Opening Prayer

Let us pray.

Lord, in Jesus Christ you chose to walk with us. But we choose to walk alone, to have others walk behind us or to push other people out in front when things are difficult.

Help us to live according to your Gospel spirit. To walk hand in hand offering a generous measure of hospitality to each other. So that, Like John, even in the centre of a hostile situation, we will be recognised as Christians by our love.

We ask this our prayer through that same Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading

A Reading adapted from The Life of Saint John of God by Francisco De Castro One morning while John was out looking for food for the poor, a gentleman came down the street called ‘Los Gomeles’. There were plenty of people in the city at that time and especially so in that street at the foot of the Alhambra. John was quite unaware that his basket had caught hold of the man’s cloak pulling it from his shoulders. The man angrily turned upon him saying “Ah, you vile scoundrel, why don’t you look where you are going!” 14 | P a g e John replied: “Pardon me brother, for I was not watching where I was going.” Hearing himself addressed in a familiar way and being called ‘brother’ (as it was John’s custom to call everyone brother or sister) the man became infuriated and slapped John on the face. “It was my fault, brother and I well deserve another” said John. But since he persisted in referring to him in a familiar way, the man called his servants saying: “Lay into this ill-bred villain!” Just then a respected local gentleman named Juan de la Torre came upon the scene and exclaimed: “John of God, what is happening?” As soon as the one who had insulted him heard his name mentioned, he cast himself down saying: “Is this John of God whom everyone is talking about?” And declared that he would not get up until he had kissed his feet. Lifting him up from the ground, John embraced him and they begged forgiveness of each other. Later he sent John fifty gold escudos for the poor.

Reflection

What a wonderful thing it is to be a human being! Nothing special or exceptional just an ordinary human being like so many others. For although we humans are capable of great folly, and although we are responsible for many acts of terrible destruction, God himself was happy to be a part of our human family. To be as you are, to be as I am.

And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love.

What a wonderful thing it is to journey with other people on the road of life, and to allow them to be companions for our journey. For although we like to see ourselves as a ‘cut above the rest’, and we strive to appear more competent, more able, better and the best, God calls us to be companions on the journey of life:

– To listen to our different stories

– To make room for the stranger on our ‘Emmaus route’, so that our hearts may jump with joy in the knowledge that, gathered in His name, He is happily present in our midst. 

And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love.

What a wonderful thing it is to be brother or sister to other human beings and to allow them to brother or sister us. For although, in the ‘Gomeles thoroughfare’ of our lives, we often clash with others because of – some difference of opinion – or annoyance, petty or grand, we have the potential to rise above such things, and when we can see a brother or a sister in the person with whom we clash, we are well on our way to fulfilling the prayer of Jesus: that we would be one.

And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love.

What a wonderful thing it is to be like John, to bring the perspective of God’s forgiveness to a situation of violence. For although we human beings are often the perpetrators and victims of ugly scenes, bloody hatred and division. God calls upon us to reflect his very nature as the one who comes rushing out with arms ready to embrace those who are still “a long way off”. 

And they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love.

As we place our gifts at God’s disposal so that, through our efforts, his hospitality will be offered to his people, we remember the words of Jesus, that we should first be reconciled to one another, and so, we offer each other a sign of peace.

Confident of God’s love for us, we have the courage to pray that prayer which Jesus gave us:

Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Blessing

We invoke God’s blessing upon this gathering; upon each of us individually, upon our group; upon all those who belong to the greater family of Saint John of God and upon all who seek to live according to God’s merciful ways.

May God grant that we may:

• Be thoughtful in speaking;
• Be gentle in our ways;
• Be cherishing of life;
• Be fruitful in our actions;
• Be companionable in our journeying;
• Be merciful in our judgments;
• Be simple in our lifestyle.

And may we practice hospitality on all occasions, in the presence of our loving God, whose heaven is a peaceful earth. And to all of this we say with one voice in the words of John. 

Amen, Jesus.

Let us go and spend ourselves uplifting the lives of others.

Thanks be to God.