THE LA SALETTE PATH -- EL CAMINO SALETENSE -- LE CHEMIN SALETTIN

(3^rd Sunday of Easter: 

Acts 2:14,22-33; 

1 Peter 1:17-21;

 Luke 24:13-35)

Fr, Rene Butler  MS and Wayne Vanasse

The notion of a path appears throughout today’s readings. The reading from Acts paraphrases today’s Psalm, including the words “You will show me the path to life.” The Gospel shows Jesus and two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

At this point I need to acknowledge Mr. Wayne Vanasse, a La Salette Associate, who has become a precious collaborator in these reflections. We study the readings independently, and then compare notes on what we perceive as “La Salette links.” On this occasion we were both struck by the image of the path of life.

There is no doubt that the Beautiful Lady came to show her people that path once again. Part of her message is, if you will, an echo of Peter’s words in the second reading: “Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,” that is, while staying in one place temporarily, on our way to another destination.

One of the distinctive features of La Salette is that Mary moved. She was seated when she first appeared, then she rose and took a few steps to the spot where the children joined her, and finally she stepped between them, crossed a little stream and climbed in the typical mountain zig-zag pattern to a level spot, where she disappeared.

Like Jesus for the disciples on the road, so for Mélanie and Maximin she took the initiative, she “drew near and walked with them.” Not only did they follow her movements, but she invited them to make her message known “to all my people.” This opened up a unique path for each of them.

In the path of our life, it happens all too easily that our eyes are prevented from recognizing Jesus as our companion along the way. It was in a Eucharistic moment shared by Jesus with the two disciples that “their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”

He had prepared them, however, by interpreting the Scriptures for them, setting their hearts to burning within them.

As we travel our path of life, what makes our hearts burn within us? How can we spread that fire?

Fr. René Butler, M.S. and Wayne Vanasse

(3^er Domingo de Pascua: 

Hechos 2:14,22-33; 

1 Pedro 1:17-21; 

Lucas 24:13-35)

Pe Rene Butler  MS

La noción de camino aparece al largo de las lecturas de hoy. La lectura de Hechos parafrasea el Salmo de hoy, incluso en las palabras: “Me harás conocer el camino de la vida”. El Evangelio muestra a Jesús y a dos discípulos en camino de Emaús.

En este punto del camino quiero brindar mi reconocimiento al Sr. Wayne Vanasse, un Asociado Saletense, quien llego a ser un valioso colaborador en estas reflexiones. Estudiamos las lecturas de manera independiente el uno del otro, y luego comparamos notas en aquello que percibimos como “Conexiones Saletenses”.  En esta ocasión a ambos nos llamó fuertemente la atención la imagen del camino de la vida.

No hay duda de que la Bella Señora vino otra vez a mostrarle a su pueblo aquel camino de la vida. Parte de su mensaje es, si se quiere, un eco de las palabras de Pedro en la segunda lectura: “vivan en el temor mientras están de paso en este mundo”, esto es, mientras permanecemos temporalmente en un lugar durante nuestro camino a otro destino.

Una de las características de La Salette es que María se movió. Estaba primeramente sentada cuando se apareció, luego se levantó y dio unos cuantos pasos hasta el lugar donde los niños se encontraron de cerca con ella, y finalmente pasó entre ellos, atravesó un pequeño arroyo y ascendió por el típico zigzag de la montaña, hasta una planicie más alta en donde desapareció.

Lo que Jesús hizo con los discípulos en el camino de Emaús, así hizo María con Maximino y Melania, ella tomó la iniciativa, ella “se acercó y siguió caminando con ellos” Ellos no solamente siguieron sus movimientos, sino que ella los invitó a hacer conocer su mensaje a “todo mi pueblo”. Esto abrió un camino único para cada uno de ellos.

En nuestra propia vida, nos sucede con facilidad, cerramos nuestros ojos y nos negamos a reconocer a Jesús como nuestro compañero en el camino de la vida. Fue en un momento Eucarístico compartido por Jesús con los dos discípulos en el que “sus ojos se abrieron y lo reconocieron”.

Sin embargo, antes, él los había preparado, por medio de interpretarles las escrituras, haciendo que sintieran arder sus corazones.

Conforme recorremos por el camino de nuestra vida, ¿Qué es lo que hace arder nuestros corazones? ¿Cómo propagamos ese fuego?

Traducción: Hno. Moisés Rueda, M.S.

(3^e dimanche de Paques : 

Actes 2, 14,22-33 ; 

1 Pierre 1, 17-21 ; 

Luc 24, 13-35)

Pere Rene Butler  MS

La notion de chemin se voit à travers tous les textes d’aujourd’hui. La lecture des Actes fait écho du Psaume, y inclus les paroles, « Tu m’apprends le chemin de la vie ». L’Evangile présente Jésus avec deux disciples sur la route d’Emmaüs.

Je dois reconnaître ici M. Wayne Vanasse, Associé salettin, qui est devenu un collaborateur apprécié dans le ministère de ces réflexions. Nous considérons les textes indépendamment, et ensuite comparons ce que chacun considère comme des ‘liens salettins’. En cette occasion tous deux avons-nous été frappés par l’image du chemin de la vie.

Il n’y a pas à douter que la Belle Dame soit venue montrer ce chemin de nouveau à son peuple. En parti et en quelque sorte, son message peut se voir comme un écho des paroles de Pierre dans la deuxième lecture : « Vivez donc dans la crainte de Dieu, pendant le temps où vous résidez ici-bas en étrangers », c’est-à-dire, tout en restant temporairement dans un endroit, en route vers une autre destination.

Un trait distinctif de la Salette : la Vierge s’est déplacée. Assise d’abord, elle s’est levée et a fait quelques pas vers l’endroit où les enfants l’ont rejoint, et finalement elle est passée au milieu des enfants, transversant le ruisselet et montant la colline en zigzag, comme on fait dans la montagne, jusqu’à un niveau plat, d’où elle a disparu.

Comme Jésus pour les disciples sur la route, c’est elle qui a pris l’initiative ; elle « s’approcha, et marchait avec eux ». Non seulement ont-ils suivi ses déplacements, mais elle les invita à faire passer son message « à tout mon peuple ». Cela a ouvert un chemin unique pour chacun d’eux.

Sur le sentier de la vie, il arrive trop facilement que nos yeux ne puissent pas reconnaître Jésus qui nous accompagne sur la route. Ce fut dans un moment eucharistique partagé par Jésus et les deux disciples, que « leurs yeux s’ouvrirent, et ils le reconnurent. »

Cependant il les avait d’abord préparés en leur interprétant les Ecritures et mettant leur cœur à brûler en eux.

Lors de notre passage sur le chemin de la vie, qu’est-ce qui fait brûler notre cœur ? Comment pouvons-nous propager ce feu ?

Traduction : P. Paul Belhumeur, M.S.

WHEAT or WEEDS? ADMIRABLE or NUISANCE? BEAUTIFUL LADY and 2 COWHERDS

Magnificent Orchid
enhanced by
Simple Geranium

We live a life of contrasts.  It is inescapable, yet we don't often make room in our minds and souls to reflect on the power of the reality in which we are submerged.  During this year which we identify in the symmetrical 2020 formulation we are enveloped in the dialectics of life.  It is a time when the powerful forces of reality are shamelessly intruding in our otherwise ho-hum lives.
The one thing that seems to be holding steady is the annual rainfall accumulation in an Diego - 10 inches.  But, the good thing is that so much has fallen in a narrow time frame that the flowers were resplendent on Easter morning.  That made the absence of social gathering in liturgical community a little easier to accept.
Speaking of social proximity.  It is rather strange to cover my face when I go to purchase the "baguette du jour" at the Vietnamese grocery store and still be recognized by those who have not seen me for a few months.  Also, it is a grace to be able to recognize whether the other person is smiling or not!  

So now we have a lot of contrasting realities to juggle in our minds and our hearts:
     More rain than sunshine
     More illness than normal
     Less freedom of movement than quasi complete freedom
     Less freedom of association than quasi complete freedom
     Less income than we consider essential to our subsistence
     Higher prices for food than usual
     Higher prices for perceived essentials than before
     Less courtesy in public interactions than usual
     Daily reminder that I am in dire need of a haircut!

So, lately I have been reflecting on the needs for contrast in our lives.  Not just personal life-style needs, but emotional and intellectual understandings, like, for instance:
     The high maintenance orchid is beautiful by itself.  Notice how much easier it is to appreciate its beauty when it is offset by the lowly, quasi weed, geranium. (See above)

Bermuda Buttercup

Lately, we have discovered this "weed" in our backyard, thriving beneath our Lemon Tree.  There is no way we will rid ourselves of its presence.  Together with our out-of-control geranium "ranch" it provides us with a connection to the Almighty Artist who creates these treasures.

Just as our suburban 1/3 acre lot is a veritable potpourri of such examples, so is our relationship with the God in Whom we believe.  Our Faith in Him is tested every single day with a constant stream of contrasts. He is the One Whom we believe tests us and in the following "breath" gives us the answer.  He is the One before whose very eyes we fall deathly ill, only to be told by the scientist that it had to be divine intervention that kept us alive.  He us the one who knows that the child we bear will be a bitter-sweet burden/blessing for decades.  He is the one who not only forgives our selfish career choice folly, then guides our success in the path that he shows us once He has salved the pain.
God has been this way from our very beginning.  I have always been guided in life by the way God treated Cain and the string of "heroes" whom He sustained throughout history.  To this very day.
Not only did He survive His one bad choice among the twelve, he has survived centuries worth of ne'er-do-wells and of low IQ loyal admirers, a phalanx among whom are those whom we believe to be spending Eternity seated at His right hand.  So much for high intelligence = success.  All the more for Love = Eternal Bliss.

We need look no further for proof than the one in Mexico (Juan Diego), three at Fatima (Lucy, Jacinta, Francisco), Lourdes (Bernadette), La Salette (Maximin and Melanie) and finally Therese of Lisieux.

God bless you all.

THE CHURCH OF THE HOME

HEEE!!!  See below

I have to share this one because I received it from my missionary friend who serves three small Indian Reservations in the County of San Diego.  The La Salette Missionaries are still on the minds of some of the older people.
The person who is there now is Herman Manuel, SVD missionary who is rather well liked and appreciated.  He is served on a part time basis by the one and only Ed Nolan.
I can't speak about the ways of the people on the reservation but I can report that there is a warm faith feeling rampant in the hearts and souls of the parishioners of the Immaculata parish on the campus of the University of San Diego. We live one mile away from the church and we find ourselves going there nearly every day to have a little chat with the Lord.  I have to say that we are never completely alone in the church.
+++++++++++++++++
As I was writing this,  received an answer to the cartoon above about the "Church of the Home" from Father Romy Seleccion, ms.  He is a close friend and adviser to our Lay La Salette Missionary group in Moreno Valley, CA

Happy Easter, Paul and Belle!

I like the humor! It makes my day! It’s the Easter moment of the “domestic church”. In the past two weeks, we have seen the “surge” of “domestic Church” (DC). We have seen the significance of the DC during Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and on Easter Sunday. Just imagine - during these moments of celebration of our faith -  churches were empty, but homes as DC, are filled with family - bringing the reason why family is the smallest spiritual unit of the society, and it goes back to the first holy family. A family that prays together stays together!

Blessings,

Fr. Romy, MS

Allow me to introduce you to our Domestic Church:

Welcome to one and all. May the plague spare us.

May we be efficient intercessors for those who

are chosen to suffer from it.

If you choose us to be of the community who

suffer through it for those you choose to

spare, may we valiantly go to the Cross to which you

invite us, sustained by the same strength and

courage that were given to you by the Father.

These beautiful orchids celebrated their
"coming out"  on time for the Resurrection.

May God bless us all with the grace of the
apostleship of reconciliation.

ONCE UPON A TIME, AGAIN -- ÉRASE UNA VEZ, OTRA VEZ -- IL ÉTAIT UNE FOIS...ENCORE

(2^nd Sunday of Easter: 

Acts 2:42-47; 

1 Peter 1:3-9; 

John 20:19-31)

Fr. Rene Butler  MS  and Wayne Vanasse

The life of the first believers, as described in Acts, seems almost too good to be true. Their enthusiasm for the teaching of the apostles, for common prayer, fellowship and the sharing of goods—it is no wonder that “Awe came upon everyone.”

In the Psalm we read: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes.” But in 1846 Mary wept because the Cornerstone was, tragically, being rejected again. And today?

St. Peter, in our second reading, lists the benefits of God’s “great mercy.” Our Lady of La Salette is our “Merciful Mother.” Let us consider the parallels.

First, God “gave us a new birth to a living hope.” At La Salette, this hope lies not only in future prosperity but, before that, in conversion to the things of God.

Next is “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,” beyond our current needs and concerns. Peter says this is kept in heaven for us, but that does not mean we cannot draw on it even now. Prayer and especially the Eucharist give us access to it. These are essential to the message of La Salette.

Thirdly, salvation. This, above all, explains the enthusiasm of the earliest Christians, and the attractiveness of that community. “And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” La Salette does not offer salvation independently, of course, but leads us to the Savior himself.

Then Peter writes, “In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials.” Anyone who has truly experienced God’s mercy—as have many through La Salette—knows exactly what he means. Troubles will come and go, the joy remains.

The Apostle Thomas went through a time of darkness, and then experienced the Lord’s mercy. His first response was to acknowledge Jesus’ divinity: “My Lord and my God!”

Earlier, fear had confined the Apostles behind locked doors. Divine mercy changed all that. What it did for them, it can do for us and, through us, devoted to our Merciful Mother, for others.

Fr. René Butler, M.S. and Wayne Vanasse

(2^do Domingo de Pascua: 

Hechos 2:42-47; 

1 Pedro 1:3-9; 

Juan 20:19-31)

Pe Rene Butler  MS

La vida de los primeros creyentes, según se describe en Hechos, parece demasiado buena como para ser cierta. El entusiasmo que sentían por la enseñanza de los Apóstoles, la oración en común, el compañerismo y el compartir de los bienes – no queda duda de que “un santo temor se apoderó de todos”.

En el Salmo leemos: “La piedra que desecharon los constructores es ahora la piedra angular. Esto ha sido hecho por el Señor y es admirable a nuestros ojos”. Pero en 1846 María lloró porque la Piedra Angular estaba, trágicamente, siendo rechazada otra vez. ¿Y hoy?

San Pedro en nuestra segunda lectura, enumera los beneficios de la “gran misericordia” de Dios. Nuestra Señora de La Salette es nuestra “Madre Misericordiosa”, consideremos el paralelismo.

Primeramente, Dios “nos hizo renacer, por la resurrección de Jesucristo, a una esperanza viva”. En La Salette, esta esperanza no yace solamente en una prosperidad futura sino, sobre todo, en la conversión a las cosas de Dios.

Luego hay “una herencia incorruptible, incontaminada e imperecedera”, que está más allá de nuestras necesidades y preocupaciones presentes. Pedro dice que está reservada en el cielo para nosotros. Pero aquello no significa que no podamos contar con ella en el presente. La oración y especialmente la Eucaristía nos dan acceso a esa herencia y son esenciales en el mensaje de La Salette.  

En tercer lugar, está la salvación que, ante todo, explica la razón del entusiasmo de los primeros cristianos, y el atractivo de aquella comunidad. “Y cada día, el Señor acrecentaba la comunidad con aquellos que debían salvarse”. Desde luego, La Salette no ofrece salvación independientemente, pero nos conduce hacia al mismísimo Salvador.

Luego Pedro escribe, “Por eso, ustedes se regocijan a pesar de las diversas pruebas que deben sufrir momentáneamente”. Cualquiera que haya experimentado verdaderamente la misericordia de Dios – como muchos por medio de La Salette – sabe exactamente a lo que él se refiere. Los problemas van y vienen, la alegría permanece.

El Apóstol Tomás pasó por un tiempo de oscuridad, y luego experimentó la misericordia del Señor. Su primera respuesta fue la de reconocer la divinidad de Jesús: “¡Señor mío y Dios mío!”.

Antes, el miedo había confinado a los apóstoles tras puertas cerradas. La divina misericordia lo cambió todo. Lo que hizo por ellos, puede hacerlo por nosotros y, por medio de nosotros, devotos de nuestra Madre Misericordiosa, por los otros.

Traducción: Hno. Moisés Rueda, M.S.

(2^e dimanche de Paques : 

Actes 2, 42-47 ; 

1 Pierre 1, 3-9 ; 

Jean 20, 19-31)

Pere Rene Butler  MS

La vie des premiers croyants, telle que décrite dans les Actes, semble presque trop belle pour être vraisemblable. Leur enthousiasme pour la prédication des Apôtres, la prière et la vie communes, et le partage des biens—on comprend bien que « La crainte de Dieu était dans tous les cœurs ».

Dans le Psaume nous lisons : « La pierre qu’ont rejetée les bâtisseurs est devenue la pierre d’angle ; c’est là l’œuvre du Seigneur, la merveille devant nos yeux ». Mais, en 1846 la Vierge a pleuré parce que la Pierre angulaire était, tragiquement, rejetée à nouveau. Et aujourd’hui ?

St Pierre, dans la seconde lecture, énumère les bienfaits de la « grande miséricorde » de Dieu. Notre Dame de la Salette est notre Mère miséricordieuse. Examinons les parallèles.

Premièrement, Dieu « nous a fait renaître pour une vivante espérance. » A la Salette, cette espérance ne réside pas seulement dans la prospérité future, mais, avant cela, dans la conversion aux choses de Dieu.

Vient ensuite « un héritage qui ne connaîtra ni corruption, ni souillure, ni flétrissure », qui s’étend au-delà de nos besoins et de nos soucis actuels. Pierre dit que cela nous est réservé dans les cieux, mais ce n’est pas dire que nous ne pouvons pas y puiser même maintenant. La prière et surtout l’Eucharistie, éléments essentiels du message de la Salette, nous en donnent accès.

En troisième lieu, le salut. C’est cela surtout qui explique l’enthousiasme des premiers chrétiens, et l’attrait de cette communauté. « Chaque jour, le Seigneur leur adjoignait ceux qui allaient être sauvés ». La Salette n’offre pas le salut de façon indépendante, bien sûr, mais nous conduit au Sauveur lui-même.

Puis, Pierre écrit, « Aussi vous exultez de joie, même s’il faut que vous soyez affligés, pour un peu de temps encore, par toutes sortes d’épreuves ». Quiconque a vraiment fait l’expérience de la miséricorde de Dieu—comme beaucoup l’ont fait par le biais de la Salette—comprend exactement ce que signifie cela. Les épreuves viennent et passent ; la joie demeure.

L’Apôtre Tomas a connu un temps de ténèbres, puis il a fait l’expérience de la miséricorde du Seigneur, et sa première réponse fut de reconnaître la divinité de Jésus : « Mon Seigneur et mon Dieu ! »

Plut tôt, la peur avait renfermé les Apôtres derrière les portes verrouillées. La Divine Miséricorde a changé tout cela. Ce que celle-ci a fait pour eux, elle peut le faire pour nous et, à travers nous, consacres à notre Mère miséricordieuse, pour les autres.

Traduction : P. Paul Belhumeur, M.S.

BREAKING BREAD -- SPOILED WHEAT -- VIVID RECOLLECTION

On the way to Emmaus

There are many times in the Sacred Writings when revelations occur to people while they are on their way either for something important or for something socially satisfying...like returning to their abode.  I can think of a time or two and it is always memorable in its effect.  I can remember the meeting between Samson's mother and the angel; Abraham and the two men by the wayside; then there is always the event just outside of Damascus.  All of these events are deeply engraved in the hearts of the Children of God.

There are others that are unforgettable despite the fact that they are much more recent and have a significantly narrower sphere of influence.  In the New World there is the apparition of Our Lady to Juan Diego in Tepeyac, Mexico in the 16th century.  That event has provided the Americas with Our Lady of Guadalupe as the patroness.

Then, for the LaSalette Missionary there is this:

La Terre de Coin 

Mary, the mother of God asked:

“Have you never seen wheat that is spoilt, my children?”

 “No, Madam”, they replied.

“But you, my child”, she insisted, addressing the little boy in particular, “you must surely have seen some once when you were at the farm of Coin with your father. (Coin was a hamlet near the town of Corps). The owner of the field told your father to go and see his ruined wheat. You went together. You took two or three ears of wheat into your hands and rubbed them, and they fell into dust. Then you continued home. When you were still half an hour's distance from Corps, your father gave you a piece of bread and said to you: ‘Here, my child, eat some bread this year at least; I don't know who will eat any next year, if the wheat goes on like that’”.

Confronted with such precise details, Maximin eagerly replied: “Oh yes, Madam, I remember now; just at this moment I did not remember”.

It is impossible to not spend some time mulling over the profound personal spiritual implications that all of these "casual encounters" are meant to engrave in our hearts and souls.

SOCIAL DISTANCING, VATICAN STYLE, GOD'S JUDGMENT

Yes, this is true - I saw it live online

Holy Week is past and we are now headed for Emmaus.  This has been the most spiritually nourishing Holy Week I have experienced since I left Rome in 1965.  I have spent many hours with my Vulgate, my laptop and The Voice from the Kitchen.  It has been years since I lived in a Latin world.  At some moments it felt as if I had died and gone to heaven.  The "In paradiso" is still ringing in my ears and I am still humming the tune of the "Evangelium secundum Joannem". 
Oh, about that.  Remember the reflections about the questions that appear in Sacred Scriptures?  I shivered when I heard the famous question, "Quem quaeritis?" 
Then, the reply, "Jesus Nazarenus."
So then the Garden of Gethsemane becomes the Burning Bush, "Ego Sum."
I could go on, but I want to make a point about Easter Sunday.
I am sure that you all have come to the conclusion that the Pope's Easter Sunday Homily was a powerful moment of total silence from the Cathedra (his chair) - a loonng moment.  He then arose, went to the altar and intoned the Credo.  He delivered his Easter instruction after the Mass and before gifting the City and the World with his blessing.
There is one powerful lesson that I have taken away from Our Holy Father's instruction.  It is a lesson that I will never forget.  Not in the context of our Scripture nor in the context of our Tradition.  I am placing it here for your consideration.  I hope it touches you as deeply as it does me.
   "It's time to see the poor man" and not let him simply be part of the landscape. "Seeing the poor - he said - means giving them humanity back. They are not things, they are not waste, they are people. We cannot do a welfare policy as with abandoned animals ".

The pope in his long and varied lessons put a final point on it when he overturned traditional and centuries old teachings when he said, in reference to the pandemic,
"The plague that looms is not a divine punishment. It is not the time of the judgment of God, but of our judgment: the time to choose what matters and what passes, to separate what is necessary from what is not. It's time to reset the course. "

I invite you all to join me in meditation about that directive from St. Peter's Chair.

HAPPY FEET - GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

It takes clean feet to carry a clean heart
to where God wants it to go.

I've been thinking about this a lot.  For years I have been reflecting on the Master who was not afraid to wrap a towel around His waist to serve His followers.  For years that was the driving force behind my missionary soul.  This year I've gone from the towel to the feet.
The feet that carried this band of disciples all around Galilee and on some treks to Jerusalem;  I have come to respect the feet that walked on water; the feet that caused false scandal when they were anointed by the rich woman's Spikenard and gently massaged in her hair. 
I have come to respect the stress that feet suffer and then get ridiculed for how they look when they are out in the open.  Yet, they are the carriers of the burdens that we carry in our hearts and minds.  Thanks to them we get to do what we are mandated to accomplish by the Lord, God Himself.  How often do we get told to "go?"  From Genesis to Acts, we need feet to get to those who need baptism; to those who need education, food, physical assistance, love, support and so much more. 
In our present circumstances we need feet to carry the Good News to those who may be wondering about it these days.  It is from the depths of our hearts (I and Belle) that we promise you the accompaniment of our simple prayers as we walk our way to Emmaus and a deeper, clearer vision of our Savior's place in our lives.

THE GREATEST PROMISE -- LA MAS GRANDE DE LAS PROMESAS-- LA GRANDE PROMESSE

(Easter: Readings from the Easter Vigil and the Sunday are too many to list)

In the fourth reading of the Easter Vigil, God says through Isaiah: “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In an outburst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you.”

Here is contained all the message of La Salette. Is any further commentary needed?

The phrase “outburst of wrath” may make us think of Mary’s words about “the arm of my Son.” But this reading also helps us to remember that in many other places in Scripture, God’s hand or arm is, in fact, extended in order to save.

After the reading about the crossing of the Red Sea, for example, we recite, in the song of Moses: “Your right hand, O Lord, magnificent in power, your right hand, O Lord, has shattered the enemy.”

And, at both the Vigil and the Sunday Mass, we pray the words of Psalm 118: “The right hand of the Lord has struck with power; the right hand of the Lord is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”

While God’s hand and arm demonstrate his power to save, his great tenderness and enduring love express his Will to do so. Even when God uses his power to punish his people, his love always prevails.

In the Gospels the question is raised, “Which Commandment is the greatest?” Today I would like to suggest, from a La Salette perspective, a different question.

First, let me give the answer: “Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you.” This quote from Isaiah is from the reading referenced at the beginning of this reflection.

Now, the question: Which Promise is the greatest?

Think about it. Is there any promise you would rather hear from God than this one? Is there anything about the Beautiful Lady and her message that is not founded on that promise?

And what greater proof is there of God’s fidelity to his promise than the resurrection of Jesus? On this day that the Lord has made, may you rejoice and be glad!

Fr. René Butler, M.S. and Wayne Vanasse

(Pascua: Las lecturas de la Vigilia Pascual y del Domingo son numerosas como para ponerlas en la lista)

En la cuarta lectura de la Vigilia Pascual, Dios dice por medio de Isaías: “Por un breve instante te dejé abandonada, pero con gran ternura te uniré conmigo; en un arrebato de indignación, te oculté mi rostro por un instante, pero me compadecí de ti con amor eterno”.

Aquí está contenido todo el mensaje de La Salette. ¿Acaso se necesitan más comentarios?

La frase “arrebato de indignación” podría hacernos pensar en las palabras de María acerca del “brazo de su Hijo”. Pero esta lectura nos ayuda a recordar que, en muchos otros lugares de la Escritura, la mano o el brazo de Dios, de hecho, se despliega para salvar.

Después de la lectura del paso por el Mar Rojo, por ejemplo, recitamos, en el cántico de Moisés: “Tu mano, Señor, resplandece por su fuerza, tu mano, Señor, aniquila al enemigo”.

Y, tanto en la Vigilia como en la Misa del Domingo, rezamos con las palabras del Salmo 118: “La mano del Señor es sublime, la mano del Señor hace proezas. No, no moriré: viviré para publicar lo que hizo el Señor”.

Al mismo tiempo que la mano de Dios demuestra su poder para salvar, su gran ternura y su amor duradero expresan su Voluntad en hacerlo. Aun cuando Dios usa su poder para castigar a su pueblo, su amor siempre prevalece.

En los Evangelios surge una pregunta, “¿cuál es el mandamiento más grande de la Ley?” Hoy me gustaría sugerir, desde una perspectiva Saletense, una pregunta diferente.

