These Bible meditations are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a day, take a moment to read the Bible passage with the short commentary and to reflect on the questions which follow. Afterwards, a small group of 3 to 10 people can meet to share what they have discovered and perhaps for a time of prayer.

April 2014

James 1:19-27: Putting the Word into Practice

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:19-27)

In a world where we are bombarded by all kinds of messages, the voice of the Gospel sometimes becomes inaudible. For various reasons, the announcement of the Good News of Jesus Christ has become inaccessible to a large part of the world. In this context, how can we help our contemporaries to hear God’s Word?

The Letter of James, written for the Christian communities of the dispersion outside of Palestine, is still relevant in our multicultural, secularized and globalized world. It stresses the importance of works, in other words the concrete practice of love. We must not merely listen to the Word; we must act.

James urges his readers to be “quick to listen but slow to speak.” The importance of listening to build and keep peace at all levels of society cannot be overstated. This virtue is even more necessary for those who bear responsibility. Being “slow to anger” (v. 19) reminds us that “God is slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). Of course, there can be a holy and justifiable anger. We have good reason to be indignant at injustices done to the weak in society, at the abuse of the innocent. But when we are misunderstood or falsely accused, most often anger resolves nothing. It facilitates neither our relationship to others nor the peace of our own heart. Persevering in a relationship instead of getting angry prepares the ground for the Word of God.

The Word, in fact, has already been planted in us (v. 21). It is good news: Christ loved us and offered himself to God for us (Ephesians 5:2). We can live in love because he loved us first. We must welcome this Word of life and truth as a precious treasure, since it can save our lives (v. 21). Receiving the Word also means putting it into practice. Meditating on it or contemplating it is not enough. Later on the letter develops the relationship between believing and acting (2:14-26). In a language different from that of St. Paul, James says that people are justified by their works and not by their faith alone (2:24). This is a topic which, since the Reformation, has generated much controversy and divisions. However, the position of James is not necessarily in contradiction with what the apostle Paul said. For Paul too, “what matters is faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).

For James, putting love into practice is closely linked to the worship of God (v. 27). Solidarity with the poor is not only an ethical requirement but also a way to encounter the Lord, who identified himself with the lowest of the low (see Matthew 25:40). One cannot separate action and prayer, struggle and contemplation, solidarity and inner life. True religion is never a flight from the realities of life. For James, the refusal of worldliness is consistent with commitment to the poor in distress (v. 27).

Translated into concrete acts of love, the language of faith can rediscover its power and meaning. Then the words of the Gospel can touch people’s hearts beyond our Churches and can change their lives.

How can we learn to be “quick to listen but slow to speak”? What helps me to deal with anger?

Who are “the orphans and widows in distress” for us today? Where is it urgent to show solidarity around us and in the world?

“Ubi caritas Deus ibi est” (Where charity and love are found, God is there). When have I experienced this? Who are the people whose lives reflect this?

News from Taizé

Thursday 27 March 2014

Taizé: Some echoes of the past weeks
Brother Alois in Rome
Ukraine: "We are all sisters and brothers"
USA.: Meetings in Texas
Bangladesh: Unity means everyone being ready to work together
Czech Republic: Visits to prepare the upcoming European meeting
Scotland: An echo of the weekend in Edinburgh
Agenda
Prayer

Taizé: Some echoes of the past weeks

In March, the hundreds of young people present week after week came from many different countries. Among them, a group of Protestant students from Clermont-Ferrand wrote: "This trip to Taizé, a meeting-place for exchange and sharing, was the first for most of us. It was very rewarding, and an opportunity to meditate and breathe spiritually. We felt a real Christian unity there. The simple life allows the walls of intolerance that can sometimes exist between Christians to fall down."

In the community prayer, the liturgy is characterized by the expectation of Easter. Some young adults have chosen this time of year to spend a week in silent retreat with a specific program. During one of the weekends, the "open house " at the pottery allowed many people in the area to visit the workshops of the community.

Brother Alois in Rome

Among the many contacts during a stay in Rome, Brother Alois and some brothers had exchanges with Cardinal Koch and his collaborators in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. This was an opportunity to express the search which the community continues, with young people, in order to foster the visible communion of Christians.

One morning, Brother Alois participated in the Eucharist celebrated by Pope Francis at the Casa Santa Marta. That same day, he also visited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Ukraine: "We are all sisters and brothers"

Two young people from Ukraine presented the situation in their country and their aspirations, including a young woman who was present for the events in Maidan Square, Lisa, and who came to France for a few days. In addition, young Christians from Alsace wrote a message to their Ukrainian friends, so many of whom had come to Strasbourg in December 2013 to take part in the European meeting. The message concludes: "Like you, we hope in a free, fair and peaceful solution to the current conflict. Our hope is being put to the test but it continues to vibrate in our hearts. We are all sisters and brothers borne forward by the same human destiny; together, we hope for better days for your people and for all the peoples of Europe."

USA.: Meetings in Texas

The first meeting led by Taizé in Texas just took place in Austin; the beauty of the prayer space and the singing was particularly striking. It is still possible to register until April 1 for Dallas and until April 18 for Houston. Two volunteers from Taizé, Andrea from Italy and Adam from Australia, prepared these meetings by visits lasting several weeks. They write: “It has been joyous to share about Taize with others and invite them to participate in the upcoming gatherings. I have been humbled by the generosity and welcome that we have received from those that we have visited. It is an inspiring experience to meet with so many strangers and yet to not see in them a stranger but a fellow member of our Christian family. »

Bangladesh: Unity means everyone being ready to work together

Rafayel, a young Bangladeshi reacts to the theme of the visible communion of Christians developed by Brother Alois in his "Proposals 2014". He writes: "For me, the search for unity means to share, to help each other. It means to agree, to communicate in order to work for peace; it also means helping others to succeed in life. When we are ready to work together, then we can talk about searching for unity. In Bangladesh there are many divisions between people, between ethnic and religious groups, much opposition among the political parties that can even result in violence. Most people, organizations and even Christian denominations are very concerned about their own interests..."

Czech Republic: Visits to prepare the upcoming European meeting

In Prague and the surrounding region, four young people sent by the community have been visiting Christians of different Churches these past few weeks. During their stay, Veronika from Belarus and Franziska from Germany spoke about their visits: “It is impossible to describe a typical day in our visit, because every day is unique. We have different meetings with priests, pastors, mayors. We join gatherings of catechism groups, Bible groups, prayer groups. We go to Masses and prayers. And of course we meet many families for lunch, supper or tea. The only thing we have every day is the prayer, three times a day. Three times a day for twenty minutes we don’t worry about the programme, because we appreciate the possibility just to focus on God for this time, together with whoever wants to join us. While our days are quite busy, we find this possibility to pray a great gift.”

Scotland: An echo of the weekend in Edinburgh

Bruno, from Poland, took part in the meeting held a few days ago in Edinburgh, Scotland. He shares his experience: "This weekend was for us a big time of faith, prayer and inner joy. We came from Poland especialy for this meeting, because we couldn’t participate in the last European meeting in Strasbourg. It was amazing, in a very secular country, to meet other young believers who want to share their faith and life experiences. It was another time when I could see and feel how a small group of people can do a lot of wonderful things for other people. The Saturday evening prayer in St Andrew Episcopal Church was really beautiful and touched my soul a lot.”

Agenda

Mexico. The next stage of the pilgrimage of trust to be held in Mexico City from May 1-4, with the presence of Brother Alois, has entered the final stages of preparation. The deadline to register is April 10. Different aspects of the preparation: echoes, photos and the Facebook page.

Russia. A brother will go to Russia from April 21-28. As a sign of communion with the Christians in that country, he will be there for the “Week of Light,” the week after Easter, a time of special celebraton for Orthodox Christians. There will be times of prayer and meeting in Moscow (details from dlidli@mail.ru) and St Petersburg (details fromirisha_levina@mail.ru).

Montenegro. The program of the meeting to be held in late August in Monténégro has been put online, as well asinformation concerning the journey.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, even in the darkness a light from you shines like a lamp in a dark place. Reawaken the hope of those who are experiencing suffering and fear of the future, in so many places. Show us God’s compassion.

