"Whose image is this?"

DAILY GOSPEL: 01/06/2010

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

Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

second Letter of Peter 3:12-15.17-18.
Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,
Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability.
But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. (Amen.)

Psalms 90:2.3-4.10.14.16.
Before the mountains were born, the earth and the world brought forth, from eternity to eternity you are God.
But humans you return to dust, saying, "Return, you mortals!"
A thousand years in your eyes are merely a yesterday. Before a watch passes in the night,
Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong; Most of them are sorrow and toil; they pass quickly, we are all but gone.
Fill us at daybreak with your love, that all our days we may sing for joy.
Show your deeds to your servants, your glory to their children.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 12:13-17.
They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to him to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion. You do not regard a person's status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?"
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, "Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at."
They brought one to him and he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They replied to him, "Caesar's."
So Jesus said to them, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.' They were utterly amazed at him.

Mc 12,13-17

Commentary of the day 
Saint Columbanus (563-615), monk, founder of monasteries
Instruction 11, 1-4 : PL 80, 250-252

"Whose image is this?"

Moses wrote in the Law that: «God created man in his image and likeness» (Gn 1,26). I would ask you to reflect on the importance of this saying. God, who is almighty, invisible, incomprehensible and without compare, when he fashioned man of clay, ennobled him by the image of his own greatness. What is there in common between man and God, clay and spirit? For «God is spirit» (Jn 4,24). Therefore is represents a great sign of his esteem for man that God should have rewarded him with the image of his eternity and the likeness of his own life. The greatness of man lies in his likeness to God, so long as he preserves it...

       So long as a soul makes good use of the virtues sown in it, it remains like God. All the virtues God placed in us at our creation he has taught us to repay to him. In the first place he requires us to love God with all our heart (Dt 6,5) since, from the beginning, even before we existed, «he loved us first» (1Jn 4,10). To love God, then, is to restore his image within us. Now, he loves God who keeps his commandments...

       Therefore it is for us to reflect to our God, to our Father, the unsullied image of his own holiness since he is holy and has said: «Be holy as I am holy» (Lv 11,45); with love since he is love and John has said: «God is love» (1Jn 4,8); with kindness and in truth since God is good and true. Let us not become depicters of a false image... And lest we insinuate the image of pride within ourselves let us allow Christ to paint his image within us.

Tuesday, 01 June 2010 St. Justin, Martyr (+ c. 165) - Memorial SAINT JUSTIN Martyr (+ c. 165)         St. Justin was born of heathen parents at. Neapolis in Samaria, about the year 103. He was well educated, and gave himself to the study of philosophy, but always with one object, that he might learn the knowledge of God. He sought this knowledge among the contending schools of philosophy, but always in vain, till at last God himself appeased the thirst which He had created.         One day, while Justin was walking by the seashore, meditating on the thought of God, an old man met him and questioned him on the subject of his doubts; and when he had made Justin confess that the philosophers taught nothing certain about God, he told him of the writings of the inspired prophets and of Jesus Christ whom they announced, and bade him seek light and understanding through prayer.         The Scriptures and the constancy of the Christian martyrs led Justin from the darkness of human reason to the light of faith. In his zeal for the Faith he travelled to Greece, Egypt, and Italy, gaining many to Christ.         At Rome he sealed his testimony with his blood, surrounded by his disciples. "Do you think," the prefect said to Justin, "that by dying you will enter heaven, and be rewarded by God?" "I do not think," was the Saint's answer; "I know."         Then, as now, there were many religious opinions, but only one certain-the certainty of the Catholic faith. This certainty should be the measure of our confidence and our zeal.

«¿De quién es esta cara?»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 01/06/2010

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

Martes de la IX Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Epístola II Carta de San Pedro 3,12-15.17-18.
Esperando y acelerando la venida del Día del Señor! Entonces se consumirán los cielos y los elementos quedarán fundidos por el fuego.
Pero nosotros, de acuerdo con la promesa del Señor, esperamos un cielo nuevo y una tierra nueva donde habitará la justicia.
Por eso, queridos hermanos, mientras esperan esto, procuren vivir de tal manera que él los encuentre en paz, sin mancha ni reproche.
Tengan en cuenta que la paciencia del Señor es para nuestra salvación, como les ha escrito nuestro hermano Pablo, conforme a la sabiduría que le ha sido dada,
Hermanos míos, ustedes están prevenidos. Manténganse en guardia, no sea que, arrastrados por el extravío de los que hacen el mal, pierdan su firmeza.
Crezcan en la gracia y en el conocimiento de nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo. ¡A él sea la gloria, ahora y en la eternidad!

Salmo 90,2.3-4.10.14.16.
Antes que fueran engendradas las montañas, antes que nacieran la tierra y el mundo, desde siempre y para siempre, tú eres Dios.
Tú haces que los hombres vuelvan al polvo, con sólo decirles: "Vuelvan, seres humanos".
Porque mil años son ante tus ojos como el día de ayer, que ya pasó, como una vigilia de la noche.
Nuestra vida dura apenas setenta años, y ochenta, si tenemos más vigor: en su mayor parte son fatiga y miseria, porque pasan pronto, y nosotros nos vamos.
Sácianos en seguida con tu amor, y cantaremos felices toda nuestra vida.
Que tu obra se manifieste a tus servidores, y que tu esplendor esté sobre tus hijos.

