The angels

June 30, 2015 6:34 am

“As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, ‘On your way! Take with you your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of Sodom.’”

God’s love gave us angels as protectors and friends. My Guardian Angel is all the time “at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide.” Sometimes we have to allow them to take us ”to safety outside the city.” Vacations are perfect to focus on our relationships: “take with you your wife and your children” and go away, go “to safety.”

“I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word.” (Gospel Acclamation)

You are Peter

June 29, 2015 6:00 am

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (MT 16: 17-19)

Our Church, founded by Jesus, is built on one person, on Peter, the rock: “upon this rock I will build my Church,” not because he was the most holy person in the world or perfectly talented to keep “the keys to the Kingdom of heaven,” but because He was chosen by Our Lord. He gives him not only “the keys” but also His personal friendship. The role of the Pope is to protect the Church—“the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” and bind and loose—“whatever he loosens on earth shall be loosened in heaven.” But the most important part of Peter’s role is not only to lead the Church but also to protect the doctrine of Apostolic succession.

“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Equality

June 28, 2015 3:59 am

“Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.” (2 COR 8: 13-14)

When we have something more than our brothers and sisters, we can share this with them: “supply their needs.” When we have something less than others, this gives them the opportunity to share with us: “their abundance may also supply your needs.” It could be 10 minutes more I have; it could be one experience more I have; it could be … something really simple, but creativity in charity could bring me closer to my brothers and sisters.

“Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)

I am not worthy

June 27, 2015 9:46 am

“The centurion said in reply, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.’” (MT 8: 8)

The incredible answer of the centurion is preserved in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Every one of us, before receiving Holy Communion, says exactly the same words—“I am not worthy…”. With these words we communicate our respect for the power of God’s word—“only say the word” and express humility and awareness of our limitations.

“Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Gospel Acclamation)

I will do it

June 26, 2015 6:05 am

“‘Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I will do it. Be made clean.’ His leprosy was cleansed immediately.” (MT 8: 2-3)

So comforting are the words: “I will do it.” Our Lord waits for our requests. He is a merciful God, Who came to us to restore our lives and to give us true freedom. When we ask Him, when we come to Him, He is always ready to hear us and answer.

“Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The will of the Father in heaven

June 25, 2015 6:34 am

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (MT 7: 21)

We are not invited to do something important for God (like prophesy or drive out demons). We are invited to be His children, to be with Him in relationship and “enter the Kingdom of heaven” to be with Him forever. When do-ing is not related to be-ing, we are in danger. Only those who are listening to Him, praying and loving Him can know “the will of the Father in heaven” and love to do it. The Kingdom of heaven is not for “the one who does” important things for God but for “the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” And it could be something very simple–like washing dishes.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The hand of the Lord

June 24, 2015 6:00 am

“‘What, then, will this child be?’ For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.” (LK 1: 66. 80)

St. John the Baptist, the “prophet of the Most High,” located between the Old and the New Testament, “was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.” The best place to prepare himself to serve God and to “become strong in spirit.” The last prophet of the Old Testament and one of the first martyrs of the New One; one life and so rich. Each of us is invited to serve God, and each of us is protected by “the hand of the Lord,” Who is with us. Everyone’s life should be rich.

“You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The Golden Rule

June 23, 2015 7:16 am

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.” (MT 7: 12)

Since the XVIII Century, this quote has been called the Golden Rule and can be used to protect all our relationships. We are never alone, and all our actions can help us to grow or can damage us and our neighbors. When we follow the example of Our Lord, we are able to choose wisely how to do to others.

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Go forth

June 22, 2015 10:31 am

“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (GN 12)

When Abram received this call from God, he was 75 years old. And he was asked to “go forth” instead of settle down. God’s answer for Abram’s obedience and trust in God was: “I will make of you a great nation” and “I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” We are also asked by God to “go forth” to “a land that God will show us.” The beauty of our daily reflection on God’s word is that we can always be inspired to leave our routines and look for a new perspective.

“The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Gospel Acclamation)

A new creation

June 21, 2015 6:00 am

“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor 5, 17)

The good news is that “the old things have passed away” and “new things have come.” This is always possible for couples (and of course not only for them) who decide to reflect on their relationship and start again. It doesn’t matter how long we are together or how often we have had difficult times;we always have a chance for a new beginning. We are His children, and “whoever is in Christ is a new creation.”

“A great prophet has risen in our midst, God has visited his people.” (Gospel Acclamation)