One Will Be Taken, and One Will Be Left

 

This week's Gospel talks about the hour at which the Son of Man will return.  At that hour, one man will be "taken" and another left beside him in the field.  One woman grinding at the mill will be "taken" and the other left behind.  

Scholars have debated the destination of those who are "taken".  Are they brought to judgment or salvation?  The Gospel isn't clear.

In some sense, I don't know that it matters.  I think that the point of the Gospel is that we don't want to be away from that which we love, be that God or other people.  In some sense, we neither want to be taken nor left behind if God and our loved ones are in "the other place".  I have sometimes thought: if Heaven is not a place where I can kiss my wife and kids on the tops of their heads, I'm not interested.   

One of the most painful things in the world is being separated. Separated from people we love, from our homes, from familiar surroundings.  This is part of the reason that people dread going to jail; jail is a place where people are away from most everything which they love.  It is a place of desolation for many.  

So, let us seek to be in consolation with the Lord, not in the desolation which is being away from Him.  I think that the best way to be in consolation with God is to acknowledge God's presence in our lives, be thankful for it, and do our best to turn toward Him.  

 

"Remember me..." (translated into English)

Gospel Reflection 11.20.22

 

Lord Jesus, how many times have I contemplated you nailed to the cross, have I wondered, why did you not come down from the Cross and punish those evildoers who mocked you?

 

Lord, how many times have I told you that it is difficult for me to comprehend the miracle of your crucifixion and death; the so-called "scandal of the cross," how many times have I wondered why it had to be so, because you had to suffer so much?

 

The church celebrates you today as king of the universe, as king of all creation. But in your word, in the Gospel passage, I find you in immense suffering, seemingly defeated and turned into the mockery of all those people.

 

Here is our king: yourthrone is the most atrocious gallows, the cross, reserved for the worst criminals, your crown?   One of thorns, your scepter, a vulgar reed, your royal garment? You don't have it, you're naked.

 

In the midst of that painful spectacle of mockery, mockery, and insults, there is a person who understands, one who receives the grace not only to rebuke the other companion of torture but also to turn to you and ask you, "Lord, remember me when you are in your kingdom."

 

Lord, the good thief understood who you were and also the meaning of your death.  He understood that you died for his sake, for my sake, and for the love of all mankind.

 

He also understood that your death was not the end, that it was not a defeat, he said that you would enter triumphantly into your kingdom and asked you to remember him at your moment of your triumph.

 

Lord Jesus, I make my own the humble request of the good thief, "Remember me, poor sinner, when you are in your kingdom."

 

During my student days, at school, I learned to pray the prayer of all three.  I learned every evening at that hour, to transport myself in spirit to Mount Calvary and unite myself to Mary and the beloved disciple at the foot of the cross and there ask you forgiveness for my sins that are the cause of your death. And thank you for the salvation you gave us at that time to all mankind. 

 

Thank you also for having given us Mary, your mother for mother in that hour of salvation. 

 

And Lord, "Remember me when you are in your kingdom." Thank you, Sir.

 

 

The Knight of Our Lady.

 

 

 

 

 

“Acuérdate de mi…”

 

Señor Jesús, ¿ cuántas veces contemplándote clavado en la cruz, me he preguntado, por qué no bajaste de la Cruz y castigaste a  aquellos malhechores que se burlaban de ti?

 

Señor, ¿cuántas veces te he dicho que me es difícil comprender el misterio de tu crucifixión y muerte; el llamado “escándalo de la cruz”, ¿cuántas veces me he preguntado por que tenía que ser así, porque tenías que sufrir tanto?

 

La iglesia te celebra hoy como rey del universo, como rey de todo lo creado. Pero en tu palabra, en el pasaje evangélico, te encuentro en inmenso sufrimiento, aparentemente derrotado y convertido en la burla de toda aquella gente.

 

He aquí a nuestro rey: tu trono es el patíbulo más atroz, la  cruz, reservada para los peores delincuentes, ¿ tu corona?   una de espinas, tu cetro, una vulgar caña, ¿tu vestidura real? No la tienes, estás desnudo.

