L'Evangile dans ma vie/ The Gospel in my life

Gospel text

(Jn 15,9-17): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love. You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

»I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this, to give one's life for one's friends; and you are my friends if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father.

»You did not choose me; it was I who chose you and sent you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command, that you love one another».

The Application

Being the disciple of the Lord is synonym with being happy at all moments of life. The Lord wishes not only that His joy remains in us, but also that it may be in us, in its fulness. It is towards this fulness that Jesus invites us to give fruit. This invitation is not to be as his servants, rather as his friends. This friendship is better lived and expressed in our faithfulness.  

In our faithfulness to the commandment of love that we become his friends in truth and by this elevation we can acquire this joy in fulness. We are all thus, the messengers of this joy, peace and reconciliation that Jesus wishes to establish in this world. Just like Mathias, let us also learn to respond positively to this divine call.

Action of the day: Act as a Friend of Jesus.

«I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete»

+ Fr. Josep VALL i Mundó

(Barcelona, Spain)

Today, the Church remembers the day when the Apostles chose the disciple of Jesus who was to replace Judas Iscariot. In one of his homilies St. John Crisostom quite rightly says: «When we are to opt for persons who must have a certain responsibility we may have to face certain rivalries or discussions». This is why St. Peter «simply ignores the envy that it might have arisen», and leaves it up to chance and divine inspiration, thus, avoiding such possibility. And this Father of the Church goes on saying: «And it just so happens that quite often important decisions may be very upsetting».

In today's Gospel, our Lord speaks to the Apostles of the joy they should have: that «my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete» (Jn 15:11). And, sure enough, a Christian, like Matthias, will happily live with a quiet joy if he assumes the various events of life from the grace of divine filiation; otherwise, he is bound to be carried away by false annoyances, foolish jealousies or some kind of prejudice or other. Joy and peace are always fruit of the exuberance of our apostolic commitment and of our struggle to become saints. It is the logic and supernatural outcome of love for God and of a spirit of service towards our fellowmen.

Romano Guardini wrote: «The source of joy is to be found in a person's deeper intimacy (...). It is there where God resides. Then, joy widens and makes us glitter. And all that is beautiful can be perceived by us in all its brilliance». When we feel unhappy we must know how to pray along with St. Thomas More: «Lord, give me a sense of humor and I will find happiness in life and profit for others». And, let us not forget St. Teresa of Avila also begged: «O Lord, save me from these sullen-faced saints, for a sad saint is a sorry saint».

GOSPEL READING: 

John 16:16-20

16 "A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me." 17 Some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, `A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, `because I go to the Father'?" 18 They said, "What does he mean by `a little while'? We do not know what he means." 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him; so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, `A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

The Application

The divine mysteries are always complicated to the human being, even if they are simple and holy. The joy and the sorrow are always together, paradoxically imposing their presence in our lives. Jesus’ leaving from this earth though painful to the disciples, in future they will understand the importance of the Holy Spirit.

How to understand these mysteries which are very much part of our life, carry in it, their own finality, that we are called to discern and choose? Once this discernment is done according to the divine will, filled with love and compassion, all our painful moments will be transformed later, in to joy and we ourselves will accept these painful moments as very useful and needful for today’s adventurous life. Shall we allow the holy spirit to accompany us in these difficult moment of life?

Gospel text

(Jn 16,12-15): 

Jesus said to his disciples; “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

The Application

We do not understand how God works in our lives. Jesus Himself tells us that we are not able to understand Him and with the support of the Holy Spirit, we can easily understand the truth of life, death and resurrection. This truth will confirm to us the divine accompaniment by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and the life-giving presence of Jesus in our person and the fulfilment of the divine will in our human actions.

Thus, in our human actions, Jesus will be glorified and in his glorification, God will be honoured. Therefore, the glory of man will be de facto the divine glory, for by letting the Holy Spirit lead us into freedom, and in this freedom God will act in and through us. How is it possible for man to act divinely in his humanity, without an impulse from the Holy Spirit? This is the truth, and this truth, once accepted and lived, will transform us and give us a new life, a life in God and through God.  

