Homiletics – Page 15 – EDIZIONI L'ISOLA DI PATMOS

From rendering justice to “Betrothed”, the right prayer addressed to God the Father

27 October 2019/4 Comments/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

FROM JUSTICE TO YIELD Betrothed, RIGHT TO REVOLT PRAYER TO GOD THE FATHER

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"The publican smote upon his breast, saying,: "Hate, have mercy on me a sinner ". I tell you: these, unlike the other [Pharisee], He went down to his house justified, For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, those who humble themselves will be exalted " [LC 18,14].

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

The unforgettable and lamented Anna Marchesini [1953-2016] with the companions of trio Solenghi-Marchesini-Lopez, In a famous edition of satirical The Betrothed from the 1980s [click on image to open the video]

I remember with great affection and joy of one of the secondary characters The Betrothed. Agnese, Lucia's mother Mondella, which encourages Lucia and Renzo want to tie the wedding through the expedient of surprise wedding. With this humble advice and, in spite of everything, full of wisdom, Agnes tries to do justice to the betrothed and to God's plan, acting in this sense an example of humility and devotion.

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We now try to grasp the humility of prayer in the readings of this XXX Sunday of Ordinary Time [see Liturgy of the Word, WHO]. In the first reading from the Old Testament we read:

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"The Lord is judge, and there is no respect of persons for him. There is partial to the detriment of the poor and listen to the plea of ' [SR 35,15].

The author of the book of wisdom He turns to the Jewish People, trying to break a mindset and religious formalism of an era in which some thought that the poor and oppressed will be reduced in this state for some misconduct, for example pride. The concept that if one is poor, Because of this it is for itself, we find him in some thought Calvinist, especially that he developed in the liberalist society of the United States of America in the seventeenth century. An entirely different view Siracide that says the opposite: the poor are heard instead. Just because he is unable to raise to God a word of fidelity with a great poverty of heart. So you know how to pray in the most authentic way.

Let's also think about the way we pray. If we are too formal or repeat unenthusiastically, We ask the Lord to help us instead to live prayer with greater depth and authenticity.

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In the second reading we find the nearness of the Lord for those who pray in a more authentic and with an act of abandonment to him:

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"In my first defense no one took my; all deserted me […] But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength " [2TM 4, 16].

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St. Paul reminds the strength and closeness of God in the hardest moments, and more depressive of his Christian and preacher of Jesus Christ. Put on trial for blasphemy by the Jews and then by the Romans for having disobeyed the command not to proclaim the mystery of the Risen Jesus, Paul reminds Timothy that the abandonment to God was the case with an act of humility. This humility allowed him to feel the proximity and strength of the Lord. Of this it gives us the greatest teaching Jesus in the Gospel of St. Luke where we read:

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"The publican smote upon his breast, saying,: "Hate, have mercy on me a sinner ". I tell you: these, unlike the other [Pharisee], He went down to his house justified, For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, those who humble themselves will be exalted " [LC 18,14].

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If you compare the two prayers, both they turn to God. In the case of the Pharisee, he performs a ritual prayer and perfect liturgically, thanking God not to be like the publican. There is a kind of contempt that is expressed, so not so hidden, towards the publish. This prayer, stylistically perfect, It is absolute useless from the point of view of content. Because the Pharisee does not know how to get those seeds of good that the Lord has put in publishing, beyond the injustices they may have actually done. But the tax is a sinner. It does not compare to others; It does not offer a perfect ritual prayer. Only small words, lowly, but full of meaning. That's why, says Jesus, the tax will be exalted. Because it offers the little that has, his being fragile and sinful man, to the Sir. And in this true and authentic offer the Lord can do great things.

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This is an invitation for us not too much focus on ourselves: to thank the Lord for the talents and the gifts received, but how humus fertile, We humbly offer them to God. And in this offer us, God will exalt. We make its sacred ferment where blossoming of joy.

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He wrote the Italian writer and patriot Niccolò Tommaseo:

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"Who wants to look at himself in clear water, It agrees that is bent. Without humility do not know the pure souls ».

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May the Lord grant the humility to bend down on his mysteries and the people who sent us, to be clear mirrors of his Trinitarian love.

Amen.

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Rome, 27 October 2019

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From prayer to the terrible question: "When the son of man returns, find faith on earth?»

19 October 2019/3 Comments/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

PRAYER FROM THE TERRIBLE QUESTION: "WHEN THE SON OF MAN WILL RETURN, HE WILL FIND FAITH ON EARTH?»

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In life everyone has or has had deep friendships, and depending on how much time we spent with our friend, of what we shared with him, our love for him or her increases. He wrote the philosopher Aristotle: "Friendship is a soul dwelling in two bodies, a heart that lives in two souls ".

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Salvador Dali: Girl at the window

in this XXIX Sunday of ordinary time, the liturgy offers us considerable food for thought [see Liturgy of the Word, WHO]. In life everyone has had, of hectares, deep friendships and, depending on how much time we spent with our friend, of what we shared with him, our love for him or her increases. He wrote the philosopher Aristotle:

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"Friendship is a soul dwelling in two bodies, a heart that lives in two souls ".

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This being as one It is therefore made possible by an open and sincere dialogue that believers becomes possible for us making us one with the Lord through the most lively and fruitful dialogue: prayer. Just this tell us about the songs today. Let's start from the first reading Old Testament:

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"Moses said to Joshua,: "Choose us some men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill, with the rod of God "in hand" [Is 17,1]

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The Jewish People It is supported by Moses while fighting the Amalekites, one of the armies of the most aggressive and therefore quite hard to defeat. Moses joined army Jewish, for which invokes God to support them.

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For us prayer thus indicates a union with those in spiritual warfare, but also it is wanting in a test phase. Praying can mean continually invoke the strength and support of God towards those who suffer and can be a moral fatigue, physics, spiritual. Prayer is therefore first call upon God as support for those we love. It's intercession as almost get in the middle between God and his people. This is why Jesus himself asks his disciples never to stop praying, as explained the Gospel passage:

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"During that time, Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray, tirelessly " [LC 18, 1].

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In the parable of the Lord ago so see how the widow turns continually to the judge gets tired of hearing it kick, and eventually fulfills. With this provocation of Jesus to the disciples becomes evident: the judge who has no relationship with the widow, can not resist the constant complaints. The Lord instead has an intimate relationship with us, if we ask the right thing by prayer, We will hear us. The unceasing prayer, at the same time he teaches us to ask the Lord, but at the same time to learn to ask what is needed for us.

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That final question of Jesus: "When the son of man returns, find faith on the earth " [LC 18,1] also shows a connection between faith and prayer. Faith feeds the prayer and at the same time the prayer is nourished by faith. Even a dying faith or underactive through prayer rediscovers life, because all our life of faith finds nourishment in prayer and in the sacraments.

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At this point then we see how they pray unceasingly. He says St. Paul speaking to Timothy: please ceaselessly if we pray with the word of God:

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"But you keep balance in what you have learned and are convinced, knowing from whom you learned it and that from childhood you know the Holy Scriptures: They are able to instruct for salvation, which is obtained through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, to convince, correcting and training in righteousness, That the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work " [2 TM 3, 14-16]

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The word of God is God and it helps to do good works, especially works of charity that help us become saints. If we pray with the Word of God, It becomes a continuous way of praying. There are many ways to pray, therefore, with the word of God, such as read a short passage from the Gospel day, before going to work. Or to make a longer prayer there is lectio divina, as reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation of God's word.

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The German Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: "To pray is to catch your breath before God; pray is to rely on God ".

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We ask the Lord to help to ensure the vital oxygen our prayer becomes day by day, and united to the sacraments, both the lungs with which to breathe a life of joyful faith, satisfaction and fullness of himself.

Amen.

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Rome, 19 October 2019

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It is now available the second book of 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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The golden calves of our modern society, long regressed to neo-paganism

1 September 2019/1 Comment/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

GOLDEN CALVES OF OUR MODERN SOCIETY, FROM THE TIME regressed Neopaganism

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The media and fashions They tend to build the image of people without flaws, impeccable. The error? It happens simply an oversight, an incident in the person "perfect". Just listen to a newscast But back to reality, for example listening to the news of the crime, before which, this purity and perfection, It ends overturned.

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Marc Chagall, etching: The Golden Calf

we all make mistakes and sins. The abstract ideal of absolute perfection achieved on this earth is unreal and we can snatch it from head, It would be enough to remind ourselves that we have inherited a corrupt nature by original sin.

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The media The mode They tend to create images of people without flaws, impeccable. The error? It's just an oversight, an accident in the person "perfect". But just listen to a newscast back to reality, for example, reports of crime; and this image of purity and perfection, It ends overturned.

