St John’s lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls. He had no formal system or theory of education. His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1468)
The Apostle of Youth
John, at nine years old, had a vision of Our Lord and Our Lady which made him resolve to become a priest and fulfil the vocation they had shown him: love and help for poor street boys. He was ordained at the age of twenty-six. (Ann Ball, “Modern Saints”, 1983, p102)
The day before he entered the seminary, his mother, laying her hands on his shoulders as he stood robed in his clerical dress, said: “To see you dressed in this manner fills my heart with joy. But remember it is not the dress that gives the honor to the state, but the practice of virtue. lf at any time you come to doubt your vocation, I beseech you, lay it aside at once. I would rather have a poor peasant for my son than a negligent priest.
“When you came into the world I consecrated you to Our Lady. When you began to study I bade you honor her and have recourse to her in all your difficulties. Now I beg you to take her for your Queen.”
Don Bosco was poor all of his life; but he completely trusted God. Often there was no money to pay rent or workmen on the churches he built. He had spent millions building large schools, a basilica to Our Lady in Turin and one to the Sacred Heart in Rome; and funding missionaries.
[A story goes that the Blessed Virgin appeared to him in Turin, Italy, where she asked to have a church built to her under the title, ‘Mary Help of Christians’.(In “A Marian Pilgrimage”, 2000, p31) See May 24]
Guided by Our Lady, Don Bosco founded a new order in 1859, the Congregation of St Francis de Sales (‘Salesians’), and received papal approval by 1869. In 1875, after seeing a vision of starving, unwashed, poorly clothed girls pleading for help, St John Bosco and St Mary Mazzarello founded the Salesian sisters, called the “Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians”.
The third part of his religious family was a group of lay people, the ‘Salesian Cooperators’ who pledged to work with, and help, the Salesian priests, brothers and sisters in the salvation of young people. Their system is to help boys and girls learn to be good before they get into trouble. (Ann Ball, op cit, pp104-5)
Ref: H Hoever, “Lives of the Saints”, 1989, p55
The “Twin Pillars of Victory” -- In 1862 John Bosco dreamed that world peace would come only after a fierce battle wherein the Pope will triumph by anchoring Peter’s Barque, the Church, to the pillars of the Eucharist and a fervent true devotion to Mary. (Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, p2)
On zeal for the glory of God
This zeal consists in an ardent desire to inspire others, to fill all hearts with the assent that all honor and glory belong to God alone. These feelings, furthermore are matched with the most profound reverence and adoration, and an entire offering of one’s self.
Every good son naturally has his father’s glory and interests at heart. God is Father to us all. We owe him our life and all we possess. However, the truth is, most men still deserve the reproach Moses directed to the children of Israel: ‘He forsook God who made him, and departed from God his Saviour.’
Nothing can possibly be greater or more excellent than the end which God had in view in all His works. And this end was Himself, and his own glory. ‘The Lord has made all things for Himself.’ This was also His end in creating man in His own image.
The Lord said: ‘I have created him for my glory.’ Hence, St Paul’s precept -- “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31) What a privilege for man to work for the same end as God! It behooves us, therefore, to promote not only the glory, but the ‘greater glory’, of God.
Since nothing can be more excellent than works undertaken for the glory of God, then nothing can be of greater merit in his sight ... As He said -- ‘Whosoever shall glorify me, him I will glorify.’
We should be anxious to seize every opportunity of exercising zeal for the glory of God. Such opportunities abound everywhere -- at home, in the office or school, even during recreation, or at rest. Our good example can lead others to perfection, thus becoming instrumental to the greater glory of God.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp363-5
Learning from Mary’s life of faith
Our Lady’s life was not easy. It was filled with trials and difficulties; but her faith overcame all obstacles and got stronger with each victory. ... Mary’s faith shines silently at Nazareth. The Son born to her is a child who grows and develops like any other human being. Yet she knows that this child is the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. ... the Almighty. ...
The Blessed Virgin looked at her son with love as her child, and with reverence as her God. Her faith shone in the everyday events of her life. Her life of prayer grew in intensity through intimacy with Jesus. Thus she was able to give a supernatural meaning to all the events of her life, and sanctify “the ordinary everyday things -- what some people wrongly regard as unimportant or insignificant: everyday work, looking after those closest to you, visits to friends and relatives.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 148)
Mary’s faith reached its zenith at the foot of the Cross. There, silently, she fulfilled God’s will by her presence and manifested the brightness and splendour and steadfastness of the faith in her heart. (cf Second Vatican Council, "Lumen Gentium", 58) “Mary by the eternal Will of the Most High stands ... conforming ... accepting fully and with a ready heart everything that is decreed in the divine plan.” (cf John Paul II, Encyclical, “Redemptoris Mater”, 14)
“Grant me, dear Jesus, the faith I truly desire. My Mother, sweet Lady, Mary most holy, make me really believe.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 235)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 4:552-4
THE SEVEN SUNDAYS DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH -- Honors the seven joys and seven sorrows of St Joseph. (Ref: “Handbook of Prayers”, Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias [Eds], 1988, pp321-3)
“What must Joseph have been, how grace must have worked through him, that he should be able to fulfill this task of the human upbringing of the Son of God.
“For Jesus must have resembled Joseph: in his way of working, in the features of his character, in his way of speaking. Jesus’ realism, his eye for detail, the way he sat at table and broke bread, his preference for using everyday situations to give doctrine -- all these reflect his childhood and the influence of Joseph.
“It’s not possible to ignore this sublime mystery: Jesus who is man, who speaks with the accent of a particular district of Israel, who resembles a carpenter called Joseph, is the Son of God.”
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivà, “In Joseph’s Workshop”. In “Christ is passing by”, Ibid, 40
The first sorrow and joy of St Joseph
His sorrow when he decided to leave the Blessed Virgin; his joy when the angel told him the mystery of the Incarnation, that Mary’s child is the Son of God and is the awaited Messiah.
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:20-21)
“The Gospels give us a picture of Joseph as a remarkably sound man who was in no way frightened or shy of life. On the contrary, he faced up to problems, dealt with difficult situations and showed responsibility and initiative in whatever he was asked to do.”
Ref: Ibid, op cit
Apparition of Our Lady to Blessed Angela de Foligno [Italy, 1285]. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Sunday, January 17, 2010
30 January 2010: On the mystery of the hidden life of Jesus
Jesus came into the world to give life to the human race by His death; to convert the world by His divine teaching to knowledge of the truth; and to the worship and love of God. He had only thirty-three years to accomplish this mission.
He had no time to lose. We should expect Him to work soonest, as sent by God, the teacher of the human race. But no! The mystery is until thirty years of age, he remained unknown to the entire world, living in the obscure workshop of a carpenter!
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp66-8
Jesus, a Model of obedience in His hidden life
‘He was subject to them.’ In these words the Holy Spirit has willed how our Saviour’s life, till his thirtieth year, should be known for future ages. Jesus cared only for obedience, a proof of his humility, the mystery of his hidden life; and how he wished to teach us. Without humility we cannot please God; without obedience we cannot claim to be humble.
Jesus has chosen to be the living model of obedience. ‘He was subject to them.’ Who? ‘The God of heaven and earth, who created man.’ To whom? ‘To Mary and to Joseph, two holy creatures, but nevertheless simple creatures, the work of His hands.’ In what? ‘In all things.’ How did he obey? ‘Promptly, entirely, constantly, lovingly, and with perfect grace.’
Imagine Jesus saying -- ‘I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.’ The exterior actions of men spring from some interior principle. What motivated the Child Jesus’ beautiful and perfect obedience? Fear? Interest or hope of reward? What had the Ruler of the Universe to fear or hope from men?
What, then, was his motive? No other than his Father’s will as manifested through His representatives, Mary and Joseph. Jesus did not obey creatures, but His Father, God in the persons of Mary and Joseph.
Here is the idea of supernatural obedience -- springing from this principle of faith: that the invisible God wills to be represented by a visible representative; that he wills to govern men by other men invested with his authority, and of whom is written-- “He that hears you, hears Me; and he that despises you, despises Me” (Lk 10:16).
To obey from this principle is great, noble, meritorious. By this perfect obedience, the Child Jesus enhanced the merit of his smallest actions in the eyes of his Father.
Ref: Ibid, pp70-72
From the Cross of Christ: The Example of Obedience
“He humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) He humbled himself; he made himself obedient. These words seem out of date today, when there is a systematic opposition to obedience which is presented as a humiliation of one’s personality, a defeat of the intelligence and of the will, an abdication of one’s human dignity. Autonomy, revolt, rebellion, are preached instead.
But it is certainly Jesus who gave us ‘the example of obedience’ even unto death on the cross. All saints have passed through a test of obedience, sometimes even heroic. As did Mary Most Holy, as did St Joseph, who but obeyed the voice of God calling them to a sublime mission indeed but also to a disconcerting and mysterious one!
Why must we obey? First of all, because obedience is necessary in the general framework of Providence -- God did not create us by chance but for a clear and distinct purpose: his everlasting glory and our happiness. All those who have responsibility over us ought, in God’s name, to help us reach the goal willed by the Creator. Moreover, exterior obedience teaches us to obey the inner law of conscience, that is, God’s will expressed in the moral law.
And how should we obey? With love and holy courage, well knowing that obedience is almost always difficult. It demands commitment; sometimes even heroic effort. We must look at Jesus Crucified! We must also obey with confidence, convinced God’s grace is never lacking. The soul is then flooded with immense inner joy. The effort of obedience is repaid with continual inner peace.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp266-7
Doctrinal formation: Essential to our interior life
Mankind was in darkness until Jesus was born and a light shone on earth. During the past weeks we have considered how Christ’s brightness shone on Mary and Joseph, on the shepherds and the Magi. He continues to brighten men’s lives. At Nazareth he has shown that ordinary life can and should be sanctified.
Our Lord calls each one of us to be “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14); not kept hidden. “We are lamps which have been lit with the light of truth.” (St Augustine, “Commentary on St John’s Gospel”, 23, 3) Our knowledge of Christ’s doctrine, the truth, should be appropriate to the circumstances of education, age, responsibility for young people; and environments and society in which we move.
Thus, we must strive to acquire a deep knowledge of this doctrine to be our life’s guiding light and if we are to teach it. We should know very precisely the duties of justice in our line of work; and of the demands made by charity, which exceed even the demands of justice.
We should be constantly alert to the good we can do and ought to be doing equally aware of the evil that could result from a manner of behaving, and avoid it. At times we need to seek advice to be a responsible and good Christian, at the same time a good citizen. We must sanctify ourselves ‘in and through our work’ with a firm grasp of the principles of professional ethics and apply them although our criteria may be difficult in practice.
Let us turn to Our Lady. We ask her for the fortitude and simplicity to live like the first Christians in the middle of the world without being worldly, and to be the light of Christ within our profession and environment.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:99, 103-4
‘Holy Mary our Hope, Seat of Wisdom. Pray for us.’
Our Lady of the Rose, at Lucca, in Italy. Three roses were found in the month of January, in the arms of this image, according to a Latin chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
He had no time to lose. We should expect Him to work soonest, as sent by God, the teacher of the human race. But no! The mystery is until thirty years of age, he remained unknown to the entire world, living in the obscure workshop of a carpenter!
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp66-8
Jesus, a Model of obedience in His hidden life
‘He was subject to them.’ In these words the Holy Spirit has willed how our Saviour’s life, till his thirtieth year, should be known for future ages. Jesus cared only for obedience, a proof of his humility, the mystery of his hidden life; and how he wished to teach us. Without humility we cannot please God; without obedience we cannot claim to be humble.
Jesus has chosen to be the living model of obedience. ‘He was subject to them.’ Who? ‘The God of heaven and earth, who created man.’ To whom? ‘To Mary and to Joseph, two holy creatures, but nevertheless simple creatures, the work of His hands.’ In what? ‘In all things.’ How did he obey? ‘Promptly, entirely, constantly, lovingly, and with perfect grace.’
