The light of the world

DAILY GOSPEL: 22/03/2010

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

Monday of the Fifth week of Lent

Book of Daniel 13:1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62.
In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim,
who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah;
her pious parents had trained their daughter according to the law of Moses.
Joakim was very rich; he had a garden near his house, and the Jews had recourse to him often because he was the most respected of them all.
That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, of whom the Lord said, "Wickedness has come out of Babylon: from the elders who were to govern the people as judges."
These men, to whom all brought their cases, frequented the house of Joakim.
When the people left at noon, Susanna used to enter her husband's garden for a walk.
When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk, they began to lust for her.
They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments.
One day, while they were waiting for the right moment, she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only. She decided to bathe, for the weather was warm.
Nobody else was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her.
"Bring me oil and soap," she said to the maids, "and shut the garden doors while I bathe."
As soon as the maids had left, the two old men got up and hurried to her.
"Look," they said, "the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us; give in to our desire, and lie with us.
If you refuse, we will testify against you that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you."
"I am completely trapped," Susanna groaned. "If I yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your power.
Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt than to sin before the Lord."
Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,
as one of them ran to open the garden doors.
When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden, they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her.
At the accusations by the old men, the servants felt very much ashamed, for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.
When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day, the two wicked elders also came, fully determined to put Susanna to death. Before all the people they ordered:
"Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, the wife of Joakim." When she was sent for,
she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.
All her relatives and the onlookers were weeping.
In the midst of the people the two elders rose up and laid their hands on her head.
Through her tears she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly.
The elders made this accusation: "As we were walking in the garden alone, this woman entered with two girls and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls.
A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her.
When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this crime, we ran toward them.
We saw them lying together, but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we; he opened the doors and ran off.
Then we seized this one and asked who the young man was,
but she refused to tell us. We testify to this." The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death.
But Susanna cried aloud: "O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be:
you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me."
The Lord heard her prayer.
As she was being led to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,
and he cried aloud: "I will have no part in the death of this woman."
All the people turned and asked him, "What is this you are saying?"
He stood in their midst and continued, "Are you such fools, O Israelites! To condemn a woman of Israel without examination and without clear evidence?
Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her."
Then all the people returned in haste. To Daniel the elders said, "Come, sit with us and inform us, since God has given you the prestige of old age."
But he replied, "Separate these two far from one another that I may examine them."
After they were separated one from the other, he called one of them and said: "How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term:
passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent, and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says, "The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.'
Now, then, if you were a witness, tell me under what tree you saw them together."
"Under a mastic tree," he answered. "Your fine lie has cost you your head," said Daniel; "for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him and split you in two."
Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought. "Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah," Daniel said to him, "beauty has seduced you, lust has subverted your conscience.
This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel, and in their fear they yielded to you; but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.
Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together."
"Under an oak," he said. "Your fine lie has cost you also your head," said Daniel; "for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two so as to make an end of you both."
The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those that hope in him.
They rose up against the two elders, for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury. According to the law of Moses, they inflicted on them the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:
they put them to death. Thus was innocent blood spared that day.

Psalms 23(22):1-6.
A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;
you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.
You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:12-20.
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
So the Pharisees said to him, "You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified."
Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me."
So they said to him, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
He spoke these words while teaching in the treasury in the temple area. But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. 

Jn 8,12-20

Commentary of the day 
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Sermons on St John's Gospel, no. 34

The light of the world

       It would seem to me that the Lord's words: «I am the light of the world» are clear enough for those with eyes that enable them to have a share in that light. But those who only have bodily eyes are astonished to hear it said by our Lord Jesus Christ: «I am the light of the world.» There may even be those who say: «Would Christ be the sun that determines the day by its rising and setting?»... No, Christ is not that. The Lord is not the created sun but him by whom the sun was created. For «all things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be» (Jn 1,3). Therefore he is the light who created the light we see. Let us love this light, understand it, desire it, that led by it we may in due course attain it and may live in it so as never to die...

       So you see, my brethren, you see, if you have eyes that see spiritual things, what kind of light this is of which the Lord says: «Whoever follows me does not walk in darkness.» Follow that sun and let us see whether or not you walk in darkness.  Behold how he arises and comes towards you. Following his course he makes his way westwards; but you on your part, must walk towards the rising sun, the Christ.

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Monday, 22 March 2010

Bl. Cardinal august von Galen, Bishop (1933-1946)

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Blessed Clemens August von Galen
Bishop of Münster
(1933-1946)

        Clemens August von Galen was born on 16 March 1878 in Dinklage Castle, Oldenburg, Germany, the 11th of 13 children born to Count Ferdinand Heribert and Elisabeth von Spee.