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In today's readings [see Liturgy of the word, This XXIV Sunday in Ordinary Time, WHO] we can have a Catholic perspective on our sinfulness, repented and forgiven by God, Eternal Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Starting from reading the Old Testament that contains the admonition:

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"We ', get off, for your people, […] They have made them a molten calf, then they have worshiped, they offered sacrifices " [Is, 32,7-11.13-14].

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Prostrate in front of a statue of molten metal it is very significant, because for the People of Israel it is tantamount to giving enormous importance to material things. At the same time this also implies the hide under a metal protection: ie seek protection in their beliefs, in human certainties. It is a typical error even nowadays, a sin by which we prevent that God is more important, unable to perceive and welcome the Eternal God and transcendent as it offers us protection.

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As a totally opposite experience instead San Paolo, when he writes to his beloved disciple Timothy:

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"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, the first of which I am " [1 TM 1,12-17]

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St. Paul acknowledges that he needs Jesus: He recognizes fragile sinner, no other defense but God Himself. Symbolically, we could say that prostrates himself before gold: It is placed under the maximum protection that is God. Moreover, He is having received mercy for his sins, It is able to transmit this mercy.

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Let's also think about this: when we get mercy, then we become instruments of mercy truthful, because we have pioneered a great love.

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In the long version of the Lucan Gospel, this great love there is described by the parable of the prodigal son. The final step, that of the return home of the young reckless, shows this scene:

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"Suo father Vide, had compassion, He ran to meet, and he fell on his neck and kissed him " [LC 15,1-32].

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A parable describing images with what happens every time we present ourselves to the confessional to ask forgiveness of our sins. The Eternal Father has indeed compassion, tenderness [the greek viscera] the human condition of lost children, but eager to so much love. For this meeting the running and throwing the neck are images that recall the idea of the cancellation of our sins absolution: when in fact we absolved, Jesus the Priest runs towards us and frees us from the burden of sin, a kind of yoke on the neck. So we are ready to resume the life of holiness: the Holy Spirit puts us like a kiss on the heart, When we comply penance we are asked to do, as a small satisfaction for sins committed and who gives us spiritual healing.

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For us, the staff and the other salvation, it happens every time we confess to God and let all our sins, it is a journey we make with the whole Church. A community path, which it has the most beautiful expression of communion with God and with each other. The human feeling that accompanies us in our moments of redemption, It is the joy. A real encounter with Jesus rarely does not lead to joy. He wrote Jerome David Salinger:

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"The most striking difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy is a liquid" (Nine stories, 1953).

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We ask the Lord to grant us happiness in the solidity of his Bread of eternal life and joy in the liquid of the Salvation Wine.

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Amen.

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Rome, 14 September 2019

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It is now available the second book of 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],
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What is the true vision of authentic Christian? Imitations of Christ

1 September 2019/1 Comment/in Homiletics/by Father Ivano

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

WHICH IS THE REAL VISIBILITY authentic Christian? THE IMITATION OF CHRIST

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A certain humility ecclesiastical flavor moth has unfortunately become accustomed to flaunt a false humility - when strategically seeking the last place - expect the glorification and prestige coveted. With this false humility, which unfortunately today in the Church save very few, there is a serious risk that it also distorts the virtue of charity. Indeed, when the charity is made to show off power and prestige, obtain favors, transpose gains up to the speculation you can rest assured that there is more charity.

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Author
Ivano Liguori, Ofm. Capp.

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carry the cross of Christ

This XXII Sunday Ordinary Time, It reminds us of one of the classics of Christian spirituality, The imitation of Christ, in particular in the part in which it warns: «Then love and to be esteemed» [He loves to be not known and felt nothing (cf.. lib. I, cap. 2, v. 15)].

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If we think about the way of life we lead today, even as believers, This warning sounds completely irrational and even a little 'offensive. No one likes it be forgotten, we live in an era that demands visibility along with the underlining of egocentrism and of person. At this point, We crossed the limits of narcissism, we are pushed us beyond, maybe to a point of no return.

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The liturgy of this Sunday We assist us in this drift ego, by teaching that Christ gives to the Pharisees during a lunch [see Liturgy of the Word, WHO]. The passage in Luke asks its believers on the subject of humility to introduce a beautiful reflection on the way to work actively charity without hiding ulterior motives.