Evangelio según San Marcos 12,13-17.
Le enviaron después a unos fariseos y herodianos para sorprenderlo en alguna de sus afirmaciones.
Ellos fueron y le dijeron: "Maestro, sabemos que eres sincero y no tienes en cuenta la condición de las personas, porque no te fijas en la categoría de nadie, sino que enseñas con toda fidelidad el camino de Dios. ¿Está permitido pagar el impuesto al César o no? ¿Debemos pagarla o no?".
Pero él, conociendo su hipocresía, les dijo: "¿Por qué me tienden una trampa? Muéstrenme un denario".
Cuando se lo mostraron, preguntó: "¿De quién es esta figura y esta inscripción?". Respondieron: "Del César".
Entonces Jesús les dijo: "Den al César lo que es del César, y a Dios, lo que es de Dios". Y ellos quedaron sorprendidos por la respuesta. 

Mc 12,13-17

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Columbano (563-615), monje, fundador de monasterios
Instrucción 11, 1-4: PL 80, 250-252

«¿De quién es esta cara?»

     Hallamos escrito en la ley de Moisés: «Creó Dios al hombre a su imagen y semejanza». (Gn 1,26). Considerad, os lo ruego, la grandeza de esta afirmación; el Dios omnipotente, invisible, incomprensible, inefable, incomparable, al formar al hombre del barro de la tierra, lo ennobleció con la dignidad de su propia imagen. ¿Qué hay de común entre el hombre y Dios, entre el barro y el espíritu? Porque «Dios es espíritu» (Jn 4,24). Es prueba de una gran estimación el que Dios haya dado al hombre la imagen de su eternidad y la semejanza de su propia vida. La grandeza del hombre consiste en su semejanza con Dios, con tal que la conserve...

     Si el alma hace buen uso de las virtudes plantadas en ella, entonces será de verdad semejante a Dios. Él nos enseñó, por medio de sus preceptos, que debemos devolverle frutos de todas las virtudes que sembró en nosotros al crearnos. Y el primero de estos preceptos es amar a Dios con todo nuestro corazón (Dt 6,5) porque «él nos amó primero» (1Jn 4,10), desde el principio y antes que existiéramos. Por tanto, amar a Dios es renovar en nosotros su imagen. Ahora bien, ama a Dios el que guarda sus mandamientos...

     Retornemos, pues, a nuestro Dios y Padre la imagen inviolada de su santidad, porque él es santo y dice: «Sed santos como yo soy santo» (Lv 11,45); con amor porque él es amor, como nos lo dice Juan: «Dios es amor» (1Jn 4,8); con ternura y en verdad, porque Dios es bueno y fiel. No pintemos en nosotros una imagen ajena... Para que no introduzcamos en nosotros ninguna imagen de orgullo, dejemos que Cristo pinte en nosotros su imagen.

martes 01 Junio 2010 San Justino ver: san Justino San Justino Mártir,  nació en Flavia Nápolis. Fue el primer apologista cristiano, laico. Como buscador incansable de la verdad, profundizó principalmente en el sistema de los estoicos, los pitagóricos y de Platón.  Tuvo un encuentro que le motivó a estudiar «una filosofía más noble» que las que él conocía. Así, comenzó a estudiar las Sagradas Escrituras y a informarse sobre el cristianismo. San Justino tenía 30 años cuando se convirtió al cristianismo.  Recorrió varios países discutiendo con los paganos, los herejes y los judíos sobre la fe. Los escritos de Justino mártir que han llegado completos hasta nosotros son las dos Apologías y el Diálogo con Trifón.  En la primera Apología, San Justino protesta contra la condenación de los cristianos por razón de su religión o de falsas acusaciones. En ella fundamenta que es injusto acusarlos de ateísmo y de inmoralidad, ya que son ciudadanos pacíficos, cuya lealtad al emperador se basa en sus mismos principios religiosos.- La segunda Apología es un apéndice de la primera. En su tercer libro, el mártir hace una defensa del cristianismo en contraste con el judaísmo, bajo la forma de diálogo con un judío llamado Trifón.   San Justino se negó a la orden dada por Crescencio de ofrecer sacrificios a los ídolos y, confesando valientemente a Cristo, fue condenado por el juez a morir decapitado. http://liberaciondeposeidos.blogspot.com/

“Mary set out, proceeding in haste”

DAILY GOSPEL: 31/05/2010

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

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Feast

Book of Zephaniah 3:14-18.
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals. I will remove disaster from among you, so that none may recount your disgrace.

Book of Isaiah 12:2-3.4.5-6.
God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation,
and say on that day: Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1:39-56.
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. 

Lc 1,39-56 Commentary of the day  Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity No Greater Love “Mary set out, proceeding in haste”       As soon as the angel had visited Mary, she went with haste to her cousin Elizabeth, who herself was expecting a child. And the child to be born, John the Baptist, leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb. How marvelous! The all-powerful God chose a child yet to be born to announce his Son’s coming!        In the mystery of the Annunciation and the Visitation, Mary is the very model of the life we should lead. First of all, she welcomed Jesus in her existence; then, she shared what she had received. Every time we receive Holy Communion, Jesus the Word becomes flesh in our life – gift of God who is at one and the same time beautiful, kind, unique. Thus, the first Eucharist was such: Mary’s offering of her Son in her, in whom he had set up the first altar. Mary, the only one who could affirm with absolute confidence, “this is my body”, from that first moment offered her own body, her strength, all her being, to form the Body of Christ.       Our mother the Church raised women to a great honor before the face of God by proclaiming Mary as Mother of the Church. Monday, 31 May 2010 The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Feast The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Feast  Eternal Father, you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need. Keep us open to the working of your Spirit, and with mary may we praise you for ever. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (Prayer of the Feast)

