Love Alone

Birdy - Shelter

2011-11-10T12:16:00.000+01:00

Which Church Father are you?

2011-11-02T15:49:00.002+01:00

You’re Origen!

You do nothing by half-measures. If you’re going to read the Bible, you want to read it in the original languages. If you’re going to teach, you’re going to reach as many souls as possible, through a proliferation of lectures and books. If you’re a guy and you’re going to fight for purity … well, you’d better hide the kitchen shears.

Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

Coldplay - Fix You [HD]

2011-10-28T12:16:00.000+02:00

Adele - Someone Like You By Charlie Puth & Emily Luther

2011-10-26T16:34:00.000+02:00

This is the Day the Lord Hath Made

2011-05-06T23:29:00.001+02:00

Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, προσευχηθείτε για μας

2011-01-24T14:13:00.005+01:00

We, miserable sinners, always run hastefully to the Mother of God; bowing down in repentance, crying from the depths of our soul: "O Sovereign, help us, come at us with pity, hurry up, we're going to be lost in the multitude of our sins. Do not disappoint you rservants because you are our only hope. we, unworthy, shall never cease to proclaim your might, O Mother of God! If you were not there to intercede, who would have delivered us from many dangers? Who would have preserved us immune to the present? We will not turn away from you, O Queen, because you always save your servants from every evil, you who are the only blessed".

Visit also: http://theotokosdamascinimalta.blogspot.com/

"Without you, I am a hopeless drifter"

2011-01-09T23:18:00.002+01:00

Katie Melua, I Cried for You

Andate e riferite a Giovanni ciò che udite e vedete

2010-12-12T12:16:00.003+01:00

La domanda posta a Gesù da Giovanni – tramite i suoi discepoli – non sorge da un certo dubbio? Non era Giovanni incarcerato nei dubbi sulla venuta del Figlio dell’uomo, lui che poco prima aveva dichiarato Gesù come il Figlio dell’uomo, Agnello di Dio e subito dopo invia i suoi discepoli a chiedere sulla sua identità? Forse il carcere non va al di là di quello fisico? Non c’è forse qui un altro senso nascosto che ci fa pensare ai limiti della nostra conoscenza umana che ci pone dinanzi al dubbio? Non è forse questa notte oscura del Battista un invito ad entrare nella gnosis di Dio, una nuova profonda gnosi che ci porta ad esclamare nello Spirito che geme dentro di noi: Abbà! Padre?

La risposta di Gesù di fronte a questa domanda di Giovanni presenta sinteticamente l’iter mistico che in fine porta l’uomo a godere dell’unione con l’Amore! L’azione di Gesù è un mandato: “andate”. Ci pone in cammino l’iniziativa di Dio che ci sfida ad uscire dalla propria terra, dalla propria sicurezza, dalla propria vita perché in essa si manifesti Dio in una nuova conoscenza mistica, non al di là dell’ordinario, ma straordinariamente radicata nell’ordinario quotidiano.

Questo iter ridona all’uomo la sua vista. Come Bartimeo (Mc 10), il passare di Gesù dalla nostra strada ci fa spostare dal lato per metterci in mezzo/piena strada per chiedere da Lui la guarigione e seguirlo nel perfezionamento della propria vita. La mia cecità – il dubbio del Battista – diviene quindi un’occasione per sradicarmi dal proprio manto di sicurezza e aggrapparmi di più a Gesù, il mio unico e vero Amore. Il riconoscere la propria debolezza, quindi, è in essenza un porsi in cammino, è un’uscire dalla propria terra, come Abram da Ur, per poi entrare nel mistero del essere radicato nella terra di Dio, cioè l’amore disinteressato, la fede, e la speranza viva.

Quanto più l’uomo si avvicina alla vetta del monte, tanto più egli riconosce i propri limiti. L’uomo rimane sempre tale, e quindi limitato. È nella misura in cui si sperimentano l’amore e la venuta mistica di Dio al centro dell’anima che l’uomo scopre il suo essere capax Dei. Dio vuole che ci purifichiamo dai nostri limiti, vuole che noi ascendiamo verso di Lui. È per questo che egli è disceso fino a noi. E tutto questo a propria scelta libera. È nella misura in cui udiamo Cristo, Parola Vivente, che possiamo lasciarci trasformare in Lui, in un’atteggiamento simultaneamente attivo e passivo!

L’uomo quindi sperimenta l’amore di Dio verso di lui come una morte appassionata – e morte di croce (Fil 2:5-11) – in cui si trova la vita nuova, la nostra divinizzazione. La nostra vita così sarebbe l’unico vangelo che molti leggono, il vangelo che annunzia loro che Dio è un Dio-con-noi. La nostra vita diverrebbe così quell’annuncio al quale ci rimanda Gesù e in cui egli sta con noi fino alla fine dei tempi. L’esito di questo percorso? Il prendere coscienza di chi sia il mio Giovanni dubbioso, che cammina nella notte, e che è bisognoso di rapportarsi amorosamente con Gesù.

Existiert Gott?

2010-11-29T21:42:00.001+01:00

If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.

(Albert Einstein)

La croce è la nostra confessione

2010-11-23T22:10:00.002+01:00

Il popolo vedeva, i capi deliberavano, e Cristo crocefisso – donatosi completamente per la nostra salvezza – in silenzio. Quello del popolo è un silenzio che allontana di più il Mistero dalla persona che è quasi ceca e alienata nella sua anima dall’evento della salvezza. È un silenzio che vuol rimanere fuori del dramma, uno che vuole annichilare la propria partecipazione; che esclama in sé, non lo conosco (Lc 22:57). Invece quello del Signore Gesù è un silenzio appassionato, pieno della Verità, di Lui stesso, della Sua dimora mistica, nell’anima. È un silenzio che tace fino a promettere, oggi sarai con me nel paradiso. (Lc 23:43)

Quindi, la croce è la partecipazione simultaneamente attiva e passiva, ascetica e mistica, dell’anima nell’opera divina della redenzione. È l’essere disponibili e liberi di impegnarsi nel proprio cammino verso la Gerusalemme celeste non per causa propria ma per essere mossi in cammino da Dio stesso, dal essere coinvolti dall’Amore ad amare, anche nei propri limiti, l’Amore Eterno nella intra-penetrazione infusa delle Sacre Persone della Santissima Trinità. Un’attività davanti alla quale, l’uomo non può fare nient’altro che tacere e confessarsi peccatore e limitato e, dunque, imprecare la misericordia di Dio attraverso la riconciliazione con la propria croce odierna.

Il desiderio pieno di supplica e pietà da parte del ladrone crocefisso affianco a Nostro Signore Gesù evoca il nostro stesso desiderio di fare parte del Regno Divino che Cristo ha inaugurato con il proprio sangue innocente sulla croce. Anche se umano, è trascendente, esalta dallo Spirito del Figlio in noi che geme (Rom 8:23), e grida: Abbà (Gal 4:6). Padre Mio, Padre Celeste, salvami, abbi pietà di me! È un desiderio che il Padre non ignora; se noi – essendo cattivi – sappiamo dare buoni doni ai nostri figli, quanto più il Padre celeste donerà lo Spirito Santo a coloro che glielo domanderanno? (Lc 11:13)

La croce è per l’anima mistica la porta per cui si entra nella kenosi dell’infinita misericordia annientante di Dio. È l’amore che ci libera, è l’iniziativa sconvolgente di Dio che vuole entrare nella storia umana per soffiare in essa, ancor una volta, il soffio della vita. È la promessa che assicura il peccatore pentito e perdonato il godimento del Volto Santo in eternità. È il culmine, la cima del monte, dove la gloria di Dio si manifesta alle genti nella morte del suo Figlio Unigenito per vivificare e rischiarare tutti quelli che stanno nelle tenebre e nell’ombra della morte. È il segno rivelativo definitivo di Dio per renderci misticamente presenti dinanzi a Lui come cherubini godendo la gloria del Suo Serafico desiderio ardente, cantando Santo, Santo, Santo.

Hymn of the Cherubim

2010-11-22T16:26:00.002+01:00

Iže cheruvímy táino obrazúiušče,

i životvoriáščei Tróitsě trisviatúiu piěsn’ pripiěváiušče,
vsiákoe nyně žitiéiskoe otložin popečéniie.

"We, who mystically represent the Cherubim,

And chant the thrice-holy hymn to the Life-giving Trinity,

Let us set aside the cares of life

That we may receive the King of all,

Who comes invisibly escorted by the Divine Hosts.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia."

Oh Beata Solitudo!

2010-10-29T18:22:00.001+02:00

"The friend is me and I am the friend"

(Matteo Ricci)

Sunrise ... sunset ...

2010-10-24T19:43:00.005+02:00

"Shine your light so I can see you"

2010-10-23T10:03:00.003+02:00

Send me a sign, a hint, O whisper
Fill me with life 'cause I am listening
Come break the quiet, breathe your awakening
Bring me the light 'cause I am fading

Surround me with the rush of angels' wings

Shine Your light so I can see You
Pull me up, I need to be near You
Hold me, I need to feel loved
Can You overcome this heart that's overcome?

You sent a sign, the hint, O whisper
Human, divine, everyone is listening
Death laid low, quiet in the night is stirring

All around the rush of angels
O the wonder of the greatest love has come

Shine Your light so all can see it
Lifted up, 'cause the whole world needs it
Love has come, what joy to hear it
He has overcome, He has overcome

Sunset view from my room

2010-10-18T14:45:00.002+02:00

Πάντοτε προσεύχεσθαι “… pregare sempre …”

2010-10-17T15:04:00.004+02:00

La porta per entrare nel castello interiore della nostra anima è la preghiera. Così scrive Santa Teresa di Gesù al inizio della sua opera Las Moradas. È sempre stato un dilemma (per chi vuole prendere la vita spirituale sul serio) come si prega incessantemente. Mosè, di fronte alla guerra di Amalèk, il salmista, San Paolo e la vedova che chiedeva giustizia dal giudice ci hanno qualcosa d’insegnarci oggi per risolvere il dilemma.

Il prefisso greco προσ nel verbo προσεύχεσθαι [pros-euchestai] in Lc 18:1 si può tradurre così: “è vantaggioso”, “verso”, “a” (nel senso di prossimità). Il senso che dà questo verbo nel greco originale dunque è sia della prossimità vantaggiosa del pregare e sia del viaggiare verso qualcosa che sta sempre un po’ più avanti di noi, quasi irraggiungibile. E questo è proprio il significato della preghiera. Come ancora scrive Sta Teresa, “l’orazione non è pensare molto ma amare molto.” Quindi “pregare incessantemente” significa “amare incessantemente”. Da un certo punto di vista, pregare è prossimo per noi nel senso che è raggiungibile nel prendere la nostra vita umana e spirituale sul serio, nella verità di noi stessi, sempre cogliendo le esperienze della vita dalle mani di Dio. Da un altro punto di vista, la preghiera mette in scena il nostro “andare avanti” che, come spiega Kees Waaijman, nella vita spirituale contemplativa significa il desiderio dell’anima che ha sete e che viaggia cercando lo Sposo Divino sempre più avanti, sempre al di là dalle nostre concezioni. Questo cammino nel deserto arido di questa vita continua fino al punto della visione beatifica nel Paradiso. L’unica cosa che può fare l’anima in questo mondo è pregustare in modo limitato le dolcezze dell’amorosa unione con Lui.

