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Monday, March 22, 2021

Poem: “A Purification” by Wendell Berry

At start of spring I open a trench 
In the ground I put into it 
The winter’s accumulation of paper, 
Pages I do not want to read 
Again, useless words, fragments, errors. 
And I put into it the contents of the outhouse: 
light of the suns, growth of the ground, 
my sins; 
that I have not been happy enough, 
considering my good luck; 
have listened to too much noise, 
have been inattentive to wonders, 
have lusted after praise. 
And then upon the gathered refuse, of mind and body, 
I close the trench folding shut again the dark, 
the deathless earth. 
Beneath that seal the old escapes into the new.

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Prayer: Teresa of Calcutta

God speaks in the silence of the heart, and we listen, and then we speak to God from the fulness of our heart, and God listens. And this listening and this speaking is what prayer is meant to be. 

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Spirituality: Nan Merrill in "Lumen Christi...Holy Wisdom"

Uphold the Light that your inner light
may illumine fear-filled hearts...
Light comes with each new dawn.
yield to the Light within;
become a chalice of light
for the world!


Friday, March 19, 2021

Prayer: Prayer to Saint Joseph, by John Predmore, S.J.

Loving Joseph, the roots of a father’s care reach deep into his children’s souls. You raised Jesus to become our liberator; you remained devoted to your wife, Mary; God found you worthy to entrust Jesus to your gentle care; you gave him wisdom as you taught him faith in God. Jesus learned obedience from you and Mary, which strengthened him to be obedient to God. 

Tender Joseph, show yourself a father to us and guide us to find happiness in our life that is filled with much heartache and suffering. Raise our hearts and minds to look to God the way you taught Jesus. Give us grace, mercy, and courage to handle the challenges of the day, so that we remain as faithful as you. Amen

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Poem: Rumi from "A Great Wagon"

The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you
    Don't go back to sleep!
You must ask for what you really want.
    Don't go back to sleep!
People are going back and forth
across the doorsill where the two worlds touch,
The door is round and open
    Don't go back to sleep!

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

We want to see Jesus. The Fifth Sunday of Lent 2021

                                     We want to see Jesus.

The Fifth Sunday of Lent 2021

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Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33

 

 

Lent shifts to the beginning of the Passion as the Greek Jews arrive for the Passover. Saint Phillip has a unique role in biblical events. As one of the first disciples, he was a messenger to tell others about Jesus. Initially, he presented Nathaniel, a doubter, to Jesus to become a disciple, and now he and Andrew are presenting the Greek Jews to Jesus. The tiny movement that began in Bethsaida of Galilee now has the whole word wanting to see Jesus. This marks the end of Jesus’s ministry and the beginning of the Passion narrative. The hour has come for all that Jesus did and represented to be glorified by God. The glory had to first pass through a dark hour.  

 

While the Fourth Gospel presents the most divine image of Jesus, he indicates that he does not want to die in this excruciating manner. He says, “I am troubled now,” which pales in comparison to the words we hear in Hebrews, “with prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one was able to save him.” This is real pain and sorrow. This is real fear. This is real anger. The evangelist tells us that God will eventually have the last word after Jesus goes through this terrible ordeal.

 

It is helpful if we, like Jesus, expressed more of our anger in prayer because it is a useful tool for our communication. Anger is fuel. It is a voice, a shout, a plea to be heard, and it shows us where we want to go. Anger lets us see where we’ve been and it lets us know where we need to go. Anger points the way, not just the finger, and anger is a sign of good health. Anger points the direction, and we are to use anger as fuel to take the actions we need to move where our anger points us. Anger is meant to be acted upon, and not acted out.

 

When we feel anger, we are often very angry that we feel anger. We tell our confessor that our sin is anger. We stuff it, deny it, bury it, block it, hide it, lie about it, medicate it, muffle it, ignore it. We do everything but listen to it. Anger tells us that we cannot get away with our old life any longer, that our old life is dying, that we are being reborn, and this rebirth hurts. The hurt makes us angry. Anger is a tool. Anger is not to master you. Anger is the fuel to bring us rapidly into our new one. Anger is meant to be tapped into and be drawn upon. Anger is useful.

 

 

 

Sloth, apathy, despair are our enemies. Anger is a friend, maybe not a nice friend or a gentle friend, but a very, very loyal friend. It will always tell us when we have been betrayed. It tells us when we have betrayed ourselves. It will tell us that it is time to act in our own best interests. Anger is an invitation. 