«María se puso en camino»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 31/05/2010

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

La Visitación de la Virgen María - Fiesta

Libro de Sofonías 3,14-18.
¡Grita de alegría, hija de Sión! ¡Aclama, Israel! ¡Alégrate y regocíjate de todo corazón, hija de Jerusalén!
El Señor ha retirado las sentencias que pesaban sobre ti y ha expulsado a tus enemigos. El Rey de Israel, el Señor, está en medio de ti: ya no temerás ningún mal.
Aquel día, se dirá a Jerusalén: ¡No temas, Sión, que no desfallezcan tus manos!
¡El Señor, tu Dios, está en medio de ti, es un guerrero victorioso! El exulta de alegría a causa de ti, te renueva con su amor y lanza por ti gritos de alegría,
como en los días de fiesta. Yo aparté de ti la desgracia, para que no cargues más con el oprobio.

Libro de Isaías 12,2-3.4.5-6.
Este es el Dios de mi salvación: yo tengo confianza y no temo, porque el Señor es mi fuerza y mi protección; él fue mi salvación.
Ustedes sacarán agua con alegría de las fuentes de la salvación.
Y dirán en aquel día: Den gracias al Señor, invoquen su Nombre, anuncien entre los pueblos sus proezas, proclamen qué sublime es su Nombre
Canten al Señor porque ha hecho algo grandioso: ¡que sea conocido en toda la tierra!
¡Aclama y grita de alegría, habitante de Sión, porque es grande en medio de ti el Santo de Israel!

Evangelio según San Lucas 1,39-56.
En aquellos días, María partió y fue sin demora a un pueblo de la montaña de Judá.
Entró en la casa de Zacarías y saludó a Isabel.
Apenas esta oyó el saludo de María, el niño saltó de alegría en su seno, e Isabel, llena del Espíritu Santo,
exclamó: "¡Tú eres bendita entre todas las mujeres y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre!
¿Quién soy yo, para que la madre de mi Señor venga a visitarme?
Apenas oí tu saludo, el niño saltó de alegría en mi seno.
Feliz de ti por haber creído que se cumplirá lo que te fue anunciado de parte del Señor".
María dijo entonces: "Mi alma canta la grandeza del Señor,
y mi espíritu se estremece de gozo en Dios, mi Salvador,
porque el miró con bondad la pequeñez de tu servidora. En adelante todas las generaciones me llamarán feliz,
porque el Todopoderoso ha hecho en mí grandes cosas: ¡su Nombre es santo!
Su misericordia se extiende de generación en generación sobre aquellos que lo temen.
Desplegó la fuerza de su brazo, dispersó a los soberbios de corazón.
Derribó a los poderosos de su trono y elevó a los humildes.
Colmó de bienes a los hambrientos y despidió a los ricos con las manos vacías.
Socorrió a Israel, su servidor, acordándose de su misericordia,
como lo había prometido a nuestros padres, en favor de Abraham y de su descendencia para siempre".
María permaneció con Isabel unos tres meses y luego regresó a su casa. 

Lc 1,39-56

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Beata Teresa de Calcuta (1910-1997), fundadora de las Hermanas Misioneras de la Caridad
No hay amor más grande

«María se puso en camino»

     Después que María fue visitada por el ángel, se puso rápidamente en camino a casa de su prima Isabel, la cual también esperaba un hijo. Y el niño que había de nacer, Juan Bautista, saltó de gozo en el vientre de Isabel. ¡Qué maravilla! ¡El Dios todopoderoso, para anunciar la venida de su Hijo, escogió a un niño que había de nacer!

     María, a través del misterio de la Anunciación y de la Visitación, representa el modelo de vida que nosotras deberíamos llevar. Primero acogió a Jesús en su existencia; seguidamente, compartió lo que había recibido. Cada vez que recibimos la Santa Comunión, Jesús, el Verbo, se hace carne en nuestra vida –don de Dios, al mismo tiempo bello, gracioso, singular. Esta fue la primera Eucaristía: María ofrece a su Hijo en ella, en quien él había puesto el primer altar. María, la única que podía afirmar con una confianza absoluta: «Esto es mi cuerpo», a partir de ese primer momento ofreció su propio cuerpo, su fuerza, todo su ser, para la formación del Cuerpo de Cristo.

     Nuestra Madre la Iglesia ha elevado, delante del rostro de Dios, a un gran honor a las mujeres proclamando a María Madre de la Iglesia.

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lunes 31 Mayo 2010

Santa Petronila

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Santa Petronila 

Petronila, hija de san Pedro. Es el siglo primero y el lugar de la narración, Roma; Petronila está presentada como hija de san Pedro. Su máximo anhelo es padecer por Jesús que tanto quiso padecer por ella.

Una extraña enfermedad la mete en cama con agudísimos dolores imposibles de aliviar; pero su semblante alegre y su actitud llena de optimismo demuestran a todos los que van a visitarla la aceptación voluntariosa y complacida de Petronila que, por fin, puede sufrir algo por su Señor.

