Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
Lectionary: 494
Lectionary: 494
Beloved:
I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love,
because the hearts of the holy ones
have been refreshed by you, brother.
Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ
to order you to do what is proper,
I rather urge you out of love,
being as I am, Paul, an old man,
and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.
I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,
whose father I have become in my imprisonment,
who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me.
I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
I should have liked to retain him for myself,
so that he might serve me on your behalf
in my imprisonment for the Gospel,
but I did not want to do anything without your consent,
so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.
Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,
that you might have him back forever,
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother,
beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,
as a man and in the Lord.
So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
And if he has done you any injustice
or owes you anything, charge it to me.
I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay.
May I not tell you that you owe me your very self.
Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord.
Refresh my heart in Christ.
I have experienced much joy and encouragement from your love,
because the hearts of the holy ones
have been refreshed by you, brother.
Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ
to order you to do what is proper,
I rather urge you out of love,
being as I am, Paul, an old man,
and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.
I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,
whose father I have become in my imprisonment,
who was once useless to you but is now useful to both you and me.
I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
I should have liked to retain him for myself,
so that he might serve me on your behalf
in my imprisonment for the Gospel,
but I did not want to do anything without your consent,
so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.
Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,
that you might have him back forever,
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother,
beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,
as a man and in the Lord.
So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.
And if he has done you any injustice
or owes you anything, charge it to me.
I, Paul, write this in my own hand: I will pay.
May I not tell you that you owe me your very self.
Yes, brother, may I profit from you in the Lord.
Refresh my heart in Christ.
Responsorial Psalm PS 146:7, 8-9A, 9BC-10
R. (5a) Blessed is he whose help is the God of
Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel LK 17:20-25
Asked by the
Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
Then he said to his disciples,
“The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”
Jesus said in reply,
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
Then he said to his disciples,
“The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,
‘Look, there he is,’ or ‘Look, here he is.’
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”
Meditation: The
coming of Christ's kingdom
What can lightning
tell us about the coming of the Lord and his kingdom? The Jews is Jesus' time
were watching in great anticipation for some sign which would indicate when the
Messiah would appear to establish the kingdom of God. The Pharisees' question
on this matter was intended to test Jesus since they did not accept him as the
Messiah. Jesus surprised them with the answer that the kingdom or reign of God
was already here! Jesus spoke of the coming of God's kingdom as both a present
event and an event which would be manifested at the end of time.
The Day of
Judgment and God's final verdict
The "Day of the Lord" was understood in the Old Testament as the time when God would manifest his glory and power and overthrow the enemies of his people, Israel. The prophet Amos declared that the "Day" also meant judgment for Israel as well as the nations (Amos 5:18-20). The prophet Joel proclaimed that at this "Day" those who truly repented would be saved, while those who remained enemies of the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile, would be punished (see Joel 2).
The "Day of the Lord" was understood in the Old Testament as the time when God would manifest his glory and power and overthrow the enemies of his people, Israel. The prophet Amos declared that the "Day" also meant judgment for Israel as well as the nations (Amos 5:18-20). The prophet Joel proclaimed that at this "Day" those who truly repented would be saved, while those who remained enemies of the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile, would be punished (see Joel 2).
Image of
lightning and the sudden appearance of Christ on Judgment Day
Why did Jesus associate lightning with the "Day of the Lord"? In the arid climate of Palestine, storms were infrequent and seasonal. They often appeared suddenly or unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, covering everything in thick darkness. With little or no warning lightning filled the sky with its piercing flashes of flaming light. Its power struck terror and awe in those who tried to flee from its presence. Jesus warned the Pharisees that the "Son of man" (a title for the Messiah given in the Book of Daniel 7:13-15) would come in like manner, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, on the clouds of heaven to bring God's judgment on the "Day of the Lord". No special sign will be needed to announce his appearance. Nor will his presence and power be veiled or hidden, but all will recognize him as clearly as the lightning in the sky.
Why did Jesus associate lightning with the "Day of the Lord"? In the arid climate of Palestine, storms were infrequent and seasonal. They often appeared suddenly or unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, covering everything in thick darkness. With little or no warning lightning filled the sky with its piercing flashes of flaming light. Its power struck terror and awe in those who tried to flee from its presence. Jesus warned the Pharisees that the "Son of man" (a title for the Messiah given in the Book of Daniel 7:13-15) would come in like manner, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, on the clouds of heaven to bring God's judgment on the "Day of the Lord". No special sign will be needed to announce his appearance. Nor will his presence and power be veiled or hidden, but all will recognize him as clearly as the lightning in the sky.
Jesus returns to
judge the living and the dead
Jesus identified himself with the "Day of the Lord." "Son of man" was understood as a Messianic title for the one who would come not only to establish God's kingdom but who would come as Judge of the living as well as the dead. Jesus points to his second coming when he will return to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both believers and non-believers as well.
Jesus identified himself with the "Day of the Lord." "Son of man" was understood as a Messianic title for the one who would come not only to establish God's kingdom but who would come as Judge of the living as well as the dead. Jesus points to his second coming when he will return to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both believers and non-believers as well.
When the Pharisees
asked Jesus what sign would indicate the "Day of the Lord", Jesus
replied that only one sign would point to that day and that sign was Jesus
himself. Jesus surprised the Jews of his time by announcing that God's kingdom
was already present among them in his very person - the Son of God sent from
the Father to redeem the world from sin and corruption.
Our hope is
anchored in God's kingdom - not the passing kingdoms of this present world
In the Lord Jesus we see both the power and the glory of God's kingdom. His divine power overthrew the powers of darkness (the kingdom of Satan and all who opposed God's rule) and sin (which corrupts and enslaves the human mind, heart, and will to the forces of evil and wrongdoing). Jesus knew that the only way to victory was through the cross. On that cross he defeated death and canceled the debt of our sins. The victory of his cross opens the way for us to live as sons and daughters of God and citizens of his heavenly kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (moral goodness). Is your hope and future securely anchored to coming of God's kingdom?
In the Lord Jesus we see both the power and the glory of God's kingdom. His divine power overthrew the powers of darkness (the kingdom of Satan and all who opposed God's rule) and sin (which corrupts and enslaves the human mind, heart, and will to the forces of evil and wrongdoing). Jesus knew that the only way to victory was through the cross. On that cross he defeated death and canceled the debt of our sins. The victory of his cross opens the way for us to live as sons and daughters of God and citizens of his heavenly kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (moral goodness). Is your hope and future securely anchored to coming of God's kingdom?
"Lord Jesus
Christ, may your kingdom come and my your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Be the Ruler of my heart and the Master of my life that I may always
live in the freedom of your love and truth."
 The Kingdom Within |
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November 13,
2014. Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin
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By Father Edward
Hopkins, LC
Luke 17:20-25
Asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, "The
coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce,
´Look, here it is,´ or, ´There it is.´ For behold, the kingdom of God is
among you." Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when
you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see
it. There will be those who will say to you, ´Look, there he is,´ or ´Look,
here he is.´ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning
flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of
Man be in his day. But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this
generation.
Introductory
Prayer: Lord, I believe in your
presence in my life. You have called me to share in your faith and love. I
trust that you will help me grow closer to you. I love you, Lord, here and
now. I will live this day in prayer.
Petition: Lord, help me to understand your Kingdom better.
1. When? Since the Pharisees had the wrong notion of the
Kingdom of God, they could hardly ask the proper questions concerning it.
Their expected kingdom was a worldly kingdom that would cast off foreign
domination and restore sovereignty to Israel. But Christ’s kingdom is
concerned more about the state of the soul and the struggle between good and
evil than external nations. The Pharisees’ misperception kept them from
recognizing Christ and his kingdom. Thousands of years later we, too, can be
susceptible to the errors of the Pharisees. For us, a lack of faith can keep
us from seeing that the Kingdom of God comes only when we accept Jesus as
king of our souls. Only when we allow him to rule and order our lives does his
kingdom come. The “when” is now. Now is the moment for me to encounter Christ
and make him my king.
2. Where? Christ’s disciples also struggled to understand
the nature of the kingdom. They sought to see “the days of the Son of Man,” a
powerful reign where Christ was supreme with the entire world subject to him.
Yet, Christ comes first to reign in the heart of each person. In my own
heart, do I believe in Christ and accept his will? Do I love him and
sacrifice myself in order to respond to his will? Am I building the kingdom
from my prayer and life of grace?
3. How? If the kingdom is here and now, then how do we
enter? We enter the same way our King enters – through the door of suffering
and perseverance. “First he must suffer greatly and be rejected.” Belief is
not just a one-time acceptance. Faith must be lived throughout the great and
little trials we encounter in life. In this way we make faith and the kingdom
more our own. We need to remember that in the end, it is the kingdom -- and
the King himself -- who comes to us, like lighting across the sky.
Conversation with
Christ: Dear Jesus, help me to
understand your kingdom. Build your kingdom within me, in my thoughts and
desires. Become my life and my love. Cut away any distance between us. Make
my life the light and salt to spread your kingdom effectively to those with
whom I cross paths.
Resolution: I will dedicate a longer and calmer time to
examine my conscience tonight, and look for progress as well as the struggles
of the kingdom within me.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, LUKE 17:20-25
(Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146)
(Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146)
KEY VERSE: "For behold, the kingdom of God is among you" (v 21).
READING: After centuries of domination by foreign powers, Israel realized that only divine intervention could release them from oppression. Israel longed for this great "Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:11), and looked forward to the Messiah who would announce the arrival of God's kingdom. Jesus explained that the kingdom was not a geographical or political realm, nor could it be pinpointed in time. The kingdom was already in their midst and, at the same time, yet to come, a mystery for which Christians pray daily in the Lord's Prayer ̶ "Thy Kingdom come." Jesus established God's reign through his words and works, his death and resurrection. It will be fully revealed at his final coming, a day which will arrive when least expected.
REFLECTING: What am I doing to bring God's reign to fulfillment?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to live each day for the kingdom.
Memorial of Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin
One of thirteen children raised on a farm, Frances received a convent education, and training as a teacher. A priest asked her to teach at a girl's school, the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, which she did for six years. She took religious vows in 1877, and when the orphanage closed in 1880, her bishop asked her to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Pope Leo XIII then sent her to the United States to carry on this mission. She and six Sisters arrived in New York in 1889. They worked among immigrants, especially Italians. Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States, Europe and South America. Like many of the people she worked with, Mother Cabrini became a United States citizen during her life, and after her death she was the first US citizen to be canonized.
Thursday 13 November 2014
Philemon 7-20. Blest are
they whose help is the God of Jacob—Ps 145(146):7-10. Luke 17:20-25.
‘When is the kingdom of God
coming?’
By his question, the
Pharisee showed his lack of understanding and an unwillingness to accept Jesus’
teaching. Jesus took the opportunity to explain his message in more detail to
the disciples. He had spoken many times about the kingdom of God being present
in the here and now.
This is the same message we
hear in the gospels today and see in the lives of people of good faith. It is
what enables us to face life’s difficulties, trusting that God is in it with
us. Are we sometimes like the Pharisee looking for the wrong signs? Are we
looking for something spectacular to happen rather than responding to the
kingdom deep in our own hearts?
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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It All Matters
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If there is one message to share with young Catholics, it’s this:
It all matters. If we see every moment as an opportunity to love God and grow
more deeply in relationship with Him, then our lives have purpose.
November
13
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
(1850-1917)
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
(1850-1917)
Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first United States citizen to be
canonized; she became a U.S. citizen in 1909. Her deep trust in the loving care
of her God gave her the strength to be a valiant woman doing the work of
Christ.
Refused
admission to the religious order which had educated her to be a teacher, she
began charitable work at the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadogno, Italy.
In September 1877, she made her vows there and took the religious habit.
When the
bishop closed the orphanage in 1880, he named Frances prioress of the
Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Seven young women from the orphanage
joined her.
Since her
early childhood in Italy, Frances had wanted to be a missionary in China but,
at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, Frances went west instead of east. She traveled
with six sisters to New York City to work with the thousands of Italian
immigrants living there.
She found
disappointment and difficulties with every step. When she arrived in New York,
the house intended to be her first orphanage in the United States was not
available. The archbishop advised her to return to Italy. But Frances, truly a
valiant woman, departed from the archbishop’s residence all the more determined
to establish that orphanage. And she did.
In 35
years Frances Xavier Cabrini founded 67 institutions dedicated to caring for
the poor, the abandoned, the uneducated and the sick. Seeing great need among
Italian immigrants who were losing their faith, she organized schools and adult
education classes.
As a
child, she was always frightened of water, unable to overcome her fear of
drowning. Yet, despite this fear, she traveled across the Atlantic Ocean more
than 30 times. She died of malaria in her own Columbus Hospital in Chicago.
Comment:
The compassion and dedication of Mother Cabrini is still seen in hundreds of thousands of her fellow citizens, not yet canonized, who care for the sick in hospitals, nursing homes and state institutions. We complain of increased medical costs in an affluent society, but the daily news shows us millions who have little or no medical care, and who are calling for new Mother Cabrinis to become citizen-servants of their land.
The compassion and dedication of Mother Cabrini is still seen in hundreds of thousands of her fellow citizens, not yet canonized, who care for the sick in hospitals, nursing homes and state institutions. We complain of increased medical costs in an affluent society, but the daily news shows us millions who have little or no medical care, and who are calling for new Mother Cabrinis to become citizen-servants of their land.
Quote:
At her canonization on July 7, 1946, Pope Pius XII said, "Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond the strength of a woman."
At her canonization on July 7, 1946, Pope Pius XII said, "Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond the strength of a woman."
Patron Saint of:
Hospital administrators
Immigrants
Impossible causes
Hospital administrators
Immigrants
Impossible causes
LECTIO DIVINA:
LUKE 17,20-25
Lectio:
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Luke 17,20-25
Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come,
Jesus gave them this answer, 'The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit
of observation and there will be no one to say, "Look, it is here! Look,
it is there!" For look, the kingdom of God is among you.'
He said to the disciples, 'A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man and will not see it.
They will say to you, "Look, it is there!" or, "Look, it is here!" Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when his Day comes. But first he is destined to suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.
He said to the disciples, 'A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of man and will not see it.
They will say to you, "Look, it is there!" or, "Look, it is here!" Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when his Day comes. But first he is destined to suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel gives us the discussion between Jesus and the
Pharisees on the coming of the Kingdom. The Gospel today and that of the
following days deal with the coming of the end of time.
• Luke 17, 20-21: The Kingdom is among you. “Asked when the Kingdom of God was to come?” Jesus answered: “The coming of the Kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, ‘Look, it is here! Look, it is there! For look, the Kingdom of God is among you!” The Pharisees thought that the Kingdom could come only after people would have reached the perfect observance of the Law of God. For them, the coming of the Kingdom would be the reward of God for the good behaviour of people, and the Messiah would have come in a very solemn way as a king, received by his people. Jesus says the contrary. The coming of the Kingdom cannot be observed as the coming of an earthly king is observed. For Jesus, the Kingdom of God has already come! It is already among us, independently of our effort or merit. Jesus sees things in a different way. He has another way of reading life. He prefers the Samaritan who lives with gratitude to the nine who think that they merit the good that they receive from God (Lk 17, 17-19).
• Luke 17, 22-24: The signs to recognize the coming of the Son of Man. “A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look it is there! or Look, it is here!’ Make no move, do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his Day comes”. In this affirmation of Jesus there are elements that are taken from the apocalyptic vision of history, quite common in the first centuries and after Jesus. The apocalyptic vision of history has the following characteristic: in the time of great persecutions and of oppression, the poor have the impression that God loses control of history. They feel lost, without a horizon and without any hope of liberation. In those moments of apparent absence of God, prophecy assumes the form of apocalypse. The apocalyptic, seek to enlighten the desperate situation with the light of faith to help the people not to lose hope and to continue to have courage on the way. To show that God does not lose control of history, they describe the different stages of the realization of the project of God through history. Begun in a determinate significant moment in the past, this project of God advances, stage after stage, through the situations lived by the poor, until the final victory is obtained at the end of history. In this way, the apocalyptic place the present moment like a stage which has already been foreseen in the overall project of God. Generally, the last stage, before the coming of the end is represented like a moment of suffering and of crisis, of which many have tried to profit to deceive people saying: “They will tell you: Look it is here, or look it is there; do not move, do not follow them. Because like lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when his Day comes”. Having the eyes of faith which Jesus communicates, the poor can perceive that the Kingdom is already among them (Lk 17, 21), like lightening, without any doubt. The coming of the Kingdom brings with it its own evidence and does not depend on the forecast or prediction of others.
• Luke 17, 25: By the Cross up to the Glory. “But first he is destined to suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation”. Always the same warning: the Cross, scandal for the Jews and foolishness for the Greek, but for us the expression of the wisdom and the power of God (1Co 1, 18.23). The path toward the glory passes through the Cross. The life of Jesus is our canon, it is the canonical norm for all of us.
• Luke 17, 20-21: The Kingdom is among you. “Asked when the Kingdom of God was to come?” Jesus answered: “The coming of the Kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, ‘Look, it is here! Look, it is there! For look, the Kingdom of God is among you!” The Pharisees thought that the Kingdom could come only after people would have reached the perfect observance of the Law of God. For them, the coming of the Kingdom would be the reward of God for the good behaviour of people, and the Messiah would have come in a very solemn way as a king, received by his people. Jesus says the contrary. The coming of the Kingdom cannot be observed as the coming of an earthly king is observed. For Jesus, the Kingdom of God has already come! It is already among us, independently of our effort or merit. Jesus sees things in a different way. He has another way of reading life. He prefers the Samaritan who lives with gratitude to the nine who think that they merit the good that they receive from God (Lk 17, 17-19).
• Luke 17, 22-24: The signs to recognize the coming of the Son of Man. “A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, ‘Look it is there! or Look, it is here!’ Make no move, do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his Day comes”. In this affirmation of Jesus there are elements that are taken from the apocalyptic vision of history, quite common in the first centuries and after Jesus. The apocalyptic vision of history has the following characteristic: in the time of great persecutions and of oppression, the poor have the impression that God loses control of history. They feel lost, without a horizon and without any hope of liberation. In those moments of apparent absence of God, prophecy assumes the form of apocalypse. The apocalyptic, seek to enlighten the desperate situation with the light of faith to help the people not to lose hope and to continue to have courage on the way. To show that God does not lose control of history, they describe the different stages of the realization of the project of God through history. Begun in a determinate significant moment in the past, this project of God advances, stage after stage, through the situations lived by the poor, until the final victory is obtained at the end of history. In this way, the apocalyptic place the present moment like a stage which has already been foreseen in the overall project of God. Generally, the last stage, before the coming of the end is represented like a moment of suffering and of crisis, of which many have tried to profit to deceive people saying: “They will tell you: Look it is here, or look it is there; do not move, do not follow them. Because like lightening flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of man when his Day comes”. Having the eyes of faith which Jesus communicates, the poor can perceive that the Kingdom is already among them (Lk 17, 21), like lightening, without any doubt. The coming of the Kingdom brings with it its own evidence and does not depend on the forecast or prediction of others.
• Luke 17, 25: By the Cross up to the Glory. “But first he is destined to suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation”. Always the same warning: the Cross, scandal for the Jews and foolishness for the Greek, but for us the expression of the wisdom and the power of God (1Co 1, 18.23). The path toward the glory passes through the Cross. The life of Jesus is our canon, it is the canonical norm for all of us.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus said: “The Kingdom is in your midst!” Have you already
found some sign of the Kingdom in your life, in the life of your nation or in
the life of your community?
• The cross in our life. Suffering. How do you consider or see suffering? What do you do about it?
• The cross in our life. Suffering. How do you consider or see suffering? What do you do about it?
5) Concluding prayer
He keeps faith for ever,
gives justice to the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry;
Yahweh sets prisoners free. (Ps 146,6-7)
gives justice to the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry;
Yahweh sets prisoners free. (Ps 146,6-7)
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