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Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
Dear Friends,
Here is a touching story of Sister Helen, a Franciscan nun, at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Morris,
Minnesota. The story is reported to be true. Sister was asked to write an article on education for Proteus
magazine. The story was later printed in Reader’s Digest.
One day Sister Helen asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets
of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about
each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment,
and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name
of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.
On Monday, Sister gave each student their list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she
heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much."
were most of the comments. No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed
them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The
students were happy with themselves and one another.
That group of students moved on. Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his
teacher attended the funeral of that special student.
Sister Helen had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. Her former student looked so
handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk
by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as
pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark
talked about you a lot." After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's
mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher. "We want to show you something," his
father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you
might recognize it." Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had
obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were
the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him. "Thank you so
much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it." All of Mark's former classmates
started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of
my desk at home." Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album." "I have mine too,"
Marilyn said. "It's in my diary." Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet
and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times, " Vicki said and without
batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists." That's when the teacher finally sat down and
cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.
The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know
when that one day will be. So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important.
Tell them, before it is too late.
My Grandmother had a saying that I never forgot: “Give me my flowers while I’m living”. I’ve tried to
follow that teaching in my ministry. If you know anyone who may need some affirmation or just a call from you
to cheer them up, do it now. Those flowers are much more fragrant and long lasting than those we put in a vase.
Have a nice week!
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
“We know that all things work for good for those who love
God, who are called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28)
We need your help for the 2012-2013 religious education
school year! Please volunteer to extend the love for the
Lord and his Church to the children of Nativity; teachers, assistant teachers, substitutes, and babysitters are needed.
The Volunteer Application form is available in the
Religious Education Office and on website: www. nativityburke.org; click on Religious Education;
then click on Volunteer Opportunities, or call the Religious
Education Office at 703.455.0372.
Receive an Early Bird Discount; register your child(ren)
by August 26, (tuition increases after August 26.) Don’t
delay; some classes are already closed! Important: a
student’s baptismal certificate must be included with the form (including students baptized at Nativity) unless the
certificate is already on file in the Religious Education
Office. Registration forms are available in the Religious Education Office, on the community board in the church
vestibule, and at website: www.nativityburke.org; click on
Religious Education; then click on Student Registration.
Vatican II and Scripture – Prior to the Second Vatican Council which took place from 1962-65, Catholics very seldom read the Bible.
Having grown up during that time I can attest to being told that reading scripture was not recommended, for
we, the laity, might misinterpret the meaning found in the sacred Books. Pope John XXIII and his Council brought a dramatic change to that way of thinking. Now Catholics participate in scripture study and discus-
sion groups all around the world. Vatican II opened up the Bible by recognizing and stressing the presence of
God in the Liturgy of the Word proclaimed. It also wanted the People of God (that’s us), to have an ever-deepening percep-
tion of our faith and of the history of salvation. So since Vatican II, each of the four Gospels is read in its entirety through-out the course of a three-year period. These are known as Cycle A – Matthew, Cycle B – Mark, and Cycle C – Luke. The
Gospel of John is read on various Sundays during each year. During the Mass, the First Reading on a Sunday is generally
taken from the Old Testament. (An exception to this occurs during the Easter Season when the First Reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles.) This is followed by the Responsorial Psalm which has the same theme as the Old Testament
Reading. The Second Reading comes from a letter written by an Apostle or from the Book of Revelation. These three
Readings support the Gospel text. Listening to the Word of God each Sunday is meant to give us strength as we face the
challenges in our world today.
