Newsletter 

No.21                                                                                                                        April 2005

A Tribute to Pope John Paul II

Christ has Died

What comes first to our mind when we see the Cross? Deep down this is a profound question. 

In reality, in Jesus' times this was a humiliating and horrendous death reserved by the Romans for non-Roman citizens and slaves.

If we place ourselves at the foot of the Cross let us ask for the grace to see and feel what Mary saw and felt at that very particular moment of Jesus' life on earth.

Even the Centurion executing the sentence at Golgotha affirmed "Truly this man was a Son of God". Let us also ask to have the Centurion's faith.

Much earlier, during his ministry Jesus prophesied "when you have lifted up the Son of Man, than you will know that I am". Jesus claims that dying on the Cross we can see the unity he enjoys with his Father. Let us pray also that we may be open to this mystery of Jesus' oneness with his heavenly Father.

In John's account of the passion, Jesus says that he has loved his very own in the world to the very end. This profound feeling is the key to the whole passion. Jesus is giving his life because he loves us… there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends.

To touch the mystery of the Cross we need to bear in mind Jesus' whole public life… what he did, what he taught etc. Because the way he lived prompted the passion, instigated the ire of the Pharisees and Scribes that led to his being sentenced to death by Pilate. The passion is a direct result of the way Jesus lived his public life.

Very importantly the passion is seen in the light of the Resurrection. For if we separate the Crucifixion from the Resurrection our faith simply breaks down.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, he said "I was born for this; I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth". This truth is not speculative but it is meant to be taken existentially. This truth is based on faith in Scripture, in other words it is founded on the reliability of God's love… all inclusive and unconditional. In front of Pilate, Jesus is bearing witness to the steadfastness of God's love of the world. Jesus had to endure suffering so that God's all encompassing love will remain true, reliable, inclusive and steadfast. On the Cross Jesus showed this love to the very people who were killing him… "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing". Jesus loved to the very end and this love incorporates his public life, crucifixion, death and resurrection… this is the truth of Jesus' love for us.

The Crucifixion scene is so powerful with regards to the body language. It tells us that Jesus is stripped of everything and hangs naked on the cross before his friends and enemies.

He is stripped of his life. Twenty-four hours before his death he was in his prime and healthy. Within twenty-four hours he is reduced in shambles… a total wreck.

He is stripped of his reputation and successful ministry. The Kingdom of God is near… he preached it and was enjoying a lot of trust from the people. There on the cross all is taken away.

He is stripped of his credibility. In the book of Deuteronomy we find written that anyone who is hanged is cursed by God. "If you are the Son of God come down from the Cross?" This taunting question says it all… you are a curse and a complete failure.

He is stripped of his supportive friends. They all run away. His mother and the disciple at the foot of the cross are powerless to offer their support… they cannot reach him physically.

He is stripped of his freedom. The nails snuff out his mobility he cannot even chase away a fly on his open wounds!

He is stripped of his mother. He gave her away as a last legacy to his disciple whom he loved. In so doing Jesus is entrusting his mother to all his disciples and in turn the disciples…the whole Church is entrusted to his mother.

He is stripped of his Father. We will never understand the depth of Jesus' plaintive last cry on the Cross… "My God, my God why have you forsaken me"? Jesus lived in complete and perfect union with his Father… yet here he feels utterly alone in darkness and in sadness. Jesus dies in the silence of God… in the silence of faith, holding fast to the unfelt presence of the Father.

Finally, Jesus is stripped of his life. 

St. Jean Marie de Vianney (the Cures d'Ars) says that the Crucifix is the most learned book that one can read. It communicates to us that we are always loved by God and this truth is the beginning of wisdom… of getting to know oneself.

"For, while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Rom 5:6-8.

This meditation is an abridged form and free hand adaptation of a Lenten Sermon that Fr. Peter van Breemen SJ delivered at the University Chapel some years ago.

Fr. Vincent Magri SJ

IGNATIAN MAXIMS

93. Although a matter has been decided once and even a second time, one may bring up the matter to the Superior in the same way what one feels or the thoughts one has on that decision, perhaps a month later or after an even longer period. For one discovers many aspects by trying things out over a period and things also change in time or the superior himself may change his mind.
(Letter to the whole Society, 29th May, 1555, M.I., Epp. IX, pp.90-92)

94. It is not the task of a superior to look after the minute details of affairs. Even if he had the greatest possible ability to do so, it would be better to entrust such details to others, who can later report to him on what they have done, and he will determine, after hearing what they have to say, whatever it is his business to determine.
(Letter to Father James Mirón, 17th December, 1552, M.I., Epp. IV, p.558.)

