Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot
Lectionary: 309
Lectionary: 309
All the elders of Israel came in a
body to Samuel at Ramah
and said to him, “Now that you are old,
and your sons do not follow your example,
appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.”
and said to him, “Now that you are old,
and your sons do not follow your example,
appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.”
Samuel was displeased when they
asked for a king to judge them.
He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer:
“Grant the people’s every request.
It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.”
He prayed to the LORD, however, who said in answer:
“Grant the people’s every request.
It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.”
Samuel delivered the message of
the LORD in full
to those who were asking him for a king.
He told them:
“The rights of the king who will rule you will be as follows:
He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses,
and they will run before his chariot.
He will also appoint from among them his commanders of groups
of a thousand and of a hundred soldiers.
He will set them to do his plowing and his harvesting,
and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.
He will use your daughters as ointment makers, as cooks, and as bakers.
He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves,
and give them to his officials.
He will tithe your crops and your vineyards,
and give the revenue to his eunuchs and his slaves.
He will take your male and female servants,
as well as your best oxen and your asses,
and use them to do his work.
He will tithe your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves.
When this takes place,
you will complain against the king whom you have chosen,
but on that day the LORD will not answer you.”
to those who were asking him for a king.
He told them:
“The rights of the king who will rule you will be as follows:
He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses,
and they will run before his chariot.
He will also appoint from among them his commanders of groups
of a thousand and of a hundred soldiers.
He will set them to do his plowing and his harvesting,
and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.
He will use your daughters as ointment makers, as cooks, and as bakers.
He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves,
and give them to his officials.
He will tithe your crops and your vineyards,
and give the revenue to his eunuchs and his slaves.
He will take your male and female servants,
as well as your best oxen and your asses,
and use them to do his work.
He will tithe your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves.
When this takes place,
you will complain against the king whom you have chosen,
but on that day the LORD will not answer you.”
The people, however, refused to
listen to Samuel’s warning and said,
“Not so! There must be a king over us.
We too must be like other nations,
with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare
and fight our battles.”
When Samuel had listened to all the people had to say,
he repeated it to the LORD, who then said to him,
“Grant their request and appoint a king to rule them.”
“Not so! There must be a king over us.
We too must be like other nations,
with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare
and fight our battles.”
When Samuel had listened to all the people had to say,
he repeated it to the LORD, who then said to him,
“Grant their request and appoint a king to rule them.”
Responsorial
Psalm89:16-17, 18-19
R. (2)
For
ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
For you are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our King.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
For you are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our King.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
AlleluiaLK 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 2:1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum
after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
“Child, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”
–he said to the paralytic,
“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,
“Child, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?”
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what
they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”
–he said to the paralytic,
“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
For the
readings of the Memorial of Saint Anthony, please go here.
Meditation: "We never
saw anything like this!"
Do
you know the healing power of forgiveness and compassion? Jesus' treatment of
sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to
Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first
forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they
understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or
woman from their burden of guilt.
Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well. The Lord is every ready to bring us healing of body, mind, and spirit. Is there any area in your life that cripples you from walking in the freedom of Christ's transforming love and forgiveness?
Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well. The Lord is every ready to bring us healing of body, mind, and spirit. Is there any area in your life that cripples you from walking in the freedom of Christ's transforming love and forgiveness?
Bishop
Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD), an early church father, explains how the healing
of the paralytic points not only to Christ's power to heal the whole person,
but also to raise the body to everlasting life as well:
But
the Lord, wanting to save sinners, shows himself to be God both by his
knowledge of secrets and by the wonder of his actions. He adds, "Which is
easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you'’ or to say, 'Rise and walk?'"
In this passage he shows the full likeness of the resurrection. Alongside of
healing the wounds of body and mind, he also forgives the sins of the spirit,
removes the weakness of the flesh, and thus heals the whole person. It is a
great thing to forgive people's sins - who can forgive sins, but God alone? For
God also forgives through those to whom he has given the power of forgiveness.
Yet it is far more divine to give resurrection to bodies, since the Lord
himself is the resurrection. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF
LUKE 5.12–13.5)
Do
you believe in the healing transforming power of Christ's forgiveness and
merciful love? Ask him to set you free and transform your mind and heart to be
like his heart.
"Lord
Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and
restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch
every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and
memories. Pardon my offenses and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit
that I may walk confidently in your love, truth, and righteousness."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Reverse your relation with sickness,
by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)
"Take
up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that
what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness.
Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of
the strength that has been restored to you." (excerpt from HOMILY
50.6)
[Peter
Chrysologus was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century]
FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, MARK 2:1-12
(1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Psalm 89)
(1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Psalm 89)
KEY VERSE: "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home" (v 11).
TO KNOW: Jesus returned to his mission base in Capernaum (probably Simon Peter's house). When the people learned that he was at home, they came in great numbers to listen to him preach the gospel. Four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus to heal him, but they could not get through the crowds. Undaunted, they carried the man up the outside staircase and opened a hole in the thatched roof. Then they lowered the man on a stretcher to the feet of Jesus below. When Jesus saw the faith of these men, he was moved with pity and healed the paralytic by telling him that his sins were forgiven (In ancient times disease or misfortune was thought to be the penalty for sin, Job 4:7-9). In saying this, Jesus touched off the first of a series of controversies with the religious leaders. The scribes murmured “blasphemy” (v. 7) as only God was capable of forgiving sins. To prove that “the Son of Man” (Jesus’ typical way of speaking of himself, Dan 7:13) had authority to "forgive sins on earth” (v 10) Jesus commanded the man to rise and walk, thus revealing his divine authority over physical and spiritual sickness. The people were astounded and gave glory to God for the healing, the true purpose of any miracle.
TO LOVE: What is the sin in my life that keeps me paralyzed?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to confess my sins so that I might receive spiritual health.
Memorial of Saint Anthony, abbot
At age 35 Anthony moved to the desert where he lived alone for 20 years in an abandoned fort. He based his life on the Gospel, miraculously healing people and acting as spiritual counselor of others. Word spread and so many disciples arrived that Anthony founded other monasteries. His sister also withdrew from the world and directed a community of nuns. Anthony briefly left his seclusion in 311, going to Alexandria to fight the Arian heresy, and to comfort the victims of the Emperor Maximinus' persecution. Anthony retired to the desert again, living in a cave on Mount Colzim. He is the Father of Western Monasticism. His example led many to take up the monastic life, and to follow his way. His biography was written by his friend Saint Athanasius.
Father, you called Saint Anthony to renounce the world and serve you in the solitude of the desert. By his prayers and example, may we learn to deny ourselves and love you above all things.
Friday 17 January 2020
Day of Penance
1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22. Psalm 88(89):16-19. Mark 2:1-12.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord – Psalm 88(89):16-19.
‘Stand up and take your mat and walk.’
1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22. Psalm 88(89):16-19. Mark 2:1-12.
For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord – Psalm 88(89):16-19.
‘Stand up and take your mat and walk.’
The crowds come expecting that Jesus will perform a healing.
Before doing so, Jesus challenges the unbelievers with a teaching moment, and
is able to show them the impact of the bondage of sin, indeed, the bondage of
their own unbelief. He uses words first. He liberates the heart. The words that
Jesus uses ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’ are one thing, but the actions speak
much louder. On Jesus’ invitation to ‘stand up’, the paralytic gets up and
walks, praising God. God’s action is shown. Where in our lives do we need to be
freed to trust in God’s saving power?
Christ my brother, you are a friend to those in special need.
Help me to call upon your name for help in my struggles, that I may have a
deeper faith in your power to forgive. Call me to ‘stand up’ from the
afflictions which limit my freedom.
Saint Anthony of Egypt (Saint Anthony the Abbot)
Saint of the Day for January 17
(251 – 356)
 |
Saint Anthony of Egypt’s Story
The life of Anthony will remind many people of Saint Francis of Assisi. At 20, Anthony was so moved by the
Gospel message, “Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor” (Mark 10:21b),
that he actually did just that with his large inheritance. He is different from
Francis in that most of Anthony’s life was spent in solitude. He saw the world
completely covered with snares, and gave the Church and the world the witness
of solitary asceticism, great personal mortification and prayer. But no saint
is antisocial, and Anthony drew many people to himself for spiritual healing
and guidance.
At 54, he responded to many requests and founded a sort of
monastery of scattered cells. Again, like Francis, he had great fear of
“stately buildings and well-laden tables.”
At 60, he hoped to be a martyr in the renewed Roman persecution
of 311, fearlessly exposing himself to danger while giving moral and material
support to those in prison. At 88, he was fighting the Arian heresy, that
massive trauma from which it took the Church centuries to recover. “The mule
kicking over the altar” denied the divinity of Christ.
Anthony is associated in art with a T-shaped cross, a pig and a
book. The pig and the cross are symbols of his valiant warfare with the
devil—the cross his constant means of power over evil spirits, the pig a symbol
of the devil himself. The book recalls his preference for “the book of nature”
over the printed word. Anthony died in solitude at age 105.
Reflection
In an age that smiles at the notion of devils and angels, a
person known for having power over evil spirits must at least make us pause.
And in a day when people speak of life as a “rat race,” one who devotes a whole
life to solitude and prayer points to an essential of the Christian life in all
ages. Anthony’s hermit life reminds us of the absoluteness of our break with
sin and the totality of our commitment to Christ. Even in God’s good world,
there is another world whose false values constantly tempt us.
Saint Anthony of Egypt is the Patron Saint of:
Butchers
Gravediggers
Skin Diseases
Gravediggers
Skin Diseases
Lectio Divina: Mark 2:1-12
Lectio Divina
Friday, January 17, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of love, hear our prayers.
Help us to know Your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
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.
Help us to know Your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
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 - Mark 2,1-12
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became
known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer
room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They
came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus
because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken
through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw
their faith, he said to him, "Child, your sins are forgiven." Now
some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this
man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive
sins?" Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to
themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say,
'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority to forgive sins on earth" –he said to the paralytic, "I
say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his
mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
3) Reflection
• In Mark 1:1-15, Mark shows how the Good News of God should be
prepared and spread. In Mark 1:16-45, he describes the objective of the Good
News and the mission of the community. Now, in Mk 2:1 to 3, 6 there is the
effect of the proclamation of the Good News. A community faithful to the Gospel
lives values which can be in contradiction to the interests of the unjust
society which surrounds it. This is why one of the effects of the proclamation
of the Good News is the conflict with those who defend the interests of the
unjust society. Mark gathers together five conflicts which the proclamation of
the Good News brought to Jesus.
• In the year 70, the time when he wrote his Gospel, there were many conflicts in the life of the communities, but they did not always know how to behave before the accusations which they received from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish leaders. This series of five conflicts found in Mk 2:1 to 3, 6 served as a guide to the communities, those of the past as well as those of today. Conflict is not an incident along the road, it forms part of the journey.
• The following is the outline of the five conflicts which Mark presents in his Gospel:
Texts conflict:
1st conflict: Mk 2:1-12
2nd conflict: Mk 2:13-17
3rd conflict: Mk 2:18-22
4th conflict: Mk 2:23-28
5th conflict: Mk 3:1-6
• In the year 70, the time when he wrote his Gospel, there were many conflicts in the life of the communities, but they did not always know how to behave before the accusations which they received from the Roman authorities and from the Jewish leaders. This series of five conflicts found in Mk 2:1 to 3, 6 served as a guide to the communities, those of the past as well as those of today. Conflict is not an incident along the road, it forms part of the journey.
• The following is the outline of the five conflicts which Mark presents in his Gospel:
Texts conflict:
1st conflict: Mk 2:1-12
2nd conflict: Mk 2:13-17
3rd conflict: Mk 2:18-22
4th conflict: Mk 2:23-28
5th conflict: Mk 3:1-6
Adversaries of Jesus:
The scribes
The scribes of the Pharisees
The disciples of John and the Pharisees
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and the Herodians
The scribes of the Pharisees
The disciples of John and the Pharisees
The Pharisees
The Pharisees and the Herodians
Cause of the conflict:
Forgiveness of sins
To eat with sinners
The practice of fasting
Observance of Saturday
To cure on Saturday
• The solidarity of the friends of the paralytic obtains the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is returning to Capernaum. Many people gather before the door of the house. He accepts everybody and begins to teach them. To teach, to speak of God, was what Jesus did the most. A paralytic, carried by four friends, arrived. Jesus is their only hope. They do not doubt about going up and they make an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. It must have been a poor house, with the roof being just mud covered with leaves. They lowered the stretcher with the man to Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven you. At that time people thought that physical defects (paralytic) were a punishment from God for any sin that had been committed. The Doctors of the Law taught that the person remained impure and therefore, incapable of getting close to God. For this reason, the sick, the poor, the paralytics, felt that they were rejected by God! But Jesus did not think this way. Such a great faith was a sign that the paralytic was accepted by God. And for this reason, He declares: “Your sins are forgiven you!” With this affirmation Jesus denies that the paralysis was a punishment due to the sin of the man.
• Jesus is accused of blasphemy by those who held power. The affirmation of Jesus was contrary to the catechism of the time. It was not in accordance with the idea that they had of God. And because of this they react against and accuse Jesus: He blasphemes! According to them only God could forgive sins. And only the priest could declare someone forgiven and purified. How could it be that Jesus, a man without studies, a lay person, a simple carpenter, could declare people forgiven and purified of their sins? There was also another reason which pushed them to criticize Jesus. They had thought: “If it is true what Jesus says, we will lose our power! We will lose our source of income”.
• By curing, Jesus shows that He also has the power to forgive sins. Jesus perceives the criticism. This is why He asks: “Which of these is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, get up, pick up your stretcher and walk? It is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven you”. Because nobody can verify if the sins have truly been forgiven or not. But if I tell him: “Get up and walk!”, there, all can see if I have or don't have the power to heal. In order to show that He had the power to forgive sins, in the name of God, Jesus says to the paralytic: Get up, take up your stretcher and go off home! He cures the man! The leaders were confronted with a dilemma. Either their teaching was wrong and sickness is not related to sin, or Jesus had the power to forgive sins, proven by their own teaching! Thus, through a miracle, He taught that the paralysis of the man was not a punishment from God, and He showed that the faith of the poor is a proof that God accepts them in His love.
• The message of the miracle and the reaction of people. The paralytic gets up, he takes his stretcher, and begins to walk, and all say: “We have never seen anything like this!” This miracle reveals three very important things: a) The sicknesses of people are not a punishment for sins. b) Jesus opens a new way to reach God. What the system called impurity was no more an obstacle for people to get close to God. c) The face of God revealed through the attitude of Jesus was different from the severe face of God revealed by the attitude of the doctors.
• This reminds us of what a drug addict said once he had recovered and who is now a member of a community in Curitiba, Brazil: “I grew up in the Catholic religion. I abandoned it. My parents were good practicing Catholics and wanted us, their children to be like them. People were obliged always to go to Church, every Sunday and every feast day. And when one did not go, they would say: “God will punish you”. I went because this was imposed upon me, and when I became an adult, I no longer went to Mass. I did not like the God of my parents. I could not understand that God, the Creator of the world, could extend over me, a small child, threatening me with the punishment of hell. I liked much more the God of my uncle who never went to Church, but who every day, and I repeat, every day, bought twice as much bread than what he ate, in order to give to the poor!”.
Forgiveness of sins
To eat with sinners
The practice of fasting
Observance of Saturday
To cure on Saturday
• The solidarity of the friends of the paralytic obtains the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is returning to Capernaum. Many people gather before the door of the house. He accepts everybody and begins to teach them. To teach, to speak of God, was what Jesus did the most. A paralytic, carried by four friends, arrived. Jesus is their only hope. They do not doubt about going up and they make an opening in the roof over the place where Jesus was. It must have been a poor house, with the roof being just mud covered with leaves. They lowered the stretcher with the man to Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic: your sins are forgiven you. At that time people thought that physical defects (paralytic) were a punishment from God for any sin that had been committed. The Doctors of the Law taught that the person remained impure and therefore, incapable of getting close to God. For this reason, the sick, the poor, the paralytics, felt that they were rejected by God! But Jesus did not think this way. Such a great faith was a sign that the paralytic was accepted by God. And for this reason, He declares: “Your sins are forgiven you!” With this affirmation Jesus denies that the paralysis was a punishment due to the sin of the man.
• Jesus is accused of blasphemy by those who held power. The affirmation of Jesus was contrary to the catechism of the time. It was not in accordance with the idea that they had of God. And because of this they react against and accuse Jesus: He blasphemes! According to them only God could forgive sins. And only the priest could declare someone forgiven and purified. How could it be that Jesus, a man without studies, a lay person, a simple carpenter, could declare people forgiven and purified of their sins? There was also another reason which pushed them to criticize Jesus. They had thought: “If it is true what Jesus says, we will lose our power! We will lose our source of income”.
• By curing, Jesus shows that He also has the power to forgive sins. Jesus perceives the criticism. This is why He asks: “Which of these is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, get up, pick up your stretcher and walk? It is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven you”. Because nobody can verify if the sins have truly been forgiven or not. But if I tell him: “Get up and walk!”, there, all can see if I have or don't have the power to heal. In order to show that He had the power to forgive sins, in the name of God, Jesus says to the paralytic: Get up, take up your stretcher and go off home! He cures the man! The leaders were confronted with a dilemma. Either their teaching was wrong and sickness is not related to sin, or Jesus had the power to forgive sins, proven by their own teaching! Thus, through a miracle, He taught that the paralysis of the man was not a punishment from God, and He showed that the faith of the poor is a proof that God accepts them in His love.
• The message of the miracle and the reaction of people. The paralytic gets up, he takes his stretcher, and begins to walk, and all say: “We have never seen anything like this!” This miracle reveals three very important things: a) The sicknesses of people are not a punishment for sins. b) Jesus opens a new way to reach God. What the system called impurity was no more an obstacle for people to get close to God. c) The face of God revealed through the attitude of Jesus was different from the severe face of God revealed by the attitude of the doctors.
• This reminds us of what a drug addict said once he had recovered and who is now a member of a community in Curitiba, Brazil: “I grew up in the Catholic religion. I abandoned it. My parents were good practicing Catholics and wanted us, their children to be like them. People were obliged always to go to Church, every Sunday and every feast day. And when one did not go, they would say: “God will punish you”. I went because this was imposed upon me, and when I became an adult, I no longer went to Mass. I did not like the God of my parents. I could not understand that God, the Creator of the world, could extend over me, a small child, threatening me with the punishment of hell. I liked much more the God of my uncle who never went to Church, but who every day, and I repeat, every day, bought twice as much bread than what he ate, in order to give to the poor!”.
4) Personal questions
• Do you like the God of the uncle or the God of the parents of
the ex drug addict?
• Which is the face of God that others discover in my behavior?
• Which is the face of God that others discover in my behavior?
5) Concluding prayer
What we have heard and know,
what our ancestors have told us
we shall not conceal from their descendants,
but will tell to a generation still to come:
the praises of Yahweh, His power,
the wonderful deeds He has done. (Ps 78,3-4)
what our ancestors have told us
we shall not conceal from their descendants,
but will tell to a generation still to come:
the praises of Yahweh, His power,
the wonderful deeds He has done. (Ps 78,3-4)
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