“Does not Scripture have it: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ - ? but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

DAILY GOSPEL: 28/05/2010

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Friday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

First Letter of Peter 4:7-13.
The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and sober for prayers.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.
Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.

Psalms 96:10.11-12.13.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king. The world will surely stand fast, never to be moved. God rules the peoples with fairness.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice
before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, To govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 11:11-26.
He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry.
Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs.
And he said to it in reply, "May no one ever eat of your fruit again!" And his disciples heard it.
They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.
He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.
Then he taught them saying, "Is it not written: 'My house shall be called a house of prayerfor all peoples'? But you have made it a den of thieves."
The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.
When evening came, they went out of the city.
Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots.
Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered."
Jesus said to them in reply, "Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions." 

Mc 11,11-26

Commentary of the day 
John Tauler (c.1300-1361), Dominican at Strasbourg
Sermon 46

“Does not Scripture have it: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ - ? but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Then Our Lord entered the Temple and lashing a whip, he threw out everyone who was buying and selling, and he said: “My house shall be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a den of thieves.” What is this temple that has become a den of thieves? It is the soul and the body of a person, which are much more truly God’s temple than all the temples that were ever built (1 Cor 3:17; 6:19).

When Our Lord wants to come into this temple, he finds it changed into a lair of thieves and a merchants’ bazaar. But what is a merchant? It is they who give what they have – their free will – for what they do not have – the things of this world. How full of these merchants is the whole world! They are among the priests and the lay people, among the religious, the monks and the nuns. What a huge research topic for someone who wants to study how so many people are so full of their own will! … Everywhere, there is nothing but nature and people’s own desire; so many people seek their interest in everything. If, on the contrary, they wanted to make a deal with God by giving him their will, what a wonderful deal they would be making!

A person must want, must pursue, must seek God in everything he does. And when he has done all that – drinking, sleeping, eating, speaking, listening – then let him entirely leave the images of things and see to it that his temple remains empty. Once the temple is emptied, once you have chased out that band of salespeople, the imaginings that clutter it up, you will be able to be a house of God (Eph 2:19), but not before, whatever you might do. Then you will have peace and joy of heart, and nothing of what constantly worries you and depresses you and makes you suffer now will trouble you anymore.

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Friday, 28 May 2010

St. Germanus of Paris, Bishop (c. 496 - 576)

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SAINT GERMANUS
Bishop
(c. 496 - 576)

        St. Germanus, the glory of the Church of France in the sixth century, was born in the territory of Autun, about the year 496. In his youth he was conspicuous for his fervor. Being ordained priest, he was made abbot of St. Symphorian's; he was favored at that time with the gifts of miracles and prophecy. It was his custom to watch the great part of the night in the church in prayer, whilst his monks slept.

        One night, in a dream, he thought a venerable old man presented him with the keys of the city of Paris, and said to him that God committed to his care the inhabitants of that city, that he should save them from perishing.

        Four years after this divine admonition, in 554, happening to be at Paris when that see became vacant on the demise of the Bishop Eusebius, he was exalted to the episcopal chair, though he endeavored by many tears to decline the charge. His promotion made no alteration in his mode of life. The same simplicity and frugality appeared in his dress, table, and furniture. His house was perpetually crowded with the poor and the afflicted, and he had always many beggars at his own table. God gave to his sermons a wonderful influence over the minds of all ranks of people; so that the face of the whole city was in a very short time quite changed.

        King Childebert, who till then had been an ambitious, worldly prince, was entirely converted by the sweetness and the powerful discourses of the Saint, and founded many religious institutions, and sent large sums of money to the good bishop, to be distributed among the indigent.

        In his old age St. Germanus lost nothing of that zeal and activity with which he had filled the great duties of his station in the vigor of his life; nor did the weakness to which his corporal austerities had reduced him make him abate anything in the mortifications of his penitential life, in which he redoubled his fervor as he approached nearer to the end of his course. By his zeal the remains of idolatry were extirpated in France.

        The Saint continued his labors for the conversion of sinners till he was called to receive the reward of them, on the 28th of May, 576, being eighty years old.

«La Escritura dice: Mi casa se llama casa de oración para todos los pueblos. Vosotros, en cambio, la habéis convertido en cueva de bandidos»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 28/05/2010

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Viernes de la VIII Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Epístola I de San Pedro 4,7-13.
Ya se acerca el fin de todas las cosas: por eso, tengan la moderación y la sobriedad necesarias para poder orar.
Sobre todo, ámense profundamente los unos a los otros, porque el amor cubre todos los pecados.
Practiquen la hospitalidad, sin quejarse.
Pongan al servicio de los demás los dones que han recibido, como buenos administradores de la multiforme gracia de Dios.
El que ha recibido el don de la Palabra, que la enseñe como Palabra de Dios. El que ejerce un ministerio, que lo haga como quien recibe de Dios ese poder, para que Dios sea glorificado en todas las cosas, por Jesucristo. ¡A él sea la gloria y el poder, por los siglos de los siglos! Amén.
Queridos míos, no se extrañen de la violencia que se ha desatado contra ustedes para ponerlos a prueba, como si les sucediera algo extraordinario.
Alégrense en la medida en que puedan compartir los sufrimientos de Cristo. Así, cuando se manifieste su gloria, ustedes también desbordarán de gozo y de alegría.

Salmo 96,10.11-12.13.
Digan entre las naciones: "¡El Señor reina! El mundo está firme y no vacilará. El Señor juzgará a los pueblos con rectitud".
Alégrese el cielo y exulte la tierra, resuene el mar y todo lo que hay en él;
regocíjese el campo con todos sus frutos, griten de gozo los árboles del bosque.
Griten de gozo delante del Señor, porque él viene a gobernar la tierra: él gobernará al mundo con justicia, y a los pueblos con su verdad.

