March 8
SAINT JOHN OF GOD, RELIGIOUS
Short bio + Divine office 2nd reading
St. John (1495-1550) heeded the word of God when he was already forty years old and from then on lived at the service of the sick in Granada (Spain). Before that, he was successively a farmer, soldier, and merchant. He founded the Order of Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God; the Hospitallers devote themselves to caring for the sick in soul and body.
From a letter by Saint John of God, religious
Christ is faithful and provides all things
If we look forward to receiving God’s mercy, we can never fail to do good so long as we have the strength. For if we share with the poor, out of love for God, whatever he has given to us, we shall receive according to his promise a hundredfold in eternal happiness. What a fine profit, what a blessed reward! Who would not entrust his possessions to this best of merchants, who handles our affairs so well? With outstretched arms he begs us to turn toward him, to weep for our sins, and to become the servants of love, first for ourselves, then for our neighbours. Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin.
So many poor people come here that I very often wonder how we can care for them all, but Jesus Christ provides all things and nourishes everyone. Many of them come to the house of God, because the city of Granada is large and very cold, especially now in winter. More than a hundred and ten are now living here, sick and healthy, servants and pilgrims. Since this house is open to everyone, it receives the sick of every type and condition: the crippled, the disabled, lepers, mutes, the insane, paralytics, those suffering from scurvy and those bearing the afflictions of old age, many children, and above all countless pilgrims and travellers, who come here, and for whom we furnish the fire, water, and salt, as well as the utensils to cook their food. And for all of this no payment is requested, yet Christ provides.
I work here on borrowed money, a prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ. And often my debts are so pressing that I dare not go out of the house for fear of being seized by my creditors. Whenever I see so many poor brothers and neighbours of mine suffering beyond their strength and overwhelmed with so many physical or mental ills which I cannot alleviate, then I become exceedingly sorrowful; but I trust in Christ, who knows my heart. And so I say: “Woe to the man who trusts in men rather than in Christ.” Whether you like it or not, you will grow apart from men, but Christ is faithful and always with you, for Christ provides all things. Let us always give thanks to him. Amen.
Responsory
℟. Share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house:* then shall your light break forth like the dawn and your good works go before you.
℣. Clothe the man you see to be naked, and do not turn from your own kin:* then shall your light break forth like the dawn and your good works go before you.
Let us pray.
Lord, you filled the heart of Saint John of God with compassion for his fellow-men. Grant that, loving our neighbour as he did, we may be called to share with your saints in the joys of your kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
ORIGINAL PHOTO SOURCE/CREDIT: Manuel Gomez Moreno, San Juan de Dios salvando a los enfermos de incendio del Hospital Real in https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Manuel_G%C3%B3mez-Moreno_Gonz%C3%A1lez.San_Juan_de_Dios_salvando_a_los_enfermos_de_incendio_del_Hospital_Real%281880%29.jpg Museo de Bellas Artes (Granada)
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