"Behold, your mother"

DAILY GOSPEL: 15/09/2010

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

Our Lady of Sorrows - Memorial

Letter to the Hebrews 5:7-9.
In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,

Psalms 31(30):2-3.4.5-6.15-16.20.
In you, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice deliver me;
incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me.
You are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead and guide me.
Free me from the net they have set for me, for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.
But I trust in you, LORD; I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hands; rescue me from my enemies, from the hands of my pursuers.
How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 19:25-27.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. 

Jn 19,25-27

Commentary of the day 
Blessed Guerric of Igny (c.1080-1157), Cistercian abbot
1st. Sermon for the Assumption ; PL 185A,187 (©1971 Cistercian Publications)

"Behold, your mother"

Mary bore a Son. In heaven, he is the Only-begotten of the Father; on earth, likewise, he is the Only-begotten of his Mother... She who is the only Virgin-Mother, she who glories in having borne the Only-begotten of the Father, embraces that same Only-begotten of hers in all his members and so can be truly called Mother of all in whom she recognizes her Christ to have been formed, or in whom she knows he is being formed. Eve handed on to her children an inheritance of certain death rather than the beginning of light. She is indeed called the mother of all the living, (Gen 3,20) but... as she was incapable of fulfilling the vocation of her title, Mary consummated the mystery. She herself, like the Church of which she is the type, is a mother of all who are reborn to life. She is, in fact, the mother of the Life by which everyone lives, and when she brought it forth from herself, she in some way brought to rebirth all those who were to live by that Life...
     
       Thus the blessed Mother of Christ, knowing that she is the mother of all Christians by reason of this mystery, shows herself a mother by her care and loving attention. For her heart is not hardened against these children as if they were not her own; her womb carried a child once only, yet it remains ever fruitful, never ceasing to bring forth the fruits of her motherly compassion. «The blessed Fruit of your womb» (Lk 1,42), 0 holy Mother, left you pregnant with inexhaustible tenderness. He was born of you once and for all, yet he remains in you always. 

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 Our Lady of Sorrows - Memorial Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial) O God, when your Son was hung high on the cross you willed that his Mother should stand by him and suffer with him. Grant to your Church that she may share, through Mary, in Christ’s passion and deserve to share also in his resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,   who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,   God for ever and ever. Amen   Stabat Mater  (Sequence) Stabat Mater dolorosa iuxta crucem lacrimósa, dum pendébat Fílius. Cuius ánimam geméntem, contristátam et doléntem pertransívit gládius. O quam tristis et afflícta fuit illa benedícta, mater Unigéniti! Quæ mærébat et dolébat, pia Mater, dum vidébat Nati poenas íncliti. Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si vidéret tanto supplício? Quis non posset contristári, piam Matrem contemplári doléntem cum Fílio? Pro peccátis suæ gentis vidit lesum in torméntis,  et flagéllis súbditum. Vidit suum dulcem Natum moriéndo desolátum,  dum emísit spíritum. Eia, Mater, fons amóris me sentíre vim dolóris fac, ut tecum lúgeam. Fac ut árdeat cor meum in amándo Christum Deum,  ut sibi compláceam. Sancta Mater, istud agas,  Crucifíxi fige plagas cordi meo válide. Tui Nati vulneráti, tam dignáti pro me pati, poenas mecum divide. Fac me tecum pie flere,  Crucifíxo condolére,  donec ego víxero. Iuxta crucem tecum stare,  ac me tibi sociáre in planctu desídero. Virgo vírginum præclára, mihi iam non sis amára, fac me tecum plángere. Fac ut portem Christi mortem,  passiónis fac me sortem,  et plagas recólere. Fac me plagis vulnerári,  cruce hac inebriári,  et cruóre Filii. Flammis urar succénsus,  per te, Virgo, sim defénsus in die iudícii. Fac me cruce custodíri,  morte Christi præmuníri,  confovéri grátia. Quando corpus moriétur,  fac ut ánimæ donétur Paradísi glória. Amen At the cross her station keeping stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, all his bitter anguish bearing now at lenght the sword had passed. Oh, how sad and sore distressed was that Mother highly blessed, of the sole-begotten One! Christ above in torment hangs, she beneath beholds the pangs of her dying, glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain from partaking in her pain, in that Mother's pain untold? Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, she beheld her tender Child All with bloody scourges rent. For the sins of his own nation, saw him hang in desolation, Till his spirit forth he sent. O sweet Mother! Font of love! Touch my spirit from above, make my heart with yours accord. Make me feel as you have felt; make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ, my Lord. Holy Mother! pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew of my Savior crucified. Let me share with you his pain, who for all our sins was slain, who for me in torments died. Let me mingle tears with you, mourning him who mourned for me, all the days that I may live. By the cross with you to stay, there with you to weep and pray, is all I ask of you to give. Virgin of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: let me share your grief divine; Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of that dying Son of thine. Wounded with his every wound, steep my soul till it has swooned, in his very Blood away; Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in his awful judgment day. Christ, when Thou shall call me hence, by your Mother my defense, by your cross my victory; While my body here decays, may my soul your goodness praise, safe in heaven eternally. Amen.

