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

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.

Gospel text

(Lk 8,19-21): 

The mother and relatives of Jesus came to him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. Someone told him, «Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and wish to meet you». Then Jesus answered, «My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it».

The Application

We are limited with visible and palpable elements. Today Jesus is inviting us to see beyond anything visible and palpable. The moment we are able to see what is invisible, we will understand the relationship that God desires to establish with us. Today Jesus is helping us to understand the best way to relate with the Father and how to be happy in our daily life.

This is not an artificial relationship, rather an affective and familial one. God wishes to relate with us, just like anyone of us, in our normal human relationship. Thus He doesn’t hesitate to associate us all to this spiritual family, where we are called to be members.

This membership is accorded, not by desire, rather the way we listen to the Word of God and our radical application of the love commandment in our daily life. Since the Word of God is filled with love, it is in this love we are called to practice what we have already heard in Jesus.

Action of the day: Listen and act

«My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it»

Fr. Xavier JAUSET i Clivillé
(Lleida, Spain)

Today, we can read a beautiful passage of the Gospel. Jesus is not showing any disrespect for his mother, inasmuch as She has been the first one to hear the Word of God, and He, who is the Word of God, was born from Her. At the same time She is who, most perfectly, has fulfilled God's will: «Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done onto me according to your word» (Lk 1:38), was Her answer to the Angel of the Annunciation.

Jesus tells us what we need to do to likewise pertain to his family: «those who hear...» (Lk 8:21) and to hear him we must get close to him, as his own relatives did, when they went where He was, but could not get to him because of the crowd. But, then, they tried to get closer. It might be convenient for us to ask ourselves if, to get closer to the Word of God, we do fight and try to overcome the obstacles we keep finding on the way. Do I devote, every day, a few minutes to reading, listening to or mulling over the Holy Scriptures? St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us «we must continuously meditate the Word of God (...); this meditation is a powerful help in our fight against sin».

And, finally, to abide by the Word. It is not enough to hear the Word; we must put it into action if we want to become God's relatives. We must put into practice what we are told! This is why it would perhaps be good to ask ourselves whether we only behave obediently when what we are asked just suits us well or is rather easy to do, or if, on the contrary, when it means giving up our comfort, our own prestige, our material things or whatever leisure time we may have at our disposal..., we use to place the Word between parenthesis, until some better time may come. Let us pray to the Virgin Mary that, as She did once, we may hear and abide by the Word of God, so that we shall, thus, be able to follow the path leading to eternal happiness.

Texte de l'Évangile

(Lc 8,19-21): 

La mère et les frères de Jésus vinrent le trouver; mais ils ne purent l'aborder, à cause de la foule. On lui dit: «Ta mère et tes frères sont dehors, et ils désirent te voir». Mais il répondit: «Ma mère et mes frères, ce sont ceux qui écoutent la parole de Dieu, et qui la mettent en pratique».

L’Application

Nous sommes les pèlerins vers notre maison préparée par le Seigneur. C’est exactement notre désir et aussi notre finalité. Si nous prenons conscience de cette vérité, nous fixerons notre regard vers le ciel, nous élargirons notre famille sur la terre, et nous nous associerons notre famille avec celle du Seigneur.

Là nous comprendrons le véritable Temple, le Christ, où nous pouvons bien adorer Dieu.  C’est dans cette adoration, nous contemplons la Parole de Dieu, une Parole nous donne la vie et la vie qui se donne en vie. Cette vie est possible dans l’écoute de la Parole de Dieu et la manière dont nous l’appliquons dans notre vie quotidienne. C’est dans cette pratique de l’application de la Parole de Dieu qu’un chrétien retrouvera le véritable bonheur.

«Ma mère et mes frères, ce sont ceux qui écoutent la parole de Dieu, et qui la mettent en pratique»

Abbé Xavier JAUSET i Clivillé
(Lleida, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, nous lisons un beau passage des Évangiles. Jésus n'offense en rien sa Mère, car Elle est la première à écouter la Parole de Dieu et d'Elle naquît Celui-là même qui est la Parole. C'est Elle aussi qui a le plus parfaitement accompli la volonté de Dieu: «Voici la servante du Seigneur, qu'il me soit fait selon ta parole» (Lc 1,38), répond-Elle à l'ange lors de l'Annonciation.

Jésus nous dit ce qu'il nous faut pour être, nous aussi, membres de sa famille: «ce sont ceux qui écoutent…» (Lc 8,21) et pour écouter il faut nous approcher comme ces mêmes membres, qui parvinrent jusqu'où il se trouvait; mais ils ne purent s'approcher de Lui à cause de la foule. Il conviendrait que nous nous demandions si nous luttons et nous efforçons de vaincre les obstacles que nous rencontrons au moment de nous approcher de la Parole de Dieu. Est-ce que je dédie chaque jour quelques minutes à lire, écouter et méditer la Sainte Écriture? Saint Thomas d'Aquin nous rappelle que «nous devons méditer continuellement la Parole de Dieu (…); cette méditation aide puissamment dans la lutte contre le péché».

Et, finalement, accomplir la Parole, il ne suffit pas de l'écouter; il faut l'accomplir si nous voulons être membres de la famille de Dieu. Nous devons mettre en pratique ce qu'on nous dit! C'est pourquoi il est bon que nous nous demandions si nous obéissons seulement quand ce qu'on nous demande nous plaît ou est relativement facile, et si, au contraire, quand il faut renoncer à notre confort, à notre réputation, aux biens matériels ou à nos moments de repos…, nous mettons la Parole entre parenthèses jusqu'à ce que viennent des temps meilleurs. Demandons à la Vierge Marie d'écouter et d'accomplir comme Elle la Parole de Dieu, afin d'avancer sur le chemin qui conduit à la félicité perdurable.

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).

Gospel text

(Lk 8,16-18): 

Jesus said to his disciples, «No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light. In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them».

The Application

Jesus sees in each and every one of us the light of the world and He desires that we burn the whole world with this fire of love, so that the ignorance and darkness be removed, and the whole world be illumined by His grace abundantly.

The problem is that we don’t believe that we carry in us the Light, Jesus and we wish to be Peter and Paul, like great lamps than to be little candle in the darkness. Jesus knows that even in this little candle, we can light up the world. He is reminding us that we may not be discouraged of our smallness, rather put all the confidence in His goodness.

In reality, the light and the lamp-stand are we ourselves. The more we realise that Jesus lives in us, the more we will be able to put this lamp of faith in evidence. By consequence, the better will be the world around us, because they will see the light (Jesus) in us, and this Light will help them to avoid darkness, and they will walk in the light.

The faith that we have may not be a great or bright one. However, the more we put this faith in front, the better will be our own faith. If we refuse to put this faith in evidence, then, the same that we believe to have, may be dying miserably in us, without we be aware of its death.

Action of the day: put the light you have at the service of the world.  

«He puts it on a lamp-stand so that people coming in may see the light»

+ Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol
(Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces keep in line, if we are faithful to one we receive one blessing after another: «Gratia pro Gratia» (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the “light” of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: «Throw some light on, not smoke». St. Matthew tells us: «(...) and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven» (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who cashes up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it up with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope with illusion, to start, tomorrow, a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to give more light while diminishing the smoke of my love's fire.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. «O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost» (St. Anselm).