Imagine Jesus saying -- ‘I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.’ The exterior actions of men spring from some interior principle. What motivated the Child Jesus’ beautiful and perfect obedience? Fear? Interest or hope of reward? What had the Ruler of the Universe to fear or hope from men?
What, then, was his motive? No other than his Father’s will as manifested through His representatives, Mary and Joseph. Jesus did not obey creatures, but His Father, God in the persons of Mary and Joseph.
Here is the idea of supernatural obedience -- springing from this principle of faith: that the invisible God wills to be represented by a visible representative; that he wills to govern men by other men invested with his authority, and of whom is written-- “He that hears you, hears Me; and he that despises you, despises Me” (Lk 10:16).
To obey from this principle is great, noble, meritorious. By this perfect obedience, the Child Jesus enhanced the merit of his smallest actions in the eyes of his Father.
Ref: Ibid, pp70-72
From the Cross of Christ: The Example of Obedience
“He humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) He humbled himself; he made himself obedient. These words seem out of date today, when there is a systematic opposition to obedience which is presented as a humiliation of one’s personality, a defeat of the intelligence and of the will, an abdication of one’s human dignity. Autonomy, revolt, rebellion, are preached instead.
But it is certainly Jesus who gave us ‘the example of obedience’ even unto death on the cross. All saints have passed through a test of obedience, sometimes even heroic. As did Mary Most Holy, as did St Joseph, who but obeyed the voice of God calling them to a sublime mission indeed but also to a disconcerting and mysterious one!
Why must we obey? First of all, because obedience is necessary in the general framework of Providence -- God did not create us by chance but for a clear and distinct purpose: his everlasting glory and our happiness. All those who have responsibility over us ought, in God’s name, to help us reach the goal willed by the Creator. Moreover, exterior obedience teaches us to obey the inner law of conscience, that is, God’s will expressed in the moral law.
And how should we obey? With love and holy courage, well knowing that obedience is almost always difficult. It demands commitment; sometimes even heroic effort. We must look at Jesus Crucified! We must also obey with confidence, convinced God’s grace is never lacking. The soul is then flooded with immense inner joy. The effort of obedience is repaid with continual inner peace.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp266-7
Doctrinal formation: Essential to our interior life
Mankind was in darkness until Jesus was born and a light shone on earth. During the past weeks we have considered how Christ’s brightness shone on Mary and Joseph, on the shepherds and the Magi. He continues to brighten men’s lives. At Nazareth he has shown that ordinary life can and should be sanctified.
Our Lord calls each one of us to be “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14); not kept hidden. “We are lamps which have been lit with the light of truth.” (St Augustine, “Commentary on St John’s Gospel”, 23, 3) Our knowledge of Christ’s doctrine, the truth, should be appropriate to the circumstances of education, age, responsibility for young people; and environments and society in which we move.
Thus, we must strive to acquire a deep knowledge of this doctrine to be our life’s guiding light and if we are to teach it. We should know very precisely the duties of justice in our line of work; and of the demands made by charity, which exceed even the demands of justice.
We should be constantly alert to the good we can do and ought to be doing equally aware of the evil that could result from a manner of behaving, and avoid it. At times we need to seek advice to be a responsible and good Christian, at the same time a good citizen. We must sanctify ourselves ‘in and through our work’ with a firm grasp of the principles of professional ethics and apply them although our criteria may be difficult in practice.
Let us turn to Our Lady. We ask her for the fortitude and simplicity to live like the first Christians in the middle of the world without being worldly, and to be the light of Christ within our profession and environment.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:99, 103-4
‘Holy Mary our Hope, Seat of Wisdom. Pray for us.’
Our Lady of the Rose, at Lucca, in Italy. Three roses were found in the month of January, in the arms of this image, according to a Latin chronicle. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
29 January 2010: The obedience of Jesus -- Our obedience
After the meeting in the Temple, Jesus returns to Galilee with Mary and Joseph. “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.” (Lk 2:51) It is among the few pieces of information which we have of his hidden life -- that Jesus obeyed them.
St Augustine comments-- ‘Christ, to whom the universe is subject, was subject to them.’ To obey His Father, Jesus subjected himself to those who, in his earthly life, were invested with authority, his parents.
Our Lady must have reflected very often about Jesus’ obedience, which was extremely refined and very natural. St Luke tells us that “His Mother kept in her heart the memory of all this” (2:51). The whole life of Jesus was an act of obedience to the will of the Father-- “What I do is always what pleases Him.” (Jn 8:29)
Jesus teaches that obedience to the will of God, shown in myriad ways, should be what nourishes and gives meaning to our lives. Without obedience there is no growth in interior life, nor true development of the human person. Obedience “far from lowering the dignity of the human person, leads it to maturity by extending the freedom of the sons of God” (Second Vatican Council, “Perfectae caritatis”, 14).
Obedience is a virtue which makes us very pleasing to God. Through the mouth of Samuel the prophet, he said to Saul: “The Lord loves obedience better than any sacrifice.” (1 Sam 15:22) And St Gregory the Great comments: “Rightly is obedience set before sacrifice, because through obedience we offer up our own will.” (“Morals”, 14) Through obedience we give our selves to God.
Many graces and fruits accompany obedience. The ten lepers are cured by obeying the words of Our Lord: “'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were made clean.” (Lk 17:14) The same thing happened to that blind man on whose eyes Jesus put clay. He said to him, “Go and wash in the pool of Siloe” (a word which means sent out). So he went and washed there; and came back with his sight restored.(Jn 9:6-7)
“Obedience makes our actions and our sufferings meritorious in such a way that the latter, which could seem futile, can become very useful. One of the marvels performed by Our Lord is having made what was useless, like suffering, become so advantageous. He has glorified suffering through obedience and love. Obedience is great and heroic when one is ready to face death and ignominy in order to fulfil it.” (R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The 3 Ages of the Interior Life”, VII)
“To carry out the will of the Father, Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth and revealed to us his mystery. By his obedience he brought about our Redemption.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 3)
“He lowered his own dignity, accepted an obedience which brought him to death on a Cross.” (Phil, 2:8)
St Teresa said: “Once the Lord told me that I was not obeying unless I was determined to suffer. I must fix my eyes on all that he had suffered and I should find everything easy.” (St Teresa of Avila, “Life”, 26)
If we come very close to Our Lady we will learn prompt, joyful and effective obedience.
“Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn how to serve with refinement, without being slavish. In Mary we don’t find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn’t fully understand and asks about what she doesn’t know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine Will.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 173)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:361-6
Cheerfulness
God created man in a world which overflowed with goodness. (cf Prov 8:30-31) But evil came into the world with sin and became embedded in human nature. True joy, which is always united to goodness, came to earth fully on the day Our Lady gave her consent and the Son of God took flesh in her womb.
Conceived without original sin, a profound joy already reigned within her. At her loving response to God’s plans she became the cause of new happiness in the world. This is because Jesus Christ came to us through her.
Christ the ‘full joy’ of the Father, of the angels and of men, is in whom God is well pleased. (cf Mt 3:17) Mary’s mission, then and now, is to give Jesus, her Son, to us. This is why we call Our Lady -- ‘Cause of our joy’.
True joy lasts despite all contradiction and pain. It is what those who encounter God in all sorts of circumstances enjoy; they find joy to follow Him. It is the same spirit of joy that the downhearted disciples know again when they recognize Jesus.(cf Lk 24:13-35)
Mary possesses Jesus fully; her joy is the greatest any human heart can contain. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.” (Lk 1:46-7)
Joy is the immediate consequence of a certain fulness of life which consists of knowledge and love. (cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 28, 4 et seq) Through his infinite mercy, God has made us his children in Jesus Christ, and sharers in his nature, which is exactly that fulness: infinite knowledge, immense love.
We cannot achieve any greater joy than that based on being children of God through grace. Your hearts will rejoice, Our Lord promised at the Last Supper, “and no one will take your joy from you” (cf Jn, 16:22). The closer we are to God, the greater our share in his love and in his life.
The more we grow in divine filiation, the greater and more appreciable will our joy be. Do I usually behave cheerfully? When disappointments occur, do I easily lose my cheerfulness? Do I often give in to gloomy thoughts?
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 3:92-4
Naturalness -- “Blessed are you for believing”, said Elizabeth to our Mother. Union with God, supernatural virtue, always brings with it the attractive practice of human virtues: Mary brought joy to her cousin’s home, because she brought Christ. (St Josemaria Escrivá, Furrow, 566)
Memorial: Our Lady of Chatillon sur Seine [France]. St. Bernard had great devotion to this image, on account of a miracle which it wrought in his favor. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
St Augustine comments-- ‘Christ, to whom the universe is subject, was subject to them.’ To obey His Father, Jesus subjected himself to those who, in his earthly life, were invested with authority, his parents.
Our Lady must have reflected very often about Jesus’ obedience, which was extremely refined and very natural. St Luke tells us that “His Mother kept in her heart the memory of all this” (2:51). The whole life of Jesus was an act of obedience to the will of the Father-- “What I do is always what pleases Him.” (Jn 8:29)
Jesus teaches that obedience to the will of God, shown in myriad ways, should be what nourishes and gives meaning to our lives. Without obedience there is no growth in interior life, nor true development of the human person. Obedience “far from lowering the dignity of the human person, leads it to maturity by extending the freedom of the sons of God” (Second Vatican Council, “Perfectae caritatis”, 14).
Obedience is a virtue which makes us very pleasing to God. Through the mouth of Samuel the prophet, he said to Saul: “The Lord loves obedience better than any sacrifice.” (1 Sam 15:22) And St Gregory the Great comments: “Rightly is obedience set before sacrifice, because through obedience we offer up our own will.” (“Morals”, 14) Through obedience we give our selves to God.
Many graces and fruits accompany obedience. The ten lepers are cured by obeying the words of Our Lord: “'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were made clean.” (Lk 17:14) The same thing happened to that blind man on whose eyes Jesus put clay. He said to him, “Go and wash in the pool of Siloe” (a word which means sent out). So he went and washed there; and came back with his sight restored.(Jn 9:6-7)
“Obedience makes our actions and our sufferings meritorious in such a way that the latter, which could seem futile, can become very useful. One of the marvels performed by Our Lord is having made what was useless, like suffering, become so advantageous. He has glorified suffering through obedience and love. Obedience is great and heroic when one is ready to face death and ignominy in order to fulfil it.” (R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The 3 Ages of the Interior Life”, VII)
“To carry out the will of the Father, Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth and revealed to us his mystery. By his obedience he brought about our Redemption.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 3)
“He lowered his own dignity, accepted an obedience which brought him to death on a Cross.” (Phil, 2:8)
St Teresa said: “Once the Lord told me that I was not obeying unless I was determined to suffer. I must fix my eyes on all that he had suffered and I should find everything easy.” (St Teresa of Avila, “Life”, 26)
If we come very close to Our Lady we will learn prompt, joyful and effective obedience.
“Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn how to serve with refinement, without being slavish. In Mary we don’t find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn’t fully understand and asks about what she doesn’t know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine Will.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 173)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:361-6
Cheerfulness
God created man in a world which overflowed with goodness. (cf Prov 8:30-31) But evil came into the world with sin and became embedded in human nature. True joy, which is always united to goodness, came to earth fully on the day Our Lady gave her consent and the Son of God took flesh in her womb.
Conceived without original sin, a profound joy already reigned within her. At her loving response to God’s plans she became the cause of new happiness in the world. This is because Jesus Christ came to us through her.
Christ the ‘full joy’ of the Father, of the angels and of men, is in whom God is well pleased. (cf Mt 3:17) Mary’s mission, then and now, is to give Jesus, her Son, to us. This is why we call Our Lady -- ‘Cause of our joy’.
