4th Sunday of Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday): Acts 4:8-12. 1 Jn 3:1-2. Jn 10:11-18. The Gospel this weekend is this: Jn 10:11-18. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. 13 This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep * that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. * This command I have received from my Father." The first reading is this: Acts 4:8-12. Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, 10 then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. 11 He is 'the stone rejected by you, * the builders, which has become the cornerstone.' 12 * There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." The second reading is this: 1 Jn 3:1-2. See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed * we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. MEDITATION: This Sunday we celebrate the fact that Christ is a good shepherd who gives his life for his sheep. The sheep represent us! We may lose ourselves, but God is leading our return. The first reading is of Peter trying to shepherd the shepherds of the Jews who had themselves diverted much and condemned Jesus. The second is a small praise of how God calls us. As a prologue to the parable of ‘the prodigal son’, Jesus says that when the shepherd finds the lost sheep, "he lays it on his shoulders with much joy, and takes it back home, and then brings together his friends and neighbors saying, "Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep."" (Lk 15:1-6). It does not say that he complains with frustration, but that he celebrates with much joy! Walking through the countryside in Ireland once, I saw a lamb trapped on a small island in the middle of a stream. I was surprised to see it there. Others were eating grass in the field of to the side. It seems that lamb had crossed by a ford not too deep, but the level went up. I got messy and wet feet in order to take it back, but I loved seeing it running in the grass towards its mother sheep. It made me think of how Jesus likes when mankind has the humility to let him return us to the home of God. But do we listen well to his voice? A missionary priest friend once was in Palestine and saw how pastors come to large herds and the sheep are called, but only some of them come running. It seems that the sheep of different shepherds mingle and form large flocks, but each one manages to distinguish between its own pastor and strangers. I presume that we all hear calls of riches, honours and pleasures in the world, but our good Shepherd continues to call! The problem is that many think proudly that they don't need to be guided. Jesus continues: "I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents that over ninety-nine righteous who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7). Jesus describes them as 'those who do not need to repent', but I think that it is telling that when a person seems very Holy, he may have arrogance inside, and that attitude really needs repentance. I also need it! Pride really spoils the road to the sky - like a sheep away from their pastor because he wants to make his own way independently. That is the tragedy that brought the Jews against Jesus. Jesus was in favour of the majority of his ways (as the Old Testament was of God), but was against their way of putting an end there. He proposed to move forward. The Trinity are ambitious about their children. Even calls us all to help in their grazing. Some reject the role of our Church in clarifying scripture, but think about how dogs help the shepherds. They simply play a role in guiding. The central Shepherd is Christ himself. As vocations Sunday, I would add, that our good Shepherd is always calling decent Christians to help you. Some do not want to love generously in life unless there is clear rewards, but the Trinity are offering us a Supreme reward: Eternal Life in heaven. But that's different to be a salaried employee of today's Gospel. Is more as a loving son who wants to reunite the family. Our good Shepherd is not 'paid' and wants to see us 'lambs' back with their mother 'sheep'. Traditionally, we sing that it ‘May is 'the month of Mary’ and indeed the Popes propose the Rosary. Let our good Shepherd lead us home - where MUM is! .....Dara. en ESPAÑÓL: 4° Domingo de Pascua (Domingo del Buen Pastor): Hchos 4:8-12. 