        His father belonged to the noble family of Westphalia, who since 1660 governed the village of Dinklage. For over two centuries his ancestors carried out the inherited office of camerlengo of the Diocese of Münster.

        Clemens August grew up in Dinklage Castle and in other family seats. Due to the struggle between Church and State, he and his brothers were sent to a school run by the Jesuits in Feldkirch, Austria.

        He remained there until 1894, when he transferred to the Antonianum in Vechta. After graduation, he studied philosophy and theology in Frebur, Innsbruck and Münster, and was ordained a priest on 28 May 1904 for the Diocese of Münster by Bishop Hermann Dingelstadt.

Parish priest, concern for poor

        His first two years as a priest were spent as vicar of the diocesan cathedral where he became chaplain to his uncle, Bishop Maximilian Gerion von Galen.

From 1906 to 1929, Fr von Galen carried out much of his pastoral activity outside Münster:  in 1906 he was made chaplain of the parish of St Matthias in Berlin-Schönberg; from 1911 to 1919 he was curate of a new parish in Berlin before becoming parish priest of the Basilica of St Matthias in Berlin-Schönberg, where he served for 10 years; here, he was particularly remembered for his special concern for the poor and outcasts.

        In 1929, Fr von Galen was called back to Münster when Bishop Johannes Poggenpohl asked him to serve as parish priest of the Church of St Lambert.

"Nec laudibus, nec timore'

        In January 1933, Bishop Poggenpohl died, leaving the See vacant. After two candidates refused, on September 5, 1933 Fr Clemens was appointed Bishop of Münster by Pope Pius XI.

        On October 28, 1933 he was consecrated by Cardinal Joseph Schulte, Archbishop of Cologne; Bishop von Galen was the first diocesan Bishop to be consecrated under Hitler's regime.

        As his motto, he chose the formula of the rite of episcopal consecration:  "Nec laudibus, nec timore" (Neither praise nor threats will distance me from God).

Throughout the 20 years that Bishop von Galen was curate and parish priest in Berlin, he wrote on various political and social issues; in a pastoral letter dated 26 March 1934, he wrote very clearly and critically on the "neopaganism of the national socialist ideology".

        Due to his outspoken criticism, he was called to Rome by Pope Pius XI in 1937 together with the Bishop of Berlin, to confer with them on the situation in Germany and speak of the eventual publication of an Encyclical.

        On 14 March 1937 the Encyclical "Mit brennender Sorge" (To the Bishops of Germany: The place of the Catholic Church in the German Reich) was published. It was widely circulated by Bishop von Galen, notwithstanding Nazi opposition.

"Lion of Munster'

        In the summer of 1941, in answer to unwarranted attacks by the National Socialists, Bishop von Galen delivered three admonitory sermons between July and August. He spoke in his old parish Church of St Lambert and in Liebfrauen-Ueberlassen Church, since the diocesan cathedral had been bombed.

        In his famous speeches, Bishop von Galen spoke out against the State confiscation of Church property and the programmatic euthanasia carried out by the regime.

        The clarity and incisiveness of his words and the unshakable fidelity of Catholics in the Diocese of Münster embarrassed the Nazi regime, and on 10 October 1943 the Bishop's residence was bombed. Bishop von Galen was forced to take refuge in nearby Borromeo College.

        From 12 September 1944 on, he could no longer remain in the city of Münster, destroyed by the war; he left for the zone of Sendenhorst.

        In 1945, Vatican Radio announced that Pope Pius XII was to hold a Consistory and that the Bishop of Münster was also to be present.

Creation of a Cardinal

        After a long and difficult journey, due to the war and other impediments, Bishop von Galen finally arrived in the "Eternal City". On 21 February 1946 the Public Consistory was held in St Peter's Basilica and Bishop von Galen was created a Cardinal.

        On 16 March 1946 the 68-year-old Cardinal returned to Münster. He was cordially welcomed back by the city Authorities and awarded honorary citizenship by the burgomaster.

        On the site of what remained of the cathedral, Cardinal von Galen gave his first (and what would be his last) discourse to the more than 50,000 people who had gathered, thanking them for their fidelity to the then-Bishop of Münster during the National Socialist regime. He explained that as a Bishop, it was his duty to speak clearly and plainly about what was happening.

        No one knew that the Cardinal was gravely ill, and when he returned to Münster on 19 March 1946 he had to undergo an operation.

