Readings
Reading I: First Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 2 |
Preaching TipConclude the Homily with a Preparation for the Eucharist
The Homiletic Directory from the Congregation for Divine Worship (2015) underscores the homily as it is located within the eucharistic liturgy. The homily is not separate from the liturgy and should be understood as liturgical preaching.
The offertory and preparation of the altar follow upon the conclusion of the homily. As the bridge between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the homily should conclude by pointing toward the Eucharist.
It reads:
13.The second movement is suggested by the words: "through the sacrifice of the Mass the Paschal Mystery becomes present." The second part of the homily prepares the community to celebrate the Eucharist, and to recognize that in this celebration they truly share in the mystery of the Lord’s death and Resurrection. Virtually every homily could be conceived as implicitly needing to say again the words of the Apostle Paul: "The cup of benediction that we bless, is it not a communion in the Blood of Christ? And the bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of the Lord?" (1 Cor 10:16). |
AMAR MÁS, AMAR MEJOR
En la segunda lectura de la Misa San Pablo nos recuerda que el hombre terreno, a pesar de todas sus miserias, puede transformarse en el hombre celestial por la fuerza del amor. Y a continuación Jesús especifica en el Evangelio que se trata del amor sin límites, ese que está inscrito en el corazón de todo hombre como la regla de oro de la moral universal: "Tratad a los demás como queráis que ellos os traten a vosotros".
¡La tierra sería un paraíso si todos pusiéramos en práctica esta enseñanza! Pero en nuestra vida de todos los días las cosas se complican. Si miramos a nuestro alrededor nos damos cuenta de que la gente se mueve, en la mayoría de los casos, no por la ley del amor sino por la ley del eco. ¡Sí, del "eco"! Si tu gritas en un barranco oyes que se repite lo que dices. Lo mismo hacen algunos hombres en la vida: Cuando los demás son amables y serviciales contigo, les devuelves el eco de tu amabilidad y tu servicio, pero si perturban tu paz o amenazan tus intereses, gritas y reclamas tus derechos.
Esto no sucede cuando se vive según la ley del amor porque el prójimo se convierte en tu hermano. Jesucristo ha muerto por todos, por ese vecino antipático, por el amigo indiscreto, el jefe autoritario, el compañero molesto.
¿Por qué tanta gente vive secretamente insatisfecha? ¿Por qué tantos hombres y mujeres encuentran la vida monótona, trivial e insípida? ¿Por qué se aburren en medio de su bienestar? Vivimos en una sociedad en la que es difícil aprender a amar gratuitamente. En casi todo nos preguntamos: ¿Para qué sirve? ¿Es útil? ¿Qué gano con esto? Todo lo calculamos, todo lo medimos.
Nuestra existencia cambiaría si aprendiéramos a amar gratuitamente, sin buscar compensaciones. Las cosas importantes de la vida como la amistad, la solidaridad, la cercanía, la intimidad no se obtienen con dinero. Son algo gratuito que se ofrece sin esperar nada a cambio.
Que en tus relaciones con los demás brille siempre un amor de mansedumbre, capaz de soportar los ultrajes, las injurias y la violencia. Un amor que perdona y que ayuda como ocurre en el episodio de la vida del rey David que nos narra la primera lectura.
La enseñanza central de este Evangelio es fundamental, comprometedora y actual. Nos dice que existe una regla válida para cristianos y no cristianos. "No hagas a los demás lo que no quieras para ti". O mejor, si lo decimos con Cristo, en positivo: "Aquello que queráis que os hagan los hombres, hacedlo también vosotros" (Lc. 6,31).
¡Esa es la fuerza irresistible que llevamos dentro porque proviene del corazón de Dios! ¡Esa es el arma secreta que Cristo ha puesto en nuestras manos para transformar el mundo!
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Love More, Love Better
Year C
In the Second Reading of today's Mass, St. Paul reminds us that the earthly man, despite all his miseries, can be transformed into a heavenly man - through the power of love. To continue with this theme, Jesus specifies in the Gospel, that this love must be limitless; a love that is inscribed in the hearts of all men as the golden standard of universal morality: "Treat others as you would have them treat you".
This world would be paradise, if we all put this teaching into practice! However, in our everyday life things get complicated. If we look around, we will realize that people move, in most cases, not by the law of love, but by the law of the echo. Yes, the "echo"! If you scream near a cliff, you will hear it repeat what you said. Some of us do the same thing in life: when others are friendly and helpful towards us, then we return the echo of their kindness and service to them, but if they disturb our peace or threaten our interests, then we scream and proclaim our rights.
This does not happen when we live according to the law of love, since our neighbor becomes our brother. Jesus Christ died for all: for that unfriendly neighbor, the indiscreet friend, the authoritarian boss, and the annoying colleague.
So why do so many people live secretly dissatisfied? Why do so many men and women find life monotonous, trivial and insipid? Why are they bored in the middle of your company? We live in a society where it is difficult to learn how to love freely. Almost all of us will ask: Why should I serve? Will it be useful? What's in it for me? Everything is calculated; everything is measured.
Our existence would change if we learned to love freely, without seeking compensation. The important things in life: friendship, solidarity, closeness, and intimacy - cannot be obtained with money. They are freely offered, without expecting anything in return.
May your relationships with others always shine with this gentle love, one that is able to endure the indignities, insults, and violence. A love that forgives and is helpful, as narrated in the First Reading - regarding an episode in the life of King David.
The central teaching of this Gospel is fundamental, compromising, and is applicable today. It tells us that there is a valid rule for Christians and for non-Christians. "Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you." Or better yet, if we state it in a positive manner with Christ: "What you wish that men would do, do it also" (Luke 6:31).
That is the irresistible force that we carry within us, since it comes from the heart of God! That is the secret weapon Christ has placed in our power to transform the world!