she had been led to believe that a written confession of hers (found and printed by Protestants) had been divulged by the Jesuits. 
• May 11, 1824. St Regis Seminary opens in Florissant, Missouri, by Fr. Van Quickenborne. It was the first Roman Catholic school in USA for the higher education of Native American Indians 
• May 12,1981. A letter of this date, from Secretary of State, Cardinal Casaroli, speaks positively of Teilhard de Chardin in celebration of the centenary of his birth (May 1,1881). 
• May 13, 1572. Election of Gregory XIII to succeed St Pius V. To him the Society owes the foundation of the Roman and German Colleges.

Nuevos problemas requieren nuevas soluciones: El Quinto Domingo de Pascua

                        Nuevos problemas requieren nuevas soluciones:

El Quinto Domingo de Pascua

7 de mayo de 2023

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Hechos 6:1-7; Salmo 33; 1 Pedro 2:4-9; Juan 14:1-12

 

La primera lectura nos detalla cómo las primeras comunidades cristianas resolvieron sus disputas internas, y hoy, siempre queremos mirar hacia atrás para ver cómo manejaron sus asuntos porque nos guía cuando tenemos que abordar los problemas . Los problemas de la comunidad original no eran triviales ni menos importantes que los que enfrentamos hoy. Son bastante similares en que los helenistas se sentían discriminados porque no eran tan importantes como los cristianos judíos. ¿Qué hicieron los discípulos? Los Doce convocaron a la comunidad para pronunciar algunas pautas y dejar que la comunidad participe en la creación de soluciones para el bien común. Juntos crearon algo nuevo, algo que antes no existía en la fe, y parecía sensato, y las necesidades de todos recibieron atención. Los Apóstoles bendijeron a estos nuevos ministros y el crecimiento de la iglesia continuó orgánicamente. Nuevos problemas requieren nuevas soluciones.

 

El Evangelio nos habla entonces de la expansión del reino de Dios. Jesús les está diciendo a sus seguidores que hay un lugar para ellos y que todos pertenecen. Jesús nos está mostrando que el reino de Dios se trata de inclusión. Aquí, Tomás y Felipe tienen dudas que expresan a Jesús. No están seguros del camino, y no están seguros de cómo llegar allí, pero están dispuestos a confiar. Hoy tenemos a los Tomás y Philips que tienen sus dudas sobre los problemas sociales y culturales que enfrentan la iglesia y la sociedad, y muchos tienen dudas sobre el Sínodo y esta “nueva” “vieja” forma de caminar juntos y resolver problemas. Para muchos, la gente preferiría no hablar sobre cuestiones raciales o de clase, el aborto, las preocupaciones LGBTQ, la falta de vivienda o las adicciones, pero estos temas tocan todos los puntos candentes de la sociedad. Está bien tener dudas. Está bien no saber el camino. Está bien expresar miedo, y también tenemos que recordar que Jesús nos dice que no dejemos que nuestro corazón se turbe. Confía en él. El miedo que tenemos no es confianza. Este miedo no es fe. Nos recuerda que nos tranquilicemos y que permanezcamos en la conversación.

 

No está bien rehusarse a hablar sobre estos temas de manera cortés y cortés para que podamos enriquecernos, aunque no seamos hábiles en ello. No está bien cerrar la boca y permanecer en silencio y cerrar nuestras mentes en una actitud de presunción. No está bien dejar fuera al Espíritu Santo pensando que sabemos más y podemos controlar la narrativa. Las conversaciones que tenemos pueden despertar nuestros corazones, mentes, actitudes e imaginación para poder resolver tensiones y conflictos con amor y consideración como lo hicieron los primeros discípulos. Sus conciencias se despertaron a nuevas posibilidades y oportunidades mientras luchaban con preguntas que expandían los límites. Las tensiones en la Iglesia y la sociedad no deben dividir a nuestra iglesia, pero deben ser el impulso que nos una para que caminemos juntos y ensanchemos la carpa. Jesús nos dice que el reino de Dios tiene muchas moradas ; tiene muchas carpas que necesitan ser ampliadas. Comienza con nuestra capacidad para manejar el conflicto.