«Ahí tienes a tu madre»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 15/09/2010

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

Nuestra Señora La Virgen de Los Dolores - Memoria

Carta a los Hebreos 5,7-9.
El dirigió durante su vida terrena súplicas y plegarias, con fuertes gritos y lágrimas, a aquel que podía salvarlo de la muerte, y fue escuchado por su humilde sumisión.
Y, aunque era Hijo de Dios, aprendió por medio de sus propios sufrimientos qué significa obedecer.
De este modo, él alcanzó la perfección y llegó a ser causa de salvación eterna para todos los que le obedecen,

Salmo 31(30),2-3.4.5-6.15-16.20.
Yo me refugio en ti, Señor, ¡que nunca me vea defraudado! Líbrame, por tu justicia
inclina tu oído hacia mí y ven pronto a socorrerme. Sé para mí una roca protectora, un baluarte donde me encuentre a salvo,
porque tú eres mi Roca y mi baluarte: por tu Nombre, guíame y condúceme.
Sácame de la red que me han tendido, porque tú eres mi refugio.
Yo pongo mi vida en tus manos: tú me rescatarás, Señor, Dios fiel.
Pero yo confío en ti, Señor, y te digo: "Tú eres mi Dios,
mi destino está en tus manos". Líbrame del poder de mis enemigos y de aquellos que me persiguen.
¡Qué grande es tu bondad, Señor! Tú la reservas para tus fieles; y la brindas a los que se refugian en ti, en la presencia de todos.

Evangelio según San Juan 19,25-27.
Junto a la cruz de Jesús, estaba su madre y la hermana de su madre, María, mujer de Cleofás, y María Magdalena.
Al ver a la madre y cerca de ella al discípulo a quien él amaba, Jesús le dijo: "Mujer, aquí tienes a tu hijo".
Luego dijo al discípulo: "Aquí tienes a tu madre". Y desde aquel momento, el discípulo la recibió en su casa. 

Jn 19,25-27

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Beato Guerrico de Igny (hacia 1080-1157), abad cisterciense
1er sermón para el día de la Asunción; PL 185A, 187

«Ahí tienes a tu madre»

     Maria ha engendrado un hijo; y tal como es el Hijo único del Padre de los cielos, es el hijo único de su madre en la tierra... Sin embargo, esta sola virgen madre, que ha tenido la gloria de dar a luz al Hijo único de Dios, abraza a este mismo Hijo en todos los miembros de su Cuerpo y no se avergüenza de ser llamada la madre de todos aquellos en quienes ella reconoce a Cristo ya formado o a punto de serlo. Eva, que antaño legó a sus hijos la condena a muerte incluso antes que nacieran, ha sido llamada «la madre de los vivientes» (Gn 3,20)... Pero puesto que no realizó el sentido de su nombre, es María la que realiza el misterio. Como la Iglesia, de la cual ella es símbolo, es la madre de todos los que renacen a la vida. Es, verdaderamente, la madre de la Vida que da vida a todos los hombres; y engendrándola, en alguna manera, regenera a todos los que van a vivir de ella...

     Esta bienaventurada madre de Cristo, que se sabe madre de los cristianos en razón de su misterio, muestra ser también su madre por su solicitud para con ellos y por el afecto que les demuestra. No es dura para con ellos como si no fueran suyos. Sus entrañas, fecundadas una sola vez pero no agotadas, no dejan de dar a luz al fruto de la bondad. «El fruto bendito de tu vientre» (Lc 1,42), dulce madre, te ha llenado de una bondad inagotable: nacido de ti una sola vez, permanece en ti para siempre.

