Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 10, 2013
Dear Parishioners,
One of my favorite feast days of the church year is All Saints Day, November 1. I have always thought of
it as the Church's Memorial Day. The day honors, not only the men and women officially canonized as saints by
the church, but a day of honoring your saints, my saints- those in our own families and among our friends who
have gone before us. So often when we hear the word “Saint”, the words that instinctively come to mind are:
pious, prayerful, devout, perfect. Not all the canonized saints fit that bill completely. St. Paul, as a devout Jew and
before his conversion, oversaw the persecution of many of the first Christians until his conversion. Monica,
according to history, prayed for many years for her son who was living a life of wine, women and song. Today,
the name of Monica's son is known by millions around the world - Saint Augustine.
Some years ago I read a book by Father William McNamara, a Carmelite priest now in his late 80's, who
defined a saint as a holy person. Then he defines a holy person by simply putting a "w" before, defining it even
further: A Saint is a WHOLE person open to the needs of others. Opening our Bible (which for some might be
collecting dust on the bookshelf) we read in the First Letter of John: “Love must not be a matter of words or talk;
it must be genuine and show itself in action."(1 John 3:18-19 ).
Some associate holiness with attending a church on Sunday, as if to imply that those who do not go to a
church are anything but holy. On my recent trip to Ireland, I visited my friends who run Anna O'Neill's Pub in
Newmarket-on-Fergus. For those not familiar with pubs in Ireland, they are small establishments, many of which
serve meals for the whole family. There I met Tony, a man in his thirties, who has been turned off by the church
for various reasons, although he still considers himself Catholic. He is known in the village of Newmarket as a
man who goes out of his way to help others. According to the villagers there is nothing that Tony would not do to
help another. He believes in God and believes in helping others although he hasn't crossed the threshold of a
Catholic church in years. In my mind he is a whole (holy) person. Some weeks ago Pope Francis acted in a similar
way. When asked a question about atheists he remarked that they are good people. Francis seems to talk well of
all people. While not diminishing prayer life or attending Sunday Mass, some have the tendency to exalt one and
look down on the other. A holy person is one who translates the love of God into action. I have known many holy
people in my life and for me that list begins with my Mom and Dad. They both were always open to the needs of
others and especially with their children. They both, but especially my dad, showed us the importance of looking
out for others - caring for others. In my mind they would fit Father McNamara's definition of holiness. Also the
words of John's Epistle would define them both - open arms to others in need.
That is why All Saints Day is one of my favorite days. We honor those officially canonized by the Church
and also those we learned from and lived with. Saints were not always perfect. They are, however, our examples.
And my list begins with John and Georgette, my parents, no not perfect, but fantastic role models. And you have
the same within your families and friends who have gone before you.
Have a nice week!
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 10, 2013
WHEN SHOULD I CALL
THE PRIEST?
My loved one is extremely ill and, while
being cared for here at home, has been
accepted into the Hospice Program. So
when should we make arrangements for the priest to
come and administer the Sacrament for the Sick and
Dying? The answer to this question is that the priest
should be called within a few days or weeks of your
loved ones entrance into the program, while he or she is
still alert and responsive. This Sacrament, the Anointing
of the Sick/Dying or Extreme Unction as it is sometimes
called, has many different prayers which address the
many different forms of illness. The prayers for an individual whose illness is terminal, contain words that are
meant to provide comfort, courage, and strength. So it is
beneficial for our loved one to hear these words and be
able to respond to them. If the patient is alert it also can
be a time when the healing words of reconciliation can
do much to reduce stress and anxiety, doing away with
fear and bringing on a deep sense of peace and the love
of God. This also is a time to make arrangements to have
your loved one receive Communion on a regular basis.
Jesus had a special love for those who suffered from illness, so his Presence in Communion can bring, to the
patient and family, ongoing peace and comfort during the
final weeks of illness. Please feel free to call the church
office, if you have any questions concerning this.
In your prayers please remember the following sick
of our parish
Victoria McWey, Marianne Sheehy,
John Richards, Techii Jeanneau Davelouis,
Cheryl Thomas, Paulina Comeio, Blake Kamstra,
Debbie Moyer, Remedios Gomez, John Blinn,
Debbie Moyer, Remedios Gomez, Keith Scott,
Suzanne Telken, John Richards, James Breslin and
Jeannie Wood.
