3^rd Week of Lent.  

The Samaritan Woman

Fr. Malloy’s Midweek Message.  March 15, 2023

Friends,

You can go for a long time without food.  But without water, we perish in less than 72 hours.  Water is life. 

In John’s Gospel (John 4: 4-38) we hear of a meeting between Jesus and a Samaritan woman.  It is High Noon.  Hot.  Jesus is tired and dusty from his journey through the hostile territory of Samaria.  He stops at Jacob’s well, a place pregnant with meaning.  A place of contention and religious controversy. 

Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman and asks her for a drink of water.  She is surprised, maybe a little fearful, possibly insulted.  Jewish men did not speak with Samaritan women.  She has questions.  “Why are you asking me for a drink?”  “You’re a Jew and I’m a Samaritan.”  “Where’s your bucket?” 

Jesus says to her, “If you knew the gift of God…”  God wants to give us gifts.  God wants to give us grace.  St. Thomas Aquinas says, “Grace is the ability to do what we could not do before.”  This Samaritan woman is given the grace to see her entire life in new ways, ways that lead us to freedom and life and life eternal.

Jesus speaks to her of water that brings us new life.  The old song The Lights of the City sings of “A water that brings us new life.  When we drink, we shall not thirst for more.”

This Lent we strip ourselves of all that keeps us from God, that keeps us from being in communion with God and one another.  During Lent, through our prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we can ask God for graces, the gifts of transformation and change we need in our lives.  Like the Samaritan woman, we will proclaim to others all that God does for us. 

The Lights of the City sings of the transformation we so deeply desire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMfNWTmxQRg

Peace,

Fr. Rick Malloy, S.J.

Keep Safe.    Keep Sane.    Keep Smiling

          

Tercera Semana de Cuaresma. 

La Mujer Samaritana

El Miercoles Mensaje del Padre Malloy, S.J.  

15 de Marzo, 2023

Amigos y Amigas,

Se puede estar mucho tiempo sin comer.  Pero sin agua, perecemos en menos de 72 horas.  El agua es vida. 

En el Evangelio de Juan (Juan 4: 4-38) se nos habla de un encuentro entre Jesús y una mujer samaritana.  Es mediodía.  Hace calor.  Jesús está cansado y polvoriento de su viaje por el territorio hostil de Samaria.  Se detiene en el pozo de Jacob, un lugar cargado de significado.  Un lugar de disputa y controversia religiosa.

Jesús habla con una mujer samaritana y le pide un vaso de agua.  Ella se sorprende, tal vez un poco asustada, posiblemente insultada.  Los hombres judíos no hablaban con mujeres samaritanas.  Ella tiene preguntas.  "¿Por qué me pides de beber?".  "Tú eres judío y yo samaritana".  "¿Dónde está tu cubo?" 

Jesús le dice: "Si conocieras el don de Dios...".  Dios quiere darnos dones.  Dios quiere darnos gracia.  Santo Tomás de Aquino dice: "La gracia es la capacidad de hacer lo que antes no podíamos".  A esta samaritana se le da la gracia de ver toda su vida de formas nuevas, formas que nos llevan a la libertad y a la vida y a la vida eterna.

Jesús le habla del agua que nos trae nueva vida.  La vieja canción Las luces de la ciudad canta: "Un agua que nos trae nueva vida.  Cuando bebamos, no tendremos más sed".

En esta Cuaresma nos despojamos de todo lo que nos aleja de Dios, lo que nos impide estar en comunión con Dios y con los demás.  Durante la Cuaresma, a través de nuestra oración, ayuno y limosna, podemos pedir a Dios gracias, los dones de transformación y cambio que necesitamos en nuestras vidas.  Como la samaritana, proclamaremos a los demás todo lo que Dios hace por nosotros. 

Las Luces de la Ciudad canta a la transformación que tan profundamente deseamos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMfNWTmxQRg

La Paz,

P. Ricardo Malloy, S.J.

Sigamos Seguro.    Sigamos Sano.    Sigamos Sonriendo

      

Ash Wednesday

Fr. Malloy’s Midweek Message.  Feb 22, 2023

Friends,

Today we once again enter into the season of Lent, a time of spiritual renewal.  Through prayer, fasting and alms giving, we open ourselves up to transformation in Christ. 

This year, we begin with heavy hearts.  The unending stream of incidents of police brutality ending in the deaths of young black men.  The war of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is costing the world so much.  Billions upon billions are wasted on war as people across the globe lack food, housing, education, and medical care.  The immigration policies on the southern border of the USA leave thousands of refugees from terror in Central America stranded with nothing but the clothes on their backs and nowhere to go.  And over 50,000 killed by earthquakes in Turkey.  A never-ending litany of devastation, destruction, and death.

We desperately need a savior these days.  Who will see us through these difficult times?  What can provide the consolation and courage we need to survive difficult days and meet the challenges of our times? 

Jesus comes to save us.  And he saves us by setting his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) to confront the political and religious powers of oppression.  He saves us by accepting death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).  Jesus enters into the suffering and sin of the world to overcome death with the reality of the resurrection. 

We must know there is no resurrection without the cross, which means there is no cross that does not contain within it the seeds of resurrection.

As we enter into these days of prayer and reflection, let’s ask God to help us bear the crosses laid upon us in life.  Let our prayer provide strength.  Our fasting, wisdom.  And our almsgiving help and hope to those in need.

Listen to the beautiful song, Ashes.  “We rise again from Ashes, from the good we’ve failed to do; We rise again from ashes, to create ourselves anew.”  “Then rise again from ashes, let healing come to pain.”

Ashes by Tom Conry | Hymn for Ash Wednesday & Lent | Choir with Lyrics | Sunday 7pm Choir - YouTube

Peace,

Fr. Rick Malloy, S.J.

Keep Safe.    Keep Sane.    Keep Smiling

  

Miércoles de Ceniza. 

El Miercoles Mensaje del Padre Malloy, S.J.22 de Febrero, 2023

Amigos y Amigas,

Hoy entramos de nuevo en el tiempo de Cuaresma, un tiempo de renovación espiritual.  Mediante la oración, el ayuno y la limosna, nos abrimos a la transformación en Cristo. 

Este año, comenzamos con el corazón encogido.  El incesante flujo de incidentes de brutalidad policial que acaban con la muerte de jóvenes negros.  La guerra de agresión rusa contra Ucrania, que tanto está costando al mundo.  Miles y miles de millones se malgastan en la guerra mientras la gente en todo el mundo carece de alimentos, vivienda, educación y atención médica.  Las políticas de inmigración en la frontera sur de los EE.UU. dejan a miles de refugiados del terror en América Central varados sin nada más que la ropa que llevan puesta y sin ningún lugar adonde ir.  Y más de 50.000 muertos por los terremotos en Turquía.  Una letanía interminable de devastación, destrucción y muerte.

Estos días necesitamos desesperadamente un salvador.  ¿Quién nos acompañará en estos tiempos difíciles?  ¿Qué puede proporcionarnos el consuelo y el valor que necesitamos para sobrevivir a los días difíciles y afrontar los retos de nuestro tiempo? 

Jesús viene a salvarnos.  Y nos salva poniendo su rostro para ir a Jerusalén (Lucas 9:51) a enfrentarse a los poderes políticos y religiosos de la opresión.  Nos salva aceptando la muerte de cruz (Filipenses 2:8).  Jesús entra en el sufrimiento y el pecado del mundo para vencer a la muerte con la realidad de la resurrección. 

Debemos saber que no hay resurrección sin cruz, lo que significa que no hay cruz que no contenga en su interior las semillas de la resurrección.

Al adentrarnos en estos días de oración y reflexión, pidamos a Dios que nos ayude a soportar las cruces que nos impone la vida.  Que nuestra oración nos dé fuerza.  Nuestro ayuno, sabiduría.  Y nuestra limosna, ayuda y esperanza a los necesitados.

Escuchen la hermosa canción "Cenizas".  "Resurgimos de las cenizas, del bien que hemos dejado de hacer; Resurgimos de las cenizas, para crearnos de nuevo".  "Entonces resurge de las cenizas, que la curación llegue al dolor".

   

Ashes by Tom Conry | Hymn for Ash Wednesday & Lent | Choir with Lyrics | Sunday 7pm Choir - YouTube

La Paz,

P. Ricardo Malloy, S.J.

Sigamos Seguro.    Sigamos Sano.    Sigamos Sonriendo

 

Light from Light, True God from True God

Fr. Malloy’s Midweek Message.  Feb 1, 2023

Friends,

Today we begin Black History Month a time to realize, recognize, and relish the struggles and contributions of black women and men to our country and to our world. 

We also hear, in the readings for the 4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus telling his disciples that we are to be the salt of the earth and light for the world (Matt 5).  The Prophet Isaiah proclaims:

“Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed.” (Isaiah 58)

And 85 year old Pope Francis is preparing to journey to South Sudan.  Once again, he will call for peace in that land so torn by violence and pain.  Over 400,000 have died in recent decades.  Animosity is fueled by religious and ethnic conflicts; but the deep causes of the killings are rooted in the injustice and corruption surrounding the distribution of wealth in the oil rich Sudan.  In a meeting in Rome in 2019, the Pope lowered himself to the ground and kissed the feet of the Sudanese political leaders, begging them to make peace in their country.