miércoles 15 Septiembre 2010 Nuestra Señora de los Dolores Los SIETE DOLORES de la SANTÍSIMA VIRGEN   La imagen de la Virgen Dolorosa -Virgen de la Soledad- y la imagen de María con su Hijo muerto en su regazo -la Piedad-, puede decirse que no faltan en ninguna iglesia, que es la advocación preferida de todas las madres, que han dado a luz a sus hijos con dolor y han tenido que sufrir tanto por ellos, por diversos motivos y con tanta frecuencia. El ángel había dicho a María que era bendita entre todas las mujeres, y apenas nacido Jesús, ya la llamaba Simeón la Madre de los Dolores, ya le anunciaba que una espada le atravesaría el corazón. Uno de los castigos del pecado original era que la mujer alumbraría a sus hijos con dolor, y ahora Simeón le decía que ella, que estaba libre del pecado original no se libraría de alumbrarnos con dolor, unida a la cruz de Jesús. Si El había de ser Varón de Dolores, Ella sería la Madre de los Dolores. Una Madona sin sufrimientos, junto a un Cristo sufriente, dice Fulton Sheen, sería una Madona sin amor. Cristo nos amó tanto que quiso morir para expiar nuestra culpa y quiso que su Madre sufriera con El. La alegría del nacimiento, los pastores, los Magos, pasaron pronto, y llegó la amargura del destierro. Tras los gozos de la niñez, vinieron las palabras misteriosas de Jesús en el templo. Junto a la amable vida de familia, está la llamada "noche de Nazareth", noche que duró muchos años. Jesús sigue en el taller. María espera en la oscuridad de la fe. Por fin sale a predicar. Le siguen las turbas, realiza milagros. Pero quieren despeñarle en Nazareth -iglesita de Nuestra Señora del Temblor- y los sabios y sumos sacerdotes le desprecian. Y llega la Pasión. María no aparece el Domingo de Ramos, pero no falta a la cita en la Calle de la Amargura. Y menos podía faltar en el calvario, junto a la Cruz de Jesús. Ahí está la Madre de los Dolores sufriendo con su Hijo. Ahora repite el Fiat que un día pronunció. Entonces le costó poco, ahora le cuesta mucho. Lo repite con un profundo dolor. "Mirad si hay dolor semejante a mi dolor". Pero lo repite con firmeza, de pie. Es la Reina de los mártires, la gran sacerdotisa de la humanidad. Ofrece al Hijo y se ofrece ella misma. Jesús es colocado en los brazos de su Madre. María se acordaría de Belén. Pero todo había cambiado. Ahora está muerto y desfigurado. Cuando Jesús fue sepultado, la soledad de la Virgen fue todavía mayor. "Otra vez como en Belén tu falda cuna le hacía y sobre El tu amor volvía a la angustias primeras... Señora, si tú quisieras contigo le lloraría". Oremos   Himno (laudes) ¿ Habrá dolor más intenso que tu dolor dolorido? ¿ habrá Señora, un gemido más soledoso y más denso que el que te enluta, hondo y tenso, de morada y negra toca? ¡Oh turba que pasáis loca, hijas de Jerusalen, mirad la bondad sin bien: mojad con hiel vuestra boca! ¿ no son más blandas las piedras y más compasivo el cielo que mi corazón sin duelo, cuándo tú como las hiedras junto a la cruz, no te arredras de ahogarte en esos oleajes de hiel? Obscuros celajes envolvían el Calvario, y tú eras, Madre, el sudario de aquel diluvio de ultrajes. Dame ese llanto bendito Para llorar mis pecados; Dame esos clavos clavados, Esa corona, ese grito, Ese puñal, ese escrito, Y esa cruz para loarte, Para urgirte y consolarte, Oh Virgen de los Dolores, Para ir sembrando de flores Tu viacrucis parte a parte. Amén Dios nuestro, que quisiste que la Madre de tu Hijo estuviera a su lado junto a la cruz, participando en sus sufrimientos, concede a tu Iglesia que, asociada con María a la pasión de Cristo, merezca también participar en su gloriosa resurrección. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo. Himno ( vísperas) ¡ Virgen de vírgenes santas!, llore yo con ansias tantas que el llanto dulce me sea; porque su pasión y muerte tenga en mi alma de suerte que siempre sus penas vea. Haz que su cruz me enamore Y que en ella viva y more De mi fe y amor indicio; Porque me inflame y encienda Y contigo me defienda En el día del juicio. Haz que me ampare la muerte De Cristo, cuándo en tan fuerte Trance vida y alma estén; Porque, cuando quede en calma El cuerpo, vaya mi alma A su eterna gloria. Amén

"God so loved the world"

DAILY GOSPEL: 14/09/2010

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

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Feast

Book of Numbers 21:4-9.
From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road, to by-pass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!"
In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people,
and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover."
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered.

Psalms 78(77):1-2.34-35.36-37.38.
A maskil of Asaph. Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in story, drawing lessons from of old.
When he slew them, they began to seek him; they again inquired of their God.
They remembered that God was their rock, God Most High, their redeemer.
But they deceived him with their mouths, lied to him with their tongues.
Their hearts were not constant toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
But God is merciful and forgave their sin; he did not utterly destroy them. Time and again he turned back his anger, unwilling to unleash all his rage.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:13-17.
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Jn 3,13-17

Commentary of the day 
Saint John Chrysostom (c.345-407), priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church
Homily on « Pater, si possible est» (©Friends of Henry Ashworth; PG 51,34-35)

"God so loved the world"

The cross reconciled us with God, made earth, heaven, caused human beings to mingle with angels, destroyed the citadel of death, broke the strength of the devil, freed the world from error, and founded churches. The cross was the will of the Father, the glory of the Son, the joy of tbe Holy Spirit...

The cross is brighter than the sun, its rays are more brilliant. When the sun is darkened the cross shines forth, for the darkening of the sun does not mean it no longer exists, but that it is outshone by the splendor of the cross. The cross destroyed the bond that wa against us and opened the prison-house of death. The cross is the proof of God's love, for: «God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son to save those who believe from perishing».

The cross unlocked the gates of paradise, admitted the thief, and led to the kingdom of heaven the human race which, unworthy even of the earth, was on the point of being destroyed. 