Evangelio según San Marcos 11,11-26.
Jesús llegó a Jerusalén y fue al Templo; y después de observarlo todo, como ya era tarde, salió con los Doce hacia Betania.
Al día siguiente, cuando salieron de Betania, Jesús sintió hambre.
Al divisar de lejos una higuera cubierta de hojas, se acercó para ver si encontraba algún fruto, pero no había más que hojas; porque no era la época de los higos.
Dirigiéndose a la higuera, le dijo: "Que nadie más coma de tus frutos". Y sus discípulos lo oyeron.
Cuando llegaron a Jerusalén, Jesús entró en el Templo y comenzó a echar a los que vendían y compraban en él. Derribó las mesas de los cambistas y los puestos de los vendedores de palomas,
y prohibió que transportaran cargas por el Templo.
Y les enseñaba: "¿Acaso no está escrito: Mi Casa será llamada Casa de oración para todas las naciones? Pero ustedes la han convertido en una cueva de ladrones".
Cuando se enteraron los sumos sacerdotes y los escribas, buscaban la forma de matarlo, porque le tenían miedo, ya que todo el pueblo estaba maravillado de su enseñanza.
Al caer la tarde, Jesús y sus discípulos salieron de la ciudad.
A la mañana siguiente, al pasar otra vez, vieron que la higuera se había secado de raíz.
Pedro, acordándose, dijo a Jesús: "Maestro, la higuera que has maldecido se ha secado".
Jesús le respondió: "Tengan fe en Dios.
Porque yo les aseguro que si alguien dice a esta montaña: 'Retírate de ahí y arrójate al mar', sin vacilar en su interior, sino creyendo que sucederá lo que dice, lo conseguirá.
Por eso les digo: Cuando pidan algo en la oración, crean que ya lo tienen y lo conseguirán.
Y cuando ustedes se pongan de pie para orar, si tienen algo en contra de alguien, perdónenlo, y el Padre que está en el cielo les perdonará también sus faltas".
Pero si no perdonan, tampoco el Padre que está en el cielo los perdonará a ustedes. 

Mc 11,11-26

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Juan Tablero (hacia 1300-1361), dominico
Sermón 46

«La Escritura dice: Mi casa se llama casa de oración para todos los pueblos. Vosotros, en cambio, la habéis convertido en cueva de bandidos»

     El Señor entró en el Templo y se puso a echar fuera a todos los que compraban y vendían, diciendo: «Mi casa se llama casa de oración. Vosotros, en cambio, la habéis convertido en cueva de bandidos». ¿Cuál es ese templo convertido en cueva de bandidos? Es el alma y el cuerpo del hombre, que son más realmente el templo de Dios que todos los templos edificados (1C 3,1; 6,19).

     Cuando Nuestro Señor quiere llegarse a este último templo, lo encuentra cambiado en un escondite de bandidos y en un bazar de comerciantes. ¿Qué es un comerciante? Son los que dan lo que tienen – a su libre arbitrio- a cambio de lo que no tienen –las cosas de este mundo. ¡El mundo entero está lleno de esa clase de comerciantes! Los encontramos entre los presbíteros y los laicos, entre los religiosos, los monjes y las monjas... Tanta gente llena de su propia voluntad...; tanta gente que buscan en todo su propio interés. Si, por el contrario, tan sólo quisieran comerciar con Dios dándole su propia voluntad, ¡qué comercio tan dichoso no harían!

     El hombre debe querer, debe perseguir, debe buscar a Dios en todo lo que hace; y cuando ha hecho todo eso –beber, dormir, comer, hablar, escuchar- que deje completamente las imágenes de las cosas y obre de manera que su templo quede totalmente vacío. Una vez el templo esté vacío, una vez que habrás echado fuera toda la tropa de vendedores, las imaginaciones que le estorban, entonces podrás ser una casa de Dios (Ef 2,19). Y así encontrarás la paz y el gozo de tu corazón, y ya nada te atormentará, nada de lo que ahora te inquieta, de deprime y te hace sufrir. 

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viernes 28 Mayo 2010

San Germán

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San Germán

Germán, obispo († 576)  Nació Germán en la Borgoña, en Autun, del matrimonio que formaban Eleuterio y Eusebia en el último tercio del siglo V.


No tuvo buena suerte en los primeros años de su vida carente del cariño de los suyos y hasta estuvo con el peligro de morir primero por el intento de aborto por parte de su madre y luego por las manipulaciones de su tía, la madre del primo Estratidio con quien estudiaba en Avalon, que intentó envenenarle por celos.


Con los obispos tuvo suerte. Agripin, el de Autun, lo ordena sacerdote solucionándole las dificultades y venciendo la resistencia de Germán para recibir tan alto ministerio en la Iglesia; luego, Nectario, su sucesor, lo nombra abad del monasterio de san Sinforiano, en los arrabales de la ciudad.


Modelo de abad, con el ejemplo en la vida de oración, la observancia de la disciplina, el espíritu penitente y la caridad. Comienza a manifestarse en Germán el don de milagros, según el relato de Fortunato.  Se había propuesto el santo abad que ningún pobre que se acercara al convento a pedir se fuera sin comida; un día reparte el pan reservado para los monjes porque ya no había más; llegan al convento dos cargas de pan y, al día siguiente, dos carros llenos de comida para las necesidades del monasterio.


El obispo, celoso por las cosas buenas que se hablan de Germán, lo manda poner en la cárcel sin motivo; las puertas se le abrieron al estilo de lo que pasó al principio de la cristiandad con el apóstol,  Germán no se marchó antes de que el mismo obispo fuera a darle la libertad; con este episodio cambió el obispo celos por admiración.


