>>> JOHN OF THE CROSS – Pray for Us!
HE IS THE ONE WHO IS TO COME
Introduction
The religious name, which Juan Yepes took as a Carmelite, was a very fitting one: Juan de la Cruz. Once St. Teresa of Jesus had drawn him into the reform of the Carmelite order, trials beset him from all sides, especially from his own confreres, who misunderstood his intentions and even imprisoned him. Yet his suffering served only to deepen his interior life to bring him closer to God in a mystical union. He is one of the greatest mystics of the Church.
May we learn from this “pilgrim of the absolute who thirsted for God,” as is said of him, to live in close union with God.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
how difficult it is to accept change,
even when it is for our good and that of others.
As we honor St. John of the Cross, we ask you
that in the dark night of trials, and suffering
we too may keep searching
for your light and love
in trust and peace of mind,
for you are all that matters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading ISAIAH 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25
I am the LORD, there is no other; I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well-being and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things. Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up! I, the LORD, have created this. For thus says the LORD, The creator of the heavens, who is God, The designer and maker of the earth who established it, Not creating it to be a waste, but designing it be lived in: I am the LORD, and there is no other. Who announced this from the beginning and foretold it from of old? Was it not I, the LORD, besides whom there is no other God? There is no just and saving God but me. Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other! By myself I swear, uttering my just decree and my unalterable word: To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear, saying, “Only in the LORD are just deeds and power. Before him in shame shall come all who vent their anger against him. In the LORD shall be the vindication and the glory of all the descendants of Israel.”
Responsorial PSALM 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (Isaiah 45:8) Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Saviour.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land. R.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven. R.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps. R.
Alleluia Cf. ISAIAH 40:9-10
Alleluia, alleluia.
Raise your voice and tell the Good News:
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LUKE 7:18b-23
At that time, John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
Commentary
God Who Breathes Life
The words of Yahweh in Isaiah are a promise of salvation, the gift of life to all people. Even those who oppose him will finally come to him in shame – recognizing their wrongs and seeking refuge under his shelter – where else shall they go? Jesus points to the return of life and wholeness into the midst of people as the signs of his true identity. Life is a celebration of the highest order in the Kingdom. Today we keep memory of the great poet-mystic who sang about the beautiful destiny that awaits every soul, discovering God who breathes within her very depths. Here is the final stanza from his poem, The Living Flame of Love:
“How gently and lovingly
you wake in my heart,
where in secret you dwell alone;
and in your sweet breathing,
filled with good and glory,
how tenderly you swell my heart
with love.”
Intercessions
– Lord Jesus, if you are the one who has come among us, why have we kept so many people blind and deaf to your message? Open their eyes and ears, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, if you are alive among us, why are so many among us unclean with sins of hatred and lame because we are slow in bringing justice? Heal us, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, if you are with us, why have we not shared with the poor and brought joy to them? Make us serving communities, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
in this bread and wine we express
that we keep searching for you.
Deepen and purify our faith and love,
that we may come to know you better.
And confirm our trust
that nothing can harm us
and that we are always in your hands.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
in the strength of the body and blood
of your Son Jesus Christ,
we express our trust in you.
Help us to remain always pilgrims and seekers
who try to live more deeply
the truth and beauty and life
of the gospel of your Son,
that it may be good news to us,
our joy and what we live for.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
Can we say that we are Christian communities in whom Christ lives if there are still many poor and neglected people among us, people who suffer, victims of injustice and discrimination? May God change you and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!