• Fr. Jeffrey R. Keyes
    • Psalms
    • Catechism Quizes
    • The Roman Catholic Priesthood
  • Blog
  • CV
  • St. Gaspar Del Bufalo
Omnia Christus est Nobis

Forty days at the foot of the Cross: Day 23

3/8/2016

0 Comments

 
The Gospels
John 5:1‑3, 5‑16         
 
                                      Jesus cures the man at the pool of Bethesda
 
St. Gaspar
Let us have recourse incessantly to the fountains of Jesus which are his wounds. In them the thirsty soul, like the stag, quenches its thirst with the very sweet waters that are the symbols of the Lord's graces. Indeed, in those fountains we will always find every benefit.[1]
 
May our soul be like the dove near mystical waters and let us quench our thirst in Jesus and with Jesus. ... When I use the word always, I mean to say that, in addition to the time that is provided for us to be engaged in this religious adoration, our hearts should ever remain united to the Sacred Tabernacle, the center of peace and of salvation. Also, in no way at all should the reception of communion be set aside. It brings healing to our small infirmities and gives us strength. [2]
 
"Therefore, let us walk along the road of perfection, according to the rules that accompany our state of life; and with the crucifix ever before our eyes, let us repeat continuously: "mihi autem absit gloriari nisi in cruce Domini nostri J.X.,"[3] for the time will come when, blessed by God, we will be placed on the high throne of glory in the blessed Jerusalem. Amen." [4]
 
Reflection              
John's Gospel continues to be proclaimed during this later part of Lent as the catechumens prepare for baptism and the rest of us prepare our minds and hearts to renew the promises of our own baptism.  More than just a physical washing with water, the effect of Baptism is an interior change, cleansing and healing.
This gospel reveals Jesus compassion and desire for our healing. Yet we have to be open to more than just a physical washing and external healing. Did this man believe? Did he know the extravagant compassion of Jesus? Did this healing turn him toward a new way of life, or was he still caught in external laws, customs and rules?  We shall never know the answers to those questions, but we can ask those questions of ourselves.
            In these fountains of the Lord's wounds, Gaspar teaches, we shall always find the benefit of the Lord's compassion and desire for our healing. Yet we must come with open and trusting hearts that will lead us along the roads to perfection.

  • How do show my belief that Jesus desires my healing?
  • What healing do I desire?
  • How would I show I am willing to live a new life?                      

[1] to Luigia del Bufalo, Letter 3669, Strokes of the Pen V
[2] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, 9 May 1830, Letter 2034, Resources 23, pg 30
[3] Galatians 6:14 mihi autem absit gloriari nisi in cruce Domini nostri Iesu  Christi per quem mihi mundus crucifixus est et ego mundo. (Vulgate) But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NAB)
[4] from Letter No. 42 to Msgr. Annibale Ginnasi, February-March, 1813, Resources 4, pg 8
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Omnia Christus Est Nobis

    Christ is everything for us!

    Picture

    Archives

    July 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    Categories

    All
    Daily Homily
    Holy Matrimony
    Priesthood
    St. Gaspar
    The Liturgy
    Travel

    RSS Feed

    Incoming Missal
    Explanation Coat of Arms
    Dinner with Fr. Keyes 2015
    The Women Speak
    An American Priest in Ireland
    Bringing the "Catholic" back.
    Burying the Alleluia
    Sacristy Art I
    ​
    Sacristy Art II
    ​
    Sacristy Art III
    Sacristy Art IV
    Sacristy Art V
    Sacristy Art VI

    Years in Review
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019
    ​
    Decade in review
    ​2020

    Author

    I am a Roman Catholic Priest from California. I spent 13 wonderful years years as a member of the Province of the Pacific in the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The outline of my life can be traced here. 

    Friend's Blogs

    Melissa and Andrew Steele
    ​
    Fr. John Hogan OCD
    Joan from Rome​
    Fr. Joseph Illo