True joy lasts despite all contradiction and pain. It is what those who encounter God in all sorts of circumstances enjoy; they find joy to follow Him. It is the same spirit of joy that the downhearted disciples know again when they recognize Jesus.(cf Lk 24:13-35)
Mary possesses Jesus fully; her joy is the greatest any human heart can contain. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.” (Lk 1:46-7)
Joy is the immediate consequence of a certain fulness of life which consists of knowledge and love. (cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 28, 4 et seq) Through his infinite mercy, God has made us his children in Jesus Christ, and sharers in his nature, which is exactly that fulness: infinite knowledge, immense love.
We cannot achieve any greater joy than that based on being children of God through grace. Your hearts will rejoice, Our Lord promised at the Last Supper, “and no one will take your joy from you” (cf Jn, 16:22). The closer we are to God, the greater our share in his love and in his life.
The more we grow in divine filiation, the greater and more appreciable will our joy be. Do I usually behave cheerfully? When disappointments occur, do I easily lose my cheerfulness? Do I often give in to gloomy thoughts?
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 3:92-4
Naturalness -- “Blessed are you for believing”, said Elizabeth to our Mother. Union with God, supernatural virtue, always brings with it the attractive practice of human virtues: Mary brought joy to her cousin’s home, because she brought Christ. (St Josemaria Escrivá, Furrow, 566)
Memorial: Our Lady of Chatillon sur Seine [France]. St. Bernard had great devotion to this image, on account of a miracle which it wrought in his favor. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
28 January 2010: Memorial -- St Thomas Aquinas, priest and Doctor of the Church
One of the greatest philosophers of all times. Called the ‘Angelic Doctor’ because of his undisputed mastery of scholastic theology and a profound holiness of life. His monumental work, the “Summa Theologiae”, was still unfinished when he died. Patron of Catholic Schools. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds] “Daily Roman Missal”, p1467)
The way to God: Piety and doctrine
As a young student at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, St Thomas kept asking his professor: ‘Who is God? Please explain to me what is God?’ Eventually, he came to the conclusion that knowing God is a spiritual endeavor far beyond what teachers and books alone could provide.
The prayerful soul must seek the truth with a clean and humble heart. St Thomas always sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit before he would begin to teach or write. He spent many hours in prayer before the Tabernacle while studying the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Incredibly intelligent, his fairly brief life was an ardent pursuit of a profound understanding of God, man and Creation. An expert in classical philosophy and Church Fathers, he synthesized the harmony of faith and reason.
The Church has repeatedly pointed to St Thomas as a role model of fidelity to the Magisterium; an example of humility and rectitude of intention in professional work. One day while praying, St Thomas heard these words from the crucified Jesus: “Thomas, you have written well of me. What reward do you wish for your work?” St Thomas responded: “Lord, I want nothing else but you.” (cf “Fontes vitae Sancti Thomae”, 108)
St Thomas always believed the smallness of his efforts compared to God’s immensity. After Holy Mass one day, St Thomas decided to abandon his life’s work, the “Summa Theologiae”. He explained: “After what God saw fit to show me on the feast of St Nicholas, it seems to me everything I have written is worthless. And so, I am unable to write anything more.” (cf Bartolome de Capua, in the ‘Neapolitan Process of Canonization’, 79: ‘Fontes vitae Sancti Thomae’, 3777)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:81-2
The Genius of St Thomas Aquinas
His realistic and historical method, fundamentally optimistic and open-minded, makes St Thomas ‘Doctor Communis Ecclesiae’, ‘Common Doctor of the Church’, as Pope Paul VI called him. It also makes him ‘Doctor Humanitatis’, because he was always prompt and disposed to receive the human values of all cultures. The Angelic Doctor may well affirm, ‘Truth is strong in itself, and no assault weakens it’.
Truth, like Jesus Christ, may always be denied, persecuted, fought, wounded, martyred, crucified; but it always lives and rises again. It cannot be wrenched out of the human heart. St Thomas put all the power of his genius at the exclusive service of the truth. He seems to wish to disappear behind it, so that it, and not he, should shine forth in all its radiance.
The rule which he always followed, was the principle: ‘More assent must be given to the authority of the Church than to that of any Doctor.’
So, the truth propounded by the authority of the Church assisted by the Holy Spirit is the gauge of the truth expressed by all theologians and doctors, past, present and to come. The authority of the doctrine of Aquinas here, resolves and is made good in the authority of the doctrine of the Church. This is why the Church has set him up as exemplar and model for theological research.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp72-3
How should we seek the Lord?
The Angelic Doctor teaches: with our intelligence, the help of profound spiritual formation, a life of love and prayer. (cf John Paul II, “Discourse at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas”, 17 November 1979 ) We must obtain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Faith “with St Thomas as teacher”. (Second Vatican Council, “Optatam totius”, 16)
His works act as streetlights on the most important questions in philosophy; and make it possible for us to better understand our faith. (cf Paul VI, Apostolic Letter, “Lumen Ecclesiae”, 20 Nov 1974)
The feast of this great saint should lead us to pray about our need for solid doctrinal and religious formation, an indispensable support for our life of faith. By studying and meditating upon the chief points of Catholic teaching we will be able to challenge the wave of religious ignorance.
Good doctrine that is well understood spares us from the mercy of our feelings or moods. A good start is by studying a reliable catechism of Christian doctrine.
St Thomas, while writing his “Summa contra Gentiles” wrote the ‘Ave, Maria’ on the margins of the text as a way to maintain presence of God. Whenever he tested his pen he would write it along with many other prayers. (cf St Thomas, “Summa contra Gentiles”, vol 13, Pref VIIIb)
All of his works serve to bring the soul closer to God. Similarly, he showed that if all human science were contained in a single book, we would want that book. So, too ought we to seek only Christ who holds all the treasures of wisdom and science. (cf idem, “Commentary on the Epistle to the Thessalonians” 2,3,1) The doctrine we learn should lead us to love Christ more, to want to serve him with joy.
‘The piety of children and the doctrine of theologians’ was the goal set by St Josemaria Escrivá. A sound faith, built on sound doctrinal formation shows in a child-like life of piety. St Thomas taught that love leads to the knowledge of truth12 (cf idem, “Commentary on St John”, 5, 6); and all knowledge is ordered to charity as its end. (cf ibid, 15, 2)
As we come to know God better, we should find ourselves making many acts of love to Him. As the mind concentrates on the little details of the moment, the heart has its focus on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
This kind of doctrinal formation enables us to grasp the Holy Humanity of Our Lord, the Motherhood of Mary, the holiness of Saint Joseph, ‘our Father and Lord’, the helpful presence of the Guardian Angels, and the intentions of the holy souls in Purgatory.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 83-5
‘You are all fair, O Mary, without original sin!’ In her is not the slightest shadow of duplicity. ... (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 173)
Memorial: Our Lady of Good Succor, near Rome. This Image is very celebrated in the country.(“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
The way to God: Piety and doctrine
As a young student at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, St Thomas kept asking his professor: ‘Who is God? Please explain to me what is God?’ Eventually, he came to the conclusion that knowing God is a spiritual endeavor far beyond what teachers and books alone could provide.
The prayerful soul must seek the truth with a clean and humble heart. St Thomas always sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit before he would begin to teach or write. He spent many hours in prayer before the Tabernacle while studying the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Incredibly intelligent, his fairly brief life was an ardent pursuit of a profound understanding of God, man and Creation. An expert in classical philosophy and Church Fathers, he synthesized the harmony of faith and reason.
The Church has repeatedly pointed to St Thomas as a role model of fidelity to the Magisterium; an example of humility and rectitude of intention in professional work. One day while praying, St Thomas heard these words from the crucified Jesus: “Thomas, you have written well of me. What reward do you wish for your work?” St Thomas responded: “Lord, I want nothing else but you.” (cf “Fontes vitae Sancti Thomae”, 108)
St Thomas always believed the smallness of his efforts compared to God’s immensity. After Holy Mass one day, St Thomas decided to abandon his life’s work, the “Summa Theologiae”. He explained: “After what God saw fit to show me on the feast of St Nicholas, it seems to me everything I have written is worthless. And so, I am unable to write anything more.” (cf Bartolome de Capua, in the ‘Neapolitan Process of Canonization’, 79: ‘Fontes vitae Sancti Thomae’, 3777)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:81-2
The Genius of St Thomas Aquinas
His realistic and historical method, fundamentally optimistic and open-minded, makes St Thomas ‘Doctor Communis Ecclesiae’, ‘Common Doctor of the Church’, as Pope Paul VI called him. It also makes him ‘Doctor Humanitatis’, because he was always prompt and disposed to receive the human values of all cultures. The Angelic Doctor may well affirm, ‘Truth is strong in itself, and no assault weakens it’.
Truth, like Jesus Christ, may always be denied, persecuted, fought, wounded, martyred, crucified; but it always lives and rises again. It cannot be wrenched out of the human heart. St Thomas put all the power of his genius at the exclusive service of the truth. He seems to wish to disappear behind it, so that it, and not he, should shine forth in all its radiance.
The rule which he always followed, was the principle: ‘More assent must be given to the authority of the Church than to that of any Doctor.’
So, the truth propounded by the authority of the Church assisted by the Holy Spirit is the gauge of the truth expressed by all theologians and doctors, past, present and to come. The authority of the doctrine of Aquinas here, resolves and is made good in the authority of the doctrine of the Church. This is why the Church has set him up as exemplar and model for theological research.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp72-3
How should we seek the Lord?
The Angelic Doctor teaches: with our intelligence, the help of profound spiritual formation, a life of love and prayer. (cf John Paul II, “Discourse at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas”, 17 November 1979 ) We must obtain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Faith “with St Thomas as teacher”. (Second Vatican Council, “Optatam totius”, 16)
His works act as streetlights on the most important questions in philosophy; and make it possible for us to better understand our faith. (cf Paul VI, Apostolic Letter, “Lumen Ecclesiae”, 20 Nov 1974)
The feast of this great saint should lead us to pray about our need for solid doctrinal and religious formation, an indispensable support for our life of faith. By studying and meditating upon the chief points of Catholic teaching we will be able to challenge the wave of religious ignorance.
Good doctrine that is well understood spares us from the mercy of our feelings or moods. A good start is by studying a reliable catechism of Christian doctrine.
St Thomas, while writing his “Summa contra Gentiles” wrote the ‘Ave, Maria’ on the margins of the text as a way to maintain presence of God. Whenever he tested his pen he would write it along with many other prayers. (cf St Thomas, “Summa contra Gentiles”, vol 13, Pref VIIIb)
All of his works serve to bring the soul closer to God. Similarly, he showed that if all human science were contained in a single book, we would want that book. So, too ought we to seek only Christ who holds all the treasures of wisdom and science. (cf idem, “Commentary on the Epistle to the Thessalonians” 2,3,1) The doctrine we learn should lead us to love Christ more, to want to serve him with joy.
‘The piety of children and the doctrine of theologians’ was the goal set by St Josemaria Escrivá. A sound faith, built on sound doctrinal formation shows in a child-like life of piety. St Thomas taught that love leads to the knowledge of truth12 (cf idem, “Commentary on St John”, 5, 6); and all knowledge is ordered to charity as its end. (cf ibid, 15, 2)
As we come to know God better, we should find ourselves making many acts of love to Him. As the mind concentrates on the little details of the moment, the heart has its focus on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
This kind of doctrinal formation enables us to grasp the Holy Humanity of Our Lord, the Motherhood of Mary, the holiness of Saint Joseph, ‘our Father and Lord’, the helpful presence of the Guardian Angels, and the intentions of the holy souls in Purgatory.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 83-5
‘You are all fair, O Mary, without original sin!’ In her is not the slightest shadow of duplicity. ... (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 173)
Memorial: Our Lady of Good Succor, near Rome. This Image is very celebrated in the country.(“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
27 January 2010: Jesus lost, and found again in the Temple
When the Child was twelve years old, the Holy Family went to Jerusalem for the paschal feast. Once the rites were over, they began the return journey to Nazareth. On these journeys the families divided into groups of men and women; children may join either.
“... Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not. Assuming He was in the company, they came a day’s journey, sought Him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. ... not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.” (Lk 2:43-5)
After three days, they found Him in the Temple, among the doctors, hearing and answering them. His Mother, drawing Him aside, said to Him, “Son, why have you done so to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He answered, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Lk 2:48-9)
To lose Jesus is to be separated from Him by mortal sin and to be less united to Him because of venial sin; but also to lose the sweet consolation of His sensible Presence. We can lose Jesus in this last manner often by our fault; because we are unmortified and unchaste. (Thomas à Kempis, “Imitation of Christ”)
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp61-3
Losing Jesus through our own fault
Mary and Joseph lost Jesus through no fault of their own. We lose him through sin, lukewarmness, or a lack of a spirit of mortification and of sacrifice. Then our life is left in darkness. In this state we must react immediately and look for him. We ought to know where Our Lord is.
“The Mother of God who looked for her Son so anxiously when he was lost through no fault of her own, and experienced such great joy in finding him, will help us to retrace our steps and put right whatever may be necessary when, because of our carelessness or our sins, we have been unable to recognise Christ. With her help we will know the happiness of holding him in our arms once more and telling him we will never lose him again.
“Mary is also the Mother of knowledge, for it is with her that we learn the most important lesson of all: that nothing is worth the while if we are not close to Our Lord. All the wonders of this earth, the fulfillment of our every ambition, everything is worthless unless the living flame of love burns within us, unless there is the light of holy hope giving us a foretaste of the never-ending love in our true homeland of heaven.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 278)
Jesus went away from Mary and Joseph. In our case, Jesus never abandons us. We cast him away through sin, or at least keep him afar through lukewarmness. Whenever someone meets Christ, He always takes the initiative. In a separation, the initiative is always ours. When man commits grave sin, he is lost both to himself and to Christ. His life loses direction because sin is a total disorientation.
Sin is the worst tragedy to a Christian. This separation from God always “breaks the right order that should reign within his being, as well as between himself and other men and all creatures” (Second Vatican Council, “Gaudium et spes”, 13).
“... nowadays not many are grievously concerned by his absence from their lives. There are Christians for whom the presence or absence of Christ from their souls means practically nothing. They move carelessly and with equal facility from sin into grace, but fail to give the impression of men who have just returned from hell; or of having miraculously passed from death to a new life. One does not see in them the thankfulness, the joy, the peace and serenity of one who has rediscovered Jesus.” (cf F Suarez, “Joseph of Nazareth”)
We must ask Mary and Joseph to show us how to appreciate the company of Jesus and to be ready to do anything rather than lose him. How dark our world would be without Jesus! “Jesus, may I never lose you any more.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Holy Rosary”, Fifth Joyful Mystery)
We must strive not to fall into mortal sin, and not even into deliberate venial sin. Unless we hate venial sin without the false excuse that it is not ‘grave’, we cannot be close to Our Lord.
Mary, “although she had merited to give birth to the Son of the Most High, was most humble and does not put herself before her spouse, saying not ‘I and your father’, but, ‘your father and I’. She did not consider the dignity of her womb, but the hierarchy of marriage. The humility of Christ was not to be a school of pride for His Mother.” (cf St Augustine, “Sermon 51”, 18)
It is very clear to all that Jesus is aware of his mission and of being the Son of God. To better understand his reply to Mary, we must see in it a way for Jesus to make us realize that God’s plans always have priority over human ones; and should there be a conflict, then “God has more right to be obeyed than man” (Acts 5:29).
Should we lose Jesus, let us remember His advice, “seek and you shall find” (Lk 11:9). He is always in the Tabernacle; in our spiritual directors. If our offense is great, he always awaits us in the Sacrament of Penance. Through this Sacrament we purify our eyes stained by our frequent lack of love and venial sin.
It would be a great help for us, especially when we are in front of the tabernacle, or when we see the walls of a church, even its steeple from afar, to say in the depths of our heart, “Jesus, may I never lose You again” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, loc cit). Mary and Joseph will help us not to lose sight of Jesus throughout the day and the whole of our lives.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:347-52
The Struggle
You told me with a boasting but uncertain swagger that some go up and others go down ... And others, like yourself!, are just idling.
Your indolence saddened me, and I added: idlers are made to shift by those going up; and -- normally with greater vigour, -- also by those going down. Consider what an uncomfortable attitude you are adopting!
The holy bishop of Hippo already pointed it out: not to go forward is to go back.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 165
Our Lady of Life, at Venasque, in Provence, [France]. The chronicle relates that this image has often restored life to children who died without baptism, in order that they might receive that sacrament. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
“... Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not. Assuming He was in the company, they came a day’s journey, sought Him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. ... not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.” (Lk 2:43-5)
After three days, they found Him in the Temple, among the doctors, hearing and answering them. His Mother, drawing Him aside, said to Him, “Son, why have you done so to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He answered, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Lk 2:48-9)
To lose Jesus is to be separated from Him by mortal sin and to be less united to Him because of venial sin; but also to lose the sweet consolation of His sensible Presence. We can lose Jesus in this last manner often by our fault; because we are unmortified and unchaste. (Thomas à Kempis, “Imitation of Christ”)
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp61-3
Losing Jesus through our own fault
Mary and Joseph lost Jesus through no fault of their own. We lose him through sin, lukewarmness, or a lack of a spirit of mortification and of sacrifice. Then our life is left in darkness. In this state we must react immediately and look for him. We ought to know where Our Lord is.
“The Mother of God who looked for her Son so anxiously when he was lost through no fault of her own, and experienced such great joy in finding him, will help us to retrace our steps and put right whatever may be necessary when, because of our carelessness or our sins, we have been unable to recognise Christ. With her help we will know the happiness of holding him in our arms once more and telling him we will never lose him again.
“Mary is also the Mother of knowledge, for it is with her that we learn the most important lesson of all: that nothing is worth the while if we are not close to Our Lord. All the wonders of this earth, the fulfillment of our every ambition, everything is worthless unless the living flame of love burns within us, unless there is the light of holy hope giving us a foretaste of the never-ending love in our true homeland of heaven.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 278)
Jesus went away from Mary and Joseph. In our case, Jesus never abandons us. We cast him away through sin, or at least keep him afar through lukewarmness. Whenever someone meets Christ, He always takes the initiative. In a separation, the initiative is always ours. When man commits grave sin, he is lost both to himself and to Christ. His life loses direction because sin is a total disorientation.
Sin is the worst tragedy to a Christian. This separation from God always “breaks the right order that should reign within his being, as well as between himself and other men and all creatures” (Second Vatican Council, “Gaudium et spes”, 13).
“... nowadays not many are grievously concerned by his absence from their lives. There are Christians for whom the presence or absence of Christ from their souls means practically nothing. They move carelessly and with equal facility from sin into grace, but fail to give the impression of men who have just returned from hell; or of having miraculously passed from death to a new life. One does not see in them the thankfulness, the joy, the peace and serenity of one who has rediscovered Jesus.” (cf F Suarez, “Joseph of Nazareth”)
We must ask Mary and Joseph to show us how to appreciate the company of Jesus and to be ready to do anything rather than lose him. How dark our world would be without Jesus! “Jesus, may I never lose you any more.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Holy Rosary”, Fifth Joyful Mystery)
We must strive not to fall into mortal sin, and not even into deliberate venial sin. Unless we hate venial sin without the false excuse that it is not ‘grave’, we cannot be close to Our Lord.
Mary, “although she had merited to give birth to the Son of the Most High, was most humble and does not put herself before her spouse, saying not ‘I and your father’, but, ‘your father and I’. She did not consider the dignity of her womb, but the hierarchy of marriage. The humility of Christ was not to be a school of pride for His Mother.” (cf St Augustine, “Sermon 51”, 18)
It is very clear to all that Jesus is aware of his mission and of being the Son of God. To better understand his reply to Mary, we must see in it a way for Jesus to make us realize that God’s plans always have priority over human ones; and should there be a conflict, then “God has more right to be obeyed than man” (Acts 5:29).
Should we lose Jesus, let us remember His advice, “seek and you shall find” (Lk 11:9). He is always in the Tabernacle; in our spiritual directors. If our offense is great, he always awaits us in the Sacrament of Penance. Through this Sacrament we purify our eyes stained by our frequent lack of love and venial sin.
It would be a great help for us, especially when we are in front of the tabernacle, or when we see the walls of a church, even its steeple from afar, to say in the depths of our heart, “Jesus, may I never lose You again” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, loc cit). Mary and Joseph will help us not to lose sight of Jesus throughout the day and the whole of our lives.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:347-52
The Struggle
You told me with a boasting but uncertain swagger that some go up and others go down ... And others, like yourself!, are just idling.
Your indolence saddened me, and I added: idlers are made to shift by those going up; and -- normally with greater vigour, -- also by those going down. Consider what an uncomfortable attitude you are adopting!
The holy bishop of Hippo already pointed it out: not to go forward is to go back.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 165
Our Lady of Life, at Venasque, in Provence, [France]. The chronicle relates that this image has often restored life to children who died without baptism, in order that they might receive that sacrament. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
25 January 2010: Memorial -- The conversion of St Paul, Apostle
The conversion of Saul of Tarsus, while on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, is one of the most touching miracles in the history of the early Church. It shows how faith comes from grace and from man’s free cooperation. The doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ receives proof and a clear illustration when Christ says, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4) The best way to hasten the unity of all Christians is to foster our own daily personal conversion. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1463)
On the road to Damascus
A zealous defender of the Mosaic Law, Saul saw the Christians as a mortal threat to Judaism; and exerted great efforts at extermination of the early Church. He witnessed the execution of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr (cf Acts 7:60), whose final prayer bore fruit in the life of his persecutor. (St Augustine, “Sermon”, 315)
By the workings of the Holy Spirit and the lively apostolate of the early Christians, the Church had expanded quite rapidly: “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) Soon after Stephen’s martyrdom, Saul set out with “letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (cf Acts 9:2).
Saul was travelling along the road to Damascus, “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord”; but God had plans for him. Around mid-day as he came near the city, “suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. ... he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ... he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ... he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’.” (Acts 9:3-5)
Saul poses the most crucial question of his life. “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10) Saul was now another man. He had become Paul, a new man. In the act of conversion he understood everything at once. His new faith led to a total self-giving in the hands of God. What do you want me to do, my Lord? What do you expect of me?
‘Blessed be God’ you said after your sacramental Confession. ... you thought: it is as if I had just been born again, you then continued calmly: ‘Lord, what would you have me do?’ and you yourself came up with the reply: ‘By the help of your grace I will let nothing and no one come between me and the fulfilment of your most Holy Will. Serviam: I will serve you unconditionally.’ (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 238)
The life of St Paul is a beacon of hope because “who can say that they cannot overcome their faults when one of the most zealous persecutors of the believers could be transformed into the Apostle of the Gentiles?” (St Bernard, “Sermon on the Conversion of St Paul”, 1)
God’s grace can still work miracles in human hearts nowadays. But the power of God depends upon our correspondence to grace. God’s grace is sufficient. What is necessary is our free, whole-hearted assent.
St Paul’s adage, “not because of me but because of the grace of God in me”, led St Augustine to comment, “This is to say, not because of me alone but because of God working with me. And for this reason, not because of the grace of God alone nor myself alone, but the grace of God and Him.” (St Augustine, “On grace and free will”, 5, 12)
If we live counting upon the help of God’s grace, we will be able to overcome any defect or disappointment. The Lord is constantly calling to us to begin again, to convert our hearts, to walk in peace and joy along the divine ways of the earth. Like St Paul, we must respond to His invitation.
Since Jesus is always seeking us out, St Teresa advises, “It is paramount that we draw forth new energy to be useful as well as being very grateful for that gift. These are the conditions which the Lord sets down. If we do not manage his treasures well, he will give them to another and we end up paupers. The Lord will give his jewels to someone who will make them shine more radiantly.” (St Teresa, “Life”, 10)
Paul put the same enthusiasm and drive, when he persecuted the Christians, to the service of the Church. He assumed Christ’s apostolic command: “Go into all the world; proclaim the Good news to all creation.” (Mk 16:15)
He centered his life on the Lord. Even though Paul had suffered a great deal for Christ, he found joy not in the absence of difficulties but in the presence of Christ.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:69-72
Coping with adversity
God gives only good gifts. If he permits pain or sorrow, financial or family problems, all this is for the sake of something better.
We often find that God blesses his favourites with the Cross and with the grace to carry it with spirit, from both the human and supernatural points of view. Late in her life, when St Teresa was on her way to make a new foundation, she found the road extensively flooded.
Having spent a night in an inn which offered such poor hospitality ..., she set off again next morning, for this was the Lord’s will: ‘Make no account of the cold ...’ Wryly, she complained: “So much to put up with and you send me this!” Jesus replied: “Teresa, that’s how I treat my friends.” She curtly replied: “Small wonder you have so few!” (cf M Auclair, “Life of St Theresa”, 422-3)
Soon her good humour returned, ... “once the danger was passed, they enjoyed talking about it.” (St Theresa, “The Foundations”, 31,17, p191) God wants us to bear difficulties peacefully and firmly, being happy to place our trust in him. ...
God’s presence and the protection of Our Lady -- our refuge and our strength -- will make us size up the problems and seek help in spiritual direction. We will often find that what had seemed so difficult can easily be coped with. Such optimistic and cheerful spirit is absolutely essential for growing in God’s love and doing apostolate. Trials are a great opportunity to toughen ourselves up as we deepen our love.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 4:158-60
‘Virgin most powerful. Pray for us.’
Translation of the winding-sheet and tomb of Our Lady to Constantinople, by Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, under the reign of Marcian, in the year 455. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
On the road to Damascus
A zealous defender of the Mosaic Law, Saul saw the Christians as a mortal threat to Judaism; and exerted great efforts at extermination of the early Church. He witnessed the execution of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr (cf Acts 7:60), whose final prayer bore fruit in the life of his persecutor. (St Augustine, “Sermon”, 315)
By the workings of the Holy Spirit and the lively apostolate of the early Christians, the Church had expanded quite rapidly: “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) Soon after Stephen’s martyrdom, Saul set out with “letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (cf Acts 9:2).
Saul was travelling along the road to Damascus, “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord”; but God had plans for him. Around mid-day as he came near the city, “suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. ... he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ... he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ... he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’.” (Acts 9:3-5)
Saul poses the most crucial question of his life. “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10) Saul was now another man. He had become Paul, a new man. In the act of conversion he understood everything at once. His new faith led to a total self-giving in the hands of God. What do you want me to do, my Lord? What do you expect of me?
‘Blessed be God’ you said after your sacramental Confession. ... you thought: it is as if I had just been born again, you then continued calmly: ‘Lord, what would you have me do?’ and you yourself came up with the reply: ‘By the help of your grace I will let nothing and no one come between me and the fulfilment of your most Holy Will. Serviam: I will serve you unconditionally.’ (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 238)
The life of St Paul is a beacon of hope because “who can say that they cannot overcome their faults when one of the most zealous persecutors of the believers could be transformed into the Apostle of the Gentiles?” (St Bernard, “Sermon on the Conversion of St Paul”, 1)
God’s grace can still work miracles in human hearts nowadays. But the power of God depends upon our correspondence to grace. God’s grace is sufficient. What is necessary is our free, whole-hearted assent.
St Paul’s adage, “not because of me but because of the grace of God in me”, led St Augustine to comment, “This is to say, not because of me alone but because of God working with me. And for this reason, not because of the grace of God alone nor myself alone, but the grace of God and Him.” (St Augustine, “On grace and free will”, 5, 12)
If we live counting upon the help of God’s grace, we will be able to overcome any defect or disappointment. The Lord is constantly calling to us to begin again, to convert our hearts, to walk in peace and joy along the divine ways of the earth. Like St Paul, we must respond to His invitation.
Since Jesus is always seeking us out, St Teresa advises, “It is paramount that we draw forth new energy to be useful as well as being very grateful for that gift. These are the conditions which the Lord sets down. If we do not manage his treasures well, he will give them to another and we end up paupers. The Lord will give his jewels to someone who will make them shine more radiantly.” (St Teresa, “Life”, 10)
Paul put the same enthusiasm and drive, when he persecuted the Christians, to the service of the Church. He assumed Christ’s apostolic command: “Go into all the world; proclaim the Good news to all creation.” (Mk 16:15)
He centered his life on the Lord. Even though Paul had suffered a great deal for Christ, he found joy not in the absence of difficulties but in the presence of Christ.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:69-72
Coping with adversity
God gives only good gifts. If he permits pain or sorrow, financial or family problems, all this is for the sake of something better.
We often find that God blesses his favourites with the Cross and with the grace to carry it with spirit, from both the human and supernatural points of view. Late in her life, when St Teresa was on her way to make a new foundation, she found the road extensively flooded.
Having spent a night in an inn which offered such poor hospitality ..., she set off again next morning, for this was the Lord’s will: ‘Make no account of the cold ...’ Wryly, she complained: “So much to put up with and you send me this!” Jesus replied: “Teresa, that’s how I treat my friends.” She curtly replied: “Small wonder you have so few!” (cf M Auclair, “Life of St Theresa”, 422-3)
Soon her good humour returned, ... “once the danger was passed, they enjoyed talking about it.” (St Theresa, “The Foundations”, 31,17, p191) God wants us to bear difficulties peacefully and firmly, being happy to place our trust in him. ...
God’s presence and the protection of Our Lady -- our refuge and our strength -- will make us size up the problems and seek help in spiritual direction. We will often find that what had seemed so difficult can easily be coped with. Such optimistic and cheerful spirit is absolutely essential for growing in God’s love and doing apostolate. Trials are a great opportunity to toughen ourselves up as we deepen our love.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 4:158-60
‘Virgin most powerful. Pray for us.’
Translation of the winding-sheet and tomb of Our Lady to Constantinople, by Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, under the reign of Marcian, in the year 455. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
24 January 2010: Memorial -- Our Lady of Peace
(Patroness of the Prelatic Church, ‘Prelature of Opus Dei’, Rome)
Ref: “Blessed Josemaria Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei”, pp110-11
Memorial: St Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church -- With St Frances Fremyot de Chantal, he founded the ‘Order of the Visitation’. He wrote “Introduction to the Devout Life”, a classic of spiritual direction. Patron Saint of Journalists and Other Writers. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1459)
The virtue of friendliness and cordiality
St Francis de Sales was an outstanding model of the Good Shepherd to his priests and faithful. His indefatigable preaching and writing gave good doctrine.
The virtues of ‘cordiality’ and ‘meekness of heart’ characterized his life. He remained firm in the truth but remained friendly with people who had different beliefs.
These virtues make life in society tolerable. According to St Francis, ... “meekness, temperance, integrity and humility are virtues that must mark all our actions in life ... We must always have on hand a good supply of these general virtues since we must use them almost constantly.” (cf St Francis de Sales, “Introduction to the Devout Life”, 3, 1)
Everyday we meet all kinds of people at work, on the street, through friends and relatives. That we strive to be friends with everyone is very pleasing to Our Lord. We must exert a special effort to “give proper attention to human relationships, in word as well as in deed” (St Thomas Aquinas, “Summa Theologiae”, 2-2, q114, a1).
As St Francis warns us, “Those who appear in public as angels but are devils in their own homes greatly fail in this regard” (St Francis de Sales, op cit, 3, 8).
Cordiality aids friendship and apostolate.
Humility is indispensable in human relations. “Humility is not only charity. It is also sweetness. Charity is humility which appears on the outside. Humility is the charity which is on the inside.” (Idem, “Spiritual considerations”, 11, 2) If we struggle to be humble, we will know how to venerate “the image of God which is in each and every man”. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 230)
“In persons we are not naturally attracted to, we must see souls that have been saved by the Blood of Christ, that belong to the Mystical Body of Christ, ... might even be closer to his Sacred Heart than our own. ...” (cf R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The Three Ages of the Interior Life”, II, 734)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 6:63-6
The Holy Family returns from Egypt
Joseph dwelt in Egypt with the Child Jesus and Mary until he received the order to return three years later. This long sojourn in a strange country would have been extremely painful to Joseph and Mary; but they persevered. The single thought, ‘We are where God wishes us to be’, made the sojourn endurable, even pleasant.
An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying -- “Take the Child and His Mother, and go into the land of Israel” (Mt 2:20). Feeling comfortably settled, Joseph probably regretted having to go on a long journey without exactly knowing where to live; but he immediately left again remaining tranquil.
“But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea after Herod his father, he was afraid to go there.” (Mt 2:22) He perceived the Child Jesus would not be safe where Herod’s son who was like him in cruelty, ruled. On the other hand, Israel, which the angel named, had various provinces governed by different princes. A prudent decision; but into which of these territories would he go? Joseph wanted light. He prayed. “... being warned in sleep, he went to Galilee and dwelt in a city called Nazareth” (Mt 2:22-3).
Joseph’s conduct teaches us to be deliberate. In all our doubts and confusions, we should resort to prayer -- humbly, fervently before acting. Troubles of conscience and useless regrets will thus be avoided.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp56-8
Being good children of the Church
The Church does not cease to be holy because of the faults of her children which are always strictly personal. Thus, a good son of the Church will not allow people to insult his Mother, treat her badly or blame her for imagined defects.
The Church has the mission of “bringing forth children, educating, directing them; guiding with motherly care the lives of individuals and of whole peoples” (cf John XXIII, Encyclical, “Mater et Magistra”, Introduction). Holy and mother of all (St Cyril of Jerusalem, “Catechesis”, 18, 26) she provides the means to reach sanctity.
Nobody can become a good child of God without lovingly and piously living these means of sanctification, because “he cannot have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his Mother” (St Cyprian, “On the Unity of the Catholic Church”, 6).
Thus, we cannot imagine anyone having a great love for God and not greatly love His Church. Our love for the Church must flow from our gratitude for the means God offers us, through her, to be holy. We look at her with eyes of love and faith. By the will of Jesus Christ, the Church is our Mother. Our attitude must then be as good children.
We invoke Mary, Mother of the Church, so that she can teach us to daily love the Church more and more.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 3:62-4
Becoming children in God’s love
The mystery of Mary helps us see that in order to approach God we must become little. As Christ said to his disciples: “... unless you become like little children again, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).
To become children we must renounce our pride and self-sufficiency, recognizing that we can do nothing by ourselves. We must realize that we need grace, and the help of God our Father to find our way and keep to it. To be little, you have to abandon yourself as children do, believe as children believe, beg as children beg.
And we learn all this through contact with Mary. Devotion to our Lady is not something soft and sentimental. It fills the soul with consolation and joy to precisely the extent that it means a deep act of faith making us go outside ourselves and put our hope in the Lord. ...
Because Mary is our mother, devotion to her teaches us to be authentic sons: to love truly, without limit, to be simple, without selfishly thinking only about ourselves; to be happy, knowing that nothing can destroy our hope. ...
Ref: cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 143
Memorial: Our Lady of Damascus. From this picture, which is painted on wood, there is said to exude a miraculous oil which restored sight, in the year 1203, to the Sultan of Damascus, and Mahommedan as he was, in acknowledgment, of this benefit, he founded a lamp to burn perpetually before this picture. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Ref: “Blessed Josemaria Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei”, pp110-11
Memorial: St Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church -- With St Frances Fremyot de Chantal, he founded the ‘Order of the Visitation’. He wrote “Introduction to the Devout Life”, a classic of spiritual direction. Patron Saint of Journalists and Other Writers. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, p1459)
The virtue of friendliness and cordiality
St Francis de Sales was an outstanding model of the Good Shepherd to his priests and faithful. His indefatigable preaching and writing gave good doctrine.
