the skin of his face had become radiant

July 31, 2019 6:00 am

“As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD.” (EX 34: 29) 

We can find in the Bible dictionary the explanation of the word “radiant”: “the Hebrew word translated ‘radiant’ is spelled like the word for ‘horns’. Thus the artistic tradition of portraying Moses with horns.” It would be very interesting to see our faces after prayer (the angels for sure can see it). It was a privilege given to Moses. We can “show” our relatives and our friends, while we conversed with the Lord, our smiling faces and our loving hearts are less visible than a “radiant face” but they are also very important. 

“I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

the meeting tent

July 30, 2019 11:59 am

“The tent, which was called the meeting tent Moses used to pitch at some distance away, outside the camp. Anyone who wished to consult the LORD would go to this meeting tent outside the camp.” (EX 33: 7)

Anyone who wished to consult the Lord would go to this meeting tent outside of the camp. The “meeting tent” today are our churches, where we attend daily Mass or Sunday Mass. We think more about the liturgy and worship, but this is also a place where we can meet the Lord and “consult with the Lord.” I liked these two ideas: “who wishes to consult the Lord would go to this meeting tent” and “outside the camp.” The first idea reminds me that to meet Our Lord, we need to go to the places where He truly is; in our confusing world, we need to go to the “places” He is objectively present-the Blessed Sacrament, Sacraments, the Liturgy, and the Bible. We should not go to our emotions because sometimes those can mislead us. And the second idea: “outside the camp” reminds me that we need to change our perspective. We need to see the problem from His perspective, not ours; outside our comfort zones, our routine or general opinions-“outside the camp.”

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

she went to meet him 

July 29, 2019 6:00 am

“When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home.”(JN 11: 20) 

The same Martha, which we remember from another story, when Jesus visited them and Martha was “burdened with much serving” and Mary just “sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.” Again Martha was the one who was more active outside-“she went to meet him,” and Mary again is very calm, a more contemplative person. We are sometimes like Martha, and sometimes like Mary because love can be expressed in many ways in a relationship. It is good to remember that when a spouse communicates his/her love in one way, it is not the only way.

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

how much more

July 28, 2019 6:00 am

“What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (LK 11: 11-13)

The same thing happens with every gift of self, who is free, creative and joyful-when we received such a gift our response is “how much more” we can offer. Sincere gift brings sincere gifts. When we are truly givers we create a new world around ourselves-people who are more concerned about giving than receiving. Every gift creates a different world; like God’s gift, who gave us “s Spirit of adoption.”

“You have received a Spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, Father.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

We will do everything that the LORD has told us

July 27, 2019 6:00 am

“When Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice, ‘We will do everything that the LORD has told us.’” (EX 24: 3) 

Words are for putting them into action. Like God, Who created the world by saying it. When we declare love to somebody, it is not about our emotions we feel towards that person, it is about our actions and taking responsibility. “We will do everything…” like God’s word “that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.”

“Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.” (Gospel Acclamation)  

Honor your father and your mother

July 26, 2019 6:00 am

“Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you.” (EX 20: 12) 

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady’s parents-Ana and Joachim. Mary was chosen by God to be His Beloved Son’s Mother, but He also chose holy parents for her. Father of us all, from Whom every fatherhood comes, knows perfectly how important our parents are. When we received a gift of parenthood, we also received an amazing mission-to teach our children about love, which is always respectful, free, creative and joyful. Watching your relationship with your spouse, they will learn naturally how to love.

“Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Gospel Acclamation)  

The surpassing power may be of God

July 25, 2019 6:00 am

“We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” (2 COR 4: 7)

We are so often frustrated and mad because we are “holding treasures in earthen vessels.” We would like to be strong, powerful and self-sufficient. God’s plan for us is different: “that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” He wants us connected, supported and related with Him and with our brothers and sisters, who pray for us, who share with us and who help us. We do not need power, we need love; love connected with Our Lord is powerful and brings beautiful fruits.  

“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Jesus went out of the house

July 24, 2019 6:00 am

“On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore.” (MT 13: 1-2)

Our Lord spent 30 years with Mary and St. Joseph; He knows perfectly how important are our houses, our family lives and our relationships. He knows also that we need to go “out of the house” to share with others the Good News about marriage and family; like our coach couples who dedicate their time to serve others and need to go “out of the house” to help and to support.

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.” (Gospel Acclamation

whoever does the will of my heavenly Father

July 23, 2019 6:00 am

“Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (MT 12: 49-50)

Family shares theirs believes, traditions, values and virtues. Family has their code of arms, shared from generation to generation. We are Gods children, we belong to His household and what make us different is “do the will of our heavenly Father.” Like our children to our will and follow our examples. When we show our children how much we respect God in our daily lives, they will follow our example naturally.

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

reported what he told her

July 22, 2019 6:00 am

“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and then reported what he told her.” (JN 20: 18)

Our Lord loves us and always speaks to us. He wants from us to share with others His messages; like homilies are a way priests want to share with others what they have learned from Our Lord. Spouses can share with each other, parents with children, children with parents and friends with friends.

“Tell us Mary, what did you see on the way? I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb.” (Gospel Acclamation)