 

Los obispos emitieron una declaración a fines del mes pasado diciendo que debe haber una cultura de formación sobre el Sínodo que ayude a las personas a darse cuenta de que caminar y hablar unos con otros, viajar unos con otros, aprender unos de otros es el nuevo camino a seguir para el iglesia. Es un nuevo camino para nuevas soluciones. Este es un momento de emoción para nosotros, ya que volvemos a los caminos de las primeras comunidades de fe y aprendemos cómo avanzar brindando a todos respeto y dignidad. Tienes fe en Jesús. No deje que se angustien. Los Discípulos nos mostraron cómo vivir en oración en una comunidad unida anclada en Jesús el Señor. No hay problemas que no podamos resolver mientras nos unamos con fe viva.

          

Escritura para la misa diaria

 

Lunes: (Hechos 14) Cuando los gentiles y judíos en Iconio estaban a punto de atacar a Pablo y Bernabé, huyeron a Listra donde Pablo sanó a un cojo.

 

Martes: (Hechos 14) Las multitudes comenzaron a poner su fe en Pablo y Bernabé como dioses, pero los hombres protestaron y contaron la historia del evento de Cristo. La oposición a Pablo aumentó poco después y fue apedreado. Partieron hacia Derbe para fortalecer a los discípulos en esas ciudades y alentarlos durante sus tiempos difíciles.

 

Miércoles: (Hechos 15) Algunos de los judíos que se oponían a Pablo plantearon la cuestión de la circuncisión y la adherencia a las leyes mosaicas. En el camino a Jerusalén para buscar el consejo de los Apóstoles, les contaron a todos sobre la conversión de los gentiles.

 

Jueves: (Hechos 15) Después de mucho debate, Pedro y Santiago decidieron que no se harían más restricciones a los gentiles.

 

Viernes (Hechos 15) Los Apóstoles y los presbíteros escogieron representantes y los enviaron a Pablo y Bernabé con la noticia de que los gentiles ciertamente fueron bienvenidos a la fe sin que se les impusieran dificultades adicionales. La gente estaba encantada con la buena noticia.

 

Sábado (Hechos 13) En Derbe y Listra, Pablo oyó hablar de un hombre llamado Timoteo que era bien considerado por los creyentes. Pablo lo hizo circuncidar y viajaron a Macedonia para proclamar la buena noticia.

 

Evangelio: 

Lunes: (Juan 14) En el Discurso de despedida, Jesús asegura a sus discípulos que permanecerá con ellos si guardan sus mandamientos de amarse unos a otros.

Martes: (Juan 14) Para puntualizar su mensaje de consolación, les dice que enviará un abogado para enseñarles y recordarles todo lo que les dijo.

 

Miércoles (Juan 15) Jesús los deja con su paz duradera que los ayudará a sobrellevar muchos momentos difíciles. Esta paz nos permitirá a las personas permanecer cerca de él, orgánicamente como él es la vid y nosotros somos las ramas.

 

Jueves (Juan 15) Permanecer cerca de Jesús nos permitirá compartir la alegría completa unos con otros.

 

Viernes (Juan 15) Jesús demuestra una vez más su amor a sus amigos al decir que el verdadero amigo, el Buen Pastor, dará su vida por sus amigos.

 

Sábado (Juan 14) Sin embargo, aun con el amor de Jesús, sus seguidores experimentarán odio en este mundo, pero como sus amigos y como elegidos de Dios, su daño nunca puede realmente dañar las almas de un creyente.

