Thursday, April 11, 2013

12 April 2013 The marks of the five wounds in Our Lord’s glorified Body A prince returning to his kingdom is proud of the wounds he has received in battle. Therefore, we must not be surprised that our Lord chose to bear in his now glorified body the marks of the wounds he received in his glorious combat against sin and death. He also wished to show us his esteem for suffering and infamy endured in the cause of God, and to encourage us to endure them, too. Suffering and humiliation shall bring us to glory and eternal happiness. The saints drew their generosity and contempt for the world from contemplating the wounds and humiliations of their Lord. It enabled them to regard fame, honor, and pleasures as nothing. They rejoiced in suffering as he did hardships, labor, and ignominy. We are stimulated by the desire to resembling him than of acquiring merit by so doing. These wounds also remind us of what he has done for love of us. To assure us of his never-failing protection; ever open to receive and shelter us. They are eloquent voices pleading for us before the heavenly throne. How can he who sits thereon refuse his beloved Son whatever he asks? We often complain of dryness in prayer, even in our visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Of the little love, almost the indifference, we feel for the Person of our Lord; and of our weakness against the innumerable difficulties and temptations. Our remedy? Let us seek it in the wounds of Jesus. Let us contemplate them and enter therein in spirit. All causes of complaint will disappear. “In every misery I have found no more efficacious remedy than the wounds of Jesus. Within them I rest in peace and safety.” (St Augustine) Our Lord has, furthermore, retained these wounds to confound the wicked, at the last judgment, who have not profited by his Passion. And to rejoice the elect who have corresponded with the designs of his wonderful and merciful Providence by respecting them. We wish to be among the elect. Our desire and confidence will be well founded if we earnestly endeavor to form within ourselves the likeness of our crucified God. Then with what joy shall we press our dying lips upon the five wounds of the crucifix! How we shall rejoice throughout all eternity! Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp190-92 Personal holiness As soon as the Apostles began with courage and daring to teach the truth about Christ, the obstacles also began to arise. Eventually, persecution and martyrdom followed. However, soon belief in Christ had extended beyond Palestine, arriving in Asia Minor, Greece and Italy; reaching men of every culture, social position and race. We, too can expect to meet with misunderstanding, a sure sign of divine disposition, certain that we are following the footsteps of Our Lord, because “a disciple is not above his teacher” (Mt 10:24). We accept our setbacks joyfully as being permitted by God for our own good. We welcome them as opportunities to enliven our faith and hope and love. They help us to persevere in our prayer and mortification, because “the Lord’s chosen ones will” not labour in vain (Isaiah 65:23). And we always treat other people well, with understanding, “drowning evil in abundance of good” (Cf Rom 12:21). It should not be surprising that very often, we have to go against the current. In this world that seems to distance itself every day more and more from God, material well-being is its goal, giving no importance to spiritual values or simply relegating them to a low-priority. Along with the deep and disordered attraction to material goods, there is the added unfortunate bad example of some Christians. Thus, “when religious education is neglected, doctrine misleadingly expounded or shortcomings made evident in religious, moral and social life of believers, then we must admit that the true face of God and of religion is veiled rather than revealed” (Second Vatican Council, “Gaudium et spes”, 19). As in the early Christians, “what is truly important is to deal with souls one by one ...” (Alvaro del Portillo, “Letter”, 25 December 1985, 9) Holy Mary, ‘Queen of Apostles’, will set us aflame with faith, hope and love for her Son so that we may effectively contribute in and from our environment, to christianization of today’s world as the Pope encourages us to do. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:331-5 Examination of Conscience A daily task. Book-keeping — never neglected by anyone in business. And is there any business worth more than that of eternal life? (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 235) Examine yourself: slowly, with courage. Isn’t it true that your bad temper and your sadness — both without cause, without apparent cause — are due to your lack of determination in breaking the subtle but real snares laid for you — cunningly and attractively — by your concupiscence? (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 237) The general examination is a weapon of defense. The particular [examination], of attack. The first is the shield, The second, the sword. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 238) Holy Purity — The spotless purity of John’s whole life makes him strong facing the cross. The rest of the Apostles flee fom Golgotha. He, with the Mother of Christ, remains. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 144) Scruples — Don’t think any more about your fall. Besides overwhelmng and crushing you under its weight, that recollection may easily be an occasion of future temptation. Christ has forgiven you! Forget the “old man” — your former self. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 261) • Our Lady of Charity, in the Abbey of the Feuillants, seven leagues from Toulouse. It is said that this image has several times wept. — Triple Couronne, n. 34. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Charity. Toulouse, France; Cobre, Cuba. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Charity (near Toulouse, France). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Charity, Cobre, Cuba. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Interior Life of the Blessed Virgin (“Marianist Missal”). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

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