Primero, déjenme dar la respuesta: “Aunque se aparten las montañas y vacilen las colinas, mi amor no se apartará de ti”. Esta cita de Isaías viene de la lectura de la que se hace referencia al principio de esta reflexión.

Ahora, la pregunta: ¿Cuál es la más grande de las Promesas?

Piénsalo. ¿Hay alguna otra promesa que querrías oír de Dios en lugar de esta? ¿Hay algo acerca de la Bella Señora y su mensaje que no tenga su fundamento en aquella promesa?

Y ¿qué prueba más grande hay de la fidelidad de Dios a su promesa que la resurrección de Jesús?

En este día que el Señor ha hecho, ¡estalla de alegría y sé feliz!

Traducción: Hno. Moisés Rueda, M.S.

La grande promesse

(Paques : Les lectures de la Veillée pascale et du dimanche sont trop nombreuses pour être énumérées ici.)

Dans la quatrième lecture de la Veillée pascale, Dieu dit à travers Isaïe : « Un court instant, je t’avais abandonnée, mais dans ma grande tendresse, je te ramènerai. Quand ma colère a débordé, un instant, je t’avais caché ma face. Mais dans mon éternelle fidélité, je te montre ma tendresse ».

Voilà tout le message de la Salette. Nous faut-il des commentaires supplémentaires ?

Le mot « colère » peut nous porter à penser aux paroles de la Vierge sur « le bras de mon Fils ». Mais cette lecture peut nous rappeler que, presque partout dans l’Ecriture sainte, la main ou le bras de Dieu s’étend pour sauver.

Après le récit de la traversée de la Mer Rouge, par exemple, nous chantons, dans le cantique de Moïse : « Ta droite, Seigneur, magnifique en sa force, ta droite, Seigneur, écrase l’ennemi ».

Et, à la Veillée comme à la messe dominicale, nous prions avec les paroles du Psaume 117 : « Le bras du Seigneur se lève, le bras du Seigneur est fort ! Non, je ne mourrai pas, je vivrai, pour annoncer les actions du Seigneur ».

Alors que la main et le bras de Dieu démontrent son pouvoir de sauver, sa grande tendresse et son éternelle fidélité expriment son désir de le faire. De fait, même quand Dieu fait usage de son pouvoir pour punir son peuple, son amour l’emporte toujours.

Dans les Evangiles la question est posée : « Quel est le grand commandement ? » Je voudrais aujourd’hui suggérer, d’un point de vue salettin, une question différente.

D’abord, permettez-moi de vous donner la réponse : « Même si les montagnes s’écartaient, si les collines s’ébranlaient, ma fidélité ne s’écarterait pas de toi ». Cela vient de la même lecture d’Isaïe citée au début de cette réflexion.

Maintenant, la question : Quelle est la grande promesse ?

Pensez-y. Est-ce qu’il y a autre promesse que vous préféreriez entendre de Dieu que celle-ci ? Y a-t-il quoi que ce soit à propos de la Belle Dame et de son message qui ne soit pas fondé sur cette promesse ?

Et, quelle preuve plus grande trouvons-nous de la fidélité de Dieu à sa promesse que la résurrection de Jésus ? Que ce jour que fit le Seigneur soit pour vous jour de fête et de joie !

Traduction : P. Paul Belhumeur, M.S.

HOLY QUESTIONS

"I am not the one, am I Lord?

It is the season of the Passover.  It is the time of the question.  It is the time of humility.  It is the time when we recognize where our relationship with God finds its deepest acceptance and its clearest expression.  It is the time when we realize that it is in the questions and answers of our relationship with God that our faith in Him finds ever deepening reality.  This comes from the belief that questions remind us of our need to be humble.  They remind us that we need to seek God in every moment of our lives.  Living a ritualistic moment dedicated to questioning helps us to deepen the acceptance of our God given faith.  This is the spirituality of holiness.

Our scripture readings of the season are full of questions. Once again, I enjoin you to spend some time with the rich lode of questions found in the seasonal Sacred Writings.  

It is time to take to heart our Holy Mother's question: "Do you pray well, my children?"  Now, that's a question.