In questo cammino l’anima impara che si deve lasciarsi trovare dal Signore giacché lei è perduta per causa dei suoi peccati e limiti umani. Veramente, è il Signore che ha lasciato la sua dimora per venire al incontro con l’uomo; il Verbo si è fatto carne (Gv 1:14). Oh quale gioia quando lo Sposo e la sposa s’incontreranno finalmente dopo un lungo viaggio di cercare il loro tesoro prezioso (Giovanni della Croce, Cantico B, 1; 12)! In verità noi siamo già trovati, Lui già ha la sua dimora in noi nello Spirito; siamo noi che stiamo fuori di noi stessi e siccome Lui ci lascia liberi nel nostro agire, ci vuole l’abilità di lasciarsi guidare per le vie misteriose del Signore.

L’esperienza di fragilità umana-spirituale di Santa Teresa del Bambino Gesù ci incoraggia per continuare il nostro viaggio nel più profondo dell’oscura caverna. La sua perseveranza e fede ci insegnano che l’essere piccolo e insignificante davanti agli occhi dei uomini non toglie nulla alla misericordia e amore di Dio, Padre di noi tutti. L’insistenza della vedova dinanzi al giudice è simbolo della fede perseverante con “determinazione determinata” (Sta Teresa) con la quale l’anima desidera Dio sempre di più e non resterà fino a quando gli trovi (S. Agostino).

La Preghiera Incessante

2010-10-15T17:24:00.005+02:00

Si prega come gli angeli dinanzi al Signore,

pronti e attenti a ogni sua parola.

Si appassiona per le cose divine non per motivo proprio

ma perché come gli angeli messaggeri noi possiamo

rendere la Parola di Dio presente ovunque siamo.

From "The Life of St Gregory Palamas" by St Nikodemus of the Holy Mountain on unceasing prayer

Let no one think, my fellow Christians, that only the clergy and the monks are obliged to pray unceasingly and at all times, and not also the laity. Oh, no! All of us Christians are obliged to pray always, as well. To demonstrate this, Philotheos, that most-holy Patriarch of Constantinople, writes the following, in his biography of St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica.

The divine Gregory had a beloved friend named Job, a very simple man of great virtue. Once when they were conversing, Gregory told him about prayer, that each Christian individually ought always to make an effort to pray, and to pray unceasingly, as the Apostle Paul exhorts all Christians in common, “Pray without ceasing”(1 Thess. 5:17), and as the Prophet David says, even though he was king and had all those cares of ruling his kingdom, “I behold the Lord before me always”; that is, noetically, by means of prayer, I see the Lord in front of me all the time. And Gregory the Theologian teaches all Christians, that we should remember the name of God in prayer more often than we breathe. Having said all this and more to his friend Job, the Saint added that we ought to obey the injunctions of the saints, and that we ourselves should not only always pray, but we should instruct also everyone else to do the same: monks and lay people, educated or not, men, women, and children; and should encourage them to pray unceasingly.

When the elder Job heard this, it seemed to him that it was an innovation, and he began to argue, and to say to Gregory that to pray always was only for the ascetics and the monks living away from the world and its distractions, and not for lay people who have jobs and so many cares. The saint responded with more examples and irrefutable proof, but the elder Job was not convinced. So, wishing to avoid talkativeness and argument, Gregory held his tongue, and each went to his cell.

Later, as Job was alone praying in his cell, an angel appeared before him, sent from God Who desires the salvation of all men. The Angel sternly rebuked him for arguing with Gregory, and for opposing what was obvious, and that clearly effects the salvation of Christians. He admonished him on behalf of God to be careful from now on, and to beware never again to say something against such a soul-edifying work, for in so doing he would be opposing the will of God. Not even mentally should he ever again dare to harbor any thought contrary to this, or think otherwise than the divine Gregory had told him.

Then that most simple elder went at once to Gregory and, falling at his feet, begged forgiveness for contradicting and arguing; and he revealed to him all that the angel of the Lord had said to him.

Un Gesto de Amor

2010-10-10T16:51:00.002+02:00

A gesture of love is not beyond your reach

Piazza Venezia

2010-10-10T02:20:00.004+02:00

Something to think about

2010-10-09T20:52:00.004+02:00

"Because I'm a Girl" by Kiss

The story begins with the scene of a photographer who was taking a picture for an automobile magazine. He accidentaly took a picture of a girl who was walking across right in front of his camera. She excused politely and went away. One day, the photographer went to a salon which by accident was the the same place where the girl worked. He left his bini in the salon (by accident), leaving the girl a chance to come by his workplace to return it. So she came to his studio and returned his bini.

But before she left, he made her pose as a model. They found out that they shared a same passion. He was a professional photographer and she was a girl who dreamed to be a model. They became close and spent a lot of time together. He took a lot of pictures of her and published them. One day, an accident happened while she was trying to get something from a high rack in his studio. An unlid bottle of photographic product fell and spilled on her eyes. She was immediately taken to a hospital. The chemical of the photographic product was so toxic, it damaged her eyes so bad that she would never be able to see again.

A "miracle" happened, after a while in the hospital; the doctors took off the bandages on her eyes. She opened her eyes and saw the photographer's co-worker holding a celebration cake with a candle on it. She could see! The co-worker took her to his studio, but her lover was not there to be found. She was so sad because she loved him so much, she thought that the photographer left her.

One day when she was working, the co-worker came over and showed her the magazine he published with her as the model. She remembered about the racing place where they had gone together before. She found her lover there sitting on a bench with a dog next to him , noticing to her sorrow that he was blind.

She stood there and suddenly cried for realizing what the "miracle" had been: he loved her so much that he gave her the most important part of his life as a photographer and a biker, his eyes. She was so touched knowing that he actually gave her his eyes just so she could see again.

Caravanserai

2010-10-08T10:11:00.003+02:00

This glancing life is like a morning star

A setting sun, or rolling waves at sea

A gentle breeze or lightning in a storm

A dancing dream of all eternity

The sand was shimmering in the morning light

And dancing off the dunes so far away

The night held music so sweet, so long

And there we lay until the break of day

We woke that morning at the onward call

Our camels bridled up, our howdahs full

The sun was rising in the eastern sky

Just as we set out to the desert's cry

Calling, yearning, pulling, home to you

The tents grew smaller as we rode away

On earth that tells of many passing days

The months of peace and all the years of war

The lives of love and all the lives of fears

Calling, yearning, pulling, home to you

We crossed the river beds all etched in stone

And up the mighty mountains ever known

Beyond the valleys in the searing heat

Until we reached the caravanserai

Calling, yearning, pulling, home to you

What is this life the pulls me far away

What is that home where we cannot reside

What is that quest that pulls me onward

My heart is full when you are by my side

Calling, yearning, pulling, home to you

La Morte Vivificante

2010-10-07T21:57:00.004+02:00

Si legge Lc 17:11-19

Il cammino lungo il quale procede Gesù in questa parte del Vangelo di Luca va verso Gerusalemme, dove offrirà se stesso come sacrificio per noi, in una morte che vivifica. L’ambiente più ampio di questo brano fa parte della catechesi che Luca ci offre dove presenta Gesù come “il Maestro” (17:13) della vita di preghiera, in modo concreto della vita abbracciata con la croce.

È importante notare un punto prominente; è appunto lunga la via che porta alla morte che Gesù guarisce i dieci lebbrosi donandoli la vita di nuovo. Ricordiamo che per la società giudea i lebbrosi erano considerati esclusi dalla vita sociale, in pratica loro non potevano partecipare in quegli atti e obblighi più indicativi della vita giudaica che si facevano tutti in comune, nella società – come per esempio andare alla sinagoga, al tempio, vivere con la propria famiglia, e così via. In un certo modo, quindi, questo vuol dire che i lebbrosi erano considerati esclusi dal popolo eletto da Dio, il popolo della alleanza, e, quindi, morti.

Non ostante tutto questo, il loro incontro con Gesù diventa un momento di cambiamento radicale. Lui li invia a presentarsi al sacerdote perché era la figura più importante nella società giudea. Era considerato il boccaglio di Dio verso il popolo e il boccaglio del popolo verso Dio. Il ritornare nella società significava ricevere la vita di nuovo. Gesù va agli emarginati, li guarisce, e li invia a vivere mentre lui andava verso la morte.

Ma in verità, lui andava verso la vita poiché la croce è vita. È in cammino verso la croce che noi troviamo la vita, in cammino, quindi, verso l’abbandono totale nella volontà divina. Sta a noi a discernere quali sono i mezzi ed le esperienze concrete con le quali lo Spirito di Dio ci porta verso la verità di noi stessi, con le quali siamo chiamati a dare testimonianza in carità e verità del nostro rapporto proprio con Dio. L’attitudine di Gesù di andare verso gli emarginati è indicativa per ogni cristiano. Si domanda – chi sono gli emarginati oggi per causa dei nostri pregiudizi personali o sociali? E più in concreto, le mie azioni stanno aiutando a diminuire questa loro distanza dalla società e la Chiesa, o la sta aumentando?

Per andare incontro all’emarginato e portarlo in dietro alla corrente ci vuole innanzi tutto avere una relazione con Gesù, cioè camminare verso la nostra Gerusalemme, verso la nostra croce, amarla e abbracciarla. È così che Santa Teresa di Gesù poteva chiamare la croce “il mio benvenuto” ed è così che la morte di Gesù può vivificarci.

Vetralla

2010-10-06T21:23:00.003+02:00

Zjara lis-sorijiet tal-klawsura karmelitani li jinsabu fil-monasteru ta' Vetralla, l-Italja.

Returning Thanks

2010-10-06T21:08:00.005+02:00

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke (17:11-19)

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Reflection by Dr Scott Hahn

A foreign leper is cleansed and in thanksgiving returns to offer homage to the God of Israel. We hear this same story in both the First Reading and Gospel today.

There were many lepers in Israel in Elisha’s time, but only Naaman the Syrian trusted inGod’s Word and was cleansed (see Luke 5:12-14). Today’s Gospel likewise implies that most of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus were Israelites - but only a foreigner, the Samaritan, returned.

In a dramatic way, we’re being shown today how faith has been made the way to salvation, the road by which all nations will join themselves to the Lord, becoming His servants, gathered with the Israelites into one chosen people of God, the Church (see Isaiah 56:3-8).

