Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

THE MANLY TENDERNESS OF THE WARRIORS OF LIGHT, MANDATES AS SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES

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Being lambs sent by Jesus is a bit’ this: be warriors of Light, able to defeat the wolves, or tame them, by the gracious power of him who sent us as lambs in the midst of wolves.

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Author:
Gabriele Giordano M. Scardocci, o.p.

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Dear brothers and sisters,

warriors of light

This XIV Sunday of ordinary time offers us a Gospel full of images that speaks to us of the mission entrusted by Christ to the Apostles [cf. texts of the Liturgy of the Word, WHO].

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During these holiday periods it can often happen to remember when we were younger. When beach holidays were with our parents, and a lot of time was spent on the beach between jokes, games and so much sweetness and tenderness. Even now, if we spend time with our parents, we thank God for the gift of their love and faith: this in fact has brought us up to today and up to here, to be who we are in the way of the Lord.

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Today's readings they want us to enter this great mystery of God in his consolation and tenderness that sends us to be new creatures, and therefore sent his great love.

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In the prophetic texts vetero testamentary let's read:«As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort; in Jerusalem you will be comforted " [Is 66, 13]. Note that the third Isaiah writes in the Jewish exile after the VI BC, so the City of Jerusalem, in this exact circumstance, It is the place that symbolically evokes the maternal consolation of God. This teaches us that God is not locked up in heaven but we are consoled, There is nearby with a mother's affection. Of this tenderness often talks about Pope Francis, and this must make us pay attention: consoling tenderness is one of God's characteristic elements, as if it were God's own DNA. We are not far from this tender hand of the Lord, forever in love with us. We are comforted when we are absolved in confession and when we receive the fragrance of the Eucharist. Or in the friendly mercy of a few friends and family.

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This consolation It makes us a new brand. In a passage in his apostolic letters St. Paul writes:

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"It is not circumcision that counts, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature " [cf. Gal 6, 15].

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Receiving the consolation and tenderness of God makes us feel dearly loved. Change our whole way of being from head to toe. And despite our flaws, sins, vices, weaknesses we are continually loved by God. In his love, every day we are made new, rebuilt, redesigned every time we seem to fail. Each of us is called to a greater project by God himself: so we are incredibly made new by the Lord, strong and at a quiet time and serene in His Truth.

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Consulates and made new creatures, finally God sends us. As he did with the seventy-two disciples described herein in Luke's Gospel. These disciples Jesus says: «Go: there, I am sending you like lambs among wolves " [LC 10,3].

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We too are sent, as new creatures to bring the consolation and affection that we have received. This allows us to also convey the joy and communion with God. It allows us to be missionaries of peace in the sufferings and difficulties of life, of all those who meet. This is the optics to be lambs among wolves. The wolf is the biblical image of those rapacious robber who comes in the night. It is the image of the current culture that does not respect those in need of care. Consider in this regard to the terrible suffering that is suffering now Vincent Lambert [cf. WHO]. The lamb instead is the image of someone who is gentle and good. Precisely of those who are filled with God's peace and become a missionary of God's light and consolation.

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I remember reading a 16 year old a beautiful book by Paulo Coelho, with an equally splendid title: Handbook of the Warrior of Light.

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Being lambs sent by Jesus and a little’ this: be warriors of Light, able to defeat the wolves, or tame them, by the gracious power of him who sent us as lambs in the midst of wolves.

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May the Lord grant us the light of His grace and His consolation, because we become alive and authentic tradition of His Love who gave himself up to the end.

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Amen.

Rome 6 July 2019

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The first book of the Editions The island of Patmos, visit our shop page WHO

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News from the Dominican Province Roman: "The right to live and the right not to suffer: living wills', Riccardo Lufrani, o.p. [text, WHO].

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