        Cardinal von Galen died just three days later, on 22 March. He was buried on 28 March in the Ludgerus Chapel, which has become a place of pilgrimage to this defender of the faith in the face of political oppression.

- Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana

LA LUZ DEL MUNDO

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 22/03/2010

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

Lunes de la V Semana de Cuaresma

Libro de Daniel 13,1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62.
Vivía en Babilonia un hombre llamado Joaquín.
Se había casado con una mujer llamada Susana, hija de Jilquías, que era muy bella y temerosa de Dios;
sus padres eran justos y habían educado a su hija según la ley de Moisés.
Joaquín era muy rico, tenía un jardín contiguo a su casa, y los judíos solían acudir donde él, porque era el más prestigioso de todos.
Aquel año habían sido nombrados jueces dos ancianos, escogidos entre el pueblo, de aquellos de quienes dijo el Señor: «La iniquidad salió en Babilonia de los ancianos y jueces que se hacían guías del pueblo.»
Venían éstos a menudo a casa de Joaquín, y todos los que tenían algún litigio se dirigían a ellos.
Cuando todo el mundo se había retirado ya, a mediodía, Susana entraba a pasear por el jardín de su marido.
Los dos ancianos, que la veían entrar a pasear todos los días, empezaron a desearla.
Perdieron la cabeza dejando de mirar hacia el cielo y olvidando sus justos juicios.
Mientras estaban esperando la ocasión favorable, un día entró Susana en el jardín como los días precedentes, acompañada solamente de dos jóvenes doncellas, y como hacía calor quiso bañarse en el jardín.
No había allí nadie, excepto los dos ancianos que, escondidos, estaban al acecho.
Dijo ella a las doncellas: «Traedme aceite y perfume, y cerrad las puertas del jardín, para que pueda bañarme.»
En cuanto salieron las doncellas, los dos ancianos se levantaron, fueron corriendo donde ella,
y le dijeron: «Las puertas del jardín están cerradas y nadie nos ve. Nosotros te deseamos; consiente, pues, y entrégate a nosotros.
Si no, daremos testimonio contra ti diciendo que estaba contigo un joven y que por eso habías despachado a tus doncellas.»
Susana gimió: «¡Ay, qué aprieto me estrecha por todas partes! Si hago esto, es la muerte para mí; si no lo hago, no escaparé de vosotros.
Pero es mejor para mí caer en vuestras manos sin haberlo hecho que pecar delante del Señor.»
Y Susana se puso a gritar a grandes voces. Los dos ancianos gritaron también contra ella,
y uno de ellos corrió a abrir las puertas del jardín.
Al oír estos gritos en el jardín, los domésticos se precipitaron por la puerta lateral para ver qué ocurría,
y cuando los ancianos contaron su historia, los criados se sintieron muy confundidos, porque jamás se había dicho una cosa semejante de Susana.
A la mañana siguiente, cuando el pueblo se reunió en casa de Joaquín, su marido, llegaron allá los dos ancianos, llenos de pensamientos inicuos contra Susana para hacerla morir.
Y dijeron en presencia del pueblo: «Mandad a buscar a Susana, hija de Jilquías, la mujer de Joaquín.» Mandaron a buscarla,
y ella compareció acompañada de sus padres, de sus hijos y de todos sus parientes.
Todos los suyos lloraban, y también todos los que la veían.
Los dos ancianos, levantándose en medio del pueblo, pusieron sus manos sobre su cabeza.
Ella, llorando, levantó los ojos al cielo, porque su corazón tenía puesta su confianza en Dios.
Los ancianos dijeron: «Mientras nosotros nos paseábamos solos por el jardín, entró ésta con dos doncellas. Cerró las puertas y luego despachó a las doncellas.
Entonces se acercó a ella un joven que estaba escondido y se acostó con ella.
Nosotros, que estábamos en un rincón del jardín, al ver esta iniquidad, fuimos corriendo donde ellos.
Los sorprendimos juntos, pero a él no pudimos atraparle porque era más fuerte que nosotros, y abriendo la puerta se escapó.
Pero a ésta la agarramos y le preguntamos quién era aquel joven.
No quiso revelárnoslo. De todo esto nosotros somos testigos.» La asamblea les creyó como ancianos y jueces del pueblo que eran. Y la condenaron a muerte.
Entonces Susana gritó fuertemente: «Oh Dios eterno, que conoces los secretos, que todo lo conoces antes que suceda,
tú sabes que éstos han levantado contra mí falso testimonio. Y ahora voy a morir, sin haber hecho nada de lo que su maldad ha tramado contra mí.»
El Señor escuchó su voz
y, cuando era llevada a la muerte, suscitó el santo espíritu de un jovencito llamado Daniel,
que se puso a gritar: «¡Yo estoy limpio de la sangre de esta mujer!»
Todo el pueblo se volvió hacia él y dijo: «¿Qué significa eso que has dicho?»
El, de pie en medio de ellos, respondió: «¿Tan necios sois, hijos de Israel, para condenar sin investigación y sin evidencia a una hija de Israel?
¡Volved al tribunal, porque es falso el testimonio que éstos han levantado contra ella!»
Todo el pueblo se apresuró a volver allá, y los ancianos dijeron a Daniel: «Ven a sentarte en medio de nosotros y dinos lo que piensas, ya que Dios te ha dado la dignidad de la ancianidad.»
Daniel les dijo entonces: «Separadlos lejos el uno del otro, y yo les interrogaré.»
Una vez separados, Daniel llamó a uno de ellos y le dijo: «Envejecido en la iniquidad, ahora han llegado al colmo los delitos de tu vida pasada,
dictador de sentencias injustas, que condenabas a los inocentes y absolvías a los culpables, siendo así que el Señor dice: 'No matarás al inocente y al justo.'
Conque, si la viste, dinos bajo qué árbol los viste juntos.» Respondió él: «Bajo una acacia.»
«En verdad - dijo Daniel - contra tu propia cabeza has mentido, pues ya el ángel de Dios ha recibido de él la sentencia y viene a partirte por el medio.»
Retirado éste, mandó traer al otro y le dijo: «¡Raza de Canaán, que no de Judá; la hermosura te ha descarriado y el deseo ha pervertido tu corazón!
Así tratabais a las hijas de Israel, y ellas, por miedo, se entregaban a vosotros. Pero una hija de Judá no ha podido soportar vuestra iniquidad.
Ahora pues, dime: ¿Bajo qué árbol los sorprendiste juntos?» El respondió: «Bajo una encina.»
En verdad, dijo Daniel, tú también has mentido contra tu propia cabeza: ya está el ángel del Señor esperando, espada en mano, para partirte por el medio, a fin de acabar con vosotros.»
Entonces la asamblea entera clamó a grandes voces, bendiciendo a Dios que salva a los que esperan en él.
Luego se levantaron contra los dos ancianos, a quienes, por su propia boca, había convencido Daniel de falso testimonio
y, para cumplir la ley de Moisés, les aplicaron la misma pena que ellos habían querido infligir a su prójimo: les dieron muerte, y aquel día se salvó una sangre inocente.