El rey Childeberto usa su autoridad en el 554 para que sea nombrado obispo de París a la muerte de Eusebio y, además, lo nombra limosnero mayor. También curó al rey cuando estaba enfermo en el castillo de Celles, cerca de Melun, donde se juntan el Yona y el Sena, con la sola imposición de las manos.


El buen obispo parisino murió octogenario, el 28 de mayo del 576. Se enterró en la tumba que se había mandado preparar en san Sinfroniano. El abad Lanfrido traslada más tarde sus restos, estando presentes el rey Pipino y su hijo Carlos, a san Vicente que después de la invasión de los normandos se llamó ya san Germán. Hoy reposan allí mismo -y se veneran- en una urna de plata que mandó hacer a los orfebres el abad Guillermo, en el año 1408.

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  Oremos

Señor, tú que diste a San Germán la abundancia del espíritu de verdad, y de amor para que fuera un buen pastor de tu pueblo, concede a cuantos celebramos hoy su fiesta adelantar en la virtud, imitando sus ejemplos, y sentirnos protegidos con su valiosa intercesión. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

http://liberaciondeposeidos.blogspot.com/

“Son of David, have pity on me”

DAILY GOSPEL: 27/05/2010

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Thursday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

First Letter of Peter 2:2-5.9-12.
Like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation,
for you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul.
Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Psalms 100:2.3.4.5.
Worship the LORD with cries of gladness; come before him with joyful song.
Know that the LORD is God, our maker to whom we belong, whosepeople we are, God's well-tended flock.
Enter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving. Give thanks to God, bless his name;
good indeed is the LORD, Whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness lasts through every age.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10:46-52.
They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, he is calling you."
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."
Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Mc 10,46-52

Commentary of the day 
Saint Gregory the Great (c.540-604), Pope, Doctor of the Church
Homilies on the Gospels, no. 2

“Son of David, have pity on me”

Scripture rightly presents us with this blind man seated at the edge of the path and asking for alms, for Truth itself said, “I am the way” (Jn 14:6). Thus, whoever does not know the clarity of eternal light is blind.

Even if he already believes in the Redeemer, he is seated at the edge of the path. If he already believes but neglects to ask that eternal light be given to him, and if he neglects to pray, this blind person can be seated at the edge of the path, but he is not asking for alms. But if he believes, if he knows the blindness of his heart and prays so as to receive the light of truth, then he really is that blind man, who is seated at the edge of the path and also asking for alms.

Thus, may the person who recognizes the darkness of his blindness and who feels deprived of eternal light cry out from the bottom of his heart, may he cry with all his soul: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

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Thursday, 27 May 2010

St Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop (+ 605)

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SAINT AUGUSTINE
Bishop and Apostle of England
(+ 605)

        Augustine was prior of the monastery of St. Andrew on the Cœlian, and was appointed by St. Gregory the great chief of the missionaries whom he sent to England. St. Augustine and his companions, having heard on their journey many reports of the barbarism and ferocity of the pagan English, were afraid, and wished to turn back. But St. Gregory replied, "Go on, in God's name! The greater your hardships, the greater your crown. May the grace of Almighty God protect you, and give me to see the fruit of your labor in the heavenly country! If I cannot share your toil, I shall yet share the harvest, for God knows that it is not good-will which is wanting." The band of missionaries went on in obedience.

        Landing at Ebbsfleet, between Sandwich and Ramsgate, they met King Ethelbert and his thanes under a great oak-tree at Minster, and announced to him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instant and complete success attended their preaching. On Whit-Sunday, 596, King Ethelbert was baptized, and his example was followed by the greater number of his nobles and people. By degrees the Faith spread far and wide, and Augustine, as Papal Legate, set out on a visitation of Britain. He failed in his attempt to enlist the Britons of the west in the work of his apostolate through their obstinate jealousy and pride; but his success was triumphant from south to north. St. Augustine died after eight years of evangelical labors. The Anglo-Saxon Church, which he founded, is still famous for its learning, zeal, and devotion to the Holy See, while its calendar commemorates no less than 300 Saints, half of whom were of royal birth.

«Hijo de David, ten compasión de mí»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 27/05/2010

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Jesucristo, Sumo y Eterno Sacerdote - Fiesta

Epístola I de San Pedro 2,2-5.9-12.
Como niños recién nacidos, deseen la leche pura de la Palabra, que los hará crecer para la salvación,
ya que han gustado qué bueno es el Señor.
Al acercarse a él, la piedra viva, rechazada por los hombres pero elegida y preciosa a los ojos de Dios,
también ustedes, a manera de piedras vivas, son edificados como una casa espiritual, para ejercer un sacerdocio santo y ofrecer sacrificios espirituales, agradables a Dios por Jesucristo.
Ustedes, en cambio, son una raza elegida, un sacerdocio real, una nación santa, un pueblo adquirido para anunciar las maravillas de aquel que los llamó de las tinieblas a su admirable luz:
ustedes, que antes no eran un pueblo, ahora son el Pueblo de Dios; ustedes, que antes no habían obtenido misericordia, ahora la han alcanzado.
Queridos míos, yo los exhorto, como a gente de paso y extranjeros: no cedan a los deseos carnales que combaten contra el alma.
Observen una buena conducta en medio de los paganos y así, los mismos que ahora los calumnian como a malhechores, al ver sus buenas obras, tendrán que glorificar a Dios el día de su Visita.

Salmo 100,2.3.4.5.
Sirvan al Señor con alegría, lleguen hasta él con cantos jubilosos.
Reconozcan que el Señor es Dios: él nos hizo y a él pertenecemos; somos su pueblo y ovejas de su rebaño.
Entren por sus puertas dando gracias, entren en sus atrios con himnos de alabanza, alaben al Señor y bendigan su Nombre.
¡Qué bueno es el Señor! Su misericordia permanece para siempre, y su fidelidad por todas las generaciones.

Evangelio según San Marcos 10,46-52.
Después llegaron a Jericó. Cuando Jesús salía de allí, acompañado de sus discípulos y de una gran multitud, el hijo de Timeo -Bartimeo, un mendigo ciego- estaba sentado junto al camino.
Al enterarse de que pasaba Jesús, el Nazareno, se puso a gritar: "¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten piedad de mí!".
Muchos lo reprendían para que se callara, pero él gritaba más fuerte: "¡Hijo de David, ten piedad de mí!".
Jesús se detuvo y dijo: "Llámenlo". Entonces llamaron al ciego y le dijeron: "¡Animo, levántate! El te llama".
Y el ciego, arrojando su manto, se puso de pie de un salto y fue hacia él.
Jesús le preguntó: "¿Qué quieres que haga por ti?". El le respondió: "Maestro, que yo pueda ver".
Jesús le dijo: "Vete, tu fe te ha salvado". En seguida comenzó a ver y lo siguió por el camino. 

Mc 10,46-52

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Gregorio Magno (hacia 540-604), papa y doctor de la Iglesia
Homilías sobre los evangelios, nº 2

«Hijo de David, ten compasión de mí»

     Con razón la Escritura nos presenta a este ciego al borde del camino y pidiendo limosna, porque el que es la misma Verdad ha dicho: «Yo soy el camino» (Jn 14,6). Así pues, cualquiera que desconoce la claridad de la luz eterna es un ciego.

     Si ya cree en el Redentor, está sentado al borde del camino. Si ya cree pero descuida pedir que le sea dada la luz eterna y descuida orar, este ciego puede estar sentado al borde del camino, pero no pide limosna. Pero si cree, si conoce la ceguera de su corazón y ora pidiendo recibir la luz de la verdad, entonces se puede decir que él es ese ciego sentado al borde del camino y que pide limosna.

     Aquel, pues, que reconoce las tinieblas de su ceguera y sufre por estar privado de la luz eterna, que clame desde el fondo de su corazón, que grite con toda su alma: «¡Jesús, Hijo de David, ten compasión de mí!»

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jueves 27 Mayo 2010

San Agustìn de Cantorbery

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San Agustín de Cantorbery


Obispo († c. a. 605)
Desde el monasterio romano de San Andrés, año 597 fue enviado a Inglaterra por san Gregorio Magno, para predicar el Evangelio.


Consagrado obispo de Cantorbery y con ayuda del rey Etelberto convirtió a muchos a la fe y fundó muchas iglesias, sobre todo, en el reino de Kent.

Murió el 26 de Mayo hacia el año 605.

http://liberaciondeposeidos.blogspot.com/

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  Oremos

Dios nuestro, que por la predicación del obispo San Agustín de Cantorbery hiciste brillar la luz del Evangelio sobre el pueblo de Inglaterra, haz que la semilla de sus trabajos apostólicos continúe dando frutos en tu Iglesia. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

"To give his life as a ransom for many"

DAILY GOSPEL: 26/05/2010

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Wednesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

First Letter of Peter 1:18-25.
Realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.
He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere mutual love, love one another intensely from a (pure) heart.
You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God,
for: "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts;
but the word of the Lord remains forever." This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Psalms 147:12-13.14-15.19-20.
Glorify the LORD, Jerusalem; Zion, offer praise to your God,
Who has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessed your children within you,
Brought peace to your borders, and filled you with finest wheat.
The LORD sends a command to earth; his word runs swiftly!
The LORD also proclaims his word to Jacob, decrees and laws to Israel.
God has not done this for other nations; of such laws they know nothing. Hallelujah!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10:32-45.
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him.
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles
who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise."
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish (me) to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." 

 Mc 10,32-45

Commentary of the day 
Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Works, vol.14

"To give his life as a ransom for many"

A God who serves, who sweeps the house and gives himself to the most onerous work – a single one of these reflections should be enough to fill us with love! When our Savior began preaching his Gospel he made himself «the servant of all», himself asserting that «he had not come to be served, but to serve». It was as though he had said he wanted to be servant to everyone. And Saint Bernard says that, at the end of his life, he was not satisfied «with having taken the condition of a servant that he might place himself at our service but he wanted to take on the appearance of an unworthy slave and be struck and undergo the punishment due to us by reason of our sins.»

       See how our Lord, as an obedient servant to all, undergoes the sentence of Pilate, unjust as it is, and yields to his executioners... In this way has this God so loved us that, out of love for us, he wanted to obey like a slave even to death and die a death that was both painful and humiliating: the torture of the cross (Phil 2,8).


       Yet in all this he obeyed, not as God but as man, as the slave whose condition he had assumed. There are holy men who have surrendered themselves as slaves in order to redeem a poor man and have won the world's admiration by this heroic act of charity. But what sort of charity is this compared with that of the Redeemer? Being God; desiring to redeem us from the slavery due to us to the devil and death, he made himself as slave, allowing himself to be bound and nailed to the cross. «That the servant might become lord,» Saint Augustine says, «God willed to make himself a servant.»

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Wednesday, 26 May 2010

St. Philip Neri, Priest (1515-1595) - Memorial

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SAINT PHILIP NERI
Priest
(1515-1595)

        Philip was one of the noble line of Saints raised up by God in the sixteenth century to console and bless His Church. After a childhood of angelic beauty the Holy Spirit drew him away from Florence, the place of his birth, showed him the world, that he might freely renounce it, led him to Rome, modelled him in mind and heart and will, and then, as by a second Pentecost, came down in visible form and filled his soul with light and peace and joy. He would have gone to India, but God reserved him for Rome.

        There he went on simply from day to day, drawing souls to Jesus, exercising them in mortification and charity, and binding them together by cheerful devotions; thus, unconsciously to himself, under the hands of Mary, as he said, the Oratory grew up, and all Rome was pervaded and transformed by its spirit.