Action of the day : Have patience in life.

Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers:

The Spirit makes Christ known,

by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"He [the Holy Spirit] will make me clearly known by pouring love into the hearts of believers and making them spiritual and thus able to see that the Son whom they had known before only according to the flesh - and who they thought was only a man like themselves - was equal to the Father. Or at least, when his love filled them with boldness and cast out fear, they would proclaim Christ to men and women, and in this way they would spread Christ's fame throughout the whole world... For what they were going to do in the power of the Holy Spirit, this the Holy Spirit says he does himself." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 100.1)

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 16,12-15): 

«J'aurais encore beaucoup de choses à vous dire, mais pour l'instant vous n'avez pas la force de les porter. Quand il viendra, lui, l'Esprit de vérité, il vous guidera vers la vérité tout entière. En effet, ce qu'il dira ne viendra pas de lui-même: il redira tout ce qu'il aura entendu; et ce qui va venir, il vous le fera connaître. Il me glorifiera, car il reprendra ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître. Tout ce qui appartient au Père est à moi; voilà pourquoi je vous ai dit: Il reprend ce qui vient de moi pour vous le faire connaître».

L’Application

Nous ne comprenons pas comment Dieu agit dans nos vies. Jésus lui-même nous dit que nous ne sommes pas capables de le comprendre et avec le soutien de l'Esprit Saint, nous pouvons facilement comprendre la vérité de la vie, de la mort et de la résurrection. Cette vérité nous confirmera l'accompagnement divin par l'Esprit Saint dans notre vie quotidienne, la présence vivifiante de Jésus dans notre personne et l'accomplissement de la volonté divine dans nos actions humaines.

Ainsi, dans nos actions humaines, Jésus sera glorifié et dans sa glorification, Dieu sera honoré. La gloire de l'homme sera donc de facto la gloire divine, car en laissant l'Esprit Saint nous conduire à la liberté, et dans cette liberté, Dieu agira en nous et par nous. Comment est-il possible que l'homme agisse divinement dans son humanité, sans une impulsion de l'Esprit Saint ? Telle est la vérité, et cette vérité, une fois acceptée et vécue, nous transformera et nous donnera une vie nouvelle, une vie en Dieu et par Dieu.  

«J'aurais encore beaucoup de choses à vous dire»

Abbé Àlex SERRA

(Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, c'est un jour spécial : Imagine la journée classique où tu es avec ta famille ou tes amis, et tu as beaucoup de choses à leur raconter. Cela fait peut-être longtemps que tu ne les vois pas ou tu rentres d'un grand voyage ou, simplement, tu as eu une journée pleine d'expériences. Tu veux tout expliquer, mais tu n'as pas assez de temps. Et bien c'est ce qui est arrivé à Jésus. C'est pour cela qu'Il dit : "J'ai encore beaucoup de choses à vous dire" (Jn 16,12).

Imaginons Jésus avec ses meilleurs amis, les disciples, en train de leur dire que lorsqu'ils auront l'Esprit de vérité – c'est-à-dire son propre Esprit – ils prêcheront sans peur dans le monde entier, avec une envie spectaculaire, et qu'ils auront une vie fantastique avec Lui. Cela ne veut pas dire que n'où n'aurons pas de problèmes, mais que nous les affronterons d'une autre manière, car avec l'Esprit de Dieu tout est possible. L'Esprit renouvelle tout, il démasque nos craintes, il change notre vie, nous fait sortir de ce qui nous semble confus, nous aide à aimer ceux que l'on a du mal à aimer… et que chacun pense à ce dont il a besoin que le Seigneur change dans sa vie.

Tout ceci est ce qui transmet et annonce l'Esprit. Une vie nouvelle où nous affrontons avec l'Esprit du Seigneur le non-sens que nous pouvons vivre et, comme l'a dit le Pape François en l'an 2020, au cours de la Messe de Pentecôte marquée par le confinement à cause du Covid-19, une vie de don ! Voilà le fruit de l'Esprit : le don pour les autres, pour l'unité entre les disciples. Nous recevons l'Esprit, mais par pour nous, pour les autres, pour ceux qui sont à nos côtés, peu importe qui ils sont.