Salmo 23(22),1-6.
Salmo de David. El señor es mi pastor, nada me puede faltar.
El me hace descansar en verdes praderas, me conduce a las aguas tranquilas
y repara mis fuerzas; me guía por el recto sendero, por amor de su Nombre.
Aunque cruce por oscuras quebradas, no temeré ningún mal, porque tú estás conmigo: tu vara y tu bastón me infunden confianza.
Tú preparas ante mí una mesa, frente a mis enemigos; unges con óleo mi cabeza y mi copa rebosa.
Tu bondad y tu gracia me acompañan a lo largo de mi vida; y habitaré en la Casa del Señor, por muy largo tiempo.

Evangelio según San Juan 8,12-20.
Jesús les dirigió una vez más la palabra, diciendo: "Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la Vida".
Los fariseos le dijeron: "Tú das testimonio de ti mismo: tu testimonio no vale".
Jesús les respondió: "Aunque yo doy testimonio de mí, mi testimonio vale porque sé de dónde vine y a dónde voy; pero ustedes no saben de dónde vengo ni a dónde voy.
Ustedes juzgan según la carne; yo no juzgo a nadie,
y si lo hago, mi juicio vale porque no soy yo solo el que juzga, sino yo y el Padre que me envió.
En la Ley de ustedes está escrito que el testimonio de dos personas es válido.
Yo doy testimonio de mí mismo, y también el Padre que me envió da testimonio de mí".
Ellos le preguntaron: "¿Dónde está tu Padre?". Jesús respondió: "Ustedes no me conocen ni a mí ni a mi Padre; si me conocieran a mí, conocerían también a mi Padre".
El pronunció estas palabras en la sala del Tesoro, cuando enseñaba en el Templo. Y nadie lo detuvo, porque aún no había llegado su hora. 