Se prolonga por mucho tiempo la postración. Entre los creyentes romanos se empiezan a correr rumores; ¿cómo es posible conciliar tamaño sufrimiento de Petronila con la actitud permisiva del padre Pedro, si es verdad que sólo su sombra llegaba a curar a enfermos, hace unos años, en Jerusalén?, ¿será que Pedro ha perdido virtud?, ¿será esto una muestra de falta de cariño?, ¿no deben preocuparse los padres por la salud de los hijos?...    Un día Pedro reúne a una gran multitud de creyentes en Cristo en su casa y manda con imperio a su hija: «Petronila, levántate y sírvenos la mesa».

Asombrados y estupefactos contemplan a la dulce joven incorporarse del lecho y salir dispuesta al cumplimiento del encargo toda llena de facultades. Terminada su misión vuelve a la cama, recupera la enfermedad con incremento de sufrimiento y ya no se restablecerá hasta después del martirio de Pedro.   No ha hecho mella en su físico el terrible padecimiento soportado, se han rejuvenecido sus facciones y hasta se diría que se ha multiplicado la belleza previa a la enfermedad.

Ahora dedica Petronila todas sus energías a la oración y a la caridad.    Va solucionando problemas de cristianos: pobres, lisiados, enfermos, ciegos, leprosos y todo tipo de carenciales van a visitarla y salen pletóricos de felicidad. Por toda Roma corre un inmenso e imparable rumor que transmite de boca a boca la explosión de la caridad de Jesucristo patente en las obras de Petronila.

No es extraño el enamoramiento del joven Flaco que se acerca con gran séquito de criados y esclavos a solicitar el consentimiento para hacerla su esposa. La reacción ahora de la virgen es de indecible sorpresa; pero guarda las formas, agradece al noble joven enamorado el honor que le hace y pide suave y dulcemente tres días para reflexionar al término de los cuales debe Flaco enviarle sus doncellas y criadas para que la acompañen.   Todo es llanto en Petronila. Jesucristo llena su corazón; no quiere romper la unidad del amor; sólo a Jesús quiere como Esposo.

Pasa los tres días encerrada, en compañía de Felícula, dada al ayuno, a continua oración, penitencias y súplicas al Señor. El último día del retiro llega el presbítero Nicodemus, le celebró la misa, le dio la Comunión y contempló cómo moría Petronila al pie del altar consumida de amor.-Las criadas de Flaco que ya esperaban jubilosas trocaron el cortejo de nupcial en fúnebre para llevarla a enterrar.

Quiso enseñarnos  la ejemplar actitud de una mujer cristiana de los primeros tiempos que supo ser paciente en la enfermedad,  descubrió en sus padecimientos la ocasión de participar de los redentores de Jesucristo a quien amó por encima de todas las cosas y en cualquier situación, por ello no descuidó la caridad con los demás, ese estilo de vida tiene gran repercusión sobrenatural en el cuerpo social.

Fue enterrada en el cementerio que había en el camino de Ardi, allí donde luego se construyó una iglesia con su nombre.

---

  Oremos 

Himno

Dichosa tú, que entre todas,

Fuiste por Dios sorprendida

Con tu lámpara encendida

Para el banquete de bodas.

Con el abrazo inocente

De un hondo pacto amoroso,

Vienes a unirte al Esposo

Por virgen y prudente.

Enséñanos a vivir,

Ayúdenos tu oración,

Danos en la tentación

La gracia de resistir.

Honor a la Trinidad

Por esta limpia victoria,

Y gloria por esta gloria

Que alegra a la humanidad.  Amén

Escucha, Señor, nuestras plegarias y concede a los que celebramos la virtud de Santa Petronila, virgen, crecer siempre en tu amor y perseverar en él hasta el fin. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

http://liberaciondeposeidos.blogspot.com/

«The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth»

DAILY GOSPEL: 30/05/2010

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

The Most Holy Trinity - Solemnity

Book of Proverbs 8:22-31.
"The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;
From of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water;
Before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth;
While as yet the earth and the fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.
"When he established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
When he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command;
Then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, Playing before him all the while,
playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the sons of men.

Psalms 8:4-5.6-7.8-9.
When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place--
What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet:
All sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

Letter to the Romans 5:1-5.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 16:12-15.
I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 

Jn 16,12-15

Commentary of the day 
William of Saint-Thierry (c.1085-1149), Benedictine, then a Cistercian monk
The Mirror of Faith, 6; PL 180, 384

«The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth»

«Who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God» (1Cor 2,11). Run, then, to enter into communion with the Holy Spirit. No sooner do we call on him than he is there, and if we call on him it is because he is already present to us. When called, he comes; he comes in the abundance of divine blessings. He it is who is that rushing river giving joy to God's city (Ps 46[45],5). If, when he has come, he finds you to be humble and without anxiety, fearing God's word, then he will come to rest on you and reveal to you those things that God hides from the wise and learned of this world (Mt 11,25). Then all those truths will begin to shine out before you that Wisdom spoke to the disciples while on earth but which they could not bear before the coming of the Spirit of truth that was to teach them all truth...

Just as those who worship God must necessarily worship him «in spirit and truth» (Jn 4,24), so those who would know him have only to seek an understanding of the faith in the Holy Spirit... In the midst of this life's darkness and ignorance, he himself is the light that shines out for the poor in spirit (Mt 5,3), the charity that attracts and sweetness that ravishes the soul, the love of those who love and the devotion of those who yield themselves without reserve. He it is who reveals God's justice from conviction to conviction; who gives grace in return for grace (Jn 1,16) and the faith of enlightenment to the faith of those who listen to the Word.