Retirement Fund for Religious
Religious give thanks. “Thank you for accompanying us
as we care for our elder sisters,” writes a religious
superior. Your gift to last week’s collection for the
Retirement Fund for Religious helps support nearly
34,000 sisters, brothers, and religious order priests past
age 70. May God bless you abundantly for your goodness.
Monday, November 11
All Souls
Novena Mass
Louise H. Puhek
7:30am
Fr. Wilson
Tuesday, November 12
7:30am
Fr. Keke
Wednesday, November 13
All Souls Day
Novena Mass
7:30am
Fr. Wilson
Thursday, November 14
Angela De Mericie
Nguyen-T-KimNgoc
7:30am
Fr. Korpi
Friday, November 15
All Souls Day
Novena Mass
7:30am
Saturday, November 16
Anna McCourt
9:00am
Luis Marcelo Griffith
5:00pm
Hispanic Mass
7:00pm
James McCarthy
Parishioners
Andres Yelicie
Alonso Obando
Sunday, November 17
7:30am
9:00am
11:00am
12:45pm
PRAY FOR WORLD PEACE
ALTAR FLOWERS
In Loving Memory of
Frank Suchon, Dad & “Pepere”
From Fred & Madeleine Arzt
And
In Loving Memory of
All Veterans, Past & Present
Tom & Kathleen Powers
Fr. Korpi
Fr. Korpi
Fr. Korpi
Fr. Wilson
Fr. Martin
Fr. Martin
Fr. Korpi
Fr. Wilson
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 10, 2013
PRO-LIFE CORNER
"The promotion of the culture of life
should be the highest priority in our
societies... If the right to life is not
defended decisively as a condition for all
other rights of the person, all other
references to human rights remain deceitful and illusory."
Pope John Paul II
Choose Life Today. Choose Life Tomorrow. Pray
Always. We Must Do No Less.
A WOMAN’S CHOICE is a pregnancy resource center that
provides free pregnancy testing, referrals for medical
treatment, housing, social service assistance and tangible
support for pregnant women, including clothing and
equipment. (703-538-4305).
24-Hour Crisis Pregnancy Hotline: 1-800-395-HELP
Project Rachel (healing after abortion):
1-888-456-HOPE
Catholic Charities National: 1-800-CARE-002
Catholic Charities Local: 703-425-0100
A Woman's Choice: 703-538-4305
Gabriel Project: 1-866-444-3553
SPECIAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE
Note date change
On Tuesday, November 19, 2013 a special
Mass of Remembrance will take place at Nativity at 7:30pm. Any parishioner who has experienced the loss of a loved one during the past
year is invited to attend. A small reception will
be held in the vestibule following the liturgy. For more information, please contact Carol Mack, Pastoral Minister,
[email protected] or call 703-455-2400 x 117
AMS COLLECTION
Today we support our family and friends who have served
this nation with distinction. The Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services will provide the Gospel, the
sacraments and other forms of spiritual support to the men
and women of the United States Armed Forces wherever they
serve, no matter the circumstances. Please prayerfully consider a generous contribution to the first-ever national Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services.
CCD NEWS
Thanksgiving Holiday — classes are cancelled only
on Tuesday, November 26, and Sunday, December
1, in observance of the holiday. Classes will be held
as usual on Sunday, November 24, and Monday, November 25.
Deadline for all Confirmation requirements — Confirmation students must have all requirements completed and turned in by Sunday, December 1; Monday,
December 2; and Tuesday, December 3.
Attention Religious Education Program teachers,
assistant teachers, substitutes, and babysitters: If
you attended the 4-hour VIRTUS Seminar for Adults
prior to June 1, 2013, you are required to view the 45minute DVD, Keeping the Promise Alive. Mark your
calendar to attend this showing Sunday, November 17,
at 7:30pm in Nativity’s Parish Hall.
The Inclement Weather Policy can be viewed at
www.nativityburke.org; click on Religious Education
and link to the Inclement Weather Policy under Current
News and Events.
Note from Natacha….Christmas is coming
The Little Angel Gift Shop has a variety
of Christmas Cards, as well as Nativity
sets, rosaries, necklaces, White House
($20.00) and Starfish($10.60) ornaments
and many other Christmas ideas. These
items are now available for you to purchase. Stop by and
see if there is anything that interests you. The Gift Shop
is open weekdays after the 7:30am Mass and on Sunday
after all Masses.
Thought of for the Week
Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman:
“And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?”
the reporter asked. She simply replied, “No peer pressure.”
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 10, 2013
NATIVITY CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
Sunday, November 10
2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm…………… ………..CCD Classes (S)
Monday, November 11 Veterans Day
4:00 & 7:00pm………………………...….. CCD Classes (S)
7:00pm………………………………….………...RCIC (SL)
8:00pm………………….……………......AA Meeting (APR)
Tuesday, November 12
Election Day
9:30am…………………………………...Bible Study (APR)
4:30 & 7:00pm………………………….....CCD Classes (S)
7:30pm………………………………Legion of Mary (APR)
Wednesday, November 13
10:00am………………………………..…..Mom & Me (APR)
7:30pm……………..……..…....Hispanic Prayer Group (SC)
Thursday, November 14
9:30am……..……….……..…….…....….Craft Group (APR)
7:15pm…….…………...…….……..…..Prayer Group (APR)
Friday, November 15
9:30am………….…....Catholic Women’s Bible Study (APR)
Saturday, November 16
8:00am……………....Men’s Prayer &Reflection Group (GR)
9:30am……………………………….Pro-Life Rosary (CH)
10:00am………………...…………..……..ESL (Room 5, 6, 7)
10:00am…………………….….…..Dog Obedience Class (PL)
1:00pm………………………….…..Hispanic Baptisms (SC)
5:00pm………………………….....Hispanic CYM (Room 4)
5:00pm………………………….…….Hispanic CCD (S, PH)
Building Pledge News
Attention: For those persons who would like to donate
to the building fund electronically, there is a category set
up in Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) for this. The category
name is "Parish expansion donations". If you previously set up electronically, just use your password to get
back into the system. If you have forgotten your password, call 800-348-2886and the OSV representatives
will reset your password. If you have never set up, go to
Nativity's website and the link to connect to OSV is
located there. There are instructions to walk you through
setting up your account. Thank you in advance for your
contributions.
Church of the Nativity Bookkeeper - Ann Benson
A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Parish Motto: “Helping those across the street and around the world.” FALL OPEN HOUSE” FOR NEW FAMILIES Sunday, November 17th, 10:00 am –12:00 pm Become a “Nativity Star”. We invite you to explore Nativity Catholic School Where Everyone Shines In The Light Of Christ! Nativity Catholic School is a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School. We take pride in our students and pre‐
pare them for success. Our curriculum, challenging in its own right, is augmented through a robust program of re‐
source and enrichment. Students may choose from a wide array of options designed to cultivate their own unique gifts and talents. They consistently score well above the national average on standardized tests such as TerraNova and HSPT and are accepted into and achieve great things in top high schools in the Northern Virginia area. Nativity offers our Middle School 6th, 7th and 8th graders a High School preparatory program based on individual aca‐
demic excellence with a foundation in faith. We are focused on our partnership with parents to help guide students through this critical transition from childhood to young adulthood. Nativity provides a nurturing environment where middle school students flourish through personalized atten‐
tion, advanced academics, and leadership, while stressing the importance of faith and community. To arrange a visit or for more information about Nativity, please contact Mrs. Paulson at 703‐455‐2300 ext. 119 or via email at [email protected]. http://www.nativityburke.org/nativityschool/
FAIR TRADE COFFEE & CHOCOLATE
Shop responsibly! As consumers, we
constantly make decisions that can have a
real impact on peoples' lives. CRS Fair
Trade programs make it possible for
Catholics in the US to ensure a living wage for our sisters
and brothers in developing countries. Check out the Fair
Trade Corner in the Gift Shop for delicious coffee and Divine
Chocolate. www.crsfairtrade.org
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 10, 2013
OPERATION STARFISH® NEWS
Membership Drive and Open House: We will be having
our Fall membership drive the weekend of November 9/10.
Brother Knights will be asked to help pass out information
about our Order after all Masses. The following Tuesday
evening, November 12th, there will be an open house for
prospective new members in the Parish Hall.
Next council meeting will be 19 Nov. Our council will be
hosting a 1st degree ceremony that evening. We hope to have
many new members from the membership drive on the weekend of 9/10 Nov. Please come to this meeting dressed appropriately for a degree ceremony.
