Jun 1 Sat - Spousal love, and God's love.

 

Jun 1 Sat
Spousal love, and God's love.
Both the love of God and the love between husband and wife have four shared characteristics:

1. IT IS FREELY GIVEN:
It cannot be bought or bribed, whoever is not free cannot give it. "Only if I am free can I give myself freely," says Christopher West. "Sisters, would you marry a man if you knew he was incapable of saying ‘no’ to his sexual urges? If you can't say 'no,' you're not free. An alcoholic cannot say no to a drink, he is chained. Today, they call ‘sexual freedom’ what is sexual addiction."

2. IT IS TOTAL SURRENDER.
In the marriage vows we say "I accept you and I give myself to you"; in doing so, we exclude any other person and any other lifestyles.

3. IT IS FAITHFUL.
It includes, besides exclusivity, perseverance, accompanying, keeping walking together, resisting together in the face of adversity...

4. IT IS FERTILE, IT BEARS FRUIT.
It is open to children and welcomes them; it is a love that generates life.

"These four characteristics are also those of marriage: free, faithful, fertile, and total. They are the four things you are asked when you get married. So also, is Christ's commitment to the Church. And the sexual act should express that, with your body language. The sexual act is the marriage vows made flesh. I understood that when I was 24 years old reading John Paul II's Theology of the Body. And everything clicked, everything in the Catholic Church about sex made sense then," explains Christopher West.

Christian sexual ethics, like the etiquette of an elegant banquet, is demanding, but it creates beauty and gives life. Christian virtues, like learning to play the piano, or excel in a sport, require learning and effort, but it is worthwhile, and the desire for something good (making music, creating something beautiful and enduring) increases them.

"Jesus does not impose an ethic on you from the outside: he first proposes to you what is real and worthwhile; he first changes your heart, your values, your deepest desires... When the Law is inscribed in our hearts, we are already free from the Law because we have no desire to break it. We are free to live it because it is what our heart desires. We only become angry with the Law when we have a desire to break it. The problem is not the teaching of the Church, but your heart. Instead of trying to debase Christian teaching, let's get down on our knees, and ask the Lord to change our hearts," encourages Christopher West.

And he poses a dream, perhaps not so distant: "What if one day the whole world comes to see that what the Church taught was right? What if the world recognizes that we've been driving like crazy in the wrong direction with the Church saying 'you are driving against the direction, you're going to kill someone'?”

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May 31 Fri - What was the Virgin Mary’s real name?

 

May 31 Fri
What was the Virgin Mary’s real name?
The English word "Mary" is a translation of the Hebrew "Myriam," which would have been her real name.

In the English-speaking world, it is easy to forget that all of the biblical characters had “different” names than what we say in our language. Both Jesus and Mary had names that were originally in Hebrew or Aramaic and had deep spiritual meaning.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “The Hebrew form of her name is Miryam [or Myriam].” This name in the Old Testament of the only sister of Moses. However, over the years the name has been put through various translations as the Bible has spread throughout the world.

The Septuagint renders Miryam by Marian, a form analogous to the Syriac and Aramaic word Maryam. In the New Testament, the name of the Virgin Mary is always Mariam, except in the Vatican Codex and the Codex Bezae followed by a few critics who read Maria in Luke 2:19. Possibly the Evangelists kept the archaic form of the name for the Blessed Virgin, to distinguish her from the other women who bore the same name. The Vulgate renders the name by Maria, both in the Old Testament and the New; Josephus (Ant. Jud., II, ix, 4) changes the name to Mariamme.

The name “Miriam” is closer to the original Hebrew than the English “Mary” or Latin “Maria,” though the Aramaic is not much different as it only adds “am” to “Mary.”

Furthermore, the original definition of the name has been taken by many scholars and saints to have great symbolism. Some biblical scholars have seen in it the Hebrew words mar (bitter) and yam (sea). This first meaning can refer to Mary’s bitter suffering at the cross and her many tears of sorrow.

Another interpretation of the word mar renders Mary’s name to mean “a drop of the seawater” (stilla) and St. Jerome rendered it in Latin as stillamaris, which was later changed to stella -star- maris. This accounts for the popular title for Mary “Star of the Sea.”

St. Bonaventure took many of these meanings and combined their symbolism, giving each one its spiritual meaning. This most holy, sweet, and worthy name was eminently fitted to so holy, sweet, and worthy a virgin. For Mary means a bitter sea, star of the sea, the illuminated or illuminatrix. Mary is interpreted as Lady. Mary is a bitter sea to the demons; to men, she is the Star of the sea; to the Angels she is illuminatrix, and to all creatures she is Lady.
It wasn’t a coincidence that God chose a woman named “Myriam,” and did so with the history and meaning in mind.

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May 30 Thu - How was the celebration of the Eucharist at the beginning?

 

May 30 Thu
How was the celebration of the Eucharist at the beginning? Saint Justin, martyr, written around 155–157 A.D, addressed to the pagans.
No one may share the Eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives following the principles given to us by Christ.

We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as if it were ordinary food and drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Savior became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the food that our flesh and blood takes is the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words.

The apostles, in their recollections, which are called gospels, handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that he took bread, gave thanks, and said: “Do this in memory of me. This is my body." In the same way he took the cup, he gave thanks and said: “This is my blood." The Lord gave this command to them alone.

Ever since then, we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive, we praise the Creator of the universe through his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray.

After our prayer, bread, wine, and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen.” The eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent.

The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need.

We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day, our Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For he was crucified on Friday and on Sunday he appeared to his apostles and disciples.

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May 29 Wed - What kind of charity builds up the Church?

 

May 29 Wed
What kind of charity builds up the Church?
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you… love one another, as I have loved you."
We can distinguish three levels of charity: First, the eternal love of the Father for his Son, Jesus Christ; then the love of Jesus Christ for all men; and third, the love of men among ourselves.

Charity is not merely a human virtue (philanthropy), but a theological virtue that enables us to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Thus, supreme charity comes from God, and leads us to God.

"Charity is not just a human sentiment (compassion), but a gift of the Holy Spirit that "divinizes" us and enables us to participate in the very love of the Trinity.” St John Paul II.

