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

The universal church celebrates this Sunday as a migrant's Sunday, and Holy Father tells us, 'It's not just about migrants: it's about our humanity.' God created the world and found it good. This land where we are, is rich and belongs to all. God is not against the rich, but against those with rich means who live their lives totally disconnected from the reality of the humanity and also disconnected from God, the Creator. In the first reading we heard, "They do not worry about the disaster of Israel. "

This is why the prophets urged the people of Israel to care for the poor and weak in society as their own brothers and sisters. Pope Francis invites us to become good Samaritans, filled with compassion and love. Today we are these Samaritans, sent by the Lord, to this world wounded, torn and despised. Lord is inviting us to open the doors, so that our house becomes habitable to the needy and be a home to all .

The poor Lazarus are always in front of our door and they need us. For that, do not be satisfied with our charity, our words, our acts and our prayers. They need us, the person, a being beside him or her, as the Father's envoy. The instructions given by St. Paul to Timothy must be applied in force. "You, man of God, seek justice, piety, faith, charity, perseverance and gentleness. Lead the good fight, that of faith, take hold of eternal life! St. Ignatius Loyola tells us that every human struggle for a Christian is a spiritual struggle. It is God who desires to acts in us and we are called to answer him. With Timothy, St. Paul invites us to preserve intact and uncompromising the doctrine of the Church (faith) and the Spirit of the Lord that we received at our baptism.

This parable of poor Lazarus asks us to make an evaluation of the Christian life. How do we live our faith and how do we respond to the divine call? Why do we come to church every Sunday? What meaning do we give to our spiritual life, especially prayer? We are this rich man who have many good things, talents, gifts, which we keep for ourselves.

This rich man who did not recognize Lazarus on the earth who was in front of his door until death, has recognized his presence after his death, even if he is very far from him. This parable ends, however, with much hope, My son, ...... they have Moses and the prophets; that they listen to them! This is the lesson received from the gospel of the day: If we listen to the Word of God that is filled with love and mercy and if we put this commandment of love into practice, we will be saved.

Let’s be clear when we speak of wealth, is not that the material wealth that is at stake in this parable, or an act of the day, but any kind of wealth of life including love which is not shared, and the entire life of us is counted in this richness. Many of us are not aware that we are rich.

Through your Eucharist, Lord, come transform us so that each of us sees you in his brother whoever they are. You send us back to Moses and the prophets; you challenge us by your Gospel but also by the voice of one who cries out his distress. Open our eyes and our hearts, free us from our selfishness because it is in sharing that we can be faithful to your word. Amen.

Gospel text

(Lk 9,43b-45): 

While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, He said to his disciples, «Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands». But the disciples didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what He meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

«The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands»

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench
(Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, that the Creator of all Life announces his own delivery into the hands of those whom He has come to save in exchange of his own life, is quite a provocation. It can be said that it was not necessary, that it was an exaggeration. But we keep on forgetting the heavy load overwhelming Christ's heart, our sin, the most radical evil, cause and effect of our placing ourselves in the place of God. Even more so, of our not letting God love us, while insisting on remaining within the limits of our own shortcomings and most immediate present life. It is so important for us to assume we are sinners as it is for us to recognize that God loves us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. For, after all, we are like his disciples, «But they didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what He meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it» (Lk 9:45).

To put it in images: in Heaven we shall find all sins and all vices, except arrogance, as arrogants never admit their own sins and do not let God forgive them, a God that loves us so much to the point of dying for us. And, in Hell, we shall be able to find all virtues, except humility, as the humble one knows himself quite well and fully realizes that without God's grace, he cannot stop offending him nor can he reciprocate God's Goodness.

One of the keys of Christian wisdom is the acknowledgment of the greatness and immensity of God's Love, while we also acknowledge our smallness and the vileness of our sin. How slow we can be to grasp it! When the day will come we shall discover we have at our disposal God's Love, and we shall say along with St. Augustine, with tears of Love: «It took me so long to love you, O God!». And that day can be today. It can be today. It certainly can.