1°Jn 3:1-2. Jn 10:11-18. Este domingocelebramos el hecho de que Cristo es un Buen Pastor que entrega su vida por sus ovejas. ¡Las ovejas son una imagen de nosotros! Podemos extraviarnos, pero Dios sigue guiando nuestra vuelta. La primera lectura es de Pedro intentando pastorear los pastores de los Judíos que habían ellos mismos desviado mucho en condenarle a Jesús. La segunda es una pequeña alabanza del hecho de que Dios nos llama. Como prólogo para la parábola del hijo pródigo, Jesús dice que cuando encuentra la oveja perdida, “La pone sobre sus hombros con mucho gozo, y al llevarla de vuelta al hogar, reúne a sus amigos y vecinos diciendo, “Regocijaos conmigo porque he encontrado mi oveja perdida.” (Lc 15:1-6). ¡No dice que se queja con frustración, sino que celebra con mucho gozo! Al caminar por el campo en Irlanda una vez, vi un cordero atrapado en una islita en medio de un pequeño riachuelo. Me sorprendió verlo allí. Los demás estaban comiendo la hierba en el campo de al lado. Parece que el cordero había cruzado por un vado no muy hondo, pero después el nivel subió. Me ensucié y mojé los pies al llevarlo de vuelta, pero me encantó verla saltando por la hierba hacia su madre oveja. Me hizo pensar en cómo se debe sentir Jesús cuando el hombre tiene la humildad para dejarle devolvernos al hogar de Dios. Pero ¿escuchamos bien su voz? Un amigo sacerdote misionero estaba en Palestina una vez, y vio cómo los pastores se acercan a rebaños grandes y llaman a las ovejas, pero solo algunas de las ovejas vienen corriendo. Parece que ovejas de pastores distintos se mezclan y forman rebaños gran+des, pero los individuos distinguen entre su pastor y otros extraños. ¡Supongo que todos oímos las llamadas de riquezas, placeres y honores en el mundo, pero nuestro Buen Pastor no deja de llamar! El problema es que muchos piensan orgullosamente que no necesitan ser guiados. Jesús continua: “Os digo, de la misma manera, habrá más gozo en el cielo por un pecador que se arrepiente que por noventa y nueve justos que no necesitan arrepentirse” (Lucas 15:7). Jesús les describe como ‘los que no necesitan arrepentirse’, pero creo que está diciéndonos que cuando una persona parece muy santa, puede ser que por dentro haya orgullo, y ¡aquella actitud realmente necesita arrepentimiento... ¡y lo necesito yo! El orgullo realmente estropea el camino hacia el cielo – como una oveja alejándose de su pastor porque quiere hacer lo suyo independientemente. Aquello es la tragedia que puso a los judíos en contra de Jesús. Jesús estaba en favor de la mayoría de sus caminos (como el Viejo Testamento era de Dios), pero estaba en contra de su forma de poner punto final allí. Él les propuso seguir adelante. Dios es ambicioso para sus hijos. Aún nos llama a todos a ayudar en su pastoreo. Algunos rechazan el papel de nuestra iglesia en clarificar guiones, pero piensa en cómo los perros ayudan a los pastores. Simplemente toman el papel en guiar, pero el pastor es Cristo mismo. Siendo domingo de vocaciones, añado, que nuestro Buen Pastor está siempre llamando a cristianos decentes para ayudarle. Algunos no quieren amar generosamente en la vida a no ser que haya recompensas claras, pero Dios está ofreciéndonos una recompensa suprema: la Vida Eterna en el Cielo. Pero aquello es distinto a ser un empleado asalariado del evangelio de hoy. Es más como un hijo amoroso que quiere reunir a toda la familia. Nuestro Buen Pastor no es ‘asalariado’ y quiere vernos a nosotros, ‘corderitos’, de vuelta con su madre ‘oveja’. Tradicionalmente, cantamos que Mayo es ‘el mes de María’ y de hecho los Papas han escrito documentos proponiendo el rosario. ¡Dejemos a nuestro Buen Pastor guiarnos a casa – donde está Mamá! .....Dara. Third Sunday of Easter: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19. 1 Jn 2:1-5. Lk 24:35-48. - The Gospel this weekend is this: Lk 24:35-48 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." 40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43 he took it and ate it in front of them. 44 He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. - The first reading is this: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19. The God of Abraham, (the God) of Isaac, and (the God) of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence, when he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One * and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses… 17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, * just as your leaders did; 18 but God has thus brought to fulfilment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, * that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, - The second reading is this: 1 Jn 2:1-5. My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. 