The Catechism further clarifies that "Charity, the form of all the virtues, binds everything together in perfect harmony." Charity is not just one virtue among others, but the "form" that animates and inspires all the other virtues, directing them towards God.

Therefore, the Church teaches that charity disconnected from the love of God is not true charity. Charity must be rooted in, and flow from, our love for God, or else it becomes merely a human sentiment rather than a supernatural virtue; furthermore, it bears concrete fruits. True charity is always oriented towards God and the fulfillment of his plan for our lives.

The Body of Christ, born of the Eucharist, is rooted in the human ecology established by the Creator. Thus, the Church has a sacramental structure, leading to salvation in charity. But not a false charity that focuses materially on the corporal works of mercy without the desire to bring our neighbor to God. Charity must work in harmony with prudence and the other virtues.

Charity helps us to know God naturally, but it cannot coexist with errors in the profession of Catholic doctrine. In this way, doctrine contributes to the construction of charity and thus to the construction of the Christian life in true and stable love. Christian doctrine develops in a consistent line with previous explicit teachings of the Church (Tradition).

Through charity, the Church can offer a motherly face to a wounded world. The question is: what charity? Authentic charity must be articulated with the moral order, the permanent doctrine of faith, and the sacramentality of salvation in the Church. These are essential dimensions that make charity concrete and incarnate in our lives. Without them, charity lacks the reason for its presence, remains a feeling, and thus loses its capacity to build up the People of God.

Only a charity built up in harmony with the truth of the faith allows the Church to offer the People of God fruitful hope in our troubled times.

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May 27 Mon - 11 differences between love and lust.

 

May 27 Mon
11 differences between love and lust.
"Being replaced and discarded is the opposite of being loved. We want to be loved, not used, not played with," writes Christopher West.
And lust does just that: uses, and often, later, throws away. "You don't love me, you don't want me; you only want what I can give you," notes the person before the lustful one. And he asks himself, "I am replaceable, when will you abandon me for someone else, someone who will give you more pleasure, more services?"

We could integrate in a table the differences between love and lust... which can help many who are unaware of the former, and believe that only the latter exists.

These are eleven differences between love and lust:

1. Lust seeks to satisfy oneself. Love seeks to give oneself totally to the other ("To love is to give everything and to give oneself", said Therese of Lisieux).

2. Lust treats others as objects to be used. Love affirms others as persons to be served.

3. For Lust, one will sacrifice others for self-interest. Love is serving, the one who loves sacrifices himself for others.

4. Lust manipulates, it is used to control the other. Love wants to respect the freedom of the other.

5. Lust enslaves. Love frees us.

6. Lust is not exclusive; it is given to almost anyone. Love is exclusive: it wants only the beloved.

7. Lust sees the body as a "thing". Love respects the body as a "somebody".

8. Lust snatches pleasure, which will always be quite fleeting. Love desires eternal happiness.

9. Lust is soon filled with envy. Love always hopes, and always trusts.

10. Lust ends when pleasure ends. Love endures through in good and bad.

11.  Lust makes us feel used. Love makes us feel valued.

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May 26 Sun -- Why is so important the mystery of the Blessed Trinity?

 

May 26 Sun
Why is so important the mystery of the Blessed Trinity?
Today, we contemplate the central mystery of our faith: the Blessed Trinity.

In his infinitely wise providence, God gradually revealed to mankind his inmost being, what he is in himself, and not just as the cause of created things.

In the Old Testament, he makes known above all his Oneness, and his complete transcendence from the world as its Creator and Lord. God, unlike the world, is uncreated; he is not limited in space (he is immense) or in time (he is eternal); and his power knows no limits (he is omnipotent).

There he is also revealed as the shepherd who seeks his flock, who looks after his own indulgently and tenderly, who forgives and forgets the frequent infidelities of his chosen people.
At the same time, we get glimpses of the paternity of God the Father, of the Incarnation of God the Son, and of the action of the Holy Spirit, who vivifies all things.

Only Christ reveals to us in all its fullness the inner workings of the Trinitarian mystery and calls us to participate in it.
The mystery of the Trinity is the starting point of all revealed truth, the fountain from which proceeds supernatural life, and the goal whither we are headed: we are children of the Father, brothers, and co-heirs with the Son, and continually sanctified by the Holy Spirit to make us ever more and more resemble Christ; accordingly, we deepen in the understanding of our divine filiation and become living temples of the Blessed Trinity.

From the moment man is called to participate in the divine life through the grace of Baptism, he is destined to participate in it ever more and more; along this path, he must journey continually. From the Holy Spirit, we constantly receive impulses, motions, and inspirations to encourage us to travel faster along the way that leads to God, through Jesus.

“Our heart now needs to distinguish and adore each one of the divine Persons. The soul is, as it were, discovering the supernatural life like a little child opening his eyes to the world about him. The soul spends time lovingly with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and readily submits to the work of the life-giving Paraclete who gives himself to us without the slightest merit on our part, bestowing on us his gifts and the supernatural virtues!” St. Josemaría

The Blessed Trinity dwells in the Christian soul as in a temple. Saint Paul explains that God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. And there, in the inner recesses of the soul, we learn to be intimate with God –Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We say in the intimacy of prayer: “You, O Eternal Trinity, are a deep ocean, into which the more I penetrate, the more I discover, and the more I discover, the more I seek you.”

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May 25 Sat - Praise God with joy, ask him with trust.

 

May 25 Sat
Praise God with joy, ask him with trust.
Our thoughts in this present life should be focused on praising God because it is in praising God that we will rejoice forever in the life to come, and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains for it now. So, we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time, we make our requests to Him.

Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with longing. We have been promised something that we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made by the One who keeps his word, we trust him and rejoice; but insofar as possession is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised and the longing is over, then only praise remains.

There are these two periods of time: the one that is now, burdened with the trials and tribulations of this life, and the other that is yet to come, a life of eternal serenity and joy. Thus, we are given two liturgical seasons, Lent and Easter. Lent signifies the trials in which we live here and now, while Easter signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we practice in Lent is what we experience in this life; what we celebrate at Easter points to something we do not yet possess. That is why we observe Lent with fasting and prayer; but when the fast is over, we dedicate Easter to praise. This is the meaning of the Alleluia that we sing.

