"Hand him your cloak as well"

DAILY GOSPEL: 14/06/2010

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

Monday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time

1st book of Kings 21:1-16.
Some time after this, as Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria,
Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it is close by, next to my house. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money."
"The LORD forbid," Naboth answered him, "that I should give you my ancestral heritage."
Ahab went home disturbed and angry at the answer Naboth the Jezreelite had made to him: "I will not give you my ancestral heritage." Lying down on his bed, he turned away from food and would not eat.
His wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, "Why are you so angry that you will not eat?"
He answered her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Sell me your vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will give you a vineyard in exchange.' But he refused to let me have his vineyard."
"A fine ruler over Israel you are indeed!" his wife Jezebel said to him. "Get up. Eat and be cheerful. I will obtain the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you."
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and, having sealed them with his seal, sent them to the elders and to the nobles who lived in the same city with Naboth.
This is what she wrote in the letters: "Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people.
Next, get two scoundrels to face him and accuse him of having cursed God and king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
His fellow citizens--the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city--did as Jezebel had ordered them in writing, through the letters she had sent them.
They proclaimed a fast and placed Naboth at the head of the people.
Two scoundrels came in and confronted him with the accusation, "Naboth has cursed God and king." And they led him out of the city and stoned him to death.
Then they sent the information to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death.
When Jezebel learned that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Go on, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to sell you, because Naboth is not alive, but dead."
On hearing that Naboth was dead, Ahab started off on his way down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

Psalms 5:2-3.5-6.7.
Hear my words, O LORD; listen to my sighing.
Hear my cry for help, my king, my God! To you I pray, O LORD;
You are not a god who delights in evil; no wicked person finds refuge with you;
the arrogant cannot stand before you. You hate all who do evil;
you destroy all who speak falsely. Murderers and deceivers the LORD abhors.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:38-42.
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. 

Mt 5,38-42

Commentary of the day 
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Poems « Vivre d'amour » and « Pourquoi je t'aime, ô Marie » (©Institute of Carmelite Studies)

"Hand him your cloak as well"

Living on Love is giving without limit
Without claiming any wages here below.
Ah! I give without counting, truly sure
That when one loves, one does not keep count!...
Overflowing with tenderness, I have given everything,
To his Divine Heart... lightly I run.
I have nothing left but my only wealth:
Living on Love.

Living on Love is banishing every fear,
Every memory of past faults.
I see no imprint of my sins.
In a moment, Love has burned everything...
Divine Flame, O sweetest Blaze!
I make my home in your hearth.
In your fire I gladly sing: (cf Dn 3,51)
I live on Love!...»

«Living on Love – what strange folly!»
The world says to me, «Ah! stop your singing,
Don't waste your perfumes, your life.
Learn to use them well...»
Loving you, Jesus, is such fruitful loss!...
All my perfumes are yours forever.
I want to sing on leaving this world:
«I die of Love!»

To love is to give everything. It's to give oneself.

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Monday, 14 June 2010

St. Elisha, Prophet (9th century BC)

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St. Elisha,
Prophet
(9^th century BC)

        Elisha, whose name in Hebrew means "God is Salvation," was the son of Shaphat. He was called by the prophet Elijah while plowing his father's fields. Elijah came and cast his mantle upon him, indicating thereby that Elisha was to succeed him.

Before Elijah was taken up in a fiery chariot and into the whirlwind, Elisha asked to "inherit a double-portion" of Elijah's spirit.

Throughout the whole course of his life the prophet Elisha accomplished a significant number of miracles.

        He won the gratitude of the people of Jericho for healing its barren ground by adding salt to its waters.

        When the armies of Judah, Israel and Edom, then allied against Mesa, the Moabite king, were being tortured by drought in the Idumæan desert, Elisha consented to intervene. His double prediction regarding relief from drought and victory over the Moabites was fulfilled on the following morning (2 Kgs 3:4-24).

        To relieve the widow importuned by a hard creditor, Elisha so multiplied a little oil as to enable her, not only to pay her indebtedness, but to provide for her family needs (2 Kgs 4:1-7).

        To reward the rich lady of Shunam for her hospitality, he restored to life her son (2 Kgs 4:18-37)

        To nourish the sons of the prophets pressed by famine, Elisha changed into wholesome food the pottage made from poisonous gourds (2 Kgs 4:38-41).