Monday, June 25 Father’s Day Novena Mass 7:30am Fr. Martin
Tuesday, June 26 Daniel E. Skuchko 7:30am Fr. Martin
Wednesday, June 27 Father’s Day Novena Mass 7:30am Fr. Martin
Thursday, June 28 Gladys Cacciapuodi 7:30am Fr. Korpi
Friday, June 29 Father’s Day Novena Mass 7:30am Fr. Korpi
Saturday, June 30
Father’s Day Novena Mass 9:00am Fr. Korpi Margarita Torres Cuellar 5:00pm Fr. Wilson
Spanish Mass 7:00pm Fr. Wilson
Sunday, July 1
Walter & Dorothy Cronin 7:30am Fr. Korpi
John Caiazzo 9:00am Fr. Wilson
Felisa Punla 11:00am Fr. Korpi Gladys Zaptin 12:45am Fr. Ekeocha
THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
I’ve learned that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted
with a smile.
Andy Rooney
ADVERTISER OF THE WEEK
Studio 39
Joseph J. Plumpe
Landscape Architect
703-719-6500
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
PRO-LIFE CORNER
The “Fortnight For Freedom”
continues. On April 12, 2012, the USCCB called for a “Fortnight For
Freedom”, a 14-day period of prayer, education and action
in support of religious freedom, from June 21 – July 4, 2012. Access http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/
religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/ for more
information. At this site, please also access the USCCB’s
full document “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty”.
A WOMAN’S CHOICE is a pregnancy resource center
that provides free pregnancy testing, referrals for medical treatment, housing, social service assistance and tangible
support for pregnant women, including clothing and
equipment. (703-538-4305).
Pregnancy Resource Centers Phone Numbers:
Catholic Charities National: 1-800-CARE-002
Catholic Charities Local: 703-425-0100
A Woman's Choice: 703-538-4305
Gabriel Project: 1-866-444-3553
Before Mass Be Thoughtful
Be Silent, Be Reverent,
Speak with the Lord
During Mass Allow the Lord to speak to you
After Mass
Speak to one another
TOUR THE WINDOWS OF OUR
CHURCH HOME
During the summer, we will
take a tour of the beautiful
stained glass windows in
our Church. Many of us do
not realize that all have a
deep spiritual history. We
hope that this will become
evident as you take the time
to study these beautiful
works of art. The windows in the photo are the panels on
the left side of the front of the Church.
There are four themes depicted in the stained glass
windows of our Church. They are the Nativity of Our
Lord, the Seven Sacraments, the three theological virtues
of faith, hope and charity and the precious gift of our
children. We hope that this will enlighten you to delve
deeper into the meaning of these works of art.
COOKING WITH THE SAINTS
Friday June 29th 9:30 to 11:30
We will be making St John's Day
bread and we will learn about the
feast of the birth of St. John the Baptist.
This is a child friendly activity.
Children will have their own dough to make into a shape. We will learn about St. John the Bap-
tist and the custom of baking the rolls.
Please call or email if you want to come so I know how much dough to bring. There is a $1.00 fee to cover supplies.
POC: Laura Wells @ [email protected]
703-455-5498 (Please call between 9 am and 7 pm M-F) Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Sunday, September 30 at 6:00 pm
Reston Town Center
11900 Market Street
Reston, VA 20190
The walk is free to register and free to participate.
However, donations are always welcome and much
appreciated.
ARE YOU 50 OR BETTER?
Please join us for the next Lunch N’ Life sponsored
by the Shepherd’s Center of Fairfax-Burke on
Thursday, July 19, 2012, (12:00 - 2:00pm ) at Burke
Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke.
Program presenter will be Virginia State Senator of
the 34th district, John “Chap” Peterson. For
reservations, call Faye Quesenberry,
703-620-0161, by July 12th. The cost is $8.00;
checks payable to SCFB. If transportation is needed,
call the SCFB office 703-323-4788.
Visit www.fairfax-burkesc.org
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
Monday, June 25 8:00 pm……………………………....AA Meeting (APR)
Tuesday, June 26 9:30 am…………………….……...….Bible Study (APR)
Wednesday, June 27 7:00 pm………………...…...Hispanic Prayer Group (SC)
7:30 pm……………….…………..Legion of Mary (APR)
Thursday, June 28 9:30 am……………………………...Craft Group (APR)
7:15 pm………………...…Prayer Group Meeting (APR)
7:30 pm…………………….Adult Choir Rehearsal (CH)
Saturday, June 30
10:00 am………....…………... Dog Obedience Class (PL)
New Officer Installation. All Knights are invited to the
Installation of our new Council Officers on Sunday, 24 Jun 2012 at 2:30pm in the Church of the Nativity. A simple
reception will follow in the vestibule in the rear of the
Church. Please come and join us!
TWO WORDS: "THE YARD SALE IS COMING!"
It is less than a month away! Collections for Nativity's Annual Yard Sale for Charity
sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Father
Vincent S. Sikora Council 7992 begin
Thursday, July 12, 2012 and continue through Thursday July 19, 2012. Your donations are tax-deductible
and appreciated. The yard sale will be on Saturday, July 21,
2012.
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
WHO IS THIS MAN?
In chemistry, He turned water into wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception.
In physics, He disproved the law of gravity when He
ascended into Heaven.
In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing returns
by feeding 5,000 people with two fishes and five loaves of
bread.
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without
administering a single dose of drugs.
In government, He said that He shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace.
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except
through Him.
He had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Who is this Man? Jesus, who loves us! Let’s celebrate
Him!
via Lowell B. Yoder
SUMMER CAMPS
Summer Camps, Classes and Sports at JP the Great There is still time to register for summer camps and clas-ses at JP the Great! Sports include baseball, cheer, foot-
ball, basketball, and soccer. Academic (for credit) classes
include algebra and geometry. Enrichment classes include SAT prep, rocketry, and crime scene forensics! Many
more offerings, and registration info may be found
at www.jpthegreat.org or by
e-mailing [email protected] or calling (703) 445-
0376. Open to middle and high school-aged students.
Bishop Ireton High School announces its 2012 summer camp offerings at its Alexandria campus. The variety of
camps includes theater, basketball, soccer, football, base-
ball, lacrosse and crew. For a brochure and a registration form please email [email protected] or call 703-
212-5190.
Camp St. Charles-Boys & Girls Catholic Over-night Summer Camp. A fully accredited camp with the Ameri-
can Camp Association in Southern Maryland is run by the
Salvatorian Fathers, Brothers and lay Salvatorians for over 60 years. For more information visit their website at
www.campstcharles.com or call 703-934-8799.
Paul VI High School Girls Soccer Camp, for
girls ages 7-13, developing technique and tactics
in a positive environment. July 9-13, 2012 9
AM - 3 PM $185
Contact Coach Meg Ashley @ 703-352-0927 x503 for more info.
Pray the Rosary for World Peace.
Arlington Catholic Herald Summer Schedule
The Arlington Catholic Herald
will switch to its bi-weekly print
schedule for the summer months of June, July and August but its
website will be updated on a daily basis so visit
www.catholicherald.com for current news and information. You can follow the Herald via Twitter and
Facebook as well.
VACATIONING THIS SUMMER
DON’T FORGET TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS
FOR MASS SCHEDULES VISIT
www.masstimes.org
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
Prime Time Single Catholics
Ages 39 and up
Point of Contact John McBride (703)820-9196
e-mail - [email protected]
Every Monday, 10 a.m. (except holidays) weather
permitting, Social Golf at the par 3 Burke Lake Golf Center, Rose Sexton (703)644-4841
Sunday, June 24, 7:00 p.m. Multi course Moroccan dinner at Casa Blanca in Alexandria. Call John McBride
703-820-9196
Wednesday, June 27, 11:30 a.m. Lunch at Clare and Don's Beach Shack in Falls Church. Call Joan Donahue at
703-866-5936
Thursday, June 28, 11:30 a.m. Weekly luncheon at
Hunan West. Call John McBride at 703-820-9196
Thursday, June 28, 6:00 p.m. Home Mass and Potluck
dinner with Father Mark Moretti, our Spiritual Advisor.