Sunday, 30 May 2010 St. Joan of Arc, Virgin (1412+1431) SAINT JOAN OF ARC Virgin (1412-1431)         At Domremy, on the Upper Meuse (France), was born on January 6, 1412, of pious parentage, the illustrious heroine of all time, St. Joan of Arc. Taught by her mother from earliest years to pray each night "O God, save France," she could not help but conceive that ardent love for her country which later consumed her life.         While the English were overrunning the north of France, their future conqueror, untutored in worldly wisdom, was peacefully tending her flock, and learning the wisdom of God at a wayside shrine. But hearing Voices from heaven and bidden by St. Michael, who appeared to her, to deliver her country from the enemy, she hastened to the King and convinced him of her divine mission.           Scarcely did her banner, inscribed "Jesus, Mary," appear on the battlefield than she raised the siege of Orleans and led Charles VII. to be crowned at Rheims. Later, abandoned by her King, she fell into the hands of the English, who gave her a mock trial and burned her as a heretic.         But the Maid of Orleans has at last come into her own, for with greater pomp than ever a king was crowned, and amid the acclamations of the whole world, on May 13, 1920, Pope Benedict XV. proclaimed her St. Joan of Arc.

«Un solo Dios, un solo Señor, en la trinidad de personas y en la unidad de naturaleza»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA

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

La Santísima Trinidad - Solemnidad

Libro de los Proverbios 8,22-31.
El Señor me creó como primicia de sus caminos, antes de sus obras, desde siempre.
Yo fui formada desde la eternidad, desde el comienzo, antes de los orígenes de la tierra.
Yo nací cuando no existían los abismos, cuando no había fuentes de aguas caudalosas.
Antes que fueran cimentadas las montañas, antes que las colinas, yo nací,
cuando él no había hecho aún la tierra ni los espacios ni los primeros elementos del mundo.
Cuando él afianzaba el cielo, yo estaba allí; cuando trazaba el horizonte sobre el océano,
cuando condensaba las nubes en lo alto, cuando infundía poder a las fuentes del océano,
cuando fijaba su límite al mar para que las aguas no transgredieran sus bordes, cuando afirmaba los cimientos de la tierra,
yo estaba a su lado como un hijo querido y lo deleitaba día tras día, recreándome delante de él en todo tiempo,
recreándome sobre la faz de la tierra, y mi delicia era estar con los hijos de los hombres.

Salmo 8,4-5.6-7.8-9.
Al ver el cielo, obra de tus manos, la luna y la estrellas que has creado:
¿qué es el hombre para que pienses en él, el ser humano para que lo cuides?
Lo hiciste poco inferior a los ángeles, lo coronaste de gloria y esplendor;
le diste dominio sobre la obra de tus manos, todo lo pusiste bajo sus pies:
todos los rebaños y ganados, y hasta los animales salvajes;
las aves del cielo, los peces del mar y cuanto surca los senderos de las aguas.

Carta de San Pablo a los Romanos 5,1-5.
Justificados, entonces, por la fe, estamos en paz con Dios, por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
Por él hemos alcanzado, mediante la fe, la gracia en la que estamos afianzados, y por él nos gloriamos en la esperanza de la gloria de Dios.
Más aún, nos gloriamos hasta de las mismas tribulaciones, porque sabemos que la tribulación produce la constancia;
la constancia, la virtud probada; la virtud probada, la esperanza.
Y la esperanza no quedará defraudada, porque el amor de Dios ha sido derramado en nuestros corazones por el Espíritu Santo, que nos ha sido dado.

Evangelio según San Juan 16,12-15.
Todavía tengo muchas cosas que decirles, pero ustedes no las pueden comprender ahora.
Cuando venga el Espíritu de la Verdad, él los introducirá en toda la verdad, porque no hablará por sí mismo, sino que dirá lo que ha oído y les anunciará lo que irá sucediendo.
El me glorificará, porque recibirá de lo mío y se lo anunciará a ustedes.
Todo lo que es del Padre es mío. Por eso les digo: 'Recibirá de lo mío y se lo anunciará a ustedes'. 

Jn 16,12-15

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Juan de la Cruz (1542-1591), carmelita descalzo, doctor de la Iglesia
Poema «Cantar del alma que se huelga de conocer a Dios por fe»

«Un solo Dios, un solo Señor, en la trinidad de personas y en la unidad de naturaleza» (Prefacio)

     Qué bien sé yo la fonte
que mana y corre,
aunque es de noche.

     Aquella eterna fonte está escondida,
que bien sé yo do tiene su manida,
aunque es de noche.

     Su origen no lo sé, pues no le tiene,
mas sé que todo origen de ella tiene,
aunque es de noche.

     Sé que no puede ser cosa tan bella,
y que cielos y tierra beben de ella,
aunque es de noche.

     Bien sé que suelo en ella no se halla,
y que ninguno puede vadealla,
aunque es de noche.

     Su claridad nunca es oscurecida,
y sé que toda luz de ella es venida,
aunque es de noche.

     Sé ser tan caudalosos sus corrientes.
que infiernos, cielos riegan y las gentes,
aunque es de noche.

     El corriente que nace de esta fuente
bien sé que es tan capaz y omnipotente,
aunque es de noche.