Both these periods are represented and demonstrated for us in Christ our Head. The Lord’s Passion depicts for us our present life of trial; Lent shows how we must suffer and be afflicted and finally die. The Lord’s resurrection and glorification show us Easter, the life that will be given to us in the future.

We must praise God. But not only with our lips and voices, but with our minds, our lives, and all our actions.

We praise God now, gathered as we are here in the church; but when we go to our ordinary profession, it seems as if we stop praising God.
But as long as we do not stop living according to God's will, we will always be praising God.

We only stop praising God when we turn away from a clean life and from what is pleasing to God. If we never turn away from it, our tongue may be silent, but our actions will cry out loudly, and God will know our intentions; for as our ears hear one another's voices, so God's ears hear our thoughts.
Our Lady of La Vang (Vietnam). Excerpts from Saint Augustine, The Easter Alleluia.

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May 24 Fri - 7 keys to interpret the Bible within the Catholic tradition, and light up your soul

 

May 24 Fri
7 keys to interpret the Bible within the Catholic tradition, and light up your soul

Key 1: The Bible is a collection of inspired books.
It is an inspired book, meaning that God is present, and is its primary author, using human writers to reveal Himself. God worked in them, and through them, as true authors, who put into writing everything and only what God wanted.

Key 2: Read the Bible from the standpoint of faith.
You can approach the Bible as a linguist or a psychologist. But for faith to grow with the Bible, one must read it “from within the Church,” as a believer. God lovingly goes out to meet His children to speak to them. Therefore, a true understanding is necessary lest we make God say what we want to hear or what is not His Will.

Key 3: The Bible does not exhaust God's Revelation.
The Catholic Church teaches that God "willed to reveal himself and to make known the mystery of his Will." Thus, this Word revealed to the believer must be in harmony with the oral tradition of the Church, and the written witness of her Sacred Scripture.

Key 4: The Word of God is not just the Bible.
"We know that the Word of God is contained in the Bible, handed down by Tradition, and interpreted by the Church’s Magisterium," not only in the written biblical text but in what the Church lives.

Key 5: The Bible is the inspired, written record of God's salvation in history.
The human authors of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by God, tell stories with a recurring theme: that God loves and saves His people. "All these words were written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and believing you may have life through His name.

Key 6: The Bible is a unity.
The Old Testament and the New Testament go together and seek the same thing, to tell the same story of love and salvation. Both parts of the Bible are connected.

Key 7: The Old Testament must be read through Jesus Christ.
Jesus was an authentic son of Israel, deeply rooted in the long history of his people. When he began to preach and teach, he made abundant use of the treasure of Scripture, enriching it with new inspirations and unexpected initiatives. These were not intended to abolish the ancient revelation, but to bring it to its perfect fulfillment.
It is impossible to enter the university of Jesus without passing through the school of the Old Testament.

The Bible should be integrated into your daily prayer routine; it is a way of listening to God and knowing His Will.

As St. Jerome said, "To be ignorant of Scripture is to be ignorant of Christ. And he who knows Christ falls in love with him".

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May 23 Thu - The Eucharist, is a real, not a symbolic presence.

 

May 23 Thu
The Eucharist, is a real, not a symbolic presence. During our Lord’s ministry at Galilee a woman with a chronic hemorrhage came from behind him stealthily and timidly, but with a great faith, to touch his cloak. She wanted to avoid embarrassing notice, for her sickness implied a legal impurity. She just touched the fringe of Jesus’ outer garment and was immediately cured. Jesus turned around and looking at her said, “Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you” (cf. Mt 9:20-22). Jesus granted the miracle not only because of the mere physical contact, but in answer to her faith of which she had given such striking proof. The presence of the Lord and the faith of the woman performed the miracle.

“Do you see now how our faith must be? It must be humble. Who are you, and who am I, to deserve to be called in this way by Christ? Who are we, to be so close to him? As with that poor woman in the crowd, Christ has given us an opportunity. And not just to touch his garment a little, to feel for a moment the fringe, the hem of his cloak. We actually have Christ himself. He gives himself to us totally, with his body, his blood, his soul and his divinity. We eat him each day. We speak to him intimately as one does to a father, as one speaks to Love itself. And all this is true. It is no fantasy."

Our Lord’s presence in the sacrament is called “real” not to exclude the idea that the others are “real,” too, but rather to indicate presence par excellence, because this presence is substantial, and through it, Christ becomes present whole and entire, God and man. Thus, this presence is not merely intentional (i.e., in the mind only) or virtual (i.e., by power). And so, it would be wrong for anyone to limit it to symbolism, as if this most sacred sacrament were to consist in nothing more than an efficacious sign “of the spiritual presence of Christ and of his intimate union with the faithful, the members of his Mystical Body.”

Therefore, it is wrong:

•    To concentrate on the notion of the sacramental sign as if the symbolism which no one will deny is certainly present in the most blessed Eucharist fully expressed and exhausted the manner of Christ’s presence in this sacrament.

•    To discuss the mystery of transubstantiation without mentioning the marvelous conversion of the whole substance of the bread into the body and the whole substance of the wine into the blood of Christ, as if they involve nothing more than “transignification” or “transfinalization,” as some call it.

•    To propose and act upon the opinion that Christ our Lord is no longer present in the consecrated hosts that remain once the celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass has been completed.

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May 22 Wed - We are a living temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

May 22 Wed
We are a living temple of the Holy Spirit.
The dedication ceremony for a church includes anointing the altar and dressing it with altar cloths. When St. Josemaría performed this ceremony, he would say, "You and I are like altars; we have been anointed. We were anointed with oil, first in Baptism and then in Confirmation. And we eagerly await the moment when we will receive Extreme Unction... and be anointed again. We are something holy, and therefore our bodies should be consecrated to God Our Lord."

