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Monday, June 18, 2012

June 18, 2012 - Mt 5:38-42


Liturgic day: Monday 11th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mt 5:38-42): 

Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you".


"I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil"

Today, Jesus teaches us that forgiveness can overcome hate. Talion's law meant some progress, as it limited the wish to retaliate down to a fair proportion: do unto others as you would have them to, unto you; otherwise, it would be unfairness; this is what the aphorism "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" actually means. It was, however, a limited progress, as Jesus Christ emphasizes in the Gospel the need that love overcomes revenge; this is how He expressed it when, on his Cross, He interceded for his executioners: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34).

Nevertheless, truth should always accompany forgiveness. We do not just forgive because we feel helpless or gravely embarrassed. Quite often, the expression “to turn the other cheek” is misinterpreted as waiving our legitimate rights. Certainly, nothing of the sort. To turn the other cheek means to denounce and interpellate, with a peaceful but categorical gesture, whoever has done the injustice committed; it is like saying: "You slapped me on the cheek, now what, you want to slap me on the other too? do you really think you are behaving rightly?". Jesus replied serenely to the high priest's rude servant: "If I said something wrong testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" (Jn 18:23).

We can, therefore, see what our Christian behaviour must be: not to retaliate, but to stay firm; to be open to forgiveness but clearly say things. It is certainly not an easy task to accomplish, but it is the only way to put a stop to violence and show the world the Divine Grace it is lacking of, so often. St. Basil advises us: "Believe me and you will forget the offences and insults you get from your fellow man. You will see how differently you will be named; he will be called angry and violent while you will be cited as meek and peaceful. One day, he will repent of his violence, but you will never regret your meekness".

Comment: Fr. Joaquim MESEGUER García (Sant Quirze del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain) www.evengeli.net

Friday, June 15, 2012

June 15, 2012 - Jn 19:31-37

Contemplating today's Gospel

Liturgic day: Sacred Heart of Jesus (B)

Gospel text (Jn 19:31-37):

As it was Preparation Day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath, for this Sabbath was a very solemn day. They asked Pilate to have the legs of the condemned men broken, so they might take away the bodies. The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who had been crucified with Jesus.

When they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead; so they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a lance and immediately there came out blood and water. The one who has seen here gives his witness so that you may believe: his witness is true and He knows that he speaks the truth. All this happened to fulfill the words of Scripture, 'Not one of his bones shall be broken'. Another text says: 'They shall look on him whom they have pierced'.

"One of the soldiers, however, pierced his
side with a lance"

Today, before our very eyes —or better still before our interior eyes, illuminated by faith— is the figure of Christ who, having just died on the Cross, has had his side pierced by the Centurion's sword. "Immediately there came out blood and water" (Jn 19,34). What a distressing but at the same time eloquent sight! There is not even the slightest room for doubt: Jesus is 100% dead. What's more that mysterious "water" which would not have flowed out of a normal healthy body, would indicate, according to modern medicine, that Christ would
have died of a heart attack or what could even have been described as a burst heart. It is only in these cases that there occurs a separation of the serum and the red blood cells. This would explain the anomalous "blood and water".

Christ, therefore has truly died, and He has died because of our sins, for what He desired with most urgency, the cancellation of our sins. "With my death, I have defeated death and have exalted Man to the sublimity of Heaven" (Meliton of Sardis). God, who has kept to his promise of raising his Son from the dead, will also keep to his second promise: He will also raise us from the dead and will seat us at His right hand. He requires of us a minimum condition: to believe in Him and to allow ourselves be saved by Him. God never imposes himself on anybody. He fully respects human liberty.

Of that Man who's heart they stabbed "They will look upon the man whom they have pierced." The Apocalypse, too, confirms this: "Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him: and they also that pierced him." (Rev 1,7). This is a sacred requirement of divine justice: in the end even those who have obstinately rejected it will have recognise the truth. Even the self-idolising tyrant, the ruthless killer, the proud atheist... all of them without exception will feel
obliged to kneel down before Him, acknowledging him as the one and only true God. Isn't it more worthwhile to become friends with Him as of now.

Comment: Fr. Raimondo M. SORGIA Mannai OP (San Domenico di Fiesole,
Florencia, Italy) www.evangeli.net

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

June 14, 2012 - Mt 5:20-26

Liturgic day: Thursday 10th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mt 5:20-26):

Jesus said to the crowds, "I tell you, then, that if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council; whoever calls a brother or a sister "Fool" deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell.

So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God. Don't forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There you will stay, until you have paid the last penny."