Call Carol Maier at 703-503-7285
Saturday, June 30, 10:00 a.m. Air and Space Museum in
Chantilly, Virginia. Lunch to follow. Call Andrew
McLaughlin at 703-820-5156
Partial Summer Schedule for The Institute of Catholic
Culture
One Mediator between God & Man: A Catholic
Understanding of Mary & the Saints
Rev. Daniel F. Hanley
Tuesdays, July 10 & 17 @ 7:30 pm EST
St. Michael Church Hall
7401 Saint Michael’s Lane, Annandale, VA 22003
The Nature of Beauty & the Catholic Tradition
Mark Wunsch, PhD
Saturday, July 21 @ 10:00 am EST (no internet broadcast) Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22102
The Nature of Beauty & the Catholic Tradition: Beauty &
Sacred Architecture
Denis McNamara, PhD
Sunday, July 29 @ 6:00 pm EST
St. James Catholic Church – Heller Hall
905 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
The Nature of Beauty & the Catholic Tradition: Beauty &
Sacred Music George Harne, PhD
Sunday, August 5 @ 7:30 pm EST
Our Lady of Hope Church Hall
46639 Algonkian Parkway, Potomac Falls, VA 20165
The Nature of Beauty & the Catholic Tradition: Beauty &
Sacred Art
David Clayton, PhD
Friday, August 10 and Sunday, August 12 @ 7:30 pm EST
St. Ambrose Church Hall, 3901 Woodburn Road, Annandale,
VA 22003
Treasures of the Church: An Educational Exposition of
Sacred Relics
Rev. Carlos Martins, CC
Tuesday, July 24 @ 7:30 pm EST
St. John the Beloved Church Hall, 6420 Linway Terrace,
McLean, VA 22101
Cristeros: The Story of the Mexican Revolution
Christopher Check
Friday, August 17 @ 7:30 pm EST
St. Leo the Great Church Hall 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030
Volunteers Needed at the Basilica of the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception
Are you looking for an opportunity to grow in your own
faith and extend that gift to others through your personal witness and service to the Church? We invite you to
become a volunteer docent or receptionist at the Basilica of
the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Hours and days are flexible and training will be provided. We
also need volunteer nurses or doctors to assist at large
events at the Shrine. Anyone interested please contact Sister Miriam, R.S.M., at the Basilica (202) 526-8300, ext. 111, or
Migration and Refugee Services in Need of Donated
Computers Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Service is looking for computers for refugee children arriving in the
Arlington Diocese. Requested system
requirements: Pentium 3 or newer processor, and Windows XP or above. All donations are tax-deductible. For more
information, please contact Rebecca Ruiz [email protected]
or call (703) 841-3891.
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
SOMOS DEDO DEL SEÑOR?
San Juan Bautista
Javier Leoz
Uno de los hándicap existentes para el encuentro cara a cara, entre Dios y el hombre de
hoy, son las innumerables barreras que se levantan ante nosotros: sociológicas,
ambientales, económicas, culturales, o ideológicas: condicionan muchísimo a la hora de
ejercer la libertad religiosa en la actualidad.
1.San Juan Bautista es un “rompe-muros”. Nos hace tomar conciencia de
nuestras propias fragilidades. De aquello que nos separa o distancia del Señor.
Acercarse a este personaje es arriesgarnos a sentirnos provocados por su estilo de vida.
Es abrir los ojos hacia el futuro marcado por Dios y desde Dios.
-“Convertíos” era la palabra preferida y profética del precursor. ¿De qué? ¿Por
qué? ¿Hacia quién? Son las respuestas de la coyuntura que nos rodea.
-Regresar de una vida fácil y cómoda. Su desierto, para nosotros, es una interpelación muy seria a retirarnos de
vez en cuando a esos espacios de silencio y de reflexión donde pueda hablarnos con todas las consecuencias Dios.
-Retornar del desencuentro con Jesús. Pensamos que ya lo tenemos. Que, nuestra fe, ya está totalmente resuelta
con unas prácticas más o menos piadosas. Pero ¿hemos abrazado a Cristo con todas las consecuencias?
-Escaparnos de la grandeza. Juan llevó una vida austera y sencilla. Su forma de vida contrastaba, y denunciaba,
aquellas otras que estaban montadas sobre la riqueza o la simple apariencia.
2.San Juan Bautista es el último gran profeta del Antiguo Testamento. Aquel que, con valentía y
comprometiendo su propia sangre, apuntó con su dedo, con sus sentimientos, obras y con su Palabra al Salvador.
¿Somos nosotros testimonio vivo y real del Señor? ¿Lo señalamos con el índice de nuestra vida cristiana?
¿Cuándo se nos exige dar razón de Él, lo damos a conocer o instalamos la sordina de la vergüenza o
timidez?¿Somos camino o laberinto para que otras personas puedan llegar a la comprensión y encuentro
de Jesús?
3.La Nueva Evangelización no depende tanto de lo que la Iglesia a nivel institucional proyecte, piense,
haga, diga o plantee sino de los cristianos de a pie (especialmente las familias) que demuestren una actitud
valiente, constante y decidida para trasmitir la fe.
Hoy, muchos padres, han dejado de señalar con su dedo al cielo. Nos encontramos con hijos que viven perdidos
en el desierto de la incredulidad. No porque ellos lo hayan elegido sino porque, nadie, les ha hablado de Aquel
que es Hijo de Dios, nació en Belén, murió en Jerusalén y al resucitar nos dio vida nueva.
Hoy, muchos religiosos y sacerdotes, tenemos miedo a predicar la austeridad, el evangelio sin remiendos, la
autenticidad de la Iglesia, el vigor del Evangelio ante una sociedad caprichosa y decadente
Hoy, muchos medios católicos, dejan de ser referencia y altavoz de los valores evangélicos y los silencian por
temor a perder clientela o por ser tachados de confesionales.
Por ello mismo, San Juan Bautista, nos espabila y nos pone en el lugar que nos corresponde: ¡CONVERTÍOS!
Adentrémonos por el camino de Jesucristo. Que nadie nos aparte de Él. Y en las pequeñas cosas, sembrando de
nuevo el Evangelio, podemos ser más grandes que el mismo Juan. Y no lo digo yo…lo dice el mismo Jesucristo.
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
Aprende tu fe QUE YO, SEÑOR, TAMBIÉN TE
ANUNCIE Por mis senderos y mis propias calles
llevando a los que me rodean a tu CAMINO
y te conozcan y te amen
al igual que yo lo hago contigo.
Que en medio de tantos desiertos
de los que te buscan y no te encuentran
de los que andan perdidos y no quieren dar contigo
de los que te conocieron y te olvidaron
nunca me eche atrás, oh Señor,
y siga siendo heraldo de tu Evangelio
pregonero de tus gracias y de tu presencia
altavoz de tus verdades grandes y ciertas
QUE YO, SEÑOR, TAMBIÉN TE ANUNCIE
Con mis palabras, pero sobre todo, con mi vida
Con mi alegría, pero ante todo, con mi corazón
Con mi fuerza, pero siempre, con tu Espíritu
Con mi convencimiento, pero con tu auxilio
QUE YO, SEÑOR, TAMBIÉN TE ANUNCIE
Que sea profeta en este mundo incierto
en el que sobra la palabrería
y echamos en falta palabras de amor y de consuelo
Que sea un pequeño profeta, oh Señor,
y, como Juan Bautista, comunique tu llegada
que, hoy y aquí, sigues vivo entre nosotros
empujando y sosteniendo a tu Iglesia
alimentando las esperanzas de tu pueblo
dando testimonio de que, Tú, eres el Hijo de Dios.
Tú, Cordero de Dios, que vienes a salvarnos
bendícenos con tu mano siempre abierta
y que, lejos de fatigarnos,
nos des la fuerza del Espíritu Santo
para seguir siendo voces de tu Reino.
Amén.
Javier Leoz
¿Qué esconde y qué revela el corazón de un hombre?
Autor: P Evaristo Sada LC
Juan Pablo II dijo a los jóvenes en
París el 1 de julio de 1980: "Toda la
historia de la humanidad es la historia de la necesidad de amar y de
ser amado. El corazón humano es un
buscador apasionado. Siempre está en busca de amar y de ser amado. Si
conoces lo que busca, lo que sueña, a
qué se adhiere, entonces conocerás lo
que esconde. Su búsqueda lo revela." Donde está tu tesoro, allí estará tu corazón (Lc 12, 34)
El corazón nos habla de todo lo que es propio de un hombre. A través del corazón podemos penetrar todo
nuestro ser (Sal 102,1), lo más profundo y genuino de cada
persona. Si conocemos y tocamos el corazón de una
persona, llegamos a su centro, a lo más íntimo. A "todo
lo que se expresa como persona única e irrepetible en su
yo íntimo y, al mismo tiempo, en su trascendencia." (Juan
Pablo II, Vancouver, 1984)
Vamos al corazón de Jesús de Nazaret. Si tomamos los
evangelios y si hacemos memoria de cómo es Él con nosotros, encontramos un corazón manso, que escucha,
que acompaña, que se conmueve, que conecta con los
sentimientos más profundos del que tiene delante y se
compadece, un corazón que sufre; un corazón profundo, que es todo entrega.
En el caso de Jesús, Dios hecho hombre, su corazón
humano esconde el misterio de la Trinidad y nos revela
el amor de Dios, la intimidad y la trascendencia del amor
divino. Por eso, la devoción al Sagrado Corazón de Jesús nos propone contemplar el amor divino en el corazón
humano de Jesús.
"¡Si los hombres de hoy, y especialmente los cristianos, llegasen a descubrir de nuevo las maravillas que se pueden
conocer y gozar en la celda interior, y más aún en el
Corazón de Cristo! ¡Entonces, sí, el hombre volvería a encontrarse a sí mismo, las razones de su dignidad, el
fundamento de cada uno de sus valores, la altura de su
vocación eterna!" (Juan Pablo II, 29/IV/1980)
Website: www.nativityburke.org TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 24, 2012
Nuestra oración ha de estar centrada en el corazón de Cristo. ¿Lo está? En la meditación diaria tomamos los
evangelios, nuestra propia experiencia junto a Él y la de
tantos otros, y buscamos conocer quién es Jesús, cómo es,
cómo siente, qué le hace sufrir y cómo sufre, qué le gusta, cuáles son sus ilusiones, cómo trata a sus amigos y a sus
enemigos, en qué sueña, qué le preocupa, cuándo se aflige,
qué le conmueve, qué busca, a quién busca, con quién se detiene, cómo reacciona, cuándo se alegra, cuándo llora,
cómo llora, a quién ama, cómo ama... ¿Es así nuestra
oración?
En la meditación nos detenemos a mirar y contemplar la
mirada de Jesús. Mirándole descubrimos que él nos estaba
mirando primero y que "el Señor mira el corazón" (1 S 16,7) Su mirada es pura, infunde paz y seguridad. Y ese
intercambio de miradas entre tú y Jesús en la oración, te
introduce en el conocimiento interno de Jesús, bajo la acción del Espíritu Santo, y despierta en ti una fascinación
y un deseo de ser su amigo, de amarle y seguirle. Así, la
contemplación del corazón humano de Jesús en la oración
es la puerta para entrar en la intimidad de la comunión
trinitaria.
De nuevo nos encontramos con el costado traspasado: Acerca aquí tu dedo y mira mis manos; trae tu mano y
métela en mi costado (Jn 20, 27) Es una invitación a
escrutar la intimidad del amor de Dios que se encarnó, murió yresucitó. Y ya verás, si en la oración introduces la
mano, la mente y el corazón en el amor del corazón de
Cristo, encontrarás que su bondad es poderosa; a esa
omnipotencia en el manar de su bondad la llamamos:
Misericordia.
Jesús para el hombre de hoy
Autor: P. José Luis Richard
La memoria del hombre no es infalible. Existe la famosa curva del olvido:
después de aprender algo, poco a poco el
tiempo lo oscurece y confunde y quizá
hasta lo borra. Algo así parece que ha pasado
con la imagen de Cristo. Ha sufrido esa
misma curva del olvido. Muchos hombres aún distinguen una imagen más
o menos clara de Cristo aunque algo desfigurada. Otros la
ven ya un poco borrosa. Algunos la han perdido. Hoy Cristo
nos pregunta la opinión que de Él tiene el mundo como aquel día preguntó a sus discípulos en Cesarea de Filipo:
¿Quién dice la muchedumbre que soy yo?
También nosotros tendríamos que responderle: "los hombres dicen que eres Elías o uno de los antiguos
profetas". Hablan de Cristo como si se tratara de un
monumento histórico o de un personaje legendario. Para
muchos hombres Cristo ha perdido su actualidad. No ejerce atractivo en el mundo. Su doctrina ha pasado de
moda. No tiene nada que enseñar a los hombres tan
avanzados de hoy. Otros comparan a Cristo con Juan el Bautista. Lo
creen demasiado sobrio y difícil, demasiado austero. Les
parece demasiado exigente y su doctrina muy pesada para los hombres de hoy. O quizá ellos son demasiado cómodos
y buscan llegar a la cima sin moverse ni sudar.
Ciertamente reconocen la validez de su doctrina pero no se
animan a hacerla propia. Preferirían alcanzar a Cristo más fácilmente. Ser
virtuosos, pero sin esfuerzo. Desearían que Cristo no
hubiera hablado de cruz, que se hubiera limitado a contarles esas cosas tan bonitas del cielo, del banquete, de
los lirios del campo...
En cambio, Pedro exclama, jubiloso, su experiencia de Cristo: Tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios
vivo.
No sabe bien todavía cómo ha llegado a esa
conclusión pero su corazón asiente a lo que acaba de decir. Al inicio él había seguido a Cristo atraído por su liderazgo,
su personalidad. El rostro de Cristo irradiaba alegría y
atractivo. Nadie como Él de íntegro: buscaban prenderlo pero no encontraban falta alguna en él. Ninguno tan recio
y varonil y, al mismo tiempo, tan cariñoso con los niños y
bondadoso con los enfermos y pecadores. Sabía apreciar
mejor que nadie la belleza de una flor, del lago, del cielo... Después Jesús había confirmado su fe incipiente
con imponentes milagros, le había enseñado, orientado...
incluso le había corregido varias veces. También le había puesto a prueba alguna vez, pero su amistad se había
mantenido firme: "Señor, ¿a quién iremos? Sólo Tú tienes
palabras de vida eterna" (Jn 6, 68). Y ahora que Jesús se enfrenta con la hostilidad y
el rechazo y ha tenido que abandonar Jerusalén, él le
vuelve a reiterar su fe y su adhesión. Pero en esta ocasión,
sus palabras denotan ya mayor profundidad y emoción: Tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios vivo.
Tres experiencias de Cristo. Tres fotos. Pero
válida sólo la que sacó Pedro. Los otros se la sacaron a un fantasma, no al Cristo auténtico.
Cristo está vivo. No luchamos por una figura
histórica solamente. Como hace veinte siglos, Él es motivo de amor y de odio. Contra Él chocan las olas de la
humanidad y en Él se dividen las vidas de los hombres.