Pourvu qu'aujourd'hui nous soyons de fidèles disciples du Seigneur ou, plus exactement, qu'aujourd'hui nous soyons de vrais amis de celui qui nous donne la Vie et que nous nous demandions : si je suis le disciple du Seigneur, comment vais-je m'offrir aux autres ? Est-ce que je leur donne ma vie ?

Gospel text

(Jn 16,5-11): 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”

The Application

Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. Just like any sepration, He knows that it will be very difficult for them too. He makes them to understand the importance of this act, explaining the necessity to listen to His Father. The Father who has loved them and chosent hem, will never abondon them and certainly, they will be accompanied.

Jesus reveals to us yet another mystery of his presence in our daily lives. His physical absence is not necessarily his absence, for in his absence we are accompanied by the Holy Spirit and through him he is present. Each physical separation is an invitation to rebuild our relationship in another way, so that all that the physical presence has brought us is well digested and comes to us in another form. This newness makes us reborn, totally transformed by the Holy Spirit. In this way, Jesus invites us to empty ourselves of our physical, visible and palpable attachments, in order to attach ourselves to the invisible elements, those that make us live.

Action of the day : Seek  God’s will in every separation.

«It is better for you that I go»

Fr. Joseph A. PELLEGRINO

(Tarpon Springs, Florida, United States)

Today, we are presented with a deeper understanding of the reality of the Ascension of the Lord. In the reading from the Gospel of John on Easter Sunday, Mary of Magdala is told not to cling to the Lord because “I have not yet ascended to the Father” (Jn 20:17). In today's Gospel Jesus notes that the disciples are overcome: “because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go” (Jn 16:6-7). Jesus must ascend to the Father. Yet, He still remains with us.

How can he go, yet still remain? This mystery was explained by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI: «Given that God embraces and sustains the whole cosmos, the Lord's Ascension means that Christ has not gone far away from us, but now, thanks to the fact that He is with the Father, He is close to each one of us forever».

Our hope is in Jesus Christ; His conquest of death gave us the life that death can never destroy, His Life. His resurrection is the verification that the spiritual is real. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing can diminish our hope. The negatives of the world cannot destroy the positive of Jesus Christ.

The imperfect world we live in, a world where the innocent suffer, can point us to pessimism. But Jesus Christ has transformed us into eternal optimists.

The living presence of the Lord in our community, in our families, in those aspects of our society that can rightfully be called “Christian” have given us a reason for hope. The Living Presence of the Lord within each one of us has given us joy. No matter how great the barrage of negatives that the media delights in presenting, the positives of the world far outweigh the negatives, for Jesus Christ has risen.

He ascended, but He has not left us.

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 16,5-11): 

«Je m'en vais maintenant auprès de celui qui m'a envoyé, et aucun de vous ne me demande: ‘Où vas-tu?’. Mais, parce que je vous ai parlé ainsi, votre coeur est plein de tristesse. Pourtant, je vous dis la vérité: c'est votre intérêt que je m'en aille, car, si je ne m'en vais pas, le Défenseur ne viendra pas à vous; mais si je pars, je vous l'enverrai. Quand il viendra, il dénoncera l'erreur du monde sur le péché, sur le bon droit, et sur la condamnation. Il montrera où est le péché, car l'on ne croit pas en moi. Il montrera où est le bon droit, car je m'en vais auprès du Père, et vous ne me verrez plus. Il montrera où est la condamnation, car le prince de ce monde est déjà condamné».

L’Application

Jésus nous révèle encore un autre mystère de sa présence dans notre vie quotidienne. Son absence physique n'est pas nécessairement son absence, car dans son absence nous sommes accompagnés par l'Esprit Saint et par lui il est présent. Chaque séparation physique est une invitation à reconstruire notre relation d'une autre manière, afin que tout ce que la présence physique nous a apporté soit bien digéré et nous parvienne sous une autre forme. Cette nouveauté nous fait renaître, totalement transformés par l'Esprit Saint. Ainsi, Jésus nous invite à nous vider de nos attachements physiques, visibles et palpables, afin de nous attacher aux éléments invisibles, ceux qui nous font vivre.

