"I also admonish and exhort the brothers that in their preaching their words be studied and chaste, useful and edifying to the people, telling them about vices and virtues, punishment and glory; and they ought to be brief, because the Lord kept his words brief when he was on earth." - Saint Francis of Assisi - Chapter IX, Approved Rule
In today's readings, we get yet another glimpse into the great resistance that the people of God had towards the grace of God that was working, or trying to work, with them and through them. And we see that in the first reading from the Book of Numbers, and we also see it more especially intensely in the Gospel of Saint John.
Le letture di oggi ci mostrano la resistenza del popolo di Dio alla grazia divina. Nel deserto, Israele si lamenta contro Dio e Mosè, dimenticando la liberazione ricevuta e cadendo nell’ingratitudine. Questo atteggiamento ci invita a riflettere su noi stessi, perché anche noi, nel seguire Cristo, possiamo essere tentati di mormorare e di dubitare.
As we round up our Lenten season with this fifth week in Lent, we come across a beautiful saint by the name of Toribio de Mogrovejo. Toribio was born in Mayorga, Spain, on November 16th, 1538. He died on March 23rd, 1606, in Saña, Peru, while on pastoral visitation. He was the Archbishop of Lima, and he was appointed as archbishop in 1579 and wasn't even yet a priest—interesting. He was rapidly ordained a priest and consecrated bishop after his appointment, and then he was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.
In questa quinta settimana di Quaresima incontriamo la figura luminosa di san Toribio de Mogrovejo, grande vescovo missionario della Chiesa. Nato in Spagna e divenuto arcivescovo di Lima, egli si distinse per il suo zelo apostolico, percorrendo grandi distanze per evangelizzare e confermare i fedeli, specialmente tra i popoli indigeni, che difese con coraggio.
We have now come to the fifth Sunday of Lent, and this is the last Sunday before Palm Sunday. And so our readings begin to intensify, and the urgency with which Jesus begins to move is now becoming very apparent in the Gospels.
Giunti alla quinta domenica di Quaresima, le letture si intensificano e ci conducono verso il mistero centrale della Pasqua. Dopo aver contemplato l’incontro con la samaritana e la guarigione del cieco nato, oggi siamo posti davanti alla risurrezione di Lazzaro, segno potente della vita nuova che Cristo porta.
Friends, the closer we get to Lent, the more the question regarding Jesus’s identity intensifies. Who is he? Where did he come from? What is he here to do? What does he mean when he says certain things that had been so unclear in the past? And yet, with great authority, he clarifies what God originally intended. Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41). So Jesus’s identity is always central in our consideration, because in order to build a relationship with him, we really need to know who he is and to spend time with him in prayer and through the reading of Scriptures.
Avvicinandoci sempre più alla Pasqua, emerge con forza la domanda sull’identità di Gesù: chi è veramente, da dove viene e quale è la sua missione. I Vangeli mostrano come le persone fossero divise su di lui, cercando di comprenderlo alla luce delle profezie riguardanti il Messia, atteso come discendente della casa di Davide e nato a Betlemme.
Peace be with you as we continue our Lenten journey, and in particular on this fourth Friday in Lent. Recalling our Lord's passion on Fridays of Lent in a very particular way, through the celebration of the Way of the Cross, we are reminded of how his aggressors and those who persecuted him, and not only challenged him, but wanted to put him to death, were long before prophesied in the books of the Old Testament and in the Book of Wisdom.
Mentre continuiamo il nostro cammino quaresimale, la liturgia ci ricorda in modo particolare la Passione del Signore, e già nelle Scritture dell’Antico Testamento vediamo prefigurata la persecuzione contro il Giusto. Il Libro della Sapienza descrive coloro che si oppongono a lui, incapaci di accettare la sua fedeltà alla legge di Dio e la sua denuncia del male.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day dedicated to one of the most overlooked yet profoundly significant figures in our faith. As we continue our Lenten journey, let us reflect on how Saint Joseph can guide us in this season of penance, reflection, and preparation for the joy of Easter.
Cari fratelli e sorelle in Cristo, oggi ci riuniamo per celebrare la solennità di San Giuseppe, sposo della Beata Vergine Maria, un giorno dedicato a una delle figure più trascurate ma profondamente significative della nostra fede. Mentre continuiamo il nostro cammino quaresimale, riflettiamo su come San Giuseppe possa guidarci in questa stagione di penitenza, riflessione e preparazione alla gioia della Pasqua.
Reflect and pray on the Word of God, and allow it to penetrate your heart as it did the Poverello from Assisi, Saint Francis. God's Word is sent to set us free, to experience life in abundance as His sons and daughters. Each week, homilies will be posted ahead of time as regards the daily mass readings! We are currently in Year B of the Liturgical Cycle.
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FranciscanPreacher.com exists to draw you deeper into the living Word of God, inspired by the spirit and example of Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order of Friars Minor. Each reflection and homily seeks to open the treasures of the daily Mass readings and to serve as a humble companion for all those who have been blessed with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
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