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., arguably the greatest American who ever lived, once said:

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

After making great gains in desegregating the South and changing the ways of thinking of million of his fellow citizens through the practice of loving and active non-violence, King began to speak out against the insanity and injustice of the Vietnam war.  He said, “Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.”  His opposition to war was rooted in his following of Jesus, who call us to be light for the world.

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.”

Listen to the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, “We shall overcome” by the Morehouse choir.

 

Peace,

Fr. Rick Malloy, S.J.

Keep Safe.    Keep Sane.    Keep Smiling

        

Luz de luz, Dios Verdadero de Dios Verdadero

El Miercoles Mensaje del Padre Malloy, S.J.  1 de Febrero, 2023

Amigos y Amigas,

Hoy comenzamos el Mes de la Historia Negra, un tiempo para darnos cuenta, reconocer y saborear las luchas y contribuciones de las mujeres y hombres negros a nuestro país y a nuestro mundo. 

También escuchamos, en las lecturas del cuarto domingo del tiempo ordinario, a Jesús decir a sus discípulos que debemos ser la sal de la tierra y la luz del mundo (Mt 5).  El profeta Isaías proclama:

"Así dice Yahveh: Comparte tu pan con el hambriento, acoge al oprimido y al sin techo; viste al desnudo cuando lo veas, y no vuelvas la espalda a los tuyos. Entonces brotará tu luz como el alba, y tu herida sanará pronto". (Isaías 58)

Y el Papa Francisco, de 85 años, se prepara para viajar a Sudán del Sur.  Una vez más, pedirá la paz en esa tierra tan desgarrada por la violencia y el dolor.  Más de 400.000 personas han muerto en las últimas décadas.  La animadversión está alimentada por conflictos religiosos y étnicos; pero la causa profunda de las matanzas hunde sus raíces en la injusticia y la corrupción que rodean la distribución de la riqueza en el Sudán rico en petróleo.  En una reunión celebrada en Roma en 2019, el Papa se postró en el suelo y besó los pies de los líderes políticos sudaneses, rogándoles que lograran la paz en su país.

El reverendo Martin Luther King Jr, posiblemente el mayor estadounidense que haya existido, dijo una vez:

"Me niego a aceptar la opinión de que la humanidad está tan trágicamente atada a la medianoche sin estrellas del racismo y la guerra que el brillante amanecer de la paz y la fraternidad nunca podrá hacerse realidad... Creo que la verdad sin armas y el amor incondicional tendrán la última palabra".

Tras conseguir grandes logros en la eliminación de la segregación racial en el Sur y cambiar la forma de pensar de millones de sus conciudadanos mediante la práctica de la no violencia amorosa y activa, King empezó a pronunciarse contra la locura y la injusticia de la guerra de Vietnam.  Dijo: "La humanidad debe poner fin a la guerra o la guerra pondrá fin a la humanidad".  Su oposición a la guerra estaba arraigada en su seguimiento de Jesús, que nos llama a ser luz para el mundo.

"Devolver odio por odio multiplica el odio, añadiendo más oscuridad a una noche ya desprovista de estrellas. La oscuridad no puede expulsar a la oscuridad; sólo la luz puede hacerlo. El odio no puede expulsar al odio; sólo el amor puede hacerlo. El odio multiplica el odio, la violencia multiplica la violencia y la dureza multiplica la dureza en una espiral descendente de destrucción."

Escucha el himno del movimiento por los derechos civiles, “We shall overcome” by the Morehouse choir.

La Paz,

P. Ricardo Malloy, S.J.

Sigamos Seguro.    Sigamos Sano.    Sigamos Sonriendo

Quotes from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Brilliant thoughts from 

a Prophet for Our and All Times

Quotes from 

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. ”

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

“Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think.”

“The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows”

“He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.”

“Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.”

“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

 “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

“We must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience.”

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

“A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.”

“No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.”

“It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important.”

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

“Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.”

“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”

“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”

“Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.”

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.”

“Mankind must put and end to war or war will put an end to mankind.”

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”

“By opening our lives to God in Christ, we become new creatures. This experience, which Jesus spoke of as the new birth, is essential if we are to be transformed nonconformists … Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit.”

“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, ‘Love your enemies.’ It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.”

“The God whom we worship is not a weak and incompetent God. He is able to beat back gigantic waves of opposition and to bring low prodigious mountains of evil. The ringing testimony of the Christian faith is that God is able.”

“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’