        His life was a continuous miracle, his habitual state an ecstasy. He read the hearts of men, foretold their future, knew their eternal destiny. His touch gave health of body; his very look calmed souls in trouble and drove away temptations. He was gay, genial, and irresistibly winning; neither insult nor wrong could dim the brightness of his joy.

        Philip lived in an atmosphere of sunshine and gladness which brightened all who came near him. "When I met him in the street," says one, "he would pat my cheek and say, 'Well, how is Don Pellegrino?' and leave me so full of joy that I could not tell which way I was going."

        Others said that when he playfully pulled their hair or their ears, their hearts would bound with joy. Marcio Altieri felt such overflowing gladness in his presence that he said Philip's room was a paradise on earth.

        Fabrizio de Massimi would go in sadness or perplexity and stand at Philip's door; he said it was enough to see him, to be near him. And long after his death it was enough for many, when troubled, to go into his room to find their hearts lightened and gladdened. He inspired a boundless confidence and love, and was the common refuge and consoler of all. A gentle jest would convey his rebukes and veil his miracles. The highest honors sought him out, but he put them from him.

        He died in his eightieth year, in 1595, and bears the grand title of Apostle of Rome.

«Dar su vida en rescate por todos»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 26/05/2010

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Miércoles de la VIII Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Epístola I de San Pedro 1,18-25.
Ustedes saben que fueron rescatados de la vana conducta heredada de sus padres, no con bienes corruptibles, como el oro y la plata,
sino con la sangre preciosa de Cristo, el Cordero sin mancha y sin defecto,
predestinado antes de la creación del mundo y manifestado en los últimos tiempos para bien de ustedes.
Por él, ustedes creen en Dios, que lo ha resucitado y lo ha glorificado, de manera que la fe y la esperanza de ustedes estén puestas en Dios.
Por su obediencia a la verdad, ustedes se han purificado para amarse sinceramente como hermanos. Amense constantemente los unos a los otros con un corazón puro,
como quienes han sido engendrados de nuevo, no por un germen corruptible, sino incorruptible: la Palabra de Dios, viva y eterna.
Porque toda carne es como hierba y toda su gloria como flor del campo: la hierba se seca y su flor se marchita,
pero la Palabra del Señor permanece para siempre. Esta es la Palabra que les ha sido anunciada, la Buena Noticia.

Salmo 147,12-13.14-15.19-20.
¡Glorifica al Señor, Jerusalén, alaba a tu Dios, Sión!
El reforzó los cerrojos de tus puertas y bendijo a tus hijos dentro de ti;
él asegura la paz en tus fronteras y te sacia con lo mejor del trigo.
Envía su mensaje a la tierra, su palabra corre velozmente;
Revela su palabra a Jacob, sus preceptos y mandatos a Israel:
a ningún otro pueblo trató así ni le dio a conocer sus mandamientos. ¡Aleluya!

Evangelio según San Marcos 10,32-45.
Mientras iban de camino para subir a Jerusalén, Jesús se adelantaba a sus discípulos; ellos estaban asombrados y los que lo seguían tenían miedo. Entonces reunió nuevamente a los Doce y comenzó a decirles lo que le iba a suceder:
"Ahora subimos a Jerusalén; allí el Hijo del hombre será entregado a los sumos sacerdotes y a los escribas. Lo condenarán a muerte y lo entregarán a los paganos:
ellos se burlarán de él, lo escupirán, lo azotarán y lo matarán. Y tres días después, resucitará".
Santiago y Juan, los hijos de Zebedeo, se acercaron a Jesús y le dijeron: "Maestro, queremos que nos concedas lo que te vamos a pedir".
El les respondió: "¿Qué quieren que haga por ustedes?".
Ellos le dijeron: "Concédenos sentarnos uno a tu derecha y el otro a tu izquierda, cuando estés en tu gloria".
Jesús les dijo: "No saben lo que piden. ¿Pueden beber el cáliz que yo beberé y recibir el bautismo que yo recibiré?".
"Podemos", le respondieron. Entonces Jesús agregó: "Ustedes beberán el cáliz que yo beberé y recibirán el mismo bautismo que yo.
En cuanto a sentarse a mi derecha o a mi izquierda, no me toca a mí concederlo, sino que esos puestos son para quienes han sido destinados".
Los otros diez, que habían oído a Santiago y a Juan, se indignaron contra ellos.
Jesús los llamó y les dijo: "Ustedes saben que aquellos a quienes se considera gobernantes, dominan a las naciones como si fueran sus dueños, y los poderosos les hacen sentir su autoridad.
Entre ustedes no debe suceder así. Al contrario, el que quiera ser grande, que se haga servidor de ustedes;
y el que quiera ser el primero, que se haga servidor de todos.
Porque el mismo Hijo del hombre no vino para ser servido, sino para servir y dar su vida en rescate por una multitud". 

Mc 10,32-45

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Alfonso Maria de Liguorio (1696-1787), obispo y doctor de la Iglesia

«Dar su vida en rescate por todos»

     Un Dios que sirve, que barre la casa, que se entrega a trabajos duros - uno sólo de estos pensamientos, ¡cómo debería ser suficiente para llenarnos de amor! Cuando el Salvador se puso a predicar su Evangelio, se hizo «el servidor de todos», declarando él mismo que «no había venido a ser servido sino a servir». Es como si hubiera dicho que quería ser el servidor de todos los hombres. Y al final de su vida no se contentó, dice san Bernardo, «con haber tomado la condición de siervo para ponerse al servicio de los hombres; ha querido escoger el aspecto de siervo indigno para ser maltratado y sufrir la pena que teníamos merecida por nuestros pecados».

     He aquí que el Señor, siervo obediente a todos, se somete a la sentencia de Pilato, por injusta que fuera, y se entrega a los verdugos... Así es, que Dios nos ha amado tanto que, por amor a nosotros, ha querido obedecer como un esclavo hasta la muerte y morir de una muerte dolorosa e infame: el suplicio de la cruz (Flp 2,8).

     Ahora bien, en todos estos acontecimientos, obedecía no como Dios, sino como hombre, de quien había asumido la condición de esclavo. Tal santo se entregó como esclavo para rescatar a un pobre, y con ello, por este acto heroico de caridad, se atrajo la admiración del mundo. Pero, ¿qué es esta caridad comparada con la del Redentor? Siendo Dios, queriendo rescatarnos de la esclavitud del diablo y de la muerte que nos era debida, él mismo se hace esclavo, se deja atar y clavar en la cruz. «Para que el siervo llegue a ser amo, dice san Agustín, Dios ha querido hacerse siervo».

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miércoles 26 Mayo 2010

San Felipe Neri

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San Felipe Neri

Nació en Florencia en 1515.  En medio del paganismo que imperaba en el ambiente renacentista romano, Felipe entrega todos sus haberes a los pobres, mientras él ayuna a pan y agua. Pasa los días en obras de caridad, y las noches en las catacumbas de San Sebastián, entregado a la oración y a la penitencia.   Alcanza altísima oración.

Sus éxtasis duran horas y a veces se le oye clamar: ¡Basta, Señor, basta! ¡Detén el torrente de tu amor! Ante esta vida angelical poco podían hacer los asaltos del mal. Un par de mujerzuelas acechan un día contra su castidad. Las pupilas de fuego del Santo las hacen huir asustadas.

Con todo, le gustaba rezar así: Señor, no te fíes de mí. Señor, ten de tu mano a Felipe, que, si no, un día, como Judas, te traicionará.   Funda una cofradía para atender a pobres y peregrinos. Visita cárceles y hospitales. Busca sobre todo a los niños y a los jóvenes. En 1551 se ordena sacerdote por obediencia. Desea ir a las Indias, como Javier. El P. Ghattino 1e dice de parte de Dios: Roma será tus Indias.   Y por toda Roma derrama sus caridades, sus fervores, su alegría contagiosa, la certeza de que hay más alegría en la virtud que en el pecado. Es proverbial su don de lágrimas, y de hacer milagros.

Se le atribuye haber resucitado al príncipe Paulo Máximo, para que confesase un pecado.    Un éxtasis le produjo la dilatación del corazón y la deformación de dos costillas. Una se conserva en el Oratorio de Nápoles.   Todos los Papas y Príncipes acudían a él. Fue amigo de San Carlos, San Ignacio, San Camilo y San Félix de Cantalicio. Su obra definitiva fue la fundación del Oratorio, para instruir y entretener a niños y jóvenes.   El Oratorio influyó mucho a través del Cardenal Baronio y otros muchos. Murió Felipe en 1595. Era la noche del Corpus y se fue a acabar la fiesta al cielo. Sus restos descansan en la Chiesa Nuova de Roma.

Fue canonizado por Gregorio XV el 1622 junto con cuatro santos españoles.

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DICHOS DE SAN FELIPE
"Quien quiera algo que no sea Cristo,
no sabe lo que quiere;
quien pida algo que no sea Cristo,
no sabe lo que pide;
quien no trabaje por Cristo, no sabe lo que hace"
 -San Felipe Neri

"Como es posible que alguien que cree en Dios
pueda amar algo fuera de Él".
  -San Felipe Neri

"¿Oh Señor que eres tan adorable
y me has mandado a amarte,
por qué me diste tan solo un corazón
y este tan pequeño?"  -San Felipe Neri

 Oremos

Señor Dios nuestro, que nunca deja de glorificar la santidad de quienes con fidelidad te sirven, haz que el fuego del Espíritu Santo nos encienda en aquel mismo ardor que tan maravillosamente inflamó el corazón de San Felipe Neri. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

RAZA DE VÍBORAS: LOS INDECENTES QUE NOS GOBIERNAN

RAZA DE VÍBORAS: LOS INDECENTES QUE NOS GOBIERNAN

RAZA DE V�BORAS: LOS INDECENTES QUE NOS GOBIERNAN

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“We have put aside everything to follow you”

DAILY GOSPEL: 25/05/2010

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

First Letter of Peter 1:10-16.
Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it,
investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them.
It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you (through) the holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look.
Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."

Psalms 98:1.2-3.4.
Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done marvelous deeds, Whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory.
The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph for the nations to see,
Has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10:28-31.
Peter began to say to him, "We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and (the) last will be first." 

Mc 10,28-31

Commentary of the day 
Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890), priest, founder of a religious community, theologian
PPS, vol. 8, no. 2 “Divine Calls”

“We have put aside everything to follow you”

       In truth we are not called once only, but many times; all through our life Christ is calling us. He called us first in Baptism; but afterwards also; whether we obey His voice or not, He graciously calls us still. If we fall from our Baptism, He calls us to repent; if we are striving to fulfil our calling, He calls us on from grace to grace, and from holiness to holiness, while life is given us.

      Abraham was called from his home (Gn 12:1), Peter from his nets (Mt 4:18), Matthew from his office (Mt 9:9), Elisha from his farm (1 K 19:19), Nathanael from his retreat (Jn 1:47); we are all in course of calling, on and on, from one thing to another, having no resting-place, but mounting towards our eternal rest, and obeying one command only to have another put upon us.

      He calls us again and again, in order to justify us again and again, - and again and again, and more and more, to sanctify and glorify us. It were well if we understood this; but we are slow to master the great truth, that Christ is, as it were, walking among us, and by His hand, or eye, or voice, bidding us follow Him. We do not understand that His call is a thing which takes place now. We think it took place in the Apostles' days; but we do not believe in it, we do not look out for it in our own case.

Tuesday, 25 May 2010 St Gregory VII, Pope (c. 1013-1085) SAINT GREGORY VII Pope (c. 1013 - 1085)         Gregory VII., by name Hildebrand, was born in Tuscany, about the year 1013. He was educated in Rome. From thence he went to France, and became a monk at Cluny. Afterwards he returned to Rome, and for many years filled high trusts of the Holy See.         Three great evils then afflicted the Church: simony, concubinage, and the custom of receiving investiture from lay hands. Against these three corruptions Gregory never ceased to contend. As legate of Victor II. he held a Council at Lyons, where simony was condemned.         He was elected Pope in 1073, and at once called upon the pastors of the Catholic world to lay down their lives rather than betray the laws of God to the will of princes. Rome was in rebellion through the ambition of the Cenci. Gregory excommunicated them. They laid hands on him at Christmas during the midnight Mass, wounded him, and cast him into prison. The following day he was rescued by the people.         Next arose his conflict with Henry IV., Emperor of Germany. This monarch, after openly relapsing into simony, pretended to depose the Pope. Gregory excommunicated the emperor. His subjects turned against him, and at last he sought absolution of Gregory at Canossa. But he did not persevere. He set up an antipope, and besieged Gregory in the castle of St. Angelo.         The aged pontiff was obliged to flee, and on May 25, 1085, about the seventy-second year of his life and the twelfth year of his pontificate, Gregory entered into his rest. His last words were full of a divine wisdom and patience. As he was dying, he said, "I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore I die in exile." His faithful attendant answered, "Vicar of Christ, an exile thou canst never be, for to thee God has given the Gentiles for an inheritance, and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession."

«Lo hemos dejado todo para seguirte»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA

¿ Señor, a quién iremos?. Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna. Jn 6, 68

Martes de la VIII Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Epístola I de San Pedro 1,10-16.
Esta salvación ha sido objeto de la búsqueda y la investigación de los profetas que vaticinaron sobre la gracia destinada a ustedes.
Ellos trataban de descubrir el tiempo y las circunstancias señaladas por el Espíritu de Cristo, que estaba presente en ellos y anunciaba anticipadamente los sufrimientos reservados a Cristo y la gloria que les seguiría.
A ellos les fue revelado que estaban al servicio de un mensaje destinado no a sí mismos, sino a ustedes. Y ahora ustedes han recibido el anuncio de ese mensaje por obra de quienes, bajo la acción del Espíritu Santo enviado desde el cielo, les transmitieron la Buena Noticia que los ángeles ansían contemplar.
Por lo tanto, manténganse con el espíritu alerta, vivan sobriamente y pongan toda su esperanza en la gracia que recibirán cuando se manifieste Jesucristo.
Como hijos obedientes, no procedan de acuerdo con los malos deseos que tenían antes, mientras vivían en la ignorancia.
Así como aquel que los llamó es santo, también ustedes sean santos en toda su conducta,
de acuerdo con lo que está escrito: Sean santos, porque yo soy santo.

Salmo 98,1.2-3.4.
Salmo. Canten al Señor un canto nuevo, porque él hizo maravillas: su mano derecha y su santo brazo le obtuvieron la victoria.
El Señor manifestó su victoria, reveló su justicia a los ojos de las naciones:
se acordó de su amor y su fidelidad en favor del pueblo de Israel. Los confines de la tierra han contemplado el triunfo de nuestro Dios.
Aclame al Señor toda la tierra, prorrumpan en cantos jubilosos.

Evangelio según San Marcos 10,28-31.
Pedro le dijo: "Tú sabes que nosotros lo hemos dejado todo y te hemos seguido".
Jesús respondió: "Les aseguro que el que haya dejado casa, hermanos y hermanas, madre y padre, hijos o campos por mí y por la Buena Noticia,
desde ahora, en este mundo, recibirá el ciento por uno en casas, hermanos y hermanas, madres, hijos y, campos, en medio de las persecuciones; y en el mundo futuro recibirá la Vida eterna.
Muchos de los primeros serán los últimos y los últimos serán los primeros". 

Mc 10,28-31

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Cardenal John Henry Newman (1801-1890), presbítero y fundador de comunidad religiosa, teólogo
PPS, vol.8, nº 2 «Divine Calls»

«Lo hemos dejado todo para seguirte»

     No somos llamados una sola vez, sino muchas veces; a lo largo de nuestra vida Cristo nos llama repetidamente. Primeramente nos ha llamado por el bautismo, pero también más tarde; tanto si obedecemos a su voz como si no, en su misericordia nos sigue llamando. Si quebrantamos nuestras promesas bautismales, nos llama a arrepentirnos. Si nos esforzamos para responder a nuestra vocación, nos llama para seguir adelantando de gracia en gracia, de santidad en santidad, de tal manera que la vida nos la conserva para llegar a esta santidad.

     Abraham fue llamado a dejar su casa y su país (Gn 12,1), Pedro sus redes (Mt 4,18), Mateo su empleo (Mt 9,9), Eliseo sus campos (1R 19,19), Natanael su descanso (Jn 1,47). Todos, sin cesar, somos llamados, de una cosa a otra, cada vez más lejos, sin dejar al lugar al descanso, sino subiendo hacia nuestro descanso eterno, y obedeciendo a una llamada interior para así estar a punto para escuchar otra llamada.

