The conversion of the gaze

A homily of Father Cristiano in the Vigil Mass of Pentecost 2023 in San Damiano Mission

Dec 24 we celebrate the nativity of Jesus, this is a homily of father Cristiano recorded during mass. Merry Christmas to you all!

Nov 6, 2022 - XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time. The destination is what explains our journey. We have a great nostalgia of Eternity, and this life of ours is full of contradictions and becomes unbearable if we don’t anchor our heart to the shores of another life, an Eternal and Joyful one.

Oct 23rd, 2022 - XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time, C. Prayer is the conversion of the gaze. It is stop adoring ourselves in order to adore God.

Oct 16th, 2022 - XXIX Sunday in Ordinary Time, C. ‘Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire.’ (St. Teresa of Avila)

Oct 9, 2022 - XXVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time, C. “As they were going they were cleansed.” Every real healing involves a path. Ten lepers set out without yet having healed, but certain that they would have received from Jesus what they asked for.

Sep 11, 2022 - XXIV Sunday in Ordinary Time, C. “If through weakness I sometimes fall, May Your Divine Glance cleans my soul immediately, consuming all my imperfections like the fire that transforms everything into itself.” (St Thérèse of Lisieux) The actively merciful Father doesn’t simply wait at home for His lost son, but hurries to meet him and throws His arms around his neck.

July 10th, 2020 - Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C. The mark of Christ is the extravagance of involvement. There is no longer a barrier between human and divine blood. “Love with all your heart”. As we have been loved, we are sent on the roads of the world to “go and do likewise”. (St 30:10-14; Col 1:15-20; Lk 10:25-37)

June 5th, 2022 - Pentecost Sunday. “The Spirit is the invisible fragrance of the Paradise that has arisen in our midst. He can create in you what doesn’t exist and He can make disappear what appeared to be or removable. So you run your hand over the smooth skin from which the wound has vanished by a miracle.” (Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Heart of the world”)

May 29th, 2022 - VII Sunday of Easter, C. “We don’t see the very deepest things, those that really sustain life and the world, but we can see and feel their effects.” (Pope Benedict XVI) “Faith in Christ brings salvation because in him our lives become radically open to a love that precedes us, a love that transforms us from within, acting in us and through us.” (Pope Francis) (Acts 7:55-60; Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20; Jn 17:20-26)