The virtues of ‘cordiality’ and ‘meekness of heart’ characterized his life. He remained firm in the truth but remained friendly with people who had different beliefs.
These virtues make life in society tolerable. According to St Francis, ... “meekness, temperance, integrity and humility are virtues that must mark all our actions in life ... We must always have on hand a good supply of these general virtues since we must use them almost constantly.” (cf St Francis de Sales, “Introduction to the Devout Life”, 3, 1)
Everyday we meet all kinds of people at work, on the street, through friends and relatives. That we strive to be friends with everyone is very pleasing to Our Lord. We must exert a special effort to “give proper attention to human relationships, in word as well as in deed” (St Thomas Aquinas, “Summa Theologiae”, 2-2, q114, a1).
As St Francis warns us, “Those who appear in public as angels but are devils in their own homes greatly fail in this regard” (St Francis de Sales, op cit, 3, 8).
Cordiality aids friendship and apostolate.
Humility is indispensable in human relations. “Humility is not only charity. It is also sweetness. Charity is humility which appears on the outside. Humility is the charity which is on the inside.” (Idem, “Spiritual considerations”, 11, 2) If we struggle to be humble, we will know how to venerate “the image of God which is in each and every man”. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 230)
“In persons we are not naturally attracted to, we must see souls that have been saved by the Blood of Christ, that belong to the Mystical Body of Christ, ... might even be closer to his Sacred Heart than our own. ...” (cf R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The Three Ages of the Interior Life”, II, 734)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, In Conversation with God, 6:63-6
The Holy Family returns from Egypt
Joseph dwelt in Egypt with the Child Jesus and Mary until he received the order to return three years later. This long sojourn in a strange country would have been extremely painful to Joseph and Mary; but they persevered. The single thought, ‘We are where God wishes us to be’, made the sojourn endurable, even pleasant.
An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying -- “Take the Child and His Mother, and go into the land of Israel” (Mt 2:20). Feeling comfortably settled, Joseph probably regretted having to go on a long journey without exactly knowing where to live; but he immediately left again remaining tranquil.
“But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea after Herod his father, he was afraid to go there.” (Mt 2:22) He perceived the Child Jesus would not be safe where Herod’s son who was like him in cruelty, ruled. On the other hand, Israel, which the angel named, had various provinces governed by different princes. A prudent decision; but into which of these territories would he go? Joseph wanted light. He prayed. “... being warned in sleep, he went to Galilee and dwelt in a city called Nazareth” (Mt 2:22-3).
Joseph’s conduct teaches us to be deliberate. In all our doubts and confusions, we should resort to prayer -- humbly, fervently before acting. Troubles of conscience and useless regrets will thus be avoided.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp56-8
Being good children of the Church
The Church does not cease to be holy because of the faults of her children which are always strictly personal. Thus, a good son of the Church will not allow people to insult his Mother, treat her badly or blame her for imagined defects.
The Church has the mission of “bringing forth children, educating, directing them; guiding with motherly care the lives of individuals and of whole peoples” (cf John XXIII, Encyclical, “Mater et Magistra”, Introduction). Holy and mother of all (St Cyril of Jerusalem, “Catechesis”, 18, 26) she provides the means to reach sanctity.
Nobody can become a good child of God without lovingly and piously living these means of sanctification, because “he cannot have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his Mother” (St Cyprian, “On the Unity of the Catholic Church”, 6).
Thus, we cannot imagine anyone having a great love for God and not greatly love His Church. Our love for the Church must flow from our gratitude for the means God offers us, through her, to be holy. We look at her with eyes of love and faith. By the will of Jesus Christ, the Church is our Mother. Our attitude must then be as good children.
We invoke Mary, Mother of the Church, so that she can teach us to daily love the Church more and more.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 3:62-4
Becoming children in God’s love
The mystery of Mary helps us see that in order to approach God we must become little. As Christ said to his disciples: “... unless you become like little children again, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).
To become children we must renounce our pride and self-sufficiency, recognizing that we can do nothing by ourselves. We must realize that we need grace, and the help of God our Father to find our way and keep to it. To be little, you have to abandon yourself as children do, believe as children believe, beg as children beg.
And we learn all this through contact with Mary. Devotion to our Lady is not something soft and sentimental. It fills the soul with consolation and joy to precisely the extent that it means a deep act of faith making us go outside ourselves and put our hope in the Lord. ...
Because Mary is our mother, devotion to her teaches us to be authentic sons: to love truly, without limit, to be simple, without selfishly thinking only about ourselves; to be happy, knowing that nothing can destroy our hope. ...
Ref: cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 143
Memorial: Our Lady of Damascus. From this picture, which is painted on wood, there is said to exude a miraculous oil which restored sight, in the year 1203, to the Sultan of Damascus, and Mahommedan as he was, in acknowledgment, of this benefit, he founded a lamp to burn perpetually before this picture. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
23 January 2010: The Virginal Maternity of Mary
The whole of Christ’s life, from the beginning, was a discreet but clear separation from what so deeply determined the meaning of the body in the Old Testament. Almost in contradiction of all the expectations of the Old Testament tradition, Christ was born of Mary. She said clearly of herself at the moment of the Anunciation: “How can this be since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34)
‘Mary’s motherhood is virginal’, even though Jesus was born of her as any other human being, like a son from his mother, although his coming into the world was accompanied by the presence of a man who was the spouse of Mary and in the eyes of the law and of men, her husband.
To this virginal motherhood of Mary corresponds the virginal mystery of Joseph, who followed the voice from on high, and did not hesitate to take Mary because ‘it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child’. So the virginal conception and the birth to the world of Jesus were concealed from men. In the eyes of his fellow townsmen at Nazareth he was regarded as the son of the carpenter -- as he was thought, the son of Joseph.
If despite all that, the reality and essential truth of his conception and birth depart in themselves from what in the Old Testament was exclusively in favor of matrimony; and rendered what actually happened incomprehensible and socially disfavored.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p181
Wonderful obedience of Joseph and Mary
They ‘obeyed blindly’. Their submission was entire and perfect. They did not ask why God did not stop Herod rather than send them into exile. Or if they must be exiled, why not to the country of the Magi instead of to Egypt whose inhabitants were hostile to the people of Israel.
Nor why the order to leave was not given sooner so they can prepare better. God spoke through His delegate; it was enough. Their thoughts focused on obeying what God wills; because He wills it, as He wills it.
They ‘obeyed promptly’. Joseph at once informed Mary of the command “... arose, ... took the Child and His Mother by night, and retired to Egypt” (Mt 2:14).
They ‘obeyed generously’, not a word, nor sign of regret that duty called so abruptly; no anxiety about the future. They knew that with Jesus they would surmount all difficulties. Nothing would be wanting to them.
Let us obey, like Mary and Joseph without wanting to know the reason of a command. If we obey because the reason seems right and useful, we are following our ideas not the will of God. For yielding our will and liberty, God binds Himself to conduct us to the end of our pilgrimage: heaven. Assured of this Omnipotent help, we will cry -- “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me”. (Phil 4:13)
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp52-4
In Egypt: The virtues of St Joseph
After a long, exhausting journey, Mary and Joseph arrive with the Child in their new country. Joseph began to re-make his life again. He had brought the most important: Jesus, Mary, and a determination to care for them, making every sacrifice.
St Joseph is for us an example of many virtues: of intelligent and rapid obedience, faith, hope, hard work, fortitude. Whenever we suffer contradictions, we should put ourselves in St Joseph’s care, as many saints did.
St Teresa says of his powerful intercession -- “I never remember having entrusted anything ... which he has failed to do. I am amazed by the great favors God has given me through this blessed Saint, the dangers from which he has freed me, both of body and soul. ... Our Lord makes us understand that just as he was subject to him on earth ... so in heaven he does whatever Joseph asks. Other persons have also seen this from experience ...” (St Teresa of Avila, “Life”, 6)
The danger passed but Joseph stayed to be faithful to the Angel’s instruction “there remain until I tell you” (cf Mt 2:13). So, he remained patiently without protest, working as if he were never going to leave that foreign land.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:337-8
Holy purity -- indispensable for loving God
“Keep away from fornication ... Your body ... is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property: you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God.” (cf 1 Cor 6:13-5, 17-20)
The Church is alone in how she teaches about the dignity of the body. “Purity is the glory of the human body before God... the glory of God in the human body.” (John Paul II, “General Audience”, 18 March 1981)
If we are to follow Christ, chastity, outside or within marriage, according to each one’s state, is absolutely necessary. It demands our personal struggle and effort, together with God’s grace. The wounds of original sin ‘in our intellect, our will, our passions and affections’ did not disappear with its guilt when we were baptised.
Holy purity, part of the virtue of temperance, joyfully inclines us to moderate our use of the reproductive faculty, according to the light of reason, helped by faith.(cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 151, 2, 1) Its opposite, licentiousness, destroys a person’s dignity, weakens the will towards good, and dulls the understanding in its yearning to know and love God.
The essence of chastity is love. We turn to Mary, “Mother of Fair Love” (Sir 24:24), because she creates within the soul of a Christian the elegance and tenderness which enable the virtue of holy purity to grow.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:46-7, 51
Sincerity
You were reading in that dictionary the synonyms for insincere: “two-faced, surreptitious, evasive, disingenuous, sly”. As you closed the book, you asked the Lord that nobody should ever be able to apply those adjectives to you, and you resolved to improve much more in this supernatural and human virtue of sincerity. (St Josemaria Escrivá, "Furrow", 337)
... Mary will obtain for us the courage to be sincere, if we ask her for it, so that we may come closer to the Most Blessed Trinity. (Ibid, op cit, 339)
Betrothal of Our Lady, according to the ritual of Arras, [France]. This feast began to be celebrated in the year 1556. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
‘Mary’s motherhood is virginal’, even though Jesus was born of her as any other human being, like a son from his mother, although his coming into the world was accompanied by the presence of a man who was the spouse of Mary and in the eyes of the law and of men, her husband.
To this virginal motherhood of Mary corresponds the virginal mystery of Joseph, who followed the voice from on high, and did not hesitate to take Mary because ‘it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child’. So the virginal conception and the birth to the world of Jesus were concealed from men. In the eyes of his fellow townsmen at Nazareth he was regarded as the son of the carpenter -- as he was thought, the son of Joseph.
If despite all that, the reality and essential truth of his conception and birth depart in themselves from what in the Old Testament was exclusively in favor of matrimony; and rendered what actually happened incomprehensible and socially disfavored.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p181
Wonderful obedience of Joseph and Mary
They ‘obeyed blindly’. Their submission was entire and perfect. They did not ask why God did not stop Herod rather than send them into exile. Or if they must be exiled, why not to the country of the Magi instead of to Egypt whose inhabitants were hostile to the people of Israel.
Nor why the order to leave was not given sooner so they can prepare better. God spoke through His delegate; it was enough. Their thoughts focused on obeying what God wills; because He wills it, as He wills it.
They ‘obeyed promptly’. Joseph at once informed Mary of the command “... arose, ... took the Child and His Mother by night, and retired to Egypt” (Mt 2:14).
They ‘obeyed generously’, not a word, nor sign of regret that duty called so abruptly; no anxiety about the future. They knew that with Jesus they would surmount all difficulties. Nothing would be wanting to them.
Let us obey, like Mary and Joseph without wanting to know the reason of a command. If we obey because the reason seems right and useful, we are following our ideas not the will of God. For yielding our will and liberty, God binds Himself to conduct us to the end of our pilgrimage: heaven. Assured of this Omnipotent help, we will cry -- “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me”. (Phil 4:13)
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp52-4
In Egypt: The virtues of St Joseph
After a long, exhausting journey, Mary and Joseph arrive with the Child in their new country. Joseph began to re-make his life again. He had brought the most important: Jesus, Mary, and a determination to care for them, making every sacrifice.