Gospel text

(Lk 9,43b-45): 

While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, He said to his disciples, «Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands». But the disciples didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what He meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

«The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands»

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench
(Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, that the Creator of all Life announces his own delivery into the hands of those whom He has come to save in exchange of his own life, is quite a provocation. It can be said that it was not necessary, that it was an exaggeration. But we keep on forgetting the heavy load overwhelming Christ's heart, our sin, the most radical evil, cause and effect of our placing ourselves in the place of God. Even more so, of our not letting God love us, while insisting on remaining within the limits of our own shortcomings and most immediate present life. It is so important for us to assume we are sinners as it is for us to recognize that God loves us in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. For, after all, we are like his disciples, «But they didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what He meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it» (Lk 9:45).

To put it in images: in Heaven we shall find all sins and all vices, except arrogance, as arrogants never admit their own sins and do not let God forgive them, a God that loves us so much to the point of dying for us. And, in Hell, we shall be able to find all virtues, except humility, as the humble one knows himself quite well and fully realizes that without God's grace, he cannot stop offending him nor can he reciprocate God's Goodness.

One of the keys of Christian wisdom is the acknowledgment of the greatness and immensity of God's Love, while we also acknowledge our smallness and the vileness of our sin. How slow we can be to grasp it! When the day will come we shall discover we have at our disposal God's Love, and we shall say along with St. Augustine, with tears of Love: «It took me so long to love you, O God!». And that day can be today. It can be today. It certainly can.

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 9,43b-45): 

Tandis que chacun était dans l'admiration de tout ce que faisait Jésus, il dit à ses disciples: «Pour vous, écoutez bien ceci: Le Fils de l'homme doit être livré entre les mains des hommes». Mais les disciples ne comprenaient pas cette parole; elle était voilée pour eux, afin qu'ils n'en eussent pas le sens; et ils craignaient de l'interroger à ce sujet.

«Le Fils de l'homme doit être livré entre les mains des hommes»

Abbé Antoni CAROL i Hostench
(Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, après plus de deux mille ans, l'annonce de la passion de Jésus continue de nous provoquer. Que l'Auteur de la Vie annonce qu'Il sera livré entre les mains de ceux-là même pour qui Il est venu tout donner, voilà qui est clairement provocateur. L'on pourrait dire: ce n'était pas nécessaire, c'était exagéré. Nous négligeons toujours le poids qui accable le cœur du Christ, notre péché, le plus radical des maux, la cause et l'effet de ce que nous nous mettons à la place de Dieu. Plus encore, de ce que nous ne nous laissons pas aimer par Dieu et nous efforçons de demeurer dans nos courtes vues et l'immédiateté de notre présent. Il nous est aussi nécessaire de nous reconnaître pécheurs que d'admettre que Dieu nous aime dans son Fils Jésus-Christ. En fin de compte, nous sommes comme les disciples, qui «ne comprenaient pas cette parole; elle était voilée pour eux, afin qu'ils n'en eussent pas le sens; et ils craignaient de l'interroger à ce sujet» (Lc 9,45).

Disons-le avec une image: au Ciel, nous pourrons trouver tous les vices et tous les péchés sauf l'orgueil, car l'orgueilleux ne reconnaît jamais ses fautes et ne se laisse pas pardonner par un Dieu qui aime au point de mourir pour nous. Dans l'enfer, nous pourrons trouver toutes les vertus, moins l'humilité, car la personne humble se connaît vraiment et sait très bien que, sans la grâce de Dieu, elle ne peut pas ne pas L'offenser, ni correspondre à sa Bonté.

L'une des clés de la sagesse chrétienne est de reconnaître la grandeur et l'immensité de l'Amour de Dieu, tout en admettant notre petitesse et la vilénie de notre péché. Que nous sommes lents à comprendre! Le jour où nous découvrirons que l'Amour de Dieu nous était si proche, nous dirons comme saint Augustin, avec des larmes d’Amour: «Je t'ai aimé bien tard, mon Dieu!». Ce jour pourrait être aujourd'hui. Ce jour peut être aujourd'hui. Pourquoi pas?

Gospel text

(Lk 9,7-9): 

King Herod heard of all that Jesus was doing and did not know what to think, for people said, «This is John, raised from the dead». Others believed that Elijah or one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. As for Herod, he said, «I had John beheaded; who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?». And he was anxious to see him.