     El corriente que de estas dos procede
sé que ninguna de ellas le precede,
aunque es de noche.

     Aquesta eterna fonte está escondida
en este vivo pan por darnos vida,
aunque es de noche.

     Aquí se está llamando a las criaturas,
y de esta agua se hartan, aunque a oscuras
porque es de noche.

     Aquesta viva fuente que deseo,
en este pan de vida yo la veo,
aunque es de noche. 

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domingo 30 Mayo 2010

San Fernando III

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San FernandoIII

San Fernando (1198-1252)  Fernando III, nació el año 1198 en el reino leonés, probablemente cerca de Valparaíso (Zamora) y murió en Sevilla el 30 de mayo de 1252.    Hijo de Alfonso IX de León y de Berenguela de Castilla, unió definitivamente las coronas de ambos reinos.

Iniciado el proceso de canonización u probado el culto inmemorial, fue elevado a la gloria de los altares el 4 de febrero de 1671.     Es patrono de los cautivos, desvalidos y gobernantes.

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  Oremos 

Señor Dios todopoderoso, que nos has revelado que el amor a Dios y al prójimo es el compendio de toda tu ley, haz que, imitando la caridad de San Fernando, seamos contados un día entre los elegidos de tu reino. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

IN ILLO TEMPORE IESUS ...: �The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth�

Link LA SANT�SIMA TRINIDAD

«On what authority are you doing these things?»

DAILY GOSPEL: 29/05/2010

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

Saturday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time

Letter of Jude 1:17.20-25.
But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
On those who waver, have mercy;
save others by snatching them out of the fire; on others have mercy with fear, abhorring even the outer garment stained by the flesh.
To the one who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished and exultant, in the presence of his glory,
to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, power, and authority from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen.

Psalms 63:2.3-4.5-6.
O God, you are my God-- for you I long! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, Like a land parched, lifeless, and without water.
So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.
For your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship!
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.
My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you!

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 11:27-33.
They returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him
and said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?"
Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Was John's baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me."
They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say, 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say, '(Then) why did you not believe him?'
But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?"--they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet.
So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." Then Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Mc 11,27-33

Commentary of the day 
Saint Hilary (c.315-367), Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church
De Trinitate, VII, 26-27

«On what authority are you doing these things?»

      He really does belong to the Father, this Son who is like him. He comes from him, this Son who can be compared to him, for he is like him. He is his equal, this Son who accomplishes the same works as he (Jn 5:36)... Yes, the Son accomplishes the Fathers' works; and he asks us to believe that he is the Son of God. In so doing, he is not assuming a title to which he has no right; he is not basing his claim on his own works. No! He bears witness to the fact that these are not his own works, but those of his Father. And he thus testifies that the brilliance of his actions comes to him from his divine birth. But how could men have been able to recognize in him the Son of God, in the mystery of the body hehad assumed, in this man born of Mary? The Lord accomplished all those works so that faith in him could penetrate their hearts. «If I perform the works of my Father, even though you put no faith in me, put faith in these works.» (Jn 10:38)



      If the humble condition of his body seems to be an obstacle to believing in his word, he asks us to believe at least in his works. For why should the mystery of his human birth prevent us from perceiving his divine birth? ... «If you do not want to believe in me, believe in my works so as to know and to acknowledge that the Father is in me and I in the Father.»...



      Such is the nature which he has by birth; such is the mystery of a faith which will ensure salvation for us: not to divide those who are one, not to deprive the Son of his nature, and to proclaim the truth of the Living God born of the Living God... «Just as the Father who has life sent me, so I have life because of the Father.» (Jn 6:57) «Just as the Father possesses life in himself, so has he granted it to the Son to have life in himself.» (Jn 5:26)

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Saturday, 29 May 2010

St. Mother Orsola (Giulia) Ledóchowska (1865 - 1939)

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M. Orsola (Giulia) Ledóchowska
Religious
(1865-1939)

        "If only I knew how to love, to burn and consume oneself in love" - so the 24 year old Giulia Ledóchowska wrote before taking religious vows, novice in the Ursuline convent of Krakow. On the day of the religious profession she took the name 'Maria Ursula of Jesus', and the words stated above became the guide lines of her entire life. In her mothers' family (of Swiss nationality and of the dynasty of the Salis), as well as in her fathers' (an old Polish family) there were many politicians, military men, ecclesiastics and consecrated people, who were involved in the history of Europe and of the Church. She was raised in a family of numerous brothers and sisters where affectionate and disciplined love was dominant. The first three children, including M. Ursula, chose the consecrated life: Maria Teresa (beatified in 1975) founded the future 'Society of S. Peter Claver' and the younger brother Vladimiro became the general Preposito of the Jesuits.

        M. Ursula lived in the convent at Krakow for 21 years. Her love for the Lord, her educational talent and sensibility towards the needs of youngsters in the changing social, political and moral conditions of those times put her at the centre of attention. When women earned the right to study in Universities, she succeeded in organising the first boarding-house in Poland for female students where they not only found a safe place to live and study, but also received a solid religious preparation. This passion, together with the blessing of Pope Pio X, gave her the strength to move into the heart of Russia which was hostile towards the Church. When, in civilian dress, she left with another Sister for Petersburg (where religious life was prohibited) she did not know that she was headed towards an unknown destination and that the Holy Spirit would lead her upon roads she had not foreseen. 