Jn 8,12-20

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Agustín (354-430), obispo de Hipona (África del Norte) y doctor de la Iglesia
Sermones sobre el evangelio del san Juan, nº 34

La luz del mundo

     Las palabras del Señor: «Yo soy la luz del mundo» son, a mi parecer, claras para los que tienen ojos capaces de participar de esta luz; pero los que no tienen más ojos que los del cuerpo se sorprenden al oír que nuestro Señor Jesucristo dice: «Yo soy la luz del mundo». E incluso es posible que haya quien diga: ¿Cristo, no será este sol que a través de su amanecer y su ocaso determina el día?.... No, Cristo no es eso. El Señor no es ese sol creado sino aquél por quien el sol fue creado. «Por medio de él se hizo todo y sin él no se hizo nada de lo que se ha hecho» (Jn 1,3). Él es, pues, la luz que ha creado esta luz que vemos. Amemos esta luz, comprendámosla, deseémosla para poder un día, conducidos por ella, llegar hasta ella y vivir en ella de manera que ya no podamos morir...

     Veis, hermanos, veis, si es que tenéis unos ojos que ven las cosas del alma, cual es esta luz de la que el Señor habla: «El que me sigue no camina en las tinieblas.» Sigue este sol y veremos como tú ya no andarás en las tinieblas. Hele aquí que se levanta y viene hacia ti; el otro sol, siguiendo su curso, se dirige a occidente; pero tú debes andar hacia el sol naciente que es Cristo.

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lunes 22 Marzo 2010

Santa Catalina de Génova

 Saber más cosas a propósito de los Santos del día

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Catalina nació en Génova  en la primavera de 1447, de la noble familia Fieschi.

Muy joven fue desposada con  julio Adorno (13-1-1463); matrimonio no por amor, sino provocado por el  oportunismo político al que fue sometida. Los primeros años fueron  tristes y desolados, por el carácter difícil del esposo. Catalina logró  superar la crisis, después de la visión de Cristo derramando sangre  (22-3-1473). Desde entonces se dedicó mas aun al ejercicio de la  caridad.

Las  oraciones, los sacrificios y el ejemplo de Santa Catalina dieron  provocaron la conversión de su esposo. A los treinta años (1478) se  retiró con el marido a vivir en el hospital civil de Parnmatone  poniéndose a tiempo completo al servicio de los enfermos de los cuales  vino a ser una humilde enfermera y sucesivamente, administradora y  rectora (1489).

Fue dotada por Dios de excepcionales gracias y es  contada entre las mas grandes místicas.

De su experiencia  personal de purificación nació su brillante "Tratado del  Purgatorio". Determinante fue su influjo en la vida eclesial de  su tiempo, con el Movimiento del Divino Amor - por  ella inspirado, sobre la espiritualidad moderna a través de la Escuela  Francesa de los siglos XVI - XVII que sintió mucha admiración por ella.  Murió consumida por el fuego devorante del amor al alba del 15 de  Septiembre de 1510.

Fue canonizada en 1737 por el Papa Clemente XII. Pío XII, en  1943, la proclamó "Patrona de los Hospitales Italianos".

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Oremos

Oh gloriosa Santa Catalina, digna  hija del pobrecillo de Asís, que te emulaste en la piedad por la Pasión  de Jesús y en el ardor de la caridad, tanto que llegaste a hacer de tu  vida un continuo acto de amor por Dios y por el prójimo, vuelve a  nosotros tu mirada.
Haz que en nuestros corazones se encienda por  lo menos una chispa de tu ardiente amor, que arrancándonos de los lazos  del pecado, nos una siempre más al Señor.
Sé todavía hoy la  suave consoladora de los enfermos, obteniéndoles con la salud del  cuerpo, la paz y la alegría del alma.
Extiende también tu oración  sobre las almas del Purgatorio, a fin de que, cuanto antes puedan gozar  la plena posesión de Dios.
Libéranos de las desgracias, aleja de  nosotros todo peligro y obténnos la gracia de merecer, practicando la  virtud, la gloria del Paraíso. Amen.

Calendario de Fiestas Marianas: Nuestra Señora de Citeaux, Francia (1098), construida por San Roberto

RAZA DE VÍBORAS: Reacciones de víctimas de abusos a la carta del Papa

RAZA DE VÍBORAS: Reacciones de víctimas de abusos a la carta del Papa

"Neither do I condemn you"

DAILY GOSPEL: 21/03/2010

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

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Book of Isaiah 43:16-21.
Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters,
Who leads out chariots and horsemen, a powerful army, Till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick.
Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not;
See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.
Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, For I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink,
The people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.

