Above: Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus
Image in the Public Domain
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MARIA JOSEFA ALHAMA Y VALERA (SEPTEMBER 30, 1893-FEBRUARY 8, 1983)
Founder of the Handmaids of Merciful Love and the Sons of Merciful Love
Also known as Blessed Esperanza de Jesus
Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus comes to this, A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES: AN ECUMENICAL CALENDAR OF SAINTS’ DAYS AND HOLY DAYS, via the Roman Catholic Church.
Maria Josefa, born in Santomera, Murcia, Spain, on September 30, 1893, came from a devout, peasant family. She was the first of nine children. Our saint’s father was an agricultural worker. Her mother was a housewife. Maria Josefa, educated by nuns, joined the Daughters of Calvary, as Sister Esperanza de Jesus (Hope of Jesus) when 21 years old.
Our saint, devoted to the Merciful Love of Jesus, founded two orders. She founded the Handmaids of Merciful Love in Madrid, Spain, on December 24, 1930. Their mission was to care for the sick, the elderly, orphans, and poor children, and to educate the latter two. She, based in Rome from 1926 to 1951, then at Collevalenza, Perugia, Italy, starting in 1951, founded the corresponding male order, the Sons of Merciful Love, in Collevalenza in 1951.
Our saint oversaw the construction of the Sanctuary of Merciful Love, at Collevalenza, completed in 1959. Pope John Paul II visited the church and our saint in 1982. He recognized the church as a minor basilica.
Our saint, aged 89 years, died in Collevalenza on February 8, 1983.
The Church has formally recognized Valera. Pope John Paul II declared her a Venerable in 2002. Pope Frances beatified her in 2014.
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Many non-Christians–especially non-believers–think of Christianity as a judgmental, legalistic faith. This is a misunderstanding of Christianity, as it is, at its best. However, many professing Christians are judgmental and legalistic. They are what they falsely accuse Jews of being–legalistic, with works-based righteousness.
Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus correctly focused on divine merciful love–that which loves unconditionally and seeks to attract all people. Grace is free, not cheap; ask the Hebrew prophets, Jesus, and the martyrs. Grace calls for faithful response.
Legalism is a misguided attempt to respond faithfully to God. Legalism is a sibling of the quest for certainty. That quest is idolatrous; it replaces faith in God with certainty.
May we–you, O reader, and I–lean all the way into God’s merciful love and trust in it. May we be neither legalistic nor judgmental. May we respond faithfully to God.
God of merciful love, thank you for the faithful life and legacy
of your servant, Blessed Maria Esperanza de Jesus.
May our lives also be beacons of your merciful love,
for your glory and the benefit of others.
In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, 32-37
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Luke 10:25-37
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
NOVEMBER 10, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT LEO I “THE GREAT,” BISHOP OF ROME
THE FEAST OF LOTT CARY, AFRICAN-AMERICAN BAPTIST MINISTER AND MISSIONARY TO LIBERIA; AND MELVILLE B. COX, U.S. METHODIST MINISTER AND MISSIONARY TO LIBERIA
THE FEAST OF ODETTE PRÉVOST, FRENCH ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN, AND MARTYR IN ALGERIA, 1995
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SUNDRY THOUGHTS 
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