 

En medio de aquel doloroso espectáculo de burlas, mofas e insultos, hay una persona que comprende, uno que recibe la gracia no solamente de reprender al otro compañero de suplicio sino también de dirigirse a ti y pedirte, “Señor, acuérdate de mí cuando estés en tu reino”.

 

Señor, El buen ladrón comprendió quien eras y también el sentido de tu muerte.  Entendió que morías por amor a él, por amor a mí y por amor a toda la humanidad.

 

Comprendió también que tu muerte no era el fin, que no era una derrota,  omprendió que entrarías triunfante en tu reino y te pedía te acordarás de él en tu momento de tu triunfo.

 

Señor Jesús, hago mía la petición humilde del buen ladrón, “acuérdate de mí, pobre pecador, cuando estés en tu reino “.

 

Durante mis días de estudiante, en el colegio, aprendí a rezar la oración de las tres.  Aprendí a todas las tarde  a esa hora , a transportarme en espíritu al monte Calvario  y unirme a María  y al discípulo amado  al pie de la cruz  y allí pedirte perdón por mis pecados que son la causa de tu muerte. Y darte gracias por la salvación que nos regalaste en ese momento a toda la humanidad. 

 

Gracias también por habernos dado a María , tu madre por madre en aquella hora de salvación. 

 

Y Señor, “Acuérdate de mí cuando estés en tu reino “. Gracias, Señor.

 

 

El Caballereo de Nuestra Señora

 

 

 

 

 

Gospel Reflection – Luke 21: 5-19

November 13, 2022

Putting the House in Order

 

O’ Lord, sacred prophecy declares that You will return to sweep the earth clean.

How I anticipate Your arrival and broom to a house sullied by man for too long,

            Blessed be the Holy Redeemer!

Lord, man has proven himself the fool countless times, by testing You.

Your patience must be like melting ice that is ready to give way to the presssure.

            Glory to the Just Judge!

O’ Lord, You anoint us with the Spirit in preparation of the approaching storm.

There will be no armistice considered, for Your mighty hand will crush all inequity.

            Praise to the Just Judge!

Lord, forgive me the times of betrayal, when I fled and ran from You in the garden.

Only Your mercy can redeem me, no word uttered from these lips, no virtuous act.

            Blessed be the Spirit of Salvation!

O’ Lord, prepare my house and keep me free from the seductions of evil men.

For I am easily duped by earthly riches, alluring promises and false declarations.

            Glory to the Patron of Truth!

My Beloved, if put to the test this day I will not be alone for You stand at my side.

No trial or tribulation can withstand Your mighty hand and rod of justice.

            Praise to the God of Refuge!

                                                                                                            The Pilgrim

 

Even Moses made known that the dead will rise.

Jesus teaches us a very subtle lesson in this weeks Gospel reading when he says:  

"That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out 'Lord, 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."

Walk through this with me, if you have the patience: I've read Exodus many times. I've read the passage about the burning bush. After reading about Moses' encounter with God on the Holy Mountain, I didn't say to myself  "Oh, Moses is talking about the resurrection, here." I mean, yes - it makes sense when Jesus tells us that's what that means. But I didn't get that the first time I read it. Or the second time. Even the third time, when you'd think that surely by now, I must remember the Gospel passage where Jesus tells us that Moses is talking about the resurrection, but no. If I'm being honest, I've been very slow to put this together. 

What's my point? I am amazed at how deep and broad and truly profound Holy Scriptures are. Even when I think I understand a simple and straight forward passage such as this one about Moses at the burning bush, I find that contemplating God's word is always fruitful. Even when I "get it," I find that there's another, deeper lesson to understand. What's the subtle lesson the Lord is giving us in this Gospel passage? Of course (ultimately) He's telling us that He is the Resurrection and the Life, but the more subtle message is one about how to read Scripture. There's so much more to it than what lies at the surface. Scripture should be read and re-read, and then read again. Each time, we should not be shy about asking our Lord to explain it to us. I think reading Scripture was always meant to be a prayerful thing. If you don't read Scripture, I would invite you to start. Read something. Read a Psalm. Read a Gospel. Sit with the Lord and contemplate what you read. He will be right there with you.......

Peace,

               +Theophilus