        During the military incursions of Syria into Israel, Elisha cured Naaman the Syrian of his leprosy by simply sending him word that he was to bathe in the Jordan seven times. At first reluctant, Naaman obeyed the Prophet, and after washed seven times in the Jordan, he was healed. Jesus referred to this when he said: "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian" (Luke 4:27).

        Elisha's life and activities are found in 1 and 2 Kings and he is commemorated on this date in the 2004 Roman Martyrology.

«Dale también la capa»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 14/06/2010

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

Lunes de la XI Semana del Tiempo Ordinario

Primer Libro de los Reyes 21,1-16.
Después de esto, sucedió lo siguiente: Nabot, el izreelita, tenía una viña en Izreel, al lado del palacio de Ajab, rey de Samaría.
Ajab dijo a Nabot: "Dame tu viña para hacerme una huerta, ya que está justo al lado de mi casa. Yo te daré a cambio una viña mejor o, si prefieres, te pagaré su valor en dinero".
Pero Nabot respondió a Ajab: "¡El Señor me libre de cederte la herencia de mis padres!".
Ajab se fue a su casa malhumorado y muy irritado por lo que le había dicho Nabot, el izreelita: "No te daré la herencia de mis padres". Se tiró en su lecho, dio vuelta la cara y no quiso probar bocado.
Entonces fue a verlo su esposa Jezabel y le preguntó: "¿Por qué estás tan malhumorado y no comes nada?".
El le dijo: "Porque le hablé a Nabot, el izreelita, y le propuse: 'Véndeme tu viña o, si quieres, te daré otra a cambio'. Pero él respondió: 'No te daré mi viña'".
Su esposa Jezabel le dijo: "¿Así ejerces tú la realeza sobre Israel? ¡Levántate, come y alégrate! ¡Yo te daré la viña de Nabot, el izreelita!".
En seguida escribió una carta en nombre de Ajab, la selló con el sello del rey y la envió a los ancianos y a los notables de la ciudad, conciudadanos de Nabot.
En esa carta escribió: "Proclamen un ayuno y en la asamblea del pueblo hagan sentar a Nabot en primera fila.
Hagan sentar enfrente a dos malvados, que atestigüen contra él, diciendo: 'Tú has maldecido a Dios y al rey'. Luego sáquenlo afuera y mátenlo a pedradas".
Los hombres de la ciudad, los ancianos y notables, conciudadanos de Nabot, obraron de acuerdo con lo que les había mandado Jezabel, según lo que estaba escrito en la carta que les había enviado.
Proclamaron un ayuno e hicieron sentar a Nabot en primera fila.
En seguida llegaron dos malvados que se le sentaron enfrente y atestiguaron contra él diciendo: "Nabot ha maldecido a Dios y al rey". Entonces lo sacaron fuera de la ciudad y lo mataron a pedradas.
Y mandaron decir a Jezabel: "Nabot fue apedreado y murió".
Cuando Jezabel se enteró de que Nabot había sido matado a pedradas, dijo a Ajab: "Ya puedes tomar posesión de la viña de Nabot, esa que él se negaba a venderte, porque Nabot ya no vive: está muerto".
Apenas oyó Ajab que Nabot estaba muerto, bajó a la viña de Nabot, el izreelita, para tomar posesión de ella.

Salmo 5,2-3.5-6.7.
Señor, escucha mis palabras, atiende a mis gemidos;
oye mi clamor, mi Rey y mi Dios, porque te estoy suplicando.
Tú no eres un Dios que ama la maldad; ningún impío será tu huésped,
ni los orgullosos podrán resistir delante de tu mirada. Tú detestas a los que hacen el mal
y destruyes a los mentirosos. ¡Al hombre sanguinario y traicionero lo abomina el Señor!

Evangelio según San Mateo 5,38-42.
Ustedes han oído que se dijo: Ojo por ojo y diente por diente.
Pero yo les digo que no hagan frente al que les hace mal: al contrario, si alguien te da una bofetada en la mejilla derecha, preséntale también la otra.
Al que quiere hacerte un juicio para quitarte la túnica, déjale también el manto;
y si te exige que lo acompañes un kilómetro, camina dos con él.
Da al que te pide, y no le vuelvas la espalda al que quiere pedirte algo prestado. 

