For centuries Christians have given special attention to Mary on Saturdays. Theologians and ecclesiastical writers have explained some of the reasons that make this devotion particularly appropriate. Thus, St Peter Damascene writes that Saturdays commemorate the completion of God’s work of creation.
Saturday, the Sabbath of the Old Law, also anticipates the Lord’s Day, a symbol and sign of heaven. Christ, risen from the dead, is the gateway to eternal life. The Blessed Virgin is our way to Jesus; just as she was his way for coming into the world. (cf G Roschini, “The Mother of God”, Madrid) Mary, “on that day kept faith in the mystery of Christ after his death”. (cf St Thomas Aquinas, “On the Commandments”)
Whatever, we Christians need a special day to honour Our Lady and show her our love in a noteworthy way. And so, since ancient times, special Marian devotions have been held on Saturdays in churches, chapels and shrines throughout the world. Many Christians make a special effort to honour the Blessed Virgin in some distinctive manner on this day.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:549-50
Detachment to follow Christ
If we are to follow Christ, our soul must be free -- first, from love of self and an excessive concern for our health or the future ... from riches and material goods. The heart set on earthly goods leaves out God.
‘Christian poverty and detachment’ does not mean disdain for material goods if they are acquired and used in accord with God’s will. Our Lord’s counsel is thus realized in our lives: “Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well.” (Mt 6:33)
The more we detach ourselves totally from things, the greater will be our capacity to love others and to appreciate the beauty of creation. If we become lukewarm and share our love of God with objects or seek self-satisfaction, we shall have dislodged Christ from our heart. Material things will imprison and harm us.
Sheer possession of material goods will never bring happiness. The human heart will find the fulness for which it was created, only in God. If we do not act with the fortitude to live this detachment, “The heart is left sad and unsatisfied. ... follows paths which lead to everlasting unhappiness and ends up, a slave, victim of the very same goods which had perhaps been acquired at great effort and countless renunciations”. (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 118)
Christian poverty and detachment share nothing in common with squalor and slovenliness, with neglect and bad manners. Jesus dressed well. His cloak, probably woven by his Mother, had dice thrown for it because “it was without seam, woven from top to bottom” (Jn 19:23); and it had a “fringe” (Mt 9:20; 14:36).
The Holy Family’s house would have been modest, clean, simple, tidy, cheerful, well maintained. There would often probably be some flowers tastefully placed before a memento or decoration.
Effective detachment from things demands sacrifice. Christian life calls for a radical change in attitude towards earthly goods. The Christian lives to love Christ more and more through his work and family; but not to accumulate more and more material goods. If we wish to draw others to the practice of virtue, we must preach by example and precept. For observation is stronger than conversation.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1990, 3:105, 107-110
Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He was an upright man, in search of the truth. He believed that Jesus was a true prophet, and thought it his duty to seek instruction from him.
But to do so, he must overcome human respect. Otherwise he will incur the ire of the rulers who openly called Jesus a Nazarene impostor, deceiver of the people. Nicodemus had the courage to overcome these constraints but a touch of cowardice restrained him. To avoid notice, he ‘came to Jesus by night’.
Nicodemus said -- “Rabbi, we know you are a Teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which you do, unless God be with him.” (Jn 3:2)
This profession of faith shows Nicodemus to be much more enlightened than the other councilors; but he was still groping in thick darkness. He did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and misunderstood his doctrines. Jesus, therefore, gently reproached him -- “Art thou a master in Israel and know not these things?” (Jn 3:10)
Nicodemus left Jesus a changed man. His mind was illumined with the light of faith, his heart enkindled with the love of his Lord. He had become a faithful and fervent disciple but seems not eager to express his faith by deeds; never even mingles among the disciples who follow Jesus.
Two years later, at the death of Jesus, he redeemed himself by an heroic act of piety and devotion. Boldly going to Pilate, he demanded the body of his Divine Master and provided it with a magnificent burial.
Perhaps we, too, despite a certain amount of goodwill, have been slow in actual service of God. We may not have done a great or heroic act for God. Let us not be discouraged. Nicodemus redeemed his tardiness heroically, and merited to be counted among the saints. Let us follow his example.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp365-8
We need Christ the Liberator
The spirit of penitence and its practice stimulates us to detach ourselves sincerely from anything superfluous that we have. Sometimes even what is necessary to us, and hinders us from being truly what God wishes us to be: “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” (Mt 6:21)
Are our hearts holding on to material riches? To power over others? To egoistically subtle ways of domineering? Then we have need of Christ the Liberator. If we wish, He can free us from these sinful links which are tripping us up.
Let us prepare to let ourselves be enriched by the grace of the Resurrection by ridding ourselves of every false treasure. Those material goods which often we do not need, are for millions of persons essential conditions for survival.
Hundreds of millions of people, in need of the minimum necessary for their subsistence, look to us for help, to find the indispensable means for integral human promotion as well as for economic and cultural development of their countries. But declarations of good intention to make a simple gift are not enough to alter man’s heart.
There is need ‘for conversion of spirit’, which can push us to a meeting of hearts and sharing of our lives with the least-favored members of society, with those deprived of everything, sometimes even their dignity as men and women, as boys or girls.
It is there that we meet and more intimately live the mystery of the suffering and redemptive death of the Lord. Real sharing is going out to meet the others; that is what helps us to free ourselves from bonds enslaving us.
Ref: Cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp122-3
• Our Lady of the Pillar, at Saragossa, in Spain, so-called because, according to the tradition, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St James the Great, upon a jasper pillar, in the year 36, and ordered him to build a church, which the Spaniards maintained to have been the first dedicated to Our Lady. — Beutereus, lib. 1. c. et 3. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Pillar (“Nuestra Señora Del Pilar”). Saragossa, Spain. 40. The first Marian apparition. Scholarly debate. "The Mother of the Hispanic Peoples". (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Pillar (Spain). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of Fire (Forli, Italy) (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)
• Our Lady of the Flight into Egypt. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
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