GEBED IEDERE DAG

Memory of the Poor
Woord van god elke dag

Memory of the Poor

Memorial of St. Anthony and Theodosius founders of the Monastery of the lavra of Caves of Kiev (+1073) and fathers of the Russian and Ukraine monasticism. We remember Christians in Ukraine and Russia. Lees meer

Libretto DEL GIORNO
Memory of the Poor
Monday, July 23

Memorial of St. Anthony and Theodosius founders of the Monastery of the lavra of Caves of Kiev (+1073) and fathers of the Russian and Ukraine monasticism. We remember Christians in Ukraine and Russia.


Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 12,38-42

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. 'Master,' they said, 'we should like to see a sign from you.' He replied, 'It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah remained in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. On Judgement Day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and they will be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented; and look, there is something greater than Jonah here. On Judgement Day the Queen of the South will appear against this generation and be its condemnation, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look, there is something greater than Solomon here.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

How often, like the Scribes and Pharisees, we too seek a sign to be sure and safe! This appears to be a reasonable and licit request. Even Philip asked, "Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Indeed, to have plain evidence and clear signs appears to be normal in order to be convinced. This request is full of ambiguity and shows mistrust. We do not consider Jesus' testimony of his deeds and words is enough. We seek clear evidence that exempts us from the labour of a choice, of a decision. Actually, the Lord performs a lot of miracles for us, as well as for the people in the Gospel. We can see his presence in those miracles, not to be convinced of it, but rather to realize his and our power of love. Jesus himself cannot give any sign except for the sign of Jonah, that is, the mystery of his death and Resurrection. In fact, just as Jonas was kept in the belly of the fish three days, and was then spewed out and sent to Nineveh to preach, so the Son of man would stay three days in the earth and then be raised by his Father to be the Saviour of all. This explains why Jonas has often been portrayed on the gravestones of the catacombs. Jesus is the sign given by God to humankind. This sign is infinitely greater than the sign of Jonas given to Nineveh. Yet, for us, it is difficult to believe in Jesus, to convert to him, and to entrust ourselves to his Word. The Queen of the South made a long journey to hear the Wisdom of Solomon. Yet, we find it difficult even to open the book of the Gospel and read it. Instead of extraordinary, amazing, esoteric signs, today we need a powerful and clear proclamation of the Gospel, with a widespread revelation of mercy, especially towards the weakest. These are the signs that Jesus performed and entrusted to his disciples then and now. This Gospel passage questions every disciple and every Christian community as to whether they really are a sign of love and mercy. This is the task that Jesus still entrusts to the Church: to be salt and light of the world.

WOORD VAN GOD ELKE DAG: DE KALENDER

Het gebed is het hart van het leven van de Gemeenschap van Sant’Egidio. Het is haar eerste “werk”. Aan het einde van de dag komt elke Gemeenschap, of die nu klein of groot is, samen bij de Heer om het Woord te beluisteren en zich tot Hem te richten in het gebed. De leerlingen kunnen niet anders dan aan de voeten van Jezus zitten, zoals Maria van Bethanië, om het “betere deel” te kiezen (Lc 10, 42) en van Hem zijn gezindheid te leren (vgl. Fil 2, 5).

Elke keer dat de Gemeenschap zich tot de Heer richt, maakt ze zich die vraag eigen van de anonieme leerling: “Heer, leer ons bidden!” (Lc 11, 1). En Jezus, meester in het gebed, antwoordt: “Wanneer jullie bidden, zeg dan: Abba, Vader”.

Wanneer we bidden, ook in de geslotenheid van ons eigen hart, zijn we nooit alleen of verweesd. Integendeel, we zijn leden van de familie van de Heer. In het gemeenschappelijk gebed wordt naast het mysterie van het kindschap, ook dat van de broederschap en zusterschap duidelijk.

De Gemeenschappen van Sant’Egidio, verspreid over de wereld, verzamelen zich op de verschillende plaatsen die gekozen zijn voor het gebed en brengen de hoop en het verdriet van de “uitgeputte en hulpeloze mensenmenigte” waarover het Evangelie spreekt (Mt 9, 37) bij de Heer. Deze oude menigte omvat de inwoners van onze hedendaagse steden, de armen die zich bevinden in de marge van het leven, en iedereen die wacht om als dagloner te worden aangenomen (vgl. Mt 20).

Het gemeenschappelijk gebed verzamelt de schreeuw, de hoop, het verlangen naar vrede, genezing, zin en redding, die beleefd worden door de mannen en vrouwen van deze wereld. Het gebed is nooit leeg. Het stijgt onophoudelijk op naar de Heer opdat verdriet verandert in vreugde, wanhoop in blijheid, angst in hoop, eenzaamheid in gemeenschap. En het rijk Gods zal spoedig temidden van de mensen komen.

WOORD VAN GOD ELKE DAG: DE KALENDER