In Baptism we are reborn as children of God,
made members of His Church and heirs to the
Kingdom of Heaven. With this in mind, let us
welcome into the Nativity family, the following
who were baptized in October:
Emily Cameron Cook; Luke Justin Toney;
Kanoa Rolando Santos; John Arthur Eagle;
Andrea Alejandra Guerra;
Gabriel Emiliano Tripicchio Molinari;
William Russell Kirkland; Courtney Susan Eddy;
John Sutton Weeks and Jacob Andre Vidal
MOZART’S REQUIEM IN D MINOR
The Schiller Institute will present a performance of Mozart's
Requiem in D minor and remarks of remembrance at St. Mark
Catholic Church on November 22, 2013 on the occasion of the
50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The intention of the concert is best summed up by Kennedy's own words delivered just three days before his death on
the occasion of the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, "From the past, man obtains the insights, wisdom and hope to face with confidence the uncertainties of
the future". Nothing expresses the deeper meaning of those
words better than Mozart's most beautiful final composition.
The concert will be performed by the Schiller Institute Chorus
along with an orchestra and soloists assembled for the occasion.
The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. and is open to the public
free of charge.
www.operation-starfish.org
NEWEST VILLAGE BEING OCCUPIED
FISH4HOPE Village in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley is our
newest village project. It was envisioned by parishioners
Tu Le and Vin Lam after their first mission trip to Haiti.
Food For The Poor took Fr. Martin and a group from
Nativity to the site this past Spring. We met with the
local residents and promised to build housing and develop a fish farming venture.
With funding from Tu, Vin and others, through Operation Starfish, four fish ponds have been completed and
construction of 15 houses is underway. One of the first
families to move into a new house is the Evenique Dormeus family. We met Evenique and her five children in
March and she showed us the mud and stone hut she was
living in. She now has a door she can lock, a floor that
doesn’t become mud when it rains, and a roof that will
hold up in a storm.
Food For The Poor anticipates completion of this village
project by the end of this year. We will travel to Haiti to
bless the new project in early 2014.
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Y O U T H M I N I S T RY . . . P AU S E
Join us for Sunday Youth Nights
Jr. High (6-8) NO GATHERING TODAY
Join us for Mass!
High School
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Youth Mass!
TO
November 10, 2013
REMEMBER
The poppies represent the blooms across some of the worst
battlefields of Flanders in World War I. Their brilliant red
color is an appropriate symbol for the blood shed for our
freedom. Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice
Day - a day to honor the fallen soldiers.
Teen Mass, Nov 10
7:30pm-9:30pm
Feed your soul! Bring a friend.
Fellowship to follow. See our sign up genius in the
email updates to volunteer as lector, usher and snacks.
Jr. High “Lock-In”
Thank you to our Nativity family from
Team Project Eggcel for your
generosity!
It was a great event. Thanks to all those who
participated and to the teen & adult volunteers
who helped.
Get on the List! For updates, Email
Ingrid Sánchez-Seymour, Dir, Youth Ministry
[email protected]
SHARING HOPE, a support group for men and women going through separation and divorce, will meet this Friday,
November 15th, 8:00 p.m., at St. Mary of Sorrows Historic
Church Hall, off Rte 123. The topic will be “Stewardship of
Your Treasures”. Newcomers are warmly welcomed and
there is no fee. For further information, directions or encouragement, please call Maureen at 703-978-6318 or check our
out website, Google: Sharing Hope, Fairfax, VA
Bishop O'Connell High School Open House Sunday, Nov. 17, 1-3 p.m. Bring your family for a full tour of our facilities. See our
brand-new science labs, learn more about our curriculum,
meet our teachers, administrators and coaches, and chat with
current students. No RSVP necessary. Presentation begins
at 1 p.m. in the auditorium. For more information,
visit www.bishopoconnell.org/open or call 703-237-1433.
Bishop O'Connell High School is located at 6600 Little Falls
Road in Arlington.
St. Mary’s Holiday Express Craft Sale
Get your Christmas shopping done at St. Mary’s Craft
Sale! In addition to our homemade crafts, we have a
sweet shop, silent auction and raffle. Saturday, November 16th, 10 am to 6:30 pm and Sunday, November
17th, 9 am to 2 pm in the church hall. St. Mary’s is at
5222 Sideburn Road in Fairfax.
CURSILLO
What is it?
