Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22: 39).
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9910.htm)
Jesus in a heated debate with the theologians of His time, reassumes in the love of God with ones whole heart, soul and mind and in the love of neighbor as oneself, the greatest and the first of the commandments. How simple! Man finds in this double love his unity, the meaning of life, the fundamental style that gives eternal value to every little action.
But, if love is in our DNA and thus we can all love, it is also true that one must learn to love. To learn the art of loving is the most important and exciting job of life. Let us begin to train ourselves putting into practice that “as yourself”. Saint Frances de Sales used to say it like this: “Put yourselves always in the place of your neighbor and put your neighbor in your place, so you will judge well. When buying, imagine to be the one who sells and when selling to be the one who buys: in this way you will buy and sell fairly”.
Visit also: “The Hope of the World!” (http://trueevangelization.blogspot.com/2010/01/hope-of-world.html).
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An Experience of Life:
I was returning from “Gen Camp” in the bus. I wanted to make a visit to my parents and, not knowing much of the area, I asked for information from the passenger who was next to me. He rudely treated me like an ignoramus and I became angry. After this incident I remained silent, looking out the window. At a certain point I remembered what we proposed to ourselves during the Camp: to be new men who construct a new world. I had to change and re-begin from the top with this neighbor in the present moment. I mustered up the courage and I excused myself. Even he, surprised by my attitude, excused himself with me and after a little while he asked me who I might be. “I am a Christian”, I said to him. And he: “Now I understand the reason for your attitude; we Muslims are not used to excusing ourselves; I am happy to have met a Christian person.” From that moment the relationship changed totally. He too was going to the same city as me. When we arrived, he asked me where I was going and to my surprise he accompanied me in a “Tonga” (a type of cart drawn by horses), even paying for the ticked. When we took leave of each other, he embraced me and said that he was happy to have known a brother Christian. This experience of dialogue left in my heart the certainty that I too, together with the Persons of the Trinity and so many brothers and sisters, can build up a united world.
Shakeel, Pakistan
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Matthew 18:22
“I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22).
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9909.htm)
It is not easy to live this word of Jesus. In fact, in many cases, it would be impossible without the help of God (Mt 19:26)! But what happens when this word is not lived? This is what we see before our eyes everyday. There are nations in the state of latent conflict, as in the Middle East, where terrorism is the reply to a situation seen as offensive and oppression, and reprisal is the reply to terrorism. There is still applied to the letter “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. This is the political wisdom of men. They do not realize that this way of doing things, as St. Paul tells us, is folly (1Cor 3:19). It does not resolve anything, it does not break the chain of evil, but perpetuates it and aggravates it. Revenge produces revenge, and so it will be, unfortunately, until the end of the world. This is the reality, but we have understood that this is not the Gospel with its invitation to forgiveness for those who have gone wrong, but it is “the reality”. But let us not let ourselves be upset by the disparity between the ideal and the reality, but let us continue to commit ourselves to striving to bring forth the Gospel, beginning with ourselves. Who, when finding himself in his living place, does not have at once a few pardons in suspense to courageously offer?
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
Young Jerry, a small black boy from Washington, had already learned to live these words of Jesus. He was put in a special class at school because of his high I.Q. All the other children were white. But his intelligence was not enough to make his classmates understand that he was their equal. They didn't like him because he was black, and when Christmas came and they all exchanged presents, they left him out. He was upset, as you can imagine. But when he got home he thought about Jesus: “Forgive… Love your enemies”, and with his mother's permission he went out and bought gifts which he gave with love to all his “white brothers and sisters”.
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9909.htm)
It is not easy to live this word of Jesus. In fact, in many cases, it would be impossible without the help of God (Mt 19:26)! But what happens when this word is not lived? This is what we see before our eyes everyday. There are nations in the state of latent conflict, as in the Middle East, where terrorism is the reply to a situation seen as offensive and oppression, and reprisal is the reply to terrorism. There is still applied to the letter “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. This is the political wisdom of men. They do not realize that this way of doing things, as St. Paul tells us, is folly (1Cor 3:19). It does not resolve anything, it does not break the chain of evil, but perpetuates it and aggravates it. Revenge produces revenge, and so it will be, unfortunately, until the end of the world. This is the reality, but we have understood that this is not the Gospel with its invitation to forgiveness for those who have gone wrong, but it is “the reality”. But let us not let ourselves be upset by the disparity between the ideal and the reality, but let us continue to commit ourselves to striving to bring forth the Gospel, beginning with ourselves. Who, when finding himself in his living place, does not have at once a few pardons in suspense to courageously offer?
