From 3rd to 7th January 2011 at the “Domus Carmelitana - Sant’Alberto” in Rome, the IX assembly of the Carmelite Librarians Association (ABC/CLA) was held, in which approximately 20 members of the various provinces of the Order participated. The work, directed by Fr. Mark Attard, O. Carm., consisted in the communication of the updates taking place in the various libraries after the previous meeting, which took place in Madrid in 2009. Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O. Carm., presented the principal activities of the Institutum Carmelitanum (particularly the project “Bibliotheca Carmelitana Nova”), after which the use of new information technologies, online systems of cataloguing, and the digitalization of rare books and ancient documents was discussed. The General Archivist, Fr. Emanuele Boaga, O. Carm., put forward a valuable intervention regarding the instruments of “conserving the collective memory”, archives and libraries, illustrating points of agreement and differences. Fr. Ivan Hrusa, O.Carm., formerly the archivist of the Curia, presented the structure and the physiognomy of that archive. Apart from these meetings, the group visited the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti and the “Titulus Equitii” beneath it, the General Curia, the Carmelite and general libraries at CISA, and concluded the meetings with a visit to the Vatican Apostolic Library which was recently renovated.

The next meeting of the Association with take place in a year and a half, from 23rd (arrival) to 28th (departure) July 2012, probably in Prague in the Czech Republic.

Season of Lent

1) Opening prayer

Lord God,

in Your son Jesus Christ

You have given us a new name,

the name of Your Son himself.

May we live up to our new destiny,

to be people-for-others

who serve and commit ourselves

together with Jesus,

Your Son and our Lord for ever. 

2) Gospel Reading - John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.' Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. 

3) Reflection

• Chapter 8 seems an exhibition of works of art, where it is possible to admire and contemplate famous paintings, next to one another. Today’s Gospel presents us a painting, and a dialogue, between Jesus and the Jews. There is not too much connection between one and the other painting. It is the spectator who, thanks to his/her attentive and prayerful observation, succeeds in discovering the invisible thread that binds the paintings. Thus, we penetrate into the divine mystery which envelops the person of Jesus.

• John 8:51: Whoever keeps the word of Jesus will not see death. Jesus makes a solemn affirmation; the prophets said: Oracle of the Lord! Jesus says: “Truly, I say to you!” And the solemn affirmation is the following: “Whoever keeps My word will not see death!” This same theme appears and reappears many times in the Gospel of John. These are words of a great depth. Notice how the prophets speak on behalf of God, but Jesus speaks in the first person with authority as God!

• John 8:52-53: Abraham and the prophets died. The reaction of the Jews is immediate: “Now we know that you are out of Your mind. Abraham died and the prophets also died. And you say: “Whoever keeps My word will never see death”. Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who are you claiming to be?” They did not understand the importance and significance of the affirmation of Jesus. It was a dialogue of the deaf.

• John, 8:54-56: I am glorified by My Father. Once again and as always Jesus hits on the same key: He is so united to the Father that everything that He says or does is His. Everything is the Father’s. And He says: “The one who glorifies Me is My Father, the one whom you say, ‘He is our God!” and you do not know Him. But I know Him. And if I were to say, ‘I do not know Him’, I should be a liar, as you yourselves are. But I do know Him and I observe His word. Your father, Abraham, rejoiced to think that he would see My Day; he saw it and was glad”. These words of Jesus must have been like a sword which wounded the self esteem of the Jews. To tell the religious authority: “You do not know the God whom you say you know. I know Him and you do not know Him!” It is like accusing them of total ignorance exactly regarding the theme on which they think they are specialized doctors. And the final word increases the measure: “Abraham, your father, rejoiced in the hope of seeing My Day, he saw it and was glad”. 

• John 8:57-59: “You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham! They took everything literally, thus showing that they did not understand anything of what Jesus was saying. And Jesus makes another solemn affirmation: "In all truth I tell you: before Abraham ever was, I AM”.

For those who believe in Jesus, here we reach the heart of the mystery of the story. Once again they pick up stones to kill Jesus. But neither this time will they succeed, because His hour has not as yet come. The one who determines the hour is Jesus himself.

4) Personal questions

• It is a dialogue with the deaf between Jesus and the Jews. Have you sometimes had the experience of speaking with a person who thinks exactly the opposite of what you think and is not aware of it?

• How do you react when you are shown your errors? Do you consider the arguments or hold on to your thinking? 

5) Concluding Prayer

Seek Yahweh and His strength,

tirelessly seek His presence!

Remember the marvels He has done,

His wonders, the judgments He has spoken. (Ps 105:4-5)

Season of Lent

1) Opening prayer

Our God and Father,

we claim to be Your sons and daughters,

who know that You love us,

and that You call us to live

the life of Jesus, Your Son.

Give us the courage

to live this life consistently

not to show off, not to reprove others,

but simply because we know

that You are our Father

and we Your sons and daughters,

brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

2) Gospel Reading - John 7: 1-2.10.25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret. Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, "Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from." So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, "You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

3) Reflection

• Throughout the chapters from 1 to 12 of the Gospel of John, one discovers the progressive revelation which Jesus makes of himself to the disciples and to the people. At the same time and in the same proportion, the closing up and the opposition of the authority against Jesus increases, up to the point of deciding to condemn Him to death (Jn 11:45-54). Chapter 7, on which we are meditating in today’s Gospel, is a type of evaluation in the middle of the journey. It helps to foresee what will be the implication at the end.

• John 7:1-2.10: Jesus decides to go to the feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem. The geography of the life of Jesus in the Gospel of John is different from the geography in the other three Gospels. It is more complete. According to the other Gospels, Jesus went only once to Jerusalem, the time when He was taken and condemned to death. According to the Gospel of John He went at least two or three times to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. This is why we know that the public life of Jesus lasted approximately three years. Today’s Gospel informs us that Jesus directed himself more than once to Jerusalem, but not publicly, but hidden, because in Judah the Jews wanted to kill Him.

• In this chapter 7 as well as in the other chapters, John speaks about the “Jews” and of “you Jews”, as if he and Jesus were not Jews. This way of speaking shows the situation of a tragic breaking which took place at the end of the first century between the Jews (Synagogue) and the Christians (Ecclesia). Throughout the centuries, this way of speaking in the Gospel of John contributes to anti-Semitism. Today, it is very important to keep away from this type of division so as not to foster anti-Semitism. We can never forget that Jesus is a Jew. He was born a Jew, lives as a Jew and dies as a Jew. He received all His formation from the Jewish religion and culture.

• John 7:25-27: Doubts of the people of Jerusalem regarding Jesus. Jesus is in Jerusalem and He speaks publicly to those who want to listen to Him. People remain confused. They know that the authorities want to kill Jesus and He does not hide from them. Would it be that the authorities have come to believe in Him and recognize that He is the Messiah? But how could Jesus be the Messiah? Everybody knows that He comes from Nazareth, but nobody knows the origin of the Messiah, from where He comes. In reality, they did not know or acknowledge where He came from, which was from God, thus fulfilling their own definition of the origin of the Messiah, even though they did not see it!

• John 7:28-29: Clarification on the part of Jesus. Jesus speaks about His origin. “You know me and you know where I come from”. But what people do not know is the vocation and the mission which Jesus received from God. He did not come on His own accord, but like any prophet He has come to obey a vocation, which is the secret of His life. ”Yet, I have not come of My own accord but He who sent Me is true, and you do not know Him. But I know Him, because I have My being from Him and it was He who sent Me”.

• John 7:30: His hour had not yet come. They wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, “because His hour had not yet come”. In John’s Gospel the one who determines the hour and the events which will take place are not those who have the power, but it is Jesus. He is the one who determines the hour (cf. Jn 2:4; 4:23; 8:20; 12:23.27; 13:1; 17:1). Even up to the time when He was nailed to the Cross, it is Jesus who determines the hour of His death (Jn 19:29-30).

4) Personal questions

• How do I live my relationship with the Jews? What have I done to study or become informed about the Jewish tradition Jesus lived?

• As Christians we are sent to proclaim the Word. Do we do it openly, or travel in secret out of fear?

5) Concluding Prayer

Yahweh ransoms the lives of those who serve Him,

and there will be no penalty

for those who take refuge in Him. (Ps 34,24)

Ordinary Time

1) Opening prayer

Father,

Your love never fails.

Hear our call.

Keep us from danger

and provide for all our needs.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

2) Gospel Reading - Mark 12:13-17

Next, the priests, the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to catch Him in what He said. These came and said to Him, 'Master, we know that you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you, and that you teach the way of God in all honesty. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or not?' Recognizing their hypocrisy He said to them, 'Why are you putting Me to the test? Hand Me a denarius and let Me see it.'

They handed Him one and He said to them, 'Whose portrait is this? Whose title is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' Jesus said to them, 'Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar -- and God what belongs to God.' And they were amazed at Him. 