Mt 5,38-42

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Santa Teresa del Niño Jesús (1873-1897), carmelita descalza, doctora de la Iglesia
Poesías «Vivir de amor» y «Porque te amo, María»

«Dale también la capa»

     Vivir de amor es darse sin medida,
sin reclamar salario aquí en la tierra.
¡Ah, yo me doy sin cuento, bien segura
de que en amor el cálculo no entre!
Lo he dado todo al corazón divino,
que rebosa ternura.
Nada me queda ya... Corro ligera.
Ya mi única riqueza es, y será por siempre
¡vivir de amor!
     Vivir de amor es disipar el miedo,
aventar el recuerdo de pasadas caídas.
De aquellos mis pecados no veo ya la huella,
junto al fuego divino se han quemado...
¡Oh dulcísima hoguera, sacratísima llama,
en tu centro yo fijo mi mansión.
Y allí, Jesús, yo canto confiada y alegre:
¡vivo de amor!

     «¡Vivir de amor, oh qué locura extraña
-me dice el mundo-, cese ya tu canto!
¡No pierdas tus perfumes, no derroches tu vida,
aprende a utilizarlos con ganancia!»
¡Jesús, amarte es pérdida fecunda!
Tuyos son mis perfumes para siempre.
Al salir de este mundo cantar quiero:
¡muero de amor!

     Amar es darlo todo, darse incluso a sí mismo.

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lunes 14 Junio 2010

San Basilio

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San Basilio el Grande 

Perteneció a una familia de santos. Su abuelo murió mártir en la persecución. Su abuela fue Santa Macrina; su madre, Santa Amelia y la hermana también fue santa. Sus hermanos fueron San Pedro, obispo de Sebaste y San Gregorio Niceno. Su mejor amigo San Gregorio Nacianceno.

Al ver que su hermana Santa Macrina había fundado un monasterio de monjas y que éstas progresaban mucho en santidad, Basilio se fue a Egipto a aprender de los monjes del desierto, el modo de vivir en soledad. Al volver de allá se hizo monje y redactó sus famosas "Constituciones" que son la primera Regla de vida que se escribió para los religiosos. En ellas enseña cómo vivir en oración, estudio, buenas lecturas y trabajos manuales en un monasterio y cómo hacerse santo en la vida religiosa.

En esas "Constituciones" se han basado los más famosos fundadores de Comunidades para redactar los Reglamentos de sus Congregaciones.    Basilio fue elegido Arzobispo de Cesarea, y el delegado del gobierno quiso hacerle renegar de la fe. Varios habían renegado por miedo. Pero nuestro santo se mantuvo firme, dispuesto a todo por defender su fe.    Por su oratoria maravillosa, por sus admirables escritos y por las muchísimas obras que hizo en favor del pueblo, fue llamado "Basilio el Grande". San Gregorio decía: "Cada vez que leo un escrito de Basilio, siento que el Espíritu Santo transforma mi alma".

Sus escritos tienen lo que se llama "Unción".    Además de su arrebatadora elocuencia, Basilio tenía una asombrosa actividad en favor de los necesitados. Fue al primero que se le ocurrió fundar por allí un Hospital para pobres y un ancianato. Estudió mucho la Biblia, se especializó en filosofía y literatura. Se conservan unas 365 cartas suyas, muy hermosas y de provechosa lectura para el alma.    Murió el 1 de enero del año 379 cuando sólo tenía 49 años y fue sepultado el 2 de enero.

Todos sus escritos y sus sermones tiene por fin hacer que la gente ame más a Dios y se vuelva más santa. Por eso es considerado como el primer escritor ascético del oriente.

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Oración de agradecimiento
San Basilio el grande

O Maestro, Cristo nuestro Dios, Rey de las edades, creador de todas las cosas; Yo te agradezco por todos los favores que tu me has concedido, y por haberme dado tus puros misterios dadores de vida.

Yo te suplico, O Dios lleno de gracia, quien amas a la humanidad, mantenme bajo tu protección y bajo la sombra de tus alas; concede que hasta mi último aliento, Yo pueda dignamente recibir tus Santos Misterios con una conciencia clara para la remisión de mis pecados y para la vida eterna.

Porque tú eres el Pan de la Vida, la fuente de la santidad, y el proveedor de todas las gracias, y nosotros te glorificamos junto con el Padre, y tu Espíritu Santo, ahora y siempre, y para siempre. Amén. 

"Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

DAILY GOSPEL: 13/06/2010

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

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

2nd book of Samuel 12:7-10.13.
Then Nathan said to David: "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'I anointed you king of Israel. I rescued you from the hand of Saul.
I gave you your lord's house and your lord's wives for your own. I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more.
Why have you spurned the LORD and done evil in his sight? You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you took his wife as your own, and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites.
Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.'
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan answered David: "The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die.

Psalms 32(31):1-2.5.7.11.
Of David. A maskil. Happy the sinner whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven.
Happy those to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit.
Then I declared my sin to you; my guilt I did not hide. I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD," and you took away the guilt of my sin. Selah
You are my shelter; from distress you keep me; with safety you ring me round. Selah
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart.

Letter to the Galatians 2:16.19-21.
(yet) who know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ;
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 7:36-50.8:1-3.
A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?"
Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly."
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."
He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. 

Lc 7,36-50#Lc 8,1-3

Commentary of the day 
Saint Ambrose (c.340-397), Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church
On Repentance, II:8

"Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

      "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.» (Mt 9:12) Show your wound to the physician, then, that he may heal it. Even if you do not show it, he knows of it but is waiting to hear your voice. Cleanse your wound with your tears. This is what the woman in the Gospel did so as to be freed from sin and its stench: she washed away her guilt when she washed the feet of Jesus with her tears.

     

O Jesus, may you set aside for me the task of washing those feet of yours that you dirtied while you were walking in me!... But where shall I find that living water with which to wash your feet? If I have no water, I have tears. Grant that, while I wash your feet with them, I may be purifying myself as well. What must I do to hear you say to me; "His many sins are forgiven, because he has loved much"? I confess that my debt is great indeed, and that more has been forgiven me who have been called to the priesthood from the tumult and strife of the law courts and of public administration. Therefore I fear being thought ungrateful if I, to whom more has been forgiven, were to love the less.

     

I am unable to compare that woman with anyone else at all, she who was so rightly preferred to that Simon the Pharisee who was giving the feast to the Lord. Yet she gave a lesson to all those who desire to gain forgiveness by kissing Christ's feet, washing them with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and anointing them with ointment... And if we are unable to equal her, the Lord Jesus knows how to come to the aid of the weak. Wherever there is no one who can prepare a meal, or bring ointments, or carry a spring of living water (Jn 4:10)along with her, there he comes himself.

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Sunday, 13 June 2010

St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church (1195-1231)

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SAINT ANTONY OF PADUA
Priest and Doctor of the Church
(1195-1231)

        In 1221 St. Francis held a general chapter at Assisi; when the others dispersed, there lingered behind, unknown and neglected, a poor Portuguese friar, resolved to ask for and to refuse nothing.

        Nine months later, Fra Antonio rose under obedience to preach to the religious assembled at Forli, when, as the discourse proceeded, "the Hammer of Heretics," "the Ark of the Testament," "the eldest son of St. Francis," stood revealed in all his sanctity, learning, and eloquence before his rapt and astonished brethren.

        Devoted from earliest youth to prayer and study among the Canons Regular, Ferdinand de Bulloens, as his name was in the world, had been stirred, by the spirit and example of the first five Franciscan martyrs, to put on their habit and preach the Faith to the Moors in Africa.

        Denied a martyr's palm, and enfeebled by sickness, at the age of twenty-seven he was taking silent but merciless revenge upon himself in the humblest offices of his community. From this obscurity he was now called forth, and for nine years France, Italy, and Sicily heard his voice, saw his miracles, and men's hearts turned to God.

        One night, when St. Antony was staying with a friend in the city of Padua, his host saw brilliant rays streaming under the door of the Saint's room, and on looking through the keyhole he beheld a little Child of marvellous beauty standing upon a book which lay open upon the table, and clinging with both arms round Antony's neck. With an ineffable sweetness he watched the tender caresses of the Saint and his wondrous Visitor. At last the Child vanished, and Fra Antonio, opening the door, charged his friend, by the love of him whom he had seen, to "tell the vision to no man" as long as he was alive.

        Suddenly, in 1231, our Saint's brief apostolate was closed, and the voices of children were heard crying along the streets of Padua, "Our father, St. Antony, is dead." The following year, the church-bells of Lisbon rang without ringers, while at Rome one of its sons was inscribed among the Saints of God.