- GOOD BYES + SHARING

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We have arrived at the end of Lent…. We have lived it together with Faustino and it has certainly been a very good experience for each one of us.

Now that Easter time is beginning, you can share something of what you have found especially pleasing along this path, and perhaps something that will draw your attention even more to Faustino.

+ END – CONTINUATION

Jesus says:

Peter and John go to the tomb. “Simon Peter arrived and went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in: … and he saw and believed.” (Jn 20:1-9)

Faustino reflects:

“Lord, after dying so heroically for my sins, had to triumph over death. Your work wasn’t done. It was completed by your resurrection. You have conquered death. We, too, will arise to be united with You and praise you as our God.” (21-1-1963)

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How well you speak, Faustino! The whole life and work of Jesus is completed with the resurrection. I don’t know where you got the word, but it works. St. Paul said, “If Christ has not risen, our faith is in vain.” We are not followers of an important personage, if you wish, but who is dead. Peter and John believe on seeing that the body of Jesus isn’t there. A little later, he will begin appearing to them in his glorified body, and instructing them to give the great news to the whole world, to begin the “communion of saints”, the Church in which He, Jesus, will be present until the end of the world. We don’t think much about the ending of the Credo which summarizes our faith. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” We should think more about these final phrases which fill us with hope. Sometimes we wonder why “the forgiveness of sins” is there with the rest. The Church is realistic and knows that we can have failings, but there is the mercy that pardons us and allows us to continue without fear to eternal life, which in reality is the beginning of a new life with Christ and our brothers. Faustino died happy, thinking about the meeting he was going to have. Although this seems like something distant to me, it would be good to think about it now and then. It offers a bright light to go along the right way. Do I love the Church which gives me Jesus? In it, despite its limitations, the Lord lives. I should feel a holy pride in belonging to it, and through it to the Lord.

+ DISCOURAGEMENT – HOPE

Jesus says:

Two angels speak to the women. “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” (Lk 24:1-12)

Faustino reflects:

“Mother, we are in your month. Help me to love you more, to have more faith, not to be discouraged, to strengthen my vocation, to be more consistent in my duties, not to pay attention to the discouragements that I sometimes have. Help me, Virgin Mary, you who can do everything.” (7-5-1962)

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The women are discouraged. Jesus, whom they love so much, has died. They are thinking only of embalming his body. They had often heard about “rising from the dead”, but it didn’t ring a bell. It was so impossible that they didn’t think about it. So they receive a rebuke from the angels. Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Later, he will appear to them. What joy! Faustino also notes in his diary that he is discouraged at times. And he turns to the one who doesn’t get discouraged, the Virgin Mary who firmly believes that her son will rise on the third day. For that reason she is the one who can do anything before God, before her Son, the great intercessor. Do you turn to Mary in moments of doubt, of difficulties, or when you feel like tossing everything overboard?

+ FACE – CROSS

Jesus says:

“Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (Jn 19:25-27)

Faustino reflects:

“Jesus loved Mary very much. He was dedicated to her. 30 of his 33 years. The other three to the rest of humankind. If he loved her so much, I must love her much more than I do. Help me, Jesus, to love her infinitely.” (10-5-1961)

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What a gift Jesus gives John! And through John, to all of us. He gives us his mother, that is, the one he loves most. This scene, lived by the same St. John and related by him, adds that he received her “as his own”. Faustino also wants to receive her as his own. He is so enthused that he asks Jesus to help him “love her infinitely”. Nothing less! Faustino invites us to think about our love of Mary. Do I consider her “my own”, or simply like a pretty image which is more for children than for adults like myself? Many Christians take her this way, like an ornament of Christianity. In reality, if we make her our own, she will teach us who her son is. She, little by little, contemplating day by day, thinking about it in her heart, finally realized who Jesus is: God. Put yourself, like Faustino, in the school of Mary. You will learn to know God.

+ POWERFUL – SERVANT

Jesus says:

Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. “When he had washed their feet …he said to them, … “You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn 13:1-15)

Faustino reflects:

“What can I give to the Lord for all that he has done for me? He has given me everything I have or had, or will have. How can I repay this? It is impossible to repay everything. But Christ is here with me, at my side, in me. How can I not be good?” (23-1-1962)

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Washing the feet was considered a job for slaves, something indignant for a “decent” person. That is why Peter protests. But it is clear: Jesus becomes a slave for us. He washes our feet. Jesus, for me! Yes, me, in the person of his disciples. And he tells me that I must do the same for others. This explains the surprise of Faustino. He reviews his life and realizes every-thing he has received from the Lord. I even think that his very sickness has brought him more good things than bad. His desire to return such a great love is understandable. It seems impossible, but he says something that is for you, too: “How can I not be good.?” It’s an invitation to make a list of all the benefits I have received from God. It’s an invitation to try to repay. How am I going to do it? Be specific.

+ REWARD – VALUE

Jesus says:

Judas betrays Jesus. “One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Mat. 26:14-25)

Faustino reflects:

“Holy Virgin, what might you think about that kiss of Judas? How the Virgin suffered as she was caught in the crowd and seeing those for whom Christ had done great favors crucifying her son. Poor holy Virgin, having to see her son at Pilate’s side, bruised, scourged, spit upon…” (20-1-1963)

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Faustino invites us to contemplate the passion of Jesus together with the Virgin. She gives us courage. The only disciple who will be at the foot of the cross is John, because Mary took him with her. He would tell the Virgin about the kiss of Judas in Gethsemane. She, in turn, encourages him. If she hadn’t, then it is likely that John would be looking from afar and scared to death like the others. It had to be very hard for Mary to see her son in those cruel situations. One would have to see how a mother in a hospital suffers through the operation of her son, and with all the care possible. Think about it: in a chamber of brutal torture; on a bloody road carrying the cross; at the moment of nailing the hands and feet. In the face of all of this it’s better to remain silent, contemplate and even cry out of love and gratitude. Not so?

+ PUZZLE – COMMITMENT

Jesus says:

Jesus talks about treason. “Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. (Jn 13:21-33)

Faustino reflects:

“The Virgin suffered to save the world. She followed him to Calvary. She is the one who makes the way of the cross. (20-1-1963) “Most holy Virgin, teach me to see the value of suffering.” (23-1-1963)

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The disciples are puzzled. Really confused. How is possible that something like that could happen? Whenever Jesus spoke about his future passion and violent death, they were mystified. Now, even more. Maybe because they were uncertain, or cowards. When it really happens, they will flee. It is easy to be a follower of Jesus when people acclaim him. But they ask themselves: can suffering be meaningful? They doubt it. You are right, Faustino. This is where the real way of the cross begins. And the one who will experience it most is Mary. She does know the value of suffering. The old prophet Simeon in the temple had told her that a sword of sorrow would pierce her heart. Unfortunately many people today are puzzled by the passion of Jesus. Couldn’t he have saved us in a less costly way? Look into your heart. Maybe you think the same thing. For that reason Faustino asks Mary: “Most holy Virgin teach me the value of suffering.” Isn’t this the key to the mystery of love? The one who loves is capable of giving up life for the beloved.