Psalms 126(125):1-6.
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, then we thought we were dreaming.
Our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD had done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us; Oh, how happy we were!
Restore again our fortunes, LORD, like the dry stream beds of the Negeb.
Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.
Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves.

Letter to the Philippians 3:8-14.
More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ
and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith
to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death,
if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus).
Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,
I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 8:1-11.
While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"
They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more."

Fifth Sunday of Lent : Jn 8,1-11

Commentary of the day 
John-Paul II, Pope from 1978 to 2005
Encyclical « Dives in Misericordia » § 7 (© copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

"Neither do I condemn you"

       Redemption is the ultimate and definitive revelation of the holiness of God, who is the absolute fullness of perfection: fullness of justice and of love, since justice is based on love, flows from it and tends towards it. In the passion and death of Christ-in the fact that the Father did not spare His own Son, but "for our sake made him sin"76 - absolute justice is expressed, for Christ undergoes the passion and cross because of the sins of humanity. This constitutes even a "superabundance" of justice, for the sins of man are "compensated for" by the sacrifice of the Man-God.

        Nevertheless, this justice, which is properly justice "to God's measure," springs completely from love: from the love of the Father and of the Son, and completely bears fruit in love. Precisely for this reason the divine justice revealed in the cross of Christ is "to God's measure," because it springs from love and is accomplished in love, producing fruits of salvation. The divine dimension of redemption is put into effect not only by bringing justice to bear upon sin, but also by restoring to love that creative power in man thanks also which he once more has access to the fullness of life and holiness that come from God. In this way, redemption involves the revelation of mercy in its fullness.

The Paschal Mystery is the culmination of this revealing and effecting of mercy, which is able to justify man, to restore justice in the sense of that salvific order which God willed from the beginning in man and, through man, in the world.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

St Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello (1791-1858)

SAINT BENEDETTA CAMBIAGIO FRASSINELLO
(1791 - 1858)

        Saint Benedetta Cambiagio Frasinello was born on 2 October 1791 in Langasco (Genoa) Italy; she died on 21 March 1858 in Ronco Scrivia in Liguria. She was wife, religious and foundress. She let the Holy Spirit guide her through married life to the work of education and religious consecration. She founded a school for the formation of young women and also a religious congregation, and did both with the generous collaboration of her husband. This is unique in the annals of Christian sanctity. Benedetta was a pioneer in her determination to give a high quality education to young women, for the formation of families for a "new Christian society" and for promoting the right of women to a complete education.

Call to marriage, then to religious life

        From her parents Benedetta received a Christian formation that rooted in her the life of faith. Her family settled in Pavia when she was a girl. When she was 20 years old, Benedetta had a mystical experience that gave her a profound desire for a life of prayer and penance, and of consecration to God. However, in obedience to the wishes of her parents, in 1816, she married Giovanni Frassinello and lived married life for two years. In 1818, moved by the example of his saintly wife, Giovanni agreed that the two should live chastely, "as brother and sister" and take care of Benedetta's younger sister, Maria, who was dying from intestinal cancer. They began to live a supernatural parenthood quite unique in the history of the Church.

Congregation founded by wife, who is supported by her husband

        Following Maria's death in 1825, Giovanni entered the Somaschi Fathers founded by St Jerome Emiliani, and Benedetta devoted herself completely to God in the Ursuline Congregation of Capriolo. A year later she was forced to leave because of ill health, and returned to Pavia where she was miraculously cured by St Jerome Emiliani. Once she regained her health, with the Bishop's approval, she dedicated herself to the education of young girls. Benedetta needed help in handling such a responsibility, but her own father refused to help her. Bishop Tosi of Pavia asked Giovanni to leave the Somaschi novitiate and help Benedettain her apostolic work. Together they made a vow of perfect chastity in the hands of the bishop, and then began their common work to promote the human and Christian formation of poor and abandoned girls of the city. Their educational work was of great benefit to Pavia. Benedetta became the first woman to be involved in this kind of work. The Austrian government recognized her as a "Promoter of Public Education".

        She was helped by young women volunteers to whom she gave a rule of life that later received ecclesiastical approval. Along with instruction, she joined formation in catechesis and in useful skills like cooking and sewing, aiming to transform her students into "models of Christian life" and so assure the formation of families.

