Relationship, convenant, transformation.
LA GRACIA del Martes 26 de febrero de 2013
El camino cuaresmal implica ejercer nuestra inteligencia, buscando lo verdadero, y ejercitar la voluntad, buscando lo bueno.
LA GRACIA del Lunes 25 de febrero de 2013
Desafíos, heridas y traumas existen. Pero también existe algo que se llama PECADO.
Decision Time, Lenten Spiritual Retreat, 6 of 6
[Spiritual Retreat preached for lay people at St. Patrick’s, in Miami Beach.]
Talk 6 of 6: To Become Just
* Justification stands at the very centre of many theological and religious discussion back in the first century AD. In simple terms, the question is: How can we restore a good relationship with God, the One who is Just and Bounteous?
* Here comes faith in order to accept Jesus, the only-begotten, as a pure gift of grace for redemption and healing of our hearts and souls.
* The Holy Spirit brings with himself transforming power: for the Law of Moses, while stating what is right and what is wrong, did not have the power to transform our hearts so as to fall in love with what is good, and yo really detest what is evil.
Decision Time, Lenten Spiritual Retreat 2013, 5 of 6
[Spiritual Retreat preached for lay people at St. Patrick’s, in Miami Beach.]
Talk 5 of 6: What Jesus Did
1. Healing
2. Forgiving
3. Casting the evil one
4. Teaching
Decision Time, Lenten Spiritual Retreat 2013, 4 of 6
[Spiritual Retreat preached for lay people at St. Patrick’s, in Miami Beach.]
Talk 4 of 6: When Faith Gets Questioned – Some Particular Issues
Is there any room for religion in a world dominated by science?
Is it not the case that more religion means more fanaticism and fundamentalism?
Is it possible to be a true Christian and at the same time to enjoy this present life?
Biblical text: Colossians 3
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Decision Time, Lenten Spiritual Retreat 2013, 3 of 6
[Spiritual Retreat preached for lay people at St. Patrick’s, in Miami Beach.]
Talk 3 of 6: When Faith Gets Questioned – General Issues
1. In very simple terms, what is Christian faith all about?
2. What, if anything, makes Christ different from other spiritual leaders?
3. Can I truly believe that my religion or faith is the right one, and at the same time keep due respect and sincere attention to other systems?
Decision Time, Lenten Spiritual Retreat 2013, 2 of 6
[Spiritual Retreat preached for lay people at St. Patrick’s, in Miami Beach.]
Talk 2 of 6: The Outer Battle
The various battle-fields:
1. Colleges, universities. Science as an idol; sex as enterteinment; faith as a hindrance; egotism as a standard.
2. Relativism, subjectivism, consumerism… the MARKET.
3. The media, including reviews and blogs.
4. Your political representatives.
Biblical text: Romans 12,9-21
Love in Action
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Decision Time, Lenten Spiritual Retreat 2013, 1 of 6
[Spiritual Retreat preached for lay people at St. Patrick’s, in Miami Beach.]
Talk 1 of 6: The Inner Battle
1. Educate your conscience
2. Identify strengths and weaknesses. Do become an expert on your own self.
3. Be honest about your own failures; blaming others does not help.
4. Be compassionate about your true (fallen) nature.
5. Be proactive on what should change in and around yourself.
6. Join a community. Only the living branches receive the tree’s sap.
7. Share what you have learned. Sharing is good for others but first is good for you.
LA GRACIA del Domingo 24 de febrero de 2013
Lo propio del cristianismo es CRISTO. El Transfigurado es la meta y referencia de nuestro ser como cristianos.
ESCUCHA, Solo Dios sabe que es lo realmente bueno para ti
Dios nuestro Padre nos dará las “cosas buenas” que le pidamos, pero ¿cuáles son ellas?
La primacia del amor
[Predicación para la Comunidad de SANCTUS – N. S. de Guadalupe, en Miami.]
* Si es propio del bebé y del niño centrarse en sí mismo, en sus necesidades, incomodidades y gustos únicamente, hemos de reconocer que la capacidad de salir de sí mismo para interesarse por el bien de otros es una señal de crecer en humanidad.
* Según esa dirección, Cristo es el más humano de todos, pues su manera de entregarse por el bien de los demás es señal de una plenitud y madurez máximas.
* Hay varios modos de amar a otros. (1) El amor “cerebral” descubre que otra persona lo está pasando mal o necesita algo. (2) El amor “sentimental” sucede cuando alguien que nos importa es afectado en sus cosas o proyectos. (3) El amor “entrañable” brota irreprimible cuando alguien importante para nosotros es afectado en su integridad o sus capacidades. Los evangelios nos dicen que este es el tipo de amor que Cristo muestra por nosotros.
* El amor entrañable tiene un efecto: “hace espacio” dentro de nosotros para que la otra persona, con su realidad y sus necesidades, nos “habite.” por eso, este es el tipo de amor que de modo natural y necesario crea comunidad.
* Si en la Cruz se revela de modo particular el amor humano y divino, una comunidad que nace en torno a la Cruz, lleva en sí el sello de una espiritualidad completamente eclesial. Ser iglesia es para nosotros nuestra única forma posible de ser.
El lenguaje de la fe
Escuela de Vida Interior, Tema 21: El lenguaje de la fe
* Deseamos ahondar en nuestra fe siguiendo el credo. No es una exposición completa sobre el credo sino más bien un modo de descubrir el acontecer de la fe en el creyente.
* Partimos de esta base: No conocemos la fe como se conoce un microbio. La fe la descubrimos aconteciendo adentro de nosotros pero no como pura subjetividad o fantasía. ¿Cómo sucede esto?
* La clave está en descubrir la diferencia entre el preguntar de la ciencia y otras formas de preguntar. El científico controla circunstancias que hagan su observación independiente de sí mismo. Pero la vida trae sorpresas, positivas o negativas. El inesperado apoyo de un amigo, que llega justo a tiempo, o la decepción por la distancia egoísta que una hija ha creado, son dos ejemplos de esa clase de sorpresas.
* Las “sopresas” son, en el lenguaje de Edward Schillebeeckx, experiencias que nos llevan al límite de lo que comprendemos sobre nosotros mismos y sobre el sentido de nuestros esfuerzos. Una experiencia límite me dice algo no sólo sobre lo que está “afuera” sino también sobre mí mismo. Tal es el tipo de conocimiento y de lenguaje de la fe.
* * *
Este tema pertenece al Capítulo 03 de la Escuela de Vida Interior; la serie completa de los diez temas de este Capítulo 03 está aquí:
La serie de TODOS los temas de esta Escuela de Vida Interior está aquí:
LA GRACIA del Sabado 23 de febrero de 2013
Si la conversión es volverse hacia Dios, ¿cuándo termina uno de convertirse?
LA GRACIA del Viernes 22 de febrero de 2013
El contexto de la renuncia del Papa Benedicto nos invita a reflexionar sobre en qué consiste el ministerio petrino.
LA GRACIA del Jueves 21 de febrero de 2013
Pedir con espíritu de hijos.