St Joseph is for us an example of many virtues: of intelligent and rapid obedience, faith, hope, hard work, fortitude. Whenever we suffer contradictions, we should put ourselves in St Joseph’s care, as many saints did.
St Teresa says of his powerful intercession -- “I never remember having entrusted anything ... which he has failed to do. I am amazed by the great favors God has given me through this blessed Saint, the dangers from which he has freed me, both of body and soul. ... Our Lord makes us understand that just as he was subject to him on earth ... so in heaven he does whatever Joseph asks. Other persons have also seen this from experience ...” (St Teresa of Avila, “Life”, 6)
The danger passed but Joseph stayed to be faithful to the Angel’s instruction “there remain until I tell you” (cf Mt 2:13). So, he remained patiently without protest, working as if he were never going to leave that foreign land.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:337-8
Holy purity -- indispensable for loving God
“Keep away from fornication ... Your body ... is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property: you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God.” (cf 1 Cor 6:13-5, 17-20)
The Church is alone in how she teaches about the dignity of the body. “Purity is the glory of the human body before God... the glory of God in the human body.” (John Paul II, “General Audience”, 18 March 1981)
If we are to follow Christ, chastity, outside or within marriage, according to each one’s state, is absolutely necessary. It demands our personal struggle and effort, together with God’s grace. The wounds of original sin ‘in our intellect, our will, our passions and affections’ did not disappear with its guilt when we were baptised.
Holy purity, part of the virtue of temperance, joyfully inclines us to moderate our use of the reproductive faculty, according to the light of reason, helped by faith.(cf St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, II-II, 151, 2, 1) Its opposite, licentiousness, destroys a person’s dignity, weakens the will towards good, and dulls the understanding in its yearning to know and love God.
The essence of chastity is love. We turn to Mary, “Mother of Fair Love” (Sir 24:24), because she creates within the soul of a Christian the elegance and tenderness which enable the virtue of holy purity to grow.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:46-7, 51
Sincerity
You were reading in that dictionary the synonyms for insincere: “two-faced, surreptitious, evasive, disingenuous, sly”. As you closed the book, you asked the Lord that nobody should ever be able to apply those adjectives to you, and you resolved to improve much more in this supernatural and human virtue of sincerity. (St Josemaria Escrivá, "Furrow", 337)
... Mary will obtain for us the courage to be sincere, if we ask her for it, so that we may come closer to the Most Blessed Trinity. (Ibid, op cit, 339)
Betrothal of Our Lady, according to the ritual of Arras, [France]. This feast began to be celebrated in the year 1556. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
22 January 2010: The flight into Egypt
Joseph and Mary, though poor, lived happily with Jesus. “Herod, perceiving that he was deceived by the wise men” (Mt 2:16), had acted to destroy the Infant. But God protected them. Warned of Herod’s plans, He showed the means of escape.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph while he was asleep and said, “Arise, and take the Child and His Mother, and fly into Egypt” (Mt 2:13).
Let us learn to understand God’s Providence. He does not spare His servants afflictions and persecutions; but ensures that everything works for their good. The angel gave the order to Joseph as head of the Holy Family and for the sake of good order.
The direction of our souls is not entrusted to a person but to God in the person of whoever holds His place; and of whom He has said, “He that hears you hears Me” (Lk 10:16).
I might obey grudgingly, or fail to respect a director, because he is younger in age or in spiritual matters. This proves that I am ignorant of the order established by God. My idea of the virtue of obedience is flawed. I submit in deference to policy, but not supernaturally.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp49-51
The obedience and fortitude of Joseph
The Holy Family’s hasty flight was a sign of the Cross ending a very happy day. An amazingly profound mystery! The Saviour, Son of God made Man cried, slept and sought refuge in the arms of Mary and Joseph.
The journey involved walking along unfriendly desert and less traveled roads with the constant fear of being caught. The Egyptian border, beyond which they would be safe from Herod, was about a week away.
God did not spare those he loved most from this trial. Perhaps to make us understand that difficulties bring great benefits. Also, that being close to God does not mean freedom from pain or problems. God’s promise is the serenity and fortitude to accept them.
The Holy Family quickly followed the Angel’s directions fulfilling the will of God in all circumstances.
“Joseph did not become scandalized or say: ‘This is an enigma. A short while ago, You, Yourself let us know that He would save His people and now as He is unable to save Himself, we have to flee, to undertake a long journey and suffer a long period away from home: this is contrary to Your promise.’ Joseph does not reason in this way because he is a faithful man.” (cf St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on St Matthew”, 8:3)
He obeyed immediately. He showed fortitude, taking charge of the situation ... How we must act also.
The day after being elected Pope, John Paul I said: “Yesterday morning, I went peacefully to the Sistine Chapel to vote. I could never have imagined what was going to happen. The danger for me had scarcely begun when the two companions at my side whispered words of encouragement. One said: ‘Come on, if Our Lord gives a heavy burden, he also gives the help to carry it!’”(John Paul I, “Angelus”, 27 Aug 1978)
We can learn from St Joseph how to care, with fortitude and strength, for all that God entrusts to us -- family, work, apostolate, etc. A fact of life is, obstacles are inevitable. We shall always overcome them with God’s grace.
Fortitude “teaches us to appreciate the human and divine value of patience. The person with fortitude ... perseveres in doing what his conscience tells him he ought to. He does not measure the value of a task exclusively by the benefit he derives from it, but rather by the service he renders to others.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 77-8)
Mothers frequently have to practise fortitude discreetly and normally in a pleasant, patient way. “The Bible does not praise the weak woman, but the strong one, ‘... is kindly instruction she gives’ (Prov 31:26) -- because kindness is the summit of fortitude ... to know how to wait; how to be silent; being able, when faced with injustice or weakness, to turn a blind eye; to excuse, to cover up shaming things, which is no less a work of mercy ...” (cf Gertrud von le Fort, “The eternal woman”)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:335-7, 340
St Joseph Hears God’s Word
St Joseph is great in the spirit. He is great in faith, not because he uttered any words of his own but above all ‘because he heard the words of the living God’. He listened in silence and became a witness of the Divine Mystery ...
The Word of the living God fell deeply into the soul of that man -- that Upright Man. And we, do we know how to listen to God’s word? Do we know how to absorb it in the depths of our human ‘ego’?
Do we open our consciences to this word? ... Do we read Sacred Scripture? Do we take part in catechesis? ‘We have so much need of faith! ...’
Great faith is so necessary today to individuals, families, communities, the Church. People of God! ... ‘Fear not to accept’ Mary, together with Joseph of Nazareth. Fear not to accept Jesus Christ, his Son, all your lives. Fear not to accept Him under the roofs of your houses ...
Fear not to accept Christ in your daily work. Fear not to accept Him in your ‘world’. Then this world will be really human. It will become ever more human. Only the God-Man can make our ‘human world’ fully human.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p127-8
Mary, Model of the Christian family
“... The Virgin’s merciful heart sympathizes with family needs. ... The divine Mother is a most perfect model of the domestic virtues which must adorn the Christian married state. In Mary you will find the purest and the most faithful love for her most chaste spouse. Her love was made up of sacrifices and of delicate attentions. In Mary you will find entire and continuous dedication to needs of family and home; you will find humility, patient resignation, lovableness and charity to all who visit the humble home of Nazareth.”
Ref: Pope Pius XII, “Quandoquidem”, 20 April 1939 in Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p14
Memorial: Betrothal of Our Lady. This feast, celebrated privately in France many years ago by devout persons, was approved by Pope Paul III in 1546. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph while he was asleep and said, “Arise, and take the Child and His Mother, and fly into Egypt” (Mt 2:13).
Let us learn to understand God’s Providence. He does not spare His servants afflictions and persecutions; but ensures that everything works for their good. The angel gave the order to Joseph as head of the Holy Family and for the sake of good order.
The direction of our souls is not entrusted to a person but to God in the person of whoever holds His place; and of whom He has said, “He that hears you hears Me” (Lk 10:16).
I might obey grudgingly, or fail to respect a director, because he is younger in age or in spiritual matters. This proves that I am ignorant of the order established by God. My idea of the virtue of obedience is flawed. I submit in deference to policy, but not supernaturally.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp49-51
The obedience and fortitude of Joseph
The Holy Family’s hasty flight was a sign of the Cross ending a very happy day. An amazingly profound mystery! The Saviour, Son of God made Man cried, slept and sought refuge in the arms of Mary and Joseph.
The journey involved walking along unfriendly desert and less traveled roads with the constant fear of being caught. The Egyptian border, beyond which they would be safe from Herod, was about a week away.
God did not spare those he loved most from this trial. Perhaps to make us understand that difficulties bring great benefits. Also, that being close to God does not mean freedom from pain or problems. God’s promise is the serenity and fortitude to accept them.
The Holy Family quickly followed the Angel’s directions fulfilling the will of God in all circumstances.
“Joseph did not become scandalized or say: ‘This is an enigma. A short while ago, You, Yourself let us know that He would save His people and now as He is unable to save Himself, we have to flee, to undertake a long journey and suffer a long period away from home: this is contrary to Your promise.’ Joseph does not reason in this way because he is a faithful man.” (cf St John Chrysostom, “Homilies on St Matthew”, 8:3)
He obeyed immediately. He showed fortitude, taking charge of the situation ... How we must act also.
The day after being elected Pope, John Paul I said: “Yesterday morning, I went peacefully to the Sistine Chapel to vote. I could never have imagined what was going to happen. The danger for me had scarcely begun when the two companions at my side whispered words of encouragement. One said: ‘Come on, if Our Lord gives a heavy burden, he also gives the help to carry it!’”(John Paul I, “Angelus”, 27 Aug 1978)
We can learn from St Joseph how to care, with fortitude and strength, for all that God entrusts to us -- family, work, apostolate, etc. A fact of life is, obstacles are inevitable. We shall always overcome them with God’s grace.
Fortitude “teaches us to appreciate the human and divine value of patience. The person with fortitude ... perseveres in doing what his conscience tells him he ought to. He does not measure the value of a task exclusively by the benefit he derives from it, but rather by the service he renders to others.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 77-8)
Mothers frequently have to practise fortitude discreetly and normally in a pleasant, patient way. “The Bible does not praise the weak woman, but the strong one, ‘... is kindly instruction she gives’ (Prov 31:26) -- because kindness is the summit of fortitude ... to know how to wait; how to be silent; being able, when faced with injustice or weakness, to turn a blind eye; to excuse, to cover up shaming things, which is no less a work of mercy ...” (cf Gertrud von le Fort, “The eternal woman”)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:335-7, 340
St Joseph Hears God’s Word
St Joseph is great in the spirit. He is great in faith, not because he uttered any words of his own but above all ‘because he heard the words of the living God’. He listened in silence and became a witness of the Divine Mystery ...
The Word of the living God fell deeply into the soul of that man -- that Upright Man. And we, do we know how to listen to God’s word? Do we know how to absorb it in the depths of our human ‘ego’?
Do we open our consciences to this word? ... Do we read Sacred Scripture? Do we take part in catechesis? ‘We have so much need of faith! ...’
Great faith is so necessary today to individuals, families, communities, the Church. People of God! ... ‘Fear not to accept’ Mary, together with Joseph of Nazareth. Fear not to accept Jesus Christ, his Son, all your lives. Fear not to accept Him under the roofs of your houses ...
Fear not to accept Christ in your daily work. Fear not to accept Him in your ‘world’. Then this world will be really human. It will become ever more human. Only the God-Man can make our ‘human world’ fully human.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p127-8
Mary, Model of the Christian family
“... The Virgin’s merciful heart sympathizes with family needs. ... The divine Mother is a most perfect model of the domestic virtues which must adorn the Christian married state. In Mary you will find the purest and the most faithful love for her most chaste spouse. Her love was made up of sacrifices and of delicate attentions. In Mary you will find entire and continuous dedication to needs of family and home; you will find humility, patient resignation, lovableness and charity to all who visit the humble home of Nazareth.”
