Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori 

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080118.cfm

Today, in Mercy, Jeremiah continues in a plaintive conversation with God. Things are not going well for Jeremiah. His message has met complete resistance. But Jeremiah doesn’t give up. He keeps talking things over with God, and God patiently leads Jeremiah to deeper relationship and understanding.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus confirms that the journey into God’s deep heart is a challenging one. It is like looking for a treasure or finding a precious pearl. Not everyone is successful in the “treasure hunt”! It takes openness, trust, perseverance and love.

St. Alphonsus Liguori gives this advice about growing closer to God:

Acquire the habit of speaking to God
as if you were alone with Him,
familiarly and with confidence and love,
as to the dearest and most loving of friends.

Music: Tu Scendi dalle Stelle ~ written by St. Alphonsus Liguori Who, as well as being a renowned moral theologian and Doctor of Church, was a brilliant composer and poet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSW4tUk5uBw&app=desktop

Tu scendi dalle stelle
(Italian)

Tu scendi dalle stelle
O Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.

O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.

A te che sei del mondo,
Il creatore
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Caro eletto, Pargoletto,

Quanto questa povertà,
Piu m’innamora
Giacche ti fece amor
Povero ancora.
Giacche ti fece amor
Povero ancora.

(Translation)

You Come Down from the Stars

You come down from the star
Oh King of Heavens,
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.
And you come in a cave
In the cold, in the frost.

Oh my Divine Baby
I see you trembling here,
Oh Blessed God,
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.
Ah, how much it cost you,
Your loving me.

For you, who are of all the world
The creator,
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.
No robes and fire,
Oh my Lord.

Dear chosen one, little infant
This dire poverty,
Makes me love you more
Since Love made you
Poor now.
Since Love made you
Poor now.