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

Gospel text

(Mt 9,9-13): 

As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and he said to him, «Follow me». And Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, «Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?». When Jesus heard this he said, «Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and find out what this means: ‘What I want is mercy, not sacrifice’. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners».

The application

We all wish to be happy. As Christian, our happiness depends upon our capacity to identify the will of God and the way we engage to accomplish this will in our daily life. The more we engage and accomplish, the more we will be able to cherish the eternal happiness.

Certainly, we will be asked to empty something which are blocking us to cherish this happiness. For Mathew, it was his power and possession which were a stumbling block for this happiness. The moment he realised his call and responded positively to this call, he has already entered into this eternal happiness.

Many of us find difficult to do away or to empty ourselves, because we don’t know the mission and we fill ourselves with many good things which doesn’t serve us. It is here Jesus comes to help us to identify this mission by calling each and every one of us to follow him. Without identifying this mission, it is very difficult to follow Jesus and all the more to empty something good and pleasing to us.

In spite our weakness and sinfulness, if we dare to follow Jesus, we will certainly find Him filled with mercy and compassion. It is in this divine mercy that we are called to participate and make others to participate in this divine love. Just like Abraham, we should remain watchful that we don’t fall back to the old way of living.

«Follow me»

+ Fr. Pere CAMPANYÀ i Ribó 
(Barcelona, Spain)

Today, the Gospel speaks to us of a vocation, that of Matthew the publican. Jesus is preparing a small group of disciples that would continue his work of Salvation. And He chooses whom He wants: whether fishermen or from humble professions. He even calls to follow him, a tax collector, a highly abhorred role by the Jews —who considered themselves as perfect Law-abiding citizens—, because they saw it as tantamount to having a sinful life, as they collected taxes in the name of the roman governor, whom they did not want to submit to.

It suffices with Jesus beckoning him to his service: «Follow me» (Mt 9:9). A single word by the Master, and Matthew leaves his profession and, happily, invites him to his home to celebrate with a joyous dinner. It was only natural that Matthew had a group of good friends, of the same “professional guild”, to join him at his table. But, according to the Pharisees, all that kind of people were confirmed sinners publicly recognized as such.

The Pharisees could not therefore silence it and they comment with some of Jesus' disciples: «Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?» (Mt 9:10). Jesus' answer is immediate: «Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do» (Mt 9:12). The comparison is perfect: «I did not come to call the righteous but sinners» (Mt 9:13).

These words of the Gospel are topical. Jesus keeps on inviting us to follow him, each one of us according to his condition and profession. And, more often than not, to follow Jesus means to leave behind some messy passions, or some poor family relationships, or just a waste of time, to allot some moments to prayer, to the Eucharist feast or to some missionary pastoral care. In other words «no Christian ought to think of him as his own master, for he is submitted to God's service» (St. Ignatius of Antioch).

Jesus is, indeed, asking me to change my life, so I wonder: which group do I belong to, to the perfect persons or to those who sincerely accept they can dramatically improve? For I can improve, can't I?

Texte de l'Évangile

(Mt 9,9-13): 

Jésus, sortant de Capharnaüm, vit un homme, du nom de Matthieu, assis à son bureau de publicain (collecteur d'impôts). Il lui dit: «Suis-moi». L'homme se leva et le suivit. Comme Jésus était à table à la maison, voici que beaucoup de publicains et de pécheurs vinrent prendre place avec lui et ses disciples. Voyant cela, les pharisiens disaient aux disciples: «Pourquoi votre maître mange-t-il avec les publicains et les pécheurs?». Jésus, qui avait entendu, déclara: «Ce ne sont pas les gens bien portants qui ont besoin du médecin, mais les malades. Allez apprendre ce que veut dire cette parole: C'est la miséricorde que je désire, et non les sacrifices. Car je suis venu appeler non pas les justes, mais les pécheurs».

L’application

Notre Seigneur n’est seulement le Seigneur des Seigneurs, mais aussi le Seigneur de miséricorde. Aujourd’hui Il nous invite à le suivre. Suivre le Seigneur, c’est d’être prêt de se libérer de tout ce qui nous enchaine. Autrement dire, accepter Jésus comme notre maître et modèle de vie.

Mathieu était capable de se libéré de son bureau, de sa richesse, de ses entourages, etc. Aujourd’hui le Seigneur ne nous demande pas tout cela, peut-être de notre incrédulité, de note égoïsme, d’individualise, etc. Comme Abraham, il faut veiller que nous n’y détournions pas.  

«Suis-moi»

+ Abbé Pere CAMPANYÀ i Ribó 
(Barcelona, Espagne)

Aujourd'hui, l'Évangile nous parle d'une vocation, celle du publicain Mathieu. Jésus prépare le petit groupe des disciples qui devront continuer sa mission de salut. Il prend ceux qu'Il veut: des pêcheurs ou des gens d'un métier humble. Ainsi Il appelle un publicain à le suivre, profession qui était mal vue par les juifs, qui se considéraient eux comme étant les parfaits témoins de la loi, et qui se disaient que cette profession se rapprochait un peu trop d'une vie de péché car ils percevaient les impôts au nom du gouverneur romain auquel ils ne voulaient pas se soumettre.

L'invitation de Jésus est suffisante: «Suis-moi» (Mt 9,9). Avec un seul mot du Maître, Mathieu abandonne sa profession et dans sa joie il l'invite chez lui pour un festin pour le remercier. Il va de soi que Mathieu avait de bons amis qui exerçaient le même métier que lui et qui étaient à ses cotés pour fêter cet événement. D'après les pharisiens, ils étaient tous des pécheurs reconnus par tout le monde comme tels.

Les pharisiens ne peuvent pas se taire et font des commentaires aux disciples: «Pourquoi votre maître mange-t-il avec les publicains et les pécheurs» (Mt 9,10). La réponse de Jésus ne se fait pas attendre: «Ce ne sont pas les gens bien portants qui ont besoin du médecin, mais les malades» (Mt 9,12). L'analogie est parfaite: «Je suis venu appeler non pas les justes, mais les pécheurs» (Mt 9,13).

Les paroles de cet Évangile sont toujours d'actualité. Jésus continue à nous inviter à le suivre, chacun selon sa condition et sa profession. Suivre Jésus, veut dire très souvent, abandonner nos passions désordonnées, nos mauvais comportements familiaux, le gaspillage du temps pour consacrer du temps à la prière, au banquet eucharistique, à l'évangélisation. Enfin, tout cela veut dire «qu'un chrétien n'est pas son propre maître, mais qu'il s'offre au service de Dieu» (Saint Ignace d'Antioche)

Certainement, Jésus me demande des changements dans ma vie, et je me demande à quel groupe de personnes j'appartiens, à ceux qui se sentent parfaits ou bien à ceux qui se reconnaissent sincèrement comme étant imparfaits? Je peux vraiment m'améliorer, n'est-ce pas?

Gospel text (Mt 9,1-8): 

Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and came to his hometown. Here they brought a paralyzed man to him, lying on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic, «Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven». Then some teachers of the Law said to themselves, «This man insults God». Jesus was aware of what they were thinking, and said, «Why have you such evil thoughts? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? You must know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins». He then said to the paralyzed man, «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home». The man got up, and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God for giving such power to human beings.

«Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home»

Fr. Francesc NICOLAU i Pous 
(Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we find one of the many evangelic manifestations evidencing the merciful goodness of the Lord. They all show many aspects, rich in details. Jesus' compassion, mercifully exerted, goes from resurrecting the dead or healing a leper to forgive a public woman sinner and going through the healing of many ailments and acceptance of repented sinners. The latter can also be found in parables, as the lost sheep, the lost drachma or the prodigal son.

Today's Gospel is another instance of the Saviour's mercy, in two different aspects at the same time: the illness of the body and the sickness of the soul. And, the soul being more important Jesus starts with it. He knows the sick man has repented of his faults, He sees his faith and that of those bringing him, and says: «Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven» (Mt 9:2).

Why does He start like this without his having been asked to do so? He is, of course, aware of what the paralytic is thinking and He knows this is what he will appreciate the most, for when facing the sanctity of Jesus, the paralytic might feel confused and ashamed of his own faults and scared that they may hamper his healing. So the Lord wants to calm him first. Jesus does not care whether some teachers of the law murmur in their hearts. Not only, but a part of his message is to prove He has come to show his mercy towards sinners, and He now proclaims it.

And so, it happens that, while those blinded by their pride, think of themselves as if they were the only just ones and cannot accept Jesus' claim, those that sincerely consider themselves as sinners, do take Him in. It is towards those God condescends to forgive them. As St. Augustine says: «Great misery is a proud man, but a humble God's mercy is even greater». And, in this case, the divine mercy goes even further: as an additional complement of his forgiveness He heals the paralytic too: «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home» (Mt 9:6). Jesus wants the sinner's joy to be complete.

We must reaffirm our confidence in him. But, we should remember we are also sinners, so let us not close ourselves to his Grace.

Gospel text (Mt 9,1-8): 

Jesus got back into the boat, crossed the lake again, and came to his hometown. Here they brought a paralyzed man to him, lying on a bed. Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralytic, «Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven». Then some teachers of the Law said to themselves, «This man insults God». Jesus was aware of what they were thinking, and said, «Why have you such evil thoughts? Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? You must know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins». He then said to the paralyzed man, «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home». The man got up, and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God for giving such power to human beings.

«Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home»

Fr. Francesc NICOLAU i Pous 
(Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we find one of the many evangelic manifestations evidencing the merciful goodness of the Lord. They all show many aspects, rich in details. Jesus' compassion, mercifully exerted, goes from resurrecting the dead or healing a leper to forgive a public woman sinner and going through the healing of many ailments and acceptance of repented sinners. The latter can also be found in parables, as the lost sheep, the lost drachma or the prodigal son.

Today's Gospel is another instance of the Saviour's mercy, in two different aspects at the same time: the illness of the body and the sickness of the soul. And, the soul being more important Jesus starts with it. He knows the sick man has repented of his faults, He sees his faith and that of those bringing him, and says: «Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven» (Mt 9:2).

Why does He start like this without his having been asked to do so? He is, of course, aware of what the paralytic is thinking and He knows this is what he will appreciate the most, for when facing the sanctity of Jesus, the paralytic might feel confused and ashamed of his own faults and scared that they may hamper his healing. So the Lord wants to calm him first. Jesus does not care whether some teachers of the law murmur in their hearts. Not only, but a part of his message is to prove He has come to show his mercy towards sinners, and He now proclaims it.

And so, it happens that, while those blinded by their pride, think of themselves as if they were the only just ones and cannot accept Jesus' claim, those that sincerely consider themselves as sinners, do take Him in. It is towards those God condescends to forgive them. As St. Augustine says: «Great misery is a proud man, but a humble God's mercy is even greater». And, in this case, the divine mercy goes even further: as an additional complement of his forgiveness He heals the paralytic too: «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home» (Mt 9:6). Jesus wants the sinner's joy to be complete.

We must reaffirm our confidence in him. But, we should remember we are also sinners, so let us not close ourselves to his Grace.

Gospel text

(Mt 8,28-34): 

When Jesus reached Gadara on the other side, He was met by two demoniacs who came out from the tombs. They were so fierce that no one dared to pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, «What do you want with us, you, Son of God? Have you come to torture us before the time?». At some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding. So the demons begged him, «If you drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs». Jesus ordered them, «Go». So they left and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned. The men in charge of them ran off to the town, where they told the whole story, also what had happened to the men possessed with the demons. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their area.

The application

Every divine encounter is basically for the salvation. It may be especially for the one who receives or for the other through this individual. To profit from this divine encounter, we should receive this gift gracefully.

The divine presence removes all kinds of darkness in our lives, including sin and all the works of the author of darkness. It is here that we are called to be vigilant and conscious. Devil can put into our heart evil thoughts in the name of good. In today’s gospel, we find explicitly the work of devil in the request of the people of this village.

In our discernment, we should be aware and ready to lose something for a greater glory of God and for our own goodness.  If we don’t learn to empty ourselves, God can’t fill it without our will. In this story there is another inside story of incarnation. God listens to all and wishes that all be saved. He gives this wonderful opportunity to be converted and to be saved, to all, even to the worst sinner.

«They begged him to leave their area»

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

Today, we are given to contemplate a sad contrast. “Contrast” because we admire the power and divine majesty of Jesus Christ, whom the demons submit voluntarily to (a signal that the Kingdom of the Heavens has reached us). But, at the same time, we deplore the narrowness and stinginess which the human heart is capable of, when refusing the bearer of Good News: «The whole town went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their area» (Mt 8:34). And “sad” because «He himself, who is the true light (...) came to his own, and his own did not receive him» (Jn 1:9-11).