2 He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. 3 The way we may be sure * that we know him is to keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: - MEDITATION: The gospel this Sunday continues to tell of the appearance of the risen Jesus. I like the way that he doesn't dig in to some deep theological teaching, but rather asks the gang: "Have you anything to eat?"!! That may seem unimportant, but it makes me think of the fact that God became completely human… like us all. Even the resurrected Christ was keen to nibble a bit! That speaks of how the resurrection isn't just for divine beings, it's for us too. It speaks to us of how the door has been opened for this bunch of flesh and bones to reach beyond death. And this didn't come 'out of the blue'. It's the climax of a history that goes back a long, long way. It says 'Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures' (Lk 24:45). And the first reading, from Acts, has Peter describing to the Jews how the life of Jesus Christ had all been predicted, going back to their ancient patriarchs. I must say, I give thanks for the way that scriptures were explained to me, but of course I've still got a lot to learn. We all have. But will we let Christ explain them to us and stimulate thoughts in us as we pray? Jesus adds 'that the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all the nations'. The three readings this week are actually about the mercy of God. It's described with reference to the people who handed Jesus over to crucifixion (and that certainly requires tremendous mercy), but we're all part of that. We've all sinned at some stage, and our joy isn't to point to the good works done by our Christian community, but to the fact that God forgives us despite our many bad works... and our frequent failure to do good ones. I've done wrong... and you've done wrong, but the great thing is that God forgives. Phew! It seems that the name 'Divine Mercy Sunday' applies to this Sunday as much as to last week (and to every week!). How could we possibly repay God? By beginning anew. God gives us a tremendous chance: the chance to forgive anyone who may have done us any harm or failed to do good. We're all in the same boat. Only one of us hasn't ever done wrong – just one: Mary. But she's our mother… and the fantastic Good News ('gospel') is that the kids do have the potential to become like their Mum! There's a missionary call here also. Jesus asks that repentance for the forgiveness of sins be preached in his name to all the nations.' (Lk 24:47). That's a call to us all who can speak (or press a keyboard)! And Jesus tells us that it will be a good trip. Maybe there will be some wind and waves (and even sclerosis) along the way, but the followers of Peter and his fishermen (the Church) will end up with a decent catch! ........ Dara. - - en ESPAÑÓL: - 3° Domingo de Pascua: Hech 3:13-15, 17-19. 1°Jn 2:1-5. Lucas 24:35-48. El Evangelio este domingo sigue con las apariciones de Jesús resucitado. Me gusta como no profundiza en alguna enseñanza teológica, sino pregunta a ‘la bola’ de apóstoles: “¿Tenéis algo para comer?”!! Puede parecer sin importancia, pero me hace pensar en el hecho de que Dios realmente se hizo humano – como todos nosotros. ¡Incluso Jesús resucitado quería zampar un poco! Aquello me habla de cómo la resurrección no es solamente para criaturas divinas. Es para nosotros también. La puerta ha sido abierta para que este trozo de carne y hueso supere la muerte. Y esto no surgió ‘de repente’. Es el clímax de una historia que viene de muy atrás. Dice que ‘Entonces les abrió la mente para entender las escrituras’ (Lucas 24:45). Y la primera lectura, de Hechos, tiene a Pedro describiendo a los judíos cómo la vida de Cristo había sido toda profetizada, volviendo a los primeros patriarcas. Realmente, doy gracias por la forma en que las escrituras me han sido explicadas, pero es cierto que me queda mucho por aprender. Nos queda a todos. Pero ¿Dejaremos a Cristo explicarnos lo mientras oramos? Jesús añade que el perdón de los pecados sería predicado en su nombre a todas las naciones. De hecho, las tres lecturas esta semana hablan de la misericordia de Dios. Es descrito con referencia a la gente que entregaron a Jesús en la crucifixión (y aquello requiere muchísima misericordia), pero tenemos todos parte en aquello. Hemos pecado todos en algunas ocasiones, y nuestro gozo no está en mirar a las maravillas buenas hechas por nuestra comunidad Cristiana, sino en el hecho