Touched and healed

When Jesus touched the leper, the leper was healed. This healing was more than physical. In fact, Jesus healed the leper of a deeper ill, that is, of solitude.
Jesus' touch made the leper become in contact, once again, with the world and even with himself, because when a person arrives at the point of extreme aloneness, the person also begins to doubt the goodness or the value of himself/herself and of life itself.
I like what Pope Francis said yesterday at the Angelus. In front of suffering, Jesus doesn't give a lesson about the value of suffering. Rather, Jesus embraces suffering and takes it upon Himself.
Oh Lord, grant that I may not be afraid to immerse myself in life so that I may touch the people whom You love.

Peace is the first good news

In today's Lucan Gospel text Jesus tells His disciples that the first gift they bring wherever they go is the gift of peace. The gift of peace is the gift of harmony, of everything falling into their proper place according to God's plan.
It shows how our way of evangelizing should be: not with blows or by force, because the Gospel has a fascinating power of its own, and we do it a great disservice when we offer it by force.

Righteous?

Can any person truly consider himself righteous, completely blameless?
I don't think so.
The more we know ourselves, the more we become aware of the different shades of gray in our lives. But we don't despair because we always "confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help" (Heb 4:16).

From God's mercy to compassion

At this point in my life I believe that my relationship with others must be characterized by compassion. And interestingly, that is the name of this blog, which I haven't visited lately.
To be compassionate is to enter into another person's shoes, without any agenda of trying to change the other person. When I enter into another person's situation, I will stop judging because I will realize that each person has a reason for every decision he or she makes. Others can only see what is external, but they always come from something within which others don't know or may not even enter their minds. Doing this will lead me to understanding. I may not agree, but there is respect for the other person's time and circumstances.
But this will only happen after I have had a deep experience of God's mercy, His non-judgmental love that still accepts and embraces me, warts and all.

God builds a house for me

In the Second book of Samuel, when David thinks of building a house for the Ark of the Covenant, God tells him that it shouldn’t be so because, in fact, it is God who is building a house for David.

Such is our life. We plan, we think, we organize, and things may work well for a time. Then something happens and everything we have built crumbles. Behold, it is at this moment that God starts to build our house.

The irony of Christmas

The irony of this birthday celebration is that it is the celebrant who gives gifts. May we not forget this truth. The true gift of Christmas is Jesus and it is a gift that God freely gives to each one of us. May this truth be the foundation of our lives. In our moments of defeat, solitude and lack of purpose, may this truth be the streak of light that will guide us through the darkness.

Addio, Roma!

Tomorrow morning I am leaving Rome for good.
To all the people and friends I am leaving behind, thank you for having been a part of my life. Immense seas may separate us, different time zones and levels of technology may make communication difficult; but when we remember that the whole world is in God's hands, we can always reach out to each other in one big, warm embrace.
God blesses us always. May we be open to receive God's blessing in whatever form.
Please keep me in your prayers.