---

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

St. Maternus, Bishop of Cologne († c. 325)

---

SAINT MATERNUS
Bishop of Cologne
(† c. 325)

       First known bishop of Cologne whose name has come down to us, St. Maternus was involved in the effort against the Donatist heretics and in 313 Emperor Constantine the Great summoned him to a synod in Rome. He took part in the Synod of Arles in 314.

        Saint Peter Canisius defended the medieval identification of Saint Maternus with the son of the widow of Naim who was raised from the dead by Jesus. he was said to have been a disciple of Saint Peter.

        Maternus died at Trier, Germany, where it is believed he also served as a bishop at one time.

        In art, Saint Maternus is a bishop holding a large key. He may also be shown holding three churches combined as one or with a crozier and pilgrim's staff or hermit's crutch

"God so loved the world"

DAILY GOSPEL: 14/09/2010

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

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Feast

Book of Numbers 21:4-9.
From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road, to by-pass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!"
In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people,
and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover."
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered.

Psalms 78(77):1-2.34-35.36-37.38.
A maskil of Asaph. Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in story, drawing lessons from of old.
When he slew them, they began to seek him; they again inquired of their God.
They remembered that God was their rock, God Most High, their redeemer.
But they deceived him with their mouths, lied to him with their tongues.
Their hearts were not constant toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
But God is merciful and forgave their sin; he did not utterly destroy them. Time and again he turned back his anger, unwilling to unleash all his rage.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:13-17.
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Jn 3,13-17

Commentary of the day 
Saint John Chrysostom (c.345-407), priest at Antioch then Bishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church
Homily on « Pater, si possible est» (©Friends of Henry Ashworth; PG 51,34-35)

"God so loved the world"

The cross reconciled us with God, made earth, heaven, caused human beings to mingle with angels, destroyed the citadel of death, broke the strength of the devil, freed the world from error, and founded churches. The cross was the will of the Father, the glory of the Son, the joy of tbe Holy Spirit...

The cross is brighter than the sun, its rays are more brilliant. When the sun is darkened the cross shines forth, for the darkening of the sun does not mean it no longer exists, but that it is outshone by the splendor of the cross. The cross destroyed the bond that wa against us and opened the prison-house of death. The cross is the proof of God's love, for: «God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son to save those who believe from perishing».

The cross unlocked the gates of paradise, admitted the thief, and led to the kingdom of heaven the human race which, unworthy even of the earth, was on the point of being destroyed. 

---

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

St. Maternus, Bishop of Cologne († c. 325)

---

SAINT MATERNUS
Bishop of Cologne
(† c. 325)

       First known bishop of Cologne whose name has come down to us, St. Maternus was involved in the effort against the Donatist heretics and in 313 Emperor Constantine the Great summoned him to a synod in Rome. He took part in the Synod of Arles in 314.

        Saint Peter Canisius defended the medieval identification of Saint Maternus with the son of the widow of Naim who was raised from the dead by Jesus. he was said to have been a disciple of Saint Peter.

        Maternus died at Trier, Germany, where it is believed he also served as a bishop at one time.

        In art, Saint Maternus is a bishop holding a large key. He may also be shown holding three churches combined as one or with a crozier and pilgrim's staff or hermit's crutch

«Tanto amó Dios al mundo»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 14/09/2010

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

La Exaltación de la Santa Cruz - Fiesta

Libro de los Números 21,4-9.
Los israelitas partieron del monte Hor por el camino del Mar Rojo, para bordear el territorio de Edóm. Pero en el camino, el pueblo perdió la paciencia
y comenzó a hablar contra Dios y contra Moisés: "¿Por qué nos hicieron salir de Egipto para hacernos morir en el desierto? ¡Aquí no hay pan ni agua, y ya estamos hartos de esta comida miserable!".
Entonces el Señor envió contra el pueblo unas serpientes abrasadoras, que mordieron a la gente, y así murieron muchos israelitas.
El pueblo acudió a Moisés y le dijo: "Hemos pecado hablando contra el Señor y contra ti. Intercede delante del Señor, para que aleje de nosotros esas serpientes". Moisés intercedió por el pueblo,
y el Señor le dijo: "Fabrica una serpiente abrasadora y colócala sobre un asta. Y todo el que haya sido mordido, al mirarla, quedará curado".
Moisés hizo una serpiente de bronce y la puso sobre un asta. Y cuando alguien era mordido por una serpiente, miraba hacia la serpiente de bronce y quedaba curado.

Salmo 78(77),1-2.34-35.36-37.38.
Poema de Asaf. Pueblo mío, escucha mi enseñanza, presta atención a las palabras de mi boca:
yo voy a recitar un poema, a revelar enigmas del pasado.
Cuando los hacía morir, lo buscaban y se volvían a él ansiosamente:
recordaban que Dios era su Roca, y el Altísimo, su libertador.
Pero lo elogiaban de labios para afuera y mentían con sus lenguas;
su corazón no era sincero con él y no eran fieles a su alianza.
El Señor, que es compasivo, los perdonaba en lugar de exterminarlos; una y otra vez reprimió su enojo y no dio rienda suelta a su furor:

Evangelio según San Juan 3,13-17.
Nadie ha subido al cielo, sino el que descendió del cielo, el Hijo del hombre que está en el cielo.
De la misma manera que Moisés levantó en alto la serpiente en el desierto, también es necesario que el Hijo del hombre sea levantado en alto,
para que todos los que creen en él tengan Vida eterna.
Sí, Dios amó tanto al mundo, que entregó a su Hijo único para que todo el que cree en él no muera, sino que tenga Vida eterna.
Porque Dios no envió a su Hijo para juzgar al mundo, sino para que el mundo se salve por él. 

 Jn 3,13-17

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Juan Crisóstomo (345-407), presbítero en Antioquia, después obispo de Constantinopla, doctor de la Iglesia
Homilía sobre «Padre, si es posible»

«Tanto amó Dios al mundo»

     Es la cruz la que ha reconciliado a los hombres con Dios, que ha hecho de la tierra un cielo, que ha reunido a los hombres con los ángeles. Ella ha derribado la ciudadela de la muerte, destruido el poder del diablo, liberado a la tierra del error, puesto los cimientos de la Iglesia. La cruz es la voluntad dada al Padre, la gloria del Hijo, la exultación del Espíritu Santo...

     La cruz es más resplandeciente que el sol, porque, cuando el sol se oscurece, la cruz brilla; y el sol se oscurece, no en el sentido de quedar aniquilado, sino que es vencido por el resplandor de la cruz. La cruz ha hecho pedazos el acta de nuestra condena, ha roto las cadenas de la muerte. La cruz es la manifestación del amor de Dios: «Tanto amó Dios al mundo, que entregó a su Hijo único para que no perezca ninguno de los que creen en él».

     La cruz ha abierto el paraíso y ha introducido en él al malhechor (Lc 23,43) y ha llevado al Reino de los cielos al género humano abocado a la muerte.

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martes 14 Septiembre 2010

La Exaltación de la Santa Cruz

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La Exaltación de la Santa Cruz  

Este día nos recuerda el hallazgo de la Santa Cruz en el año 320, por parte de Santa Elena, madre de Constantino. Más tarde Cosroas, rey de Persia se llevó la cruz a su país. Heraclio la devolvió a Jerusalén.   El cristianismo es un mensaje de amor. ¿Por qué entonces exaltar la Cruz? Además la Resurrección, más que la Cruz, da sentido a nuestra vida.   Pero ahí está la Cruz, el escándalo de la Cruz, de San Pablo. Nosotros no hubiéramos introducido la Cruz. Pero los caminos de Dios son diferentes.Los apóstoles la rechazaban. Y nosotros también.

La Cruz es fruto de la libertad y amor de Jesús. No era necesaria. Jesús la ha querido para mostrarnos su amor y su solidaridad con el dolor humano. Para compartir nuestro dolor y hacerlo redentor.   Jesús no ha venido a suprimir el sufrimiento: el sufrimiento seguirá presente entre nosotros.

Tampoco ha venido para explicarlo: seguirá siendo un misterio. Ha venido para acompañarlo con su presencia. En presencia del dolor y muerte de Jesús, el Santo, el Inocente, el Cordero de Dios, no podemos rebelarnos ante nuestro sufrimiento ni ante el sufrimiento de los inocentes, aunque siga siendo un tremendo misterio.

Jesús, en plena juventud, es eliminado y lo acepta para abrirnos el paraíso con la fuerza de su bondad: "En plenitud de vida y de sendero dio el paso hacia la muerte porque El quiso. Mirad, de par en par, el paraíso, abierto por la fuerza de un Cordero" (Himno de Laudes).

En toda su vida Jesús no hizo más que bajar: en la Encarnación, en Belén, en el destierro. Perseguido, humillado, condenado. Sólo sube para ir a la Cruz. Y en ella está elevado, como la serpiente en el desierto, para que le veamos mejor, para atraernos e infundirnos esperanza. Pues Jesús no nos salva desde fuera, como por arte de magia, sino compartiendo nuestros problemas.

Jesús no está en la Cruz para adoctrinarnos olímpicamente, con palabras, sino para compartir nuestro dolor solidariamente.   Pero el discípulo no es de mejor condición que el maestro, dice Jesús. Y añade: "El que quiera venirse conmigo, que reniegue de sí mismo, que cargue con su cruz y me siga". Es fácil seguir a Jesús en Belén, en el Tabor. ¡Qué bien estamos aquí!, decía Pedro. En Getsemaní se duerme, y, luego le niega.   "No se va al cielo hoy ni de aquí a veinte años.

Se va cuando se es pobre y se está crucificado" (León Bloy). "Sube a mi Cruz. Yo no he bajado de ella todavía" (El Señor a Juan de la Cruz). No tengamos miedo. La Cruz es un signo más, enriquece, no es un signo menos. El sufrir pasa, el haber sufrido -la madurez adquirida en el dolor- no pasa jamás. La Cruz son dos palos que se cruzan: si acomodamos nuestra voluntad a la de Dios, pesa menos.