«C'est votre intérêt que je m'en aille»*

Abbé Joseph A. PELLEGRINO

(Tarpon Springs, Florida, Etats-Unis)

Aujourd'hui, l'Évangile nous présente une conception profonde de la réalité de l'Ascension du Seigneur. Dans la lecture de l'Evangile de Jean du Dimanche de Pâques, Jésus dit à Marie Madeleine de “cesser s'accrocher à Lui” car «Je ne suis pas encore monté vers le Père» (Jn 20,17). Dans l'Évangile d'aujourd'hui Jésus se rend compte que «parce que je vous ai parlé ainsi, votre coeur est plein de tristesse» mais que «c'est dans votre intérêt que Je m'en aille» (Jn 16,6-7). Jésus doit monter vers le Père. Néanmoins, Il est toujours présent parmi nous.

Comment peut-il partir et rester en même temps? Ce mystère nous a été expliqué par notre saint Père Benoît XVI: «Etant donné que Dieu renferme l'univers tout entier, l'Ascension du Seigneur signifie que le Christ ne s'est pas éloigné de nous mais qu'au contraire, en demeurant avec le Père, Il est désormais à côté de chacun de nous pour toujours».

Notre espérance se trouve dans le Seigneur. Par sa victoire sur la mort Il nous a donné une vie que la mort ne pourra jamais détruire: Sa Vie. Sa résurrection veut dire que ce qui était spirituel devient réel. Rien ne peut nous séparer de l'amour de Dieu. Rien ne peut diminuer notre espérance. Les négations du monde ne peuvent rien contre les affirmations de Jésus.

Le monde imparfait dans lequel nous vivons, où nous voyons souffrir les innocents, pourrait nous rendre pessimistes. Mais Jésus nous a transformé en éternels optimistes.

La présence vivante de Jésus dans notre communauté, dans notre famille, et dans tous les aspects de notre société, que nous pouvons sans erreur appeler “chrétiens”, nous donne une raison d'avoir l'espérance. La présence vivante de Jésus dans chacun de nous, nous a rempli de joie. Peu importe la quantité de mauvaises nouvelles que les médias se réjouissent de nous présenter, les bonnes choses qu'il y a dans le monde surpassent les mauvaises parce que Jésus est monté vers le Père.

En effet, Il est monté au ciel, mais Il ne nous a pas abandonnés.

The feast of the Ascension is approaching, and today we hear a new commandment from Jesus. We are invited to join and associate this teaching, with the teaching of Jesus on Holy Thursday.  No one can forget it, for it was the source of their faith in the risen Jesus, a memory for eternity. He loved them so much, he wanted to love them to the end. In the Eucharist we see clearly the body given and the blood shed, an act of love, a love par excellence.

Today, the disciples will discover a newness  in the life of the Church, strangers will receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, the same grace received by the Apostles. In the Christian faith, there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. Why should there be no difference? It is God who acts in these events. "If Peter is in Cornelius' house today, it is not a human initiative. It is God who has done everything to bring Peter to this place and to discover a new stage of the Lord's Church.  Peter learned by his obedience to his Master.

It is Jesus who teaches us to love one another, as his Father loved him and as Jesus loved his Father. This loving relationship of a Father and a son will be a model for us all. The fidelity of this Son, even to the point of dying on the cross, will be an example for his disciples and will be for so many couples who give themselves generously in family life. What a joy to hear this "I love you and may my joy be complet in you" in all sincerity! 

How can we say it in all sincerity to someone who has hurt us and continues to do so? Or to someone who is against us or refuses us? It is possible, if we remain in Jesus and in his love.  As Jesus received this love from his Father in humility, we must receive this love from Jesus, in all sincerity, the love that Jesus expressed on the cross.  For you Lord, I would do it. It is not because the other person has deserved it, but the Lord who lives in him or her has deserved it. I can't refuse the Lord, His due love and compassion that He has generousely bestowed on me. For you, Lord, I will lay down my life.  I will remain faithful to this commandment of love.