Hard to say.
Harder to live without once you’ve
experienced it.
Kind of like God.
Calling all Nativity
Cursillistas... And all who are interested in finding out
more about this thing called “Cursillo.” Please join with
Cursillistas from St. Raymond’s Parish at an informational and faith sharing meeting on Friday, November
15th at St. Raymond Parish Hall, 8750 Pohick Road,
Springfield at 7:30pm.
CURSILLO
It starts with a retreat.
It grows in friendship.
It never has to end.
For more information please call Diane Bayne at
703-763-7230.
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
¡CREO! ¿Pasa algo?
(XXXII C)
Javier Leoz
¿Pero tú crees en la resurrección
después de la muerte? ¡Por supuesto! ¡Lo
creo y no pierdo nada!
Así de contundente, un sacerdote,
contestaba en plena calle a una
interpelación de un periodista en plena
calle.
1.Los saduceos, que no creían en la resurrección, se
mofaban de ella y por añadido de los que profesaban esta creencia.
Hoy, como entonces, también nos toca asistir constantemente a
encuestas que nos dicen que un alto porcentaje de católicos no
creen en la resurrección. A lo que, con el evangelio en la mano,
habrá que responder: ni son católicos ni son cristianos. ¿Por qué?
Porque el cristianismo se sustenta en esa verdad fundamental: la
resurrección de Cristo y, con ella, la de cada uno de nosotros.
Ser testigos de esta verdad es una misión que, aunque resulte difícil,
se convierte en un signo de la fortaleza y vigorosidad de nuestra fe
y, sobre todo, de nuestra fidelidad a Jesús.
Una vez celebrada la Festividad de Todos los Santos y de Todos los
Difuntos, se nos impone una reflexión:
-¿Valoramos y mantenemos vivo el recuerdo por nuestros difuntos?
-¿Tratamos con respeto sus restos? Resulta llamativo, por lo menos
en algunos lugares de España, cómo levantamos monumentos a
mascotas y –en cambio- una vez incinerados los restos de nuestros
seres queridos los dispersamos por montes, mares o jardines. ¿Es
correcto? ¿Dónde queda entonces la memoria de nuestros difuntos?
¿Acaso nos estorban? ¿Tal vez nos incomoda el visitarles una vez
al año? Algo, en este sentido, tiene que cambiar y a mejor. Somos
semillas de esperanza pero, esas semillas, ¿no deben de ser tratadas
con mimo y depositadas en un lugar digno?
2.Como cristianos, y al igual que aquellos niños macabeos,
esperamos en Dios. Sabemos que, es mejor morir según Dios que
atenazados por la frialdad y la incredulidad del mundo. No
acompaña el ambiente ni, mucho menos, las ideologías que
endiosan lo pragmático y ridiculizan hasta lo más santo.
Frente aquellos que sólo creen en lo que ven, nosotros –por la
Palabra del Señor- y por su muerte y resurrección, creemos en lo
que no vemos: ¡resucitaremos!
Un profesor, ante una pregunta de un alumno sobre este tema, le
respondió: “mira; si hay algo es mucho lo que gano…y si no hay
nada (cosa que no creo) no perderé mucho menos que tú y, además,
habré vivido con esperanza”.
Vale la pena, amigos, creer y fiarnos de las palabras del
Señor. Vale la pena sufrir calumnias y burlas, incomprensiones o
sonrisas malévolas cuando sabemos que, después del sufrimiento y
de la prueba, han de quedan en evidencia aquellos que vivieron sin
Dios y, por el contrario, hemos de disfrutar de una vida eterna con
el Señor aquellos que creemos profundamente en El.
Y es que, al final, Dios es quien ríe el último y a pleno pulmón.
November 10, 2013
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
Ser incomprendido, por defender que Tú vives en
mí,
antes que ser elevado en el pódium del éxito
efímero
pero sin horizontes ni razones para existir
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
Las risas de los que no me entienden por lo que
creo
Ni el vacío de los que no me quieren por lo que
siento
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
El no percibir algunas verdades que tú me ofreces
cuanto esperar a que un día se hagan realidad
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
Cómo me rescatarás de la muerte,
cuanto saber que, ahora y aquí,
me acompañas y me animas con tu Palabra
me alimentas con tu Cuerpo y con tu Sangre
y, en el fondo de mi alma,
me haces arder en ansias de poder verte
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
La burla de los que no se molestan en buscarte
La sonrisa de los que, sintiéndose poderosos,
serán nada y polilla después de su grandeza
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
Las falsas promesas que el mundo me ofrece
frente a las tuyas que han de ser eternas
Los cortos caminos, que me llevan al abismo,
frente a los tuyos – estrechos y difícilespero con final feliz y glorioso.
QUE NO ME IMPORTE, SEÑOR
Javier Leoz
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Aprende Tu Fe
Sin título
November 10, 2013
Author: Enrique Monasterio
Empiezo a redactar este artículo en la capilla del Centro universitario donde trabajo. En este pequeño oratorio celebraré la Santa Misa dentro de media hora. Entre tanto permanece en penumbra. Para escribir me basta la luz tenue
que ilumina el Sagrario.
He puesto una palabra como título. La leo en voz alta y siento la misma desazón que me produce oírla a
todas horas: en la radio, en la televisión, en la calle, en las conversaciones más triviales e incluso en ambientes presuntamente cultos. Decido tacharla. Había escrito "La Hostia".
"La Hostia" es una palabra profanada, un vocablo envilecido, contaminado por el vómito de millares de
blasfemos que se han ensañado con Ella durante años. No tengo tiempo ni ganas de hacer un análisis sociológico o
histórico de la cuestión; pero, en todo caso, ofender a Dios con la palabra siempre me ha parecido un pecado estúpido, una especie
de pataleta de adolescente, aunque sea cosa de viejos. Los blasfemos se rebelan contra sus más íntimas creencias con la misma
agresividad del quinceañero que escupe a un retrato de su padre para reivindicar su autonomía.
No tan grave, pero sí tan necia como la blasfemia, es la irreverencia consciente, el manoseo torpe o graciosillo del lenguaje sagrado para escándalo de ancianitas o regocijo de clerófobos. La Hostia Santa (tenía ganas de poner este adjetivo) se ha
convertido para muchos en un sustantivo "audaz", en un churrete asqueroso del lenguaje progre o en una muletilla mohosa para
tartamudos mentales.
Hace un rato, frente al despacho del capellán, un grupo de alumnos de Derecho comentaba el último examen de no sé qué
asignatura. Una alumna repitió tres o cuatro veces esta palabra con su correspondiente artículo determinado. Yo no podía verla, y
quizá ella tampoco era consciente de que la escuchaba a pocos metros. La chica probablemente no quería ofender a nadie, pero su
reducido vocabulario precisaba de un comodín, y por lo visto no tiene otro mejor.
Sin embargo, la Hostia es Jesucristo. No quiero decir que "signifique" la presencia de Jesús entre nosotros; ni siquiera
que "esté" escondido en un pedazo de pan. No: el pan ya no existe. La Forma consagrada "es" Jesús, su Cuerpo, su Sangre, su
Alma, su Divinidad.
Miro al Sagrario. Todavía faltan diez minutos para la Misa. Dentro de poco tendré la Hostia en mis manos: el Cuerpo
glorioso e inmortal de Jesús, que ha querido permanecer con sus heridas abiertas, entregándose eternamente al Padre desde la
Cruz, para hacer perenne su Sacrifico.
Por eso, mientras trato de prepararme para celebrar la acción más sagrada y trascendente que podemos realizar en esta
vida, pienso en ese Jesús escupido, torturado y humillado que se dispone una vez más a ser Sacerdote y víctima del Sacrificio. Y
me pregunto si, tal vez, permitirá tantas ofensas, insultos e irreverencias a su presencia eucarística para poder seguir sufriendo
como Hostia igual que sufrió en la Cruz.
He terminado la Misa hace veinte minutos. Hablo con Nacho de todo esto. Él piensa que tengo razón en el fondo, pero
que exagero.
— La gente no sabe lo que dice. A mí no me gusta emplear esas palabras, aparte de que soy la mar de tranquilo, pero
cuando juegas a basket y te dan un codazo, no sé…, a lo mejor se me escapa. ¿Está mal eso?
— Las palabras salen siempre de algún sitio –respondo–; y nunca son inocuas.