Si besamos la Cruz de Jesús, besemos la nuestra, astilla de la suya.   Es la ambigüedad del dolor. El que no sufre, queda inmaduro. El que lo acepta, se santifica. El que lo rechaza, se amarga y se rebela.

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Esaltazione della Santa Croce

Himno (laudes)

Brille la cruz del Verbo luminosa,

Brille como la carne sacratísima

De aquel Jesús nacido de la Virgen

Que en la gloria del Padre vive y brilla.

Gemía Adán, doliente y conturbado,

Lágrimas Eva junto a Adán vertía;

Brillen sus rostros por la cruz gloriosa,

Cruz que se enciende cuándo el Verbo expira.

¡ Salve cruz de los montes y caminos,

junto al enfermo suave medicina,

regio trono de Cristo en las familias,

cruz de nuestra fe, salve, cruz bendita!

Reine el señor crucificado,

Levantando la cruz donde moría;

Nuestros enfermos ojos buscan luz,

Nuestros labios, el río de la vida.

Te adoramos, oh cruz que fabricamos,

Pecadores, con manos deicidas;

Te adoramos, ornato del Señor,

Sacramento de nuestra eterna dicha.  Amén

Señor, Dios nuestro, que has querido salvar a los hombres por medio de tu Hijo muerto en la cruz, te pedimos, ya que nos has dado a conocer en la tierra la fuerza misteriosa de la Cruz de Cristo, que podamos alcanzar en el cielo los frutos de la redención. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Himno (vísperas)

Las banderas reales se adelantan

Y las cruz misteriosa en ellas brilla:

La cruz en que la vida sufrió muerte

Y en que, sufriendo muerte, nos dio vida.

Ella sostuvo el sacrosanto cuerpo

Que, al ser herido por la lanza dura,

Derramó sangre y agua en abundancia

Para lavar con ellas nuestras culpas.

En ella se cumplió perfectamente

Lo que David profetizó en su verso,

Cuándo dijo a los pueblos de la tierra:

« Nuestro Dios reinará desde un madero».

¡Árbol lleno de luz, árbol hermoso,

árbol hornado con la regia púrpura

y destinado a que su tronco digno

sintiera el roce de la carne pura!

¡Dichosa cruz que con tus brazos firmes,

en que estuvo colgado nuestro precio,

fuiste balanza para el cuerpo santo

que arrebató su presa a los infiernos!

A ti, que eres la única esperanza,

Te ensalzamos, oh cruz, y te rogamos

Que acrecientes la gracia de los justos

Y borres los delitos de los malos.

Recibe, oh Trinidad, fuente salubre

La alabanza de todos los espíritus,

Y tú que con tu cruz nos das el triunfo,

Añádenos el premio, oh Jesucristo.  Amén

"Lord, I am not worthy"

DAILY GOSPEL: 13/09/2010

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

Monday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time

First Letter to the Corinthians 11:17-26.33.
In giving this instruction, I do not praise the fact that your meetings are doing more harm than good.
First of all, I hear that when you meet as a church there are divisions among you, and to a degree I believe it;
there have to be factions among you in order that (also) those who are approved among you may become known.
When you meet in one place, then, it is not to eat the Lord's supper,
for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.
Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you.
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread,
and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

Psalms 40(39):7-8.9.10.17.
Sacrifice and offering you do not want; but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts and sin-offerings you do not require;
so I said, "Here I am; your commands for me are written in the scroll.
To do your will is my delight; my God, your law is in my heart!"
I announced your deed to a great assembly; I did not restrain my lips; you, LORD, are my witness.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your help always say, "The LORD be glorified."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 7:1-10.
When he had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum.
A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him.
When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave.
They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, "He deserves to have you do this for him,
for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us."
And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.
Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed.
For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. 

Lc 7,1-10

Commentary of the day 
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Sermon 62 (©1991 Augustinian Heritage Institute)

"Lord, I am not worthy"

When the gospel was read, we heard Jesus praise our faith in an act of humility. When the Lord Jesus, you remember, promised he would go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the man replied, «I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and he will be healed». By calling himself unworthy, he showed he was worthy to have Christ enter, not within his walls, but within his heart...

There would, after all, have been no great benefit if the Lord Jesus had entered within his walls, and had not been in his bosom. Christ, the teacher of humility by both word and example had, you may remember, sat down in the house of a certain proud Pharisee called Simon (Lc 7,36f.). And though he was sitting in his house, there wasn't anywhere in his heart where the Son of man might lay his head (Lk 9,58)... But into this centurion's house he never entered, yet he took possession of his heart...

So this man's faith is discerned and praised in an act of humility. He said, «I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof» and the Lord said, «Amen I tell you, I have not found such great faith in Israel»... The Lord had come to Israel according to the flesh, that is to the Jews, there first to seek the sheep that were lost (Lk 15,4)... We, as human beings, can assess the faith of human beings - from the outside; he, who could look inside, whom no one could deceive, bore witness to the faith of this man, and on hearing his humble words, he gave him a clean bill of health.

