Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

THE LITTLE PRINCE AND KING OF KINGS: CHRIST AND THE BEST PART

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"That's my secret. it's very simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye".

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

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Mary and Martha, Byzantine icon

Dear brothers and sisters,

the Liturgy of the Word of this 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time offers us the story of Jesus' visit to the house of Mary and Martha [text of the Liturgy of the Word, WHO].

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In the famous fable of Antoine de Saint Exupèry, The little Prince, there is a beautiful meeting between the little prince and the fox. In their chat, the prince and the fox gradually weave a deep friendship between serious and facetious. Before saying goodbye, the fox says one last thing to the little prince:

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"That's my secret. it's very simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye".

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This story it is a help to understand the beautiful teaching of Jesus today: the prayer and the look it gives us. A look of love and truth on all things. The gaze of Jesus on the people and events of the world.

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In the first reading of Genesis, Abraham meets the three men at the Oaks of Mamre:

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"My Lord, if I have found grace in your eyes, do not pass by without stopping by your servant " [GN 18].

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According to the exegetes and the fathers of the Church, the three men described in this passage are an anticipation of the revelation on the Trinity. In fact, Abraham turns to the Triune Lord. He addresses a spontaneous prayer, moving and at the same time authentic. He asks the Lord to stop, to stay with him. Abraham offers an affectionate prayer; he offers his house and above all his soul so that God may dwell there.

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In the Gospel of Luke we find a difference between Martha's attitude and that of Mary. Marta fact not wrong in being at the service of Jesus, Mentre rassetta, system, cleans, in short, he does things home. For Jesus reproaches to fret, weary, leaving out "what is the best part".

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Every action, even hidden home service and suspicion can become an offering to the Lord. This can also become a prayer, if indeed that our service is implemented focusing attention on Jesus: He is the best part, without which we can do nothing. Maria, it's there in front and listen, she is the one who seems to have understood this teaching best. It is indeed there, silent, but not for this in the grip of laziness. Mary is there praying in a contemplative way: pray with the heart, knowing that all the essential is in that invisible relationship, but true with Jesus.

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The sense of prayer it is therefore a true and profound friendship with the Lord. However, a friendship that does not simply remain an individual relationship with the Lord, but opens up to others.

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In fact, St. Paul writes in the second reading:

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“I became a minister, according to the mission entrusted to me by God towards you to bring […] the hidden mystery, but now manifested to his saints " [With the 1,25].

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Prayer opens wide the doors of the mission, that is, to be sent to others to announce what we have received in our encounter with the Lord; prayer develops into a practical action with which we all manifest that hidden mystery of God himself. We manifest it with our life, our works of charity e, paradoxically, We manifest the mystery of God's mercy in our being repentant sinners.

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Everyone, therefore, become ministers, not only the clergy and religious: all of them become those who administer and give, according to their abilities, God's gift to the next. It is the greatest gift, the only invisible to the eye really essential to the heart of those who feel physically and spiritually isolated and abandoned.

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May the Lord grant us all the welcoming and prayerful embrace of Jesus, to feel loved until the end of time.

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Amen.

Rome, 21 July 2019

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The first book of the Editions The island of Patmos, visit our shop page WHO. Support our editions by purchasing our books

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News from the Dominican Province Roman: visit the official website of the Dominicans, WHO

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«You will know the truth and the truth will set you free» [GV 8,32],
but bring, spread and defend the truth not only of
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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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«You will know the truth and the truth will set you free» [GV 8,32],
but bring, spread and defend the truth not only of
risks but also the costs. Help us supporting this Island
with your offers through the secure Paypal system:

payable to Editions The island of Patmos

IBAN IT 74R0503403259000000301118
in this case, send us an email warning, because the bank
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thanks [ isoladipatmos@gmail.com ]

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L'Angolo di Girolamo Savonarola: Catholic homiletics in lean times

WITHOUT THE PEACE OF CHRIST, EUROPE WILL SOON DEAD AND BURIED UNDER THE RUBBLE OF FALSE PEACE IN THE WORLD

[IN APPENDIX: MARIANA FLAG OF THE EUROPEAN UNION]

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If I remember correctly, tomorrow we vote for the European elections, honestly I have not listened to the recommendations given by caucus the Italian Episcopal Conference nor that of the Secretariat of State, because I had better things to do, including praying for the fate of our old, glorious and beloved continent, about which he returned to mind a phrase lapidary launched by Cardinal Giacomo Biffi at the beginning of the Second Millennium: «L'Europe, or be a Christian again or it will be more ».