The newness of this commandment of love is found in the way Jesus loved us.  I no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; I call you my friends. First of all, Jesus did not cling to his divinity when he established a relationship of friendship with his disciples.  He was a man par excellence, a man capable of revealing and forgiving everything, even on the cross. By looking at Jesus on the cross, the Lord's disciples were renewed and were able to forgive everything. In our relationships we must never forget the cross of Jesus.  I have chosen you and raised you up. In baptism we participate in this elevation from an ordinary man to a divine person, and we become the beloved of the Father.  He has made known to us his Father and his plan, the salvation of the world.  Since we have a God who dwells in us and who is a God of love, we are called by this dwelling of God to be the visible images of this love for our brothers and sisters. Let us be lovers of God and be friends of Jesus, Amen.

Gospel text

(Jn 15,26—16,4): 

Jesus said to his disciples, “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. “I have told you this so that you may not fall away. They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you."

The Application

We are called to be witnesses of God's love and through our joy in the gospel to let others discover in us the workings of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit we received at our baptism inspires us and accompanies us, without revealing his work to us. If we allow this Spirit to act freely in us, in this freedom, He will lead us to the truth and this truth, even if we are persecuted, will make us happy. There we will discover that suffering for the faith is not real suffering, but a great joy that God offers us.

Action of the day: Be aware that the Spirit is working in you.

Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers:

The Comforter is with us in our troubles, 

by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.

"He is called the Comforter because he comforts and encourages us and helps our infirmities. We do not know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), that is, he makes intercession to God. Very often, someone has been outraged and dishonored unjustly for the sake of Christ. Martyrdom is at hand; tortures on every side, and fire, and sword, and savage beasts and the pit. But the Holy Spirit softly whispers to him, 'Wait on the Lord' (Psalm 27:14). What is now happening to you is a small matter; the reward will be great. Suffer a little while, and you will be with angels forever. 'The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:18). He portrays to the person the kingdom of heaven. He gives him a glimpse of the paradise of delight." (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.20)

Texte de l'Évangile

(Jn 15,26—16,4): 

«Quand viendra le Défenseur, que je vous enverrai d'auprès du Père, lui, l'Esprit de vérité qui procède du Père, il rendra témoignage en ma faveur. Et vous aussi, vous rendrez témoignage, vous qui êtes avec moi depuis le commencement. Je vous dis tout cela pour que vous ne risquiez pas de tomber. On vous exclura de la synagogue. Et même, l'heure vient où tous ceux qui vous tueront s'imagineront offrir ainsi un sacrifice à Dieu. Ils le feront parce qu'ils ne connaissent ni le Père ni moi. Mais voici pourquoi je vous dis tout cela: quand cette heure sera venue, vous vous souviendrez que je vous l'avais dit. Je ne vous l'ai pas dit dès le commencement, parce que j'étais avec vous».

L’Application

Nous sommes appelés à être des témoins de l'amour de Dieu et, par notre joie de l'Évangile, à faire découvrir aux autres l'action de l'Esprit Saint. L'Esprit que nous avons reçu à notre baptême nous inspire et nous accompagne, sans nous révéler son action. Si nous laissons cet Esprit agir librement en nous, dans cette liberté, il nous conduira à la vérité et cette vérité, même si nous sommes persécutés, nous rendra heureux. Nous y découvrirons que la souffrance pour la foi n'est pas une vraie souffrance, mais une grande joie que Dieu nous offre.

«Vous aussi vous rendrez témoignage»

Abbé Higinio Rafael ROSOLEN IVE

(Cobourg, Ontario, Canada)

Aujourd'hui, dans l'Évangile Jésus annonce et promet la venue de l'Esprit Saint : "Quand viendra le Paraclite (…) qui provient du Père, Il rendra témoignage en ma faveur (Jn 15,26). "Paraclite" signifie littéralement "celui qui est appelé auprès de quelqu'un", et qu'on traduit habituellement par "Consolateur". De cette manière, Jésus nous rappelle la bonté de Dieu, car l'Esprit Saint étant l'amour de Dieu, Il inspire la paix dans nos cœurs, la sérénité dans l'adversité et la joie pour les choses de Dieu. Il nous fait regarder vers les choses du ciel et nous unir à Dieu.