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Monday, 13 September 2010

St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church - Memorial

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Saint John Chrysostom
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
(c. 349-404)

         Born at Antioch about 349, where he was ordained an exercised his pastoral ministry for many years. His preaching bore great fruit, and his writings revealed the brilliance of his intellect and his strength of faith. He lived an austere life, striving to reform the morals of clergy and people.

        In 397 he became Bishop of Constantinople; he was exiled by the emperor, who took exception to his work, and died in 404 at Comana in Turkey.

«Señor, yo no soy digno»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 13/09/2010

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

Lunes de la XXIV Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Carta I de San Pablo a los Corintios 11,17-26.33.
Y ya que les hago esta advertencia, no puedo felicitarlos por sus reuniones, que en lugar de beneficiarlos, los perjudican.
Ante todo, porque he oído decir que cuando celebran sus asambleas, hay divisiones entre ustedes, y en parte lo creo.
Sin embargo, es preciso que se formen partidos entre ustedes, para se pongan de manifiesto los que tienen verdadera virtud.
Cuando se reúnen, lo que menos hacen es comer la Cena del Señor,
porque apenas se sientan a la mesa, cada uno se apresura a comer su propia comida, y mientras uno pasa hambre, el otro se pone ebrio.
¿Acaso no tienen sus casas para comer y beber? ¿O tan poco aprecio tienen a la Iglesia de Dios, que quieren hacer pasar vergüenza a los que no tienen nada? ¿Qué les diré? ¿Los voy a alabar? En esto, no puedo alabarlos.
Lo que yo recibí del Señor, y a mi vez les he transmitido, es lo siguiente: El Señor Jesús, la noche en que fue entregado, tomó el pan,
dio gracias, lo partió y dijo: "Esto es mi Cuerpo, que se entrega por ustedes. Hagan esto en memoria mía".
De la misma manera, después de cenar, tomó la copa, diciendo: "Esta copa es la Nueva Alianza que se sella con mi Sangre. Siempre que la beban, háganlo en memora mía".
Y así, siempre que coman este pan y beban esta copa, proclamarán la muerte del Señor hasta que él vuelva.
Así, hermanos, cuando se reúnan para participar de la Cena, espérense unos a otros.

Salmo 40(39),7-8.9.10.17.
Tú no quisiste víctima ni oblación; pero me diste un oído atento; no pediste holocaustos ni sacrificios,
entonces dije: "Aquí estoy.
En el libro de la Ley está escrito lo que tengo que hacer: yo amo, Dios mío, tu voluntad, y tu ley está en mi corazón".
Proclamé gozosamente tu justicia en la gran asamblea; no, no mantuve cerrados mis labios, tú lo sabes, Señor.
Que se alegren y se regocijen en ti todos los que te buscan y digan siempre los que desean tu victoria; "¡Qué grande es el Señor!"

Evangelio según San Lucas 7,1-10.
Cuando Jesús terminó de decir todas estas cosas al pueblo, entró en Cafarnaún.
Había allí un centurión que tenía un sirviente enfermo, a punto de morir, al que estimaba mucho.
Como había oído hablar de Jesús, envió a unos ancianos judíos para rogarle que viniera a curar a su servidor.
Cuando estuvieron cerca de Jesús, le suplicaron con insistencia, diciéndole: "El merece que le hagas este favor,
porque ama a nuestra nación y nos ha construido la sinagoga".
Jesús fue con ellos, y cuando ya estaba cerca de la casa, el centurión le mandó decir por unos amigos: "Señor, no te molestes, porque no soy digno de que entres en mi casa;
por eso no me consideré digno de ir a verte personalmente. Basta que digas una palabra y mi sirviente se sanará.
Porque yo -que no soy más que un oficial subalterno, pero tengo soldados a mis órdenes- cuando digo a uno: 'Ve', él va; y a otro: 'Ven', él viene; y cuando digo a mi sirviente: '¡Tienes que hacer esto!', él lo hace".
Al oír estas palabras, Jesús se admiró de él y, volviéndose a la multitud que lo seguía, dijo: "Yo les aseguro que ni siquiera en Israel he encontrado tanta fe".
Cuando los enviados regresaron a la casa, encontraron al sirviente completamente sano. 

 Lc 7,1-10

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Agustín (354-430), obispo de Hipona (África del Norte) y doctor de la Iglesia
Sermón 62

«Señor, yo no soy digno»

     En la lectura del evangelio que acabamos de escuchar vemos cómo Jesús alaba nuestra fe juntamente con la humildad. Cuando ha prometido ir a curar al criado del centurión, éste ha contestado: «Señor, no te molestes; yo no soy quién para que entres bajo mi techo; dilo de palabra y mi criado quedará sano». Reconociéndose indigno, se muestra no sólo digno de que Cristo entre en su casa, sino también en su corazón...