 

Jesus was not afraid of his anger. He dealt with real life emotions. He expressed it often in the Gospels, and he let God have it when he was preparing to enter Jerusalem and then again in the Garden. Jesus did not want to die and he told that to God, and because he released his anger, he was then free to trust God, though he knew it would end in his death. God had something more, something beyond, and Jesus could grasp it. It allowed him to be free to be obedient to God, obedient to his death. His obedience freed him for God’s glory. It is his obedience of faith that saves us. His obedience to faith led God to vindicate him in the resurrection. Let’s go with him now as he heads to Jerusalem and to that Cross of shame and glory. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

First Reading:

Monday: (Daniel 13) Daniel’s sharp advocacy skills spare the life of Susannah who has been unjustly accused of immoral sexual relationships.

 

Tuesday: (Numbers 21) As the wandering Israelites passed through the desert near the Red Sea, many are bitten by seraph serpents, but Moses erected a bronze serpent that he lifted up for those bitten to gaze upon the image and be cured. 

 

Wednesday: (Isaiah 7) Annunciation: Ahaz is tempted by the Lord to ask for a sign but he will not. The Lord gives it anyways: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel.

 

Thursday: (Genesis 17) The Lord said to Abraham: You are to become the father of a host of nations. You will become fertile; kings will stem from you.   

 

Friday: (Jeremiah 20) Terror on every side. Let us denounce him. The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.

 

Saturday: (Ezekiel 37) My dwelling shall be with my people. I will be their God and they shall be my people.   

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 8) A woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus for a verdict, but he does not answer as he calls upon those who are without sin to cast the first stone. 

 

Tuesday: (John 8) Jesus tells the Pharisees that they will lift up the Son of Man and will then realized that I AM. 

 

Wednesday: (Luke 1) Gabriel was sent to Mary of Nazareth to inform her that she has been chosen by the Lord to bear a son who will be called holy, the Son of God.

 

Thursday: (John 8) Whoever keeps my words will never see death. Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.

 

Friday: (John 10) The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus, but he wanted to know for which of the works he was condemned. He went back across the Jordan and remained there.

 

Saturday: (John 11) Many came to believe in Jesus. Caiaphas asked, “do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people?”

 

Saints of the Week

 

March 23: Toribio of Mogrovejo, bishop (1538-1606) was a Spanish law professor in Salamanca who became the president of the Inquisition in Granada. As a layman, he was made the Archbishop of Lima, Peru and became quickly disturbed at the treatment of the native populations by the European conquerors. He condemned abuses and founded schools to educate the oppressed natives. He built hospitals and churches and opened the first seminary in Latin America.

 

March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the announcement that God chose to unite divinity with humanity at the conception of Jesus. God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary to inform her of God’s intentions to have her conceive the future Messiah. The boy’s name was to be Jesus – meaning “God saves.” This date falls nine months before Christmas Day. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

  • Mar 21, 1768. In Spain, at a special meeting of the Council of State in the presence of King Charles III, the Suppression of the Society was urged on the pretense that it was independent of the bishops, that it plotted against the State, and that it was lax in its teaching. 
  • March 22, 1585: In Rome, Fr. General received the three Japanese ambassadors with great solemnity in the Society's Church of the Gesu. 
  • March 23, 1772: At Rome, Cardinal Marefoschi held a visitation of the Irish College and accused the Jesuits of mismanagement. He removed them from directing that establishment. 
  • March 24, 1578: At Lisbon Rudolf Acquaviva and 13 companions embarked for India. Among the companions were Matthew Ricci and Michael Ruggieri. 
  • March 25, 1563: The first Sodality of Our Lady, Prima Primaria, was begun in the Roman College by a young Belgian Jesuit named John Leunis (Leonius). 
  • March 26, 1553: Ignatius of Loyola's letter on obedience was sent to the Jesuits of Portugal. 
  • March 27, 1587: At Messina died Fr. Thomas Evans, an Englishman at 29. He had suffered imprisonment for his defense of the Catholic faith in England. 

 

Queremos ver a Jesús . El F si º domingo de Cuaresma 2021

                                             Queremos ver a Jesús .

El Cinco domingo de Cuaresma 2021

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Jeremías 31: 31-34 ; Salmo 51 ; Hebreos 5 : 7 - 9 ; Juan 12 : 20 - 33

 

 

La Cuaresma cambia al comienzo de la Pasión cuando los judíos griegos llegan para la Pascua. San Felipe tiene un papel único en los eventos bíblicos. A s uno de los primeros discípulos, que era un mensajero para decirle a otros acerca de Jesús. Inicialmente, presentó a Nataniel, un incrédulo, a Jesús para que se convirtiera en discípulo, y ahora él y Andrés están presentando a los judíos griegos a Jesús. El pequeño movimiento que comenzó en Betsaida de Galilea ahora tiene toda la palabra queriendo ver a Jesús. Esto marca el final del ministerio de Jesús y el comienzo de la narrativa de la Pasión. Ha llegado la hora de que todo lo que Jesús hizo y representó sea glorificado por Dios . La gloria tuvo que pasar primero por una hora oscura.

