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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD3 December 2024First Tuesday of Advent WORD of the DAY Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it,and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.” (Luke 10: 23-24) How shall I live this Word? “Blessed are the eyes”, six times we speak of eyes seeing; three times of hearing; and three times of “what is seen and heard.” Jesus has just revealed His communion with the Father. This beatitude, more than to the disciples, is addressed to eyes that see: our eyes. It is a bliss linked to seeing, but which implies listening. Seeing and listening or rather listening to see. These are the two ways to enter into the mystery of Jesus. In Jesus, we search the depths of GOD and see how we are seen by the Father who sees us as His sons and daughters in His Son. Then, before we see Jesus, we are asked to let Him look at us, to let ourselves be loved by Him, in order to let ourselves be assimilated by Him. Let us look to find life again. Lord, grant that every eye that does not see may see in order to have life! The voice of St. Ireneus At the same time (the Word) made visible God to us with many providential interventions, so that we would not be completely deprived of God, and thus fall into nothingness, because the living person... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD2 December 2024First Monday of Advent WORD of the DAYWhen Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 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. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8: 5-11) How shall I live this Word? Advent is a way to meet Jesus but even more, it is a time when we ask for the grace of being met by Him in this journey. Today a centurion, a pagan shows us how to do this. He goes to Jesus with a question of life, not for himself, but for his servant. He goes to Jesus with the awareness of his situation. “I am not worthy that you enter under my roof.” He pleads with unlimited confidence, sure that the Lord could do for him... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD1 December 2024First Sunday of Advent WORD of the DAYJesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21,25,28,34,36) How shall I live this Word? Today we the Advent journey that will lead us to welcome the Lord this Christmas, in the reality of our flesh, in this Year of special Grace which is the Holy Year! Many requests to tell us that it is a unique time of Waiting, full of possibilities to be able to broaden our heart, our mind to welcome the gift of His Grace. And Jesus immediately comes to meet us and exhorts us, “rise up and raise your heads, because your liberation... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD30 NOVEMBER 2024Saturday 34 Saint Andrew Apostle WORD of the DAYAs Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them,“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4: 18-22) How shall I live this Word? Matthew tells us about the call of the first disciples by Jesus, a fundamental moment in the beginning of his public mission. The passage is short but full of meaning, because it expresses the readiness and willingness of some ordinary men to leave everything to follow Christ.Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen, with a simple life rooted in their work and in their families. However, they respond immediately to Jesus’ call. The disciples did not fully know what it meant to follow Jesus, but they trust. Their faith is manifested not through logical reasoning, but by concrete and immediate action.Jesus promises them that they will become “fishers of men”. The mission of Christ is for all, without exclusion. The disciples, in fact, will be sent to bring the Word of God to all nations, breaking down social and cultural barriers.Following Jesus means leaving all security,... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD28 NOVEMBER 2024Thursday 34THANKSGIVING DAY – USA WORD of the DAYJesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it,and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Luke 21: 20-28) How shall I live this Word? Jesus speaks to His disciples about future events, prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem and its glorious return at the end of time.In verses 20-24, Jesus describes a moment of great suffering. Jerusalem will be surrounded by... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD27 NOVEMBER 2024Wednesday 34 WORD of the DAYJesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Luke 21: 12-19) How shall I live this Word? Jesus does not hide from his disciples the reality of what they will face, but offers them some reassurance and promises that will help them to keep their faith strong. He clearly announces that His disciples will be persecuted because of their faith in Him. They will be arrested, dragged before the authorities, and betrayed even by their loved ones.Despite the persecutions, Jesus encourages His disciples to see in these trials an opportunity to bear witness to the Gospel. In the face of difficulties, they will be able to witness their faith and spread the message of Christ. He exhorts them not to worry about preparing their defense in advance, for He Himself will give them wisdom and words. This is a promise of divine presence... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD26 NOVEMBER 2024Tuesday 34 WORD of the DAYWhile some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered,“See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” (Luke 21: 5-11) How shall I live this Word? Luke 21:5-11 is placed within the so-called “eschatological discourse” of Jesus, where He speaks about the future, the trials that the disciples will face, and the events that will mark the end of time.At the beginning of the passage, some admire the temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of God’s presence for Israel. It is a sumptuous building, decorated and revered. But Jesus warns them that “no stone will be left on stone”. It is a prophecy that anticipates the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. by the Romans. This announcement... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD25 NOVEMBER 2024Monday 34WORD of the DAYWhen Jesus looked up, he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasuryand he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” (Luke 21: 1-4) How shall I live this Word? One of the most valuable contributions of the Gospel to contemporary people is to help them live more humanely in a society sick with ‘possession neurosis’. The model of society and coexistence that shapes our daily lives is not based on what each person is, but on what each person possesses. The important thing is “to have” money, prestige, power, authority…. those who have these things go ahead and succeed in life. Those who do not possess any of these things is excluded.From the earliest years of life, children are taught to “have” rather than “be”. The important thing is that they be formed so that tomorrow they may “have” a position, an income, a name, a security. Thus, almost unconsciously, we prepare the new generations for competition and rivalry.We live in a society that easily impoverishes people. The need for affection, tenderness, and friendship that pulsates in every human being is satisfied with objects. Communication is replaced by possession of things.People get used to value themselves for what they own. And in this way, they run the risk of becoming incapable of love, tenderness, generous service, solidarity,... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD24 NOVEMBER 2024SOLEMNITY OF JESUS CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE WORD of the DAYPilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your ownor have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.”So, Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18: 33b-37) How shall I live this Word?The liturgy closes the “liturgical year” by celebrating “Christ the King”, a solemnity promulgated in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. With it, he wanted to affirm the sovereignty of Christ over humanity and institutions in the face of the advance of atheism.King. There is no word less appropriate for Jesus. A king who touches the lepers, who prefers the common people to the powerful of the people. A king who washes feet, a king who has no money and can’t defend himself. Jesus crucified is a strange king. His throne is the cross; His crown is made of thorns. He has no robe; He is... read more
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FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD23 NOVEMBER 202433nd Saturday Ordinary TimeSt. Clement, Pope & Martyr WORD of the DAYBeware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21: 34-36) How shall I live this Word?Today’s Gospel invites us to be attentive to our relationship with God. It is an invitation to put ourselves in prayer, that is, to cultivate our friendship with God to prepare us for the personal encounter with Him. This relationship springs from the care of our inner life, which is revealed through small/big gestures: in kindness towards others, in the joy of living, in the maturation of our feelings, in protecting life and the environment, in caring for the poor and vulnerable, and above all, in loving and serving so that the Kingdom of God may come here and now. Your help, O Lord our God, make us always happy in your service, because only in dedication to You, source of all good, can we have full and lasting happiness. The voice of Pope Francis Audience 28 September 2022 Prayer is an indispensable aid to spiritual discernment, especially when it involves the affections, allowing us to address God with simplicity and familiarity, as we speak to a friend. It is to know how to... read more
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