My God, My Mercy…
St. Vincent Pallotti
To All the Superiors and Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate
Dear Sisters,
On our calendars, spring has just begun. Outside appears as if nothing has happened…, blue skies embracing the earth, sun's rays peeking into the windows bringing warmth, flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and a warm spring breeze delicately blows around. We all love spring because it comes to us in light colors, with hope, with a smile, with new life and warmth. Such is a nature: faithful to God’s law and grows and develops according to its own natural rhythm.
Jeremiah 11:18-20; John 7:40-53
In the Gospel reading today (verses 40 to 53), there is the discussion among the people about who Jesus is, where he comes from and whether he is the Prophet, or the Messiah. Furthermore, the Pharisees think that the ones who believe in Jesus and think he is the Messiah are the “crowds who do not know the law,” and the guards who have also been “deceived” by him. The Pharisees had their own image of God and they knew the law so well that their hearts were closed to Jesus’ revelation of God.
Dear Sisters,
I would like to share with you some thoughts from the "front" of the fight against the pandemic, this invisible opponent. As we all know, the situation throughout Italy is critical and unfortunately also in Rome, which is a completely different city than as we know it, is increasing in incidences. Statistics on infection, recovery and mortality are far from giving hope that the epidemic will end soon.
“This Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m., I will preside over a moment of prayer outside of St. Peter's Basilica with the square empty. As now, I invite everyone to participate spiritually through the media,” Pope Francis said March 22 in his livestreamed Angelus address.
“Urbi et Orbi” means “To the City [of Rome] and to the World.” It is a special apostolic blessing given by the pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica every year on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and other special occasions.
Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22; John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Their wickedness blinded them, and they knew not the hidden counsels of God. (Wisdom 2:21-22)
In today’s reading from Wisdom, we eavesdrop on a surly bunch. They are not troubled by their wicked deeds. They concede their corruption in a cynical way. After all, this is how the world runs. Get used to it. But one guy will not sit at their table. He does not play the game. Without fear, he calls them out. In his face they glimpse their diminished state. Such clear vision is offensive. He must be destroyed and all the rubbish about justice with him. Let his God save him.
Exodus 32:7-14 ; John 5:31-47
Today’s Gospel shows the struggle Jesus is having with the Jewish community. He wants them to take Him seriously. Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true….But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave to me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”
In the days before the aves rang
She carried empty earthen jars to water,
Baking golden bread and dreaming the wispy dreams
That young girls create in their waking hours.
A young man has smiled upon them, and a fine home
Will soon will be their very own domain of earthly bliss,
Even housing perfect little children of their very own!
On Wednesday, 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, the Pope has invited “the Heads of the Churches and the leaders of every Christian community, together with all Christians of the various confessions, to invoke the Almighty, the omnipotent God, to recite at the same time the prayer that Jesus, our Lord, taught us” – the Our Father. “On that day on which many Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word”, Pope Francis prayed, “may the Lord listen to the united prayer of all of His disciples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ”.
Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; John 5:1-16
In today’s readings I find the potential benefits of water as a recurring theme. We hear of water in the desert and a pool with potentially healing powers. In the last month, this has not been many people’s experience of water, rather than life-giving, water has shown itself as destructive.
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Meditations
* Our Way of Life *
"Our diverse talents and abilities, our differences in culture, nationality and age are assets for the richness of the community. Although we may be engaged in a variety of ministries, we all share the common call to apostolic discipleship in a community of the Catholic Apostolate of St. Vincent Pallotti."(OWL, 91)
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"Christ, the Apostle of the Eternal Father, and his mission are central to our personal and community life, giving meaning and direction to our thinking, our spirituality, our prayer, action and suffering." (OWL, 19)
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"As a community of disciples we are gathered around Jesus, the Apostle of the Eternal Father. Like the first disciples, we want to be with Jesus, be sent out by him and return to him to evaluate our service in the light of his presence." (OWL, 88)
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"As Pallottines, it is our special charism to foster growth in faith and love among the laity, to awaken them to awareness of their apostolic call, and to cooperate with them in furthering the apostolic mission." (OWL, 21)
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"Our relationships with one another should be marked by a love that bears all, believes all and hopes for all, a love that is neither conceited nor jealous, which hurts no one, nor is embittered or resentful. It is never discouraged but remains patient and kind. It rejoices with others and shares their suffering. It is with this kind of love that we should help and support one another." (OWL, 90)