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Humility is the Christian virtue that makes us more like Christ, who "he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross" (Fil 2,8). Unfortunately, this virtue is not easily conquered if we become able to ask for it with the Holy Spirit and unless we adapt our feelings, the sentiments of Christ Jesus during his earthly life.

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Humility is a grace you need to take every day since none of us is immune from pride reputarsi, by virtue of the fact that original sin is explicitly a sin of pride. Although redeemed by Christ through baptism into His death and resurrection, the wound of original sin still disturbs us right through the nefarious sin of pride. And from pride come cascading all other vices and sins.

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The same devil - character now denied by a certain group of emancipated Christians, adults as well as theologians [see previous article, WHO] - is the father of pride and rebellion originated from the desire to overcome God and to take his place. Jesus in the Gospel urges us to desire the last place because our value lies not in the event of a power or a worldly prestige but in the exclusive relationship with the Father.

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Remember the Blessed Father Francis in its Yellow:

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"Blessed is the servant, do not you think best, when it is praised and exalted by men, when it is considered vile, simple and despicable, because what man is before God, It is and no more " [cf.. Yellow Cards Nineteenth, FF 169]

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For this man is called to be small and love this exceedingly small size because that is where his treasure is hidden.

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A certain ecclesiastical humility the taste of mothballs has unfortunately become accustomed to flaunt a false humility - when strategically seeking the last place - expect the glorification and prestige coveted. With this false humility, which unfortunately today in the Church save very few, there is a serious risk that it also distorts the virtue of charity. Indeed, when the charity is made to show off power and prestige, obtain favors, transpose gains up to the speculation you can rest assured that there is more charity.

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The recompense, according to the teaching of the Kingdom, It is not the trading currency of the disciple and this is true in secular realities in those sacred: "You received, freely give " [cf.. Mt 10,8].

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The charity is evident in the care of the needy, of the sick, the prisoner, the distant, the lost of faith, the confusing, the sinner, of the heretic, apostate and so to follow, both free and urges, It deprives many arguments that turn into socio-psychological discipline. The Christian charity only speaks of God, and God through His Son humbled himself on the cross to teach us to love to the total gift of ourselves. The theology of humility and last place coincides with the Calvary, a hard lesson to swallow.

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The last place It is certainly an uncomfortable place but it is the safest outpost of paradise that man could wish on earth.

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Cagliari, 31 August 2019

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The rugby players head towards the narrow gate of salvation

25 August 2019/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

THE PLAYERS OF RUGBY RUNNING TOWARDS THE NARROW DOOR OF SALVATION

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In this sport, played by fifteen athletes, at some point it happens that eight rugby players they all hug together and united they begin to move around the field, carrying the ball forward. It is the so-called scrum. Piano piano, moving compact, these eight, aided by the other seven companions, they overtake their opponents and carrying the ball forward they score a point and win the game. And with qhe concrete example we can introduce today's readings …

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

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Dear brothers and sisters,

Maori dance of the players of rugby of New Zealand [click on the video]

there is a sport practiced a lot in the United Kingdom and France, but also in Italy: the rugby. In this sport, played by fifteen athletes, at some point it happens that eight rugby players they all hug together and united they begin to move around the field, carrying the ball forward: the so-called scrum.

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moving compact, these eight, aided by the other seven companions, little by little they overtake their opponents and by carrying the ball forward they score a point and win the game. And with qhe concrete example we can introduce today's readings [see Liturgy of the Word of this 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, WHO]. In particular, I refer to the old testamentary passage:

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«I will come to gather all the peoples and all the languages; they will come and see my glory " [Is 66, 18].

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The Prophet Isaiah speaks in the name of God to the people of Israel. Prophesy that, not only the Semitic peoples, but the whole world will be gathered. In the original Hebrew text, The term 'assembled' sounds like: Assemble, assembled and compacted to seek the glory of God. All believers will be united into one people: the church. How unique and common purpose will have to glorify God, ie show its beauty and truth of his mysteries.

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For us, a journey of faith It is therefore always Community, never explicitly alone in isolation or worse: only if we are ever more united to the Church, our parish and local community, little by little we can really walk towards God and enjoy the graces that He gives us. Of course, qT his journey towards God, although Community, certainly not without its obstacles. As he writes a letter to the Hebrews:“

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"It's part of your training that you suffer!» [EB 2, 5].