95.It is a matter of common experience that greater good follows wherever there has been greater opposition.
(Letter to Alfonso Roman, 14th july, 1556, M.I. Epp XII, p.119)

96. The higher the building, the deeper the foundations.
(Bartoli, 1. IV, n.36, p.401)

97. Magnanimity and fortitude of soul are likewise highly necessary for a superior to bear the weaknesses of many, to initiate great undertakings in the service of God our Lord, and to persevere in them with constancy when it is called for, without losing courage in the face of the contradictions.
(Constit. S.I., p. IX, c.2, {728}

Fr Arthur Vella S.J.

Book Review:

Clowning in Rome

by 

Henri J Nouwen

Image Books, Doubleday, 1979, 109 pages

This book by Fr Henri Nouwen, the well-known spiritual writer, who passed away a few years ago, has a captivating title. He refers to the clowns as being those numerous people one finds in Rome, who "waste" their time doing good in an unobtrusive way. In the introduction, Sue Mosteller says, "Observing the lives of these unusual clowns, pouring out their life energies to care for brothers and sisters in a city of pilgrims and violence, Henri is inspired to speak of the clown like foolishness to live a life of love and service for God and others." There are four chapters which are the result of talks he gave to English speaking community in Rome, where he spent five months at the American College in the late seventies (no exact year being given).. The four chapters are "Solitude and Community," "Celibacy and the Holy," "Prayer and Thought," and "Contemplation and Caring."

Nouwen is a master of paradox: for example, he doesn't say that when we live in community we need times of solitude as a kind of break from it. Rather, according to him, solitude is necessary for community building itself and that in a world racked by fear and anger, because solitude is necessary to develop intimacy. "In solitude we come to know our fellow human beings not as partners who satisfy our deepest needs, but as brothers and sisters with whom we are called to give visibility to God's all-embracing love. In solitude we discover that family or community is not some common ideology but a response to a common call... Whenever we pray alone, study, read, write or simply spend quiet time away from the places where we interact with each other directly we are potentially opened for a deeper intimacy with each other."

Speaking about celibacy, which he compares to the huge empty spaces for God which, are Rome's churches, he says that "Jesus never presented celibacy as a very practical, useful or efficient lifestyle… Contemplative prayer, voluntary poverty and sexual abstinence are three elements of our celibacy that witness to the beauty of the inner vacancy where we encounter Love…" 

He also insists, as do all masters of the spiritual life, that discipline is necessary if we are to become disciples and it is not without good reason that the two words are related. Nouwen is saying nothing new when he suggests that discipline means setting aside some time at night to go over the readings of next day's liturgy and then to let God speak to us in it next morning, with some time set aside for that. What is new, to this reader at least, is his suggestion that again through discipline, we come to change our constant thoughts buzzing through our minds into praying, as the Lord commands as a result of the first suggestion.

Contemplation is also caring, because in caring one discovers the truth of nature, time and especially people by caring for them. As Nouwen says, "There is a continual movement in our contemplation and ministry from opaqueness to transparency. It is the movement from nature as property to be possessed, to nature as gift to be received with admiration and gratitude. It is the movement from time as a randomly thrown-together series of incidents and accidents to time as a constant opportunity for a change of heart. Finally, it is the movement from people as interesting characters, to people sounding more of themselves than they ever could have believed." Then "we will also see that our whole world is a sacrament that constantly reveals to us the love of God."

A very thought provoking and insightful book, to be read carefully and slowly, so that its wisdom can be assimilated, enjoyed and lived.

Fr. Mario Jaccarini SJ

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your holy gifts.

Let my weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day that I may fulfil the duties of my state in life conscientiously, that I may do what is right and just.

Let my charity be such as to offend no one and hurt no one's feelings; so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.

Assist me in all the trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen my weakness, help me in all needs and embarrassment, protect me in temptations and console me in all afflictions.

Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour your light into my heart, my soul and my mind. Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace.

AMEN 

We would like to remind you that the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality offers personal spiritual direction to all those who would like to have any kind of spiritual experience like Ignatian retreats in every day life. Retreats can be tailored according to the needs and circumstances of the retreatant. CIS can call on experienced Jesuits, other religious and trained lay people to accompany retreatants through these experiences. 

Anyone interested can contact the Director on 21827323 or 99864561 or email vince@maltajesuitretreats.com.