Posts by Fr. Marcelo Javier Navarro Muñoz, IVE
God’s Word and God’s Love
Today’s psalm speaks of the person who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. A good starting point to meditate on God’s law or word is lectio divina. But rather than concentrating on lectio, I would like to focus briefly on God’s love today, which is enkindled…
Read MoreThe Calling of Matthew
If you happen to enter the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, Caravaggio’s genius offers the visitor a view of The Calling of Matthew. It comes alive in all its dramatic force. It is well worth the time spent contemplating this painting, a form of graphic catechetical piece that recalls today’s gospel on…
Read MoreBlessed are those who fear the Lord
128:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him. You wife shall be…
Read MoreBear Much Fruit
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And…
Read MoreDevotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Dear friends: I found myself this month of June having to prepare a retreat day and a conference for two communities of nuns within my religious institute. June is the month of the Sacred Heart, so to prepare, I delved into this devotion through some articles and by re-reading of Pope Pius XII’s Encyclical Letter…
Read MoreLet Us Not Forget the Wounds
To meditate on the Passion, we can take up St Claire of Assisi’s invitation to enter into the torn chest of Christ crucified. To be inundated with the light of the Resurrection, we can follow Christ’s offer to his disciple Thomas, to put his hand into his side, and to believe! (Caravaggio has immortalized that…
Read MoreHow Resurrection Affects Us
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life and I shall raise him on the last day.” (Jo 6: 40) The celebration of the mystery of the resurrection of our Lord cannot but make us think of our resurrection. If we…
Read MorePassing from Dark to Light
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.A clean heart create for me, O God, and…
Read MoreLectio Divina
One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. The verse before the Gospel presents to us a reminder of the spirit of Lent, i.e., the word of God is spiritual food, but it cannot be “assimilated” without repentance (therefore, conversion) and faith. Thus, we…
Read MoreMemorial of Saint Agnes
There is, probably, no more appropriate psalm for today’s memorial of Saint Agnes than Psalm 40, which the liturgy presents us with for reflection: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then…
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