Pope: 'True beauty is caring for others' - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-true-beauty-is-caring-for-others.html
Monday, September 30, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-the true that is done-09-30-24
Words of the Holy Father-the true that is done-09-30-24
It is good for us to reflect on this episode and to perform a small examination of conscience. The disciples’ attitude is very human, very common, and we can observe this in Christian communities throughout history, probably in ourselves as well. In good faith, indeed with zeal, one would like to protect the authenticity of a certain experience, safeguarding the founder or leader from false impersonators. (…) God’s great freedom in giving himself to us represents a challenge and an exhortation to modify our behaviours and our relationships. (…) It is a matter of being more attentive to the authenticity of the good, the beautiful and the true that is done, rather than to the name and the origin of the one who does it. (Angelus, 30 September 2018)
Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Jerome https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50748
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-the fulfilment of God’s plan-09-29-24
Words of the Holy Father-the fulfilment of God’s plan-09-29-24
The Gospel of today’s Liturgy recounts a brief dialogue between Jesus and the Apostle John, who speaks on behalf of the entire group of disciples. They saw a man who was casting out demons in the name of the Lord, but they stopped him because he was not part of their group. At this point, Jesus invited them not to hinder those who do good, because they contribute to the fulfilment of God’s plan (cf. Mk 9:38-41). (…) In short, Jesus’ words reveal a temptation, and offer an exhortation. The temptation is to be “closed off”. The disciples would like to hinder a good deed simply because it is performed by someone who does not belong to their group. They think they have the “exclusive right over Jesus”, and that they are the only ones authorised to work for the Kingdom of God. But this way, they end up feeling that they are privileged and consider others as outsiders, to the extent of becoming hostile towards them. Brothers and sisters, every closure tends in fact to keep us at a distance from those who do not think like we do, and this — we know — is the root of many great evils in
history: of absolutism that has often generated dictatorships and of great violence towards those who are different. (Angelus, 26 September 2021)
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Do not be an obstacle https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50741
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-pray for the grace not to fly from the Cross-09-28-24
Words of the Holy Father-pray for the grace not to fly from the Cross-09-28-24
They were afraid of the Cross. Peter himself, after that solemn confession in the region of Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus again said the same thing, reproaches the Lord: ‘No, Lord! Never! Not this! [said Peter]. He was afraid of the Cross. Not only the disciples, however, not only Peter: Jesus Himself was afraid of the Cross! He could not fool Himself, He knew. So great was Jesus’ own fear that, on that Thursday evening He did sweat blood. So great was Jesus’ fear that He almost said the same as Peter – almost: ‘Father, take this chalice from me. Thy will be done!’ This was the difference. (…) We must pray for the grace not to fly from the Cross when it comes: with fear, eh! That is true. That scares us. (…) Nearest to Jesus, on the Cross, was His mother – His dear mother. Perhaps today, this day in which we pray to her, it would be good to ask her not for the grace to take away our fear – that must come, that fear of the Cross… but the grace we need not to fly from the Cross in fear. She was there and she knows how to be near the Cross. (Santa Marta, 28 September 2013)
Saturday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel in Art: They were afraid to ask him what he meant https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50737
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Friday, September 27, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-Jesus is alive-09-27-24
Words of the Holy Father-Jesus is alive-09-27-24
It is a question we too can ask ourselves: what do people say about Jesus? In general, good things. Many see him as a great teacher, as a special person: good, righteous, consistent, courageous… But is this enough to understand who He is, and above all, is it enough for Jesus? It seems not. If He were simply a person from the past. (…) He would merely be a good memory of a bygone time. And for Jesus, this will not do. Therefore, immediately afterwards, the Lord asks the disciples the decisive question: “But who do you — you! — say that I am?” (v. 15). Who am I for you, now? Jesus does not want to be a key figure from the past; He wants to be an important person for you today, of my today; not a distant prophet: Jesus wants to be the God who is close to us!