 

Si bien el Cuarto Evangelio presenta la imagen más divina de Jesús, indica que no quiere morir de esta manera insoportable. Él dice: "Estoy preocupado ahora", que palidece en comparación con las palabras que escuchamos en Hebreos, "con oraciones y súplicas con fuertes gritos y lágrimas para el que pudo salvarlo". Esto es dolor y tristeza real. Este es el miedo real. Esta es una verdadera ira. El evangelista nos dice que Dios finalmente tendrá la última palabra después de que Jesús pase por esta terrible prueba.

 

Es útil si nosotros, como Jesús, expresamos más nuestro enojo en oración porque es una herramienta útil para nuestra comunicación. La ira es combustible. Es una voz, un grito, una súplica para ser escuchada y nos muestra hacia dónde queremos ir. La ira nos permite ver dónde hemos estado y saber adónde debemos ir. La ira señala el camino, no solo el dedo, y la ira es un signo de buena salud. La ira señala la dirección, y debemos usar la ira como combustible para tomar las acciones que necesitamos para movernos hacia donde nuestra ira nos indique. La ira está destinada a actuar en consecuencia, no a actuar.

 

Cuando sentimos enojo, a menudo estamos muy enojados porque sentimos enojo. Le decimos a nuestro confesor que nuestro pecado es la ira. Lo rellenamos, lo negamos, lo enterramos, lo bloqueamos, lo escondemos, mentimos al respecto, lo medicamos, lo amortiguamos, lo ignoramos. Hacemos de todo menos escucharlo. La ira nos dice que ya no podemos seguir adelante con nuestra vida anterior, que nuestra vida anterior está muriendo, que estamos renaciendo y este renacimiento duele. El dolor nos enoja. La ira es una herramienta. La ira no es para dominarte. La ira es el combustible que nos lleva rápidamente a la nueva. La ira está destinada a ser aprovechada y atraída. La ira es útil.

 

 

 

La pereza, la apatía, la desesperación son nuestros enemigos. La ira es un amigo, tal vez no un buen amigo o un amigo amable, sino un amigo muy, muy leal. Siempre nos dirá cuándo nos han traicionado. Nos dice cuándo nos hemos traicionado a nosotros mismos. Nos dirá que es hora de actuar en nuestro mejor interés. La ira es una invitación.

 

Jesús no tuvo miedo de su ira. Se ocupó de las emociones de la vida real. Lo expresó a menudo en los Evangelios, y dejó que Dios lo tuviera cuando se estaba preparando para entrar en Jerusalén y luego nuevamente en el Huerto. Jesús no quería morir y él dijo que a Dios, y porque él lanzó su ira, h e era entonces libre para confiar en Dios, aunque sabía que terminaría en su muerte. Dios tenía algo más, algo más allá, y Jesús podía comprenderlo . Le permitió ser libre para ser obediente a Dios, obediente hasta su muerte. Su obediencia lo liberó para la gloria de Dios. Es su obediencia de fe lo que nos salva. Su obediencia a la fe llevó a Dios a vindicarlo en la resurrección. Vayamos con él ahora mientras se dirige a Jerusalén y a esa Cruz de la vergüenza y la gloria.

 

Escritura para la misa diaria

 

Primera lectura:

Lunes: (Daniel 13) Las agudas habilidades de defensa de Daniel le perdonan la vida a Susannah, quien ha sido acusada injustamente de relaciones sexuales inmorales.

 

Martes: (Números 21) Mientras los israelitas errantes pasaban por el desierto cerca del Mar Rojo, muchos fueron mordidos por serpientes serafines, pero Moisés erigió una serpiente de bronce que levantó para que los mordidos miraran la imagen y fueran curados.

 

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

 

Jueves: (Génesis 17) El Señor le dijo a Abraham: Te convertirás en padre de un ejército de naciones. Te volverás fértil; los reyes vendrán de ti.  

 

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

 

Sábado: (Ezequiel 37) Mi morada estará con mi pueblo. Yo seré su Dios y ellos serán mi pueblo.  

 

Evangelio: 

Lunes: (Juan 8) Una mujer sorprendida en adulterio es llevada a Jesús para un veredicto, pero él no responde mientras pide a los que están sin pecado que arrojen la primera piedra.

