"The one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit"

Thursday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 5:27-33.
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in  and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,  the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders (did we not?) to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him."
When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Psalms 34:2.9.17-18.19-20.
I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.
The LORD'S face is against evildoers to wipe out their memory from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears and rescues them from all distress.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.
Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from them all.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:31-36.
The one who comes from above is above all.  The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.  But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

Jn 3,31-36

Commentary of the day 
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Confessions XI, 2.3 (trans. Henry Chadwick)

"The one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit"

           Lord my God, light of the blind and strength of the weak-and constantly also light of those who can see and strength of the mighty: Listen to my soul and hear it crying from the depth (Ps 130[129],1). For if your ears are not present also in the depth, where shall we go? To whom shall we cry?

'The day is yours and the night is yours' (Ps. 73,16). At your nod the moments fly by. From them grant us space for our meditations on the secret recesses of your law, and do not close the gate to us as we knock (Mt 7,7). It is not for nothing that by your will so many pages of scripture are opaque and obscure. These forests are not without deer, which recover their strength in them and restore themselves by walking and feeding, by resting and ruminating (Ps. 29[28],9). O Lord, bring me to perfection and reveal to me the meaning of these pages.

See, your voice is my joy, your voice is better than a wealth of pleasures. Grant what I love; for I love it, and that love was your gift. Do not desert your gifts, and do not despise your plant as it thirsts. Let me confess to you what I find in your books. «Let me hear the voice of praise» (Ps. 26[25],7) and drink you, and let me consider «wonderful things out of your law» (Ps. 119[118],18), from the beginning in which you made heaven and earth until the perpetual reign with you in your heavenly city.

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Thursday, 15 April 2010

St Paternus, Bishop (5th century)

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SAINT PATERNUS
Bishop
(c. 482 - c. 550)

        St. Paternus was born at Poitiers, about the year 482. His father, Patranus, with the consent of his wife, went into Ireland, where he ended his days in holy solitude. Paternus, fired by his example, embraced a monastic life in the abbey of Marnes. After some time, burning with a desire of attaining to the perfection of Christian virtue, he passed over to Wales, and in Cardiganshire founded a monastery called Llan-patern-vaur, or the church of the great Paternus.

        He made a visit to his father in Ireland, but being called back to his monastery of Marnes, he soon after retired with St. Scubilion, a monk of that house, and embraced an austere anchoretical life in the forests of Scicy, in the diocese of Coutances, near the sea, having first obtained leave of the bishop and of the lord of the place. This desert, which was then of great extent, but which has been since gradually gained upon by the sea, was anciently in great request among the Druids. St. Paternus converted to the faith the idolaters of that and many neighboring parts, as far as Bayeux, and prevailed upon them to demolish a pagan temple in this desert, which was held in great veneration by the ancient Gauls.

        In his old age he was consecrated Bishop of Avranches by Germanus, Bishop of Rouen. Some false brethren having created a division of opinion among the bishops of the province with respect to St. Paternus, he preferred retiring rather than to afford any ground for dissension, and, after governing his diocese for thirteen years, he withdrew to a solitude in France, and there ended his days about the year 550.

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

Come to the light

DAILY GOSPEL:14/04/2010

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

Wednesday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 5:17-26.
The high priest rose up and all his companions,  that is, the party of the Sadducees,  and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When they heard this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Psalms 34(33):2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9.
I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:16-21.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,  so that everyone who believes in him might not perish  but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God. 

Jn 3,16-21

Commentary of the day 
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (330-390), Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Hymn 32 ; PG 37, 511-512

Come to the light

We bless you, Father of lights,
Christ, Word of God, splendor of the Father,
Light from light and source of all light,
Spirit of fire and breath of the Son as of the Father.

O Holy Trinity, undivided light,
You dispelled the darkness
To create a world that would bear your likeness,
luminous with order and beauty

You enlightened man with reason and wisdom,
Made him shine with the seal of your Image,
That in your light he might see light (Ps 37[36],10)
And become wholly light.

In the heavens you made numberless lights to shine,
Commanded day and night
To agree in dividing time between them,
Each peacefully taking its turn.

Night brings an end to the work of the tired body,
Day calls it to those works you love,
Teaching us to flee from darkness and hasten
Towards that day where night will be no more.

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 St Peter Gonzales, Dominican Priest (1190-1246) Saint Peter Gonzalez Dominican Priest (1190-1246)         Peter Gonzales, also known as St. Elmo or St. Telmo, was born to a Castilian family of nobility. He was educated by his uncle, the Bishop of Astorga, named canon of the local cathedral, famous for his penances and mortifications, joined the Dominican Order, preached and made chaplain of the court of King St. Ferdinand III.         He converted and influenced the soldiers of his country, evangelized, and died on Easter Sunday. Peter evangelized throughout his country and all along the coast.         He had a special fondness for sailors. He used to visit them aboard their ships, preaching the Gospel and praying for their needs. From Catholic Online

Llegar a la luz

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 14/04/2010

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

Miércoles de la II Semana de Pascua

Libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles 5,17-26.
Intervino entonces el Sumo Sacerdote con todos sus partidarios, los de la secta de los saduceos. Llenos de envidia,
hicieron arrestar a los Apóstoles y los enviaron a la prisión pública.
Pero durante la noche, el Angel del Señor abrió las puertas de la prisión y los hizo salir. Luego les dijo:
"Vayan al Templo y anuncien al pueblo todo lo que se refiere a esta nueva Vida".
Los Apóstoles, obedecieron la orden, entraron en el Templo en las primeras horas del día, y se pusieron a enseñar. Entre tanto, llegaron el Sumo Sacerdote y sus partidarios, convocaron al Sanedrín y a todo el Senado del pueblo de Israel, y mandaron a buscarlos a la cárcel.
Cuando llegaron los guardias a la prisión, no los encontraron. Entonces volvieron y dijeron:
"Encontramos la prisión cuidadosamente cerrada y a los centinelas de guardia junto a las puertas, pero cuando las abrimos, no había nadie adentro".
Al oír esto, el jefe del Templo y los sumos sacerdotes quedaron perplejos y no podían explicarse qué había sucedido.
En ese momento llegó uno, diciendo: "Los hombres que ustedes arrestaron, están en el Templo y enseñan al pueblo".
El jefe de la guardia salió con sus hombres y trajeron a los Apóstoles, pero sin violencia, por temor de ser apedreados por el pueblo.

Salmo 34(33),2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9.
Bendeciré al Señor en todo tiempo, su alabanza estará siempre en mis labios.
Mi alma se gloría en el Señor; que lo oigan los humildes y se alegren.
Glorifiquen conmigo al Señor, alabemos su Nombre todos juntos.
Busqué al Señor: él me respondió y me libró de todos mis temores.
Miren hacia él y quedarán resplandecientes, y sus rostros no se avergonzarán.
Este pobre hombre invocó al Señor: él lo escuchó y lo salvó de sus angustias.
El Angel del Señor acampa en torno de sus fieles, y los libra.
¡Gusten y vean qué bueno es el Señor! ¡Felices los que en él se refugian!

Evangelio según San Juan 3,16-21.
Sí, Dios amó tanto al mundo, que entregó a su Hijo único para que todo el que cree en él no muera, sino que tenga Vida eterna.
Porque Dios no envió a su Hijo para juzgar al mundo, sino para que el mundo se salve por él.
El que cree en él, no es condenado; el que no cree, ya está condenado, porque no ha creído en el nombre del Hijo único de Dios.
En esto consiste el juicio: la luz vino al mundo, y los hombres prefirieron las tinieblas a la luz, porque sus obras eran malas.
Todo el que obra mal odia la luz y no se acerca a ella, por temor de que sus obras sean descubiertas.
En cambio, el que obra conforme a la verdad se acerca a la luz, para que se ponga de manifiesto que sus obras han sido hechas en Dios". 

Jn 3,16-21

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
San Gregorio Nacianceno (330-390), obispo y doctor de la Iglesia
Himno 32; PG 37, 511-512

Llegar a la luz

     Te bendecimos, Padre de las luces,
Cristo, Verbo de Dios, esplendor del Padre,
Luz de luz, y fuente de luz,
Espíritu de fuego, soplo del Hijo tanto como del Padre.

     Trinidad Santa, luz indivisa,
Tú disipas las tinieblas para crear
un mundo luminoso, ordenado y bello,
que lleva en ella tu semejanza.

    Tú iluminas al hombre en la razón y la sabiduría,
lo alumbras con el sello de tu Imagen,
para que en tu luz, vea la luz (Sl 36,10),
y todo entero llegue a ser luz.

     Tú haces brillar en el cielo inumerables luces,
ordenas al día y a la noche
que se entiendan y compartan el tiempo
alternándose pacíficamente. 


     La noche pone fin al trabajo del cuerpo cansado,
el día llama a las obras que tú quieres,
nos enseña a huir de las tinieblas, a apresurarnos
hacia el día que ya no tendrá noche.

---

miércoles 14 Abril 2010

San Valeriano

a

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Mártir romano, probablemente del tiempo de Juliano el Apóstol, esposo de la popular virgen Cecilia. Según las tradiciones fue convertido por ella el día mismo de la boda con medios sobrenaturales y milagrosos. Sobre su casa se edificó luego un templo, en el que reposan las reliquias de su santa consorte. — Fiesta 14 de abril.

Una de las imágenes más sugerentes y humanas con que la divina Palabra nos ha introducido en el misterio de la Redención la constituyen las llamadas «bodas del Cordero».

Dios ha amado a la humanidad con amor de Esposo y en el banquete nupcial se entrega a sí mismo como víctima y como alimento. Es realmente un vínculo de sangre el que sella estas bodas sublimes, es la sangre del Cordero, del Hijo de Dios inmolado. Por ello se comprende y se admira el profundo sentido cristiano que guió a la piedad de nuestros antepasados, ya desde muchos siglos atrás, en tejer con minuciosos detalles en torno a unas nupcias, mitad terrenas y mitad espirituales, este bello poema de virginidad y de martirio, de amor y de sacrificio, el poema de Cecilia y Valeriano, el poema de Cristo presente en el amor transparente de los dos jóvenes.

Y el poema es cantado cada año por toda la Iglesia, en el oficio divino en honor de la santa esposa. Valeriano entra como segundo personaje, el convertido, el amante brioso, pero íntegro, que no duda en renunciar al goce sensible para unirse con ella en el amor supremo, el amor que salva y los une a los dos con Dios y en Dios.

La narración es suave e insinuante. Durante el banquete nupcial Cecilia, preparada anteriormente con larga oración y ayuno, sin dejar de participar en el bullicio y la alegría, entona su cántico de confianza: «Que mi corazón permanezca inmaculado».

Luego viene el momento del encuentro con el esposo. Valeriano se acerca a Cecilia con toda la ilusión de su juventud, con toda la satisfacción del amor conquistado.

Cecilia pronuncia extrañas palabras. Un ángel guarda su virginidad; le invita a colaborar con el ángel, le promete ver también él al ángel si antes es lavado por un baño sagrado.

Valeriano, enamorado, no duda de Cecilia, se le confía, se convierte, y va en busca de la iglesia en su Cabeza, el Papa oculto. Éste le instruye en el misterio y, tras pedirlo insistente, le administra el santo bautismo.

Vuelve presuroso al tálamo nupcial, y descubre a su esposa en oración, con un ángel a su lado, más resplandeciente que el sol y ofreciendo a los dos una guirnalda de parte del Esposo de las vírgenes. Valeriano adora, cree, goza. Con la esposa.

Y no tarda en conseguir tiempo después la conversión de su hermano Tiburcio, que sigue su mismo camino. Así Cecilia puede presentar a los dos hermanos como sus más preciadas coronas del día de sus esponsales, como el fruto de su amor y de su sabiduría...

Pronto su esposo probará su espíritu y la profundidad con que siente su nueva vida. Primero dedicado intensamente a la caridad para con los pobres, compitiendo con Cecilia en su ya famoso desprendimiento.

Después será su valentía y decisión ante el prefecto Almaquio.

Los dos hermanos confiesan que son cristianos, y pretenden adoctrinar a los que asisten al juicio, en la verdadera religión. Son cruelmente apaleados, pero en pleno suplicio muestran sus rostros llenos de alegría por la gracia de poder dar su sangre por Jesucristo. Y de este modo, pasan delante de Cecilia, que pronto les seguirá en el camino del testimonio sangriento. Valeriano había amado de verdad y en el cielo, junto con su esposa, participa en el eterno banquete de gloria al Cordero. En la tierra, sus reliquias fueron conservadas, para gloria de Dios en sus santos, y se conservan. en la iglesia dedicada a Santa Cecilia, en el Trastévere.

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Oremos

Dios todopoderoso y eterno, que concediste a San Valeriano luchar por la fe hasta derramar su sangre, haz que, ayudados por su intercesión, soportemos por tu amor nuestras dificultades y con valentía caminemos hacia ti que eres la fuente de toda vida. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Calendario de  Fiestas Marianas: Apariciones de Nuestra Señora de Ludwina (1433).  Nuestra Señor de Guam (1825).

Come to the light

Come to the light

DAILY GOSPEL:14/04/2010

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

Wednesday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 5:17-26.
The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When they heard this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Psalms 34(33):2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9.
I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:16-21.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Jn 3,16-21

Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (330-390), Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Hymn 32 ; PG 37, 511-512

Come to the light

We bless you, Father of lights,
Christ, Word of God, splendor of the Father,
Light from light and source of all light,
Spirit of fire and breath of the Son as of the Father.

O Holy Trinity, undivided light,
You dispelled the darkness
To create a world that would bear your likeness,
luminous with order and beauty

You enlightened man with reason and wisdom,
Made him shine with the seal of your Image,
That in your light he might see light (Ps 37[36],10)
And become wholly light.

In the heavens you made numberless lights to shine,
Commanded day and night
To agree in dividing time between them,
Each peacefully taking its turn.

Night brings an end to the work of the tired body,
Day calls it to those works you love,
Teaching us to flee from darkness and hasten
Towards that day where night will be no more.

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 St Peter Gonzales, Dominican Priest (1190-1246) Saint Peter Gonzalez Dominican Priest (1190-1246) Peter Gonzales, also known as St. Elmo or St. Telmo, was born to a Castilian family of nobility. He was educated by his uncle, the Bishop of Astorga, named canon of the local cathedral, famous for his penances and mortifications, joined the Dominican Order, preached and made chaplain of the court of King St. Ferdinand III. He converted and influenced the soldiers of his country, evangelized, and died on Easter Sunday. Peter evangelized throughout his country and all along the coast. He had a special fondness for sailors. He used to visit them aboard their ships, preaching the Gospel and praying for their needs. From Catholic Online

Come to the light

Come to the light

DAILY GOSPEL:14/04/2010

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

Wednesday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 5:17-26.
The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the Israelites, and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When they heard this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them, "The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Psalms 34(33):2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9.
I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:16-21.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Jn 3,16-21

Commentary of the day
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (330-390), Bishop, Doctor of the Church
Hymn 32 ; PG 37, 511-512

Come to the light

We bless you, Father of lights,
Christ, Word of God, splendor of the Father,
Light from light and source of all light,
Spirit of fire and breath of the Son as of the Father.

O Holy Trinity, undivided light,
You dispelled the darkness
To create a world that would bear your likeness,
luminous with order and beauty

You enlightened man with reason and wisdom,
Made him shine with the seal of your Image,
That in your light he might see light (Ps 37[36],10)
And become wholly light.

In the heavens you made numberless lights to shine,
Commanded day and night
To agree in dividing time between them,
Each peacefully taking its turn.

Night brings an end to the work of the tired body,
Day calls it to those works you love,
Teaching us to flee from darkness and hasten
Towards that day where night will be no more.

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 St Peter Gonzales, Dominican Priest (1190-1246) Saint Peter Gonzalez Dominican Priest (1190-1246) Peter Gonzales, also known as St. Elmo or St. Telmo, was born to a Castilian family of nobility. He was educated by his uncle, the Bishop of Astorga, named canon of the local cathedral, famous for his penances and mortifications, joined the Dominican Order, preached and made chaplain of the court of King St. Ferdinand III. He converted and influenced the soldiers of his country, evangelized, and died on Easter Sunday. Peter evangelized throughout his country and all along the coast. He had a special fondness for sailors. He used to visit them aboard their ships, preaching the Gospel and praying for their needs. From Catholic Online

LIBERACIÓN: MANDATOS CONTRA LUCIFER

LIBERACIÓN: MANDATOS CONTRA LUCIFER

"You do not know where it comes from or where it goes"

DAILY GOSPEL: 13/04/2010

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

Tuesday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37.
The community of believers was of one heart and mind,  and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,  but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.
Thus Joseph, also named by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostles.

Psalms 93(92):1-2.5.
The LORD is king, robed with majesty; the LORD is robed, girded with might. The world will surely stand in place, never to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old; you are from everlasting, LORD.
Your decrees are firmly established; holiness belongs to your house, LORD, for all the length of days.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:7-15.
Jesus said to Nicodemus:  «'You must be born from above.'
The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Nicodemus answered and said to him, "How can this happen?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.
If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Jn 3,7-15

Commentary of the day 
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] (1891-1942), Carmelite, martyr, co-patron of Europe
From a Pentecost Novena1942 (trans. Waltraut Stein)

"You do not know where it comes from or where it goes"

Who are you, sweet light, that fills me
And illumines the darkness of my heart?
You lead me like a mother's hand,
And should you let go of me
I would not know how to take another step.
You are the space
That embraces my being and buries it in yourself.
Away from you, it sinks into the abyss
Of nothingness, from which you raised it to the light.
You, nearer to me than I to myself
And more interior than my most interior
And still impalpable and intangible
And beyond any name:
Holy Spirit – eternal love!

Are you not the sweet manna
That from the Son's heart
Overflows into my heart,
The food of angels and the blessed?
He who raised himself from death to life,
He has also awakened me to new life
From the sleep of death.
And he gives me new life from day to day,
And at some time his fullness is to stream through me,
Life of your life – indeed, you yourself:
Holy Spirit – eternal life!

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Tuesday, 13 April 2010

St Hermenegild, Martyr (+ 586)

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SAINT HERMENEGILD
Martyr
(+ 586)

        Leovigild, King of the Visigoths, had two sons, Hermenegild and Recared, who reigned conjointly with him. All three were Arians, but Hermenegild married a. zealous Catholic, the daughter of Sigebert, King of France, and by her holy example was converted to the faith.

        His father, on hearing the news, denounced him as a traitor, and marched to seize his person. Hermenegild tried to rally the Catholics of Spain in his defence, but they were too weak to make any stand, and, after a two years fruitless struggle, he surrendered on the assurance of a free pardon. When safely in the royal camp, the king had him loaded with fetters and cast into a foul dungeon at Seville.

        Tortures and bribes were in turn employed to shake his faith, but Hermenegild wrote to his father that he held the crown as nothing, and preferred to lose sceptre and life rather than betray the truth of God.

        At length, on Easter night, an Arian bishop entered his cell, and promised him his father's pardon if he would but receive Communion at his hands. Hermenegild indignantly rejected the offer, and knelt with joy for his depth-stroke. The same night a light streaming from his cell told the Christians who were watching near that the martyr had won his crown, and was keeping his Easter with the Saints in glory.

        Leovigild on his death-bed, though still an Arian, bade Recared seek out St. Leander, whom he had himself cruelly persecuted, and, following Hermenegild's example, be received by him into the Church. Recared did so, and on his father's death labored so earnestly for the extirpation of Arianism that he brought over the whole nation of the Visigoths to the Church. "Nor is it to be wondered," says St. Gregory, "that he came thus to be a preacher of the true faith, seeing that he was brother of a martyr, whose merits did help him to bring so many into the lap of God's Church."

«El viento no sabes de dónde viene ni a dónde va»

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 13/04/2010

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

Martes de la II Semana de Pascua

Libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles 4,32-37.
La multitud de los creyentes tenía un solo corazón y una sola alma. Nadie consideraba sus bienes como propios, sino que todo era común entre ellos.
Los Apóstoles daban testimonio con mucho poder de la resurrección del Señor Jesús y gozaban de gran estima.
Ninguno padecía necesidad, porque todos los que poseían tierras o casas las vendían
y ponían el dinero a disposición de los Apóstoles, para que se distribuyera a cada uno según sus necesidades.
Y así José, llamado por los Apóstoles Bernabé -que quiere decir hijo del consuelo- un levita nacido en Chipre
que poseía un campo, lo vendió, y puso el dinero a disposición de los Apóstoles.

Salmo 93(92),1-2.5.
¡Reina el Señor, revestido de majestad! El Señor se ha revestido, se ha ceñido de poder. El mundo está firmemente establecido: ¡no se moverá jamás!
Tu trono está firme desde siempre, tú existes desde la eternidad.
Tus testimonios, Señor, son dignos de fe, la santidad embellece tu Casa a lo largo de los tiempos.

Evangelio según San Juan 3,7-15.
No te extrañes de que te haya dicho: 'Ustedes tienen que renacer de lo alto'.
El viento sopla donde quiere: tú oyes su voz, pero no sabes de dónde viene ni adónde va. Lo mismo sucede con todo el que ha nacido del Espíritu".
"¿Cómo es posible todo esto?", le volvió a preguntar Nicodemo.
Jesús le respondió: "¿Tú, que eres maestro en Israel, no sabes estas cosas?
Te aseguro que nosotros hablamos de lo que sabemos y damos testimonio de lo que hemos visto, pero ustedes no aceptan nuestro testimonio.
Si no creen cuando les hablo de las cosas de la tierra, ¿cómo creerán cuando les hable de las cosas del cielo?
Nadie ha subido al cielo, sino el que descendió del cielo, el Hijo del hombre que está en el cielo.
De la misma manera que Moisés levantó en alto la serpiente en el desierto, también es necesario que el Hijo del hombre sea levantado en alto,
para que todos los que creen en él tengan Vida eterna. 

Jn 3,7-15

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Santa Teresa Benedicta de la Cruz [Edith Stein] (1891-1942), carmelita descalza, mártir, copatrona de Europa
Poesía, Pentecostés 1942

«El viento no sabes de dónde viene ni a dónde va»

     ¿Quién eres tú, dulce luz que me llena
e ilumina las tinieblas de mi corazón?
Tú me conduces como la mano de una madre
y si me soltaras,
no sabría dar un solo paso.
Tú eres el espacio
que envuelve todo mi ser y lo cobija en ti.
Abandonado de ti, me hundiría en el abismo de la nada
de donde lo has sacado para levantarlo hasta la luz.
Tú, más próximo cercano a mí
que no lo estoy yo de mí misma,
más íntimo que lo más profundo de mi alma,
y sin embargo inalcanzable e inefable,
más allá de todo nombre,
¡Espíritu Santo, Amor eterno!

     ¿No eres Tú el dulce maná
que del corazón del Hijo
fluye en el mío,
alimento de los ángeles y de los bienaventurados?
Él, que ha pasado de la muerte a la vida
también a mí me ha desvelado desde el sueño de la muerte a una vida
nueva.
Y día tras día
me sigue dando una vida nueva
la plenitud de la cual un día me inundará toda entera,
vida de tu vida, sí, Tú mismo,
¡Espíritu Santo, Vida eterna!

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martes 13 Abril 2010

San Martín I

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Papa. (año 656). Papa martirizado, son más de 40 los pontífices que han sufrido el martirio. Nació en Todi, Italia, y se distinguió entre los sacerdotes de Roma por su santidad y su sabiduría. Fue elegido Papa el año 649 y poco después convocó a un Concilio o reunión de todos los obispos, para condenar la herejía de los que decían que Jesucristo no había tenido voluntad humana, sino solamente voluntad divina (Monotelitas se llaman estos herejes).

Como el emperador de Constantinopla Constante II era hereje monotelita, mandó a un jefe militar con un batallón a darle muerte al pontífice. Pero el que lo iba a asesinar, quedó ciego en el momento en el que lo iba a matar, y el jefe se devolvió sin hacerle daño. Luego envió Constante a otro jefe militar el cual aprovechando que el Papa estaba enfermo, lo sacó secretamente de Roma y lo llevó prisionero a Constantinopla. El viaje duró catorce meses y fue especialmente cruel y despiadado. No le daban los alimentos necesarios y según dice él mismo en sus cartas, pasaron 47 días sin que le permitieran ni siquiera agua para la cara.

Lo tuvieron tres meses padeciendo en la cárcel destinada a los condenados a muerte, y luego lo sacaron de la cárcel por una petición que hizo el Patriarca Arzobispo de Constantinopla poco antes de morirse, pero lo enviaron al destierro. Sus sufrimientos eran tan grandes que cuando alguien lo amenazó con que le iban a dar muerte, exclamó: "Sea cual fuere la muerte que me den, seguramente no va a ser más cruel que esta vida que me están haciendo pasar".

En su última carta, dice así San Martín: "Estoy sorprendido del abandono total en que me tienen en este destierro los que fueron mis amigos. Y más me entristece la indiferencia total con la que mis compañeros de labores me han abandonado. ¿Qué no tienen dinero? ¿Pero no habría ni siquiera unas libras de alimento para enviarlo? ¿O es que el temor a los enemigos de la Iglesia les hace olvidar la obligación que cada uno tiene de dar de comer al hambriento? Pero a pesar de todo, yo sigo rezando a Dios para que conserve firmes en la fe a todos los que pertenecen a la Iglesia". Murió más de padecimientos y de falta de lo necesario que de enfermedad o vejez, en el año 656. En Constantinopla donde había sido tan humillado, fue declarado santo y empezaron a honrarlo como a un mártir de la religión. Y en la Iglesia de Roma se le ha venido honrando entre el número de los santos mártires.

---

Oremos

Señor Dios todopoderoso, tú que otorgaste a San Martín, Papa y mártir, la gracia de no sucumbir ante las amenazas y torturas, concédenos a nosotros la fortaleza que nos es necesaria para afrontar las luchas y adversidades de la vida. Por nuestro Señor Jesucristo, tu Hijo.

Calendario de  Fiestas Marianas: Nuestra Señor de Mantua (1640)

To be born again by water and the Holy Spirit

DAILY GOSPEL: 12/04/2010

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

Monday of the Second week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 4:23-31.
After their release Peter and John went back to their own people  and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them.
And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them,
you said by the holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: 'Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly?
The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed.'
Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
to do what your hand and (your) will had long ago planned to take place.
And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
as you stretch forth (your) hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Psalms 2:1-3.4-6.7-9.
Why do the nations protest and the peoples grumble in vain?
Kings on earth rise up and princes plot together against the LORD and his anointed:
"Let us break their shackles and cast off their chains!"
The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them,
Then speaks to them in anger, terrifies them in wrath:
"I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD, who said to me, "You are my son; today I am your father.
Only ask it of me, and I will make your inheritance the nations, your possession the ends of the earth.
With an iron rod you shall shepherd them, like a clay pot you will shatter them."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 3:1-8.
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
Nicodemus said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"
Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.'
The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Jn 3,1-8

Commentary of the day 
Attributed to Saint Hippolytus of Rome (?-c.235), priest and martyr
Homily for the feast of the Epiphany, "On the holy Theophany" ; PG 10, 854-862

To be born again by water and the Holy Spirit

Pray give me your close attention. I wish to return to the fountain of life and cause the source of our cure to spring forth. The Father of immortality sent his immortal Son and Word into the world. He came to man to wash him in water and the Spirit. He gave him rebirth for the incorruptibility of his soul and body. He infused the Spirit of life and clad him all over with an imperishable armor. Thus, if man has been mortal he is to become equally divine. And if, after the rebirth of washing, he has been made divine by water and the Holy Spirit, he will also become an inheritor of heaven after the resurrection from the dead.

