Letter from the Prelate (April 2011) The beatification of John Paul II and some scenes from the Gospels that the Church proposes are an invitation, "says the bishop, to live with intensity Lent and host the celebration of Easter.
April 4, 2011
PDF: Letter from the Prelate of Opus Dei (April 2011) dear children: may Jesus watch over my daughters and sons!
us love always, even in Lent, the immense wealth that the Church offers us the Word of God, for us to renew the energies of the soul to continue to pace the way of Easter. "Thoughtful and internalising to live daily "Wrote the Pope , learn a precious and irreplaceable form of prayer because attentive listening to God, who continues to speak to our hearts, nourish the faith journey that began on the day of Baptism" [ 1].
guide us in this journey Jesus Christ Our Lord . Moreover, he himself tells us: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life [2]. St. Augustine, commenting on this passage from the Gospel of John, writes: "It tells you:" Strive to find the way, that you get to the truth and life ", no, indeed. Arise, lazy! Path in person came to you, I woke up, if you've come to wake you. get up, and walks" [3] .
The second part of Lent gives us a good time to review the purposes for which we had made at the beginning of these weeks and to revive the sincere desire to get well prepared to Holy Week and Easter. may be served, such as thread driver, the Gospel texts we will read the next Sunday Mass, as Benedict XVI said in his message this year. You may also be useful to stop intensity anniversaries and other events of recent days, as the sixth anniversary of the death of John Paul II, tomorrow April 2 and his beatification on May 1.
The anniversary of the death of John Paul II brings to mind the example of fidelity to God that the Holy Father offered to the Church and the world. The deep impression made by his holy death in the world, and the extraordinary influx of people of all ages, especially young people, who in those days went to Rome to accompany his sacred remains, constituted a clear signal that beats faith in many people, although sometimes it is hidden under a layer of habituation, routine, and even sin. But just the breath of the Holy Spirit as in those unforgettable days of April 2005 - so that many souls experiencing a profound conversion and come back to God. The same reaction
supernatural was repeated shortly afterwards in connection with the election of Pope Benedict XVI, on April 19. Then we witnessed excited, confident and grateful for what the Holy Father pointed to strength in the Mass beginning of his Petrine ministry: "The Church is" alive "! Indeed, it is not possible, but sometimes fenezca appear to wobble, it is assisted by the Counsellor and Head is Jesus Christ, risen and glorious, King of all creation.
The certainty that comes from faith, perennially stands as immovable rock of our hope and our optimism supernatural. "Our Father God the loving Father who cares as the apple of his eye (Dt 32, 10), as recorded in Scripture with graphic phrase we understand it, never ceases to sanctify, by Holy Spirit, the Church founded by his beloved Son " [4]. These words of St. Josemaria to fill us comfort and security among the obstacles that many orders of existence, stand in the journey of the People of God. "Have confidence " , continued: "The Holy Church is incorruptible (...). Bear in mind that if the lameness outnumber the mighty, that reality would be even mystical-clear, undeniable, but do not perceive by the senses, which is the Body of Christ, Our Lord Himself, the Holy Spirit's action, the presence love of the Father " [5].
I think the upcoming beatification of John Paul II is a further sign of the holiness of the Mystical Body of Christ, the renewing power of the Paraclete, mercy of God the Father: in short, the love of the Blessed Trinity, who never leaves the Church. And I'm convinced, so I ask God that the elevation to the altars of the holy Pope once again lead the world and the Church a wave of faith and love and gratitude to our Lord, trusting accession to the Church our Mother. I removed as long as John Paul II, speaking of loyalty, using methods similar to those found in the preaching of St. Josemaría, claimed that a prerequisite of that loyalty is "continuity" over the years.
Meanwhile, as I suggested at the beginning of these lines, we prepare for Easter, whereas in our personal prayer in the Gospel texts which the liturgy presents to us in these weeks. Therefore, we look to courage if we are together and accompanied by Jesus Christ, if we listen and we apply what we said, if we do not ever let him alone.
On Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Lent, we read the scene of healing the man born blind, in which Jesus appears as the Light of the world. Putting in their eyes a little mud, made of dust of the earth and divine saliva, he said, go and wash in the Pool of Siloam, which means "Sent." Then went and washed and came back with view [6]. Then, the evangelist recounts dialogue between Jesus and man. Each and every one we must consider as addressed personally to us this question of the Lord the blind man do you believe in the Son of man [7]. Do you really, really, not only with intelligence, but with the heart and will, with your whole being, that Jesus is your Savior, who is the Son of God incarnate, died and rose for you, for me ? This confession of faith to renew the solemn Easter Vigil, a great challenge, affects our whole existence, leaving no room for selfish projects, to withdraw into the self. Fight to know without promptly and happiness of those plans, although they are very well designed, are not accommodated in the Plan with a capital "that God says to everyone. Aggressively seek ways to help others open their eyes to the light of God, and beseech the Lord with humility and grace of faith for ourselves and for others.
The following Sunday, Lent V, listen to the passage of the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus performed a miracle impressive and eloquently manifests his divinity, for who can give life to a dead several days, but God alone? The Master calls us as Martha, the sister of Lazarus: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, even if he dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? [8]. This woman, despite the clear evidence and sensitive -Which are expensive-brother's death, not hesitate to profess their faith in God of life and death: yes, Lord, he said. I believe You are the Christ, the Son of God, you've come to this world [9]. And it worked miracles. Milagros also repeated in our life and so many other people who wish to accompany Jesus, if we lack faith, as asserted by St. Josemaría: "Never despair. Lazarus was dead and rotten, "iam fœtet, quatriduanus est enim, "stinks, because it is buried four days, said Martha to Jesus.
" If you hear the inspiration of God and follow it - "Lazare, veni foras!" - Lazarus, come out! - return to Life " [10] .
