The Gospel
John 8:21‑30
When you lift up the Son of Man, you will come to realize that I AM.
St. Gaspar
"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. "[1]
"I send a reply to your very esteemed letter on this third of May, the feast of the Holy Cross, the mystical ladder to heaven, the cathedra of truth, the tree of life, under whose shadow we are to find rest in the peacefulness of the just. Oh what a great book for us is the Cross! It is a summarization of the apologetics of our faith, a practical knowledge for our moral life, and the most tender lessons of love that the Lord has shown. From this book, every soul is encouraged to promote evermore the most important devotion to the Divine Blood, which I highly recommend to your zeal and charity, so that it will become known wherever possible." [2]
Reflection
The gospel states "many came to believe in him" because he spoke this way. In this week before Holy Week, our catechumens reflect on the many aspects of our community life that assisted them in coming to faith. They still live in a world caught in the drama of belief and unbelief. They are in the world and, with the rest of us, learning how not be "of the world."
We follow Jesus where he goes, doing what he does. We learn how to forgive as he forgives and to love as he loves. In this way it is revealed that we are part of his body, and that we identify with him as he identifies with his father. As healing comes to those in the desert who looked upon the bronze serpent, so does the healing light of truth come to those who come to Jesus when he is lifted up in the Eucharist. For St Gaspar, this forms the core of our heart and our identity, not only when we are at prayer, but at every moment of the day. Jesus identifies the cross as what will reveal him as he is. For Gaspar this is the totality of what we need to know and experience.
[1] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, 9 May 1830, Letter 2034, Resources 23, Strokes of the Pen IV, pg 30
[2] to Mrs. Eleonora Rozzi, 3 May 1828, Letter 1929, Strokes of the Pen IV, Resources 23, pg 54
John 8:21‑30
When you lift up the Son of Man, you will come to realize that I AM.
St. Gaspar
"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. "[1]
"I send a reply to your very esteemed letter on this third of May, the feast of the Holy Cross, the mystical ladder to heaven, the cathedra of truth, the tree of life, under whose shadow we are to find rest in the peacefulness of the just. Oh what a great book for us is the Cross! It is a summarization of the apologetics of our faith, a practical knowledge for our moral life, and the most tender lessons of love that the Lord has shown. From this book, every soul is encouraged to promote evermore the most important devotion to the Divine Blood, which I highly recommend to your zeal and charity, so that it will become known wherever possible." [2]
Reflection
The gospel states "many came to believe in him" because he spoke this way. In this week before Holy Week, our catechumens reflect on the many aspects of our community life that assisted them in coming to faith. They still live in a world caught in the drama of belief and unbelief. They are in the world and, with the rest of us, learning how not be "of the world."
We follow Jesus where he goes, doing what he does. We learn how to forgive as he forgives and to love as he loves. In this way it is revealed that we are part of his body, and that we identify with him as he identifies with his father. As healing comes to those in the desert who looked upon the bronze serpent, so does the healing light of truth come to those who come to Jesus when he is lifted up in the Eucharist. For St Gaspar, this forms the core of our heart and our identity, not only when we are at prayer, but at every moment of the day. Jesus identifies the cross as what will reveal him as he is. For Gaspar this is the totality of what we need to know and experience.
- What brought me to belief?
- How closely do I identify with Jesus?
- How closely do I identify with the cross?
[1] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, 9 May 1830, Letter 2034, Resources 23, Strokes of the Pen IV, pg 30
[2] to Mrs. Eleonora Rozzi, 3 May 1828, Letter 1929, Strokes of the Pen IV, Resources 23, pg 54
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