       Come, all you nations, come to the immortality of baptism... This water is that which participates in the Spirit; watering paradise it quenches earth, it causes plants to grow, brings living beings to birth and, in a word, brings forth man to life by effecting his rebirth. In this water Christ was baptised; on it the Spirit descended in the form of a dove...

       Whoever goes down with faith into the bath of regeneration casts aside the garment of a slave and puts on that of adoption. He comes up from baptism shining like the sun, radiant with righteousness. More than this: he emerges a son of God and co-heir with Christ, to whom, together with the Most Holy Spirit, the good, the life-giving, be glory and power both now and ever through all ages. Amen.

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Monday, 12 April 2010

St Julius I, Pope (+ 352)

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SAINT JULIUS
Pope
(+ 352)

        St. Julius was a Roman, and chosen Pope on the 6th of February in 337.

        The Arian bishops in the East sent to him three deputies to accuse St. Athanasius, the zealous Patriarch of Alexandria. These accusations, as the order of justice required, Julius imparted to Athanasius, who thereupon sent his deputies to Rome; when, upon an impartial hearing, the advocates of the heretics were confounded and silenced upon every article of their accusation.

        The Arians then demanded a council, and the Pope assembled one in Rome in 341. The Arians instead of appearing held a pretended council at Antioch in 341, in which they presumed to appoint one Gregory, an impious Arian, Bishop of Alexandria, detained the Pope's legates beyond the time mentioned for their appearance; and then wrote to his Holiness, alleging a pretended impossibility of their appearing, on account of the Persian war and other impediments. The Pope easily saw through these pretences, and in a council at Rome examined the cause of St. Athanasius, declared him innocent of the things laid to his charge by the Arians, and confirmed him in his see.

He also acquitted Marcellus of Ancyra, upon his orthodox profession of faith.

        He drew up and sent by Count Gabian to the Oriental Eusebian bishops, who had first demanded a council and then refused to appear in it, an excellent letter, which is looked upon as one of the finest monuments of ecclesiastical antiquity.

        Finding the Eusebians still obstinate, he moved Constans, Emperor of the West, to demand the concurrence of his brother Constantius in the assembling of a general council at Sardica in Illyricum.  This was opened in May 347, and declared St. Athanasius and Marcellus of Ancyra orthodox and innocent, deposed certain Arian bishops, and framed twenty-one canons of discipline.

        St. Julius reigned fifteen years, two months, and six days, dying on the 12th of April, 352.

Renacer por el agua y el Espíritu Santo

EVANGELIO DEL DÍA: 12/04/2010

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

Lunes de la II Semana de Pascua

Libro de los Hechos de los Apóstoles 4,23-31.
Una vez en libertad, los Apóstoles regresaron adonde estaban sus hermanos, y les contaron todo lo que les habían dicho los sumos sacerdotes y los ancianos.
Al oírlos, todos levantaron la voz y oraron a Dios unánimemente: "Señor, tú hiciste el cielo y la tierra, el mar y todo lo que hay en ellos;
tú, por medio del Espíritu Santo, pusiste estas palabras en labios de nuestro padre David, tu servidor: ¿Por qué se amotinan las naciones y los pueblos hacen vanos proyectos?
Los reyes de la tierra se rebelaron y los príncipes se aliaron contra el Señor y contra su Ungido.
Porque realmente se aliaron en esta ciudad Herodes y Poncio Pilato con las naciones paganas y los pueblos de Israel, contra tu santo servidor Jesús, a quien tú has ungido.
Así ellos cumplieron todo lo que tu poder y tu sabiduría habían determinado de antemano.
Ahora, Señor, mira sus amenazas, y permite a tus servidores anunciar tu Palabra con toda libertad:
extiende tu mano para que se realicen curaciones, signos y prodigios en el nombre de tu santo servidor Jesús".
Cuando terminaron de orar, tembló el lugar donde estaban reunidos; todos quedaron llenos del Espíritu Santo y anunciaban decididamente la Palabra de Dios.

Salmo 2,1-3.4-6.7-9.
¿Por qué se amotinan las naciones y los pueblos hacen vanos proyectos?
Los reyes de la tierra se sublevan, y los príncipes conspiran contra el Señor y contra su Ungido:
"Rompamos sus ataduras, librémonos de su yugo".
El que reina en el cielo se sonríe; el Señor se burla de ellos.
Luego los increpa airadamente y los aterra con su furor:
"Yo mismo establecí a mi Rey en Sión, mi santa Montaña".
Voy a proclamar el decreto del Señor: El me ha dicho: "Tú eres mi hijo, yo te he engendrado hoy.
Pídeme, y te daré las naciones como herencia, y como propiedad, los confines de la tierra.
Los quebrarás con un cetro de hierro, los destrozarás como a un vaso de arcilla"

