Children of light

Eph 4:32-5:8

Be generous to one another, sympathetic, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ. As God’s dear children, then, take him as your pattern, and follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up for us as an offering and a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God. Among you there must be not even a mention of sexual vice or impurity in any of its forms, or greed: this would scarcely become the holy people of God! There must be no foul or salacious talk or coarse jokes – all this is wrong for you; there should rather be thanksgiving. For you can be quite certain that nobody who indulges in sexual immorality or impurity or greed – which is worshipping a false god – can inherit the kingdom of God. Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments: it is such behaviour that draws down God’s retribution on those who rebel against him. Make sure that you do not throw in your lot with them. You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord; behave as children of light.

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Solemnity of Christ the King: “My kingdom is not of this world”

According to the traditional calendar, the Solemnity of Christ the King is always celebrated on the last Sunday in October, that is to say, today. We shall therefore devote today’s meditation to this great feast.

Jn 18:33-37

‘Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called Jesus to him and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Jesus replied, ‘Do you ask this of your own accord, or have others said it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? It is your own people and the chief priests who have handed you over to me: what have you done?’ Jesus replied, ‘Mine is not a kingdom of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my men would have fought to prevent my being surrendered to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom does not belong here.’ Pilate said, ‘So, then you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say that I am a king. I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.’

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The need for conversion

Lk 13:1-9

It was just about this time that some people arrived and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than any others, that this should have happened to them? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell, killing them all? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’ He told this parable, ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to his vinedresser, “For three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied, “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.” ‘ Read More

“CONTEMPLATION OF THE TRUTH”

“The soul does not find silence and peace through many reflections, but simply by meditating on the truth.” (St. Peter of Alcántara)

St. Peter of Alcántara, who was endowed with great mystical gifts by God and led an exceptionally ascetic life, points us to this invaluable source of prayer. Time and again, such gifted souls remind us that we should seek simply to dwell in the presence of God.

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Saint John of Capistrano: An unusual calling

What extraordinary stories the lives of the saints tell. They devoted themselves entirely to God’s service, often wearing themselves out in the process. It was his fiery love for God that drove St. John to deeds far beyond what a human being is normally capable of. The mystery of God is revealed!

John of Capistrano was born in Naples in 1386 and was on his way to a distinguished secular career. However, due to political tensions, in which he had actually intended to mediate as an advocate for King Ladislaus of Naples, he was captured and thrown into a fortified tower. Though his treatment was cruel, God used it to lead John to realize that he should serve the heavenly King and renounce the world.

John was released and decided to join the Franciscan Order.

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Obey the truth

Lk 12:49-53

‘In those days Jesus said: ‘ I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on, a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; father opposed to son, son to father, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to mother-in-law.’ Read More