Does Igia Concealer Really Work?

Lectio Divina Lectio Divina

Third Sunday of Advent / A

Lectio divina on Mt from 11.2 to 11

Come, Lord, save us

Invoking
"Send your Holy Spirit, the Comforter in our souls and make us understand the Scriptures inspired him, and allow me to interpret in a worthy manner, so that the faithful gathered here derive profit. " "God our Savior ... I pray for this people on it sends the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus comes to visit, talk to the minds of all have hearts to faith and lead you to our souls, God of Mercy." (Cf. Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Verbum Domini, 16).

Read
2Giovanni, who was in prison, having heard of the works of Christ, through his disciples, he sent the third to say, "Are you he that should come or look we for another?". 4Gesù answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the fifth blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor and proclaim the Gospel. 6E Blessed is he who does not find me a source of scandal. " 7Mentre those they left, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go to see in the desert? A reed shaken by the wind? 8Allora, what are you went to see? A man dressed in clothes of luxury? Here, those who wear luxury clothing are in kings' palaces! 9Ebbene, what did you go see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, in fact, more than a prophet. 10Egli was he of whom it is written, Behold, before thee I send my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way. 11in Verily I say unto you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

A moment of silent reflection so that the Word can enter into us and enlighten our lives.

useful steps to meditation
January 49.10, Ps 118.26; Zech 9:9; Ml 3.1, Hebrews 10:27; Es 23, 20, Is 26.19, 29.18, 32.3-4, 35, 4 -6; 61.1-2.


We understand the third Sunday of Advent, known as "Gaudete" Sunday, taking a cue dall'antifona input with which the Church introduces the Eucharistic liturgy of this day: Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say Rejoice, the Lord is near. (Phil 4,4.5). It is the joy that comes in the darkness of our existence, where we are called to set out and reread them in our lives, with the light in the heart, the Word of God.
Today's Gospel, is in the context of a series of stories about Jesus' activity which follows the apostolate discourse (Matt. 11-12). Not many miracles are narrated, but the evangelist stresses the debate between Jesus and his opponents, in a crescendo that will continue throughout the rest of the gospel.
In this section, predominantly dominated by mistrust and hostility, the preaching of Jesus is forced to be mysterious and Jesus would take away all the light of his teachings to the people of Israel, under the veil of the kind proposed parabolic various aspects of the mysterious reality of the Kingdom.