Evangelio según San Juan 3,1-8.
Había entre los fariseos un hombre llamado Nicodemo, que era uno de los notables entre los judíos.
Fue de noche a ver a Jesús y le dijo: "Maestro, sabemos que tú has venido de parte de Dios para enseñar, porque nadie puede realizar los signos que tú haces, si Dios no está con él".
Jesús le respondió: "Te aseguro que el que no renace de lo alto no puede ver el Reino de Dios. "
Nicodemo le preguntó: "¿Cómo un hombre puede nacer cuando ya es viejo? ¿Acaso puede entrar por segunda vez en el seno de su madre y volver a nacer?".
Jesús le respondió: "Te aseguro que el que no nace del agua y del Espíritu no puede entrar en el Reino de Dios.
Lo que nace de la carne es carne, lo que nace del Espíritu es espíritu.
No te extrañes de que te haya dicho: 'Ustedes tienen que renacer de lo alto'.
El viento sopla donde quiere: tú oyes su voz, pero no sabes de dónde viene ni adónde va. Lo mismo sucede con todo el que ha nacido del Espíritu". 

Jn 3,1-8

Leer el comentario del Evangelio por 
Homilía atribuida a san Hipólito de Roma (? –hacia 235), presbítero y mártir
Homilía para la fiesta de la Epifanía, sobre la «santa Teofanía»; PG 10, 854-862

Renacer por el agua y el Espíritu Santo

     Os ruego que me pongáis una atención constante. Quiero remontarme al manantial de la vida y hacer brotar de ella la fuente de los remedios. El Padre Inmortal ha enviado al mundo a su Hijo inmortal y su Verbo. Éste vino hacia el hombre para lavarlo con el agua y el Espíritu. Lo engendró de nuevo por la incorruptibilidad del alma y del cuerpo. Nos infundió el Espíritu de vida y nos cubrió completamente con una armadura imperecedera. Si el hombre, pues, ha sido mortal, será también divinizado. Si después del renacimiento por el baño es divinizado a través del agua y del Espíritu Santo, se encontrará, después de la resurrección de los muertos, que es heredero del cielo. 

     Venid, todas las naciones a la inmortalidad del bautismo... Esta agua es la que nos hace participar del Espíritu, riega el paraíso, da de beber a la tierra, hace crecer las plantas, da a luz a los vivos y, por decirlo de una vez, engendra al hombre a la vida haciéndolo renacer. Cristo fue bautizado en ella, sobre ella el Espíritu descendió en forma de paloma...
     El que con fe baja al baño de la regeneración rechaza el vestido de la esclavitud y se reviste de la adopción. Sube del bautismo brillante como el sol, resplandeciendo justicia. Aún mucho más: sale hijo de Dios y coheredero con Cristo a quien sean dadas la gloria y el poder, como también al santísimo Espíritu, bueno y vivificante, ahora y siempre por todos los siglos. Amén.

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lunes 12 Abril 2010

San Zenón de Verona

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El murió hacia el año 380. Se le conocía  solamente gracias a los cien sermones que se le atribuyen.

Fue obispo de Verona, cerca de Venecia en  el 362. Lo primero que aparece de su figura ,está  en Juliano el Apóstata (361-363).  Es el caso de  un clérigo pagano restablecido en su cargo durante el imperio,  pero al que se le prohibió que hiciera proselitismo entre  los cristianos.

Otro dato es el que proviene de Teodosia. Fue  ella quien proclamó el cristianismo como religión del Estado.
El obispo  Zenón vivía al modo, al estilo propio que llevaban los  apóstoles.

Se le suele representar en el arte e iconografía como  el santo que lleva un pez para recordarnos que, si  no quieres estar a cargo de nadie, debes ir a  pescar al río o al mar para comer lo necesario.

Buena  idea  y magnífica lección la que nos deja su  simbología que, como siempre, trasciende la mirada hacia delante y  nunca hacia atrás.

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A los presbíteros en esa comunidad, yo, prebístero como ellos testigos de los sufrimientos de Cristo y partícipe de la gloria que va a descubrirse, os exhorto: Sed pastores del rebaño de Dios vuestro cargo, gobernándolo, no a la fuerza, sino de buena gana, como Dios quiere, no por sórdida ganancia, sino con generosidad, no como dominadores sobre la heredad de Dios, sino convirtiéndoos en modelos del rebaño. Y cuándo aparezca el supremo Pastor, recibiréis la corona de gloria que no se marchita.  1 Pe 5, 1-4

Señor, tú que por la predicación de San Zenón de Verona obispo llamaste a nuestros padres a la luz admirable del Evangelio, te pedimos que, por su intercesión, nosotros crezcamos también en tu gracia y en el conocimiento de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Que vive y reina contigo.

Calendario de  Fiestas Marianas: Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba.