EVANGELIO DEL DÍA

viernes, 21 de mayo de 2010

"What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?"

DAILY GOSPEL: 22/05/2010
«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68


Saturday of the Seventh week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 28:16-20.30-31.
When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, "My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.
But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains."
He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him,
and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 11:4.5.7.
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven. God's eyes keep careful watch; they test all peoples.
The LORD tests the good and the bad, hates those who love violence,
The LORD is just and loves just deeds; the upright shall see his face.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 21:20-25.
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?"
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?"
Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me."
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? (What concern is it of yours?)"
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
Jn 21,20-25
Commentary of the day 
Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Poem « Vuestra soy, para vos nací » (trans. E.Allison Peers)
"What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?"
I am thine and born for thee,
What wilt thou do with me?

Sovereign Lord upon thy throne,
Endless Wisdom, one and whole,
Goodness that dost feed my soul,
Good and great, one God alone,
As I sing my love for thee.
What wilt thou do with me?

Thine I am, for thou didst make me;
Thine, for thou alone didst save me;
Thine – thou couldst endure to have me;
For thine own didst deign to take me.
Never once didst thou forsake me.
Ruined were I if not for thee:
What wilt thou do with me?

What, O good and loving Lord,
What wilt thou have this creature do?
This thy slave, a sinner too,
Waiting till she hears thy word?
With thy will in close accord,
Sweetest Love, I come to thee:
What wilt thou do with me?

Take, O Lord, my loving heart:
See, I yield it to thee whole,
With my body, life and soul
And my nature's every part.
Sweetest Spouse, my life thou art;
I have given myself to thee:
What wilt thou do with me?

Let me live or let me die;
Give me sickness, give me health;
Give me poverty or wealth;
Let me strive or peaceful lie.
Weakness give or strength supply –
I accept it all of thee:
What wilt thou do with me?...

I am thine and born for thee,
What wilt thou do with me?


Saturday, 22 May 2010

St. Rita of Cascia, Widow (c. 1386-1456)



SAINT RITA OF CASCIA
Widow
(c. 1386-1456)
        St. Rita of Cascia, whose feast is celebrated on May 22, was born at Rocca Porena, Italy, about the year 1386, and died at Cascia in the year 1456. Her parents opposed her desire to become a nun, and persuaded her to marry a man who, in a short time, lost his reputation on account of his cruelty. After being converted from his wicked ways, he was murdered by an enemy. Rita's two sons then resolved to take revenge, but through her prayers they repented.
        After their death, she applied several times for admission into the Augustinian Convent at Cascia. Repeatedly refused until God Himself cleared away all obstacles, she entered the convent, made her profession and lived the life of a holy and devout Religious for forty-two years, "a shining example of every Christian virtue, pure as a lily, simple as a dove, and obedient as an angel."
        That "God is wonderful in His Saints" is easily proved in the life of St. Rita, and, owing to her great number of miracles, she is often styled "The Saint of the Impossible."


Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

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