     Porque no habría sido ninguna dicha si el Señor hubiera entrado en su casa y no hubiera entrado también en su corazón. En efecto, Cristo, Maestro en humildad por su ejemplo y sus palabras, se sentó a la mesa en  casa de un fariseo orgulloso, llamado Simón (Lc 7,36s). Pero por mucho que estuviera en su mesa, no estaba en su corazón: allí «el Hijo del Hombre no tuvo donde reclinar su cabeza» (Lc 9,58). Aquí, ocurre lo contrario: no entra en la casa del centurión, pero posee su corazón...

     Es pues la fe unida a la humildad lo que el Señor alaba en el centurión. Cuando éste dice: «Señor, no te molestes; yo no soy quién para que entres bajo mi techo», el Señor responde: «Os digo que ni en Israel he encontrado tanta fe»... El Señor vino primero, según la carne, al pueblo de Israel para buscar primero en ese pueblo su oveja perdida cf Lc 15,4)... Los demás, en tanto que hombres, no podemos conocer la medida de la fe de los hombres. Sólo él que ve el fondo del corazón, él a quien nadie engaña, que ha conocido lo que era el corazón de ese hombre al escuchar su palabra llena de humildad, y, a cambio, le dio una palabra que cura.

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lunes 13 Septiembre 2010

San Juán Cisóstomo

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San Juan Crisóstomo

Obispo y Doctor de la Iglesia (c. a. 349-407)
Nació en Antioquia el año 349. Recibió una esmerada educación y se retiró a vivir como monje.


Se ordenó sacerdote y ejerció con gran provecho el ministerio de la predicación, hasta el punto de que comenzaron a llamarle "Crisóstomo" = "boca de oro".


Desde el año 397 fue Patriarca de Constantinopla y dedicó sus energías a elevar el nivel espiritual de los fieles. Su ejemplar comportamiento le acarreó la oposición de los poderosos, sufrió por dos veces el destierro donde murió el año 407, en el Ponto.

"Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him"

DAILY GOSPEL: 12/09/2010

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

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Book of Exodus 32:7-11.13-14.
The LORD said to Moses, «Go down at once to your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved.
They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, 'This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!'
I see how stiff-necked this people is," continued the LORD to Moses.
"Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation."
But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand?
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'"
So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

Psalms 51(50):3-4.12-13.17.19.
Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

First Letter to Timothy 1:12-17.
I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15:1-32.
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So to them he addressed this parable.
What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'
I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it?
And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.'
In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Then he said, "A man had two sons,
and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."'
So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.'
But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.'
He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

 Lc 15,1-32

Commentary of the day 
Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.406-450), Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church
Sermon 5 on the prodigal son ; PL 52,197

"Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him"

       The son returned to his father's house and cried out: «Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers»... But the father ran to him, and ran from a long way off. «While we were still sinners, Christ died for us» (Rom 5,8). The father ran... in the person of the Son when he descended from heaven through him and came to earth. «The Father who sent me is with me,» he says in the Gospel (cf. Jn 16,32). He flung his arms round him: he flung himself even on us when, in Christ, his whole divinity came down from heaven and made its home in our flesh. And he embraced him. When? When «mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced» (Ps 85[84],11).

       He made them give him the finest robe: that which Adam lost – the eternal glory of our immortality. He bestowed on him a ring for his finger: the ring of honor, his title of liberty, the special seal of the spirit, the sign of faith, the firstfruits of the heavenly wedding feast. Hear the apostle Paul: «I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ» (2Cor 11,2). And he made them put sandals on his feet that our feet might be shod when we preach the good news of the Gospel, so that «the feet of those who bring glad tidings of peace» (Is 52,7; Rom 10,15) might be blessed.

       And he had the fattened calf slaughtered... The calf is slaughtered at the father's orders since Christ, God and Son of God, could not be put to death apart from the Father's will. Listen again to the apostle Paul: «He did not spare his own Son but delivered him up for us all» (Rom 8,32).

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Sunday, 12 September 2010

St. Guy of Anderlecht († c.1033)

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SAINT GUY OF ANDERLECHT
(† c. 1033)

        As a child Guy had two loves, the Church and the poor. The love of prayer growing more and more, he left his poor home at Brussels to seek greater poverty and closer union with God. He arrived at Laeken, near Brussels, and there showed such devotion before Our Lady's shrine that the priest besought him to stay and serve the Church. Thenceforth his great joy was to be always in the church, sweeping the floor and ceiling, polishing the altars, and cleansing the sacred vessels. By day he still found time and means to befriend the poor, so that his almsgiving became famous in all those parts.

        A merchant of Brussels, hearing of the generosity of this poor sacristan, came to Laeken, and offered him a share in his business. Guy could not bear to leave the church; but the offer seemed providential, and he at last closed with it. Their ship, however, was lost on the first voyage, and on returning to Laeken Guy found his place filled. The rest of his life was one long penance for his inconstancy. About the year 1033, finding his end at hand, he returned to Anderlecht, in his own country.

        As he died, a light shone round him, and a voice was heard proclaiming his eternal reward.

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