        In Petersburg the Mother with the steadily growing community of nuns (soon established as an autonomous structure of the Ursulines) lived secretly, and even though under constant surveillance by the secret police, they brought forward an intense educational and religious project which was also directed towards the encouragement of relationships between Polish and Russians.

        When war broke out starts in 1914, M. Ursula had to leave Russia. She headed for Stockholm and during her Scandinavian travels (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) her activity concentrated not only on education, but also on the life of the local Church, on giving aid to the war victims and on ecumenical work. The house where she lived with her nuns became a point of reference for people of different political and religious orientation. Her strong love for her country was the same as her tolerance towards 'diversity' and towards others. Once asked to speak of her political orientation, she promptly answered 'My policy is love'.

        In 1920 M. Ursula, her sisters and a vast number of orphan children of immigrants returned to Poland. The Apostolic Headquarters transforms its autonomous convent of the 'Ursulines of the Sacred Agonising Heart of Jesus' The spirituality of the congregation is concentrated on the contemplation of the salvific love of Christ and participation in His mission by means of educational projects and service to others, particularly to the suffering, the lonely and the abandoned who were searching for the meaning of life. M. Ursula educated her sisters to love God above everything else and to find God in every human being and in all Creation. She gave a particularly credible testimony to the personal bond with Christ and to being an efficient instrument of both Evangelical and educational influence by means of her smile and serenity of soul. Her humility and capacity to live the ordinary everyday routine as a privileged road towards holiness made her a clear example of this life style. 

        The congregation developed quickly. The communities of the Ursuline nuns in Poland and on the eastern frontiers of the country which were poor, multinational and multi-confessional were established. In 1928 the Generalate was established in Rome along with a boarding-house for girls who were economically less well-off, in order to give them the possibility to come into contact with the spiritual and religious richness of the heart of the Church and of European civilisation. The Sisters began to work in the poor suburbs of Rome. In 1930 the nuns accompanied girls in search of work and established themselves in France. Wherever possible M.Ursula founded educational and instructional work centres. She sent the nuns to Catechise and to work in the poor parts of town. She wrote books and articles for children and youngsters.

        She initiated and sustained ecclesiastical organisations for children (Eucharistic Movement), for youngsters and for women. She actively participated in the life of the Church and State thus receiving great acknowledgement and decorations from both the State and the Church. When her laborious and not easy life came to an end in Rome on May 29, 1939, people said of her: "She died a saint".

        John Paul II beatified M. Ursula on June 20, 1983 in Poznan and canonized her on May 18, 2003 at Rome.

«¿Con qué autoridad haces esto?»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 29/05/2010

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

Sábado de la VIII Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Epístola de San Judas 1,17.20-25.
En cuanto a ustedes, queridos míos, acuérdense de lo que predijeron los Apóstoles de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
Pero ustedes, queridos míos, edifíquense a sí mismos sobre el fundamento de su fe santísima, orando en el Espíritu Santo.
Manténganse en el amor de Dios, esperando la misericordia de nuestro Señor Jesucristo para la Vida eterna.
Traten de convencer a los que tienen dudas,
y sálvenlos librándolos del fuego. En cuanto a los demás, tengan piedad de ellos, pero con cuidado, aborreciendo hasta la túnica contaminada por su cuerpo.
A aquel que puede preservarlos de toda caída y hacerlos comparecer sin mancha y con alegría en la presencia de su gloria,
al único Dios que es nuestro Salvador, por medio de Jesucristo nuestro Señor, sea la gloria, el honor, la fuerza y el poder, desde antes de todos los tiempos, ahora y para siempre. Amén.

Salmo 63,2.3-4.5-6.
Señor, tú eres mi Dios, yo te busco ardientemente; mi alma tiene sed de ti, por ti suspira mi carne como tierra sedienta, reseca y sin agua.
Sí, yo te contemplé en el Santuario para ver tu poder y tu gloria.
Porque tu amor vale más que la vida, mis labios te alabarán.
Así te bendeciré mientras viva y alzaré mis manos en tu Nombre.
Mi alma quedará saciada como con un manjar delicioso, y mi boca te alabará con júbilo en los labios.

Evangelio según San Marcos 11,27-33.
Y llegaron de nuevo a Jerusalén. Mientras Jesús caminaba por el Templo, los sumos sacerdotes, los escribas y los ancianos se acercaron a él
y le dijeron: "¿Con qué autoridad haces estas cosas? ¿O quién te dio autoridad para hacerlo?".
Jesús les respondió: "Yo también quiero hacerles una sola pregunta. Si me responden, les diré con qué autoridad hago estas cosas.
Díganme: el bautismo de Juan, ¿venía del cielo o de los hombres?".
Ellos se hacían este razonamiento: "Si contestamos: 'Del cielo', él nos dirá: '¿Por qué no creyeron en él?'.
¿Diremos entonces: "De los hombres'?". Pero como temían al pueblo, porque todos consideraban que Juan había sido realmente un profeta,
respondieron a Jesús: "No sabemos". Y él les respondió: "Yo tampoco les diré con qué autoridad hago estas cosas". 

Mc 11,27-33

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Hilario (hacia 315-367), obispo de Poitiers y doctor de la Iglesia
Sobre la Trinidad, VII, 26-27

«¿Con qué autoridad haces esto?»