More contrast and more confusion when we pay attention to the fact that man is free and this freedom has the “power to halt” God's infinite power. Or we can put it another way: the infinite divine powers reach as far as our “powerful” freedom allows it. And this is so because God mainly loves us with a Father's love. As a Father, we should not be surprised that He is so respectful of our freedom: He does not impose his love upon us, He just proposes it to us.

God, with infinite wisdom and goodness, providentially rules the Universe while respecting our freedom; even when this freedom turns its back on him and does not want to accept his will. Contrary to what it may seem, He does not let the world out of his hands: God always brings everything to a good conclusion, despite all hindrances we can raise against him. In fact, these hindrances are, first of all, turning against us.

However, we can affirm, «in the face of human freedom God has wanted to become “impotent”. And it can be said God pays for the great gift [our freedom] given to a being created in his image and likeness [man]» (John Paul II). God pays!: if we throw him out, He obeys and goes away. He pays, but we lose. On the other hand, we do well when we respond like the Virgin Mary: «I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said» (Lk 1:38).

Texte de l'Évangile

(Mt 8,28-34): 

Comme Jésus arrivait sur l'autre rive du lac, dans le pays des Gadaréniens, deux possédés sortirent du cimetière à sa rencontre; ils étaient si méchants que personne ne pouvait passer par ce chemin. Et voilà qu'ils se mirent à crier: «Que nous veux-tu, Fils de Dieu? Es-tu venu pour nous faire souffrir avant le moment fixé?». Or, il y avait au loin un grand troupeau de porcs qui cherchait sa nourriture. Les démons suppliaient Jésus: «Si tu nous expulses, envoie-nous dans le troupeau de porcs». Il leur répondit: «Allez-y». Ils sortirent et ils s'en allèrent dans les porcs; et voilà que, du haut de la falaise, tout le troupeau se précipita dans la mer, et les porcs moururent dans les flots. Les gardiens prirent la fuite et s'en allèrent en ville annoncer tout cela, avec l'affaire des possédés. Et voilà que toute la ville sortit à la rencontre de Jésus; et lorsqu'ils le virent, les gens le supplièrent de partir de leur région.

The application

La connaissance divine ne peut pas nous sauver. Même le Malin emploi l’Ecriture sacré pour la manipulation et la connaissance divine pour établir son royaume. Jésus est là et sa présence nous aider à séparer l’homme de son influence mauvaise.  Si nous voulons nous protéger de cette influence il faut nous attacher au Seigneur.

 Beaucoup d’entre nous, comme les gens de ce village sans reconnaitre la vérité, (au nom bien) discerne de nous éloigner du Seigneur. Il est bon savoir, que Dieu ne peut pas nous sauver contre notre propre volonté. Il est vrai que les villageois ont perdu un grand troupeau de procs, pourtant ils ont oublié de reconnaitre une nouvelle naissance. Si nous cherchons tout ce que nous devons perdre, il est normal de dire au Seigneur de partir. Si nous reconnaissons tout ce que nous avons reçus, il est impératif que le Seigneur reste avec nous. C’est à nous de faire le choix. Faisons un bon discernement et soyons sages.  

«Les gens le supplièrent de partir de leur région»

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

Aujourd'hui, nous contemplons un triste contraste. “Contraste”, car nous admirons le pouvoir et la majesté divine de Jésus-Christ, auquel les démons sont soumis (signe certain de la venue du Royaume des cieux). Mais, en même temps, nous déplorons l'étroitesse de vue et la mesquinerie dont est capable le cœur humain lorsqu'il rejette le porteur de la Bonne Nouvelle: «Et voilà que toute la ville sortit à la rencontre de Jésus; et lorsqu'ils le virent, les gens le supplièrent de partir de leur région» (Mt 8,34). Et “triste” parce que «la vraie lumière est venue vers les siens, mais les siens ne l'ont pas reçu» (Jn 1,9.11).

Plus de contraste et plus de surprise, si nous considérons que l'homme est libre et que cette liberté a le “pouvoir d'arrêter” le pouvoir infini de Dieu. Dit d'une autre façon: l'infinie puissance divine parvient jusqu'où le lui permet notre “puissante” liberté. Et il en va ainsi parce que Dieu nous aime principalement avec un amour de Père et, par conséquent, il ne faut pas nous étonner qu'il soit très respectueux de notre liberté: Il n'impose pas son amour, mais nous le propose.