de que Dios nos ama a pesar de haber hecho muchos males... y de haber dejado de hacer muchos bienes. He hecho males... y tu también, pero lo tremendo es que Dios perdona. ¡Menos mal! Parece que este es el Domingo de la Misericordia Divina como la semana pasada. ¿Como podríamos agradecerle a Dios? Empezando de nuevo. Nos da Dios una oportunidad tremenda: la oportunidad de perdonar a cualquiera que nos ha hecho mal o que ha dejado de hacer bien. Estamos todos en la misma barca. Solo uno de nosotros no ha pecado – solo uno: María. Pero es nuestra madre – y la buena nueva (‘evangelio’) es que los niños tienen la potencia para llegar a ser como su Madre. Hay una llamada misionera aquí también. Jesús pide que el perdón se predique a todas las naciones en su nombre. (Lucas 24:47). ¡Aquello es una llamada a todos los que pueden hablar (o apretar el teclado)! Y Jesús nos dice que será un viaje bueno. Quizá habrá algo de viento y algunas olas (y aún esclerosis) en el camino, pero los que siguen a Pedro y a sus pescadores (la Iglesia) acabarán con una pesca bastante decente! ........ Dara. 2nd Sunday of Easter: Acts 4:32-35, 1 Jn 5:1-6, Jn 20:19-31. (Divine Mercy Sunday) - The Gospel this weekend is this: Jn 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. * The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 (Jesus) said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. 23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." 24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." 30 * Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of (his) disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name. - The first reading is this: Acts 4:32-35 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. 34 There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. - The second reading is this: 1 Jn 5:1-6 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who (indeed) is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. - MEDITATION: This Sunday God underlines the fact that the Good News is good! …and that it would be good to give testimony of our faith and to share the news around. The Apostles have closed the doors out of fear and Jesus appears with a very complex theological instruction: “Peace be with you”! Very complex, isn’t it?! Many live through doubts and fears, but God is stronger… stronger than death itself! Passing through problems, and even through death is no longer a major problem. It may lead to eternal Life with God! Jesus, through doubting Thomas, is asking us to have faith. Thomas comes to the tremendous conclusion that Jesus is God. When my multiple sclerosis began, I knew that it was going to bring problems to my life, but having faith, I didn't get depressed. Many fall into depression. I don't know exactly why it started, but I know that the Trinity have allowed it, and they surely have their reasons. Jesus had tremendous confidence on his way to Calvary! MS is just another pebble on the road of life, unless one has put their hope in the physical things of the world. If one had, then yes, MS would be a serious obstacle for them. But it’s just another twist on our short road, and what will matter in the end is whether or not we’ve done at least something good. That’s why Jesus adds: "As the father sent me, so I send you". We are not Jesus, but the marvel is that he invites us to participate in his mission. It only requires our "Yes". Following Christ is challenging for one with a comfortable and easy lifestyle, but if we are faithful, it will bear much fruit. Thereafter you'll know that Christ is really alive… resurrected in your own self. What most amazed St Paul is what happened to his own self inside. A proud opposer of that 'Jesus cult' soon became one of its main columns. The love of Christ simply seduces the heart... and transforms it. The first reading, of Acts of the Apostles, describes how the good testimony of the first Christian community 'spoke clearly' to people of that time. We give thanks for this today and at the same time we appreciate that God is asking us to 'communicate' to future generations. Many leave the faith today on seeing superficiality in Christians. If we live out our faith, the message will reach many, and in future centuries the world will appreciate us. The challenge now is to really believe in our risen Lord. And of course, faith isn’t just a matter of simply appearing at mass at the weekend and participating in the parish. It should be a 'living' faith that guides our steps and transforms us into 