Our founder, with the insight that God gave to penetrate the spiritual sense of Scripture, often invited to delve into this scene, and preaching to a small group of people, in 1964, told us: "When thinking about the joy of that family , those witnessing the miracle, to think of the joy of Jesus himself, with his heart full of joy for the happiness of others-in a way analogous to mourn learned to see the tears of Martha and Mary, I have come to the head that aspiration that so often repeat: omnia in bonum! (cf. Rom 8, 28), all that happens is for good. Also suffering, while not attempting to keep foolishly, or we do not invent the complications of our imagination. Whatever happens in our lives if we surrender ourselves to the Lord's hands we will bring peace and strength, because God's grace makes us effective tools " [11].
Palm Sunday, at the end of Lent, Holy Week opens, is like the gate that leads us into these decisive days in the history of salvation. On Holy Thursday morning, the bishop concelebrated Holy Mass, surrounded by his priests and with the assistance of a good portion People of God. During that Mass, the Holy Oils are blessed to be used to consecrate altars, to anoint the catechumens, who, upon receiving Baptism, will be as altars dedicated to serving God and to administer the sacrament of the anointing of the ill. Also consecrates the chrism, matter of the sacrament of Confirmation, which gives the age of the baptized in Christ. During the ceremony, priests renew our priestly promises to give the day of his ordination. All members of the Pueblo priest, ministers and lay people, meet this ideal in liturgical celebration. What a good time to intensify our prayer to Jesus, Eternal High Priest, to be many holy priests and lay Christians also, men and women seriously aspire to holiness, each in their own state!
the afternoon, during Mass Supper, commemorate special care the institution of the Eucharist and the ministerial priesthood. The today sacramental renewal of the Paschal Mystery, the today Cross, which the Lord predicted in the Last Supper, is present in each Eucharistic celebration, with particular attention on Holy Thursday. Perennial Asombrémonos to present the Sacrifice of Calvary, so special Mass in Cena Domini. this day, before the Consecration, the Roman Canon puts into the mouth of the priest's own words this solemnity which, today, the eve of suffering for our salvation and of all men, took bread into his holy and venerable hands ... [12].
pray to the Holy Trinity that we do not ever go unnoticed this excess of love by Jesus Christ. It has not only delivered once your life on the Cross, but wanted to institute the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood so that always and everywhere, until his coming in glory at the end of time, we may contact vivo and true to his redeeming sacrifice. Let us "in adoration before this mystery: big mystery of mercy. What more could Jesus have done for us? Indeed he wrote in his latest encyclical John Paul II, in the Eucharist shows us a love which goes "to the end" (Jn 13, 1), a love that knows no measure "[13].
The Holy Thursday evening Mass introduces us to the memory of the Passion of Our Lord, the next day. "There is an inseparable connection between the Last Supper and the death of Jesus. In the first, Jesus gives his Body and Blood, that is, his earthly existence, comes to himself, anticipating his death and transforming it into an act of love "[14]. To worship the Holy Cross that day, say to our Redeemer a thanks! sincere, accompanied by the desire to be very faithful, spur us to continue walking with perseverance and joy in the path of holiness.
brings us to the eve of the Resurrection. Pending the final victory of God, Holy Saturday comes as a day silence and recollection. The altars are bare, there is no liturgical ceremony, we noticed even the absence of the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a secluded spot if necessary administer Communion as a per diem. This year coincides with the April 23 anniversary of the First Communion and Confirmation of St. Josemaría.
These circumstances, not to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice, "I bring to mind the day of the golden jubilee of priesthood of our Founder, Divine Providence decreed that he could not celebrate Mass, it was Friday. However, as always, his whole day was a Mass , perhaps more intensely than usual, because of their close union with the Sacrifice of the Cross. I invite you to visit your intercession that in these days of the Holy Triduum, remain particularly close to the Holocaust of Our Lord, trying to partner with great intensity to be supplied by us.
Finally, at the Easter Vigil, "to renew baptismal promises, we affirm that Christ is Lord of our life, the life that God told us when reborn "of water and the Holy Spirit", and confirm once again our firm commitment to match the action of grace to be his disciples " [15] .
And back to business as usual: pray for my intentions. In recent weeks, as I informed you, a place of first importance is the impact of the earthquake in Japan and conflicts in various parts the world, especially in Ivory Coast and Libya. Let us turn to Our Lady, Queen of Peace , invoking faith in the Litany of the Rosary. And we continue to closely united to the Holy Father in a special way on April 19, the anniversary of his election to the Chair of Peter. Pray also for me, that on 20 begin a new year of my pastoral service to the Church as Prelate of Opus Dei .
With all my affection, I bless your Father
+ Javier
Rome, April 1, 2011 [1] Benedict XVI, Message for Lent 2011, 4-XI-2010, n. 3.
[2] Jn 14, 6.
[3] Liturgy of the Hours, Second Reading of the Fourth Sunday of Lent (St. Augustine , Enarr on the Psalms, 34, 9: CCL 36, 316).
[4] St. Josemaría, Homily Loyalty to the Church, 28-V-1972.
[5] Ibid .
[6] Jn 9, 6-7.
[7] Ibid ., 35.
[8] Jn 11, 25-26.
[9] Ibid ., 27.
[10] St. Josemaría, Road, n. 719.
[11] St. Josemaría, Notes of a meditation, 22-VII-1964.
[12] Roman Missal, Eucharistic Prayer I, Qui Prayer own Pridi the evening Mass of Holy Thursday.
[13] John Paul II, Litt. enc. Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 17-IV-2003, n. 11.
[14] Benedict XVI, General Audience Address, 31-III-2010.
[15] Benedict XVI, Message for Lent 2011, 4-XI-2010, n. 2.
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