Today’s Psalm also looks forward to the day when all peoples will see what Naaman sees - that there is no God in all the earth except the God of Israel.

We see this day arriving in today’s Gospel. The Samaritan leper is the only person in the New Testament who personally thanks Jesus. The Greek word used to describe his “giving thanks” is the word we translate as “Eucharist.”

And these lepers today reveal to us the inner dimensions of the Eucharist and sacramental life.

We, too have been healed by our faith in Jesus. As Naaman’s flesh is made again like that of a little child, our souls have been cleansed of sin in the waters of Baptism. We experience this cleansing again and again in the Sacrament of Penance - as we repent our sins, beg and receive mercy from our Master, Jesus.

We return to glorify God in each Mass, to offer ourselves in sacrifice - falling on our knees before our Lord, giving thanks for our salvation.

In this Eucharist, we remember “Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David,” Israel’s covenant king. And we pray, as Paul does in today’s Epistle, to persevere in this faith - that we too may live and reign with Him in eternal glory.

Major new Carmelite resource published

2010-10-05T23:32:00.001+02:00

A major new resource has been published for Carmelites, both lay and religious, and for anyone interesting in exploring "Carmel". The book, entitled Climbing the Mountain: The Carmelite Journey, has been published jointly by Saint Albert's Press(the publishing house of the British Province of Carmelites) and Edizioni Carmelitane (the Order's central publishing house in Rome). It was printed by the Carmelite friars in the Czech Republic, and published on 1st October 2010, the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Climbing the Mountain is a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to all the major themes of Carmelite spirituality. It collates in book form the initial formation programme of the Carmelite Third Order in Britain, published in Assumpta magazine between 2005 and 2007. In book form the material has been expanded in both its artwork and content to appeal to the broader Carmelite Family worldwide, and is going to be used as an initial and ongoing formation resource by both Lay Carmelites and the Order's religious. It is hoped that its twenty sections on different aspects of the Carmelite way of life will provide a source not only of information but also inspiration, and some provinces of the Order have already purchased it in bulk for wide distribution.

Climbing the Mountain has been edited by Johan Bergström-Allen, a Lay Carmelite based in York, England, where he convenes a Carmelite Spirituality Group. Johan runs the Projects & Publications Office of the British Province of Carmelites and is a founding Board member of the Carmelite Institute of Britain & Ireland (CIBI). Johan edited the initial formation programme published in Assumpta, andspeaking of the new book said: "For me this project has been hard work, but a labour of love. I really hope that Climbing the Mountainwill give people a glimpse of what Carmel has to offer today's Church and Society, namely a deep source of wisdom that is somehow both timeless and tremendously relevent to the present moment. I'm very grateful to the Carmelites, both lay and religious, who contributed to the original formation programme, and to its revised form."

At 608 pages, with over 500 colour illustrations, the publication ofClimbing the Mountain is the result of a major process of editing and updating. Praise for the book has already been widespread. The Prior General of the Carmelite Order, Most Rev. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., said: "This beautiful publication will serve as a sure map and compass for anyone on life’s journey who wishes to explore the rich tradition and wisdom of Carmel.” The Prior Provincial of the British Province of Carmelites, Fr. Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm., added: "I hope every member of the Carmelite Family in the English-speaking world - indeed perhaps beyond - will want a copy of this book, which is truly a great resource that we are pleased to have published in Britain as a service to the wider Order. I have watched its development with great interest, and I'm certain that Climbing the Mountain will prompt much discussion, reflection and action. I'm impressed that it can be used by individuals or communities, and presents information in a way that helps the reader to integrate what they read into their own life experience. No doubt this publication will lead Carmelites - of whatever way of life - to ponder more deeply the vocation we have received."

Dante's Prayer by Lorreena McKennitt

2010-10-04T22:58:00.002+02:00

When the dark wood fell before me

And all the paths were overgrown

When the priests of pride say there is no other way

I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see

Though you came to me in the night

When the dawn seemed forever lost

You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me

By the deep well of desire

From the fountain of forgiveness

Beyond the ice and the fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me

Though we share this humble path, alone

How fragile is the heart

Oh give these clay feet wings to fly

To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart

Lift this mortal veil of fear

Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears

We'll rise above these earthly cares

Cast your eyes on the ocean

Cast your soul to the sea

When the dark night seems endless

Please remember me...

Chiamati alla fraternità

2010-10-04T14:54:00.007+02:00

Lo scorso 1 ottobre, festa di santa Teresa del Bambino Gesù, patrona delle missioni, noi studenti carmelitani ci siamo incontrati con alcuni monaci dal Tibet. Così, abbiamo vissuto l'esperienza stessa di Sta Teresina di portare sulla terra quel la pace e il bene che vuole da noi il nostro Dio Creatore, Padre di tutti noi. Ogni cosa può essere un'opportunità per dialogare con le altre religioni del mondo, così imparando uno degli altri il rispetto per la diversità e il fondamento essenziale positivo della globalizzazione. Così scrive il Santo Padre nella sua Enciclica Caritas in veritate [42]:

Sometimes globalisation is viewed in fatalistic terms, as if the dynamics involved were the product of anonymous impersonal forces or structures independent of the human will. In this regard it is useful to r emember that while globalisation should certainly be understood as a socio-economic process, this is not its only dimension. Underneath the more visible process, humanity itself is becoming increasingly i nterconnected; it is made up of individuals and peoples to whom this process should offer benefits and development, as they assume their respective responsibilities, singly and collectively […] The truth of globalisation as a process and its fundamental ethical criteria are given by the unity of the human family and its development towards what is good. Hence a sustained commitment is needed so as to promote a person-based and community-oriented cultural process of worldwide integration that is open to transcendence.

E per finire la serata con lo stesso tema asiatico, siamo andati a cenare giapponese.

Puer Natus Est Nobis Halleluiah

2008-12-24T16:03:00.004+01:00

Bl-isbaħ xewqat għal Milied hieni u qaddis u sena ġdida mimlija kull risq u barka mill-Mulej

Wishing all a happy and saintly Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2009

Con todo afecto os deseo una santa y feliz navidad y próspero año nuevo 2009

Con tutto affetto vi deseo un buon natale e prospero anno nuovo 2009

Restauración de un nuevo convento en Mdina, Malta

2008-11-30T10:53:00.003+01:00

El Instituto Carmelita de Malta es fruto de una colaboración de la Provinicia Carmelita y la Carmelita Desaclza, ambos presentes desde hace muchos siglos en Malta. Es un intento de promover en Malta nuestra espiritualidad y tradición. Su objectivo es de ofrecer cursos de Espiritualidad Carmelita y de Mariología en diversos niveles, tanto que en octubre pasado el instituto ha empezado ya dos cursos a nivel universitario de espiritualidad y acompañamiento espiritual. Se ofrecerán más cursos en el futuro.

En el lugar también ha abierto un museo cuyo fin es también espiritual. El visitador está invitado a descubrir el viaje que el fraile carmelita hace hacia la unión con Dios a través de una guía en el museo donde se visita el Oratorio, el Refectorio, la Sala del Capítulo, la Celda, la Sacristía y por fin la Iglesia. Antes de salir, el visitador puede entrar en la cafetería que está en el mismo convento y gustar comidas y dulces típicamente monásticas. El proyecto del convento y del museo está dirigido hacia un fin muy particular: de crear un círculo cultural carmelita que podría dar luz a una nueva visión de la vida carmelita en medio de los malteses.

El próximo día 2 de diciembre tendrá lugar la celebración inaugural del convento de Mdina. Esperemos que sea un evento en el que se difundirá más la espiritualidad carmelita.

La Profesión Simple

2008-11-30T10:42:00.004+01:00

Por fin tengo aquí unas fotos de mi Profesión Simple que tuvo lugar el pasado 8 de septiembre. Fue una maravilla, de verdad. Una celebración simple, pero muy bella y digna. Os deseo todo bien en la vida y que halléis al Señor como lo he hallado yo.

Que os vaya todo bién, estéis donde estéis.

Carmelite Institute Malta

2008-11-04T13:59:00.002+01:00

On Saturday, 4th October 2008, at 10.00 a.m., the Carmelite Church at Mdina, Malta, will be the venue of the inauguration of the Carmelite Institute Malta. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., will be present for this occasion. The inauguration programme includes two lectures, one by Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.Carm., (Neer), on “Carmel: An Empty Space for God”, and another by Fr. Eugene McCaffrey, OCD, on “Carmel: A Lover’s Quest”.

The Carmelite Institute Malta is a collaborative effort of the Maltese Carmelite Province and of the Maltese Province of Discalced Carmelites to promote in Malta the study of Carmelite spirituality and tradition. Its main goal is to offer courses in Carmelite spirituality and Mariology on various levels. In fact, starting October of this year, the Institute will be cooperating with the Faculty of Theology of the University of Malta to offer an MA programme in Spirituality. Students enrolled in this programme may opt to specialize in Carmelite Spirituality. As from next year, the Institute will also offer a non-academic programme in Carmelite Spirituality. The Carmelite Institute Malta has its seat at the Carmelite Priory, Mdina.

Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., Preside of the Institutum Carmelitanum, is accompanying the Prior General on this visit, which is Fr. Fernando’s first visit to Malta. The Prior General will also celebrate the Eucharist at the national shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Valletta, meet with young people from various Carmelite parishes and preside over the annual general meeting of the Third Order.

Prayer in Brief: "... now that my every act is love." (CB, 28)

2008-05-13T19:53:00.005+02:00

One of the key points the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes about prayer is that it involves a mutual relationship between God and the person praying. "Prayer is the encounter of God's thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him," the Catechism states (no. 2560).

Moreover, God is the initiator of the relationship: "In prayer, the faithful God's initiative of love always comes first (no. 2567). The human act of praying is a response to God's initiative. Perhaps this is not our experience. The move from saying prayers to meditating or praying from the heart can be difficult. Even the most loquacious person can be at a loss for words. I may not have a lot to say to God.

Even more so does it seem that God has little to say to me. I wait in silence for God to speak and I hear nothing. God doesn't seem to be holding up his end of the deal. However, as I progress further in prayer, I realize God does speak. Usually not in words and often not at that moment. But sometimes I will later experience a stirring in my heart or events will make me aware of something. Or perhaps I will simply know a bit of the depth of God's love.

If I reflect on this awareness, I will realize that God has, through means other than an edict carved on pillars of stone, responded to my prayer. My dialogue with God becomes woven through both specific times of prayer and the fabric of my daily living. As this relationship with God becomes firmly established, I may experience strong affection for God and great consolations in prayer. Prayer becomes much easier. It is a time to which I look forward with anticipation. The great mystical writers, however, note that if I remain faithful to this life of prayer, eventually there may come a time when these affections and consolations dry up. The honeymoon is over. God seems to have disappeared just as surely as the 12-year-old Jesus disappeared from the sight of Mary and Joseph on their visit to Jerusalem.

Here, I can start to believe that I am failing in prayer, backsliding and becoming lukewarm towards God. In fact, there is a possibility of this becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. This time of desolation can lead me to abandon the life of prayer and the pursuit of holiness as if it were a mirage. What is happening may, in fact, be quite different. God may be becoming especially active, trying to enter my life in a new and deeper manner. My efforts to reach God may actually prevent him from entering my soul. I may be struggling to find God when I should be surrendering to the love God has poured out. Here, a skilled spiritual director is needed to guide me through this desert.

The goal is contemplation. This contemplation is not something I do, but rather something God does through me. Through contemplation, God will give me an awareness of his presence. This may come at a time when my prayer is no more fervent or devout than usual. It is not something I have earned -- it is a gift from God. Because of my human limitations, I will not see God face to face, but rather with the eyes of the soul. This is the sort of vision which St. Gregory of Nyssa described as "a seeing that consists in not seeing." It is a deep and intimate communion with the Invisible. St. Teresa of Avila, one of the greatest spiritual masters, puts it this way: "This union is above all earthly joys, above all delights, above all consolations and still more than that."

This is a great gift. I am given a much closer relationship with the Father. Rather, than knowing about him, I now know him. In drawing close to the Father, my own natural desires and my own sin stand in the true light. Natural desires are futile; sin is vanity and misery. But, most importantly, I perceive the great love and mercy which pours forth from God's heart. Some saints have been given extended periods of direct contemplation of God and even been brought into a transforming union or spiritual marriage. But even a brief glimpse can lead a person to a life of outstanding virtue. One of the great spiritual writers of the early 20th century, Dom Columba Marmion, received, during his seminary days, an instantaneous perception of "a light on the infinity of God." This brief illumination formed his spirituality for the rest of his life.

The contemplation given by God can give birth to a fervent desire to lead a virtuous life. It doesn't necessarily turn one into a saint. But it can be a powerful spur to the pursuit of sanctity. This is the most important fruit of contemplation. We have the testimony of St. Teresa on this: "The highest perfection consists not in interior favors or in great rapture or in visions or in the spirit of prophecy, but in the bringing of our wills so closely in conformity with the will of God that, as soon as we realize he wills anything, we desire it ourselves with all our might and take the bitter with the sweet, knowing that to be his majesty's will" (The Foundations, ch. 5).

"I am with you until the end of time" (Mt 28, 20)

2008-05-06T10:29:00.004+02:00

We live in a time of computers, of the virtual, of the immediate. News travels from one side of the world to the other in a fraction of a second. We have immediate access to a mountain of information. All of this undoubtedly has a positive value, as the Church has pointed out on numerous occasions. However, we do also run the risk of falling into the worrying superficiality of data with no criteria for analysis; information without formation, a light, post-modern culture which exalts the empty, the passing, the insignificant.

Perhaps what this society needs, more than ever, is something that the Carmelite charism can offer: the meaning of contemplation, of spiritual depth. The Carmelite should be a man or woman with inner life, with depth, with spiritual riches, a man or woman who in the midst of the hustle and bustle of daily life, of the problems and contradictions of our time is able to create the inner silence in which God may speak.

Sometimes we too are swept up in prejudice, hurried opinions, fads, etc. Perhaps then we should focus on what St. Teresa said to her nuns: “Do not let us suppose that the interior of the soul is empty.” (Way 28, 10)

The contemplative man or woman is precisely the one who, looking at the reality around them, can find the mysterious presence of the Lord in their lives. They do not just look up, they look around, and even down, towards the most needy, the most humble, who are marginalised by the world, and discover in them that presence, more mysterious than ever. True contemplation and true spirituality become a stance of service and of generous giving.

Therefore the mystic, the truly mystic, the spiritual, the truly spiritual, or the contemplative, the truly contemplative, man or woman must be a master of humanity and compassion, and reflect, with their way of being and living in the world, the mercy and tenderness of God.

A Little Mediterranean Magic!

2008-04-29T10:19:00.011+02:00

Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave - Malta is positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of its towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. As the countryside is dotted with the oldest known human structures in the world, Malta has rightly been described as an open-air museum.

With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. The Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious megalithic temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left their traces on the Islands.

There are megalithic monuments, Bronze Age dolmens, Punic tombs, remains of Roman Villas and traces of prehistoric man, which defy explanation, such as the mysterious 'cart' tracks. For three millennia, from around 5200 BC, the archipelago was home to a unique, temple-building civilisation. Malta's temples are thought to be the oldest free-standing buildings known to man.

One site above all others is special to Malta - the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground chambers probably used as both a burial site and a temple. The Island's temples qualify as UNESCO

World Heritage Sites and are open to the public. A good place to start your tour is at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta or the Hypogeum itself.

With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. Everywhere you go, a unique historic sight awaits. Temples, palaces, cathedrals, and forts provide a living history you can almost touch. Sound plays an important part in the life of the Islands. The mix of fireworks and village band marches transforms a summer night into a special memory.

Malta offers an exhilarating contrast of colours: the azure of the Mediterranean, the mellow honey-coloured limestone which characterises the architecture, and clear skies - it is a feast for the senses.

Due to the undoubtedly great advantage of fair weather (average rainfall of 578mm a year and average temperature of 30C/86F during the summer months), the Malta lends itself to outdoor activities.

The first rains after the long, hot summer brings the landscape to life with an astonishing variety of wild flowers. From mid November until mid May the Islands are green and lush with fields full of vegetables and waysides carpeted with fennel, clover, wild iris and myrtle.

Away from the hustle and bustle of villages, Malta offers a great variety of natural spots to be explored and admired, some left almost untouched by the 20th century. Much of the countryside is dotted with the world's oldest free-standing structures in the world, so a stroll could prove to be most interesting.

The Island offers some of the most stunning views anywhere in the Mediterranean. The first thing to do is to decide what sort of view you prefer - dramatic cliffs plunging into waves, the rocky, scrubland of the garrigue or hidden, lush valleys. En route, you'll come across mysterious, prehistoric sites, cave chapels and secluded palaces of the Knights.

One of the best walks is along Dingli Cliffs. It's truly spectacular to watch the sun set over the sea from the highest area in Malta where the land falls away at a spectacular 220m height (720ft).

Valletta is often described as 'a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen'. It is a beautifully preserved sixteenth century walled city with World Heritage status. Being of modest size it is quite easy to access the many attractions including some of Europe's finest artworks, palaces and cathedrals. The National Museum of Archeology should not be missed. Narrow streets are overflowing with quaint shops and cafes.

Mdina, just 5 kilometres away, offers great views of the island and is overflowing with Norman and Baroque architecture. The eleventh century Roman Catholic Sicula-Norman Cathedral's museum is overflowing with interesting artifacts.

Cuisine here is a taste of the Island's multicultural heritage. Local restaurants offer a creative selection of tempting fare.

Typical of the Mediterranean lifestyle, the Islanders' approach to life is to enjoy and celebrate it as much as possible. Nightlife on the Islands is always bustling with scores of clubs and excellent wine bars to visit. You can even enjoy a flutter at one of the casinos.

The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving Malta a fascinating, eclectic culture.

Malta truly is a little bit of Mediterranean magic!

Teatro Cristiano: El Hombre

2008-04-22T11:38:00.004+02:00

Monólogo de un hombre: (eufórico)-

¡Hola! ¡Muy buenas noches público presente! Permítanme presentarme:

Yo soy el hombre, el protagonista de la historia. ¿Qué? ¿No me reconocen? Franz Kafka en su libro La Metamorfosis escribió sobre mí: “¡Yo soy una cadena que no se puede romper, una muralla que no se puede derribar.” Ése soy yo! ¡Luchando! ¡Peleando! ¡Cayendo! Pero volviéndose a levantar en pos de la gloria y la conquista!Así lo hizo Alejandro Magno con su hueste de valientes cuando desde Macedonia hasta las orillas del río Indo levantaron un imperio. O cuando Julio César cruzando el Rubicón lanzó la famosa frase que perdura a través de los tiempos: “Vini, vidi, vicci” que traducido es: Vine, ví y vencí.

¡Ah! El hombre no sólo se conforma con conquistar imperios sino que se lanza a la aventura de la conquista del espacio. Desde Julio Verne, el afamado escritor francés de ciencia-ficción, hasta las sondas que se envían al planeta Marte; sin olvidar del momento cumbre cuando Neil Amstrong el primer hombre que pisó la luna dijo desde nuestro satelite natural a todo el mundo: ¡Gente de todos los pueblos! Hoy es un pequeño paso para el hombre, pero un gran paso para la humanidad.¡Que frase! ¡Que frase!Y no nos olvidemos de los grandes literatos y sabios de la historia. Desde Homero (no el de los Simpson) hasta Truman Capote. Desde “La Divina Comedia” de Dante hasta “Un mundo para Julius” de Bryce Echenique. Recordemos a Shakespeare; el gran dramaturgo inglés. En su obra cumbre: “Hamlet” lanza a los cuatro vientos el pensamiento existencial que siempre ha rondado al hombre desde tiempos inmemorables: “Ser o no ser... That´s in the question”

¡Ah! Y no nos olvidemos del amor. El amor, el amor...Sigamos con shakespeare y apasionémonos unos instantes con: “Romeo y Julieta” Porque... ¿Qué hombre no tiene su Julieta... aunque sea chata, gorda, chueca, tuerta, bizca? ¡Cuándo hay amor nada importa! .... y si es bizca... ¡Mejor! Si, si! Así lo era Julieta, el personaje creado por Shakespeare. ¿Acaso desde su ventana no dijo? “Oh Romeo! Romeo! ¿Dónde estás que no te veo? (pone ojos torcidos, mira al público)

¡Ah! Él hombre! No me quiero olvidar de esas frases célebres que salieron inspiradas desde la mente de tantos humanistas y librepensadores. Recordemos a René Descartes, famoso maestro existencialista. Él fue el padre de la filosofía cartesiana. Viviendo en Paris, sentado en la Rue Perignon a orillas del Sena exclamó la siguiente frase en latín: “Cogito, ergo sum” “pienso, luego existo” ¡Qué frase!Otra frase célebre fue la de un político que no recuerdo ahora su nombre, ni el lugar dónde lo expresó y mucho menos las circunstancias. Él dijo: ¡Joven, si tienes entre 19 y 21 años!.... ¡Tienes 20! O esta no menos realista: “Estamos al borde de un precipicio, pero con la ayuda de todos ... daremos un paso adelante”

O night that has united the Lover with his beloved, transforming the beloved in her Lover (San Juan de la Cruz)

2008-03-25T17:03:00.007+01:00

Respóndens autem Angelus, dixit muliéribus:

Nolíte timére: scio enim quod Jesum quæritis, allelúja.

And the Angel answered and said unto the women,

Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, alleluia.

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon." (Psalms 92,12)

2008-03-14T09:44:00.005+01:00

When Thou, O Lover of Mankind, our God, wast come to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, which is close by Bethany, riding upon an ass's colt, the Hebrew children from Jerusalem met Thee carrying palm fronds in their hands, crying out and saying: Hosanna in the Highest; and the faithful people, with branches of trees, cried: Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is He that cometh and shall come again in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel. Wherefore we the faithful also, with fear and love, with the signs of victory, cry out in joy to Thee, Who alone art immortal and the Victor, Who hast dominion over life and death: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, He that is blest and maketh us all to live, who have been found worthy to partake of Thy holy, most pure, immortal, life-giving, heavenly and fearful Mysteries unto the remission of our sins. For to Thee belongeth all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

St Nicholas (Russian Orthodox Church)

De Los Sermones de San Agustín, obispo (218 B)

Celebramos con toda solemnidad el misterio grande e inefable de la pasión del Señor. Misterio que a decir verdad, nunca ha estado lejos ni del altar al que asistimos ni de nuestra boca y frente, para que retengamos siempre en el corazón lo que continuamente nos presentan los sentidos corporales. No obstante, esta solemnidad anual ocupa mucho más a la mente en el recuerdo de tan gran acontecimiento, para que lo que cometió hace muchos años la maldad de los judíos en un único lugar y sus ojos vieron, sea contemplado ahora en todo el orbe de la tierra con la mirada de la fe, cual si hubiera tenido lugar hoy mismo. Si aquellos contemplaban entonces de buen grado el resultado de su crueldad, ¡con cuánto mayor agrado hemos de revocar, ayudados por la memoria, a nuestras mentes lo que piadosamente creemos! Si ellos miraban con placer su maldad, ¿no hemos de recordar nosotros, con gozo mayor aún, nuestra salvación? En aquel único acontecimiento se manifestaban los crímenes actuales de ellos y se borraban también los nuestros futuros. Más aún, donde detestamos las maldades cometidas, por ellos, allí mismo nos alegramos del perdón de las nuestras. Ellos obraron la maldad, nosotros celebramos la solemnidad; ellos se congregaron porque eran crueles, nosotros porque somos obedientes; ellos se perdieron, nosotros fuimos encontrados; ellos se vendieron, nosotros fuimos rescatados; ellos le miraban para insultarle, nosotros lo adoramos llenos de veneración. En consecuencia, Cristo crucificado es, para los infieles, escándalo y necedad; para nosotros, en cambio, el poder y la sabiduría de Dios.

He aquí la debilidad de Dios que es más fuerte que los hombres, y la necedad de Dios más sabia que los hombres. El sucederse de los acontecimientos lo mostró con mayor claridad aún. ¿Qué buscaba entonces la ira rabiosa de los enemigos, sino arrancar su memoria de la tierra? Pero quien fue crucificado en una sola nación se ha asentado en los corazones de tantas otras y quien entonces fue entregado a la muerte en un solo pueblo, ahora es adorado por todos. Y, sin embargo, no sólo entonces, sino incluso ahora, leen como ciegos y cantan como sordos lo que la voz profética anunció con tanta antelación que había de suceder: Taladraron mis manos y mis pies, contaron todos mis huesos; ellos, sin embargo, me contemplaron; dividieron mis vestidos y sobre mi túnica echaron suertes (Sal 21,17-19). En el evangelio leemos que estas cosas se cumplieron tal y como fueron anunciadas en el salmo; pero entonces se hacía realidad por manos de los judíos lo que en balde entraba por sus oídos; y la profetizada pasión del Señor se cumplía tanto más eficazmente cuanto menos la comprendían ellos. Ahora, en cambio, leen que ha sido predicha y reconocen que se ha cumplido, y eligen todavía negar a Cristo, porque ya no pueden volver a darle muerte... Por tanto, amadísimos, celebremos este aniversario con devoción; gloriémonos en la cruz de Cristo, pero no una sola vez al año, sino con una vida continua de santidad.

"Bless the Lord, oh my soul .... who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion" (Psalm 103, 2-4)

2008-03-09T13:25:00.006+01:00

5th Week in Lent – Redeeming love

The invitation to participate in the sufferings of Christ becomes ever more pressing. It is necessary that we show our love in carrying the cross together with Jesus. Our eyes are to be transfixed on God Who has annihilated Himself to the extent of death to redeem us: divine mercy is inexpressible. The liturgy reaches its peak in celebrating the mystery of redemption.

"It was necessary that Lazarus should die, so that the faith of the disciples might also rise with him from the dead."

Peter Chrysologus (c.400-450)

Read the homily of the Holy Church Father Peter Chrysologus on today´s Gospel reading:

http://peopleofstmarymagdalene.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-sunday-raising-of-lazarus.html

De Los Sermones de San Agustín, Obispo (98, 4-7)

Os he dicho esto con el fin de convenceros de que nuestro Señor Jesucristo realizó los milagros para significar algo con ellos, de forma que, exceptuando su ser algo admirable, grande y divino, aprendiésemos otra cosa con ellos.

Veamos ahora qué quiso enseñarnos en los tres muertos que resucitó. Resucitó a la hija del jefe de la Sinagoga, cuya curación se le había pedido cuando estaba aún enferma. Hallándose en camino a casa se le anuncia su muerte. Y como si su fatiga fuese ya vana, se le comunica al padre: La niña ha muerto, ¿por qué molestas todavía al maestro? Jesús prosiguió su camino y dijo al padre de la joven: No temas, cree solamente. Cuando llegó a casa lo encontró todo dispuesto para los funerales. No lloréis, les dijo; la joven no está muerta, sino que duerme. Y dijo la verdad: dormía, pero sólo para quien tenía el poder de resucitarla. Una vez resucitada se la devuelve viva a sus padres.

También resucitó a un joven, hijo de una viuda... Se acercaba el Señor a la ciudad cuando sacaban al muerto de la casa. Conmovido de misericordia por las lágrimas de la madre viuda y privada de su único hijo, hizo lo que habéis oído diciendo: Joven, yo te lo ordeno, levántate (Lc 7;14). Resucitó el difunto, comenzó a hablar y se lo entregó a su madre. Resucitó igualmente a Lázaro, pero del sepulcro. A los discípulos con quienes hablaba, que sabían que Lázaro, amado con predilección por el Señor, estaba enfermo, les dice: Lázaro, nuestro amigo, duerme. Pensando en el sueño reparador de la salud, le responden: Señor, si duerme, está curado. Y él, de forma ya más clara: Nuestro amigo Lázaro ha muerto (Jn 11,11-14). Dijo la verdad una y otra vez: para vosotros está muerto, mas para mí duerme.

Estos tres géneros de muertos corresponden a las tres clases de pecadores que Cristo resucita también hoy. La hija del jefe de la sinagoga se hallaba muerta dentro de casa; aún no la habían sacado al exterior. Allí la resucitó y entregó viva a sus padres. El joven ya no estaba en casa, pero tampoco en el sepulcro; había salido de la casa, pero aún no había sido sepultado. Quien resucitó a la difunta en la casa, resucitó a quien había salido ya de ella, pero aún no había sido sepultado. Sólo faltaba el tercer caso: que fuera resucitado estando en el sepulcro; esto lo realizó en Lázaro.
Hay personas que han pecado ya en su corazón, pero el pecado aún no se ha hecho realidad exterior. Un tal se sintió afectado por cierto deseo. El mismo Señor dice: Quien viere a una mujer, deseándola, ya adulteró con ella en su corazón (Mt 5,28). Todavía no ha habido contacto corporal, pero ya consintió en su corazón. Tiene el muerto en su interior; aun no lo ha sacado fuera. Pues bien, eso acontece, según sabemos, y a diario lo experimentan en sí los hombres cuando, oyendo en alguna ocasión como que la palabra de Dios les dice: Levántate, se condena el consentimiento al pecado y se respira salud y justicia. Resucita el muerto en la casa y se respira salud y justicia. Resucita el muerto en la casa y revive el corazón en lo secreto de la conciencia. Esta resurrección del alma muerta se produjo en el secreto de la conciencia; caso idéntico a aquel que resucitó dentro de su casa.

Hay otros que, después de haber consentido pasan a la acción; es el caso paralelo a quienes sacan fuera al muerto, para que aparezca a las claras lo que permanecía oculto. ¿Han de perder la esperanza éstos que pasaron a la acción? ¿No se le dijo a aquel joven: Yo te lo ordeno, levántate? (Lc 7,14). ¿No fue devuelto a su madre? Luego así también quien pecó de hecho, si amonestado y afectado por la palabra de la verdad se levanta ante la palabra de Cristo, resucita también. Pudo avanzar en el pecado, pero no perecer para siempre.

Quienes a fuerza de obrar mal se enredan en la mala costumbre de forma que esa misma mala costumbre no les deja ver el mal, se convierten en defensores de sus malas acciones, comportándose como los sodomitas, que en otro tiempo replicaron al justo que les reprendía su perverso deseo: Tu viniste a vivir con nosotros, no a dar leyes (Gn 19,9). Tan arraigada estaba allí la costumbre de la nefanda torpeza, que la maldad les parecía justicia hasta reprender antes al que la prohibía que al que la obraba. Los tales, sometidos a tan perversa costumbre, están como sepultados. Pero, ¿qué he de decir, hermanos? De tal forma sepultados que se les podría aplicar lo que se dijo de Lázaro: Ya hiede (Jn 11,39). La piedra colocada sobre el sepulcro es la fuerza oprimente de la costumbre que aprisiona al alma y no la permite ni levantarse ni respirar.
De Lázaro se dijo que llevaba cuatro días muerto. En efecto, el alma llega a esta costumbre de que estoy hablando como en cuatro etapas. La primera consiste en la seducción del placer en el corazón. La segunda en el consentimiento. La tercera es ya la realización y la cuarta la costumbre. Hay quienes rechazan tan radicalmente con sus mismos pensamientos las cosas ilícitas que ni siquiera se deleitan en ellas. Hay quienes se deleitan, pero no consienten; habría que decir que la muerte no es plena, pero que en cierto modo se ha iniciado ya. Si el consentimiento sigue a la delectación, ahí está la condenación. Tras el consentimiento se procede al hecho y el hecho conduce a la costumbre, provocando una cierta pérdida de esperanza, por lo cual se dice: Lleva cuatro días, ya hiede.

Llega el Señor para quien todo es fácil y te presenta alguna dificultad. Se estremeció en su espíritu y mostró que quienes se han endurecido tienen necesidad del gran grito de la corrección. Sin embargo, ante la simple voz del Señor que llamaba, se rompieron los lazos de la necesidad. Tembló el poder del infierno y Lázaro fue devuelto vivo. También libera el Señor a los que por la costumbre llevan cuatro días muertos, pues para él, que quería resucitarle, Lázaro sólo dormía. Pero ¿qué dice? Observad cómo fue la resurrección. Salió vivo del sepulcro, pero no podía caminar. Y Jesús dice a sus discípulos: Desatadlo y dejadlo ir (.in 11,44). Él resucitó al muerto y los otros lo desataron. Ved que algo es propio de la majestad divina que resucita. Alguien, enfangado en la mala costumbre, es reprendido por la palabra de la verdad. Pero ¡cuántos no han sido reprendidos por ella y no la escuchan! ¿Quién actúa en el interior de quien la oye? ¿Quién comunica la vida interior? ¿Quién es el que aleja la muerte secreta y otorga la vida también secreta? ¿No es verdad que después de las reprensiones y recriminaciones quedan los hombres solos con sus pensamientos y comienzan a reflexionar sobre la mala vida que llevan y la opresión que, por la pésima costumbre, soportan? Después, descontentos de si mismos, deciden cambiar de vida. Resucitaron: revivieron quienes se hallaron descontentos de su vida anterior; mas, no obstante haber revivido, no pueden caminar. Les atan los lazos de sus culpas. Es, pues, necesario que quien ha recobrado la vida sea desatado y se le permita andar. Esta función la otorgó el Señor a sus discípulos cuando les dijo: Lo que desatareis en la tierra quedará desatado en el cielo (Mt 18,18).

Amadísimos, oigamos esto de forma que quienes están vivos sigan viviendo y quienes se hallan muertos recobren la vida. Si el pecado está en el corazón y aún no ha salido fuera, haga penitencia, corrija su pensamiento y resucite al muerto en el interior de la conciencia. No pierdas la esperanza ni siquiera en el caso de haber consentido a lo pensado. Si no resucitó el muerto dentro, resucite fuera. Arrepiéntase de lo hecho y resucite rápidamente; no vaya al fondo de la sepultura, no reciba sobre sí el peso de la costumbre. Quizá estoy hablando a quien se halla oprimido por la dura piedra de la costumbre, quien se ve atenazado por la fuerza de lo habitual, quien quizá ya hiede de cuatro días. Tampoco éste ha de perder la esperanza: es verdad que yace muerto en lo profundo, pero profundo es Cristo. Sabe quebrar con su voz los pesos terrenos, sabe vivificar interiormente y entregarlo a los discípulos para que lo desaten. Hagan penitencia también ellos, pues ningún hedor quedó a Lázaro, vuelto a la vida, a pesar de haber pasado cuatro días en el sepulcro. Por tanto, los que gozan de vida, sigan viviendo; si alguien se halla muerto, cualquiera que sea la muerte de las tres mencionadas en que se encuentre, haga lo posible por resucitar cuanto antes.

"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." (1 Jn 1, 7)

2008-03-03T12:30:00.003+01:00

4th Sunday in Lent: Victory over evil

Commitment in love and truth is the axis of the struggle to reach spiritual freedom. Grasping the arms of humility, compunction and prayer, we shall succeed in overcoming sluggishness and discouragement. Yet it will above all be the hope in God to triumph over all forms of scattering. Then, after the struggle, there will invariably follow that peace which will render us sons of the Most High. Christ, light of the Father, come into my life .... come in my heart. Be my giuding light and force to go on each day persevering in your presence.

"Christ, be my light"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsCET8oQyuA

Mother Theresa

De Los Sermones de San Agustin, obispo. (cfr. 136, 1-3)

Habéis visto al ciego con los ojos de la fe; le visteis pasar de la ceguera a la visión y le oísteis errar. ¿En qué erraba este ciego? Lo diré: Lo primero, en juzgar que Cristo era un simple profeta, ignorando que era el Hijo de Dios; además hemos oído una respuesta suya totalmente falsa. Dijo, en efecto: Sabemos que Dios no oye a los pecadores (Jn 9,31). Si Dios no oye a los pecadores, ¿qué esperanza nos queda a nosotros? Si Dios no oye a los pecadores, ¿para qué oramos y damos golpes de pecho, testimonio de nuestro pecado? Pecador era ciertamente aquel publicano que subió junto con un fariseo al templo, y mientras éste alardeaba y aireaba sus méritos, él, de pie allá lejos, con la vista en el suelo y golpeándose el pecho, confesaba sus pecados. Y salió justificado del templo el que confesaba sus pecados, y no el fariseo.

No existe duda alguna: Dios oye a los pecadores. Mas quien afirmaba esto aún no había lavado su rostro en Siloé. Se le había aplicado a sus ojos el gesto misterioso, pero aún no había actuado en su corazón el beneficio de la gracia. ¿Cuándo lavó este ciego el rostro de su corazón? Cuando, echado de la sinagoga por los judíos, el Señor le abrió los ojos del alma; pues, habiéndole encontrado, le dijo, según hemos oído: ¿Crees tú en el Hijo de Dios? ¿Quién es, Señor, respondió, para que crea en él? (Jn 9,35-36). Ya le veía con los ojos, pero aún no con el corazón. Esperad; ahora le verá. Jesús le respondió: Soy yo, el que habla contigo (Jn 9,37). ¿Acaso lo dudó? Inmediatamente lavó su rostro. En efecto, estaba hablando con aquel Siloé que significa enviado. Luego él era Siloé. El ciego de corazón se le acercó, lo escuchó, lo creyó, lo adoró; lavó su rostro y vio.

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink." Proverbs 25, 21

2008-02-24T20:09:00.014+01:00

3rd Sunday in Lent: Reviving waters

In the work done for our purification, our part is to imitate Christ’s humility and to wait for the Father’s healing of our wounds, while concurring with the divine will and not falling back on our ego. We call the name of Jesus and his mercy will purify us, absolving our sin. We draw water from the inexhaustible fount of the Word of God and, in good time, living water will gush out of our heart.

St Augustine on today's Gospel:

http://standrewparish.blogspot.com/2008/02/3rd-sunday-of-lent-reflection.html

Reading from The Interior Castle of Saint Teresa of Jesus (VI /11, 5-7)

O Almighty God! how profound are Thy secrets and how different are spiritual matters from anything that can be seen or heard in this world! I can find nothing to which to liken these graces, insignificant as they are compared with many others Thou dost bestow on souls. This favour acts so strongly upon the spirit that it is consumed by desires yet knows not what to ask, for it realizes clearly that its God is with it. You may inquire, if it realizes this so clearly, what more does it desire and why is it pained? What greater good can it seek? I cannot tell: I know that this suffering seems to pierce the very heart, and when He Who wounded it draws out the dart He seems to draw the heart out too, so deep is the love it feels.

I have been thinking that God might be likened to a burning furnace from which a small spark flies into the soul that feels the heat of this great fire, which, however, is insufficient to consume it. The sensation is so delightful that the spirit lingers in the pain produced by its contact. This seems to me the best comparison I can find, for the pain is delicious and is not really pain at all, nor does it always continue in the same degree; sometimes it lasts for a long time; on other occasions it passes quickly. This is as God chooses, for no human means can obtain it; and though felt at times for a long while, yet it is intermittent.

In fact it is never permanent and therefore does not wholly inflame the spirit; but when the soul is ready to take fire, the little spark suddenly dies out, leaving the heart longing to suffer anew its loving pangs. No grounds exist for thinking this comes from any natural cause or from melancholy, or that it is an illusion of the devil or the imagination. Undoubtedly this movement of the heart comes from God Who is unchangeable; nor do its effects is resemble those of other devotions in which the strong absorption of delight makes us doubt their reality.

Let´s make the web worthwhile!!!!!

2008-02-22T10:51:00.009+01:00

The following is a link to the Parish of St Benedict in the Archdiocese of Boston, USA. It uploads video clips every week explaining the Sunday Gospel with a very close eye on how to apply the words of Jesus Christ in our ordinary life. Although mostly spoken in an American reality, I think we can all take something from what Jesus tells us through Fr Robert J. Curr.

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=stbenedictsomerville

Here is a sample video: The Solemnity of Christ the King

God Bless Us All

Lord the light of your life is shining

2008-02-17T15:53:00.006+01:00

2nd Week in Lent: Inner transformation

http://www.dailymotion.com/cluster/blog/video/x4egrd_the-transfiguration_blog

To reach union with God it is necessary that mind and will are purifie: the monk’s cell is actually cimparable to the oven in Babylon we find in the Bible. Yet whoever sets off resolutely on the path towards the discovery of divine beauty, will achieve a state of awareness of Him Who is immutable. God is fire and He transforms us.

Dal Discorsi de san Leone Magno, Papa

Questo è il Figlio mio, che non ha aspirato a impadronirsi di quell'uguaglianza che condivide insieme con me e non l'ha usurpata. Mantenendosi nella mia stessa condizione gloriosa, ha voluto abbassare la sua immutabile divinità fino alla condizione di schiavo per realizzare il nostro comune disegno di redimere il genere umano. Lui dunque, oggetto assoluto delle mie compiacenze, il cui insegnamento mi rivela, la cui umiltà mi esalta, lui dovete senza esitazione ascoltare.

Egli è la verità e la vita, egli è la mia potenza e la mia sapienza. Ascoltate lui che fu annunziato nei misteri della legge e cantato per bocca dei profeti. Ascoltate lui che redime il mondo a prezzo del suo sangue, incatena il demonio sottraendogli le sue armi, lacera il decreto del peccato e il patto dell'iniquità. Ascoltate lui che apre il cammino verso il cielo e attraverso il supplizio e la morte vi facilita l'ascesa al Regno.

Perché dunque vi preoccupate di essere redenti? Perché temete di essere sanati dalle vostre ferite? Si compia quanto, come io voglio, vuole Cristo. Liberatevi da ogni umana paura e armatevi della salvezza che viene dalla fede. Sarebbe davvero indegno di voi temere nella passione di Cristo quel che per la sua grazia non temerete neppure nella vostra morte.

Something to think about ...in the desert

2008-02-11T15:46:00.000+01:00

1st Week in Lent: Spiritual combat in the desert
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/fj022805.asp

The Gospel bids us always to practise vigilance everywhere. Without neglecting small things, the faithful should above all guard his thoughts and not fear at all the attacks that come from temptation – the biggest of all being sloth, idleness – because the one who is leading him is He Who reigns over all.We can keep a brake on our passions only if we are “held” by the Spirit.

Dai Discorsi di san Leone Magno

Nel vangelo odierno il Signore vinse l'avversario con le testimonianze della legge, senza far uso della sua potenza. In tal modo intese onorare di più l'uomo e punire di più l'avversario; infatti il nemico del genere umano fu vinto da lui, si direbbe, non già in quanto Dio, ma in quanto uomo. Egli dunque combatté in quella circostanza, perché poi anche noi combattessimo; e vinse, perché anche noi come lui potessimo vincere.
Non esiste, miei cari, azione virtuosa senza il vaglio delle tentazioni, non c'è fede senza le sue prove, né combattimento senza nemico o vittoria senza scontro.
La nostra vita si svolge in mezzo ad agguati e battaglie; se non vogliamo essere sorpresi, dobbiamo stare all'erta, e se vogliamo vincere, dobbiamo combattere. Per questo Salomone, l'uomo più sapiente, dichiara: Figlio, se ti presenti per servire il Signore, preparati alla tentazione. Quell'uomo, ricco della sapienza di Dio, conosceva bene che la religiosità autentica comporta il travaglio della lotta e in previsione dei pericoli della battaglia volle preavvertirne il combattente. Così intendeva evitare che il tentatore, assalendo qualcuno all'oscuro del pericolo, lo ferisse rapidamente perché appunto impreparato.

L-ispirtu tal-Karmelu jaffaxxinani

2008-01-30T15:32:00.000+01:00

Jiena Glen Attard minn H’Attard. Bħalissa qiegħed noqgħod Salamanca (Spanja) għas-sena tan-Novizzjat tiegħi. Hawnhekk nixtieq naqsam miegħek l-esperjeza vokazzjonali tiegħi. U għażilt li nibda’ bi storja, parabbola:

Kien hemm żewġt’ iħbieb jisimhom Jum u Lejl. Kienu jgħaddu jiem u ljieli sħaħ fil-kumpanija ta’ xulxin. Kienu jagħmlu kollox flimkien: jitolbu, jgħinu, jistudjaw, jilgħabu, jiddiskutu, joħorġu ... Kienu joqogħdu bieb ma’ bieb u kieku qatt kont tara lil wieħed mingħajr l-ieħor! Mela darba fost l-ohrajn Jum siefer u Lejl spiċċa jagħmel kollox waħdu. Ma kienx ikun jaf fejn se jaqbad jagħti rasu mingħajr sieħbu. Qatt daqs dik il-ħabta ma kien japprezza x’ħabib ta’ veru kien Jum għalih. Kien jistenna kuljum li Jum jiġi lura. Kien ihoss ħafna n-nuqqas tieghu u ta' tant mumenti sbieħ li qattgħu flimkien. U għaddew is-snin! U Jum reġa’ lura u mhux talli sab lil Lejl jistennieh iżda talli qatt daqs wara dak inhar ir-relazzjoni tagħhom ma kienet daqshekk tajba.

Din l-istorja li qatt ma ġrat iżda li tiġri kuljum tiġbor ħelu ħelu dak li nixtieq naqsam magħkom. Il-Mulej huwa magħna! Dejjem lest biex jeħlisna mill-għarqa! Il-Mulej jinsab jakkumpanjana permezz taċ-ċirkustanzi l-aktar ordinarji tal-ħajja ta’ kuljum.Niftakar li sa minn tfuliti dejjem kont inħoss xi ħaġa li togħġobni fil-qassisin imma qatt ma ħadtha bis-serjetà. Mas-snin il-Mulej urieni xi jrid minni imma aktar ma tajtx kas. Kelli diġà ppjanat f’moħħi li rrid inkompli nistudja l-mużika jew ix-xjenzi. Id-direttur tal-grupp vokazzjonali taż-żmien li fih kont għadni nattendi l-Kulleġġ San Elija kien jistedinni mmur xi live-in imma jien qatt ma ridt. Eżattament għadni ma nafx għalfejn s’issa!

Però sewwasew il-Mulej ma jaqta’ qalbu qatt u rnexxielu jġennini għal warajh. Fil-forms 5 u 6 bdejt nattendi live-ins u esperjenzi ma’ l-istudenti u l-prenovizzi fid-Dar tal-Formazzjoni, il-Balluta. Bil-mod il-mod dak li qatt ma tajt kasu minn tfuliti, u li kien ilu jinġema tul l-adoloxxenza, beda ħiereġ u bdejt niskopri affarjiet totalment ġodda. Bdejt niskopri kemm il-Mulej iħobbna b’mod ta’ l-għageb. Bdejt niskopri s-sabiħ u l-għaxqa li wieħed jagħżel li jagħti ħajtu biex imbagħad terġa’ tingħata lilu mitt darba aqwa.

Fl-ewwel ta’ Settembru tas-sena 2004 bdejt il-prenovizzjat fl-Ordni Karmelitan ġewwa l-kunvent tal-Balluta. Tul it-tliet snin tal-prenovizzjat kbirt ħafna u ħallejt lili nnifsi nitmexxa minn dak li l-Mulej ipoġġi quddiemi fit-triq spiritwali. Jum wara jum il-Mulej baqa’ jisraqli qalbi sakemm indunjat li ma nistax ngħix mingħajru. Fl-ewwel ta’ Settembru tas-sena 2007 bdejt in-novizzjat ġewwa Spanja. Fil-formazzjoni din hija esperjenza aktar profonda ta’ xi tfisser li tkun tal-Mulej permezz tal-Konsagrazzjoni Reliġjuża fil-ħajja Karmelitana. Hija sena unika li fiha l-persuna għandha l-possibilità li ssir taf iktar lilha nnifisha u lill-Maħbub tagħha, li tħobbu iżjed, li tinnamra miegħu iżjed, li tintelaq u tabbanduna lilha nnifisha fiH.

Nidentifika ħafna lili nnifsi ma’ dawn iż-żewġt’ iħbieb ta’ hawn fuq - Jum u Lejl. Matul il-vjaġġ spiritwali tagħna xi kultant insibu ruħna bħal Lejl fid-dlam... mingħajr id-dawl ta' Jum. Id-dgħajsa tagħna ssib baħar imqalleb u l-unika ħaġa li nkunu nistgħu nagħmlu huwa li bħall-appostli ngħajtu, “Salvana, Mulej, għax se nintilfu”. Imma la l-Mulej magħna m’għandniex għax nibżgħu jew nitilfu l-fiduċja għax fil-ħin li ngħajtulu jiġi biex jeħlisna mill-għarqa billi jsikket it-tempesta. L-unika ħaġa li nkunu nistgħu nagħmlu huwa li bħal-Lejl nistennew il-Jum ifeġġ bid-dawl tiegħu. Il-Lejl qatt ma tilef it-tama li jasal li jerġa’ jara lil Jum. Dak li jħobb lil Alla qatt ma jitlef il-fiducja li għad xi darba jaraH wiċċ imb’wiċċ, li għad xi darba jasal biex jingħaqad miegħu, li jinbidel fiH sakemm ma nkunx iżjed jien li ngħix iżda Kristu li jgħix fija.

Dan huwa l-għan tal-ħajja kkonsagrata lil Alla: li r-ruħ tingħaqad ma’ Alla u tagħtih lid-dinja li fiha tgħix.

Glen Attard, novizz ocarm.

"Ego a te debeo baptizari"

2008-01-13T11:45:00.001+01:00

Da "La Vita in Cristo" di Nicola Cabàsilas

Noi non potevamo elevarci fino a Dio con i nostri mezzi, ma lui è disceso per incontrarci. Noi non lo cercavamo, ma lui ci desiderava. La pecora si mette forse in cerca del pastore? La dramma sospira il proprietario? Dio invece si è chinato verso la terra, ha cercato la sua immagine. E' andato nei luoghi dove la pecora si smarriva, per prendersela in spalle e ritrarla dall'errare.
Dio ci ha resi partecipi della vita celeste, però senza trasferirci in cielo, ma lasciandoci in terra. Non ci ha condotti nei cieli, ma li ha fatti discendere fino a noi, secondo la parola del profeta: Abbassò i cieli e discese (Sal 17,10) .

Dunque il Sole di giustizia entra in questo mondo tenebroso attraverso i sacri misteri come per altrettante finestre. Mette a morte la vita conforme a questo mondo e suscita quella celeste: così la luce del mondo vince il mondo, lei che ha detto: Io ho vinto il mondo? (Gv 16,33) In un corpo fragile e mortale Cristo ha introdotto una vita stabile ed eterna.

Quando in una casa entra un raggio di sole, la lampada non attira più gli sguardi, perché domina vittorioso lo splendore del giorno. Lo stesso accade quando il mistero della vita futura penetra col suo fulgore in un'anima: esso vince la vita carnale e la bellezza di quaggiù, e ne copre la luce. E' questa la vita nello Spirito, che supera ogni desiderio della carne, secondo il detto paolino: Camminate secondo lo Spirito e non sarete portati a soddisfare i desideri della carne (Gal 5,16).
E' questa la via che il Signore ha tracciato venendo a noi, è questa la porta da lui aperta entrando nel mondo. Quando è tornato al Padre, Gesù non ha voluto chiuderla dietro di sé, ma per essa dal Padre ritorna agli uomini, anzi è presente sempre, è con noi e lo sarà sempre, mantenendo le sue promesse.

Questa è proprio la casa di Dio, questa è la porta del cielo (Gn 28,17), direbbe il patriarca. E quale è questa apertura per cui gli angeli scendono in terra se non lo stesso Signore degli angeli?
Perciò, quando il Salvatore si degnò di ricevere il battesimo di Giovanni, quasi prefigurando il battesimo che egli avrebbe dato, aprì i cieli, insegnandoci così che per mezzo del battesimo vedremo le regioni celesti. Quando egli dichiara che non può entrare nella vita chi non è battezzato, allude al santo lavacro come a un ingresso e a una porta.

San Juan de la Cruz (1542-1591)

2007-12-14T12:34:00.000+01:00

Llama de amor viva

¡Oh llama de amor viva
que tiernamente hieres
de mi alma en el más profundo centro!
Pues ya no eres esquivaacaba ya si quieres,
¡rompe la tela de este dulce encuentro!

¡Oh cauterio süave!
¡Oh regalada llaga!
¡Oh mano blanda! ¡Oh toque delicado
que a vida eterna sabe
y toda deuda paga!
Matando, muerte en vida has trocado.

¡Oh lámparas de fuego
en cuyos resplandores
las profundas cavernas del sentido,
que estaba oscuro y ciego,
con estraños primores
olor y luz dan junto a su querido!

¡Cuán manso y amoroso
recuerdas en mi seno
donde secretamente solo moras,
y en tu aspirar sabrosode bien y gloria lleno,
cuán delicadamente me enamoras!

www.carmelite.org/laycarmel/livingflame.htm

Xebba kollok safja ... Itlob ghalina

2007-12-05T13:20:00.001+01:00

Tota pulchra es María!
Tota pulchra es María!
Et macula originalis, non est in te
Et macula originalis, non est in te
Tu gloria Jerusalem!
Tu laetitia Israel!
Tu honorificentia populi nostri!
Tu advocata peccatorum!
O María! O María!
Virgo prudentissima
Mater clementissima
Ora pro nobis, intercede pro nobis
Ad Dominum Jesum Christum.

Spes Salvi

2007-11-30T16:06:00.000+01:00

Il-Papa Benedittu XVI, illum il-Gimgha 30 ta' Novembru 2007, ippublika t-tieni Enciklika tieghu bl-isem ta' "Spes Salvi". Kif jindika l-isem stess din titratta fuq xi t-Tama nisranija. Niftakru li l-ewwel enciklika tal-Papa kienet "Deus Caritas Est" li titkellem fuq l-Imhabba nisranija. Wiehed jistenna li aktar 'il quddiem l-istess Papa jikteb enciklika dwar il-Fidi nisranija. F'dan il-link hawn l-enciklika l-gdida bl-ingliz. Nissuggerixxi li taqrawha ghax hija ghajn ta' taghlim safi dwar dak li d-dinja ghandha bzonn illum il-gurnata: tama li ssalva.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_en.html

Hoy, el dia 30 de Noviembre de 2007, el Papa Benedicto XVI ha publicado su segunda enciclica: "Spe Salvi". Como su nombre indica, la enciclica habla de la esperanza cristiana. Recordamos que la primera, "Deus Caristas Est" se trata el tema del Amor cristiano. Intuimos que proximamente escribira sobre la Fe. En este link mas abajo podeis encontrar la enciclica en español. Os sugiero leerla porque es una fuente rica de bondad, es lo que nuestro mundo necesita hoy en dia: esperanza que salva.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi_sp.html

Sancta Caecilia

2007-11-18T12:49:00.000+01:00

Santa Cecilja, patruna tal-muzicisti u kantanti. Il-memorja taghha tigi ccelebrata kemm fil-Knisja Latina kif ukoll fil-Knisja Ortodossa nhar it-22 ta´ Novembru.

She was a cultivated young patrician woman whose ancestors loomed large in Rome's history. She vowed her virginity to God, but her parents married her to Valerian of Trastevere. Cecilia told her new husband that she was accompanied by an angel, but in order to see it, he must be purified. He agreed to the purification, and was baptised; returning from the ceremony, he found her in prayer accompanied by a praying angell. The angel placed a crown on each of their heads, and offered Valerian a favor; the new convert asked that his brother be baptised. The two brothers developed a ministry of giving proper burial to martyred Christians. In their turn they were arrested and martyred for their faith. Cecilia buried them at her villa on the Via Appia, and was arrested for the action. She was ordered to sacrifice to false gods; when she refused, she was martyred in her turn. The Acta of Cecilia includes the following: "While the profane music of her wedding was heard, Cecilia was singing in her heart a hymn of love for Jesus, her true spouse." It was this phrase that led to her association with music, singers, musicians, composers, musical instrument makers etc. She was martyred in c. 117; suffocated, and when that didn't kill her, she was beheaded for three times, and when neither that killed her hse was left to suffer for three days before she took her final breaths and died. Her grave was discovered in 817, and her body removed to the church of Saint Cecilia in Trastevere (Rome). The tomb was opened in 1599, and her body found to be in the above position totally incorrupt. ____________________________________________________________

Era una cultivada mujer joven cuyos ancestros fueron grandes en la historia de Roma. Ella consagró su virginidad a Dios, pero sus padres le casaron con Valeriano de Trastevere. El Acta de Cecilia incluye lo siguiente: " Cuando ella escuchaba la música profana de su boda cantó en su corazón un himno de amor a Jesús, su verdadero esposo." Esta frase fue la que dio lugar a su asociación con la música, cantantes, músicos, etc. Cecilia le dijo a su marido que estaba acompañado por un ángel, pero para que él pudiera verlo, debería ser purificado. Él estuvo de acuerdo con la purificación, y se hizo bautizar. Cuando regresaban de la ceremonia, éste la encontró en oración acompañada de un ángel. El ángel colocó una corona sobre sus cabezas, y pidió a Valeriano un favor: la conversión de su hermano y que éste fuera bautizado. Los dos hermanos desarrollaron el ministerio de dar debida sepultura a los mártires cristianos. A su vez éstos fueron detenidos y martirizados por su fe. Cecilia los sepultó en su casa en la vía Appia, y fue detenida en la acción. Se le ordenó sacrificar a los dioses falsos. Cuando ella se negó, fue martirizada. Era martirizada aprox. en el 117 d.C. Fue asfixiada por un tiempo, y no pudieron matarla. Tres veces el verdugo intentó decapitarla, pero tampoco pudo. La dejó en agonía durante tres días hasta que murió sola. Su tumba la descubrieron en el 817, y su cuerpo trasladado a la iglesia de Santa Cecilia en Trastevere (Roma). La tumba fue abierta en 1599, y su cuerpo se encontró en la posición que puede verse en la imágen totalmente incorrupta.

P.Charló Camilleri

2007-11-11T12:44:00.000+01:00

P.Charló u jien go Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

Fr Charló and I in Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

P. Charló y yo en Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

Alba de Tormes

2007-11-06T13:26:00.000+01:00

Is-sepulkru ta´ Santa Teresa ta´Gesú

The sepulchre of St Theresa of Jesus

El sepulcro de Santa Teresa de Jesús

"... ser testigos en el siglo XX ..."

2007-10-28T11:43:00.000+01:00

Illum, il-Hadd 28 ta´Ottubru 2007, gewwa Pjazza San Pietru (il-Vatikan) qieghda ssir ic-celebrazzjoni tal-beatifikazzjoni ta´498 martri spanjoli li gew maqtula, wara li ghazlu li jibqghu fidili ghar-religjon taghhom, fi zmien il-Gwerra Civili Spanjola (1936-39).

F´din il-link issibu artiklu tajjeb dwar ir-relazzjoni ta´ l-iStat u l-Knisja Spanjola fi zmien il-Gwerra Civili:

http://www.catholicherald.com/royal/royal4.htm

u f´din il-link issibu l-messagg li harget il-Konferenza Episkopali Spanjola fl-okkazjoni ta´din il-beatifikazzjoni. Ghalkemm il-messagg huwa bl-ispanjol, jekk tifthuh fil-MS Word tistghu tittraducuh ghall-Ingliz:

http://www.conferenciaepiscopal.es/documentos/Conferencia/martires2007.htm

+9 Pro-Life Campaign

2007-10-27T13:36:00.000+02:00

http://www.lifemalta.org/

Video tas-seminarista Malti Robert Galea, parti mill-kampanja favur il-hajja

Video made by a Maltese seminarian, Robert Galea, as part of the pro-life campaign

Video de un seminarista maltés, Robert Galea, parte de la campaña pro-vida

OP Course 2007-08

2007-10-27T11:27:00.000+02:00

Ritratt tal-grupp li qeghdin naghmlu course ghand id-Dumnikani fuq il-hajja kkonsagrata. Nazzjonalitajiet minn madwar id-dinja kollha: Malta, Romania, China, Venezuela, Guatemala u Colombia.

Una foto de nuestro grupo haciendo un curso a los Dominicos sobre la vida consagrada. nacionalidades de todo el mundo: Malta, Romanía, China, Venezuela, Guatemala y Colombia.

Teresa de Jesús (1515-1582)

2007-10-14T12:36:00.000+02:00

Nada te turbe

Nada te espante

todo se pasa

Dios no se muda

la paciencia

todo lo alcanza

quien a Dios tiene

nada le falta

solo Dios basta

For more insights on the life and teachings of this saint see http://www.ewtn.com/spanish/Saints/Teresa_de_Jesus.htm

(translatable: paste the address in Google Search Engine,

and click on the command Translate this Page)

Nuestra Señora del Pilar

2007-10-11T16:48:00.000+02:00

Nhar it-12 ta´Ottubru tahbat il-festa tal-Madonna ta-Pilar. Festa nazzjonali ta´Spanja li flimkien ma´San Gakbu, hija wkoll l-Patruna ta´Spanja. Il-festa t-tajba lil kulhadd.

Tradition says that in the early day of the Church, Saint James the Greater was spreading the Gospel in Spain, but making very little progress. He was dejected and questioning his mission. About 44 AD, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem at the time, bi-located and appeared to him in a vision to boost his morale. In it, she was atop a column or pillar, which was being carried by angels. That pillar is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza, Spain, today.

_____________________________________________________

La tradición dice que en los primeros años de la iglesia, Santiago el mayor predicaba el evangelio en España, pero haciendo muy poco progreso. Estaba desanimado y se preguntaba su misión. Cerca del año 44, la Virgen Maria, que todavía vivía en Jerusalén en ese entonces, bilocalizó y se le apareció en una visión levantando su moral. En la visión ella estaba encima de una columna o de un pilar, que era llevada por los ángeles. Se cree que el pilar es el mismo venerado en Zaragoza, España, hoy.

B. Teresa of Calcutta, a witness

2007-10-11T16:20:00.000+02:00

"I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?"

"There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives - the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.

Fatima

2007-10-06T12:58:00.001+02:00

Fatima, il-grupp kollu. Flimkien maghna hemm Marguerita (gara taghna) u Jose´Antonio (terzjarju karmelitan minn Madrid)
Fatima, todo el equipo. Había también con nosotros - Marguerita (nuestra vecina) y Jose´Antonio (un terciario carmelita de Madrid)

Salamanca

2007-10-06T12:30:00.000+02:00

Salamanca: belt eccezzjonali, zaghzugha, trankwilla ...
Salamanca: exceptional city, young, tranquil ...
Salamanca: ciudad excepcional, joven, tranquila ...

Ávila

2007-09-29T18:53:00.000+02:00

Avila, ma´Santa Tereza quddiem il-belt il-qadima
Avila, with Santa Teresa overlooking the old city
Avila, con Santa Teresa delante de la parte antigua de la ciudad

Onda

2007-09-29T18:37:00.000+02:00

Hsibt li naqsam maghkom xi memorji ta´meta konna Onda f´Settembru li ghadda

I thought of sharing some memories of the time we spent in Onda, last September

Quiero compartir con vosotros algunos recuerdos del tiempo que fuimos en Onda, en Septiembre

"El Carmen", Onda

Montí, Onda

P. Fernando Millan, O.Carm.

2007-09-29T18:33:00.000+02:00

Jien u Isaías mal-pirjol Generali l-gdid
Yo y Isaías con el nuevo padre general

España 2007 - 2008

2007-09-29T17:26:00.000+02:00

Gheziez,

Din hija l-blog gdida li ghadni kif ghamilt. Fiha ssibu xi ritratti li hadt u li ghadni se niehu Spanja. Nispera li joghgbukom. Niftakru f´xulxin f´talbna u f´qalbna.

Is-sliem,
Glen

_________________________________________________________

Dear all,

This is my new blog which I would like to share with all of you. I will include some photos which I will be taking here in Spain. Hugs and kisses, and enjoy!!!

God Bless,
Glen

_________________________________________________________

Hola mis amigos,

Esta es mi nueva página blog, y me gustaría compartir con ustedes. En este blog yo voy a incluir algunas fotos que seguramente les gustaran. Un fuerte abrazo a todos.

Adios,
Glen