"However, we must not be silly, but care for details of modesty, take care of our body, put it at the service of God, dress it properly. And to do this, we must also dress our souls with the good habits which are called virtues, which are so appropriate for a Christian."

Through Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist, our soul and our body have become a living temple of the Holy Spirit: “Surely you know that your bodies are the shrines of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you. And he is God's gift to you, so that you are no longer your own masters. A great price was paid to ransom you; glorify God by making your bodies the shrines of his presence."

We must not deprive the Lord of what belongs to Him. That is why we must daily fight against our negative inclinations, such as vanity, laziness, sensuality, and pride... As St. Josemaría used to say, "An ordinary Christian is obligated to fight and must never forget that they belong to God our Lord. Knowing that we belong to Him, just like the altars we have consecrated, will always help us to be good children of God."

Let us consider whether our lives have been fully dedicated to the Lord and if our commitment is complete. Are we firmly grounded in Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our spiritual building? Our aspiration should be to serve the Church as she desires to be served, and what the Church expects from us is greater faithfulness.

Therefore, we must always remain faithful to God, even during the difficult times.

"God often does this with us. He gives us a clear vision of the goal and allows us to gaze upon it to strengthen us in His most lovable Will. And when we are very close to Him, He leaves us in darkness and seems to abandon us. It is the time of temptation: doubts, struggles, darkness, weariness, the desire to give up... But no! We must continue on! The time of temptation is also a time for faith and complete trust in our Father God. Away with doubt, hesitation, and indecision!"

Image: The Death of St Joseph.

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May 21 Tue - What is faith?

 

May 21 Tue
What is faith? 

Faith is the act by which a human being freely commits himself to God. In the case of Abraham, he left the land of his ancestors to head towards the land that God would show him. This act may have been seen as insane by others - why leave the known for the unknown, the certain for the uncertain? However, Abraham went not knowing where he was going. And again, he went up the mountain with his only son Isaac, who is spared from sacrifice at the last moment. In this faith, Abraham becomes the father of a long line of descendants. Faith made him fruitful.

Moses also demonstrates faith as he welcomes God's voice and stands firm and trusts in the Lord, defending the people who often lack faith.

The Virgin Mary exemplifies faith as well, when she receives the annunciation of the Angel. Despite the demanding and risky nature of the message, she responds, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Faith is the virtue that defines Christians. Being a Christian is not primarily about accepting a culture with its accompanying values. Being a Christian means welcoming and cherishing a bond with God, seeing oneself in the loving face of Jesus. This bond is what makes us Christians.

Jesus' disciples were crossing the lake when suddenly a storm arose. They relied on their own strength and experience to navigate the situation but the boat began to sink, and panic set in. Unbeknownst to them, the solution was right before their eyes: Jesus was with them on the boat, even in the midst of the storm. The Gospel states that Jesus was asleep. When they finally wake Him, fearfully and even angrily questioning why He would let them die, Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?".

Therefore, fear is the great enemy of faith, not intelligence or reason. Faith is the first gift to embrace in the Christian life - a gift that should be welcomed and asked for daily, so that it may be renewed within us. It may seem like a small gift, but it is essential. When we were brought to the baptismal font, our parents, after announcing the name they had chosen for us, were asked by the priest, "What do you ask of the Church of God?". And the parents answered, "Faith, baptism!".

Those who have faith are filled with a force that is not merely human. Faith ignites grace within us, and opens our minds to the mystery of God. As Jesus once said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, 'Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea', and it would obey you". Therefore, let us also, like the disciples, repeat to Him: Lord, increase our faith! It is a beautiful prayer!
Pope Francis, 1st May 2024

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May 20 Mon - Are technological advances beneficial?

 

May 20 Mon
Are technological advances beneficial?
Throughout history, humanity has strived to enhance the quality of life through labor and abilities. Today, with the aid of science and technology, humans have gained immense control over nature and continue to expand this dominion.

In light of this monumental endeavor that encompasses the entire human race, people are pondering a series of inquiries. What is the meaning and value of all this activity? How should these advancements be utilized? Ultimately, where do the efforts of individuals and communities lead?

St. Josemaría had answered these questions of the 2nd Vatican Council highlighting the sanctifying dimension of human work, made with human perfection, rectitude of intention and union with Jesus.

Those who believe in God assume that man's activity, be it individual or collective, aligns with God's purpose. Christians, far from perceiving the accomplishments achieved through human intelligence and strength as a challenge to God's power, regard them as evidence of God's grandeur and the result of His marvelous providence.

Clearly, the Christian message does not deter individuals from contributing to the development of the world or prompt them to neglect the well-being of their fellow humans. Instead, it places a greater responsibility on them to work towards these objectives.

"All work, without exception, testifies to the dignity of man and his authority over creation. It presents an opportunity for personal growth, fosters bonds with others, supports one's family, and contributes to the progress of society and humanity as a whole."

"For Christians, these horizons expand even further. Work becomes a participation in God's creative work. When He created and blessed man, He commanded him to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Furthermore, since Christ took hold of it, work has been redeemed and holds redemptive power for us. It is not just a backdrop to one's life; rather, it becomes a means and path to holiness. It is something to be sanctified, and something that sanctifies."

"Hence, humans should not confine themselves to mere material production. Work arises from love; it is an expression of love, and is aimed at love. We perceive the hand of God not only in the wonders of nature, but also in our experience of work and effort. Thus, work becomes prayer and thanksgiving, because we know we are placed on earth by God, that we are loved by him and made heirs to his promises."

"For a Christian, these horizons extend and grow wider, as work is a participation in the creative work of God. Furthermore, since Christ took it upon himself, work has become a redeemed and redemptive reality for us. It is not just the backdrop of human life, but also a means and a path to holiness. Work is something to be sanctified, and it is something that sanctifies us.

“It is important to remember that the dignity of work is rooted in love. Man's great privilege is the ability to love and transcend that which is fleeting and ephemeral. We can love other creatures, forming meaningful connections through the pronouncement of 'I' and 'you.' And we can love God, who opens heaven's gates to us, makes us part of his family, and allows us to speak to him in friendship, face to face."

Excerpts From "Gaudium et Spes" and from St. Josemaría.

Torreciudad: The Coronation of the Virgin. Glorious Fruit of the 5th Mystery: This is our true destination.

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May 19 Sun - The Holy Spirit make us sparkle, full of love and joy

 

May 19 Sun
Pentecost originated from a very ancient thanksgiving celebration, in gratitude to God for the yearly harvest about to be reaped. Later, another motive was added to this day's celebration with the remembrance of the promulgation of the Law given by God on Mount Sinai. So, the material harvest which the Jews celebrated with such joy became a feast of immense rejoicing, by God's design, in the New Dispensation: the coming of the Holy Spirit with all his gifts and fruits.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. The Holy Spirit shows himself in those elements which usually accompanied the presence of God in the Old Testament: wind and fire.

Fire appears in Sacred Scripture as love which penetrates all things and as a purifying element. These are images help us to understand better the action which the Holy Spirit carries out in souls: Lord, with the fire of the Holy Spirit, purify our inmost being and our heart.

Fire also produces light and signifies the new brightness which the Holy Spirit sheds on the doctrine of Jesus Christ: On this occasion Jesus had already forewarned his disciples: The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit... will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. The Holy Spirit leads us to a full understanding of the truth taught by Christ, who completed and perfected Revelation, and confirmed it by finally sending the Spirit of truth.

In the Old Testament the action of the Holy Spirit is hinted by the word ruah, i.e., breath, wind. This expresses both the gentleness, and the strength of divine love. There is nothing subtler than the wind, which manages to penetrate everywhere, even to reach inanimate bodies and give them a life of their own. The rushing wind of the day of Pentecost expresses the new force with which divine love invades the Church and souls.

When St Peter sees the multitudes of people gathered near the Cenacle, he convinces them that this is the fulfillment of what had been foretold already by the Prophets. And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh. Those who receive the outpouring of the Spirit are no longer a privileged few, like the companions of Moses or just the prophets. No, these are all mankind, in the measure in which they receive Christ. The action of the Holy Spirit was to produce, in the disciples and all of us, such a sparkle that we are all enchanted, full of love and joy.

Torreciudad: The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Fruit of the 3rd Glorious Mystery: Divine Love, the reason of our striving.

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May 18 Sat - Can we praise God outside the church?

 

May 18 Sat
Can we praise God outside the church?
Our thoughts in this present life should be focused on praising God, because we will rejoice forever in the life to come in praising God, and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains for it now. So, we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time we make our requests to Him.

Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with longing. We have been promised something that we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made by the One who keeps his word, we trust him and rejoice; but insofar as possession is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised and the longing is over, then only praise remains.

There are these two periods of time: the one that is now, burdened with the trials and tribulations of this life, and the other that is yet to come, a life of eternal serenity and joy. Thus, we are given two liturgical seasons, Lent and Easter. Lent signifies the trials in which we live here and now, while Easter signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we practice in Lent is what we experience in this life; what we celebrate at Easter points to something we do not yet possess. That is why we observe Lent with fasting and prayer; but when the fast is over, we dedicate Easter to praise. This is the meaning of the Alleluia that we sing.

Both these periods are represented and demonstrated for us in Christ our Head. The Lord’s Passion depicts for us our present life of trial; Lent shows how we must suffer and be afflicted and finally die. The Lord’s resurrection and glorification show us Easter, the life that will be given to us in the future.

We must praise God. But not only with our lips and voices, but with our minds, our lives, and all our actions.

We praise God when we are gathered in the church; but when we go to our ordinary profession, it seems as if we stop praising God.
But as long as we do not stop living according to God's will, we will always be praising God.

We only stop praising God when we turn away from a clean life and from what is pleasing to God. If we never turn away from it, our tongue may be silent, but our actions will cry out loudly, and God will know our intentions; for as our ears hear one another's voices, so God's ears hear our thoughts.
Excerpts from Saint Augustine, The Easter Alleluia.

Torreciudad: The Assumption of Mary. Fruit of the 4th Glorious Mystery: Trust in Mary’s intercession. True Devotion to Mary.

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May 17 Fri - Can we profess a fluid atheism and be a Christian?

 

May 17 Fri
Can we profess a fluid atheism and be a Christian?
A fluid atheism is prevalent in contemporary culture. Although unspoken, it permeates every aspect of life, even within ecclesiastical discussions. Its primary impact is spiritual lethargy, dulling our ability to react and recognize errors and dangers. Regrettably, it has infiltrated the Church.

What should we do? Some may argue that this is simply the way the world is and we cannot escape it. Others may suggest that the Church must choose to adapt or perish. There may be those who claim that since the essentials are certain, we can be flexible with the details. Or they may contend that Truth is purely theoretical and unable to address specific cases. These maxims confirm the grave illness that afflicts us all.

I prefer to invite you to think differently. We must not succumb to lies! The essence of fluid atheism is the promise of compromise between truth and falsehood. It is the greatest temptation of our time! We are all guilty of accommodating and colluding with this great lie that is fluid atheism. We may present ourselves as believing Christians and people of faith, we may celebrate religious rituals, but in reality, we live as pagans rather than believers. Let us not deceive ourselves or fight halfheartedly against this enemy, for it will always drag us down. Fluid atheism is slippery and viscous. If you try to attack it, it will ensnare you with its subtle compromises. It is akin to a spider's web: the more you struggle, the tighter it closes around you. Fluid atheism is the final trap of the Tempter, of Satan.

With all my heart as a pastor, I want to invite you today to make a solemn decision. We must not create factions within the Church. However, each one of us can make a firm decision today: we will no longer allow atheism to deceive us. I no longer want to turn away from the light of faith. I no longer want to coexist with both light and darkness out of convenience, laziness, or conformity. This decision is simple and concrete, and it will change our lives. It is not a call to wage war or denounce our enemies. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change ourselves. If each of us humbly decides to do so, the system of lies will collapse on its own, as its only strength lies in the place we give it within ourselves.

Dear brother bishops, What do we have to fear? The most important thing is to firmly grasp His hand! Our faith is a deep connection with God Himself.

Preserving the spirit of faith means rejecting any commitment that contradicts it. It means refusing to see things in any other way than through the lens of faith. It means surrendering ourselves into the hands of God, the only source of true peace, gentleness, and genuine benevolence without complicity, true gentleness without cowardice, and true strength without violence.

Excerpts, Speech of Robert Cardinal Sarah before the National Bishops Conference of Cameroon, (Apr 09, 2024)

Torreciudad: The Resurrection. Fruit of the 1st Glorious Mystery: Faith.

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May 16 Thu - What is the transubstantiation?

 

May 16 Thu
What is the transubstantiation?
Jesus said to them: Believe me when I tell you this; you can have no life in yourselves, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood. The man who eats my flesh and drinks my blood enjoys eternal life (Jn 6:53 54).

A sacrament is a sensible or material sign instituted by Christ, by which invisible grace is communicated to the soul. The Eucharist is the greatest of all sacraments. The reason is simple: The very author of grace is present in it and gives himself to us in this sacrament as spiritual food (Holy Communion). However, this truth does not exhaust the richness of content of the Eucharist. We must realize that, “The Eucharist is at one and at the same time a Sacrifice Sacrament, a Communion Sacrament, and a Presence Sacrament.”

Whatever our senses perceive in the consecrated host, even with the help of scientific instruments, is always of the same sort –a quality: the whiteness of the bread, its softness, its roundness, its smell, etc. These are attributes. We call them, in the language of metaphysics, “accidents". These are all our senses perceive. But from them, our mind discerns a deeper reality, something that underlies these qualities or accidents as their subject: the thing itself, which we call the “substance".

We know, through Christ’s words, that in the Eucharistic species, none of the substance of the bread and wine remains. Their accidents or sensible qualities –as bread and wine– remain, though not, of course, as accidents of Christ’s body and blood. They are held up solely by the will of God, who keeps them in existence, without inhering to any subject.

True, before the Consecration what we have on the altar are bread and wine; but as soon as the words of the Consecration are pronounced, the whole substance of the bread and that of the wine disappear, and they become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This change is called transubstantiation. Just as the words that God spoke in the Upper Room are the same as those that the priest now pronounces, so, too, the host is the same. Christ is really present.

“Let us take another look at the Master. You too may find yourself now hearing his gentle reproach to Thomas: ‘Let me have your finger: see, here are my hands. Let me have your hand; put it into my side. Cease your doubting, and believe’; and, with the Apostle, a sincere cry of contrition will rise from your soul: ‘My Lord, and my God! I acknowledge you once and for all as the Master. From now on, with your help, I shall always treasure your teachings and I shall strive to follow them loyally.’"

Our Lord will reward this faithful attitude by giving us a supernatural knowledge of everything, far superior, in extent and certainty, to any human knowledge. And this same faith will lead us to understand more and more sublime truths.

Torreciudad: The Crucifixion. Fruit of the 5th Sorrowful Mystery: The need of sacrifice.

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May 15 Wed - Always be cheerful. Fight sadness energetically.

 

May 15 Wed
Always be cheerful. Fight sadness energetically.
Delight your soul, comfort your heart, and distance yourself from sorrow, as sorrow has destroyed many, and brings no benefit. Sadness harms the soul greatly, as it is born from pride, while joy is a result of the love of God.

Sadness undermines the foundations of our inner life and indicates a lack of awareness of our divine relationship, a lack of trust in God, and a failure to surrender to His will. "Cast aside sadness. Do you not realize that it is worse than any other state of mind? It is the most discouraging and repels the Holy Spirit. A happy person acts well, enjoys good things, and pleases God. But a sad person always behaves badly."

Sadness is a strong ally of the enemy. A person who is sad is in a situation that could lead to sin. If this grave danger ever attacks our soul, we must examine ourselves, seek illumination, and identify the cause. Happiness is a consequence of surrendering oneself. It is reaffirmed every time we work hard through our daily routine.

Beneath sadness, we often find selfishness and self-centered concerns. "You are not happy because you make everything revolve around yourself, as if you were always the center: you have a stomachache, or you are tired, or they have said this or that..."
"Have you ever tried thinking about Him and, through Him, about others?"

If we are tempted to be sad, St. Josemaría advises us, “Pray.” "You ask me for a remedy for your sadness. I will give you advice from an expert, the Apostle St. James: Is any of you sad? Are you sad, my son? Pray! Try it and you will see."

Talking to God and listening to Him will revive our soul. With the supernatural perspective of faith, hope, love, and a desire for atonement, we will realize that we have every reason to be happy. We will resolve to remove the barriers that separate us from the Lord, the God of our joy. Once again, we will serve others happily. Our service must be carried out with joy. Wherever there is a child of God, there should be cheerfulness stemming from inner peace. Thus, we will joyfully perform all that we do.

Let us turn to our Lady, the Source of our joy, so that she may always keep alive in us this cheerful and optimistic spirit that characterizes God's children.

Torreciudad: The Carrying of the Cross. Fruit of the 4th Sorrowful Mystery: Atonement for our sins.

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May 14 Tue - Why should I be happy?

 

May 14 Tue
Why should I be happy?
The hope of heaven brings joy to God's children. The time for our Lord to depart from the world and return to His Father is rapidly approaching, and the Liturgy is preparing us for His departure in the Ascension. Jesus tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I."

Our Lord is leaving to prepare a place for us in His Father's house because we are now children of God. As favored children, God is preparing a place for us in heaven, where we will find limitless happiness. And to ensure that we attain it, He has already given us the life of grace in this world, which is a certain seed of glory within us—a preview of heaven.

"Some people, whose goals are commendable yet limited, and whose ideals are only temporary and fleeting, forget that as Christians, we must aspire to the highest peaks of all—to the infinite. Our aim is the very Love of God, to fully enjoy that Love with an everlasting joy. We have witnessed in many ways that things in this world ultimately come to an end for all of us when this world ends. And even sooner for each individual when they die, for we cannot take wealth and prestige with us to the grave. That is why, filled with hope, we direct our hearts towards God Himself and have learned to pray: 'In you, O Lord, I have placed my hope. May your hand guide me now and at every moment, for ever and ever."