"If you are not righteous in a much broader way
(...), you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven"
Today, Jesus invites us to go beyond what any reliable law-abiding person can go. Even, without falling into any evil deeds, routine quite often hardens the desire of seeking sanctity, by comfortably adapting ourselves to the habit of just a good behavior, and nothing else. St. John Bosco used to say: "The good is the enemy of the best". It is there, where the Master's Word reaches us, inviting us to be righteous in a "much broader" way (cf. Mt 5:20) that starts from a different attitude. Bigger things that, paradoxically, look lesser and smaller. To get angry, to scorn and disown your brother are not the right things for the disciple of the Kingdom who is supposed to be —nothing less but— the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-16), as of the applicability of the Beatitudes (cf. Mt 5:3-12).

With authority, Jesus changes the interpretation of the negative precept "Do not kill" (cf. Ex 20:13), by the positive meaning of the deep and radical demand of reconciliation, which, for additional emphasis, is put in relationship to the cult. Thus, no offering is valid when "you remember that your brother has something against you" (Mt 5:23). This is why it is so important to settle any dispute as, otherwise, the invalidity of your offering will be turned against you (cf. Mt 5,26).

All this can only be attained through a great love. "Indeed —St. Paul will say—: the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet', and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'. Love does no wrong to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rm 13:9-10).

Help us beg to be renewed in the gift of charity —to the minimum detail— towards our neighbor, and our life will be the best and most authentic of all our offers to God.

Comment: Fr. Julio César RAMOS González SDB (Salta, Argentina) www.evangeli.net

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

June 12, 2012 - Mt 5:13-16

Liturgic day: Tuesday 10th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mt 5:13-16):

Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its strength, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it. You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead it is put on a lamp-stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven".

"You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world"

Today, St. Mathew reminds us of those words Jesus said regarding our mission as Christians: to be the salt and the light of the world. On the one hand, the salt is a necessary seasoning to make foods taste good: without salt, most dishes are almost worthless! Throughout centuries, on the other hand, salt has been a fundamental element to keep victuals from corruption. Jesus tells us: —You must be the salt of your world, and like the salt, you are to be tasty and avoid corruption.

In our time, many have lost the sense of life and claim it is not worth their while; that life is full of disappointments, difficulties and suffering; that it goes by very fast and that it has death, as a final perspective, and a sad one too.

"You are the salt of the earth!" (Mt 5,13). It is up to Christians to give flavor to life: by showing the joyful and serene optimism of he who recognizes himself as the son of God, for everything in our lives can be a path to sanctity; by making difficulties, suffering and pain help us to purify ourselves; and by realizing that, at the end of our lives, life in Glory —the eternal happiness— is waiting for us.

And, also as the salt does, Christ's disciples, must preserve from corruption: where there are Christians with living faith, there cannot be injustice, violence, ill-treatment of the weak ones... Rather on the contrary, the virtue of Charity must shine in full force: worrying for others, solidarity, generosity...

And, thus, Christians are the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:14). A Christian is the torch that, with the example of his life, shows the path to Salvation, by bringing the light of truth everywhere in the world... Where, before, there was only darkness, uncertainty and doubts, now, there is light, certainty and self-confidence.

Comment by: Fr. Francesc PERARNAU i Cañellas (Girona, Spain) http://www.evangeli.net/

Saturday, June 9, 2012

June 9, 2012 - Mk 12:38-44

Liturgic day: Saturday 9th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mk 12:38-44):

As Jesus was teaching, He also said to them, "Beware of those teachers of the Law who enjoy walking around in long robes and being greeted in the marketplace, and who like to occupy reserved seats in the synagogues and the first places at feasts. They even devour the widow's and the orphan's goods while making a show of long prayers. How severe a sentence they will receive!".

Jesus sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; and many rich people put in large offerings. But a poor widow also came and dropped in two small coins. Then Jesus called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty and put in everything she had, her very living".

"A poor widow also came and dropped 
in two small coins"
Today, as in Jesus' times, some pious persons —and even more so, some religious "professionals"— may be tempted by a kind of spiritual hypocrisy. This is evidenced through self-conceited attitudes, which we try to justify by our feeling better than all the rest: after all, we are the believers, the ones who practice..., the pure ones! If nothing else, at times, deep inside our hearts, we may feel like that; without, however, "making a show of being praying" or, even less, trying to "devour anybody's goods".

In sharp contrast with the masters of the law, the Gospel presents a simple and almost insignificant gesture on the part of a poor widow that provokes Jesus' admiration: "But a poor widow also came and dropped in two small coins" (Mk 12:42). The actual value of her donation is almost nil, but the woman's decision is admirable, heroic: she gives everything she has.

With this gesture, God and the others went ahead of her and of her own needs. She fully let herself in the hands of Providence. She had nothing else to rely upon because, quite willingly, she had given it all to the service of God and to the attention of the poor. Jesus valued her generosity and her desire to praise God and help the poor, as the most important offering of all that had been made —perhaps, most ostentatiously— in that Temple.