     Cristo nos llama en cada instante para justificarnos continuamente; sin cesar, de más en más, quiere santificarnos y glorificarnos. Debemos comprenderle, pero somos lentos a darnos cuenta de esta gran verdad: que Cristo camina de alguna manera entre nosotros y que, con su mano, con sus ojos, con su voz, nos hace una señal para que le sigamos. No captamos que su llamada es algo que ocurre en aquel mismo momento. Pensamos que tuvo lugar en tiempo de los apóstoles, pero no creemos, no esperamos que, verdaderamente, eso suceda también hoy para nosotros.

martes 25 Mayo 2010 San Gregorio VII San Gregorio VII Papa ( 1020-1085 )  Nació Hildebrando en Soana, provincia de Siena, hacia el 1020, de una familia pobre. Creció en la ciencia y en la virtud en el monasterio de Santa María, en el Aventino (Roma).   Legado de los papas durante cinco pontificados, dedicó buena parte de su vida en el restablecimiento de la disciplina eclesiástica. Era solo diácono cuando fue elegido Papa. Ordenado sacerdote y consagrado obispo de Roma en el 1073, se llamó Gregorio VII.   Empleó el resto de su existencia luchando principalmente contra las investiduras y la simonía para lograr la independencia de la Iglesia frente al poder civil. Tuvo su mayor obstáculo en las relaciones con el emperador Enrique IV. Murió desterrado en Salerno en el 1085, habiendo dado un impulso decisivo a la reforma de la Iglesia que lleva su nombre.   Oremos Concede, Señor, a tu Iglesia el espíritu de fortaleza y el celo por la justicia con que hiciste brillar la vida del Papa San Gregorio séptimo, para que, rechazando siempre todo compromiso con el mal, trabajemos, con libertad plena, por el bien y la justicia. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo. http://liberaciondeposeidos.blogspot.com/

LIBERACIÓN DE POSEIDOS: La primera dificultad, encontrar un exorcista.

LIBERACIÓN DE POSEIDOS: La primera dificultad, encontrar un exorcista.

The beginning of the conversion of St. Francis

DAILY GOSPEL: 24/05/2010

«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68

Monday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

First Letter of Peter 1:3-9.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time.
In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials,
so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.

Psalms 111(110):1-2.5-6.9.10.
Hallelujah. I will praise the LORD with all my heart in the assembled congregation of the upright.
Great are the works of the LORD, to be treasured for all their delights.
You gave food to those who fear you, mindful of your covenant forever.
You showed powerful deeds to your people, giving them the lands of the nations.
You sent deliverance to your people, ratified your covenant forever; holy and awesome is your name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; prudent are all who live by it. Your praise endures forever.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10:17-27.
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: 'You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.'"
He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to (the) poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through (the) eye of (a) needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God."

Mc 10,17-27

Commentary of the day 

Account of the three companions of St. Francis of Assisi (around 1244), §7-8

The beginning of the conversion of St. Francis

One evening after returning to Assisi, young Francis’ companions chose him to be their group leader. So, just as he had often done before, he had a sumptuous banquet prepared. Once they were satiated, everybody left the house and went all over the town singing. Francis’ companions went before him as a group; he himself, holding the leader’s baton, ended the procession a little behind them; he didn’t sing because he was deep in thought. And thus the Lord suddenly visited him and filled his heart with such sweetness that he could no longer speak or move…

When his companions turned around and saw him so far away from them, they came back to him frightened, and they found him as if he were already changed into a different person. They questioned him: “What were you thinking about so that you forgot to follow us? Were you by any chance planning on taking a woman?” “You are right! I was planning on taking a wife, one who is nobler, wealthier and more beautiful than any whom you have ever seen.” They made fun of him…

From that moment on, he worked to place again at the center of his soul Jesus Christ and the pearl which he wanted to buy after selling everything (Mt 13:46). Shying away from the eyes of those who scoffed at him, he often – almost every day – went to pray in secret. He was pushed to do so as it were by the foretaste of that sweetness which came to him quite often and which pulled him away from the public square or other public places  towards prayer.

For some time already he had been a benefactor of the poor, but he promised himself even more firmly that he would never again refuse a poor person requesting alms, but rather that he would give more generously and more abundantly. Thus, whoever the poor person was who asked him for alms outside of the house, he always gave him money if he could. If he didn’t have any money, he gave him his hat or his belt so as not to send him away empty-handed. But if he didn’t even have that, he withdrew to a hidden place, removed his shirt, and secretly sent it to the poor person, asking him to take it for God’s sake.

Monday, 24 May 2010 Sts. Donatian & Rogatian, Martyrs (c. 287) SAINTS DONATIAN and ROGATIAN Martyrs (c. 287)         Here lived at Nantes (France) an illustrious young nobleman  named Donatian, who, having received the holy Sacrament of Regeneration,  led a most edifying life, and strove with much zeal to convert others  to faith in Christ.         His elder brother, Rogatian, was not able to resist the  moving example of his piety and the force of his discourses, and desired  to be baptized. But the bishop having withdrawn and concealed himself  for fear of the persecution, he was not able to receive that sacrament,  but was shortly after baptized in his blood; for he declared himself a  Christian at a time when to embrace that sacred profession was to become  a candidate for martyrdom.         Donatian was impeached for professing himself a Christian,  and for having withdrawn others, particularly his brother, from the  worship of the gods. Donatian was therefore apprehended, and having  boldly confessed Christ before the governor, was cast into prison and  loaded with irons. Rogatian was also brought before the prefect, who  endeavored first to gain him by flattering speeches, but Ending him  inflexible, sent him to prison with his brother.         Rogatian grieved that he had not been able to receive the  Sacrament of Baptism, and prayed that the kiss of peace which his  brother gave him might supply it. Donatian also prayed for him that his  faith might procure for him the effect of Baptism, and the effusion of  his blood that of the Sacrament of Confirmation.         They passed that night together in fervent prayer. They were  the next day called for again by the prefect, to whom they declared that  they were ready to suffer for the name of Christ whatever torments were  prepared for them. By the order of the inhuman judge they were first  stretched on the rack, afterwards their hands were pierced with lanced,  and lastly cut off, about the year 287.