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Mes: abril 2024

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«The Death of Jesus in the Gospel of John». Sister Estela Aldave presents her new book.

«A few days ago, PPC Editorial published the latest book by Sister Estela Aldave tc, entitled «The Death of Jesus in the Gospel of John». This work offers a historical and theological perspective on the passion and death of Jesus, as presented in the Gospel of John. It highlights the originality of the Gospel in interpreting these events as an act of divine glorification and exaltation.

We, the Tertiary Capuchin Sisters of the Holy Family, express our heartfelt thanks to our Sister Estela Aldave for sharing her work on the passion and death of Jesus from the perspective of the Gospel of John. Her exegetical approach and her ability to interweave history with theology have provided an invaluable source of knowledge and reflection. The depth of his analysis and the clarity with which he presents the hermeneutics of the early Christian community will continue to enrich our understanding of these momentous events. This book not only forms, but also inspires, allowing us to contemplate the death of Jesus from the Joanic perspective.

In the April issue of Vida Nueva magazine, columnist Jaime Vázquez Allegue, has presented his literary and theological work as the recommended book of the month.

PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK.

According to Sister Estela Aldave, the Gospel of John does not seek to narrate the life of Jesus chronologically, but focuses on the memory and interpretations of the early Christian community. Despite this, historical elements can be identified in the narrative, such as the concern of the Jerusalem priestly aristocracy for the popularity of Jesus and his potential conflict with Roman power.

The book analyzes key moments such as the meeting of the Sanhedrin, the prayer in Gethsemane, and the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, highlighting Jesus’ peaceful and authoritative stance in the face of the violence of the authorities. Death on the cross, far from being a defeat, is presented as the hour of glory of the Son of God, a concept that is reinforced by the Resurrection.

The work concludes with a reflection on the relationship between the death of Jesus and the central message of the Gospel: the revelation of divine love and the promise of salvation. This analysis offers a new understanding of Jesus’ passion and death, inviting readers to see these events not as a tragic ending, but as the fulfillment of his redemptive mission.

The work is now on sale and can be purchased online or in bookstores in Spain.

 

 

 

 

Biography Sr. Estela Aldave Medrano

She was born in Logroño in 1974.

She holds a doctorate in Biblical Theology from the University of Deusto (2017). She took several courses in Jerusalem during the time of her degree in Biblical Theology, which she completed in 2008. His doctoral thesis was entitled «Death, Mourning and New Life in the Fourth Gospel. An exegetical study of Jn 11:1-12:11 in the light of ritual». She also holds a diploma in Social Work from the University of the Basque Country (1996).

She is currently a professor of different biblical subjects at the Regional Center of Theological Studies of Aragon (CRETA), in Zaragoza, and at the Faculty of Theology of Northern Spain, Vitoria-Gasteiz. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Spanish Theologians (2013-2016). She is also a member of the Editorial Board of Reseña Bíblica and the Revista Aragonesa de Teología.

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Capuchin Tertiary Sisters and lay people, walking together caring for and cultivating life.

To reread is to look at a document again, it is to return to its origin entering to the root of its intuitions, to listen and to see with depth its scope and utopias, it is to inhabit its content appropriating it, respecting the essential, to establish a dialogue between yesterday’s experience and today’s experience.

To turn our gaze to the Congregational Life Project «to care for and cultivate life» implies allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit, to travel in his company along the itinerary marked by his Word and welcomed by the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, In the XXIII General Chapter of the year 2022, which gave rise to the final Document, «Together we go forward, we generate and care for life» and enter barefoot into the eight calls of God, with courage and commitment, to break into the novelty of the new stage of consolidation Time of «caring for and cultivating life». 

The Congregational Life Project embraces in itself a charismatic experience lived by «Francis of Assisi, the mystic and pilgrim who lived with simplicity in a wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself (cf. Pope Francis, Laudato si no 10,»); the witnessing life of the poverello invites us to create home communities where everyone, sisters, Lay Amigonians and those who share the mission, have a place and the ability to care for and cultivate life in all its dimensions, it is there, in the unfathomable depths of fraternity where the various gestures that enrich human and fraternal relationships sprout, where one learns to stir the earth so that the germ that opens to existence, has deep roots and grows with the endearing strength to generate life, a life ready to guard, safeguard and protect the universe and in it all beings called to protect.

Throughout history, the Holy Spirit has invited the Church to be a tireless seeker of new paths and to live God’s Project in the mission entrusted to her, the proclamation of the Kingdom; Many men and women, consecrated and lay, aware of their responsibility and belonging to the «flock of God» (I Peter 5, 2), have joined this inspiration to be immediate collaborators in the processes of evangelization of peoples, the Amigonian Laity and those who share the mission with the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters, They have committed themselves to live the Christian life based on the charism bequeathed by Father Luis Amigó y Ferrer and today, they are called to join the Congregational Life Project «to care for and cultivate life» by sharing their own richness, which will later become a transforming force.

Caring for and nurturing life requires unified, coherent and mature people, unafraid of adversity and their vulnerability, resilient men and women with the inner disposition to adapt without complaint to the challenges of the journey, sisters and lay people who care for their own lives and those of others with the tenderness and compassion of the Good Samaritan, determined to enter barefoot into the depths of their being to encounter their own truth, to give thanks for the gifts received and to question those gestures that do not allow them to draw from the broken vessel the most genuine that the Father has placed in the heart of the human being.

The Congregational Project, «to care for and cultivate life», is not only a right of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, but a duty, whose main objective is to involve the Lay Amigonians and those who share the mission in the construction of the common home, in whose interior the beauty of the beings that God has created and human life beats with its joys and hopes, its searches, fragilities and failures, cultural and economic inequalities, wisdom, charismatic and formative aspirations? All this is a revelation of the Spirit and a gift for those who, feeling in their being its creative power, follow in the footsteps of Luis Amigó and Ferrer and in synodality, walking together, make of their daily life a permanent care and cultivation of human existence, both at the personal and community level, as well as at the social level.

This is a permanent task, a praiseworthy mission, which can only be achieved when, in the quiet silence of daily life, one enters the sacred sanctuary of one’s interiority and encounters the surprising presence of the living God who reveals himself and speaks to the heart.

He who takes care of his interiority, connects with his roots and is capable of dialoguing the most intimate secrets with the One who has made of him a unique and singular creation, placed in the heart of the common home to safeguard human life, is clothed with love, to welcome with an equal, kind, affectionate treatment and a compassionate-merciful attitude typical of Francis of Assisi and Luis Amigó, women and men immersed in the immense universe, talented, innovative, ignorant and foolish people; old people and children forgotten and discarded to ensure their own interests; sick, poor, marginalized and excluded, little visible to the eyes of the world; young people tired and without sense of life. The Sisters, the Lay Amigonians and those who share the mission, are the ones summoned to surround with the tender embrace of love that brings closer, breaks the cold schemes and widens the bonds of fraternity.

All this supposes the ecological conversion that implies the loving awareness of not being disconnected from other creatures, of forming with the other beings of the universe a precious universal communion. For the believer, the world is not contemplated from the outside but from within, recognizing the bonds with which the Father has united us to all beings (Pope Francis, Laudato si no. 220).

The Capuchin Tertiary Sisters, seekers on the way, the Lay Amigonians and those who share the mission, committed to the Church and the Congregation, are the first invited to let themselves be infected and affected by this congregational commitment, being witnesses of the authentic and coherent living of the calls that God makes to walk together, to advance, to generate, to care for and to cultivate life.

Sr. Ana Tulia López Bedoya, tc

Province of Our Lady of Divine Providence

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A transcendental proposal based on the family project from the perspective of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters.

In the heart of contemporary society, where family dynamics evolve and transform, working with families emerges as an imperative need. From promoting emotional well-being to building inclusive communities, working with families is becoming increasingly relevant in the modern world. This article briefly outlines a proposal for accompanying today’s family from our spirituality, highlighting key principles and practices that can strengthen and nurture families on their spiritual journey.

The family, as a community of love and life, reflects God’s communion and loving relationship with humanity. From its origins, humanity was created with the capacity and responsibility to love and live in communion. The love lived within the Holy Family is so vital that St. John Paul II described it as an «efficacious sign of God’s love,» making it a sanctuary where life and love are intertwined. It is in the family that the first experience of love and relationship is forged, a fundamental learning place where meaningful relationships are developed and the ability to make free and wise choices is cultivated. It has therefore been given the title of «first school of humanity», essential for the development of society.

Here are some aspects where the proposal of accompaniment to families could be centered.

  1. Strengthening the relationship with God: Family accompaniment from the Franciscan Amigonian spirituality begins with the strengthening of the relationship with God in the bosom of the home. Like the Holy Family, families today can cultivate a life of prayer, worship and obedience to God’s will, establish times of family prayer, participate together in the sacramental life of the Church and seek to discern God’s will in family decisions.
  2. Healthy Family Relationships: The Holy Family teaches us the importance of fostering healthy family relationships based on love, respect and communion. Family accompaniment focuses on helping family members cultivate unity and mutual support, as well as addressing conflicts and challenges constructively, facilitating open and honest communication, promoting forgiveness and reconciliation, providing tools to resolve conflicts peacefully, fostering empathy, and promoting open and respectful dialogue between parents, children and other family members. As Pope Francis would say, «It is in the united family that children reach the maturity of their existence, living the meaningful and effective experience of gratuitous love, tenderness, reciprocal respect, mutual understanding, forgiveness and joy.»
  3. Supporting the stages of family life: Family accompaniment from the spirituality of the Holy Family recognizes that families go through various stages and transitions throughout life. This may include forming new families, raising children, caring for the elderly, and adapting to changes in family structure. Provide support and guidance at each of these stages, helping families discern how to live their faith authentically and meaningfully amidst the challenges and joys of family life.
  4. Promoting Solidarity and Service: The Holy Family challenges us to live Christian values through service and solidarity with others. Family accompaniment includes opportunities for families to engage together in works of charity and service to those in need, both within the community and beyond. This not only strengthens the social and community fabric, but also enriches the spiritual life of the family by putting into practice the commandment to love one’s neighbor.

In conclusion, family accompaniment from the spirituality of the Holy Family offers an integral and enriching approach to strengthen and nurture families in faith and in daily life, following the example of Venerable Luis Amigo from closeness, minority and simplicity.

Sr. Rosa Alix Fajardo Gómez, tc

Mother of the Good Shepherd Province

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LECTIO DIVINA SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

MERCY SUNDAY

First Reading

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35

The group of believers were of one heart and one soul.

Psalm

Ps. 117:2-4,16ab-18,22-24 R: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

Second Reading

A reading from the first letter of the Apostle John 5:1-6

Who is he who overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 20:19-31

Blessed are those who believe without seeing!

First Reading – Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35: In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we will hear that the early Christian communities were characterized by a spirit of communion and the practice of helping one another. The believers shared what they had, attended to the needs of the most vulnerable and lived in fraternal union, thus reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus, highlighting the importance of this community life as a testimony of the love of Christ in the midst of a society marked by inequality and injustice, we must take advantage of these strong gestures by which, more than by words, an authentic Christian is recognized.

The life of the first Christian communities was centered on the person of Jesus, on his message of love, mercy and the hope of his return. These fundamental aspects gave cohesion and meaning to community life, strengthening the faith and commitment of the first Christians.

Psalm – Psalm 117:2-4,16ab-18,22-24: In today’s Psalm, we are invited to give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and everlasting mercy. Let us remember that the Lord is good and his love endures forever. May this Psalm motivate us to praise the Lord with gratitude and joy in our hearts.

Second Reading – First Letter of John 5:1-6: In this passage, the Apostle John speaks to us about the importance of faith and love in the life of the believer. He begins by affirming that he who believes that Jesus is the Christ is the son of God. This belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah is fundamental to Christian identity and to the relationship with God as Father.

John goes on to explain that loving God implies keeping his commandments, and that these commandments are not a heavy burden, but are the way to live in communion with God and with one’s brothers and sisters. Love for God is manifested in obedience to his commandments and in love for one’s neighbor, thus reflecting the relationship of sonship with God.

Gospel – John 20:19-31: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us: «Blessed are those who believe without having seen.»

In the Gospel of this Second Sunday of Easter, Mercy Sunday, the appearance of the risen Jesus to his disciples is recounted. This passage shows us different aspects of the experience of faith of the disciples after the resurrection of Jesus. But even more we will highlight the experience of Thomas in the encounter with Jesus who in the face of his uncertainties and distrust will respond with a merciful look that allows him to verify for himself the resurrection, Jesus, not without confronting his unbelief allows Thomas to touch, feel, see and feel to make the experience he needed in the encounter with Him, to purify his experience of faith.

LISTEN

In the first part of the passage, we see the disciples gathered in a place with the doors closed for fear of the Jews. Jesus appears in their midst and shows them his hands and his side, displaying the wounds of the crucifixion as signs of identification. This experience fills them with joy and infuses them with the Holy Spirit, sending them on a mission to forgive sins.

Thomas, one of the disciples, was not present at Jesus’ first appearance and expresses skepticism about the resurrection. Jesus appears again and invites him to touch his wounds, which leads Thomas to a profound confession of faith: «My Lord and my God!».

CONTEMPLATES

The name «Thomas» is a shortened form of the Aramaic name «Ta’oma,» meaning «twin.» In the Gospel of John, Thomas is also known as «Didymus», which is the Greek form of «twin».

From a biblical point of view the fact that Thomas is called «Didymus» or «twin» may have a symbolic or representative meaning in the context of the Gospel narrative. Some scholars suggest that this nickname may reflect the duality of Thomas’ faith: on the one hand, his unbelief and skepticism in the face of Jesus’ resurrection, as shown in John 20:24-25; and on the other hand, his profound confession of faith when he finally acknowledges Jesus as his Lord and his God, as recorded in John 20:28.

In any case, the designation «Didymus» or «twin» could also allude to the dual or ambivalent nature of Thomas’ personality, which oscillates between doubt and faith, between unbelief and confession of faith. This duality in the figure of Thomas can serve as a reminder for us believers to feel in some way identified with him in terms of our experience of faith that is sometimes so changeable and in need of certainties, but above all always understood by Jesus and lends itself to a personal experience of encounter with Him that transforms our gaze and allows us to confess Him as the Lord of our life. 

ASK YOURSELF

  • How do I identify with Thomas and how does his experience of encountering the Risen Jesus help me?
  • Does the resurrection have the transforming power it had in the lives of the disciples in my own life?

INVITATION

Let us allow ourselves to be invited by Pope Francis to concretize our believing experience like Thomas: «In the saving contact with the wounds of the Risen One, Thomas manifests his own wounds, his own wounds, his own lacerations, his own humiliation; in the mark of the nails he finds the decisive proof that he was loved, awaited, understood. He finds himself before a Messiah full of gentleness, mercy and tenderness. That was the Lord he was looking for, he, in the secret depths of his own being, because he had always known that he was like that. How many of us seek in the depths of our hearts to find Jesus, just as he is: sweet, merciful, tender! Because we know, deep down, that He is like that. Having rediscovered personal contact with the kindness and merciful patience of Christ, Thomas understands the profound meaning of his Resurrection and, intimately transformed, declares his full and total faith in him, exclaiming: «My Lord and my God» (v. 28). Beautiful, beautiful expression, this of Thomas! (Regina Coeli, April 12, 2015).

Sr. Sandra M. Velásquez Bedoya, tc

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