Taizé website: http://www.taize.fr

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’ (Jn 13:34)

You may want to know when Jesus said these words. It was just before the beginning of his pas¬sion. He gave his farewell discourse as his final testament, and these words are part of that.

Just think how important they are!

If we never forget what a father says just before he dies, what about the words of a God?

They must be taken seriously, and so together let’s try to deepen our understanding of them.

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’

Jesus was about to die and what he said was affected by this. His imminent departure demanded an answer to one problem above all. How could he stay with his people and help the Church grow?

You may know, for example, that Jesus is present in sacramental acts: he makes himself present in the Eucharist.

But Jesus is also present wherever there is mutual love. Indeed, he said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Mt. 18:20).

In a community whose deep life is mutual love, therefore, he can remain actively present. And through the community he can continue to show himself to the world and continue to influence the world.

Isn’t this wonderful? Doesn’t it make you want to start right away living this love together with your fellow Christians?

John, who tells us of these words, saw mutual love as the Church’s supreme commandment. The Church’s vocation is precisely this: to be communion, to be unity.

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’

Jesus said immediately afterwards, ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (Jn 13:35)

So if you want to discover the true mark of authenticity for Christ’s disciples, if you want to see their badge, you have to look for it in mutual love.

Christians are to be recognized by this sign. And, if it’s missing, the world will no longer find Jesus in the Church.

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’

Mutual love creates unity. But what does unity do? Jesus prayed, ‘May they be one … that the world may believe’ (Jn 17:21). Unity, by revealing Christ’s presence, draws the world to follow him. When the world is faced with unity, with mutual love, it believes in him.

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’

In the same farewell discourse, Jesus called this commandment ‘his’.

It is his and so is particularly dear to him.

You ought not take it as simply a rule, a precept or a commandment alongside others. Here Jesus wants to reveal to you a way of living, to tell you how to set up your life. Indeed, the first Christians made this commandment the basis of their lives. As Peter said, ‘Above all, maintain constant love for one another’ (1 Pt 4:8).

Before starting work, before studying, before going to church, before any activity, make sure that mutual love reigns between you and whoever lives it with you. If it is so, then on this basis everything has value. Without this foundation, nothing is pleasing to God.

‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’

Jesus also tells you that this commandment is ‘new’. ‘I give you a new commandment’.

What does he mean? Perhaps that the commandment was unknown before?

No. ‘New’ means that it is made for the ‘new age’.

But what’s this about?

It’s like this. Jesus died for us. Therefore he loved us to the utmost extreme. But what kind of love was his? It certainly wasn’t like ours. His was and is a ‘divine’ love. He said, ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you’ (Jn 15:9). He loved us, therefore, with the very same love with which he and the Father love one another.

And it is with this same love that we must love one another in order to carry out the ‘new’ command¬ment.

But you, as a man or a woman, don’t have a love like this. Yet you can be happy because, as a Christian, you receive it. And who gives it to you? The Holy Spirit pours it into your heart, and into the hearts of all believers.

There is, then, an affinity between the Father, the Son and us Christians because of the one divine love that we possess. It is this love that introduces us into the Trinity. It is this love that makes us children of God.

It’s through this love that heaven and earth are linked as by a great current. Through this love the Christian community is brought into the sphere of God and the divine reality dwells on earth where believers love one another.

Doesn’t all this seem to you divinely beautiful, and isn’t the Christian life utterly fascinating?

Chiara Lubich

First published in May 1980

IN CHRIST ALONE!

Martes, Abril 1, 2014

From the Taizé Community and the Focolare Movement

Des coeurs brisés, le seigneur est proche. Il sauve des ésprits abattus. (Broken hearts, the Lord is near. He saves drooping spirits.) + Psalm 56

News from Taizé

Taizé: Some echoes of the past weeks

Brother Alois in Rome

Ukraine: "We are all sisters and brothers"

USA.: Meetings in Texas

Bangladesh: Unity means everyone being ready to work together

Czech Republic: Visits to prepare the upcoming European meeting

Scotland: An echo of the weekend in Edinburgh

Agenda

Prayer

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