Salvation is to be found in the nucleus of our own conscience, when we decide to open ourselves to God and live at the disposal of mankind; and when the election value is not given by the quality or quantity of the work made, but by the purity of intention and loving generosity.

Comment: Fr. Enric PRAT i Jordana (Sort, Lleida, Spain) www.evangeli.net

Thursday, June 7, 2012

June 8, 2012 - Mk 12:35-37

Liturgic day: Friday 9th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mk 12:35-37):

As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he said, "The teachers of the Law say that the Messiah is the son of David. How can that be? For David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit declared: 'The Lord said to my Lord: sit at my right until I put your enemies under your feet'. If David himself calls him Lord, in what way can he be his son?". Many people came to Jesus and listened to him gladly.

"David himself calls him [the Messiah] Lord"

Today, Judaism still claims the Messiah has to be the "son of David" that must inaugurate a new age of the kingdom of God. We Christians "know" the Messiah, Son of David, is Jesus Christ and that His kingdom has already started —as a seed that germinates, grows up and bears fruit— and will become a visible and magnificent reality when Jesus comes back at the end of time. But already now Jesus is the Son of David and allows us to live "in hope" by enjoying the benefits of the Messianic Kingdom.

The title of "Son of David" applied to Jesus Christ forms part of the backbone of the Gospel. In the Annunciation, the Virgin received this message: "And the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Lk 1:32-33). The destitute that begged Jesus to cure them, were saying: "You son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mk 10:48). When Jesus solemnly entered in Jerusalem He was acclaimed: "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest " (Mk 11:10). The very old book Didache thanks God "for the holy vineyard of David, your servant, that we have come to know through Jesus, your servant".

But Jesus is not only the son of David, but also the Lord. He confirms it solemnly by quoting the Davidic Psalm 110. The Jews cannot understand it: it is impossible that the son of David can also be the "Lord". St. Peter, witness of Jesus resurrection, clearly saw that Jesus had been constituted "Lord of David", because "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day (...), but Jesus God rose up, whereof we all are witnesses" (Acts 2:29-32).

"His Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power", as St. Paul names him (cf. Rm 1:3-4), has become forms of the attraction focus of all men's hearts, and thus, softly attracting us towards him, He already exerts now his lordship over all men that address him with Love and in Trust.

Comment: Fr. Josep LAPLANA OSB Monk of Montserrat (Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain) www.evangeli.net

June 7, 2012 - Mk 12:28-34

Liturgic day: Thursday 9th in Ordinary Time

Gospel text (Mk 12:28-34): 

One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, "Which commandment is the first of all?". Jesus answered, "The first is: 'Hear, Israel! The Lord, our God, is One Lord; and you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength'. And after this comes another one: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'. There is no commandment greater than these two".

The teacher of the Law said to him, "Well spoken, Master; you are right when you say that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all our heart, with all our understanding and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves is more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice".
Jesus approved this answer and said, "You are not far from the kingdom of God". But after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

"There is no commandment greater 
than these two"

Today, in Mark's Gospel, we see how one of the scribes asks Jesus: "Which commandment is the first of all?" (Mk 12:28). The question is somewhat cunning. In the first place, because he is trying to establish some sort of ranking amongst the different commandments; and, secondly, because his question is centered in the Law. This is logical, bearing in mind that the question comes from a master of the Law.

The Lord's answer takes to pieces the spirituality of that "master of the Law". And the attitude of the disciple of Jesus with respect to God can be summed up in two points: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart" (Mk 12:30) and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mk 12:31). The religious behavior is defined in his relationship with God and with his neighbor; and the human behavior, in his relationship with the others and with God. St. Augustine says the same with other words: "Love God, and do whatever you please". Love God and love the others, and all the rest will just be a consequence of this plenitude of love.

The teacher of the Law understands it perfectly well. And he adds that to love God with all one's heart, and one's neighbor as oneself, "is more important than any burnt offering and sacrifice" (Mk 12:33). God is awaiting our reply, our total deliverance, "with all our heart, with all our understanding and with all our strength" (Mk 12:30), for God means Truth, Goodness, and generous dedication to others. "Offerings and sacrifices" have a meaning only insofar they will be the true expression of this double love. And to think that, at times, we use the "little commandments" and "the offerings and sacrifices" as stumbling-block to criticize or wound others!

Jesus approves the reply of the master of the Law with "You are not far from the kingdom of God" (Mk 12:34). For Jesus, whoever loves his neighbor over everything else is not far from God.

Comment by: Fr, Rodolf PUIGDOLLERS i Noblom SchP (La Roca del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)  www.evangeli.net

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

June 6, 2012 - Mk 12:18-27

Meditation: Mk 12:18-27

How reliable is the belief that all will be raised from the dead? The Sadducees, who were a group of religious leaders from the upper classes in Jesus' time, did not believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead to eternal life. They could not conceive of heaven beyond what they could see with their naked eyes! Aren't we often like them? We don't recognize spiritual realities because we try to make heaven into an earthly image we can touch and see. The Sadducees came to Jesus with a test question to make the resurrection look ridiculous.

The Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in the existence of  immortal beings - whether humans, angels, or evil spirits. Their religion was literally grounded in an earthly image of heaven which ended in death. Jesus responds to their argument by dealing with the fact of the resurrection and immortal life. Jesus shows that God is a living God of a living people. The scriptures give proof of it. In Exodus 3:6, God calls himself the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God was the friend of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when they lived on the earth.

That friendship with God could not cease with death. David in the Psalms also speaks of the reality of immortal life with God. In Psalm 73:23-24 we pray through the words of David: "I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." The Holy Spirit reveals to us the eternal truths of God's unending love and the life he desires to share with us for all eternity.

Paul the Apostle, quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 64:4; 65:17) states: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). The promise of paradise (heavenly bliss and unending life with an all-loving God) is beyond human reckoning. We have only begun to taste the first-fruits! Do you believe the scriptures and do you know the power of the Holy Spirit?

"May the Lord Jesus put his hands on our eyes also, for then we too
shall begin to look not at what is seen but at what is not seen. May he open the eyes that are concerned not with the present but with what is yet to come, may he unseal the heart's vision, that we may gaze on God in the Spirit, through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, whose glory and power will endure throughout the unending succession of ages." (Prayer of Origen, 185-254 AD)


This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

June 5, 2012 - Mk 12:13-17

Meditation: Mk 12:13-17

What do we owe God and what's our 
obligation towards others?

Paul the Apostle tells us that we must give each what is their due (Romans 13:6-8). The Jewish authorities sought to trap Jesus in a religious-state dispute over the issue of taxes. The Jews resented their foreign rulers and despised paying taxes to Cesar. They posed a dilemma to test Jesus to see if he would make a statement they could use against him. If Jesus answered that it was lawful to pay taxes to a pagan ruler, then he would lose credibility with the Jewish populace who would regard him as a coward and a friend of Cesar.  If he said it was not lawful then the Pharisees would have grounds to report him to the Roman authorities as a political trouble-maker and have him arrested. Jesus avoided their trap by confronting them with the image of a coin.

Coinage in the ancient world had significant political power. Rulers issued coins with their own image and inscription on them. In a certain sense the coin was regarded as the personal property of the ruler. Where the coin was valid the ruler held political sway over the people. Since the Jews used the Roman currency, Jesus explained that  what belonged to Caesar must be given to Caesar. This story has another deeper meaning as well. We, too, have been stamped with God's image since we are created in his own likeness (Genesis 1:26-27).

We rightfully belong, not to ourselves, but to God who created us and redeemed us in the precious blood of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (see 1Corinthians 6:19-20). Paul the Apostle says that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). Do you acknowledge that your life belongs to God and not to yourself? And do you give to God what rightfully belongs to Him?

"Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much, I owe you all my being.  Moreover, I owe you as much more love than myself as you are greater than I, for whom you gave yourself and to whom you promised yourself. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love." (prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109)

This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

Monday, June 4, 2012

June 4, 2012 - Mk 12:1-12

Meditation: Mk 12:1-12

What does Jesus' parable about an absentee landlord and his tenants say to us?

The hills of Galilee were lined with numerous vineyards, and it was quite normal for the owners to let out their estates to tenants. Many did it for the sole purpose of collecting rent. Why did Jesus' story about wicked tenants cause offense to the scribes and Pharisees?

It contained both a prophetic message and a warning. Isaiah had spoken of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord" (Isaiah 5:7). Jesus' listeners would likely understand this parable as referring to God's dealing with a stubborn and rebellious people. This parable speaks to us today as well. It richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people. First, it tells us of God's generosity and trust. The vineyard is well equipped with everything the tenants need. The owner went away and left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants. God, likewise trusts us enough to give us freedom to run life as we choose.

This parable also tells us of God's patience and justice. Not once, but many times he forgives the tenants their debts. But while the tenants take advantage of the owner's patience, his judgment and justice prevail in the end. Jesus foretold both his death and his ultimate triumph. He knew he would be rejected and be killed, but he also knew that would not be the end. After rejection would come glory the glory of resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. How do we share in this glory?

By submitting to Jesus' kingly rule in our lives. Jesus promises that we will bear much fruit (certainly the fruit of peace, righteousness, and joy, and much more besides) if we abide in him (see John 15:1-11).The Lord also entrusts his gifts to each of us and he gives us work to do in his vineyard the body of Christ. He promises that our labor will not be in vain if we persevere with faith to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:58). We can expect trials and even persecution. But in the end we will see triumph. Do you labor for the Lord with joyful hope and with confidence in his triumph?

"Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us; for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more
dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own sake!" (Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century)

This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings