HOLY WAITING

May your final few days of expectation be happy, holy and humbly wise.

Paul and Belle Dion.



God bless you and yours.

CHRISTMAS TREE IN BETHLEHEM

2016 Christmas Tree in Manger Square, Bethlehem.  We and several thousand of our best friends rubbed elbows there on a balmy Saturday evening in December.  You may want to visit the YouTube link for a more intimate experience of this event.
Click here

Very merry Christmas to you all.
Paul and Belle Dion

BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS TREE - ARBOL NAVIDEÑO EN BELEN - ARBRE DE NOEL À BETHLÉHEM

We invited a couple of our parish who will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary shortly, to join a Holy Land Pilgrimage on December 1, 2016.  After thinking about the privilege that it would be to celebrate their 25th anniversary in Cana (where Jesus attended a wedding and changed the jars of water into wine) they indicated that they would join the pilgrimage. 
Then the terrible terrorist attack that took place at the Istanbul airport terminal happened and so they decided not to pursue joining the pilgrimage.

Such a reaction was so different from the chorus that we heard from the pilgrims who joined us in previous years, including last year:  "If I had allowed the comments of my friends about the dangers in the Holy Land to discourage me I would not have gone. My experience was so different from the warnings of my friends and relatives. It was very quiet in the Holy Land. I am so glad I did not listen to them." (By Tessie Hatten)

Another said: "Yes my wife did not want to go because she was afraid. But I told her that 'I am going' even without her." (Del Burgos.)  His wife joined the pilgrimage and said: " I am glad that I decided to join. This is an experience of a life time."

One thing is sure: The Agency of Pilgrimages will not put the pilgrims in harm's way. Have you ever heard in the news about a group of Holy Land pilgrims who encountered such danger? People go to the Holy Land to visit the places where Jesus was born, walked and preached. Would Jesus put us in harm's way?

This particular pilgrimage is also a response to the invitation of the Mayor of Bethlehem (she is a Catholic) who is inviting christians particularly catholics to go to the Holy land to show the Christians in Bethelehem the value of living a Christian life.
At this moment we are signing up people who are interested in providing an example of Christian focus on the presence of God in our lives. This is a time when Christian Witness is more needed than ever.  It is a time when the public puts its faith on the table before the world in an echo of the prophet Isaiah's cry, "Send me!"

I'm going.  Be with me.

TANZANIA - WELCOME TO OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE -

A Facebook message from Father Adilson Schio, ms
Un message "Facebook" du père Adilson Schio, ms
Un mensaje "Facebook" da Padre Adilson

PODEMOS SER DIFERENTES na raça, na cor, no valor que o mundo nos dá. Nossas histórias podem ter sido perpassadas por muitos aspectos diferentes. Nossos passados podem ter tristezas e alegrias diversas. Outros podem ter sido os fatos que marcaram nossas culturas. Outras podem ser as formas de olharmos a vida e enfrentarmos os desafios de viver... Sim, tudo isso é verdade, tudo isso tem seu peso e tem sua influência, mas nada disso impede de sermos iguais, de termos o mesmo valor e de sonharmos os mesmos sonhos de Deus. Somos do mesmo povo, eleito ou escolhido, não importa, o importante é que somos o Povo de Deus que vive a esperança mesmo na pobreza, que vive a fé mesmo na incerteza, que vive a comunidade mesmo que a luta diária para sobreviver é única e pessoal. Há em nós a mesma fórmula do amor que faz com que nos respeitemos em nosso jeito de ser e que nos promovemos em nosso jeito de nos irmanarmos na causa do Reino do Pai. Agora é oficial, Salette está em Tanzânia. Está em Rutete, pequena vila rural a 45 km da cidade de Bukoba, lugar de muita banana e de muitas cabras. Depois de uma missa de quatro horas e meia, com a acolhida de três Missionários Saletinos (Manuel, Aldrin e Dileesh), com 197 batizados e 12 casamentos, chegamos ao nosso povo. Estamos aqui como missionários que vem para anunciar com a ternura de uma Mãe, que não é preciso ter medo, que há uma novidade da parte de Deus que precisa ser contada e é justamente esta novidade que trazemos no coração e que se transformará, com o passar dos dias e dos meses, em palavras e atitudes de reconciliação, pois afinal somos Família Saletina, presentes em mais um país do mundo, todos na esperança de que há muito mais realidades que nos fazem iguais do que coisas que nos separam. Ainda esta semana compartilharei fotos da nossa nova missão aguarde, por enquanto olhe este povo (foto) e sinta a mesma alegria que eu tive em estar aqui e presenciar este momento. A Família Saletina (padres, religiosos, religiosas e leigos) está em festa. Agradeçamos a Deus...

WE CAN BE DIFFERENT as to race, color, values that the world gives us. Our stories may have been woven with many different aspects. Our past may contain sorrows and many joys. Other experiences may have been events rooted in our culture. Others may be ways to look at life and face the challenges of living ... Yes, all this is true, all of this has its weight and has its influence, but nothing prevents them from being equal.  We all have the same values dream the same dreams of God. We are the same people, elected or chosen, no matter, the important thing is that we are the People of God who live in hope even in poverty, living faith even in the community that lives in the uncertainty of life, even if the daily struggle to survive is unique and personal. We all have the same formula of love that makes us respect one another along the road of life and through which we initiate our effort to weave the brotherhood that is the root of the Kingdom of the Father. Now it's official, La Salette is in Tanzania. It is here in Rutete, a small rural village 45 km from the town of Bukoba, a place that abounds in bananas and goats. After a Mass that lasted four and one half hours, which incorporated the welcome of three La Salette Missionaries (Manuel, Aldrin and Dileesh), 197 baptisms and 12 marriages, we have arrived among our people. We come as missionaries to announce, with the tenderness of a mother, that there is no need to fear.  We present something new from God that needs to be told and it is to satisfy the need that we all carry in our hearts.  It is this innovation that will change us in the passing days and months, in words and with the attitude of reconciliation.  After all we are the La Salette Family now present in another country in the world.  All with the hope that there are many more realities that make us equal than things that separate us.  This week we also share photos of our new mission.  We invite you to look at these people (photo) and feel the same joy to be here and witness this moment that I had.

The La Salette Family (priests, religious and lay) is celebrating.

Thank God ...

Fr. Adilson, Fr. Rosanno, Fr. Silvano, (?), Fr. Manuel, Fr. Aldrin, Fr. Dileesh

Nous pouvons être d’une autre race, autre couleur et vivre selon d’autres valeurs que le monde nous donne. Nos histoires peuvent avoir été chargés de nombreux aspects différents. Notre passé peut conter des peines et de joies. Tous et chacun nous avons vécu des événements qui sont marqué par nos cultures. Tout autres peuvent être nos façons de regarder la vie et faire face à ses défis… Oui, tout cela est vrai, tout cela a son poids et a son influence, mais rien ne nous empêche d'être égaux, nous avons les mêmes valeurs et rêvons les mêmes rêves de Dieu. Nous sommes les mêmes personnes, élus ou choisis, peu importe. L’important est que nous sommes le peuple de Dieu qui vit dans l'espérance que se soit dans la pauvreté, la foi vivante, ou même dans l'incertitude qui envahit la communauté, même si la lutte quotidienne pour survivre est unique et personnelle. En nous la même formule de l'amour qui nous supporte dans le respect de notre façon d'être et nous pousse d’avant dans le chemin vers la fraternité qui est la cause du Royaume du Père. Maintenant, c’est officiel, La Salette est en Tanzanie. C’est à  Rutete, petit village rural à 45 km de la ville de Bukoba, place riche en bananes et abondant en chèvres. Après une messe de quatre heures et demie, avec l'accueil de trois Missionnaires Saletins (Manuel, Aldrin et Dileesh), avec 197 baptêmes et 12 mariages, nous arrivons à notre peuple. Nous sommes ici en tant que missionnaires avec la tendresse d'une mère, apportant une bonne nouvelle.  Il n'y a pas lieu de craindre.  C’est quelque chose de nouveau de Dieu qui doit être dit et c’est précisément cette innovation que nous apportons dans notre cœur pour le partager avec vous.   Et cela vous changera avec le passage des jours et des mois, grâce aux mots et des attitudes de la réconciliation, parce que, après tout, nous sommes de la famille Saletine, présents dans un autre pays dans le monde, le tout dans l'espoir qu'il existe beaucoup plus de réalités qui nous rendent égaux que des choses qui nous séparent.  Cette semaine nous partageons des photos de notre nouvelle arrivée en mission pour que vous puissiez regarder ces gens (photo) et sentir la même joie que j’ai sentie durant ma présence ici et durant ce moment historique. La famille Saletine (prêtres, religieux et laïcs) est en fête.

Dieu merci...

TANZANIA - WELCOME TO OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE -

A Facebook message from Father Adilson Schio, ms
Un message "Facebook" du père Adilson Schio, ms
Un mensaje "Facebook" da Padre Adilson

PODEMOS SER DIFERENTES na raça, na cor, no valor que o mundo nos dá. Nossas histórias podem ter sido perpassadas por muitos aspectos diferentes. Nossos passados podem ter tristezas e alegrias diversas. Outros podem ter sido os fatos que marcaram nossas culturas. Outras podem ser as formas de olharmos a vida e enfrentarmos os desafios de viver... Sim, tudo isso é verdade, tudo isso tem seu peso e tem sua influência, mas nada disso impede de sermos iguais, de termos o mesmo valor e de sonharmos os mesmos sonhos de Deus. Somos do mesmo povo, eleito ou escolhido, não importa, o importante é que somos o Povo de Deus que vive a esperança mesmo na pobreza, que vive a fé mesmo na incerteza, que vive a comunidade mesmo que a luta diária para sobreviver é única e pessoal. Há em nós a mesma fórmula do amor que faz com que nos respeitemos em nosso jeito de ser e que nos promovemos em nosso jeito de nos irmanarmos na causa do Reino do Pai. Agora é oficial, Salette está em Tanzânia. Está em Rutete, pequena vila rural a 45 km da cidade de Bukoba, lugar de muita banana e de muitas cabras. Depois de uma missa de quatro horas e meia, com a acolhida de três Missionários Saletinos (Manuel, Aldrin e Dileesh), com 197 batizados e 12 casamentos, chegamos ao nosso povo. Estamos aqui como missionários que vem para anunciar com a ternura de uma Mãe, que não é preciso ter medo, que há uma novidade da parte de Deus que precisa ser contada e é justamente esta novidade que trazemos no coração e que se transformará, com o passar dos dias e dos meses, em palavras e atitudes de reconciliação, pois afinal somos Família Saletina, presentes em mais um país do mundo, todos na esperança de que há muito mais realidades que nos fazem iguais do que coisas que nos separam. Ainda esta semana compartilharei fotos da nossa nova missão aguarde, por enquanto olhe este povo (foto) e sinta a mesma alegria que eu tive em estar aqui e presenciar este momento. A Família Saletina (padres, religiosos, religiosas e leigos) está em festa. Agradeçamos a Deus...

WE CAN BE DIFFERENT as to race, color, values that the world gives us. Our stories may have been woven with many different aspects. Our past may contain sorrows and many joys. Other experiences may have been events rooted in our culture. Others may be ways to look at life and face the challenges of living ... Yes, all this is true, all of this has its weight and has its influence, but nothing prevents them from being equal.  We all have the same values dream the same dreams of God. We are the same people, elected or chosen, no matter, the important thing is that we are the People of God who live in hope even in poverty, living faith even in the community that lives in the uncertainty of life, even if the daily struggle to survive is unique and personal. We all have the same formula of love that makes us respect one another along the road of life and through which we initiate our effort to weave the brotherhood that is the root of the Kingdom of the Father. Now it's official, La Salette is in Tanzania. It is here in Rutete, a small rural village 45 km from the town of Bukoba, a place that abounds in bananas and goats. After a Mass that lasted four and one half hours, which incorporated the welcome of three La Salette Missionaries (Manuel, Aldrin and Dileesh), 197 baptisms and 12 marriages, we have arrived among our people. We come as missionaries to announce, with the tenderness of a mother, that there is no need to fear.  We present something new from God that needs to be told and it is to satisfy the need that we all carry in our hearts.  It is this innovation that will change us in the passing days and months, in words and with the attitude of reconciliation.  After all we are the La Salette Family now present in another country in the world.  All with the hope that there are many more realities that make us equal than things that separate us.  This week we also share photos of our new mission.  We invite you to look at these people (photo) and feel the same joy to be here and witness this moment that I had.

The La Salette Family (priests, religious and lay) is celebrating.

Thank God ...

Fr. Adilson, Fr. Rosanno, Fr. Silvano, (?), Fr. Manuel, Fr. Aldrin, Fr. Dileesh

Nous pouvons être d’une autre race, autre couleur et vivre selon d’autres valeurs que le monde nous donne. Nos histoires peuvent avoir été chargés de nombreux aspects différents. Notre passé peut conter des peines et de joies. Tous et chacun nous avons vécu des événements qui sont marqué par nos cultures. Tout autres peuvent être nos façons de regarder la vie et faire face à ses défis… Oui, tout cela est vrai, tout cela a son poids et a son influence, mais rien ne nous empêche d'être égaux, nous avons les mêmes valeurs et rêvons les mêmes rêves de Dieu. Nous sommes les mêmes personnes, élus ou choisis, peu importe. L’important est que nous sommes le peuple de Dieu qui vit dans l'espérance que se soit dans la pauvreté, la foi vivante, ou même dans l'incertitude qui envahit la communauté, même si la lutte quotidienne pour survivre est unique et personnelle. En nous la même formule de l'amour qui nous supporte dans le respect de notre façon d'être et nous pousse d’avant dans le chemin vers la fraternité qui est la cause du Royaume du Père. Maintenant, c’est officiel, La Salette est en Tanzanie. C’est à  Rutete, petit village rural à 45 km de la ville de Bukoba, place riche en bananes et abondant en chèvres. Après une messe de quatre heures et demie, avec l'accueil de trois Missionnaires Saletins (Manuel, Aldrin et Dileesh), avec 197 baptêmes et 12 mariages, nous arrivons à notre peuple. Nous sommes ici en tant que missionnaires avec la tendresse d'une mère, apportant une bonne nouvelle.  Il n'y a pas lieu de craindre.  C’est quelque chose de nouveau de Dieu qui doit être dit et c’est précisément cette innovation que nous apportons dans notre cœur pour le partager avec vous.   Et cela vous changera avec le passage des jours et des mois, grâce aux mots et des attitudes de la réconciliation, parce que, après tout, nous sommes de la famille Saletine, présents dans un autre pays dans le monde, le tout dans l'espoir qu'il existe beaucoup plus de réalités qui nous rendent égaux que des choses qui nous séparent.  Cette semaine nous partageons des photos de notre nouvelle arrivée en mission pour que vous puissiez regarder ces gens (photo) et sentir la même joie que j’ai sentie durant ma présence ici et durant ce moment historique. La famille Saletine (prêtres, religieux et laïcs) est en fête.

Dieu merci...

VIRGIN MARY AND BIRTH PANGS

God the Creator to Eve: To the woman he said:
I will intensify your toil in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.

                             (Genesis 3;16a)

...and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of  many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the  thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

                            (Luke 2; 35-36)

A few days ago I was asked if Mary suffered pangs of childbirth since she was not tainted by Original sin, per the quote from Genesis, as shown above. My answer was that I can discuss both sides of that question with equal passion.

I must tell you that I am not afraid of my conviction that Mary suffered in life, but I am also well aware of the tradition in the Church stated through the centuries by the early Fathers and Doctors of the Church and the Councils who taught that Jesus came into the world from the Sacred Womb of His Mother as a ray of light passes through glass.  The Magisterium is also firm in its teaching that Mary's virginity is pre-conception and post-partum.  I am therefore presenting you this link so that you can see, up front what the Church has been teaching through the ages and no doubt will continue to teach forever.

I have no reservations about the fact that I have a couple of convictions concerning the human pain that Mary would have suffered despite the fact that she was spared the punishment consequent to the inheritance of the consequences of Original sin.  So, here I go.
1. Starting with a comparison to her son, Jesus.  He suffered, and not just under torture but in the course of real, normal human life. He wept.  He was perturbed at the news of the death of John and of Lazarus. He suffered hunger and thirst.  He suffered from the need to be obedient to His parents.  
If He went through these things, then Mary certainly did too.

2. From the wording in Genesis, we seem to be told by God that the pangs of childbirth would be intensified...therefore, greater than before the fall...so, what existed before the fall would have at least befallen Mary.  Then  think of Jesus saying, "...20Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy..." (John 16).  
This is a picture of redemptive labor, not punitive pain. 

3. Finally, the Church's position through the ages expresses the understanding of its position as sustaining the permanence of Mary's Viginity.  It doesn't mention the pangs of childbirth just as it doesn't address other forms of pain and suffering in Mary's life.  Mary must have known that her time had come.  Even if the birth of Jesus is just as miraculous as His conception, a little warning pain before the fact doesn't have to be ruled out.  My faith tells me that if Jesus can suffer redemptive pain, then so can Mary.  In fact, in my way of thinking, and in the tradition of the Church, the suffering of pain in prayer can contribute to the cleansing of the soul.  Many saints stand in witness to this truth.

4. Finally, I am a son of Mary at La Salette.  She said, "Come near, my children, be not afraid; I am here to tell you great news. If my people will not submit, I shall be forced to let fall the arm of my Son. It is so strong, so heavy, that I can no longer withhold it. For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to him without ceasing; and as to you, you take not heed of it. However much you pray, however much you do, you will never recompense the pains I have taken for you. 

I am therefore convinced that Mary is ever virgin, conceived without sin and is no stranger to pain and suffering.

May God bless us all.

POPE FRANCIS CROWNS WEEPING MOTHER OF LA SALETTE

NEWS:
FROM ROME:

A letter from the superior general of the La Salette missionaries regarding an important and impressive short ceremony to be held in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City on May 18, 2016.  In hnor of the 170 the anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady,  Mother of Jesus to two young cowherds at La Salette, France, His Holiness, Pope Francis will crown the statue of the Weeping Mother of La Salette immediately following the general audience which takes place in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday mornings.

Here is the leatter from the Superior General:

The Crowning of the Statue of Our Lady of La Salette in 2016

Over these 170 years since the apparition of the Weeping Mother of La Salette, the La Salette Missionaries have graciously and repeatedly invited various Popes to come to La Salette as a sign of affirmation of our mission and ministry and to honor Our Lady who appeared to two children in the valley, wept for them and spoke to the witnesses about her love for her sinful people. 

Please read the letter from our La Salette Superior General explaining this important upcoming and blessed event:

---

May 5, 2016

Dear Confreres and friends of La Salette,

from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford, CT, USAIt is with great joy that I inform you that, through the initiative of Father Manuel dos Reis Bonfim, Rector of the Shrine of La Salette (France), Pope Francis will officially crown the statue of Our Lady of La Salette on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. 

The brief and moving ceremony will take place immediately after the General Audience in the St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. On that occasion those invited to greet the Pope personally will include Fr. Manuel, Rector of the Shrine, some members of the La Salette General Council of the Congregation, Fr. Joseph Antin, Vicar General of the Diocese of Grenoble, Sr. Elisabeth, Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette, the Honorable Gilda Perrin, Mayor of La Salette-Fallavaux, among others.

I will take advantage of this grace-filled meeting with Pope Francis to renew the Congregation’s invitation to visit the Shrine of La Salette in France during this Jubilee Year of Mercy and the 170th Anniversary of the Apparition.

The Audience and the ceremony of the Crowning of the Virgin can be followed live on the Congregation’s Rome website or on the Vatican website. You may also find it on local stations which ordinarily show the Pope’s Wednesday General Audiences, such as EWTN or Italian Television.

Given the particular importance of this moment and the undeniable relevance for the entire Congregation, I invite every community and each individual member to unite themselves with us this coming Wednesday, May 18, in prayer and in thanking God for this auspicious event. 

It will also be a good occasion to further our making known the Apparition of the Beautiful Lady and her message of reconciliation.

I hold all of you in prayer and blessing.


Fr. Silvano Marisa, M.S., 
La Salette Superior General, Rome, Italy

I HEAR YOU, BUT... -- JE T’ENTENDS, MAIS... -- TE OIGO, PERO...

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 24, 2016

NEH 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10

PS 19:8, 9, 10, 15

1 COR 12:12-30

LK 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Paul Dion

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,

and news of him spread throughout the whole region.

He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.”

It is always interesting to me to read that the fame of the prophets spread throughout the region.  People came from all over Galilee; people came from all over Judah.  These are rather common sayings to mark the impact that a chosen person of God is having.  Those who speak the word of God create an awakening of the human soul.  The power of God passes through His missionaries and reaches out to those who feel it through the words that He whispers into their hearts.  As the words reach the audience, hearts and minds are intensely affected. In this case, the message was not new but the messenger was filled with the Spirit to a degree that had not yet been felt. 

In this case, the message was a very well-known passage from the great prophet Isaiah (61; 1 – 2).  It describes the essence of the coming of Jesus into our midst.  The way it is described, the rebuke that it contains makes our hearts tremble.

This scenario comes before us at La Salette.  A beautiful woman, resplendent yet simple in her presence.  She is so beautiful that even though she is distraught, she is attractive by her simple and hospitable speech.  She is intimately close to the children.  She captures their attention and even though they know that she is in sorrow, they accept her invitation to “come near, do not be afraid.” 

They listen intently.  When their faces indicate a lack of comprehension, she notices and makes her speech match their ability.  Like the reading in the synagogue, she tells them things that they already know. 

Through it all, she tells them what they already know, she tells us what we already know. 

The question then, and now, remains, “…as the news of the message spreads throughout the world, will we receive it with praise and obedient docility?”