The Application

Many of us have the same desire of Herod (to see Jesus), and some of us have the same behaviour of him: using the authority to save oneself and less concrete engagement to achieve high value system in us.

Luke suggests that a good knowledge and deep desire are not sufficient to have a divine encounter. We can’t remain at our secured place like Herod and still search for the Lord. We should engage with all our energies and use all the resource possible to achieve this goal of life.

We need not run after people and things, people will find us, if we are close to God and sincere in our engagements. In life, it is quite possible that we may disappear from the society, just like John the Baptist, in an unjust way. However, our faithfulness to the Word of God, and our sincere engagement to accomplish the will of the Father, will assure us the deep joy and satisfaction, which are essential for our inner peace and a place in the Kingdom of God.

«And he was anxious to see him»

Fr. Jorge R. BURGOS Rivera SBD
(Cataño, Puerto Rico)

Today, the Gospel tells us how Herod was anxious to see Jesus (cf. Lk 9:9). Such urge to see Jesus was born out of curiosity. A lot was being said about Jesus because of the miracles which He was performing. Many spoke about Him. And Jesus’ behavior was bringing to the minds of a lot of people the names of several prophets: Elijah, John the Baptist etc. But, being just a matter of curiosity, Herod's whims do not transcend. To the extent that when Herod meets Jesus he treats Him contemptuously and mocks Him (cf. Lk 23:8-11). Herod's caprice to meet Jesus vanishes when facing Him at last for Jesus refuses to answer his many questions. The Silence of Jesus denounces Herod as corrupt and depraved.

Sometimes, as in the case of Herod, we may have felt like “seeing” Jesus, too. But Jesus in flesh and bones, as in Herod's time, is no longer available to us; although there are other ways for us to meet Jesus. Let me draw your attention to just two of them.

In the first place, the Church's tradition has made Thursday an excellent day to “see” Jesus in the Eucharist. There are many places where, on a Thursday like today, Jesus-Eucharist is exposed. «Eucharistic adoration means entering the depths of our hearts in communion with the Lord, who makes himself bodily present in the Eucharist. In the Sacred Monstrance, he always entrusts himself to us and asks us to be united with his Presence, with his risen Body» (Benedict XVI). —Come over, so you may be bedazzled by His presence.

In the second place we may refer to a popular song that goes: «He is with us and we do not know him». For Jesus dwells in many of our brothers and sisters who are outcast of society, who suffer and have nobody “who wants to meet them”. In his Encyclical God is Love, Benedict XVI says: «Love of neighbor, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful, but it is also a responsibility for the entire ecclesial community at every level». Hence, as Jesus is waiting for you, in both cases He will welcome you with open arms. So do come over!

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 9,7-9): 

Hérode le tétrarque entendit parler de tout ce qui se passait, et il ne savait que penser. Car les uns disaient que Jean était ressuscité des morts; d'autres, qu'Élie était apparu; et d'autres, qu'un des anciens prophètes était ressuscité. Mais Hérode disait: «J'ai fait décapiter Jean; qui donc est celui-ci, dont j'entends dire de telles choses?». Et il cherchait à le voir.

L’Application

Entendre et comprendre, penser et avoir un grand désire ne nous suffit pas. Il faut s’engager et savoir sortir de nos lieux de sécurité vers la direction que le Seigneur nous propose. Le comportement médiocre n’a aucune place  dans la vie chrétienne.

Un homme d’autorité doive s’engager avec le pouvoir reçu ou hérité, non pas à se protéger, mais pour sauver la vie des innocents. Malheureusement Hérode se trompait terriblement. Même aujourd’hui Il a pu s’engager, alors il a cherché le Seigneur en restant  à l’intérieur.

«Et il cherchait à le voir»

Abbé Jorge R. BURGOS Rivera SBD
(Cataño, Porto Rico)

Aujourd'hui, le texte de l'Évangile nous raconte qu'Hérode voulait rencontrer Jésus (cf. Lc 9,9). Son désir de voir Jésus est inspiré par la curiosité. On parlait beaucoup de Jésus à cause des miracles qu'Il effectuait sur son passage. Beaucoup de personnes parlaient de Lui. La façon de se comporter de Jésus rappelait au peuple la façon de se comporter des prophètes: Elie, Jean le Baptiste, etc. Mais en étant simple curiosité, ce désir ne transcende pas. A un tel point que lorsque Hérode le rencontre Il ne l'impressionne pas (cf. Lc 23,8-11). Son désir s'évanouit quand il se trouve face à face avec Lui, car Jésus refuse de répondre à ses questions. Le silence de Jésus confirme Hérode comme corrompu et dépravé.

Comme Hérode, nous avons sûrement senti, à un moment donné, le désir de voir Jésus. Mais nous ne comptons plus sur Jésus en chair et en os comme Hérode, et pourtant nous comptons sur la présence de Jésus de plusieurs façons. Je veux vous parler de deux d'entre elles.

En premier lieu la tradition de l'Église a fait que le jeudi soit un jour par excellence pour voir Jésus dans l'Eucharistie. Beaucoup d'endroits exposent Jésus-Eucharistie. «L'adoration eucharistique est une manière essentielle d'être avec le Seigneur. Dans l'ostensoir est présent le vrai trésor, et Il nous attend toujours: Il n'est pas là pour Lui mais pour nous» (Benoît XVI). —Approche-toi de Lui afin que tu sois ébloui par sa présence.

En second lieu nous pouvons faire référence à la chanson populaire qui dit «Il est avec nous et nous ne le connaissons pas». Jésus est présent dans tant et tant de nos frères qui se trouvent marginalisés, qui souffrent et qui n'ont personne qui veuille d'eux. Dans son encyclique Dieu est amour, le pape Benoît XVI nous dit: «L'amour du prochain ancré dans l'amour de Dieu est avant tout une tâche pour chacun des fidèles, mais elle en est une également pour toute la communauté ecclésiastique». Ainsi donc, Jésus t'attend, avec ses bras grands ouverts dans les deux cas. Approche-toi!

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 9,1-6): 

Jésus, ayant assemblé les douze, leur donna force et pouvoir sur tous les démons, avec la puissance de guérir les maladies. Il les envoya prêcher le royaume de Dieu, et guérir les malades. «Ne prenez rien pour le voyage, leur dit-il, ni bâton, ni sac, ni pain, ni argent, et n'ayez pas deux tuniques. Dans quelque maison que vous entriez, restez-y; et c'est de là que vous partirez. Et, si les gens ne vous reçoivent pas, sortez de cette ville, et secouez la poussière de vos pieds, en témoignage contre eux». Ils partirent, et ils allèrent de village en village, annonçant la bonne nouvelle et opérant partout des guérisons.

L’Application

Tout rassemblement autour du Seigneur est un moment de grâce, une grâce pour accomplir une mission, une mission reçue du Père. Avant que nous soyons d’être envoyés par le Seigneur, Il nous choisit, bénie et consacre, pour que nous puissions continuer l’œuvre du Père, d’une manière digne et correct.

Pour cela, il faut l’écouter. Il nous dit que nous ne devons pas nous inquiet, ni sur l’argent, ni sur la sécurité, car le Seigneur et sa grâce nous suffit. Il nous a déjà avertis que le peuple peut nous rejeter, et que nous nous n’arrêtions pas les œuvres du Seigneur à cause de ce monde.

Si nous regardons bien la manière dont les disciples du Seigneur ont annoncé la Bonne Nouvelle, nous découvrirons très vite que par leur vie de témoignage, par les bonnes actions, par un comportement plein de compassion et d’amour, particulièrement avec une fidélité radicale qu’ils l’ont annoncé.

«Jésus, ayant assemblé les douze, leur donna force et pouvoir sur tous les démons, avec la puissance de guérir les maladies»

Abbé Jordi CASTELLET i Sala
(Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà, Barcelona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, nous vivons dans une époque où de nouvelles maladies mentales atteignent une portée insoupçonnée, comme jamais on ne l'avait vu dans le cours de l'histoire. Le rythme de vie actuel qui augmente le niveau de stress, la course pour acheter et faire croire qu'on possède plus que ce que possède le voisin, le tout arrosé d'une forte dose d'individualisme, construit une personne isolée du reste des mortels. Cette solitude à laquelle nous sommes obligés, par convenances sociales, par la pression au travail, par certaines conventions qui rendent esclaves, font que plusieurs tombent dans la dépression, la névrose, l'hystérie, la schizophrénie ou autres déséquilibres qui marquent profondément le futur de ces personnes.