De plus, Jésus dit aux Apôtres "Vous aussi vous rendrez témoignage" (Jn 15,27). Pour rendre témoignage il faut:

1° Etre en communion et proche de Jésus. Cela naît du contact quotidien avec Lui : lire l'Évangile, écouter ses paroles, connaître ses enseignements, pratiquer ses sacrements, être en communion avec l'Église, imiter son exemple, obéir aux commandements, le voir dans les saints, le reconnaître dans nos frères, avoir son esprit et l'aimer. Il s'agit d'avoir une expérience personnelle et vive avec Jésus.

2° Notre témoignage est crédible s'il se reflète dans nos œuvres. Un témoin n'est pas seulement celui qui sait que quelque chose est vrai, mais qui est aussi prêt à le dire et à le vivre. Ce que nous expérimentons et vivons dans notre âme, nous devons le transmettre à l'extérieur. Nous sommes des disciples de Jésus non seulement lorsque nous connaissons ses enseignements, mais – et surtout – quand nous voulons et faisons en sorte que les autres Le connaissent et L'aiment. Comme dit le dicton : "Les paroles émeuvent, les exemples rallient".

Le Pape François nous disait : Je suis reconnaissant pour le bel exemple que me donnent de nombreux chrétiens qui offrent leur vie et leur temps avec joie. Ce témoignage me fait beaucoup de bien et me soutient dans mon désir de surmonter l'égoïsme pour m'engager davantage". Et il ajoutait : "Je veux vous demander en particulier un témoignage de communion fraternelle qui devienne attractif et resplendissant". C'est toujours une lumière qui attire.

Gospel text

(Jn 15,18-21): 

Jesus said to his disciples; “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”

L’Application

I invite you to reread this Gospel in a different way. The point of interest in this gospel is not of persecution, rather the question of beloning. If we remain faithful to the Lord, he will protect us and accompany us. As we read in the first reading, we will no longer seek our own will, even in good deeds. Total dependence on God's will can help us to free ourselves from our carnal attachments.  

Jesus invites us to recognise this new identity that we have inherited from his death and resurrection and to live this life on earth in a way that is worthy of that divine identity. Even though we are still in the world, our home is being prepared in heaven, with the Lord.

Thus, for us Christians, death is not the end, but a new birth in God. That is why St Paul told us, if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. In death and in life, we belong to Christ.

Action of the day : Live your life, as if your are a divine being.

«They will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me»

Fr. Ferran JARABO i Carbonell

(Agullana, Girona, Spain)

Today, the Gospel opposes the world to Christ's followers. The world represents whatever sinful there may be in our existence. Consequently, one of the main characteristics of Christ's followers is fighting all evil and sin to be found in the world and inside every man. This is why Jesus is the light of men, the light that illuminates the world's darkness. Saint John Paul II exhorted us: “so that this light makes us strong and capable to accept and love the entire Truth of Christ, and love it even more when opposed by our world.”

Neither Christians nor the Church can follow the passing fads or criteria of this world. Christ's criterion is the unique, definitive and unavoidable one for us to follow. It is not up to Jesus to adapt himself to the world where we live; it is up to us instead to transform our lives after Jesus. “Christ is the same one whether yesterday, today or always.” This should make us wonder: when our secularized society demands from us and from the Church certain changes or licenses, we are simply being asked us to move away from God. However, we Christians should be faithful to Christ and to his message. Saint Ireneus says: “God does not need anything; but man needs to be in permanent communion with God. And man's glory lies in persevering and always keep in God's service.”

This fidelity may, quite often, mean persecution: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (Jn 15:20). We should not be afraid of persecution; we should rather be afraid of not attempting strongly enough to always make God's will. Let's be brave and let us proclaim without any fear Christ resurrected, light and joy of all Christians! Let us leave the Holy Spirit to transform us so that we can inform the whole world about it!