The Gospel
Luke 4:24‑30
                                                               No prophet accepted in his hometown.  
                                                ...many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, 
                                                    none of them cleansed except Naaman, the Syrian.
 
St. Gaspar
"Assiduous prayers, etc. and courage through the merits of the divine Blood.  The works of God are the fruit of tears and of suffering.  In short, let us serve God and even though troubled by things, let us glory in the crosses through which we will attain salvation.[1]
 
"So prayers.  I realize that perfection is not attained in a single day, but if the sick person pays no attention to the remedies for a cure, nor does he bother to listen to the advice that respectfully I keep giving him, what are we to do?[2]
 
Reflection
            Naaman had expectations of the healing powers of the prophet Elijah.  He wanted a display of power, but his expectations were not fulfilled.  The people of Jesus time had expectations of the kind of Messiah they were waiting for, but Jesus took the part of the poor and the foreigner, and so their expectations were not met.
            Often in our relationships with other people we approach them with our expectations rather than meeting them as they are. Married people sometimes fall in love with their ideal spouse and their hopes and dreams before discovering the person as they truly are. Religious men and women do the same thing with their communities.
            Experience then sometimes provides a disappointment for us, when people do not meet our expectations. On hearing Jesus as he is, they rose up an attempted to kill him. We are challenged too to see if we approach Jesus as he is in himself, or if we have developed expectations that govern this relationship. St. Gaspar calls us to a listening posture, and even if the encounter provides an experience of the cross we are to glory in that cross as a way to salvation.

• How can I be more open to other people as they are?
• Where might I allow my friends or spouse to be different from my expectations.
• What freedom must I have to allow my friends to change?

[1] letter 1447, to Msgr Bellisario Cristaldi, May 16, 1826, Resources 11, pg 10
[2] letter 1521, to Fr. Pietro Butti, October 5, 1826, Resources 11, pg. 5

​
​St. Mary Church is a place just this side of heaven.  My sabbatical has been a bit crazy with time spent in Germany, England, Ireland and Italy.  My several weeks in Rome were with a group of 30 priests with wildly divergent views of how the liturgy might be celebrated.  But here at St. Mary it was simply Catholic.  Whether it was Ordinary or extraordinary it was the Roman Rite celebrated reverently according to the norms set down by the Church.  It was not the opinions or idiosyncrasies of an individual priest, DRE or catechist, but simply the Liturgy in its richness and beauty. 

St. Mary is a unique parish and a special place.  Everything, from the hospitality of Fr. Cipolla, the genius and the artistry of David and the parish musicians, the exceptionally competent crew of altar boys, the daily angelus by the children in the school yard, and the prayerfulness and welcome of the parishioners, everything serves as an inspiration for me as I take on the next chapter in my life as a priest.   I wish to thank everyone for their generosity to me, and I hope that in the future I may have an opportunity to visit again. 

The Gospel
Lk 13:1-9
                                                       If you do not repent, you will perish.
 
St. Gaspar
"Oh how few people know how to suffer! A bundle of wood tidily arranged and carefully piled together is carried with ease, while that same amount of wood, arranged haphazardly or loosely tied together here and there, is carried with difficulty, and is pulled along with twice as much pain.  The same can be said about Crosses etc."
​
"A man who has no Crosses - Oh! In how many dangers does he not find himself! What does God do? He permits calumnies etc. etc. The humbled man looks more deeply into his own nothingness etc.  In the delight of his courtly life, David sinned etc. But later, with God permitting, Absalom rebelled against him and David then exclaimed: It was good for me to be humbled,…[1]

"Tell me, oh Christians:  does the press harm the grapes? Not really.  Even though it crushes the grapes, it nevertheless dissolves them into a very sweet wine. Tell me: does the file harm the metal? Not really. Even though it roughly scrapes it, it makes it shinier. Does fire harm gold? Not really, for even though it burns it and attacks it, it nevertheless cleanses it etc. Look there at that wood destined for the fire; an artist sees it, he is attracted to it, and with his own instruments, he shapes it and converts it into a work that is worthy of admiration. So, if I were to question the wood to see whether it would have been happier etc….[2]
 
Reflection
Politics can be pretty passionate, and often unreasonable. Often for peaceful purposes we do not discuss politics with people who may disagree with us.  You can almost imagine the tone of voice of the partisans who confront Jesus in today’s gospel:  “Did you hear? Wasn’t that awful? What a tragedy! What are you going to do?”
 
Often we hold misconceptions of God as a passionate partisan for whatever cause we hold, as if God is only a God of justice, righteousness and vengeance.
 
Jesus does not ask them to submit to Pilate.  He does not require them to acquiesce to Roman oppression.  But he has a deep concern for the people in front of him who will destroy themselves and all around them if they do not look first at their own heart.  Evil forces are at work in them, too, Pilate, or no Pilate, they must change or be destroyed by these forces.  Often those who fight for a just cause will assume that the struggle for justice will make them righteous.  It is not possible to be righteous by pointing out the wrongs in others.  For Jesus, that would be avoiding the real issue, the soil of each heart that longs for growth.
 
The God that is revealed here is not a General that takes sides and established justice through the exercise of power.  No, God is revealed as a patient gardener looking for fruit.  He is willing to do some hoeing and weeding, willing to provide the nutrients, willing to be patient for the growth.  St. Gaspar encourages us to let God till the soil and crush the grapes, and to see in our struggle and crosses the true path to justice and peace.

• What are we doing to allow the Lord to till the soil of our hearts?
• What changes to we need to make in our demands of God?
• What is the growth we are looking forward to in our own life?

[1] Psalm 119:71
[2] From St Gaspar, Scritti, Reform 5., Volume 7, No. 13, p. 34-36

​The Gospel
Luke 15:1‑3, 11‑32                 
 
                                                         The Prodigal Son
 
St. Gaspar
"Oh soul, redeemed by the most precious Blood of Jesus the redeemer, at this point, lift up your thoughts and realize that this ineffable benefit and august mystery, together with incarnation of the Son of God, was a flaming outburst of love: “he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”[1]  His submission to so many pains and trials was a flaming outburst of love to leave himself of Calvary.  It was a flaming outburst of love to leave himself entirely in the Eucharistic banquet.  It was a flaming outburst of love for him to find his delight in us miserable creatures:  “rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race,”[2] and that burning wish of his for our eternal salvation in the beloved homeland of heaven. Oh soul, plunge yourself deeply into these moving thoughts and you cannot help but repeat with the Apostle:  “The love of Christ impels us!”[3]   It is not so much what Jesus suffered as it is the love that he demonstrated  in his suffering for us that obliges us and even forces us to love him in return."[4]
 
Ultimately, let us be united evermore with God the giver of every good gift.  May his grace and his love inflame us and raise us to the most intimate love for him.  Let us love him without measure, let us love him without reserve, let us love him without failing, since he is in essence love.  I leave you now in the divine heart! Oh what a sweet abode.[5]
 
Reflection
This is a father who delights in showing mercy.  Twice he leaves his house to bestow extravagant love to his children.  If he had stayed home he would have had one dead child and one ungrateful servant.  Instead he wanted two sons. So he does the unexpected.  He sees a sinful child still far off and he is filled with compassion.  Not waiting for the child to come to him, he goes first, to protect him from the judgment of those who condemn sinners, and second to bestow gifts of mercy, freedom and honor. For the second son he leaves the celebration to make clear that the invitation is to sinners, to those who because of pride remain distant, and to those on the outside who do not feel welcome at the feast.  It is Jesus who has left the house of heaven, and is outside with us, inviting us and all sinners to the life he came to give.  And to make clear that there is nothing that will separate us from the love of God.
            St. Gaspar wants us to experience this immeasurable generosity of God. He adds words like "ineffable benefit," "august mystery," and "flaming outburst" to describe the inexpressible Love of God. He wants us to experience the depths of this love that we might learn to love without measure.

• How can I be less judgmental of other sinners?
• What must I do accept this extravagant love for myself, too?
• What fires me up?

[1] Phil 2:7
[2] Prov. 8:31                                               
[3] 2 Cor 5:14
[4] from Letter No. 57 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, April 14, 1813, Resource 4, pg. 22
[5] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, May 18, 1826, Letter 1414, Resources 11, pg. 3

Since all my breviaries are in storage, a new season made acquiring a new breviary imperative. So might as well get a cover for it too.

It came from www.missalcovers.com

​The Gospel
Matt 21:33‑43, 45‑46             

                                                     Parable of the Vineyard,
                     The stone rejected by the builders that became the cornerstone.
 
St. Gaspar 

writing from prison:
 
"It is true -- they are thorns, but, they are thorns that sustain the mystical rose.   They are bitter drink, it is true --  but a bitter drink that helps anyone to a change of life in the spirit and assists us to be distrustful of self and  confident in the divine goodness, which is the sum total of our sanctification.  To this mystical winter, there  usually follows a flowering spring; to this most beautiful mystical night, there usually follows a most serene  day; to this mystical storm, there follows a most consoling calm.  In any event, it is always proper to remain in  conformity to the sovereign dispositions and to recommend oneself to the Lord to keep us always faithful to  him.  Amen."  [1]
 
 
Reflection
             Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers.  His brothers rejected that dream and sold him into slavery.  In God's mysterious designs, over a period of years, this tragedy was a place for God to show his marvels as Joseph became a source of nourishment for Egypt and for his brothers. 
            The Landowner in Jesus' parable had a dream of a rich and bountiful harvest.  The tenants rejected that dream and resorted to violence.  In God's marvelous design, the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
            St. Gaspar reminds us that any dream worth dreaming is worth remaining faithful to, even if denied and rejected.  We trust in the marvels God can do. The darkness of Joseph's slavery and the winter of the murder of the landowner's son all become the light and spring of nourishment and life.

• What dreams of mine have been rejected?
• In what ways do I tend to trust in my own strength only?
• How do I show that I am willing to endure the winters in my life, hopeful of spring?

 


[1] from Letter No. 51 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, February-April, 1813) SP4, pg.26

The Gospel
Luke 16: 19‑31           
 
                                               The Rich Man and Lazarus
 
St. Gaspar"In the same way does the Lord act when he wishes to demonstrate his mercy, and he will do so also for us, Oh souls redeemed at the price of the living Blood; so do not be doubtful.  Are difficulties encountered while in service to God?  Then God will open a way through that sea; he will take away those obstacles.  Keep going ahead, you will have no impediments.  You have behind you all the demons of hell pursuing you, very vehement temptations that threaten you with destruction.  But, 'Do not be afraid.’  God will arrest their fury and will lead you to a place of rest.  In your  defense, your holy advocates watch over you;  your guardian angel is there to assist you;  Mary most  Holy spreads her mantle of protection over you;  Jesus crucified extends his arms to you.  He waits to welcome you in the sacrament of Penance; he comes to meet you, nourish you and strengthen you in the sacrament of the Eucharist.  Already he holds out to you the indestructible crown of glory that will make you eternally happy.  What more could you wish for?   In your difficulties, so de Sales asserts, repeat frequently to yourself that this is the road that leads to heaven.  I see the port and I am certain that the storms will not be able to stop me from reaching it.  The greater your misery, so much greater will be the triumph of divine goodness."[1]
 
Reflection
Jeremiah is very clear.  If we trust in what we can see, it will fail us, disappoint us, and even curse us, because we trusted in something useless.  And blessed is the one who trusts God!  Blessed is the one who trusts in him who lasts forever, who will never fail or disappoint.  But Jeremiah continues, the human heart is fickle and foolish, even perverse in it’s longing for what fails to satisfy.  Jesus continues the teaching.  Riches are not a sign of God's blessing.  They are a sign of our greater responsibility, especially to the poor.  St. Gaspar concludes that we do not come to Jesus, or to religious life, for our own desires or opinion, but to nourish the real life of the soul and seek the Glory of God.  His passage above written from prison, is a great comfort to the fickle and perverse human heart that struggles with attachments to temporal things.  God will open a way through that choppy sea and provide the protection needed if one but hopes in the Lord.

• On what do I have my heart set?
• What have I done for Lazarus this week?
• Describe your "road that leads to heaven."
• Look back to Thursday after Ash Wednesday and reflect

            on how or if the Lord has changed your mind.
 


[1] from letter 62 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, April 29, 1813, Resources - 4, pg. 18‑19

The Gospel
Matt 20:17‑28
 
                                   Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?
 
St. Gaspar
"Enter on this holy retreat, therefore, holding in your hands the book of the crucifix." [1]
 
"Do you know that even good souls must bear crosses?  That is how God disposes things.  The heart is straightforward, but the mind is dimmed.  Recall the resolutions made during our retreat and now put them into execution.  Bear your cross with equilibrium and, through suffering, prepare yourself to suffer even more, until 'proved through all' you will be a mystical stone fit for the celestial Jerusalem."[2]
 
Would that he grant us to drink only a drop from that Chalice of bitterness which he drank to the dregs for us, to the most loving Father. St. Francis de Sales used to say that Paradise is a mountain (I will never tire of repeating it to all) which one scales more easily with broken legs than with whole ones. Happily per multas tribulationes[3], let us hope to reach the goal of our desires.[4]
 
Reflection
Doing what Jesus does sometimes leads to misunderstanding and persecutions.  Professing respect for the dignity of life from conception to natural death can lead to people considering you "intolerant."  Professing faith in Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life can be misunderstood as violence against other faiths, and yet we take up the cross, we drink his cup, seeking only to serve him.  And, if we are misunderstood or criticized, we have great examples in Jeremiah and in Jesus.  We have a great example too in St. Gaspar who professed his faith and was sent to prison for it.
 
Jesus came to serve and to give his life.  This is to be the way for those who follow him.  This, as St. Gaspar teaches, is the only book one needs to read.  "See how they love each other; See how they serve each other."  This is what is to be spoken of us.
 
James and John had a normal mother.  She would not learn unless she put forth her desires. We learn too, in our desire for life and glory, that it comes only from serving God and others.

• What have I learned from the cross?
• What desires of mine need to be transformed?
• What actions among us "prove" our discipleship?

[1] from the Second Circular Letter, 1827
[2] from letter 1598, to Fr. Raffaele Rosati, March 25, 18__, Resources 11, pg. 11‑12
[3] through many tribulations
[4] Letter 13,  January 18, 1811, to Fr. Antonio Santelli

you can find the pictures over here. 

The Gospel
Matt  23:1‑12             
 
                                           The greatest among you must be your servant.
                                         The exalted are humbled, the humble are exalted.
 
St. Gaspar
"Dear brothers, having these words of the Apostle in mind, we return this year to the spiritual exercises which may be the last of our lives!  Should not devotion to the ministry and its responsibility before God and the people call us to a most studious examination of our lives?  If St.  Paul, that exalted preacher of the Gospel, trembled, "for, having been an announcer myself, I should not want to be disqualified;"[1]   what, then, should be our portion who, in the light of so many circumstances, find every motive to truthfully acknowledge before the Divine Presence:  "I hardly deserve the name apostle"[2] . . .  ("If I am to boast"[3]) . . .  "I shall be happy to make my weaknesses my special boast."[4]  How important it is, therefore, to understand what the Apostle emphasizes in his letter to the Thessalonians:  "Make a point of living quietly, attending to your own business . . .  "[5]  Certainly, it is upon these points that we must direct our examination to achieve what is implied  in the text quoted."[6]
 
"Cultivate the virtue of humility, a virtue which I greatly urge you to develop."[7]
 
After awakening, we are to consecrate the beginning of the day to God: O God, you are my God, for you I long. (Ps 63:2).  Time is to be given to holy meditation which will be conducted by the one chosen to proclaim the divine word on these holy days. A generous amount of time is to be allowed for private prayer and for the individual practice of the virtue of humility. It is written that the wisdom of God is given to those who humble themselves and become childlike in his presence: Giving wisdom to the simple. (Ps 19:8) [8]
 
Reflection
The Blood of Christ is the expression of an extravagantly generous love.  This love calls for a response of loving obedience.  Jesus challenges us to self-examination.  Do we do what we do in life as a gift of self for others, or is everything done for self centered motives?  The discipline of Lent teaches the heart again the utter dependence on and hunger for God. But these disciplines can be misused and bring other gratification as well, the affirmation and praise of others.  All the titles used in our world and in our church, Teacher, Doctor, Father, Sister, Brother, Deacon, etc. are titles of service for others.  Yet we can be tempted to depend on the gratification the title earns us, or we can be called to serve as the title of respect demands.  St. Gaspar calls us to self examination as well, that we, who have cherished the Word of God, may not forget the call the Word give us.  The Word calls us to humility as well. Humility is the simple truth that the One who created us is simply beyond us, that we are his children. When we act like we are in charge, or in control, we sin against the truth. Only servants know the truth.

• How do I behave because of who I am or what I have done?
• What are some of the ways I can be a better servant?
• When was the last time I desired to be the greatest?

[1] 1 Cor 9:27
[2] 1 Cor 15:19
[3] 2 Cor 11:30
[4] 2 Cor 12:9
[5] 1 Thess 4:11
[6] From the Third Circular Letter,  1829
[7] from letter 1281 to Luigi del Bufalo, December 9, 1825
[8] Method for Spiritual Exercises