On the way to Bethlehem...

This year the path to Bethlehem is not sparkling with the thousand lights from our dreams and our festive plans. The latest government announcements tell us that the night is not yet over and messages everywhere call out:  "Stay home," "Protect yourself," "Protect your loved ones." Even though we are aware of the gravity of what is at stake for all of us, this infamous "social distancing" weighs like a millstone around our necks as we head towards Bethlehem.

It is true that this year, our road to Christmas leads to days of great solitude for some, which is particularly trying during the very long nights. Others see the long-awaited fraternal family space for gatherings shrink away, after these long months of a "health war". For the first time in our history, we too will celebrate Christmas without retreat goers and without our early January community gathering.

"Blessed are the hungry and thirsty for justice":    Florin's text proposed today is taken from "A poor man calls God responds." It is a work of combat, his vigorous exhortation catches up with us like the Tramontane (Northern wind) in Fontanilles with its most vehement squall days, seizing us as soon as we open the door. Ultimately, surely breathing in the bright, demanding air of the Gospel is the best way to catch our breath together?

Danièle Valès

French to English translation by Debbie Garrick and Cécile Simon

 

Blessed are the hungry and thirsty for justice: they will be satisfied
 

There is an essential common element that passes like a current from one beatitude to another. It passes so well, we could say each one contains them all. The essential common element of all beatitudes is that the time for liberation arrived because the Messiah appeared in the history of mankind. [read more...]