 

Martes: (Juan 8) Jesús les dice a los fariseos que levantarán al Hijo del Hombre y entonces se darán cuenta de que YO SOY.

 

Miércoles: (Lucas 1) Gabriel fue enviado a María de Nazaret para informarle que ella había sido escogida por el Señor para dar a luz un hijo que será llamado santo, el Hijo de Dios.

 

Jueves: (Juan 8) El que guarda mis palabras nunca verá la muerte. Abraham se regocijó al ver mi día; lo vio y se alegró.

 

Viernes: (Juan 10) Los judíos tomaron piedras para apedrear a Jesús, pero él quería saber por cuál de las obras estaba condenado. Volvió a cruzar el Jordán y permaneció allí.

 

Sábado: (Juan 11) Muchos llegaron a creer en Jesús. Caifás preguntó: "¿Consideras que es mejor para ti que muera un hombre en lugar del pueblo?"

 

Santos de la semana

 

23 de marzo: Toribio de Mogrovejo , obispo (1538-1606) fue un catedrático de derecho español en Salamanca que se convirtió en presidente de la Inquisición en Granada. Como laico, fue nombrado Arzobispo de Lima, Perú y rápidamente se sintió perturbado por el trato que los conquistadores europeos habían dado a las poblaciones nativas. Condenó los abusos y fundó escuelas para educar a los nativos oprimidos. Construyó hospitales e iglesias y abrió el primer seminario en América Latina.

 

25 de marzo : La Anunciación del Señor celebra el anuncio de que Dios eligió unir la divinidad con la humanidad en la concepción de Jesús. Dios envió al ángel Gabriel a María para informarle de las intenciones de Dios de que ella concibiera al futuro Mesías. El nombre del niño sería Jesús, que significa "Dios salva". Esta fecha cae nueve meses antes del día de Navidad.

 

Esta semana en la historia de los jesuitas

 

·                21 de marzo de 1768. En España, en una reunión especial del Consejo de Estado en presencia del Rey Carlos III, se instó a la Supresión de la Compañía con el pretexto de que era independiente de los obispos, que conspiraba contra el Estado, y que fue flojo en su enseñanza.

·                22 de marzo de 1585: en Roma, el P. General recibió a los tres embajadores japoneses con gran solemnidad en la Iglesia de la Sociedad del Gesu .

·                23 de marzo de 1772: En Roma, el cardenal Marefoschi realizó una visita al Colegio Irlandés y acusó a los jesuitas de mala administración. Los apartó de la dirección de ese establecimiento.

·                24 de marzo de 1578: En Lisboa, Rudolf Acquaviva y 13 compañeros se embarcan para la India. Entre los compañeros se encontraban Matthew Ricci y Michael Ruggieri.

·                25 de marzo de 1563: Un joven jesuita belga llamado John Leunis ( Leonius ) inició la primera cofradía de Nuestra Señora, Prima Primaria, en el Colegio Romano .

·                26 de marzo de 1553: Se envía la carta de obediencia de Ignacio de Loyola a los jesuitas de Portugal.

·                27 de marzo de 1587: en Messina muere el P. Thomas Evans, un inglés de 29 años. Había sufrido encarcelamiento por defender la fe católica en Inglaterra.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Prayer: Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is my wish for you: 

Comfort on difficult days, 

smiles when sadness intrudes, 

rainbows to follow the clouds, 

laughter to kiss your lips, 

sunsets to warm your heart, 

hugs when spirits sag, 

beauty for your eyes to see, 

friendships to brighten your being, 

faith so that you can believe, 

confidence for when you doubt, 

courage to know yourself, 

patience to accept the truth, 

Love to complete your life.

 


Monday, March 15, 2021

Spirituality: "Boundaries" by Lynn Ungar

The universe does not

revolve around you.

The stars and planets spinning

through the ballroom of space

dance with one another

quite outside of your small life.

You cannot hold gravity

or seasons; even air and water

inevitably evade your grasp.

Why not, then, let go?

 

You could move through time

like a shark through water,

neither restless or ceasing,

absorbed in and absorbing

the native element.

Why pretend you can do otherwise?

The world comes in at every pore,

mixes in your blood before

breath releases you into 

the world again. Did you think

the fragile boundary of your skin

could build a wall?

 

Listen. Every molecule is humming

its particular pitch.

Of course you are a symphony.

Whose tune do you think

the planets are singing

as they dance? 

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Prayer: Charles Borromeo

 If a tiny spark of God's love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out...  Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter... Do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself.