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

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)

Gospel text (Mt 10,37-42): 

Jesus said to his apostles, «Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and come after me is not worthy of me. One who wants to benefit from his life will lose it; one who loses his life for my sake will find it. 

»Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man because he is a just man will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is a disciple of mine, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded».

«And whoever does not take up his cross and come after me is not worthy of me. Whoever welcomes you welcomes me»

Fr, Antoni POU OSB Monk of Montserrat 
(Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain)

Texte de l'Évangile (Mt 10,37-42): 

En ce temps là, Jésus dit à ses Apôtres : « Celui qui aime son père ou sa mère plus que moi n’est pas digne de moi ; celui qui aime son fils ou sa fille plus que moi n’est pas digne de moi ; celui qui ne prend pas sa croix et ne me suit pas n’est pas digne de moi. Qui a trouvé sa vie la perdra ; qui a perdu sa vie à cause de moi la gardera. Qui vous accueille m’accueille ; et qui m’accueille accueille Celui qui m’a envoyé. Qui accueille un prophète en sa qualité de prophète recevra une récompense de prophète ; qui accueille un homme juste en sa qualité de juste recevra une récompense de juste. Et celui qui donnera à boire, même un simple verre d’eau fraîche, à l’un de ces petits en sa qualité de disciple, amen, je vous le dis : non, il ne perdra pas sa récompense. »

«Celui qui ne prend pas sa croix pour me suivre n'est pas digne de moi. Celui qui vous reçoit me reçois»

Abbé Antoni POU OSB Moine de Montserrat 
(Montserrat, Barcelona, Espagne)

Gospel text

(Mt 8,5-17): 

When Jesus entered Capernaum, an army captain approached him to ask his help, «Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly». Jesus said to him, «I will come and heal him». The captain answered, «I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one: ‘Go’, he goes, and if I say to another: ‘Come’, he comes, and to my servant: ‘Do this’, he does it». When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those who were following him, «I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness; there they will wail and grind their teeth». Then Jesus said to the captain, «Go home now. As you believed, so let it be». And at that moment his servant was healed.

Jesus went to Peter's house and found Peter's mother-in-law in bed with fever. He took her by the hand and the fever left her; she got up and began to wait on him. Towards evening they brought to Jesus many possessed by evil spirits, and with a word he drove out the spirits. He also healed all who were sick. In doing this he fulfilled what was said by the prophet Isaiah: He bore our infirmities and took on himself our diseases.

The application

Jesus in helping us to understand the divine sensibilities. He is assuring us that He understands our pain and suffering and the divine incarnation is to liberate the humanity from the suffering.

Though God makes Himself available to the humanity, for those who don’t have faith in Him, He remains however inaccessible. To profit from this gratuitous divine gift, Jesus propose to us the deep faith. How to have this deep faith of this Centurion?

First we should recognize the divine generosity and goodness. Since God is good par excellence, nothing bad can come from Him. All that He desires is that we be happy and joyful in this earthly journey towards heaven. God didn’t send us to suffer, rather to live and accomplish the divine will.

By the miracles Jesus is affirming the divine will. Though we may not be able to do such great miracles in our lives, we can have at least the deep faith in God. This faith in God will help us to be happy and our happiness will be a hope and light for the world.  We are called by Jesus to be the light of the world. It is also the divine will, to be accomplished in our lives.

«I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed»

Fr. Xavier JAUSET i Clivillé 
(Lleida, Spain)

Today, the Gospel speaks of the centurion's love, of his faith, confidence and humility. Of his deep concern towards his servant. He is so worried about him, that he humiliates before Jesus to ask his help: «Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly» (Mt 8:6). This concern for others and, even more, for a servant, prompts Jesus' response: «I will come and heal him» (Mt 8:7), which is in turn followed by a series of acts of faith and confidence. The centurion does not consider himself worthy and, along with that feeling, he expresses his own faith in such a way before Jesus and before all those gathered there, that Jesus has to say: «I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel» (Mt 8:10).

We may wonder what impels Jesus to make this miracle. We so very often ask God to no avail, though we know He is always listening! So, what happens, then? We may think we ask properly, but are we sure we do it like the centurion did? His prayer is not selfish, but full of love, humility and confidence. St. Peter Crysologus says: «The power of love does not consider possibilities (...). Love does not discern nor ponders; love does not understand reasons. Love is not resignation before impossibility, nor does it get intimidated before difficulties». Is it like that, my prayer?

«I am not worthy to have you under my roof...» (Mt 8:8). It is the centurion's answer. Do you feel this way? Is your faith like this? «Only faith can explain this mystery. Faith is true knowledge, the principles of which are beyond rational demonstration; for faith makes real for us things beyond intellect and reason» (St. Maximus, confessor). If your faith is such, then you are bound to hear too: «‘Go home now. As you believed, so let it be (...)’ And at that moment his servant was healed» (Mt 8:13).

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Master of faith, hope and devoted love, show us how to pray so that we may obtain from the Lord that which is best for us.