Benedictine Sisters of Providence

        Benedetta's work was considered pioneering for those days and was opposed by a few persons in power and by the misunderstanding of clerics. In 1838 she turned over the institution to the Bishop of Pavia. Together with Giovanni and five companions, she moved to Ronco Scrivia in the Genoa region. There they opened a school for girls that was a refinement on what they had done in Pavia.

        Eventually, Benedetta founded the Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters of Providence. In her rule she stressed the education of young girls. She instilled the spirit of unlimited confidence and abandonment to Providence and of love of God through poverty and charity. The Congregation grew quickly since it performed a needed service. Benedetta was able to guide the development of the Congregation until her death. On 21 March 1858 she died in Ronco Scrivia.

        Her example is that of supernatural maternity plus courage and fidelity in discerning and living God's will.

        Today the Benedictine Nuns of Providence are present in Italy, Spain, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Peru and Brazil. They are at the service of young people, the poor, the sick and the elderly. The foundress also opened a house of the order in Voghera. Forty years after the death of Benedetta, the bishop separated this house from the rest of the Order. The name was changed to the Benedictines of Divine Providence who honour the memory of the Foundress.

        She was canonized by John Paul II on May 19, 2002.

Tampoco yo te condeno

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA:21/03/2010

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

V Domingo de Cuaresma

Libro de Isaías 43,16-21.
Así habla el Señor, el que abrió un camino a través del mar y un sendero entre las aguas impetuosas;
el que hizo salir carros de guerra y caballos, todo un ejército de hombres aguerridos; ellos quedaron tendidos, no se levantarán, se extinguieron, se consumieron como una mecha.
No se acuerden de las cosas pasadas, no piensen en las cosas antiguas;
yo estoy por hacer algo nuevo: ya está germinando, ¿no se dan cuenta? Sí, pondré un camino en el desierto y ríos en la estepa.
Me glorificarán las fieras salvajes, los chacales y los avestruces; porque haré brotar agua en el desierto y ríos en la estepa, para dar de beber a mi Pueblo, mi elegido,
el Pueblo que yo me formé para que pregonara mi alabanza.

Salmo 126(125),1-6.
Canto de peregrinación. Cuando el Señor cambió la suerte de Sión, nos parecía que soñábamos:
nuestra boca se llenó de risas y nuestros labios, de canciones. Hasta los mismos paganos decían: "¡El Señor hizo por ellos grandes cosas!".
¡Grandes cosas hizo el Señor por nosotros y estamos rebosantes de alegría!
¡Cambia, Señor, nuestra suerte como los torrentes del Négueb!
Los que siembran entre lágrimas cosecharán entre canciones.
El sembrador va llorando cuando esparce la semilla, pero vuelve cantando cuando trae las gavillas.

Carta de San Pablo a los Filipenses 3,8-14.
Más aún, todo me parece una desventaja comparado con el inapreciable conocimiento de Cristo Jesús, mi Señor. Por él he sacrificado todas las cosas, a las que considero como desperdicio, con tal de ganar a Cristo
y estar unido a él, no con mi propia justicia -la que procede de la Ley- sino con aquella que nace de la fe en Cristo, la que viene de Dios y se funda en la fe.
Así podré conocerlo a él, conocer el poder de su resurrección y participar de sus sufrimientos, hasta hacerme semejante a él en la muerte,
a fin de llegar, si es posible, a la resurrección de entre los muertos.
Esto no quiere decir que haya alcanzado la meta ni logrado la perfección, pero sigo mi carrera con la esperanza de alcanzarla, habiendo sido yo mismo alcanzado por Cristo Jesús.
Hermanos, yo no pretendo haberlo alcanzado. Digo solamente esto: olvidándome del camino recorrido, me lanzo hacia adelante
y corro en dirección a la meta, para alcanzar el premio del llamado celestial que Dios me ha hecho en Cristo Jesús.

Evangelio según San Juan 8,1-11.
Jesús fue al monte de los Olivos.
Al amanecer volvió al Templo, y todo el pueblo acudía a él. Entonces se sentó y comenzó a enseñarles.
Los escribas y los fariseos le trajeron a una mujer que había sido sorprendida en adulterio y, poniéndola en medio de todos,
dijeron a Jesús: "Maestro, esta mujer ha sido sorprendida en flagrante adulterio.
Moisés, en la Ley, nos ordenó apedrear a esta clase de mujeres. Y tú, ¿qué dices?".
Decían esto para ponerlo a prueba, a fin de poder acusarlo. Pero Jesús, inclinándose, comenzó a escribir en el suelo con el dedo.
Como insistían, se enderezó y les dijo: "El que no tenga pecado, que arroje la primera piedra".
E inclinándose nuevamente, siguió escribiendo en el suelo.
Al oír estas palabras, todos se retiraron, uno tras otro, comenzando por los más ancianos. Jesús quedó solo con la mujer, que permanecía allí,
e incorporándose, le preguntó: "Mujer, ¿dónde están tus acusadores? ¿Alguien te ha condenado?".
Ella le respondió: "Nadie, Señor". "Yo tampoco te condeno, le dijo Jesús. Vete, no peques más en adelante". 