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Through the corrections in the face of mistakes and sins, but also through the experience of suffering, our journey of faith matures and grows slowly. In corrections, so, we always learn to entrust ourselves to the Lord who corrects our wrongs through the shepherds he wanted. This journey together, difficult and at the same time beautiful, also it requires a special effort. Jesus asks us in fact:

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"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, because many, I tell you, seek to enter, but they won't succeed " [LC 13, 28].

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The image of the narrow gate, It indicates that it is a smaller door, harder to take and pass. Why go to these ports must be small. Here then nand today's passage, the call being small, it is also an invitation from Jesus to close adherence to the message that he himself has taught us:

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' Verily I say: unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven [Mt 18, 3].

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The entrance leads into gesuana, therefore implies a continuity between faith and life, not simply a formal welcome and superficial to the Catholic faith. If we live this way, Jesus really be able to say to each of us, "I know you". Because first of all we were the ones who misunderstand Him, despite the invitations to be obedient to His Word. At the same time, But, it is Jesus who helps us and enter this narrow door: we are not alone, because He who is the way and at the same time the door of Eternal Life, he offers us grace as a fundamental help on this journey.

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Gustave Flaubert wrote in the opera Madame Bovary:

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"The future was a completely black corridor, who at the bottom had his door firmly closed ".

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May, close the door to safety in the dark. Let us therefore ask the Lord for the grace to open wide the doors of our heart, so that our future may be ever more open to the Infinite Trinitarian Love.

Amen!

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Rome, 24 August 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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the 15 August is not celebrated “San Ferragosto”, but the solemnity of the Assumption into heaven of Mary, body and soul

14 August 2019/4 Comments/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

THE 15 August NOT CELEBRATES “SAN AUGUST”, BUT THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SKY OF MARY IN BODY AND SOUL

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Mary of Nazareth was a woman with a special vocation: be the mother of God. At the same time, therefore, he received two special gifts: the perpetual virginity and being immaculate, that is, free from original sin. Miriam has a call to rise to God. He knew that answer yes to the Lord of the project to be a faithful witness of his message.

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

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Salvador Dali, Assumption into heaven of Mary, 1956

Dear brothers and sisters,

the Holy Church 15 August did not celebrate at an unspecified “San Ferragosto“, but the Assumption into heaven in body and soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary [cf Liturgy of the Word, WHO]. To enter into this mystery, Now let's try to think of an American skyscraper. For instance, the Freedom Tower New York famous for having replaced the Twin Towers after the attacks of 2001. Like any architectural structure mammoth, it soars skyward. At the same time it has a solid and immovable foundations that resist all wind-borne shock, lightning and also the wear of time.

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That this structure recalls the important elements: the momentum toward heaven and God and the solidity of his call to eternal life.

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It is also in short what we celebrate today: the Solemnity of Mary. This is one of the four dogmas concerning the person of Mary: we know by faith that she is the Mother of God, ever-Virgin, Immaculate Conception and precisely, Assunta. The dogma is a truth of faith proclaimed by the Pope and the whole Church that we believe as true, although not immediately apparent. The dogma was proclaimed by Pope Pius XII, the 1 November 1950, with bubble the generous.

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What teaching this dogma? Mary of Nazareth was a woman with a special vocation: be the mother of God. At the same time, therefore, he received two special gifts: the perpetual virginity and being immaculate, that is, free from original sin. Miriam has a call to rise to God. He knew that answer yes to the Lord of the project to be a faithful witness of his message. The first was because being the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God became Arca. As we read in the first reading: [1 Cr 15: "The children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders"]. In this text, It speaks of the Ark: that is, a place where Jews could meet God, desiring, glorify Him and be with Him. Even Maria, accepting in himself Jesus, He became ark of God and allowed all people to be able to meet Jesus closer. Today again, when we say the rosary, together with Ave Maria remember the mysteries of Christ: Maria again it provides a place to meet God.

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This mystery concerns not only Mary but also we: we are called to rise, in a journey of holiness to the Lord. With our witness of faith, we can be ourselves ark and place of encounter with God. And theresolidity of this call is offered in two moments. As Luke writes: "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it". Maria listened assiduously God in at least three times; at the announcement of the Angel, the crucifixion when it was headed by Giovanni, and the mandate of the Risen Jesus to announce the great joy of Easter. Listened and put into practice: for this reason it was assumed into heaven body and soul. That fell asleep and, immediately, He was sent in the sight of God of Eternity. He remains in eternity of God and pray for us.