Christ, brothers and sisters, is not a memory of the past, but the God of the present. If He were merely an historical figure, to imitate Him today would be impossible: we would find ourselves faced with the great chasm of time, and above all, faced with his example, which is like a very high, unscalable mountain; (…) Instead, Jesus is alive: let us remember this. Jesus is alive, Jesus lives in the Church, He lives in the world, Jesus accompanies us, Jesus is by our side, He offers us His Word, He offers us His grace, which enlighten and refresh us on the journey. (Angelus, 27 August 2023)
Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50729
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-Jesus through the Catechism-09-26-24speak with him in prayer
Words of the Holy Father-Jesus through the Catechism-09-26-24speak with him in prayer
And why, does Jesus create problems. “You cannot know Jesus, without having problems”. You cannot know Jesus “by sitting in first class” or “in the calm”, much less “in the library”. We only come to know Jesus on the daily path of life. We can also come to know him in the Catechism. “It is true! The Catechism, teaches us many things about Jesus, and we should study it, we should learn it”. However, the fact remains that knowing about Jesus through the Catechism “is not enough”: knowing him with the mind is a step in the right direction, but “in order to know Jesus, we need to enter into a dialogue with him. By talking with him, in prayer, on our knees. If you don't pray, if you don't talk to Jesus, you don't know him”. Lastly, there is a third way to know Jesus: “It is by following him, by going with him, by walking with him, by travelling along the road of his ways”. If you know Jesus with these three languages: of mind, heart and action, then you can say that you know Jesus”. Therefore, in order truly to know him, it is necessary to read “what the Church tells us about him, to speak with him in prayer and to walk along the path of his ways with him”. This is the road and “everyone has a decision to make”. (Santa Marta, 26 September 2013)
Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50720
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Pope at Audience: Against the devil's deception, Jesus protects us - Vatican News
Pope at Audience: Against the devil's deception, Jesus protects us - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-francis-general-audience-25-september-2024.html
Words of the Holy Father-Baptism that makes us missionaries-09-25-24
Words of the Holy Father-Baptism that makes us missionaries-09-25-24
This episode of the Gospel also applies to us and not only to priests but to all baptized people called to witness to the Gospel of Christ in the various spheres of life.
(…) No Christian proclaims the Gospel “on his/her own”, but is only sent by the Church who received the mandate from Jesus himself. Indeed it is Baptism that makes us missionaries. A baptized person who does not feel the need to proclaim the Gospel, to proclaim Jesus, is not a good Christian.
The second characteristic of the missionary’s style is, so to speak, a face, which consists in the poverty of means. His accoutrement responds to a criteria of modesty. (…) The Teacher wants them to be free and unhampered, without reserves and without favours, certain only of the love of the One who sends them, strengthened only by his Word which they go to proclaim. (…) They were not officials or business people, but rather humble workers of the Kingdom. This was the face they had. And to this “face” also belongs the way the message is received: it can happen that one is not welcomed or listened to. This too is poverty: the experience of failure. The experience of Jesus who was rejected and crucified anticipates the destiny of his messenger. And only if we are united to Him, who died and Rose, can we find the courage to evangelize. (Angelus, 15 July 2018)
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Take neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50711
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-mother and his brethren are outside-09-24-24
Words of the Holy Father-mother and his brethren are outside-09-24-24
We can dwell a little on this word: family. Because it is a reality that has changed a great deal, and is changing, (…) But (…) true newness has been brought to this world by one only: Jesus Christ. The true revolution of the family was done by him. And he also renewed, transformed, the family. (…) We are told by an episode of the Gospel, where there is one of those words of Jesus that leave us disconcerted, that throw us into crisis. The three synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell it. Jesus is preaching in the midst of his disciples and other people, and at a certain point they say to him that his mother and his brethren are outside. (…) He turns to those around him and says: “Here are my mother and my brethren!”, adding, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother” (cf. Mt 12:46-50; Mk 3:31-35; Lk 8:19-21). (…) This word of Jesus radically renewed the family, so that the strongest, most important bond for us Christians is no longer that of blood, but of the love of Christ. His love transforms the family, freeing it from the dynamics of selfishness, which derive from the human condition and from sin; he frees it and enriches it with a new bond, even stronger but free, not dominated by the interests and
conventions of kinship, but animated by gratitude, recognition, and reciprocal service. (Speeches, Diocese of Asti, 5 May 2023)
Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Monday, September 23, 2024
Pope Francis: True greatness can be found in caring for the weakest
Pope Francis: True greatness can be found in caring for the weakest https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50693
Words of the Holy Father-Shining lamps This is the Christian vocation-09-23-24
Words of the Holy Father-Shining lamps This is the Christian vocation-09-23-24
This mission of giving light to the world is so beautiful! We have this mission, and it is beautiful! It is also beautiful to keep the light we have received from Jesus, protecting it and safeguarding it. The Christian should be a luminous person; one who brings light, who always gives off light! A light that is not his, but a gift from God, a gift from Jesus. We carry this light. If a Christian extinguishes this light, his life has no meaning: he is a Christian by name only, who does not carry light; his life has no meaning. (…) It is truly God who gives us this light and we must give it to others. Shining lamps! This is the Christian vocation. (Angelus, 9 February 2014)
Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50694
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-not to be served, but to serve-09-22-24
Words of the Holy Father-not to be served, but to serve-09-22-24
Today, the word “service” appears a bit hackneyed, worn out by use. But it has a precise and concrete meaning in the Gospel. To serve is not a courteous expression: it means to act like Jesus, who, summing up his life in a few words, said he had come “not to be served, but to serve” (Mk 10:45). This is what the Lord said. Therefore, if we want to follow Jesus, we must follow the path he himself traced out, the path of service. (…) Jesus embraces those children and says that those who welcome a little one, a child, welcome him (cf. v. 37). The ones who are to be served above all are: those in need of receiving who cannot give anything in return. To serve those who need to receive and cannot give anything in return. In welcoming those on the margins, the neglected, we welcome
Jesus because He is there. And in the little one, in the poor person we serve, we also receive God’s tender embrace. (…) Let us ask ourselves: Am I, who follow Jesus, interested in the one who is neglected? (…) And, concretely: do I dedicate time to a “little one”, to a person who has no means to pay me back? Am I concerned about someone who cannot give me anything in return, or only with my relatives and friends? (Angelus, 19 September 2021)
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Anyone who welcomes one of these little children, welcomes me https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50685
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Words of the Holy Father- Matthew a “publican-a collaborator,Jesus that sees the other,love-09-21-24
Words of the Holy Father- Matthew a “publican-a collaborator,Jesus that sees the other,love-09-21-24
Few people saw Matthew as he was: they knew him as the one who was “sitting at the tax office” (v. 9). He was, in fact, a tax collector: that is, someone who collected taxes on behalf of the Roman empire that occupied Palestine. In other words, he was a collaborator, a traitor to the people. We can imagine the contempt the people felt for him: he was a “publican”, as they were called. But in the eyes of Jesus, Matthew is a man, with both his miseries and his greatness.
Be aware of this: Jesus does not stop at the adjective — Jesus always seeks out the noun. “This person is a sinner, he’s that kind of person…” these are adjectives: Jesus goes to the person, to the heart, “This is a person, this is a man, this is a woman”. (…) This gaze of Jesus that sees the other, whoever he may be as the recipient of love, is really beautiful and it is the beginning of evangelizing passion. Everything starts from this gaze, which we learn from Jesus. (…) We can ask ourselves: what is our gaze like towards others? (General Audience, 11 January 2023)
Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50681
Friday, September 20, 2024
Words of the Holy Father- the heroism of women-09-20-24
Words of the Holy Father- the heroism of women-09-20-24
It is undeniable that women contribute to the common good in their own unique way. We see this already in sacred Scripture, where women frequently play a critical role at decisive moments in salvation history. We think of Sarah, Rebecca, Judith, Susanna and Ruth, culminating with Mary and the women who followed Jesus even to the cross, where – let us not forget – the only man who remained was John, the others all departed. Only the courageous remained, and they were women. Then too, in the history of the Church, we can think of women like Catherine of Siena, Josephine Bakhita, Edith Stein, Teresa of Calcutta, but also of the “women next door”, those who heroically put up with difficult marriages, children with problems... such is the heroism of women. Apart from the clichés of a certain genre of hagiography, these are all women of impressive determination, courage, fidelity, remarkable for their ability to persevere, even amid suffering, and to communicate joy, integrity, humility and firm resolve. (…) Our history abounds in women of this kind, whether famous or anonymous (albeit not to God!): women who have inspired and sustained the journey of families, societies and the Church. (…) That is why, as the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council wrote, it can be said that: “at this time, when humanity is experiencing such profound changes, women… can greatly assist mankind from degenerating”. (Speeches, Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice, 11 March 2023)
Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: The women who accompanied Jesus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50673
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Words of the Holy Father- love, a mercy which goes beyond justice-09-19-24
Words of the Holy Father- love, a mercy which goes beyond justice-09-19-24
This woman has truly encountered the Lord. In silence, she opened her heart; in sorrow, she showed repentance for her sins; by her tears, she appealed to divine goodness to receive forgiveness. For her there will be no judgment but that which comes from God, and this is the judgment of mercy. The hero of this encounter is certainly love, a mercy which goes beyond justice. Simon, the master of the house, the Pharisee, on the contrary, doesn’t manage to find the road of love. Everything is calculated, everything is thought out.... He stands firm on the threshold of formality. It is an unpleasant thing, formal love, he doesn’t understand. (…) Jesus’ reminder urges each of us never to stop at the surface of things, especially when we have a person before us. We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart in order to see how much generosity everyone is capable of. No one can be excluded from the mercy of God. (…) With how much love He heals our sinful heart! Our sins never scare Him. (Homily, Celebration of penance, 13 March 2015)
Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: A woman brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50666
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-Am I resistant to the salvation of Jesus-09-18-24 My way
Words of the Holy Father-Am I resistant to the salvation of Jesus-09-18-24 My way
Jesus says to them: “I don’t understand you! You are like those children: we played the flute for you and you didn’t dance; we sang a sad song for you and you didn’t weep. What do you want?”. The answer is again: “We want salvation to be done our way”. It comes back to this “closure” to God’s modus operandi. (…) The “tragedy of resistance to salvation” leads one not to believe “in mercy and in forgiveness” but in sacrifice. And it compels one to want “everything well organized, everything definite”. It is “a tragedy”, which “even each one of us has inside”. For this reason let us examine our conscience: “How do I want to be saved? My way? (…) I believe that Jesus is the master who teaches us salvation or do I go everywhere to hire a guru who teaches me about another one?”. (…) All these questions, which will do us good to ask ourselves today: “Am I resistant to the salvation of Jesus?”. (Santa Marta, 3 October 2014)
Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: What description can I find for the men of this generation? https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50658
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Words of the Holy Father- Mercy is a journey that starts in the heart 09-17-24 and your heart is new
Words of the Holy Father- Mercy is a journey that starts in the heart 09-17-24 and your heart is new
Before the young man, revived and restored to his mother, “fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’ and ‘God has visited his people!’”. What Jesus does is thus not only a saving action intended for the widow and her son, or a gesture of goodness limited to that town. In Jesus’ merciful care, God meets his people, in Him all of God’s grace appears and will continue to appear to mankind. (…) Mercy, both in Jesus and in ourselves, is a journey which starts in the heart in order to reach the hands. What does this mean? Jesus looks at you, he heals you with his mercy, he says to you: “Arise!”, and your heart is new. What does it mean to make a journey from the heart to the hands? It means that with a new heart, with the heart healed by Jesus I can perform works of mercy through the hands, seeking to help, to heal the many who are in need. Mercy is a journey that starts in the heart and ends in the hands, namely in the works of mercy. (General audience 10 August 2016)
Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: 'Do not cry' He said to the widow of Nain https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50650
Monday, September 16, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-the Roman centurion-09-16-24 poverty of our prayer
Words of the Holy Father-the Roman centurion-09-16-24 poverty of our prayer
Perhaps the most moving acknowledgment of the poverty of our prayer came from the lips of the Roman centurion who one day begged Jesus to heal his sick servant (cf. Mt 8:5–13). He felt totally inadequate: he was not a Jew, he was an officer in the detested occupying army. But his concern for his servant emboldens him, and he says: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8). It is the phrase we also repeat in every Eucharistic liturgy. To dialogue with God is a grace: we are not worthy of it, we have no rights to claim, we “limp” with every word and every thought... But Jesus is the door that opens us to this dialogue with God. (…) This closeness of God that opens us up to dialogue with him. A God who loves humanity: we would never have had the courage to believe in him, had we not known Jesus. The knowledge of Jesus made us understand this, it revealed this to us. (General audience, 3 March 2021)
Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Saints Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian, Martyrs https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50642
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Words of the Holy Father-You are the Christ-09-15-24- we must deny ourselves,
Words of the Holy Father-You are the Christ-09-15-24- we must deny ourselves,
The Lord wants his disciples of yesterday and today to establish a personal relationship with him, and thus to embrace him at the centre of their life. For this reason he spurs them to face themselves honestly, and he asks: “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 29). Today, Jesus addresses this very direct and confidential question to each of us: (…) Who am I for you?”. Each person is called to respond, in his or her heart, allowing each one to be illuminated by the light that the Father gives us in order to know his Son Jesus. And it can also happen to us, as it did to Peter, that we passionately affirm: “You are the Christ”. However, when Jesus tells us clearly what he told the disciples, that is, that his mission is fulfilled not on the wide road to success, but on the arduous path of the suffering,
humiliated, rejected and crucified Servant, then it can also happen that we, like Peter, might protest and rebel because this contrasts with our expectations, with worldly expectations. In those moments, we too deserve Jesus’ healthy rebuke: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God,
but of men”. Brothers and sisters, the profession of faith in Jesus Christ cannot stop at words, but calls to be authenticated by practical choices and gestures, by a life characterized by God’s love; it calls for a great life, a life with an abundance of love for neighbour. Jesus tells us that to follow him, to be his disciples, we must deny ourselves, that is, the demands of our own selfish pride, and take up our own cross. (Angelus, 16 September 2018)
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html
Gospel in Art: Jesus rebuked Peter https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50634
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