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
Young Jerry, a small black boy from Washington, had already learned to live these words of Jesus. He was put in a special class at school because of his high I.Q. All the other children were white. But his intelligence was not enough to make his classmates understand that he was their equal. They didn't like him because he was black, and when Christmas came and they all exchanged presents, they left him out. He was upset, as you can imagine. But when he got home he thought about Jesus: “Forgive… Love your enemies”, and with his mother's permission he went out and bought gifts which he gave with love to all his “white brothers and sisters”.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Luke 1:45
“Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45)
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9908.htm)
In the midst of delusions, of sufferings and of persecutions in our present times, the celebration of the Assumption invites us to look at Mary as a sign of sure hope and to live in this world constantly oriented toward the eternal goods. Faith in the presence of our Lord which sustains our walk, and charity which fills our heart with the presence of God and which brings us close to the needs of people, permit us to feed the hope in the realization of the promises of God. By faith the whole man gives himself to God receiving that which He has made known. Through the faith of Mary there is accomplished the work of Salvation: the Son of God comes to us. Because of her faith, Mary is said to be blessed: blessed because she believes in the Word of God. And the first beatitude, the one that is fundamental: faith in the promise, which permits the Lord to live “today” in the believers who listen to this Word. The beatitude of Mary is shared with each believer who listens and lives the Word. The Word is to be welcomed as it truly is, the “Word of God which is at work in you believers” (1Thess 2:13).
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
I BELIEVE IN THE LOVE OF THE FATHER
One day, while going to the university, I passed by a church. I was praying when a boy who was limping and dressed in rags with a heavy knapsack came up to me to ask for alms. I got up and we went toward the door so as not to disturb the people seated in the pews.
There he tells me all about his situation: in three days he will be able to enter a community for detoxification and rehabilitation, but he does not have money to eat nor does he know where to go to sleep for three days. He shows me an ugly wound on one of his legs.
I had with me only enough money to buy a book for the exam and to eat in the cafeteria. I turned towards the altar with faith: “Jesus – I said to him in my heart – you know that I need this money, but I believe in the love of the Father…” I took the money and I gave it to the boy, whose face lit up. Even outside of the church he continued to thank me… Then I went to the school faculty, and the morning passed by without thinking anymore about this event.
At noon, at the dining hall, I fill my tray and I give my magnetic card to the cashier, who gives me a receipt stamped on it “euro 0”. How come? The cashier asks me if I had asked for a study grant. I said yes, but my request was not accepted. The cashier said: “You did not get the study grant, but in recompense they offered you free meals for the whole year”.
I feel a “thump” in my heart: the Father up there did not even wait two hours to reciprocate!
Stefano (Padova, Italy)
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9908.htm)
In the midst of delusions, of sufferings and of persecutions in our present times, the celebration of the Assumption invites us to look at Mary as a sign of sure hope and to live in this world constantly oriented toward the eternal goods. Faith in the presence of our Lord which sustains our walk, and charity which fills our heart with the presence of God and which brings us close to the needs of people, permit us to feed the hope in the realization of the promises of God. By faith the whole man gives himself to God receiving that which He has made known. Through the faith of Mary there is accomplished the work of Salvation: the Son of God comes to us. Because of her faith, Mary is said to be blessed: blessed because she believes in the Word of God. And the first beatitude, the one that is fundamental: faith in the promise, which permits the Lord to live “today” in the believers who listen to this Word. The beatitude of Mary is shared with each believer who listens and lives the Word. The Word is to be welcomed as it truly is, the “Word of God which is at work in you believers” (1Thess 2:13).
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
I BELIEVE IN THE LOVE OF THE FATHER
One day, while going to the university, I passed by a church. I was praying when a boy who was limping and dressed in rags with a heavy knapsack came up to me to ask for alms. I got up and we went toward the door so as not to disturb the people seated in the pews.
There he tells me all about his situation: in three days he will be able to enter a community for detoxification and rehabilitation, but he does not have money to eat nor does he know where to go to sleep for three days. He shows me an ugly wound on one of his legs.
I had with me only enough money to buy a book for the exam and to eat in the cafeteria. I turned towards the altar with faith: “Jesus – I said to him in my heart – you know that I need this money, but I believe in the love of the Father…” I took the money and I gave it to the boy, whose face lit up. Even outside of the church he continued to thank me… Then I went to the school faculty, and the morning passed by without thinking anymore about this event.
At noon, at the dining hall, I fill my tray and I give my magnetic card to the cashier, who gives me a receipt stamped on it “euro 0”. How come? The cashier asks me if I had asked for a study grant. I said yes, but my request was not accepted. The cashier said: “You did not get the study grant, but in recompense they offered you free meals for the whole year”.