In the meantime, we journey through this world as strangers and exiles, on our way to the Father. But even on earth, we can taste great happiness by enjoying the hope of a glory that, when finally realized, will completely satisfy us. It is good and necessary to hope for heaven—it inspires and encourages us, especially during challenging times when we find it difficult to work without earthly rewards.

St. Josemaría said, "Let us bear all difficulties as we sail the seas of this world, in hope of heaven. For ourselves and for all souls who desire to love, our ultimate goal is reaching heaven, the glory of heaven. Otherwise, nothing else has value. To reach heaven, we must be faithful. And to be faithful, we must struggle, making progress on our journey, even if we stumble and fall at times. With God, we will rise again."

Torreciudad: The Crowning with Thorns. Fruit of the 3rd Sorrowful Mystery: Daring to fulfill our mission. Courage.

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May 13 Mon - Should I still love the Church?

 

May 13 Mon

Should I still love the Church?

Many downturns affect the life of the Church, and the Roman Pontiff, charged by Jesus Christ with the task and responsibility of guiding and protecting the Church, feels this concern and vigilance in a unique and profound way. As St. Paul wrote, "There is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches" (2 Cor 11:28). This reminds all Christians of the responsibility we have to support and love the Church, even in the face of its weaknesses, even at great personal cost.

Our love for the Church should grow stronger when we see the imperfections of her members. We must embrace the adjective "Roman" that identifies us as children of the one true Church, and strive to bring others into this Roman identity. However, part of this endeavor is preparing our souls to remain faithful and unwavering, even when we witness the shortcomings of those within the Church.

The Church is inherently holy, and the Holy Spirit constantly manifests this holiness through the life of the Church. Jesus Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her, so that she may be sanctified and presented to him "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Eph 5:27). However, it is important to remember that the Church, while divine, is also human. It is made up of flawed individuals, all of whom have weaknesses and faults.

Throughout history, Christian souls have experienced the reality that no member of the Church is exempt from personal weaknesses. They may make mistakes and behave in ways that are not in line with the teachings of the Church. St. Josemaría wrote that knowing about these weaknesses can prevent us from being scandalized by news of such failings. It can also help us grow in love for the Church, the Spouse of Christ, and move us to cover the faults we observe in others with the cloak of charity and discretion.

While we desire for all people to become saints, our service to the Church is not contingent upon the personal holiness of its members. Our service and love are directed towards the immaculate Bride of Christ. As St. Josemaría said, we should never doubt or suspect the Church. Nor should we tolerate others doing so without protesting. We should not seek out the vulnerabilities of the Church caused by the actions of individuals in order to criticize her. Instead, we should love and speak about the Church with warmth and affection, just as we would for our own mother.

In the Magnificat, the Blessed Virgin echoed the marvelous deeds that God had done for the benefit of mankind. Let us implore her to obtain for us from our Lord the grace to genuinely love the Church of God and the Roman Pontiff, and to actively contribute to the dissemination of the Christian message.

Torreciudad: The Scourging at the Pillar. Fruit of the 2nd Sorrowful Mystery: Mortification. Purity.

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May 12 Sun - What is the Christian's apostolic mission?

 

May 12 Sun
The Ascension and the Christian's apostolic mission.
While they were gazing into Heaven as he ascended, two men in white robes appeared to them and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into Heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). Like the Apostles, we are partly perplexed and partly saddened by his departure. It is not easy to get used to Jesus' physical absence. It moves me to think that out of an excess of love, he has remained with us even after he has gone. He has ascended to Heaven and, at the same time, he gives himself to us as our nourishment in the sacred host. However, we miss his human speech, his actions, his gaze, his smile, and his acts of kindness. We long to see him closely again. How can we not miss his presence?

The angels told the Apostles that it was now time for them to begin their task, that there was no time to waste. With the Ascension, Jesus' earthly mission comes to an end, and ours as his disciples begins. Jesus intercedes for us before his Father: "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world" (John 17:15), out of our rightful place in society, out of our jobs or families, "but that you should keep them from the evil one." Jesus wants each of us to remain in our place, sanctifying the world from within, improving it, and offering it to God. Only then will the world be a place where human dignity is valued and respected, a place where people live in true peace, a peace closely linked to God.

As Jesus ascends to Heaven, he sends us out as his witnesses to the whole world. Our responsibility is great because being a witness of Christ means that we should behave according to his teachings, reminding others of Jesus and his most lovable personality.

Those we live and work with, those we come in contact with, should find us loyal, sincere, joyful, and hardworking. We should act as people who fulfill their duties honestly, and live as children of God in the ups and downs of each day. The ordinary norms of courtesy, such as how we greet others, our cordiality, and spirit of service, should not be merely conventional and superficial for us. Instead, they should be the result of charity and a genuine interest in others.

We find Jesus in a special way in the Tabernacle. Let us turn to him there, even if we cannot physically go but only in our hearts, and ask for his help. Let us assure him that he can rely on us to spread his teachings wherever we go.

The Apostles returned to Jerusalem with Mary and awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. Let us also prepare for Pentecost by staying close to our Lady.

Torreciudad: The Ascension. Fruit of the 2nd Glorious Mystery: Hope and desire of Heaven.

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May 11 Sat - Being a father... what would God the Father be like?

 

May 11 Sat
Being a father... what would God the Father be like? Nine traits of Jesus' divine and human education.

1. "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." These are the first two indications of divine fatherhood to be imitated: affection and recognition of paternity. Like a coach, the father observes, stimulates, encourages, sometimes consoles, but does not exaggerate with praise, and never replaces his pupil.

2. The father introduces the son to values. Tempted by the devil in the desert, with the help of the Father, the Son understands and matures the human capacity not to be deceived by the devil's flattery (Mt 4, 1-3). Children need someone to show them the way to follow and to reflect on what is most important.

3. God the Father chose His own Son to be the Savior for mankind. Be positive in the transmission of the faith. Some parents unwittingly emphasize the negative aspect of everything. This becomes a bad testimony.

4. The Son does what he sees the Father doing (John 5:19). Example and deeds are more effective than words. Children are not so much convinced by speeches on principles as by the concrete experience they have living with us... This does not require that a parent be perfect; what is really important is that he be a credible parent.

5. To "send" and accompany the son to find his vocation. Just as in the preaching of the adolescent Jesus in the Temple, the father must focus on the future of his son. Only when the son finds and fulfills his vocation with total freedom will the father be happy, with the happiness of his son.

6. The son needs to feel that his father believes in him. In the Transfiguration on Tabor, God the Father tells us of Jesus: "Listen to him." Often, we still think that we know life better than they do. The children end up perceiving, convincing themselves that they do not have sufficient credit. To give credit is to trust that they will know how to interpret the future, to be proud of them, and to make them feel that trust.

7. Time together: the father is the guardian of "strong family times." Similar to the time Jesus dedicated to God the Father when he got up early in the morning and began to pray, the father must find time to devote to caring for the children and keeping the relationship alive. Strong family times are the Sunday meal, remembering to bless, with productive conversations, no cell phones, and no tension.

8. The Father has given all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). Children need to feel listened to. Excessive position-taking, arrogant assertions, and contradictory arguments get the opposite result. It does not mean that they are right, but they have some reasons that deserve to be heard.

9. The son needs to count on the respectful tenderness of his father (John 3:35). This balances justice, allowing children to be corrected firmly but without mortifying them.

Torreciudad: The Agony in the Garden. Fruit of the 1st Sorrowful Mystery: Sorrow for Sin. Accepting the will of God.

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May 10 Fri - God expects you to say "yes" to Him

 

May 10 Fri
God is waiting for you to say "yes" to Him. A few days ago, we read that God told the priest Ananias to go and heal Paul of Tarsus from his blindness. "Go, because this is the instrument I have chosen to bear my name to the Gentiles." And Ananias expressed his fear: "Lord, I have heard from many about this man…" He is very dangerous, a killer of Christians.

God entrusts him with a mission, and the first thing that occurs to him is to put obstacles in God's way, to think that the Lord lacks information, that he has to protect himself for his own good, lest he mess up with Saul, the persecutor of Christians.

How clumsy and slow we are when it comes to saying yes, when the Lord asks us to do something. Sometimes we feel the weight of so much hostility, of so many attacks on our faith, of so many victims of persecution throughout the world. But if it ever occurs to you, think that the moment of heaviness may be a response like Ananias': "Lord, there is nothing I can do about it."

You are right, you alone cannot do it. Neither can you and I together, unless the Spirit intervenes. But that initial doubt reminds me of Ananias' response, "What if we leave it for another day, Lord?"

So, doubts away! Like St. Paul with Ananias, God wishes us to learn His will through others.

St. Josemaría invites us to "look again at the example Christ gives us: He obeys Joseph and Mary. God has come to earth to obey, and to obey creatures. Admittedly, they are two very perfect creatures: Holy Mary, our mother, greater than whom only God; and that most chaste man Joseph. But they are only creatures, and yet Jesus, who is God, obeyed them. We have to love God so as to love His will and to desire to respond to His calls. They come to us through the duties of our ordinary life: duties of state, profession, work, family, social life, in our own and other people's difficulties, friendship, eagerness to do what is right and just."

"Our Lord does not disguise the fact that this wholehearted obedience to God's will calls for renunciation and self-sacrifice. Love does not claim rights, it seeks to serve."

So, you wanted to live a comfortable life? But God wanted otherwise. Two wills exist: your will should be corrected to become identified with God's will - you must not bend God's will to suit yours.

We may find ourselves in situations where it is difficult to obey. Let us remember then the glorious end of Christ's Passion. Let us also remember that God our Father is waiting for us to say "yes" to Him.

Obedience should always be cheerful, in simplicity of heart, as St. Paul says, because obedience means responding exactly to what God expects of us, and God only desires our good. Always!

Torreciudad: The Institution of the Eucharist. Fruit of the 5th Luminous Mystery: Adoration, He remains as our sustenance.

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May 9 Thu - Take the bread of Heaven and the chalice of salvation.

 

May 9 Thu
Take the bread of Heaven and the chalice of salvation.

"On the night he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, 'Take, eat: this is my body.' He took the chalice, gave thanks, and said, 'Take, drink: this is my blood.'" Since Christ himself has declared the bread to be his body, who can have any further doubt? Since he himself has said quite categorically, "This is my blood," who would dare to question it and say that it is not his blood?

Therefore, it is with complete assurance that we receive the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. His body is given to us under the appearance of bread, and his blood is given to us under the appearance of wine, in order to make us, by receiving them, one body and blood with him. Having his body and blood in our body, we become bearers of Christ and sharers, as Saint Peter says, in the divine nature.

Once, when speaking to the Jews, Christ said, "Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you shall have no life in you." This horrified them and they left him. Not understanding his words in a spiritual way, they thought the Savior was telling them to practice cannibalism.

Under the old covenant, there was showbread (the cakes or loaves of bread that were always present on a specially-dedicated table in the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering to God), but it came to an end together with the old testament. Under the new covenant, there is bread from heaven and the chalice of salvation. These sanctify both our soul and body; the bread corresponds to the sanctification of the body, the Word to the sanctification of the soul.

Do not, then, regard the Eucharistic elements as ordinary bread and wine; they are, in fact, the body and blood of the Lord, as he himself has declared. Whatever your senses may tell you, be strong in faith.

You have been taught, and you are firmly convinced, that what looks and tastes like bread and wine is not bread and wine, but the body and blood of Christ. You also know how David referred to this long ago when he sang, "Bread gives strength to man's heart and makes his face shine with the oil of gladness." Strengthen your heart, then, by receiving this bread as spiritual bread, and bring joy to the face of your soul.

May purity of conscience remove the veil from the face of your soul so that by contemplating the glory of the Lord, as in a mirror, you may be transformed from glory to glory in Christ Jesus our Lord. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.From the Jerusalem Catecheses of St. Cyril, year 347 A.D.

Torreciudad: The Transfiguration. Fruit of the 4th Luminous Mystery: God and Man. Desire for Holiness.

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