The Gospel
Luke 22:14 - 23:56
The passion according to Luke
St. Gaspar
Especially in certain cases, we do everything if we pray and we suffer and if we remain silent. So, any thought that might be productive of anguish is dissipated. God is a God of Peace; yes, in bitter things, even the extremely bitter things: "Ecce in pace amaritudo mea amarissima."[1] So, put aside any feelings of depression; let us joyfully carry the Cross, let us live by the Cross, let us die with the Cross. [2]
"While praying one day and while contemplating the Crucifix, it seemed that I heard these words: "Look, my son, at my divine Blood. Through sufferings, I poured it out and through sufferings will its adoration be promoted." Humankind shudders at the word suffering, but it is nevertheless necessary for one to learn to carry the Cross. [3]
Reflection
For St. Gaspar the cross was the only book we would need. Here alone one learns the lessons of love, not in formulas, prayers, or sermons (or even internet reflections), but in a life given. The cross is the chair of truth. Here we see truly humankind at its worst, crucifying the innocent one. Here, too, we see humanity at its best, in a faithful life given for others. This mystical ladder to heaven can truly only be lived, not understood. And if it is understood, it can only be grasped by one who has loved, and has struggled to love.
Our God is not an abstraction found in the pages of a book. Our God is found in this person, Jesus. God has become one with us, has experienced our pain, our wants and our disappointments. God's love is to be lived in all its frustrating difficulty by the followers of Jesus. We know that only in giving, completely, and selflessly as Jesus does, do we gain life itself. With St. Gaspar we say over and over, "Superabundo gaudio in omni tribulatione." I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation. (2 Cor. 7:4)
[1] "Ecce in pace" appears to be a quote from Isaiah 38:17(Vulgate) "ecce in pace amaritudo mea amarissima tu autem eruisti animam meam ut non periret proiecisti post tergum tuum omnia peccata mea" Isaiah 38:17 (Douay). Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter: but thou hast delivered my soul that it should not perish, thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
[2] to Mother Dionisia Tirletti, August 23, 1835, Letter 2959, Strokes of the Pen V, 15.6, pg 39
[3] to Sister Maria Giuseppa Pitorri, Letter 3785, Quotation 5, Strokes of the Pen V, 15:20, pg. 43
Luke 22:14 - 23:56
The passion according to Luke
St. Gaspar
Especially in certain cases, we do everything if we pray and we suffer and if we remain silent. So, any thought that might be productive of anguish is dissipated. God is a God of Peace; yes, in bitter things, even the extremely bitter things: "Ecce in pace amaritudo mea amarissima."[1] So, put aside any feelings of depression; let us joyfully carry the Cross, let us live by the Cross, let us die with the Cross. [2]
"While praying one day and while contemplating the Crucifix, it seemed that I heard these words: "Look, my son, at my divine Blood. Through sufferings, I poured it out and through sufferings will its adoration be promoted." Humankind shudders at the word suffering, but it is nevertheless necessary for one to learn to carry the Cross. [3]
Reflection
For St. Gaspar the cross was the only book we would need. Here alone one learns the lessons of love, not in formulas, prayers, or sermons (or even internet reflections), but in a life given. The cross is the chair of truth. Here we see truly humankind at its worst, crucifying the innocent one. Here, too, we see humanity at its best, in a faithful life given for others. This mystical ladder to heaven can truly only be lived, not understood. And if it is understood, it can only be grasped by one who has loved, and has struggled to love.
Our God is not an abstraction found in the pages of a book. Our God is found in this person, Jesus. God has become one with us, has experienced our pain, our wants and our disappointments. God's love is to be lived in all its frustrating difficulty by the followers of Jesus. We know that only in giving, completely, and selflessly as Jesus does, do we gain life itself. With St. Gaspar we say over and over, "Superabundo gaudio in omni tribulatione." I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation. (2 Cor. 7:4)
- Can I describe any tragedies or struggles that brought life?
- Whom do I struggle to love?
- What would I need so as to let go of understanding in order to take hold of living?
[1] "Ecce in pace" appears to be a quote from Isaiah 38:17(Vulgate) "ecce in pace amaritudo mea amarissima tu autem eruisti animam meam ut non periret proiecisti post tergum tuum omnia peccata mea" Isaiah 38:17 (Douay). Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter: but thou hast delivered my soul that it should not perish, thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
[2] to Mother Dionisia Tirletti, August 23, 1835, Letter 2959, Strokes of the Pen V, 15.6, pg 39
[3] to Sister Maria Giuseppa Pitorri, Letter 3785, Quotation 5, Strokes of the Pen V, 15:20, pg. 43
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