     Es del Padre este Hijo que se le parece. Viene de él, este Hijo que se le puede comparar, porque le es semejante. Es su igual este Hijo que hace las mismas obras que él (Jn 5,36)... Sí, el Hijo hace las mismas obras del Padre; por eso nos pide creer que él es el Hijo de Dios. No se otorga un título que no le es debido; no es sobre sus propias obras que apoya su reivindicación. ¡No! Él da testimonio que no es sobre sus propias obras, sino sobre las de su Padre. Con ello da testimonio de que el esplendor de sus acciones le viene de su nacimiento divino. Pues ¿cómo los hombres hubieran podido reconocer en él al Hijo de Dios, en el misterio de este cuerpo que había asumido, en este hombre nacido de María? Es, precisamente, para que penetrara en su corazón la fe en él, que el Señor hacía todas sus obras: «Si hago las obras de mi Padre, aunque no me creáis a mi, creed a las obras» (Jn 10,38).

     Si la condición humilde de su cuerpo parece ser un obstáculo para creer en su palabra, nos pide de creer, al menos, por sus obras. En efecto ¿por qué el misterio de su nacimiento humano nos iba a ser un obstáculo para percibir su nacimiento divino?... «Aunque no me creáis a mí, creed a las obras, para que comprendáis y sepáis que el Padre está en mí y yo en el Padre»...

     Esta es la naturaleza que posee por su nacimiento; este es el misterio de una fe que nos asegura la salvación: no dividir a los que son una unidad, no privar al Hijo de su naturaleza, y proclamar la verdad del Dios Viviente nacido del Dios Viviente... «Igual que el Padre que me ha enviado, vive, igualmente yo vivo por el Padre» (Jn 6,57). «Igual que el Padre tiene la vida en él, igualmente ha dado al Hijo el poder de tener la vida en sí mismo» (Jn 5,26).

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sábado 29 Mayo 2010

San Felix

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Santos Voto y Félix 

Eremitas (s. VIII)   Todo Aragón, con Zaragoza, está dominado por los sarracenos que hace más de medio siglo llegaron a España. Los discípulos de Jesucristo, tienen que pagar tributos especiales al moro si quieren seguir haciendo las prácticas cristianas. Así, disgustados y humillados como muchos otros, viven los hermanos Voto y Félix que son gente perteneciente a la nobleza, piadosos y buenos con los pobres.   Voto es amante de la caza. Ha herido a un ciervo en el monte, y recorre la maleza para atraparlo. Alertado por los ladridos, ve al animal que va huyendo; espolea su caballo. El ciervo se despeña por un precipicio y, cuando Voto quiere darse cuenta, se ha desbocado el caballo.    Se encomienda a san Juan Bautista y el caballo se inmoviliza, en el  borde de la sima. (Aún hoy los vecinos muestran la peña  y las huellas que dejaron allí los hierros del animal)   Inspecciona Voto el lugar, encontrando entre las matas y arbustos una ermita dedicada a san Juan Bautista. En su interior tiene un hombre muerto y una escritura donde se lee: «Yo, Juan, eremita en este sitio, habiendo despreciado al mundo, fundé como pude esta ermita en honor de san Juan Bautista, y aquí descanso en paz. Amén.»   No sabe qué hacer ¡son tantas las cosas sucedidas en tan poco tiempo!... decide dar sepultura al muerto y regresa a su casa con el alma encogida y ansiando poner al corriente de los acontecimientos a su hermano Félix.   Deducen que el muerto bien pudiera ser Juan, el de Atarés, de quien nadie daba razón desde hacía años; si acertaran en su conjetura, todo se explica por el retiro a una vida solitaria y santa. Ahora todo se les junta en la cabeza: la presencia de los moros y las dificultades para ser hombres íntegros de fe.   Deciden repartir sus bienes entre los pobres y se marchan al monte Panno; construyen dos ermitas junto a la que ya había y comienzan un retiro en paz. Allí contemplan con piedad la Pasión de Cristo, meditan las verdades eternas;  alimento de raíces, hierbas y frutos que da el campo, en alguna trampa caen animales y, sorbetean algunos huevos de nidadas salvajes.   Descubierta su presencia, van agregándose gentes que construyen otras cabañas donde vivir en la proximidad y abrigo de los eremitas.     Voto muere primero, el día 29 de mayo, algo después Félix. Su fiesta se celebra el mismo día por la unión mantenida en el sitio, tiempo y modo de santidad. Esa ermita primera, fue el origen de San Juan de la Peña, cuna del resurgimiento aragonés, en donde se veneran los restos de los dos santos, con los del eremita Atarés.

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  Oremos 

Himno  Vosotros sois luz del mundo Y, ardiente sal de la tierra, Ciudad esbelta en el monte, Fermento en la masa nueva.   Vosotros sois los sarmientos, Y yo la Vid verdadera; Si el Padre poda las ramas, Más fruto llevan las cepas.   Vosotros sois la abundancia Del reino que ya está cerca, Los doce mil señalados Que no caerán en la siega.   Dichosos, porque sois limpios Y ricos en la pobreza, Y es vuestro el reino que sólo Se gana con la violencia.  Amén    Dios todopoderoso y eterno, que al premiar a los santos nos ofreces una prueba de tu gran amor hacia los hombres, te pedimos que la intercesión y el ejemplo de los santos nos sirva siempre de ayuda para seguir fielmente a Jesucristo, tu Hijo. Que vive y reina contigo.

http://liberaciondeposeidos.blogspot.com/

“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.