I feel a “thump” in my heart: the Father up there did not even wait two hours to reciprocate!
Stefano (Padova, Italy)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Matthew 13:45-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Mt 13:45-46).
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1981/198107.htm)
Having found the pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Jesus wants to make us understand the value of the Kingdom of God which is actually the value of Jesus Himself. Before the Kingdom, we are called to decide for ourselves for that which counts.
Above all there is highlighted here that the Kingdom is a reality of great value and of rare beauty. Jesus tells us that it is not enough to seek and find; IT IS NECESSARY TO DECIDE. And the motive for the decision is the “joy”, the passion for the treasure. Love for Jesus makes all the rest relative, and free to walk toward happiness. The God in which we believe gives us joy.
JESUS IS THE HIDDEN TREASURE and the precious pearl: whoever, sooner or later, finds it, be it that he is not seeking it like the peasant, or be it that he is seeking it like the merchant. But when he finds it, it is important to sell, to detach oneself from the rest, so that Jesus becomes the center, the “all” of ones life. The joy to have met Him is the force in order to decide to arrive to Him.
Love leads us to decide: it takes away that which does not count for love of that which counts. We know well that the pearls of great value are found in the depths. Let us live, guided by this word, our life deeply. Not to just “survive”, but to “LIVE INTERIORLY”, as Pope John Paul II used to say to the youth.
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
“GRANDMA… I HAVE TWO OF THEM!”
During a week of community and missionary animation, in a small region of Lazio, Italy, one of our missionary priests was received with joy in a parish auditorium. And there he shared his experiences and the reality of so many poor brothers, while everyone listened with great interest.
Among the people present was a little three-year-old girl who was listening in silence and seemed to be attentive to every word. At a certain point Father Robert saw that the girl drew near to her grandmother and whispered something in her ear. The grandmother smiled and was moved.
At the end of the meeting both the grandmother and the granddaughter went up to the missionary and the grandmother told what happened a few moments ago: “Do you know father, my granddaughter listened to what you said to us about the poor, about their suffering and about how they need also the simple and normal things. And so she too wants to do something for them. When she drew near to me, she said to me: “Grandma, let us give to Father Robert my jacket for the poor children. I have two of them”!”
In the simple hearts of the little ones, love “runs” swiftly to the essential; calculations are done quickly and sharing what one has with others becomes quickly a reality!
(From “Missionary Community of Villaregia”)
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1981/198107.htm)
Having found the pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Jesus wants to make us understand the value of the Kingdom of God which is actually the value of Jesus Himself. Before the Kingdom, we are called to decide for ourselves for that which counts.
Above all there is highlighted here that the Kingdom is a reality of great value and of rare beauty. Jesus tells us that it is not enough to seek and find; IT IS NECESSARY TO DECIDE. And the motive for the decision is the “joy”, the passion for the treasure. Love for Jesus makes all the rest relative, and free to walk toward happiness. The God in which we believe gives us joy.
JESUS IS THE HIDDEN TREASURE and the precious pearl: whoever, sooner or later, finds it, be it that he is not seeking it like the peasant, or be it that he is seeking it like the merchant. But when he finds it, it is important to sell, to detach oneself from the rest, so that Jesus becomes the center, the “all” of ones life. The joy to have met Him is the force in order to decide to arrive to Him.
Love leads us to decide: it takes away that which does not count for love of that which counts. We know well that the pearls of great value are found in the depths. Let us live, guided by this word, our life deeply. Not to just “survive”, but to “LIVE INTERIORLY”, as Pope John Paul II used to say to the youth.
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
“GRANDMA… I HAVE TWO OF THEM!”
During a week of community and missionary animation, in a small region of Lazio, Italy, one of our missionary priests was received with joy in a parish auditorium. And there he shared his experiences and the reality of so many poor brothers, while everyone listened with great interest.
Among the people present was a little three-year-old girl who was listening in silence and seemed to be attentive to every word. At a certain point Father Robert saw that the girl drew near to her grandmother and whispered something in her ear. The grandmother smiled and was moved.
At the end of the meeting both the grandmother and the granddaughter went up to the missionary and the grandmother told what happened a few moments ago: “Do you know father, my granddaughter listened to what you said to us about the poor, about their suffering and about how they need also the simple and normal things. And so she too wants to do something for them. When she drew near to me, she said to me: “Grandma, let us give to Father Robert my jacket for the poor children. I have two of them”!”
In the simple hearts of the little ones, love “runs” swiftly to the essential; calculations are done quickly and sharing what one has with others becomes quickly a reality!
(From “Missionary Community of Villaregia”)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Matthew 10:39
“He who loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 10:39).