'Living Christs'. The mother of St. Augustine (St. Monica) could not speak to her son in his complicated philosophical language, but she gave good example at home, and look at the result! We welcome the good news that has come to us through many centuries and testimonies, but God wants all to have personal experience of it. How do you give that? It doesn’t require strange miracles or visions (like Thomas touching the wounds of Jesus); What is needed is to give personal time to meditation and contemplation of the word that has come to us. Thoughts and ideas arise in our minds and in that way our risen Lord speaks to us and gives us his life. About Thomas and the call to faith, there is much to say, but here I put just a few ideas. Humanity can advance much in wisdom, science, and art, etc., but something sure is that this piece of flesh and bones is going to die someday. On the one hand this seems tragic, but it also has a positive aspect. It inspires us to search for a meaning. The prospect of death humbles us and gets us to seek. It is then that the person of Christ, along with the Scriptures and his followers, bears fruit. Quoting Francis Bacon: 'If a man will start only with certainties, he ends up with doubts, but if he will begin with his doubts, he may well end up with certainties'. I believe that human intelligence is based on humbly realizing that there is much in life that I do not know! Isaac Newton (1642-1727) helped humanity with his suggestions and intuitions rather than demonstrations and scientific proofs. There was a time when it seemed that science would unlock the secrets of the universe, but there are always things that science can’t explain. Only God can explain all. The challenge for us is to pay attention to the word of God. In fact, Newton himself ended up very religious. When I was young and first learnt about discoveries and inventions, I once asked my father where I had come from. He responded "From God". I kept asking "But who he is? and how is it that I showed up?". I was looking for some kind of erudite explanation of my pharmacist father. He knew some scientific truths but eventually said that he didn't know… and that no human being could fully explain it. That humble "I don't know" was the best way to 'open doors' and prepare the way so that I myself would seek and thereafter welcome the tremendous Good News of our faith. Thus began my search for answers. I would love if all people would seek a bit – and would at least open the door! The truth is that God is humbly calling at our door. That was the motivation for the incarnation of Christ and He keeps calling: "I stand at the door and knock; If someone opens to me, I will enter and you we’ll have dinner together." (Apoc3:20). The Apostles were hiding. We all hide sometimes, and avoid showing clearly that we are followers of Christ. Being a Christian isn’t always easy, because we have to give good witness at work, at home and all-over. The temptations of wealth, pleasures and honors create barriers that Jesus has to penetrate. He can penetrate, but does not want to impose. He’s at the door humbly calling! .......... Dara. - - en ESPAÑÓL: - 2° Domingo de Pascua: Hech 4:32-35 1Jn 5:1-6 Jn 20:19-3 (Domingo de la Misericordia Divina) ¡Este Domingo Dios subraya que la Buena Nueva es buena! …y que sería bueno dar buen testimonio Cristiano y compartirla. Los apóstoles han cerrado las puertas por temor y Jesús aparece con una instrucción teológica muy compleja: “Que la paz esté con vosotros”. ¡Complejísima, ¿verdad?! Muchos viven con dudas y temores, pero Dios es más fuerte – ¡más que la muerte misma! Pasar por problemas, aún por la muerte, es muy poquito, casi nada, comparado con la Vida eterna y feliz con Dios. Jesús sigue, a través de Tomás, pidiéndonos tener fe, y Tomás llega a la conclusión tremendísima que Jesús es Dios. Cuando empezó mi esclerosis múltiple, yo sabía que iba a traer problemas a mi vida; pero al tener fe, no pasé ni un minuto deprimido. Muchos caen en ello. No sé exactamente por qué empezó, pero sé que Dios lo ha permitido, y tiene sus razones – lo mismo que Jesús en su camino al Calvario. La esclerosis es una piedrecilla en el camino de la vida – a no ser que uno haya puesto sus esperanzas en las cosas físicas del mundo, entonces sí que sería un obstáculo serio para realizarte. Pero es un camino breve, de paso, y lo que importará a fin de cuentas, será haber hecho al menos algo bueno. Por eso Jesús añade: “Como el Padre me envió, así os envío”. No somos Jesús, pero la