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This should be for us an invitation to listen and the observance of Jesus' message that continues in the Church. It is this loyalty and obedience, as Mary was faithful to Jesus, It will lead us also to be in Eternity of God that is in heaven. He wrote Johan Wolfgang Goethe:

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"Fidelity is the effort of a noble soul to equalize in another larger her soul '.

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May the Lord grant us the courage of perseverance of Mary of the Assumption, and his mother's love is also a sign of hope to visit one day all together before God.

Amen.

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Rome, 14 August 2019

On the Eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption

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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
risks but also the costs. Help us supporting this Island
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The Little Prince and the King of kings: Christ and the best part

21 July 2019/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

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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That question so old and so crucial: "Who is my next?»

14 July 2019/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

Homiletics of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

DEMAND THAT MUCH MUCH ANCIENT AND FUNDAMENTAL: "WHO IS MY NEXT?»

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The neighbor who needs the material charity today, is not only the clochards or the migrant, but also the unemployed, the disabled and the elderly abandoned by all. They need material charity those fathers or mothers who have undergone a divorce and unjustly are distant and impoverished by the presence of their children.

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

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Gabriele Giordano M. Scardocci, o.p. during the celebration of his first Mass

Dear brothers and sisters,

This XV Sunday in Ordinary Time raises a big and important question: "Who is my next?» [CF. text of the Liturgy of the Word, WHO].

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Today we live in the era where medical science has made great strides. There are doctors who gathered today with the specialist clinic and the new surgery and micro-surgery can save lives so unthinkable until yesterday, so take care and ensure a dignified life.

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A beautiful figure of doctor, is Louis Pasteur; we are in the late nineteenth. They, who dedicated her life to caring for the sick, He has left many deep thoughts, Trai which is dear to me in a particular sentence:

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"Do not you wonder who you are, where are you from, what religion you belong. You suffer, this is enough for me. You belong to me".

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Today's readings introduce us to the subject of caring for someone that God has sent us to care for and raise at a time of great suffering. The Lord Himself gives us this assignment, as we read in the Old texts testamentary:

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"This word is very near you, It is in your mouth and in your heart, that thou mayest do it " [CF. Dt: 30, 14].

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Gabriele Giordano M. Scardocci, o.p. during the celebration of his first Mass

The word that Moses reports God's word is a word that makes us neighbors, and the Lord. This proximity indicates that the word of God, The message of Jesus Christ must be known, He loved and made intimate. For what we are talking about a neighborhood in the mouth: that is, the word goes testified, announced with joy to those who do not know it. Immediately after there is a closeness of the heart is [Old Jewish heart lebav]: in the Hebrew language, The heart indicates the intimate concrete choice of God: therefore a passage from the testimony action. In particular, the action of the believer is the one of the spiritual and material mercy, caring for those in need in a material way, and above all, spiritual.

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This action It takes place in a very precise place: the church. As explained by the beautiful Pauline hymn: lat Church, that is ourselves, is the community of believers and at the same time the mystical body of Christ, that is, the place where all believers, diversified according to their vocation, concretely express their witness and action united to Jesus himself [CF. With the 1, 15. 18]. The Church then is the place where Jesus works with us, and we give care and mercy in Him.

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The parable of the Good Samaritan Finally explains who, as a Church, we must turn. Therefore, la basic question of every Catholic is this: "Who is my next?» [LC 10, 30].

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The next who needs the material charity today, is not only the clochards from il migrants, but also the unemployed, the disabled and the elderly abandoned by all. They need material charity those fathers or mothers who have undergone a divorce and unjustly are distant and impoverished by the presence of their children.

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Gabriele Giordano M. Scardocci, o.p.

Above all, the main alarm It is for those who are in need of spiritual charity: the atheists, the agnostics, all those who fight the Church in the name of culture gender, of necro-culture, or that favor the major sins such as abortion and euthanasia.

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We from Samaritans, we are called to take them to the hotel with bandages necessary: that is, to be next to them, another and speak, to accommodate their existential wounds, show the face of the living and true God, and give him the kingdom of God, fasciarli of the Truth of God and give him the wine par excellence, the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord.

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He wrote the poet Kahlil Gibran: "The strongest souls are hardened by suffering. The strongest characters are sprinkled with scars ».

