• 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 30

3/16/2016

0 Comments

 
The Gospel
John 8: 31‑42                                                 
 
                          You shall know the truth and the Truth shall set you free. 
                               If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.    
       

 
St. Gaspar
"Let us place our trust in the Divine Blood that the Lord will manifest justice and truth, as the cause continues to pend. Let us strengthen all of this, using the intercession of Mary most holy and of Xavier." [1]
 
With respect to what you wrote me, do not at all be fearful. Imitate the Saints as they defend the truth. The things that are being said there, let it be noted once and for all, are not from God. I forgive our opponents because of their good intentions, but I shall never approve what they say nor the way that they do things. ... So, we are right back at the beginning again: everything changes. ... Peace and tranquility everywhere. ... Do not lose your enthusiasm and be happy. ... Make this decision at the foot of the Crucifix. [2]
 
"This is the language of truth, and it is well-known fact that hell itself trembles at the very mention of "divine Blood". Furthermore, because of this confusion of mind, one is led to erroneously judge the good people who then disturb the peace of Your Holiness" magnanimous heart. [3]
 
Reflection         
Do you live in a free country? Are people free from fear, desire, want, pressure, addiction, sin, error, falsehood, death, etc?  Jesus offers more than ideas and opinions.  The truth he brings is also freedom, faithfulness and relationship. A Son and an heir knows a freedom a slave can never realize. Jesus is that Son who is the only way to freedom.
 
In the time of Jesus there were cultural expectations for a son, especially elder sons. As a father greeted guests for a banquet, the elder son stood at his side barefoot. In this he was a gift from the father to the guests, the father offering his finest as servant of welcome and hospitality.  The elder son in the prodigal son parable in Luke did not follow the norm.  Neither did the people who listen to Jesus in today's gospel in John.
 
All of us, sons and daughters alike, are invited to be that son and heir as well.  In this we spend time with him, we listen to his word, and we do what he does.  This is what Gaspar describes in every tribulation. It simply matters not what the opposition might be.  The same freedom, faithfulness and relationship with the father remains, and we remain peaceful in him. The truth sets us free.
 
  • What disturbs my peace?
  • How would I describe freedom?
  • What are the norms for a son (or a daughter) now?

[1] to Luigi Fuschi, June 8, 1837, Letter 3441, Strokes of the Pen V, pg 13
[2] to Missionary Father Michele Palombi, January 30, 1836, Letter 3068 , Strokes of the Pen V, pg 35
[3] from Letter 1215 to Pope Leo XII, July 29, 1825,  Resources 8, pg 40)  
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