maravilla es que nos invita a participar en su misión. Solo requiere nuestro “Sí”. Seguir a Cristo es desafiante para nuestra vida cómoda y fácil, pero si somos fieles, dará mucho fruto: entonces sabrás que Cristo está realmente vivo – resucitado en ti mismo. Lo que más maravillaba a San Pablo era lo que le pasó a él mismo por dentro. Un orgulloso perseguidor de aquella ‘Secta de Jesús’ llegó a convertirse en una de sus columnas principales. El amor de Cristo simplemente seduce el corazón... y lo transforma. La primera lectura, de los Hechos de los Apóstoles, describe cómo el buen testimonio de la primera comunidad Cristiana ‘habló claramente’ a la gente de aquel tiempo. Damos gracias por ello hoy y a la vez escuchamos a Dios pidiéndonos ‘comunicar claramente’ a generaciones futuras. Muchos dejan la fe hoy al ver tantos cristianos superficiales. Si vivimos a fondo nuestra fe, el mensaje llegará a muchos, y nos lo agradecerán en siglos futuros. El desafío ahora es el de realmente creer en nuestro Señor resucitado. Y claro, la fe no es cuestión de simplemente aparecer en misa cada domingo y participar en la parroquia. Debería ser una fe ‘viva’ que orienta cada paso y nos transforma en ‘Cristos vivos’. La madre de San Agustín (Sta. Mónica) no podía hablar a su hijo en su lenguaje complicado filosófico, pero dio ejemplo claro en casa, y ¡mira el fruto! Conviene acoger la Buena Nueva que nos ha llegado a través de muchos siglos y testimonios, pero Dios quiere que tengamos experiencia personal de ella. ¿Como puede darse esto? No requiere ningún tipo de milagro raro o visión extraña (como Tomás tocando las heridas en las palmas y el costado de Jesús); lo que hace falta es dar tiempo personal a la meditación y contemplación de la Palabra que nos ha llegado. Pensamientos e ideas nos surgen en la mente y es así como nuestro Señor resucitado nos habla y nos da su Vida. Acerca de Tomás y la llamada a la fe, hay mucho que decir, pero aquí pongo sólo algunas ideas. La humanidad puede avanzar mucho en sabiduría, ciencia, y arte, etc., pero algo seguro es que este trozo de carne con huesos va a morir. Por un lado esto parece una tragedia, pero también tiene un aspecto positivo: nos hace buscar un sentido. La perspectiva de la muerte nos hace humildes y nos hace buscar. Es entonces cuando la persona de Cristo, junto con las escrituras y sus seguidores, da fruto. Citando a Francis Bacon: ‘Si un hombre parte de certezas, acaba con dudas, pero si parte de las dudas, puede que acabe con certezas’. Creo que la inteligencia humana está basada en darse cuenta humildemente que ¡hay mucho en la vida que yo no sé! Isaac Newton (1642-1727) ayudó a la humanidad con sus sugerencias e intuiciones más que con demostraciones y pruebas científicas. Había llegado el tiempo en que parecía que la ciencia iba a liberar los secretos del universo; y de ocurrir así, ya no harían más falta las cabezas eclesiásticas. Pero siempre quedan cosas que la ciencia no puede explicar. Solo Dios puede. El desafío para nosotros es prestar atención a la Palabra de Dios. De hecho, Newton mismo acabó muy religioso. Cuando yo era pequeño y aprendía sobre descubrimientos e invenciones, pregunté una vez a mi papá de dónde yo había venido. Él respondió “de Dios”. Yo seguí preguntando “Pero ¿quien es Él? y ¿como es que aparecí yo?”. Estaba buscando algún tipo de explicación sabia de mi padre farmacéutico. Él sabía bien las verdades científicas pero respondió que en el fondo él no lo sabía – que ninguna persona humana podía explicarlo. Aquel “yo no lo sé” humilde fue la mejor forma de ‘abrir puertas’, de preparar el camino para que yo mismo buscase al Dios Padre, y para acoger la Buena Nueva tremenda de nuestra fe. Así empezó mi búsqueda de respuestas. Me encantaría que todos buscáramos un poco – ¡y que al menos abriésemos la puerta! La verdad es que Dios está llamando humildemente a nuestra puerta. Aquello fue la motivación de su encarnación y hoy lo sigue intentando: “Estoy a la puerta y llamo; si alguien me abre, entraré y cenaremos juntos”. (Apoc 3:20). Los apóstoles estaban escondidos; todos nos escondemos a veces, y evitamos mostrarnos claramente como seguidores de Cristo. Ser cristiano no es fácil, pues hay que dar testimonio bueno en el trabajo, en casa y en el juego. Las tentaciones de riquezas, de placeres y de honores crean barreras que Jesús tiene que atravesar. Él puede penetrar, pero no quiere imponerse. ¡Está a la puerta llamando humildemente! .......... Dara. |
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