«Jésus, ayant assemblé les douze, leur donna force et pouvoir sur tous les démons, avec la puissance de guérir les maladies» (Lc 9,1). Ce sont ces maux, que nous pouvons identifier dans l'Évangile comme des maladies mentales.

La rencontre avec le Christ, une personne complète et réalisée, apporte un équilibre et une paix qui peut tranquilliser les esprits et permettre à la personne de se rencontrer de nouveau avec elle-même, lui apportant clarté et lumière dans sa vie, bien pour instruire et enseigner, éduquer les jeunes et les personnes âgées, et remettre les personnes sur le droit chemin de la vie.

Les Apôtres «allèrent de village en village, annonçant la bonne nouvelle» (Lc 9,6). C'est aussi notre mission: vivre et méditer l'Évangile, la parole de Jésus, afin de la laisser faire son œuvre en nous. Ainsi, peu à peu, nous pourrons retrouver le chemin à suivre et la liberté à réaliser. Comme l'a écrit Jean-Paul II, «la paix doit se réaliser à travers la vérité (…); elle doit se faire dans la liberté».

Que ce soit Jésus-Christ lui-même, qui nous appelle à la foi et au bonheur éternel, qui nous remplie de son espérance et de son amour, Celui qui nous a donné une vie nouvelle et un futur inépuisable.

Gospel text

(Lk 9,1-6): 

Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. And He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He instructed them, «Don't take anything for the journey, neither walking stick, nor bag, nor bread, nor silver coins; and don't even take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. And wherever they don't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them». So they set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

The Application

God never abandons us and He discretely follows us with compassion and patience, whatever may be the path that we have taken. The presence of Jesus on this earth confirms this divine accompaniment and how much God desires that the humanity discovers His presence and be healed of all infirmities. This healing is both physical and spiritual.

Jesus has given the power and the authority to do the same, just like Him, both in our personal life and social life. This authority is not to overpower or dominate others, rather to bring them closer to God. This divine power becomes very efficient, when we have the humility and express our complete detachment of everything and once we become fully dependant of God’s providence.

Just like our Master, we too risk of being rejected by the people, sometime by the whole society. Jesus is telling us, not to be discouraged, and keep doing the good work entrusted to us. If people are generous, be humble to accept them and bless them. It is very important that we never forget that we are divine delegates and should have in us, the divine qualities of patience, compassion and love.

Action of the day: Be courageous and compassionate  

«Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases»

Fr. Jordi CASTELLET i Sala
(Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we are given to live in times when new mental diseases are reaching unsuspected levels never ever known before. At present, our rhythm of life is impelling us towards a stressing race to consume and misrepresent more than our neighbor next door, the whole dragnet being seasoned with a strong dosage of individualism, that is customizing persons isolated from the rest of the world. This loneliness, that many of us are forced to put up with because of social conveniences, job pressure or enslaving practices, is responsible for quite a few of us buckling under depression, neurosis, hysterics, schizophrenia, or some other mental disorders, that may severely endanger a person's future.

«Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases» (Lk 9:1). Diseases we can identify in the same Gospel as mental diseases.

Meeting Christ, the perfect Person, brings about a state of equilibrium and peace that soothes our mood and allows us to rediscover ourselves while providing light and lucidity to our lives and to our approach to future. The Gospels are criteria to clarify any doubts; they are good to teach and mentor, to educate both young and older, and to lead persons through the path of life, that path that never has to shrivel.

«So they set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news» (Lk 9:6). This is our mission too: to live and ponder over the Gospel, the very word of Jesus, so that it can be imbued into us. Thus, by and by, we shall be able to find the path to follow and the freedom to accomplish. As John Paul II has written, «peace has to be accomplished through truth (...); it has to be built in freedom».

Let Jesus Christ —who called us to faith and eternal joy— overfills us with his hope and love, He who has given us a new life and an inexhaustible future.