Dieu, avec une sagesse et une bonté infinies, gouverne providentiellement l'univers, en respectant notre liberté; même quand cette liberté humaine Lui tourne le dos et refuse sa volonté. Pour autant, le monde ne s’échappe pas de ses mains: Dieu conduit tout à son terme, en dépit des obstacles que nous pouvons présenter. De fait, nos obstacles sont, avant tout, des entraves pour nous-mêmes.

Malgré tout, l'on peut affirmer que «face à la liberté humaine, Dieu a voulu se faire “impuissant”. Et l'on peut aussi dire que Dieu paye pour ce grand don [la liberté] qu'Il a accordé à une créature faite par Lui à son image et ressemblance [l'homme]» (Jean-Paul II). Dieu paye ! Si nous le rejetons, Il obéit et s'en va. Il paye, mais c'est nous qui perdons. Nous sommes gagnants, en revanche, quand nous répondons comme Sainte Marie: «Voici la servante du Seigneur, qu'il me soit fait selon ta parole» (Lc 1,38).

Gospel text (Mt 8,23-27): 

Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning a fierce storm hit the lake, with waves sweeping the boat. But Jesus was asleep. They woke him and cried, «Lord save us! We are lost!». But Jesus answered, «Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?». Then He stood up and ordered the wind and sea; and it became completely calm. The people were astonished. They said, «What kind of man is he? Even the winds and the sea obey him».

«Then he stood up and ordered the wind and sea; and it became completely calm»

Fr. Lluc TORCAL Monk of Santa Maria de Poblet 
(Santa Maria de Poblet, Tarragona, Spain)

Texte de l'Évangile (Mt 8,23-27): 

Comme Jésus montait dans la barque, ses disciples le suivirent. Et voilà que la mer s'agita violemment, au point que la barque était recouverte par les vagues. Mais lui dormait. Ses compagnons s'approchèrent et le réveillèrent en disant: «Seigneur, sauve-nous! Nous sommes perdus». Mais il leur dit: «Pourquoi avoir peur, hommes de peu de foi?». Alors, debout, Jésus interpella vivement les vents et la mer, et il se fit un grand calme. Les gens furent saisis d'étonnement et disaient: «Quel est donc celui-ci, pour que même les vents et la mer lui obéissent?».

«Jésus interpella vivement les vents et la mer, et il se fit un grand calme»

Abbé Lluc TORCAL Moine de Monastère de Sta. Mª de Poblet 
(Santa Maria de Poblet, Tarragona, Espagne)

Gospel text (Jn 20,24-29): 

Thomas, the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, «We have seen the Lord». But he replied, «Until I have seen in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe».

Eight days later, the disciples were inside again and Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, «Peace be with you». Then He said to Thomas, «Put your finger here and see my hands; stretch out your hand and put it into my side. Resist no longer and be a believer». Thomas then said, «You are my Lord and my God». Jesus replied, «You believe because you see me, don't you? Happy are those who have not seen and believe» .

«You are my Lord and my God»

+ Fr. Joan SERRA i Fontanet 
(Barcelona, Spain)

Texte de l'Évangile (Jn 20,24-29): 

Or, l'un des Douze, Thomas (dont le nom signifie: Jumeau) n'était pas avec eux quand Jésus était venu. Les autres disciples lui disaient: «Nous avons vu le Seigneur!». Mais il leur déclara: « Si je ne vois pas dans ses mains la marque des clous, si je ne mets pas mon doigt à l'endroit des clous, si je ne mets pas la main dans son côté, non, je ne croirai pas!». 

Huit jours plus tard, les disciples se trouvaient de nouveau dans la maison, et Thomas était avec eux. Jésus vient, alors que les portes étaient verrouillées, et il était là au milieu d'eux. Il dit: «La paix soit avec vous!». Puis il dit à Thomas: «Avance ton doigt ici, et vois mes mains; avance ta main, et mets-la dans mon côté: cesse d'être incrédule, sois croyant». Thomas lui dit alors: «Mon Seigneur et mon Dieu!». Jésus lui dit: «Parce que tu m'as vu, tu crois. Heureux ceux qui croient sans avoir vu».

«Mon Seigneur et mon Dieu!»

+ Abbé Joan SERRA i Fontanet 
(Barcelona, Espagne)