In the classic liturgical calendar, the feast of the Ascension always falls on Thursday, 40 days after the Solemnity of Easter.  Since, in the actual calendar—at least in Italy and in other places—the feast has been transferred to the following Sunday, which is today, I believe it’s helpful, in this homily, to speak on the [...]

When we pray, what is it exactly that we’re doing?  What is it about?  What is the form of our prayer; from where does its dynamism come?  Today’s Gospel tries to respond to these questions.   As usual, the thinking of St. John is a bit difficult to understand.  In the passage which we just [...]

Quando ho messo piede a Norcia, in una fredda domenica, con un enorme zaino sopra di me, non sapevo bene cosa aspettarmi. Era l’ultima tappa del mio viaggio in Europa… http://www.spoletocity.com/2013/04/a-singapore-si-parla-di-norcia/    

The passage from the Gospel of St. John is difficult to understand, either because the form is very brief or because the content is complex and full of meanings.  I will try to unfold this beautiful and profoundly meaningful Gospel passage.   The image employed by the evangelist is that of a trial, a case [...]

In the readings for today’s Mass, Christ is revealed as the Good Shepherd, our Shepherd.  St. Peter says in the Epistle:  for you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls (1 Pt. 2:25).  Christ is the authentic shepherd, the real shepherd.  But, there are many false [...]

St. Paul says: For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it (Eph 5:29).  Precisely because we’re not spirits like the angels, but instead we’re men, a body/soul composite – and we love our own flesh – we’re not able to imagine the life of Paradise without a body.  Thus, every [...]