3) Reflection

• In today’s Gospel, the confrontation between Jesus and the authority continues. The priests and the Scribes had been criticized and denounced by Jesus in the parable of the vineyard (Mk 12:1-12). Now, they themselves ask the Pharisees and the Herodians to set up a trap against Jesus to be able to condemn Him. They ask questions to Jesus concerning the taxes to be paid to the Romans. This was a controversial theme which divided public opinion. The enemies of Jesus want, at all costs, to accuse Him and diminish the influence that He had on the people. Groups, which before were enemies,  now get together to fight against Jesus. This also happens today. Many times, persons or groups, enemies among themselves, get together to defend their privileges against those who inconvenience them with the announcement of truth and of justice.

• Mark 12:13-14: The question of the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Pharisees and the Herodians were the local leaders in the villages of Galilee. It was a long time since they had decided to kill Jesus (Mk 3: 6). Now, because of the order of the priests and of the elders, they want to know if Jesus is in favor or against the payment of taxes to the Romans, to Caesar. An underhanded or sly question, full of malice! Under the appearance of fidelity to the Law of God, they look for reasons in order to be able to accuse Him. If Jesus says, “You should pay!” they could accuse Him of being a friend of the Romans. If He said, “No, you do not have to pay!” they could accuse Him to the authority of the Romans of being subversive. This seemed to be a dead alley!

• Mark 12:15-17: Jesus’ answer. Jesus perceives their hypocrisy. In His response He does not lose time in useless discussion, and goes straight to the heart of the matter. Instead of responding and of discussing the affair of the tribute to Caesar, He asks to be shown a coin and He asks, “Whose portrait and inscription is this?” They answered: “Caesar’s!” The answer of Jesus: “Then pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. In practice, they already recognized the authority of Caesar. They were already giving to Caesar what belonged to Caesar, because they used his currency, his money to buy and to sell and even to pay the taxes of the Temple! What interested Jesus was that they give “to God what belongs to God!, that is, that they restore the people to God, from their deviation, because with their teaching they blocked the entrance into the Kingdom (Mk 23:13). Others explained this statement of Jesus in another way: “Give to God what belongs to God!”, that is, practice justice and honesty as the Law of God demands, because your hypocrisy denies to God what is due to Him. The disciples have to be aware!

• Taxes, tributes, taxes and denarii. In Jesus’ time, the people of Palestine paid many taxes, tributes and the tenth part of their income, both to the Romans as well as to the Temple. The Roman Empire had invaded Palestine in the year 63 A.D. and they imposed many taxes and tributes. According to the estimates made, half or even more of the family salaries were used to pay the tributes, taxes and the tenth of their income. The taxes which the Romans demanded were of two types: direct and indirect.

a) The Direct tax was on property and on persons. The tax on property (tributum soli): the fiscal officers of the government verified how large the property was, the production and the number of slaves and they fixed the amount to be paid. Periodically, there was a verification through the census. The tax on persons (tributum capitis): was for the poor class who owned no land. This included both men and women, between 12 and 65 years of age. It was a tax on the force of work; 20% of the income of every person was used to pay taxes.

b) The Indirect tax was placed on transactions of different types.  Crown of gold: originally, it was a question of a gift to the Emperor, but then it became an obligatory tax. This was paid on special occasions, for example: the feast and the visits of the Emperor. The tax on salt: The salt was the monopoly of the Emperor. It was necessary to pay the tribute on the salt for commercial use, for example, the salt used by fishermen to dry up the fish and to sell it. From this comes the word “salary”. A tax on buying and selling: for every commercial use 1% was paid. This money was paid to the fiscal officers during the holidays. When a slave was bought they demanded 4%. In every registered commercial contract, they demanded 2%. The tax for exercising a profession: There was need for everyone to have a license for everything. For example, a cobbler in the city of Palmira paid one denarius a month. A denarius was equivalent to the salary of one day. And even the prostitutes had to pay. A tax for the use of public utilities: Emperor Vespasian introduced the tax to be able to use the public toilets in Rome. He would say, “Money does not stink!”

c) Other taxes and obligations: toll or customs; forced work; Special expenses for the army (to give hospitality to the soldiers; to pay for the food of the troops); Taxes for the Temple and the worship. 

4) Personal questions

• Do you know some case of groups or of people who were enemies among themselves, but who were then united to follow an honest person who bothered or inconvenienced and denounced them? Has this happened any time with you?

• What is the meaning of this sentence today: “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”? 

5) Concluding Prayer

Each morning fill us with Your faithful love,

we shall sing and be happy all our days;

Show your servants the deeds You do,

let their children enjoy your splendor! (Ps 90:14, 16)