Le propongo que limpiemos entre todos esta palabra santa, y no toleremos que la irreverencia se extienda entre personas
que ni siquiera sospechan que ofenden al Señor. Que no vaya de boca en boca como si fuera basura.
— ¿Y qué se consigue con eso?
— Dar gloria a Dios. Y, de paso, reparar por tantas ofensas.
Imagina por un momento que estás en el Huerto de los Olivos con Jesús. Él lleva ya sobre sus hombros todos los pecados
de los hombres, y no aguanta más el peso y la repugnancia de ese cáliz terrible. Ha empezado a sudar gotas de sangre… ¿No te
gustaría limpiarle la frente y besar su rostro?
Limpiemos al menos su Nombre; no seamos cobardes.
Website: www.nativityburke.org
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 10, 2013
¿Cómo será mi muerte?
Autor: P Mariano de Blas LC
Comencemos por decir hoy que hay muertes preciosas. Es una muerte maravillosa la de quien puede
decir en ese momento: "He cumplido mi misión". Una muerte así es el comienzo de la vida verdadera.
Es propiamente entonces cuando se nace. Por eso en el Martirologio, el libro donde se narra la vida de
los santos y mártires, no se hace constar el día de su nacimiento, sino el de su muerte, como el verdadero día de su nacimiento, su "dies natalis".
La muerte para los buenos brilla como una estrella de esperanza. Sus frutos son la paz, el descanso, la
vida. Con esta paz y serenidad murió Juan XXIII: "¡Qué alegría cuando me dijeron, vamos a la casa del Señor!.", decía en
su lecho de muerte. Un muchacho decía a la hora de su muerte: "¡Qué bueno ha sido Dios conmigo, por haberme concedido
vivir 17 años!"; y moría ofreciendo su vida por sus padres y por los que lo habían formado.
Otro decía: "No sé por qué lloran". Aquel joven moría pidiendo perdón a todos, incluso a su novia, pero la novia tuvo un
gesto y unas palabras muy oportunas: "No tengo de qué perdonarte, y te lo digo delante del sacerdote, porque desde que te
conocí soy más buena". ¿Lo podrías decir tú de tu novio o de tu novia?
Preguntémonos ahora la cosa más importante: ¿Cómo será mi muerte? He aquí lo importante, no el cuándo sino el cómo
voy a morir. Es decir, en qué disposiciones. Aunque no podemos fijar el día, el lugar, la forma externa de morir, sí podemos
fijar el cómo. Podemos preverlo: se muere según se vive. Si se vive bien, lo normal es que se muera bien; si se vive mal, lo
normal es que se muera mal, si Dios no pone remedio. Si vivo bien, con su ayuda moriré bien; si vivo mediocremente,
moriré como un mediocre; si vives santamente, no lo dudes, morirás como un santo.
Si desde hoy te decides a ser un buen hombre, seguro que morirás como un buen hombre, y nunca te arrepentirás; pero, si
dejas ese asunto para más adelante, lo dejas para nunca. No se puede improvisar la hora de la muerte. Los dos ladrones que
iban a morir, estaban al lado del Redentor, pero sólo uno de los dos compañeros de suplicio de Jesús se convirtió.
Comenta San Agustín: "Hubo un buen ladrón, para que nadie desespere; pero sólo uno, para que nadie presuma y se confíe".
Hay que ser lógicos y aprovechar el tiempo. El que pasó, ya pasó, pero el que queda por delante hay que aprovecharlo con
avaricia. Si muriera esta noche, ¿estaría preparado?; ¿tendría mis manos llenas, vacías o medio vacías? ¿Estaré preparado el
día de mí muerte? Esta es la gran pregunta.
Podríamos terminar estas reflexiones con las palabras de un gran hombre, que todos los días medita sobre la muerte como
maestra de vida: "Yo sé que toda la vida humana se gasta y se consume bien o mal, y no hay posible ahorro: los años son
esos, y no más. Y la eternidad es lo que sigue a esta vida. Gastarnos por Dios y por amor a nuestros hermanos en Dios es lo
razonable y seguro"
Según se vive, así se muere. Si esto es así: de los que viven santamente estamos seguros que morirán santamente. Pero de
los que viven en pecado podemos estar seguros que morirán impenitentes