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9906.htm)
Here Jesus set Himself and the relationship with Him as the reference and the absolute criteria for the important choices of life. In order to truly “be” and to be able to bring forth fruits, it is necessary to be united to Him; in another occasion he said: “Apart from me you can do nothing” ((Jn 15:5). These are words to be taken literally, as when He says: “He who does not gather with me scatters” (Mt 12:30; Lk 11:23). To be with Him and to put Him always in the first place is as necessary as the air we breath; otherwise it would be only a colorless image, a metaphor our being children of God, instead of truly being children of God (Jn 3:1).
Just as for Jesus even His smallest gesture which expressed
As for Jesus even the smallest gesture which expressed His person was “divine”, so too for us to give even a glass of fresh water to the least of our brothers, has an eternal impact. The quality of water depends on the source, and in us the source is divine!
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
In Brancaccio, a zone of Palermo, Italy, forgotten by men, but not forgotten by the Mafia which considers it their “natural” territory, Father Joseph Puglisi (1938-1994) was killed on the day of his 56th birthday. Not a “priest-against”, but a “normal” priest, who had taken seriously the Gospel of the least, of the disinherited, and who died for this. As a young priest he had done his apprenticeship in a church on the periphery of Palermo at Godrano, a small zone in the mountains inhabited by peasants, by workers and by students to whom he brought his passion for the truth and freedom, seeds of hope which he spread without sparing himself, animating meetings, debates, moments of study and of prayer. And the Gospel, the joyful message above all for those who do not have reasonable human motives to be happy. And the Gospel in its “normality” that becomes radical and martyrdom, when the context in which it works and speaks is too far away from the designs of God.
At the senior high school Vittorio Emanuele of Palermo, in the Diocesan Vocational center, the youth are his privileged listeners: he educates them, he “leads” them into the message and into the plan of God, animates other vocations and deepens his own, which coincides always more with the awakening of consciences. The “church” of Father Pugliesi was among the people, among the youth, the senior citizens, the disinherited. The “strong arm” of the “troublesome” priest had as an enemy, silent and omnipresent, the Mafia power, which promises protection in exchange for silence. Father Puglisi persisted in rendering witness to the Gospel, not only with denouncements from the pulpit, but with action among “his” people, to which he taught the value of the human person, of their dignity, and of their freedom.
(http://www.domusviridis.org.uk/wol/1999/wol9906.htm)
Here Jesus set Himself and the relationship with Him as the reference and the absolute criteria for the important choices of life. In order to truly “be” and to be able to bring forth fruits, it is necessary to be united to Him; in another occasion he said: “Apart from me you can do nothing” ((Jn 15:5). These are words to be taken literally, as when He says: “He who does not gather with me scatters” (Mt 12:30; Lk 11:23). To be with Him and to put Him always in the first place is as necessary as the air we breath; otherwise it would be only a colorless image, a metaphor our being children of God, instead of truly being children of God (Jn 3:1).
Just as for Jesus even His smallest gesture which expressed
As for Jesus even the smallest gesture which expressed His person was “divine”, so too for us to give even a glass of fresh water to the least of our brothers, has an eternal impact. The quality of water depends on the source, and in us the source is divine!
- - - - - - -
An Experience of Life:
In Brancaccio, a zone of Palermo, Italy, forgotten by men, but not forgotten by the Mafia which considers it their “natural” territory, Father Joseph Puglisi (1938-1994) was killed on the day of his 56th birthday. Not a “priest-against”, but a “normal” priest, who had taken seriously the Gospel of the least, of the disinherited, and who died for this. As a young priest he had done his apprenticeship in a church on the periphery of Palermo at Godrano, a small zone in the mountains inhabited by peasants, by workers and by students to whom he brought his passion for the truth and freedom, seeds of hope which he spread without sparing himself, animating meetings, debates, moments of study and of prayer. And the Gospel, the joyful message above all for those who do not have reasonable human motives to be happy. And the Gospel in its “normality” that becomes radical and martyrdom, when the context in which it works and speaks is too far away from the designs of God.
At the senior high school Vittorio Emanuele of Palermo, in the Diocesan Vocational center, the youth are his privileged listeners: he educates them, he “leads” them into the message and into the plan of God, animates other vocations and deepens his own, which coincides always more with the awakening of consciences. The “church” of Father Pugliesi was among the people, among the youth, the senior citizens, the disinherited. The “strong arm” of the “troublesome” priest had as an enemy, silent and omnipresent, the Mafia power, which promises protection in exchange for silence. Father Puglisi persisted in rendering witness to the Gospel, not only with denouncements from the pulpit, but with action among “his” people, to which he taught the value of the human person, of their dignity, and of their freedom.
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