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May the Lord grant each of us the courage, the tenderness and strength of the Good Samaritan to accommodate the wounds and scars of all those we meet, and give the hope of Christ's love.

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Amen.

Rome, 13 July 2019

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The manly tenderness of the Warriors of Light, mandates as sheep among wolves

7 July 2019/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

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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PDF print format article

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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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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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The mystery of joy: "He ascended into heaven;, seated at the right hand of the Father "

2 June 2019/2 Comments/in Homiletics/by Father Gabriele

The angle dell'omiletica of the Fathers of The Island of Patmos

THE MYSTERY OF JOY: «He ascended into heaven, Sitting at the right hand »

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Ascension It is therefore the liturgical feast of those who choose hope as a lighthouse of their lives. Contrary to a pessimism, typical of our time, After the great ideologies have fallen, The hope of ascension helps us to live faith day after day. And the most evident effect of those who are hopeful in the name of Jesus, It is the joy. Not a false mask of happiness, placed in the face to look happy when the heart is instead in darkness. No, Hope is the true joy of those who met the risen Jesus and then ascended.

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

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PDF print format article
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Dear brothers and sisters,

Salvador Dali: Ascension of Christ [1958]

With the proclamation of the Gospel of the Blessed Evangelist Luca Luca [cf. 24, 46-53] Today we celebrate the ascension to the sky of the Risen Christ [see Liturgy of the Word, WHO].

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In omitathic, to illustrate the paintings of the Holy Scriptures I sometimes refer to interesting cinematographic works …

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… Qa few years ago a nice film called The Theory of Everything. The film chronicled the life of physicist Stephen Hawking, quadriplegic scientist and his theories on the origin of the universe. Despite his terribly debilitated physical condition, Hawking never lost the will to live and research. At the end of the movie, the same scientist claims:

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"As bad as life may seem, there is always something one can do and successfully. Because as long as there is life, there is hope ".

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This example introduces the theme of the readings of the Holy Mass of Ascension that we celebrate together today. Ascension is the moment of the return of Jesus, Son of God, to the Eternal Father, God too. At the very moment in which Jesus ascends and is high at the top, leave an important message to his disciples. In the Acts of the Apostles:

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«You will receive the strength from the Holy Spirit who will descend on you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth " [At 1,8].

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This is the central nucleus ascent: the call of God to become his witnesses, the greek mixture [testimony: martyr, witness]. It is a call to testify Jesus and his person to the borders of the earth. The whole, By relating it to us, constitutes the call to testify Jesus in every place we attend, in family, in the workplace, with friends, or even during moments of relaxation.

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The letter to the Jews clarifies what it means to be witnesses:

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"We keep the profession of our hope without faltering" [EB 10, 23].

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Ascension it is therefore the moment in which Jesus leaves the mandate to continue his mission visible to the apostles and disciples, therefore to the Church. We too fall into this mandate. Our hope is not only human, but above all otherworldly hope: it is to nourish a feeling of confident expectation of being for Eternity with the Lord in Heaven. This expectation answers the most profound questions of meaning and therefore offers an existential answer. Indeed, it is an expectation built starting precisely from being active witnesses of the great love that we will be able to experience at the end of the centuries.

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On this to be witnesses of hope of eternal life, Jesus also speaks of it in the Gospel when he reiterates

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«The Christ will suffer and will rise from the dead on the third day. […] You are witnesses of this "" [LC 24, 46]

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Ascension It is therefore the liturgical feast of those who choose hope as a lighthouse of their lives. Contrary to a pessimism, typical of our time, After the great ideologies have fallen, The hope of ascension helps us to live faith day after day. And the most evident effect of those who are hopeful in the name of Jesus, It is the joy. Not a false mask of happiness, placed in the face to look happy when the heart is instead in darkness. No, Hope is the true joy of those who met the risen Jesus and then ascended.

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The joy of a meeting which happened for us, Every time we meet Jesus in the sacraments. In this Eucharist, Jesus will meet us, living our soul. His living in us has the purpose of allowing us already now to raise us with him, through the gaze of faith. With that look from above, It is possible to enjoy every day of our life in Christ, living in fullness and goodness.

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We ask the Lord The gift of being witnesses of hope, Fooding that feeling of elevation to the sky and reaching the eternal husband of our soul.

Amen.

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Rome, 2 June 2019

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