Meditation
vv. 2-3: John who was in prison, having heard of the works of Christ, sent by his disciples and said to him, "Are you he that should come or look we for another?". We here a jump from 4.12, where the Baptist did not know anything. Now he is in prison, a place of segregation, a world apart. * One day
Paul writing to Timothy says "the Word of God is not bound" (2 Tim 2:9), does not allow itself to any chain, it is alive as the author of Hebrews, For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4, 12). John is convinced of this and falls back on his life itself, indeed, does not stop to stare at what he thinks is his purpose in life: to prepare the way for the Messiah. In him is all his joy, which he expects his salvation. He pays attention to the signs of the times even if these signs are very different from those announced by him.
But now the doubts arise. We do not know why the Baptist went to the question, perhaps the environment that led him to this. Right now he represents all those righteous men of the Old Testament and of all ages, which have the value of expressing their doubts, to put seriously into question, to seek answers to their questions.
Giovanni da man filled with the Holy Spirit is put into question and opens a new proposal from God, despite the effort it has made in understanding this project. His is an open question to the truth that comes from another.
vv. 4-5: Jesus said to them: Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor and proclaim the Gospel. Jesus' answer is not direct, but by speaking the facts, clearly attests to his mission. The verbs "hear" and "see" made to describe this action that is taking place now, at this moment, with a tendency to take toward the immediate future.
With a series of pairs of miracles worked by him yesterday and today, with the present tense, Jesus calls not only John, but the disciples of every age, to read the signs of the times for the presence of Jesus The Messiah "is the way of faith that begins the activity visible culminates in the recognition of Jesus is the path that leads from darkness to light, the sign of reality" (W. Trilling).
Jesus at this time citing the AT is the Matthean narrative method to assert that in Jesus Christ the Scriptures had their fulfillment. He does nothing but invite us to tell ourselves what we saw and heard. To us questions about the hidden truth. It is an encouragement for us to be awake to be bearers of a living proclamation and living of our faith in Him
v. 6: And blessed is he who does not find me a source of scandal!. We have an invitation to read the signs of the times to answer to ourselves and those around us, where there is enclosed a bliss. Jesus had already proclaimed the Beatitudes. Here we add one more. It is linked to this attitude of the disciple who let the master teach him the way to reach the Kingdom of God In fact, many will welcome this message and this lifestyle without it causing the stumbling along the way, will be happy because they find the way of life and true freedom.
The word "scandal" is intended to indicate (in greek) the stumbling block prepared to hit a person by surprise. Jesus is here presented as one who "offended". But the scandal of which Jesus speaks is the one that comes from living the Gospel radically, the one that shakes us from our lifestyle and our thinking patterns. In turn, we are all called to "scandalize" the world with the scandal of the gospel by demonstrating the life are not subject to customs and traditions far the Christian faith, to reject compromises that would lead to injustice, to care for the poor and the neediest.
v. 7: While they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go to see in the desert? A reed shaken by the wind? looks like the ride of curiosity. Jesus still challenges us with these words. In particular, we who continue to follow him, to hear him. Of course, in this moment, Jesus praises the Baptist is not like us because we continue to climb on mirrors or moving from one thought to another. He is the faithful disciple, who announced in a frank shouting it to the conscience of everyone. John does
his ministry in the light of the coming of Jesus, we must reflect upon him probably better to welcome the Messiah. It's a real tribute that Jesus does its precursor: the solidity recognizes inner shake did not let the headwinds now following this, now that. John is not a reed shaken by the wind, the only wind that moves it is the Spirit who led him into the desert, where he preached repentance and return to God
v. 8: So, what did you go see? A man dressed in clothes of luxury? Here, those who wear luxury clothing are in kings' palaces! trying to get Jesus confirmed the identity of Baptist: A Prophet is out of our way of thinking. Its status is not a privilege, but a mission, and indeed his choice so radical says the total abandonment of the world to give God the first of all, to say that God is the only true good. This is a question for us when we are unable to accept the prophets, when we do not accept those who speak in the name of the Master.
John did not want to meddle with political affairs, with awards and favoritism. He was above all a model of endurance and patience "(James 5:10) and as such he is the herald of the Lord. Indeed, the call for respect of God's law has earned him a prisoner of the powerful.
v. 9-10: Well, what did you go see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, in fact, more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, Behold, before thee I send my messenger before you, he will prepare your way. We too often we retreat into the wilderness. A little 'suggested by a religious soul. A little 'because we want to pause in our lives. But despite this, Jesus repeats the question.
The first question asked by Jesus should stir our conscience that often confuse the verbs and words. See not learn. God does not learn but because He sees the show. The prophet does not teach God, but the show and John has done nothing to show God John was a prophet, the last of the prophets who proclaimed God's intervention on behalf of his people.
This divine messenger, who was John the Baptist, he paved the way for the Lord. In this way, Matthew is setting in an indirect way the divine nature of Jesus
We too should do or be in the desert to find the "holy street" and pave the way for the Lord.
v. 11: Verily I say unto you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. is a remarkable tribute that John received from Jesus, if the end seems to deny this magnitude unmatched John. However, the logic of the Kingdom of Heaven is another. With Jesus, God who comes to us, the Kingdom is not earned by human effort, asceticism, merits resulting from good behavior. In his Sermon on the Mount the Master taught, "Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. To those who have nothing, not even good works to be offered to God (and to brag about), and is presented to him in total nudity and empty, these are given the bliss of the Kingdom. "He will say Paul in Romans 14.17," the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. " The size United makes big one who is part of it is pure and free gift of God's love for us. The smallest of the Kingdom are those who take the form of a slave and the example of the Son of God "born of woman" (Gal 4:4), they want to serve all "even to death on a cross" (Phil 2:6-11 ).
In other places Jesus himself explains: those who keep the holy law of God, is great in the Kingdom (Matt. 5:19), those who allow themselves to do as a child, is "the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:4 ). The center is him. Everything comes from the Father through him who gives the Spirit. Everything back to the Father through him with the gift of the Spirit.

The Gospel in the mind of the Church Fathers
John's voice, the Lord, however, in the beginning was the Word. John, voice over time, beginning in Christ the eternal Word. Take the word, what is your voice? It has nothing of intelligible, it is empty noise. The voice, without the word, it strikes the ear, adds nothing to the mind. However, just building up of our minds, we realize the order of things. If I think of what I say, the word is already inside of me, but, wanting to talk to you, I look for in what way is also in your mind what is already in mine. Looking how he can get to you and find a place in your mind the word that is already the mine, I servant of the voice and, through the voice, I speak to you. The sound of your voice bears an understanding of the word, just the sound of your voice has brought the understanding of the word, the sound that goes beyond, but the word, you went by the sound, is now in your mind and you do not has moved away from mine. So the sound, just the sound, when the word has been introduced into you, do not seem to say: He must increase and I, instead, decrease? The sound of the voice vibrated in doing service, and then moved away, as if to say: This my joy is complete. We keep the word, mind you not to lose the word conceived in the depths of our being. You want proof that the voice passes, and the Word remains? Where is now the John's baptism? He fulfilled his service and disappeared. Now it runs frequently to the Baptism of Christ. We are all believers in Christ, we hope to salvation in Christ-that he announced his voice. And since it is not difficult to distinguish the word from the heading, John himself was regarded as the Christ. The voice was believed the Word, but he recognized the voice itself to avoid damage to the Word. He said: I am not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor a prophet. He was asked: So who are you? I am - he said - the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, a voice that breaks the silence. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, as if to say why I cry, to introduce him in the heart; but can not deign to come to where I want to introduce it if you do not prepare the path. What is, prepare the way, if you do not: high supplication worthy? What do you mean prepare the way, if you do not: be humble in your thoughts? By himself, take example of humility. It is believed to be the Christ, says he is not what is believed, or uses his prestige to the failure of others. If he had said: I am the Christ, how easily he would not have believed, since he had the conviction before they speak? Do not you said you knew, he distinguished himself, he humbled himself. Where was he felt for the salvation including lamp and had to be afraid because it was not turned off by the wind of pride. (From Speeches of St. Augustine, Disc. 293.3).

But listen to what [Jesus] said to John, after the disciples have moved away from this: "What are you going to see in the desert? A reed shaken by the wind?" (Mt 11:7). So saying, he certainly intended to deny, say no. The barrel, in fact, the slightest breeze bends the other way. And what is meant by a cane if not carnal mind, which is just touched by the praise or blame immediately bends from this or that way? If in fact the mouth of the blowing wind of praise, welcomes, is filled with pride and everything melts into tenderness. But if he came from the blowing wind of praise wind of blame, now tilts the other side inflamed with anger. But John was not a reed shaken by the wind, since, refused to be flattered by the blame for or irritated him, from whatever side it came. The prosperity did not make him proud and adversity could not crush him. Therefore, John was not a reed shaken by the wind, since no human vicissitude could move him from his resolve. We learn, therefore, dear brothers, not to be like a reed shaken by the wind, we strengthen our minds amid the murmurs of languages, and remains adamant the state of mind. Impels us to anger, no blame, no favor to us prone to a sterile weakness. Prosperity does not make us exalted, adversity does not disturb us, so that, rooted in a solid faith, let us move from the mutability of transitory things. This continues to express himself [Jesus] concerning John: "But what did you go to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft clothing live in the palaces of kings" (Mt 11:8). It describes John dressed in camel's hair braided. It is this: "Behold, those who wear soft clothing live in the palaces of kings", if not openly say that those who shrink from suffering disappointments for the love of God and are dedicated only to outward things, does not militate for the celestial kingdom but for what ground? Let no man therefore believe that in the luxury and concern of the clothes there is no sin, because if there was guilt, the Lord would not have praised John for all the harshness of her clothing ... And Solomon had already said: "The words of the wise are like goads, and as nails deeply planted" (Eccles 12:11). A goads and nails are compared with the words of the wise, because they do not know how to caress the sins of sinners, but rather the sting. "But who are you going to see in the desert? A prophet? Yes, I say, and more than a prophet" (Mt 11:9). It is the task of the prophet to predict the future things do not enter. John is more than a prophet, as indicated, showing, one of whom in his office had prophesied forerunner. But since [John] is not a reed shaken by the wind, because it is dressed in fine clothes, as the name of a prophet is not enough to say it, "Let us hear how it can be properly called. Continue [the Gospel], "This is he of whom it is written: Behold I will send my angel before, so prepare your way before you" (Mal 3:1). In greek what is expressed by the term angel, translated, means messenger. Rightly, therefore, is called the angel who is sent to proclaim the supreme court: that, as demonstrated in the dignity of the it does. The name is certainly high, but life is not less (Gregory the Great, Hom . 6, 2-5).

Some questions for personal reflection and comparison
For John the Baptist was difficult to recognize in Jesus the Messiah. What about us? We know it? We acknowledge it?
The question of Jesus is renewed again for us today. In the desert we went to see what? What kind of desert is our life? What we are looking for? Thinking about the figure of John
already presented in the Gospels as a man and a prophet, which points in common and diverging points we have with the person?
Resume Jesus' answer to the messengers of John: What are the signs of the kingdom that give meaning to our savior and liberator of the Christian presence in the neighborhood, in the community?

Praying
Again, it is the same liturgy, the Responsorial Psalm today, gives us the prayer that we raise to the God of our joy, the giver of all salvation. From Psalm 145:

The Lord is faithful forever,
does justice to the oppressed, gives food to the hungry
.
The Lord sets prisoners free.

The Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord raises up those who fell,
the Lord loves the righteous, the Lord protects the stranger
.

he sustains the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, through all generations.

contemplative act
share and communicate our faith and our prayers ... We prepare the coming of the Savior with the hope, joy and love. We for our brothers light that shines on them and walk towards Christ.