 

santos de la semana

 

10 de mayo: Damián de Veuster de Moloka'i , sacerdote (1840-1889), fue un belga que ingresó en la Congregación de los Padres de los Sagrados Corazones de Jesús y María. Fue enviado en misión a las islas de Hawái y fue párroco durante nueve años. Luego se ofreció como capellán voluntario en la remota colonia de leprosos de Moloka'i . Contrajo lepra y murió en la colonia. Se le recuerda por su valiente elección de aceptar la misión y traer respeto y dignidad a los leprosos. Fue canonizado en 2009. Una estatua de él se encuentra en la rotonda del Capitolio de los Estados Unidos.

 

12 de mayo: Nereus y Achilleus , mártires (principios del siglo II), eran soldados imperiales romanos que se convirtieron al cristianismo. Dejaron el ejército y fueron martirizados cuando se negaron a sacrificar a los ídolos durante el reinado del emperador Trajano.

 

12 de mayo: Pancracio, mártir, (m. 304) era un huérfano sirio que fue llevado a Roma por su tío. Ambos poco después se convirtieron al cristianismo. Pancras fue decapitado a los 14 años durante la persecución de Diocleciano y enterrado en la Vía Aurelia. Se nombró un cementerio en su honor, pero sus restos fueron enviados a Northumbria en Inglaterra, donde se le dedicaron seis iglesias.

 

13 de mayo: Nuestra Señora de Fátima es el nombre que se le da a María después de que se apareció a tres niños pastores en Fátima, Portugal, entre el 13 de mayo y el 13 de octubre de 1917. Durante sus apariciones, María enfatizó la importancia del arrepentimiento, la conversión continua y la dedicación a la el corazón de María a través del rezo del Rosario.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 7 de mayo de 1547. Carta de San Ignacio a los escolásticos de Coimbra sobre la perfección religiosa.
• 8 de mayo de 1853. Muerte de Jan Roothan , 21° general de la Sociedad, que promovió el papel central de los Ejercicios Espirituales en el trabajo de la Sociedad después de la restauración.
• 9 de mayo de 1758. Se abre la XIX Congregación General, la última de la Antigua Sociedad. Eligió a Lorenzo Ricci como general.
• 10 de mayo de 1773. La emperatriz María Teresa de Austria cambió su amistad por la Compañía en odio, porque le habían hecho creer que una confesión suya escrita (encontrada e impresa por protestantes) había sido divulgada por los jesuitas.
• 11 de mayo de 1824. Se abre el Seminario St Regis en Florissant, Missouri, por el P. Van Quickenborne . Fue la primera escuela católica romana en EE. UU. para la educación superior de los indios nativos americanos.
• 12 de mayo de 1981. Una carta de esta fecha, del Secretario de Estado, Cardenal Casaroli , habla positivamente de Teilhard de Chardin en celebración del centenario de su nacimiento (1 de mayo de 1881).
• 13 de mayo de 1572. Elección de Gregorio XIII para suceder a San Pío V. A él debe la Fraternidad la fundación de los Colegios Romano y Germánico.

 

Prayer: John XXIII

 Easter is for us a dying to sin, to passion, to hatred and enmity, and all that brings about disorder, spiritual and material bitterness, and anguish. This death is indeed only the first step toward a higher goal - for our Easter is also a mystery of new life. 

Photo: May Flowers

 

Spirituality: "Empowerment," by Fred Kammer, SJ, JD, adapted by Thomas Massaro, SJ

Within the genre of Catholic social teaching documents, the term empowerment first appears in the 1967 encyclical Populorum Progressio by Pope Paul VI in addressing the realities of emerging nations.  It echoed in the writings of Pope Benedict XVI on the authentic development of peoples and nations.

Pope Francis has made the term his own in multiple addresses. Among these is his 2015 address in Bolivia where he expounded on its meaning in these words:

The world’s peoples want to be artisans of their own destiny. They want to advance peacefully towards justice. They do not want forms of tutelage or interference by which those with greater power subordinate those with less. They want their culture, their language, their social processes, and their religious traditions to be respected. No actual or established power has the right to deprive peoples of the full exercise of their sovereignty. Whenever they do so, we see the rise of new forms of colonialism which seriously prejudice the possibility of peace and justice.