Jn 8,1-11

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Juan Pablo II
Encíclica «Dives in Misericordia» § 7

«Tampoco yo te condeno»

     La redención a través del misterio de la cruz de Cristo es la revelación última y definitiva de la santidad de Dios, que es la plenitud absoluta de la perfección: plenitud de la justicia y del amor, puesto que la justicia se basa en el amor, de él proviene y a él tiende. En la Pasión y muerte de Cristo, en el hecho de que el Padre «no perdonó a su propio Hijo» sino que «lo hizo pecado por nosotros» (Rm 8,32; 2C 5,21), se expresa la justicia absoluta, porque Cristo sufrió la Pasión y la cruz a causa de los pecados de la humanidad. Verdaderamente, hay ahí una sobreabundancia de justicia puesto que los pecados de los hombres quedan equilibrados a través del sacrificio del Hombre-Dios.

     Sin embargo, esta justicia, que en sentido propio es justicia a la medida de Dios, nace enteramente del amor, del amor del Padre y del Hijo y alcanza su plenitud total en el amor dando frutos de salvación. La dimensión divina de la redención no se realiza tan sólo en el hecho de hacer justicia al pecado, sino en dar al amor la fuerza creadora gracias a la cual el hombre tiene de nuevo pleno acceso a la vida y a la santidad que viene de Dios. Así es que la redención trae en sí la revelación de la misericordia en su plenitud.

     El misterio pascual constituye la cumbre de esta revelación y la expresión de la misericordia capaz de justificar al hombre, de restablecer la justicia como realización del orden salvífico que Dios quiso fuera realidad ya desde el inicio en el hombre y, a través del hombre, en el mundo.

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domingo 21 Marzo 2010

San Nicolás de Flüe

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Confesor (1417-1497)  Nació en el 1417, justo el año en que termina el Cisma de Occidente con la elección de Martín V como Papa por el concilio de Constanza. En familia de católicos campesinos, se ocupa de los trabajos del campo, pero es asiduo a la oración y practica el ayuno como cosa habitual cuatro días por semana.    Se casa cuando tiene treinta años con Dorotea Wyss.

La unidad familiar dura veinte años, tienen 10 hijos, uno de ellos llega a frecuentar la universidad y el mayor consigue ser presidente de la Confederación. Siendo Nicolás un hombre de paz, tuvo que intervenir en tres guerra, en la de liberación de Nüremberg, en la vieja de Zurich y en la de Turgovia contra Segismundo.   En el año 1467 da comienzo la parte de su vida.

Tiene cincuenta años y con el permiso de su esposa y de sus hijos se retira a vivir como eremita en la garganta de Ranft. Vive entregado a la meditación preferentemente de la Pasión del Señor que contempla siguiendo los distintos episodios, como hicieron Juan Ruysbroeck y Enrique Suso. Obtiene un alto y profundo conocimiento de la Santísima Trinidad.     Hace notable penitencia y practica riguroso ayuno. La celda que le han construido los paisanos solo dispone de una ventana para ver los oficios del sacerdote y otra para contemplar la naturaleza de Unterwald.

El obispo de Constanza va a bendecir el lugar que se convierte en centro de peregrinación. El contenido será el culto a la Eucaristía y el motivo el hecho milagroso del ayuno absoluto y prolongado de Nicolás.    Se cierra su vida con una enfermedad cargada de dolor y de sufrimiento que lleva con paciencia tan grande como su pobreza. Después de recibir el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo, muere el 21 de marzo de 1487.

Los católicos comenzaron en el 1591 el proceso de canonización que no llega a promulgarse hasta el 1947 por el papa Pío XII, el mismo día de la Ascensión.   Han pasado más de 350 años y es que la santidad, antes de ser oficialmente reconocida, está supeditada a las contingencias históricas.

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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 Nicolás de Flüe seamos contados un día entre los elegidos de tu reino. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Calendario  de  Fiestas Marianas: Nuestra Señora de Bruges, Flandes (1150), donde  se preserva un rizo de pelo de la Virgen.