Janvier 24, 2016

NEH 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10

PS 19:8, 9, 10, 15

1 COR 12:12-30

Luc 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Paul Dion

  

«Jésus retourna en Galilée dans la puissance de l'Esprit,

et de nouvelles de lui, furent réparties dans toute la région.

Il enseignait dans les synagogues, et a été loué par tous «.

Il est toujours intéressant pour moi de lire que la renommée des prophètes, fut répartie dans toute la région. Les gens venaient de toute la Galilée; les gens sont venaient de tous les coins de Juda. Ce sont des paroles plutôt communes pour marquer l'impact qu'une personne choisie de Dieu réussit à imposer. Ceux qui annoncent la Parole de Dieu de créent une prise de conscience dans l'âme humaine. La puissance de Dieu à travers ses missionnaires tend la main à ceux qui la sentent à travers les mots que l’Esprit chuchote dans leurs cœurs. Comme les mots atteignent le public, les cœurs et les esprits sont intensément touchées. Dans ce cas, le message n’était pas nouveau, mais le messager fut rempli de l'Esprit à un degré qu’ils n'avaient pas encore ressenti.

Dans ce cas, le message leur vint d’un passage très connu du grand prophète Isaïe (61, 1 - 2). Il décrit l'essence même de la venue de Jésus au milieu de nous. La façon dont elle est décrite, la réprimande qu'elle contient fait trembler nos cœurs.

Ce scénario nous est présenté  à La Salette. Une belle femme, resplendissante et pourtant simple en sa présence. Elle est si belle que même si elle est bouleversée, elle est attrayante par son discours simple et accueillant et d’autant plus par son comportement assuré. Elle est intimement proche des enfants. Elle capte leur attention et même s’ils savent qu'elle est dans la douleur, ils acceptent son invitation à «venir près, ne pas avoir peur."

Ils écoutent attentivement. Lorsque leurs visages indiquent un manque de compréhension, elle le remarque et reprend son discours pour qu’il corresponde à leur capacité. Comme la lecture dans la synagogue, elle leur dit des choses qu'ils connaissent déjà.

À travers tout cela, elle leur dit ce qu'ils savent déjà.  De même, elle nous dit ce que nous savons déjà.

La question était, et demeure maintenant, restera pour longtemps, «... à mesure que les nouvelles du message se propage à travers le monde, allons-nous le recevoir avec louange et docilité obéissante? »

Enero 24, 2016

NEH 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10

PS 19:8, 9, 10, 15

1 COR 12:12-30

LK 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Paul Dion

"Jesús volvió a Galilea en el poder del Espíritu,

y la noticia de su fama se extendió por toda la región.

Enseñaba en las sinagogas, y fue elogiado por todos”.

Siempre es interesante para mí para leer que la fama de los profetas se extendió por toda la región. La gente venía de todas partes de Galilea; gente vino de todas partes de Judá. Estos son los dichos más comunes para marcar el impacto que una persona elegida de Dios pueda tener. Los que proclaman la palabra de Dios crean un despertar del alma humana. El poder de Dios pasa a través de sus misioneros y tiende la mano a los que se sienten las palabras que susurran en sus corazones. Como las palabras llegan a la audiencia, corazones y mentes son intensamente afectado. En este caso, el mensaje no era nueva, pero el mensajero fue lleno del Espíritu en un grado que aún no se habían sentido.

En este caso, el mensaje era un pasaje muy conocido del gran profeta Isaías (61, 1-2). En él se describe la esencia de la venida de Jesús en medio de nosotros. La forma en que se describe, el reproche de que contiene hace que nuestros corazones se estremecen.

Este escenario se presenta ante nosotros en La Salette. Una mujer hermosa, resplandeciente y simple en su presencia. Ella es tan hermosa que a pesar de que es en dolor sentimental, ella es atractiva por su discurso simple y hospitalario. Ella está íntimamente cerca de los niños. Ella capta su atención y aunque saben que ella está en el dolor, aceptan su invitación a "venid cerca, no tengan miedo."

Escuchan atentamente. Cuando sus rostros indican una falta de comprensión, se da cuenta y hace que su discurso coincida con su capacidad. Al igual que la lectura en la sinagoga, ella les dice cosas que ya saben.

A pesar de todo, ella les dice lo que ya saben, nos cuenta lo que ya sabemos.

La pregunta entonces, y ahora, sigue siendo, "¿... como la noticia del mensaje se extiende por todo el mundo, vamos a recibirlo con la alabanza y la docilidad obediente?"