Via Crucis - Panama JMJ 2019

Buon Natale

Questa pericope evangelica dai capitoli 1 e 2 di Matteo qui riportata è presa dall'app Sacra Bibbia CEI (traduzione del 2008)

Dal Vangelo secondo Matteo
Capitolo 1
1 Genealogia di Gesù Cristo figlio di Davide, figlio di Abramo. 2Abramo generò Isacco, Isacco generò Giacobbe, Giacobbe generò Giuda e i suoi fratelli, 3Giuda generò Fares e Zara da Tamar, Fares generò Esrom, Esrom generò Aram, 4Aram generò Aminadàb, Aminadàb generò Naassòn, Naassòn generò Salmon, 5Salmon generò Booz da Racab, Booz generò Obed da Rut, Obed generò Iesse, 6Iesse generò il re Davide.
Davide generò Salomone da quella che era stata la moglie di Uria, 7Salomone generò Roboamo, Roboamo generò Abia, Abia generò Asaf, 8Asaf generò Giòsafat, Giòsafat generò Ioram, Ioram generò Ozia, 9Ozia generò Ioatàm, Ioatàm generò Acaz, Acaz generò Ezechia, 10Ezechia generò Manasse, Manasse generò Amos, Amos generò Giosia, 11Giosia generò Ieconia e i suoi fratelli, al tempo della deportazione in Babilonia.
12Dopo la deportazione in Babilonia, Ieconia generò Salatièl, Salatièl generò Zorobabele, 13Zorobabele generò Abiùd, Abiùd generò Eliachìm, Eliachìm generò Azor, 14Azor generò Sadoc, Sadoc generò Achim, Achim generò Eliùd, 15Eliùd generò Eleazar, Eleazar generò Mattan, Mattan generò Giacobbe, 16Giacobbe generò Giuseppe, lo sposo di Maria, dalla quale è nato Gesù, chiamato Cristo.
17In tal modo, tutte le generazioni da Abramo a Davide sono quattordici, da Davide fino alla deportazione in Babilonia quattordici, dalla deportazione in Babilonia a Cristo quattordici.
18Così fu generato Gesù Cristo: sua madre Maria, essendo promessa sposa di Giuseppe, prima che andassero a vivere insieme si trovò incinta per opera dello Spirito Santo. 19Giuseppe suo sposo, poiché era uomo giusto e non voleva accusarla pubblicamente, pensò di ripudiarla in segreto. 20Mentre però stava considerando queste cose, ecco, gli apparve in sogno un angelo del Signore e gli disse: "Giuseppe, figlio di Davide, non temere di prendere con te Maria, tua sposa. Infatti il bambino che è generato in lei viene dallo Spirito Santo; 21ella darà alla luce un figlio e tu lo chiamerai Gesù: egli infatti salverà il suo popolo dai suoi peccati".
22Tutto questo è avvenuto perché si compisse ciò che era stato detto dal Signore per mezzo del profeta:

23Ecco, la vergine concepirà e darà alla luce un figlio:
a lui sarà dato il nome di Emmanuele,

che significa Dio con noi. 24Quando si destò dal sonno, Giuseppe fece come gli aveva ordinato l’angelo del Signore e prese con sé la sua sposa; 25senza che egli la conoscesse, ella diede alla luce un figlio ed egli lo chiamò Gesù.

Capitolo 2
1 Nato Gesù a Betlemme di Giudea, al tempo del re Erode, ecco, alcuni Magi vennero da oriente a Gerusalemme 2e dicevano: "Dov’è colui che è nato, il re dei Giudei? Abbiamo visto spuntare la sua stella e siamo venuti ad adorarlo". 3All’udire questo, il re Erode restò turbato e con lui tutta Gerusalemme. 4Riuniti tutti i capi dei sacerdoti e gli scribi del popolo, si informava da loro sul luogo in cui doveva nascere il Cristo. 5Gli risposero: "A Betlemme di Giudea, perché così è scritto per mezzo del profeta:

6E tu, Betlemme,terra di Giuda, 
non sei davverol’ultima delle città principali di Giuda: 
da te infatti uscirà un capo
che sarà il pastore del mio popolo, Israele".

7Allora Erode, chiamati segretamente i Magi, si fece dire da loro con esattezza il tempo in cui era apparsa la stella 8e li inviò a Betlemme dicendo: "Andate e informatevi accuratamente sul bambino e, quando l’avrete trovato, fatemelo sapere, perché anch’io venga ad adorarlo".
9Udito il re, essi partirono. Ed ecco, la stella, che avevano visto spuntare, li precedeva, finché giunse e si fermò sopra il luogo dove si trovava il bambino. 10Al vedere la stella, provarono una gioia grandissima. 11Entrati nella casa, videro il bambino con Maria sua madre, si prostrarono e lo adorarono. Poi aprirono i loro scrigni e gli offrirono in dono oro, incenso e mirra. 12Avvertiti in sogno di non tornare da Erode, per un’altra strada fecero ritorno al loro paese.
13Essi erano appena partiti, quando un angelo del Signore apparve in sogno a Giuseppe e gli disse: "Àlzati, prendi con te il bambino e sua madre, fuggi in Egitto e resta là finché non ti avvertirò: Erode infatti vuole cercare il bambino per ucciderlo".
14Egli si alzò, nella notte, prese il bambino e sua madre e si rifugiò in Egitto, 15dove rimase fino alla morte di Erode, perché si compisse ciò che era stato detto dal Signore per mezzo del profeta:

Dall’Egitto ho chiamato mio figlio.

16Quando Erode si accorse che i Magi si erano presi gioco di lui, si infuriò e mandò a uccidere tutti i bambini che stavano a Betlemme e in tutto il suo territorio e che avevano da due anni in giù, secondo il tempo che aveva appreso con esattezza dai Magi. 17Allora si compì ciò che era stato detto per mezzo del profeta Geremia:

18Un grido è stato udito in Rama,
un pianto e un lamentogrande:
Rachele piange i suoi figli
e non vuole essere consolata,
perché non sono più.

19Morto Erode, ecco, un angelo del Signore apparve in sogno a Giuseppe in Egitto 20e gli disse: "Àlzati, prendi con te il bambino e sua madre e va’ nella terra d’Israele; sono morti infatti quelli che cercavano di uccidere il bambino". 21Egli si alzò, prese il bambino e sua madre ed entrò nella terra d’Israele. 22Ma, quando venne a sapere che nella Giudea regnava Archelao al posto di suo padre Erode, ebbe paura di andarvi. Avvertito poi in sogno, si ritirò nella regione della Galilea 23e andò ad abitare in una città chiamata Nàzaret, perché si compisse ciò che era stato detto per mezzo dei profeti: "Sarà chiamato Nazareno".

Father Arturo Sosa SJ Jesuit General: Merry Christmas to all the Society of Jesus,the whole Church and to all good's Will People

The General Father Arturo Sosa SJ on the 50th anniversary of The Jesuit Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat

AFRICA/CENTRAFRICA - Massacro ad Alindao: “I Caschi Blu non hanno difeso la popolazione” Bangui (Agenzia Fides)

Fonte www.fides.org

AFRICA/CENTRAFRICA - Massacro ad Alindao: “I Caschi Blu non hanno difeso la popolazione” 
Bangui (Agenzia Fides)

“Da quello che mi è stato riferito dai miei contatti, i Caschi Blu della MINUSCA (Missione ONU di stabilizzazione della Repubblica Centrafricana) non hanno difeso la popolazione dai ribelli che hanno commesso l’assalto ad Alindao. All’arrivo dei guerriglieri si sono ritirati nella loro base lasciando la popolazione al suo destino di morte e distruzione” dice all’Agenzia Fides Amos Boubas, un sacerdote centrafricano che studia a Roma e che è in contatto con i suoi confratelli nella Repubblica Centrafricana, dove il 15 novembre i ribelli ex Seleka dell’UPS (Unité pour la Paix en Centrafrique) agli ordini del generale Ali Darassa, di etnia Peul, hanno assalito la cattedrale di Alindao, nel sud del Paese, e il vicino campo di rifugiati. “Dopo aver saccheggiato e incendiato la cattedrale i ribelli si sono diretti verso il campo di rifugiati dove hanno ucciso almeno 42 persone. Tra le vittime c’è il Vicario Generale della diocesi di Alindao, Mons. Blaise Mada, che è stato sepolto ieri, e un altro sacerdote il cui corpo è stato ritrovato oggi, don Celestine Ngoumbango, parroco di Mingala,” riferisce p. Boubas. “I due sacerdoti sono stati uccisi da colpi sparati durante l’assalto all’Episcopio dove si erano rifugiati insieme ad altre persone”.
“Mons. Cyr-Nestor Yapaupa, Vescovo di Alindao, sta organizzando l’evacuazione dei sopravvissuti a Bangui, la capitale”.
La motivazione del massacro sarebbe la vendetta per l’uccisione “di un musulmano” da parte delle milizie anti Balaka. “Penso che dietro a questo grave fatto di sangue vi siano motivazioni di carattere politico nel momento in cui la Francia ha presentato al Consiglio di Sicurezza dell’ONU una risoluzione per prolungare di un altro anno il mandato della MINUSCA” conclude il sacerdote. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2018) 

Jesuit missionaries attacked in Cueibet, South Sudan, on 14th November 2018 and Fr Odhiambo Victor-Luke SJ was killed

Taken from  https://twitter.com/IrishJMissions/status/1063019849356623873?s=19

"We have just heard the sad news that our Jesuit companions in Cueibet, South Sudan were attacked on 14 Nov 2018, and Fr Odhiambo Victor-Luke SJ was killed. He died in the service of the people of South Sudan, whom he loved so much. May his soul rest in peace." 
Fr John Guiney SJ (Irish Jesuits Missions)

Rest in peace Fr Odhiambo Victor-Luke SJ ❤🙏

Father Pedro Arrupe SJ is now Servant of God

The Jesuit Superior General has announced today that the "cause" for the beatification of Pedro Arrupe, SJ (Jesuit General 1965-83 and founder of Jesuit Refugee Service) has been opened by the Vicariate of Rome. He is now "Servant of God Pedro Arrupe." Taken from https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1062722252763025408?s=19
Today is the birthday of Pedro Arrupe SJ. And today is also the 38th Jesuit Refugees Service founded by the beloved father Pedro Arrupe SJ. 
Go to Servant of God Pedro Arrupe website https://arrupe.jesuitgeneral.org/en/

Happy birthday St Ignatius of Loyola

"Happy 527th birthday to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the #Jesuits, who was born on this day (we think) in 1491! "
https://twitter.com/jesuitnews/status/1054716621707771904?s=19

http://jesuits.org/spirituality?PAGE=DTN-20130520125033

Happy birthday to my beloved #StIgnatiusofLoyola 💙💙💙I love you, pray for me, pray for the Church and against Devil attacks.

God bless the Church, Pope Francis and the Jesuits !

#PrayfortheChurch

https://youtu.be/ecB8ZppHWsw

#PrayfortheChurch 

#PraytheRosary and end the Rosary with Sub Tuum Praesidium and St Michael Archangel prayers 

Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela

From September 30th to October 6th we pray for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/prayer-cycle/colombia-ecuador-venezuela

A Prayer for Generosity

A PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve You as You deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do Your will.
Amen

[St Ignatius of Loyola]

#PrayfortheChurch

#PrayfortheChurch

The Most Holy Virgin Mary Our Lady of Sorrow

The Most Holy Virgin Mary Our Lady of Sorrow

Young people in Africa!

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 2018 - Pope Francis message

Today is the "WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION".  Today starts the season of creation. Christians of different denominations are called to celebrate the Creation each year from the 1st of September ( world day of prayer for the care of creation) to the 4th of October (the St Francis of Assisi feast day).
1st Septemberis the day when Bulgarian Orthodox Church starts his liturgical year and this Church created this world day of prayer for the care of creation. Another big impact in the celebration of the world day of prayer for the care of creation comes from the Constantinople Orthodox Church. 
All the Churches of the World Council of Churches and Catholich Church started to celebrate together the season of creation.
Pope Francis has given a big impact in the care of creation and defence of our common home that is the Earth and in the fight of the Climat Changes. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Induists, Buddhists,and people of other religions, and peopleof good will ,are all involved in care of the earth and in the fight of climate changes.
Pope Francis has written Laudato SI' 
Here you can read Laudato SI http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

Here you can find the message by Pope Francis of today WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180901_messaggio-giornata-cura-creato.html

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION

1 SEPTEMBER 2018

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

On this Day of Prayer, I wish first to thank the Lord for the gift of our common home and for all those men and women of good will committed to protecting it. I am likewise grateful for the many projects aimed at promoting the study and the safeguarding of ecosystems, for the efforts being made to develop more sustainable agriculture and more responsible nutrition, and for the various educational, spiritual and liturgical initiatives that involve Christians throughout the world in the care of creation.

It must be acknowledged that we have not succeeded in responsibly protecting creation. The environmental situation, both on the global level and in many specific places, cannot be considered satisfactory. Rightly, there is a growing sense of the need for a renewed and sound relationship between humanity and creation, and the conviction that only an authentic and integral vision of humanity will permit us to take better care of our planet for the benefit of present and future generations. For “there is no ecology without an adequate anthropology” (Laudato Si’, 118).

On this World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which the Catholic Church for several years now has celebrated in union with our Orthodox brothers and sisters and with participation of other Churches and Christian communities, I would like to draw attention to the question of water. It is a very simple and precious element, yet access to it is, sadly, for many people difficult if not impossible. Nonetheless, “access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. Our world owes a great social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity” (ibid., 30).

Water invites us to reflect on our origins. The human body is mostly composed of water, and many civilizations throughout history arose near great rivers that marked their identity. In an evocative image, the beginning of the book of Genesis states that, in the beginning, the spirit of the Creator “swept over the face of the waters (1:2)”.

In considering the fundamental role of water in creation and in human development, I feel the need to give thanks to God for “Sister Water”, simple and useful for life like nothing else on our planet. Precisely for this reason, care for water sources and water basins is an urgent imperative. Today, more than ever, we need to look beyond immediate concerns (cf. Laudato Si’, 36) and beyond a purely utilitarian view of reality, “in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our individual benefit” (ibid., 159). We urgently need shared projects and concrete gestures that recognize that every privatization of the natural good of water, at the expense of the human right to have access to this good, is unacceptable.

For us Christians, water represents an essential element of purification and of life. We think immediately of baptism, the sacrament of our rebirth. Water made holy by the Spirit is the matter by which God has given us life and renewed us; it is the blessed source of undying life. For Christians of different confessions, baptism also represents the real and irreplaceable point of departure for experiencing an ever more authentic fraternity on the way to full unity. Jesus, in the course of his mission, promised a water capable of quenching human thirst for ever (cf. Jn 4:14). He prophesied, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink (Jn 7:37). To drink from Jesus means to encounter him personally as the Lord, drawing from his words the meaning of life. May the words he spoke from the cross – “I thirst” (Jn 19:28) – echo constantly in our hearts. The Lord continues to ask that his thirst be quenched; he thirsts for love. He asks us to give him to drink in all those who thirst in our own day, and to say to them, “I was thirsty and you gave me to drink” (Mt 25:35). To give to drink, in the global village, does not only entail personal gestures of charity, but also concrete choices and a constant commitment to ensure to all the primary good of water.

I would like also to mention the issue of the seas and oceans. It is our duty to thank the Creator for the impressive and marvellous gift of the great waters and all that they contain (cf. Gen 1:20-21; Ps 146:6), and to praise him for covering the earth with the oceans (cf. Ps 104:6). To ponder the immense open seas and their incessant movement can also represent an opportunity to turn our thoughts to God, who constantly accompanies his creation, guiding its course and sustaining its existence (cf. St. John Paul II, Catechesis of 7 May 1986).

Constant care for this inestimable treasure represents today an ineluctable duty and a genuine challenge. There is need for an effective cooperation between men and women of good will in assisting the ongoing work of the Creator. Sadly, all too many efforts fail due to the lack of effective regulation and means of control, particularly with regard to the protection of marine areas beyond national confines (cf. Laudato Si’, 174). We cannot allow our seas and oceans to be littered by endless fields of floating plastic. Here too, our active commitment is needed to confront this emergency. We need to pray as if everything depended on God’s providence, and work as if everything depended on us.

Let us pray that waters may not be a sign of separation between peoples, but of encounter for the human community. Let us pray that those who risk their lives at sea in search of a better future may be kept safe. Let us ask the Lord and all those engaged in the noble service of politics that the more sensitive questions of our day, such as those linked to movements of migration, climate change and the right of everyone to enjoy primary goods, may be faced with generous and farsighted responsibility and in a spirit of cooperation, especially among those countries most able to help.

Let us pray too, for all those who devote themselves to the apostolate of the sea, for those who help reflect on the issues involving maritime ecosystems, for those who contribute to the development and application of international regulations on the seas in order to safeguard individuals, countries, goods, natural resources – I think, for example, of marine fauna and flora, and coral reefs (cf. ibid., 41) or sea beds – and to guarantee an integral development in view of the common good of the entire human family and not particular interests. Let us remember, too, all those who work to protect maritime areas and to safeguard the oceans and their biodiversity, that they may carry out this task with responsibility and integrity.

Finally, let us be concerned for the younger generation and pray for them, that they may grow in knowledge and respect for our common home and in the desire to care for the essential good of water, for the benefit of all. It is my prayerful hope that Christian communities may contribute more and more concretely helping everyone to enjoy this indispensable resource, in respectful care for the gifts received from the Creator, and in particular rivers, seas and oceans.

From the Vatican, 1 September 2018

FRANCIS

Copyright to the owner

Here you can read this text by Pope Francis in many other languages
http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2018/09/01/0603/01294.html

© Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana

This Jesuit could have left Syria. Instead Fr. Frans van der Lugt died a martyr

This Jesuit could have left Syria. Instead he died a martyr.

Fr. Frans van der Lugt

https://aleteia.org/2018/08/21/this-jesuit-could-have-left-syria-instead-he-died-a-martyr/?platform=hootsuite

WMOF2018 IN DUBLIN World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin from 21st to 26th of August

https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/

Today the World Meeting of Families has started in Dublin. Pope Francis has invited to join with our prayers.
Aren't you in Dublin like me? Please participate praying from your home and your parish.
The Vatican invited Father James Martin SJ to give a lecture. On his Twitter account @JamesMartinSJ he has written
"Dear friends: Prayers welcome! God willing, I'll be leaving tonight for the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, where I'll be giving a lecture, at the invitation of the Vatican, entitled, "Showing Welcome and Respect in Our Parishes to LGBT People and their Families" @WMOF2018 1 https://t.co/eiK9EGIaWb"
https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1031973880896868358?s=19

"I'm grateful for the invitation and for the opportunity to remind parishes that LGBT Catholics are as much a part of the church as anyone else. Thanks to the pastors, pastoral workers and parishioners who helped me craft this talk of insights and "best practices" for parishes 2"
https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1031974150703931399?s=19

"Now, more than ever, in the face of increased hatred, LGBT Catholics need to know that God loves them and that they are part of God's family. For those in Dublin, the talk is at 11:30 AM at the Hall 8A.  It will posted immediately afterwards on the @americamag website. 3"
https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1031974496901713922?s=19

"More info about the talk is here: https://t.co/ZQLSeldX7S 
I ask for your prayers for an increase in respect, compassion and sensitivity in our church. Many thanks!  4/4"
https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1031974911584231424?s=19

#WMOF2018 .@WMOF2018 #WorldMeetingofFamilies
https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1031976145456181248?s=19

"To all the LGBT Catholics, and their families and friends, who shared your stories with me, wept with me, laughed with me, asked me questions about our faith, and challenged me with your insights: I'm carrying you in my heart to the World Meeting of Families in Dublin. #WMOF2018"
https://twitter.com/JamesMartinSJ/status/1031995504907956225?s=19

https://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Programme/Congress/Thursday-Programme/Session-2-Presentation-3

May God bless World Meeting of Families. May God bless all the families of the world. May God bless Father James Martin SJ. May all the parishes of the world be LGBT welcoming. May God bless all his children and LGBT Catholics are Catholic like all the others Catholic people. May God bless everybody.
Amen and Alleluia,  Jesus Christ Our Lord come!

The Virtues of Catholic Anger

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/15/opinion/the-virtues-of-catholic-anger.html

Pray > Prayers on poverty > Lord, I come to do your will (Father Michael Fitzsimmons/CAFOD)

Pray > Prayers on poverty > Lord, I come to do your will
Father Michael Fitzsimmons/CAFOD
https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources/Lord-I-come-to-do-your-will

Prayer: Lord, I come to do your will

Lord, allow my ears to listen to the cry of the earth,

the voices of my sisters and brothers,

those who face the hash reality of climate change.

Lord, I come do your will.

 

Lord, allow my eyes to see the beauty of creation.

In flowers, creatures, forests, and cities alike.

Lord, I come do your will.

 

Lord, allow my voice to speak out for justice,

and ensure people living in poverty are heard.

Lord, I come do your will.

 

Lord, allow my hands to care for the earth,

To toil, to recap, to celebrate.

Lord, I come do your will.

 

Lord, allow my feet to take the path less trod,

to walk the extra mile,

to take your message out to the world

Lord, I come do your will.

 

Father Michael Fitzsimmons/CAFOD

Prayer: For a better world

https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources/Prayer-for-a-better-world

Prayer: For a better world

For the people whose lives have touched ours,
for the love they show,
the burdens they lift,
the hopes we share.

Compassionate God, we ask you:
to fill us with your love,
to place in our hearts a spirit of courage,
to move us to reach out to others in need.

And lead us to play our part,
so that now and in generations to come
all your children may share
in our hope for a better world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,

Amen

Catherine Gorman, written for the Your Catholic Legacy consortium 

Taken from https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources/Prayer-for-a-better-world