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Author
Ariel S. Levi di Gualdo

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Jesus Christ be praised !

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have been numerous Catholic devotees through electronic media have sent this cartoon I, including many priests and religious, this thing that should give pause to those who do not live, like us, in real Patmos Island, But in the unreal Neverland …

In this sixth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel offers us a song of John the Evangelist [Liturgy of the Word: WHO], the beloved disciple of the Lord. One who stood beneath the cross with the Blessed Virgin, while "all the disciples left him and fled" [Mt 26, 56; MC 14, 50]. Under this torture - on which the Christ in anguish in the body was not quite a saint iconography, Neither figure geometry depicted in paintings and sculptures -, It takes the extraordinary act of entrustment:

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"When Jesus, seeing his mother standing beside her the disciple whom he loved, He told his mother: “Donna, is your son!”. Then he said to the disciple: “Here is your mother!”. And from that hour the disciple took her into his home " [GV 19, 26-27].

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Shortly before, Christ, cornerstone [cf. Mt 21, 42; MC 12, 10; LC 20, 17], He had built the nascent Church on Peter with an expression often misconstrued, Perhaps now more than ever: «Pietro, you're stone, and upon this rock I will build my Church " [Mt 16, 18]. Phrase that can only be understood by understanding who refers Christ the Lord specifying 'on this rock'. For if you do not understand that the cornerstone is Christ God, on which Peter is leaning how to rock, you may run the risk of falling into petrifaction. That's what should be remembered that Peter, of Christ, is the vicar on hold, no successor. Anyone who had doubts about it, read the words of the Apostle Paul Blessed:

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« […] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and being the cornerstone, Christ Jesus himself " [Ef 12, 20].

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With young John and Peter with mature, we have two almost antithetical figures of Apostles: the first, under the cross with the Blessed Virgin and Santa with a former prostitute converted and redeemed, the second escaping first to ahead of the other Disciples and that shortly after denying Christ three times; and does so before swearing, then even cursing [cf. Mt 26, 74].

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The Gospel of Blessed John the Evangelist It is also known as the Gospel of joy and love, although in increasingly bizarre catechesis and sermons increasingly dull, not accurate - or perhaps, Alas, We just do not know! —, that this young, This was at the time, He has enjoyed the special spiritual care provided by our Divine Savior, later he lived much of his life to the Immaculate Conception, the Mater Dei, we also venerated as mother Church.

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Christ the Lord has entrusted the nascent Church driving the more limited the Apostles, perhaps so that Peter could also embody all those frailties, human weaknesses and miseries he does not hesitate to show, continuing to manifest even in old age, for example, when in Rome, under the persecution of Nero, He is giving himself to flee yet again. But, as we know, on the Via Appia appeared the Christ, to which Peter's question: «Whither goest thou, O?» [where are you going, man?»]. Meets Christ: «For Rome, I crucifixion» [I go to Rome to be crucified again]. At that point Peter came back, dying shortly after martyred on Vatican Hill, where it was both the place of execution, is the circus of Nero. In some ways a bit 'like today: because the Vatican is a place of executions “merciful” and at the same time a circus. And in that place of executions and circus games, Peter is sanctified by the martyrdom; and how he whosoever will may be sanctified today, including the Successors of Peter.

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Maybe two millennia ahead, under the cross Christ entrusts the Mother Church torn by pain to the young and beloved John, while the one who wanted her as the bride of the Lamb [cf. AP 19, 7-8], agonizes affixed to a pole with four nails and a crown of thorns on the head.

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Along with the early Church, Christ He left to the Apostles also something very precious: his peace, that is the central element of this Gospel passage prepared by Johannine eagle. In this regard, precise Christ:

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"Peace I leave with, I give you my peace. Not as the world gives, I give it to you. Do not be upset your heart and do not be afraid " [GV 14, 27].

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The duality between Christ and the world, returns to emerge between these lines, before which we should first ask ourselves: but what is truly the peace of Christ, that, than Lui tells, It seems totally antithetical, compared to world peace?

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World peace, or if you prefer the false peace, It is one that does not reject sin, and that it actually welcomes him turning into good, in precious diversity to be welcomed, in law and in supreme value. Wishing we can sum it all up with a banner that during the March for Life 23 May was posted in Rome by a group of feminists diabolical that read: "The law 194 do not touch, women are free to have an abortion in peace!».

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Here is the peace of the world: the "right" to kill innocent creatures, the “right” all’eutanasia, or the "right" womb for rent, so that two gay can fabricate their boy toy. Or maybe, the world, can be by-case basis so “cruel” take off in such a model of a couple so happy this “deserved” pace?

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The peace of Christ He resides in truth and justice, which arise from the deepest expressions of charity. But most of all, the pace, it is Christ himself who is the way, truth and life [cf. GV 14, 6], that peace is the source and giver [Ef 2,14].

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When bidding farewell by the Disciples before the Passion, Jesus leaves them his peace [GV 14,27], and thereafter, once he rose from the dead, back to offer the supreme gift of his peace greeting them: "Peace to you!» [LC 24,36; GV 20,19-21.26]. The peace of Christ is achieved through reconciliation with God the Father, from which then it comes the reconciliation with the brothers [cf. Mt 6,12], so this Christological peace can be extended to a world renewed by Christ, who through the grace of the Holy Spirit purifies and sanctifies us. So, every time we open our arms and say, priests'Peace be with you» [Peace be with you], at that time we are Christ who gives you His peace and you sent in His peace.

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If I remember correctly, tomorrow we vote for the European elections, honestly I have not listened to the recommendations given by caucus the Italian Episcopal Conference nor that of the Secretariat of State, because I had better things to do, including praying for the fate of our old, glorious and beloved continent, about whom it came back to mind a phrase lapidary launched by Cardinal Giacomo Biffi at the beginning of the Second Millennium: «L'Europe, or be a Christian again or it will be more ».

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So many other things I have come back to mind, I remind you briefly who seems devoid of historical memory. Also because it is not about going back centuries, but only a few decades …

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… in the archives of the former Holy Office and in those of many diocesan ecclesiastical courts of Italy, They are always stored acts in which several priests were also sanctioned canonically and only for suspected sympathy with the old Italian Communist Party. Well, in recent weeks we have had to witness the authentic disgrace of our bishops - but what is worse the Holy See -, who entered heavily in the campaign to support the Center-Left, very watered down heir of the old Italian Communist Party. Indeed, while the old Communists, as fierce as consistent, They spoke of the proletariat and the working class, pursuing many just demands for the protection of the weaker classes, their grandchildren piddini, - those supported by our bishops, to be clear -, instead we find them at cocktail hour in the upscale cafes of Parioli, super penthouse in the center and in Roman villas Olgiata.

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Since not everyone is deprived of historical memory, I remember that as a teenager, nell'affatto away 1978, I saw a crying elderly pastor who ended electrocuted by Bishop since accused of being too close to Communist circles. The indictment was presented to the bishop by some politicians and administrators finished Democrats on trial for corruption and then to jail twenty years later. Having said that I would be legitimate to ask, both al caucus the Italian Episcopal Conference and to the Secretariat of State, if it's me that I misunderstood, if it's me that I missed some step of our incredible historical and ecclesiastical political evolution, or: we own clerical the support given to the inconsistent bourgeoisie and viciously grandchildren of those who were old and consistent Italian Communists? Because I fear that some clergy politician, with the new Left, share a disturbing element: an idea of ​​ideological and dream people totally divorced from reality, if it considers that the people shall not meet or in the upscale Parioli coffee, nor in the super penthouse center, or in Roman villas Olgiata, but even in the palaces of curies, as now cloaked in great pauperism with their bishops who wear wooden crosses around his neck and moving in procession with the facts croziers not by the silversmiths craftsmen but by carpenters, all we are waiting for the wind changes and then presented, as if nothing had happened, seven meters magna hood.

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May Europe welcome the peace of Christ, because with the peace of the world, carried out by inconsistent grandchildren of the old communist consistent, He will soon be dead and buried, with the blessing of our Italian episcopate.

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the Island of Patmos, 25 May 2018

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HISTORICAL NOTE MARIANA FLAG POLICY ON EUROPEAN UNION

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The European Union flag is the veil and tiara of stars of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In the sky there appeared a great sign: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. [Revelation of St. John the Apostle: 12, 1]

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To the uninitiated remember what is the meaning of the flag of Europe: The blue color represents the mantle of the Virgin Mary, The twelve stars on her diadem. At the time,, when it was formed the nucleus of the European Union, Catholic politicians, unbeknownst to the Northern European Protestants, They put the nascent union under the protection Mater Dei.

If they take note of what secularists, Gay and lesbian hate mail that swarm in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, maybe they'll interpellation to change flag.

Still others did not then know that the polls will be in this month of May, which traditionally it is the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary, although in many churches, in this Marian month, several bishops and priests have been undertaken in the lavish greetings good Ramadan, rather than praise the Holy Virgin with the recitation of the Holy Rosary with which Europe won the Battle of Lepanto, avoiding that the flag with the crescent moon could fly over the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, all before you even create a union that has, as its emblem, the robe and the crown of Our Lady …

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«You will know the truth and the truth will set you free» [GV 8,32],
but bring, spread and defend the truth not only of
risks but also the costs. Help us supporting this Island
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They were IT 08 (J) 02008 32974 001436620930
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The angle dell'omiletica of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

SLEEPERS. DREAMERS FROM THE PROSTITUTE repentant, THROUGH THE WAY OF THE TRUE GOD MERCY OF CHRIST

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In confession Jesus, through the priest, He gives us His confidence. When we are acquitted, Also we return free from the spiritual chains that come from the sins committed. Once free, God puts his Father's merciful love in our hearts and calls us with confidence: goes and donalo. And even if we are weak, and despite the efforts we will fall back on other sins, we never stop to ask his forgiveness and to open ourselves to His confidence. In fact, the writer Ernest Hemingway said: "The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust him".

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Gabriele Giordano M. Scardocci, o.p.

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Dear brothers and sisters.

Movie poster Sleepers (1996)

the theme of sin and guilt that emerges on the page of the Gospel of this V Sunday of Lent [texts of the Liturgy of the Word, WHO], It is part of our faith and it is not always easy to talk about it properly or simply. The great medium of television presents a daily reality that not only, does not help to understand the sin, but that enhance their, sin as a lifestyle.

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More than two decades ago It was produced and distributed a film that maybe someone will remember: Sleepers. The cast is made up of first-rate actors: Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt e Jason Patric [cf. see card WHO]. In this film set in the popular quarters of Americans 1966, four teenagers perform a prank, just moved by the intention of committing a harmless prank, but it is likely to end in tragedy. This history: i quattro, near the stadium, flee with the cart of a salesman hot dogs, with which ever they come in front of the ramp of subway stairs; the cart escapes their hand and falls down the stairs, at the risk of killing an elderly man who was going up the ramp. The four were tried and sentenced to eighteen months in juvie.

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The whole plot is a tissue of violence and revenge, including sexual abuse of minors by several prison guards. As if this film wants to tell us from evil and guilt, you have no way out. Mistaken, instead. Our Lord teaches us how he loves sinners and helps them get out of their weaknesses. Starting in fact right from the first reading of this liturgy, read this prophetic song:

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"There, I will do a new thing: […] I will make the wilderness a highway, rivers in the desert " [Is 43, 19].

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by film Sleepers: The prank ends up touching the tragedy …

The Prophet He writes in the second exodus of the Babylonian captivity, the sixth century. a.C, When the Israelites were releasing oppression of Babylon. In these verses, God comforts the Jews and indicates a fertile desert road in the desert. Desert and steppe are places where donate its river, that is, his love alive and real. And all this we send something important: even before our behavioral weaknesses, that they seem to be sand dunes where we get lost, we must not be afraid to ask for the water of love of God. Defects whitewash the beauty of our uniqueness: We are not discouraged. On the contrary, in front of them let us trust in God with a spontaneous prayer too loud. Also God is with us not only in weaknesses, but also in the experience of falls or major sins.

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Sleepers, reformatory

In the passage of the adulteress we read that the Pharisees and scribes had tried to entrap Jesus with a dilemma, using for this purpose the technique of a rhetorical device that is typical in the hearings of criminal trials since the ancient greek and roman criminal law. The trap consists precisely in the response that is expected bystanders, namely that: if you say to stone the woman, go against your teaching of love. If you say not to stone her, go against the law of Moses and Roman law, that applied at the time in the Judean colony. Indeed, Rome while allowing the legitimacy of the rabbinical courts and the Great Sanhedrin on religious matters or related to the ancient Temple, if it was a question of issuing certain sentences, the power could be exercised - or the approved sentence carried out -, only by the Roman power, exactly as in the case of the execution of the death sentence of Jesus Christ.

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Faced with this question-trap, Jesus gives the answer in order to overcome the dilemma. The Pharisees can not apply the law of Moses with her. At this point the Lord Jesus can instead apply the teaching of Love:

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Sleepers, Robert DeNiro, in the role of pastor of four teenagers, during deposition in court

"Then Jesus stood up and said,: «Donna, where am I? Has no one condemned? […] Neither do I condemn; will’ and from now on sin no more " [GV 8, 10-11].

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We note: Jesus stands up and he brings forth his act of forgiveness: tender and tenacious love that woman. Not at all he says that adultery is a righteous act, understandable, acceptable, or to understand by virtue of trends or social costumes. That sin, It remains a grave sin. What matters to Jesus, Now you see in the eyes of the adulteress that true repentance: when he sees the repentant look, God welcomes the sinner in his divine heart, and accepting it destroys his sin. At that ponto Jesus speaks directly to women, which shows to be so desirous of love. Now she can also raise her and take her in his merciful heart. The Divine Redeemer, destroying that sin, He gave women the freedom to walk the path of God; and showing and giving confidence to the woman, He makes her a daughter repentant.

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Sleepers, Rober De Niro in the role of the good shepherd

So it is for us too: in confessing Jesus, through the priest, He gives us His confidence. When we are acquitted, Also we return free from the spiritual chains that come from the sins committed. Once free, God puts his Father's merciful love in our hearts and calls us with confidence: goes and donalo. And even if we are weak, and despite the efforts we will fall back on other sins, we never stop to ask his forgiveness and to open ourselves to His confidence. In fact, the writer Ernest Hemingway said: "The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust him".

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The Lord give us the joy of his look full of confidence to be ourselves witnessing a greater hope.

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Amen!

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Rome, 7 April 2019

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Dear Readers,

on this page you can find the Book of Masses, if it consult Agenda Calendar you can check availability for the celebration of Holy Masses of suffrage for your Dead

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«You will know the truth and the truth will set you free» [GV 8,32],
but bring, spread and defend the truth not only of
risks but also the costs. Help us supporting this Island
with your offers through the secure Paypal system:

or you can use the bank account:
They were IT 08 (J) 02008 32974 001436620930
in this case, send us an email warning, because the bank
It does not provide your email and we could not send you a
thanks [ isoladipatmos@gmail.com ]

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