Ref: Pope Pius XII, “Quandoquidem”, 20 April 1939 in Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p14
Memorial: Betrothal of Our Lady. This feast, celebrated privately in France many years ago by devout persons, was approved by Pope Paul III in 1546. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
20 January 2010: Make Straight the Paths of the Lord
Man prepares the way of the Lord and straightens His paths when -- he examines his own conscience; searches his works, words, thoughts; calls good and evil by their names; does not hesitate to confess his sins in the Sacrament of Penance, repenting and resolving not to sin again.
‘Straightening His paths’ also means receiving the good news of salvation. Each of us may see God’s salvation in his own heart and conscience when he participates in the mystery of remission of sins, as at the very Advent of God.
He thus professes that Christ is ‘the Lamb of God’, He who takes away the sins of the world.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p17
What price salvation?
To pass from this world to a happy eternity, escaping eternal punishment, is what work out your salvation means -- the business of eternity, of our soul and body. All other matters, however important, are but affairs of time. What are 60 or 80 years compared to eternity?
What folly then, to risk losing eternal salvation for the fleeting enjoyment of some worldly pleasure! Nevetheless, such is the folly of many people. All other misfortunes have a remedy -- redo bungled work; recover a lost fortune; rebuild a house burnt down. But salvation once lost is lost. We shall not return to life; nor come forth from hell.
St Paul writes, “with fear and trembling work out your salvation”. Don’t ever feel complacent. “I was with you in weakness, in fear, in much trembling. I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps when I have preached ... I myself should become a castaway.” (cf 1 Cor, 9:27)
‘Ah’, cried St Pope Gregory, ‘we ought never to think we have done enough when it is a question of eternity’. Did not the angels fall from heaven into hell?
Salvation is a personal affair; no one can do it for you: nor even God. “He who created you without your help cannot save you without it.” (St Augustine, “Confessions”) Woe, then, to the person who does not fervently seek his own sanctification. “Therefore, however it may be with others, neglect not thyself.” (Thomas à Kempis, “Imitation”)
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the
Society of Jesus, 1964, pp45-7
Sacramental Confession: A meeting with Christ
In this sacrament, Christ makes himself present in the priest. In it He welcomes us as the Good Shepherd: heals our wounds; cleanses and strengthens us. Christ’s promise through the Prophets is also accomplished in it. Christ, above all else, is the center of this sacramental act.
We ought to focus on his goodness instead of our wretchedness, because interior life is a dialogue of love wherein God is always the point of reference. We are the prodigal son who returns home when we decide to go to Confession. As he did, we never lose the consciousness of our sins.
The desire to make Christ the centre of our Confession is important if we are to avoid routine, to draw out from the depths of our soul matters which will only rise to the surface in the light of God’s love. We go to Christ through this sacrament to ask forgiveness of our sins.
We have often asked God for forgiveness; many times He has forgiven us. At the end of each day, recalling what we had done say, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Ps 51:1-2)
Each one of us knows how much he or she is in need of God’s mercy. Thus, we go to Confession: to ask for absolution of our faults as we would beg for undeserved alms. But we go with confidence, trusting, not in our merits; but in his eternal and infinite mercy, and always readiness to forgive.
All God asks of us is to admit our faults; to humbly and sincerely acknowledge our debt. The person who takes God’s place and acts on God’s behalf, can forgive us for him. It is not so much that he should understand or encourage us. We go to ask for forgiveness. Thus, accusing ourselves of our sins ‘does not consist simply in recounting them’.
Saint Josemaria Escrivá, with a simple and practical criterion, used to advise that our confession should be ‘concise, concrete, clear’ and ‘complete’. The use of too many words often denotes a desire, consciously or not, to flee from direct and full sincerity. To avoid this tendency, we need to make a good examination of conscience.
‘Concise’: just the words to say humbly what we have done or have failed to do. ‘Concrete’: without digression, no generalities; indicating the situation and time elapsed since the last Confession. ‘Clear’: make ourselves understood, stating the precise nature of the fault, modestly manifesting our wretchedness. ‘Complete’: integral, without omitting anything through a false sense of shame so as not to appear bad.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:45-6
· “If Mary was made Mother of God on account of sinners, how can I, however great my sins may be, despair of pardon?” -- St Anselm (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p30)
Friendship -- “Through you I have seen God, who has forgotten my follies and my offences, and has welcomed me with the affection of a Father.” ... what a contrite prodigal son of the twentieth century wrote to his family when he returned to his ‘father’s house’. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 764)
Purity -- “You told me, Father, that after my past life it is still possible to become another Saint Augustine. I do not doubt it, and today more than yesterday I want to try to prove it.”
But you have to cut out sin courageously from the root, as the holy Bishop of Hippo did. (Ibid, op cit, 838)
Our Lady of the Tables, at Montpellier. A very ancient and renowned church. The arms of the city are the Blessed Virgin holding her divine Son in her arms, ... (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
‘Straightening His paths’ also means receiving the good news of salvation. Each of us may see God’s salvation in his own heart and conscience when he participates in the mystery of remission of sins, as at the very Advent of God.
He thus professes that Christ is ‘the Lamb of God’, He who takes away the sins of the world.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p17
What price salvation?
To pass from this world to a happy eternity, escaping eternal punishment, is what work out your salvation means -- the business of eternity, of our soul and body. All other matters, however important, are but affairs of time. What are 60 or 80 years compared to eternity?
What folly then, to risk losing eternal salvation for the fleeting enjoyment of some worldly pleasure! Nevetheless, such is the folly of many people. All other misfortunes have a remedy -- redo bungled work; recover a lost fortune; rebuild a house burnt down. But salvation once lost is lost. We shall not return to life; nor come forth from hell.
St Paul writes, “with fear and trembling work out your salvation”. Don’t ever feel complacent. “I was with you in weakness, in fear, in much trembling. I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps when I have preached ... I myself should become a castaway.” (cf 1 Cor, 9:27)
‘Ah’, cried St Pope Gregory, ‘we ought never to think we have done enough when it is a question of eternity’. Did not the angels fall from heaven into hell?
Salvation is a personal affair; no one can do it for you: nor even God. “He who created you without your help cannot save you without it.” (St Augustine, “Confessions”) Woe, then, to the person who does not fervently seek his own sanctification. “Therefore, however it may be with others, neglect not thyself.” (Thomas à Kempis, “Imitation”)
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the
Society of Jesus, 1964, pp45-7
Sacramental Confession: A meeting with Christ
In this sacrament, Christ makes himself present in the priest. In it He welcomes us as the Good Shepherd: heals our wounds; cleanses and strengthens us. Christ’s promise through the Prophets is also accomplished in it. Christ, above all else, is the center of this sacramental act.
We ought to focus on his goodness instead of our wretchedness, because interior life is a dialogue of love wherein God is always the point of reference. We are the prodigal son who returns home when we decide to go to Confession. As he did, we never lose the consciousness of our sins.
The desire to make Christ the centre of our Confession is important if we are to avoid routine, to draw out from the depths of our soul matters which will only rise to the surface in the light of God’s love. We go to Christ through this sacrament to ask forgiveness of our sins.
We have often asked God for forgiveness; many times He has forgiven us. At the end of each day, recalling what we had done say, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love. According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Ps 51:1-2)
Each one of us knows how much he or she is in need of God’s mercy. Thus, we go to Confession: to ask for absolution of our faults as we would beg for undeserved alms. But we go with confidence, trusting, not in our merits; but in his eternal and infinite mercy, and always readiness to forgive.
All God asks of us is to admit our faults; to humbly and sincerely acknowledge our debt. The person who takes God’s place and acts on God’s behalf, can forgive us for him. It is not so much that he should understand or encourage us. We go to ask for forgiveness. Thus, accusing ourselves of our sins ‘does not consist simply in recounting them’.
Saint Josemaria Escrivá, with a simple and practical criterion, used to advise that our confession should be ‘concise, concrete, clear’ and ‘complete’. The use of too many words often denotes a desire, consciously or not, to flee from direct and full sincerity. To avoid this tendency, we need to make a good examination of conscience.
‘Concise’: just the words to say humbly what we have done or have failed to do. ‘Concrete’: without digression, no generalities; indicating the situation and time elapsed since the last Confession. ‘Clear’: make ourselves understood, stating the precise nature of the fault, modestly manifesting our wretchedness. ‘Complete’: integral, without omitting anything through a false sense of shame so as not to appear bad.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:45-6
· “If Mary was made Mother of God on account of sinners, how can I, however great my sins may be, despair of pardon?” -- St Anselm (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p30)
Friendship -- “Through you I have seen God, who has forgotten my follies and my offences, and has welcomed me with the affection of a Father.” ... what a contrite prodigal son of the twentieth century wrote to his family when he returned to his ‘father’s house’. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 764)
Purity -- “You told me, Father, that after my past life it is still possible to become another Saint Augustine. I do not doubt it, and today more than yesterday I want to try to prove it.”
But you have to cut out sin courageously from the root, as the holy Bishop of Hippo did. (Ibid, op cit, 838)
Our Lady of the Tables, at Montpellier. A very ancient and renowned church. The arms of the city are the Blessed Virgin holding her divine Son in her arms, ... (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
19 January 2010: The first miracle at Cana
“On the third day” after Nathanael’s interview, “there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the Mother of Jesus was there. Also invited were Jesus and his disciples.” (cf Jn 2:1-2) Why did Jesus honor this humble marriage with his presence?
First, to fulfil a duty of friendship and regard towards his Mother’s family. The bridegroom was Simon the Canaanite, son of Cleopas, St Joseph’s brother, who became one of the twelve Apostles.
Second, to show his esteem for virtue in a modest life. Third, to promote honor and respect for the marriage contract, ordained by God since Creation, and soon to be raised to the dignity of a Sacrament.
“And the wine running out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’.” (Jn 2:3) Two points emerge -- Our Lady’s hospitality and confidence in addressing her Divine Son. Sensing that the usual beverage for guests was exhausted, and would be embarassing, she made the casual remark.
It was not a request, but a mere statement of need. Although he sounded indifferent by his reply, “Woman, what is it to me and to you? My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4), still she told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
Our Lady shows compassion in even the most trifling matters and also her influence with God, who wills to grant all things through her intercession. Our great confidence in her is because she can avail of her Divine Son’s infinite power.
Mary’s expectation was rewarded. Jesus, for her sake, worked his first miracle in public, changing into wine the water with which he had caused six stone jars (each 20-30 gallons capacity), to be “filled up to the brim” (Jn 2:7). “Thus did he manifest his glory” [or divinity], “and his disciples believed in him.” (Jn 2:11)
The miracle at Cana, Jesus repeats daily in a more wonderful manner. By the ministry of his priests, he changes wine into his Blood, and gives it for us to drink, with the promise that whoever drinks it shall never die.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp356-8
Love triangle
The bride, the groom, and Jesus -- the perfect love triangle. The presence of Jesus in both husband and wife is crucial. Jesus is compassion incarnate and this leads him to compassionate ‘action’, to compassionate ‘justice’. A married couple who learn to live by mutual compassion will be just and fair to each other -- ‘their way of life’.
Trouble in marriage can be prevented if the couple invite Jesus. But they must first fill ‘to the brim their empty jars’. Jesus will perform a miracle only if they cooperate.
Ref: Fr Ruben M Tanseco, SJ, “God’s Word Today”, “The Philippine Star”, 14 Jan 2001
Our Lady at Cana and at Calvary
Mary is a mother who is more attentive to all our needs than any mother on earth ever has been or ever will. The miracle at Cana takes place because Our Lady interceded by her plea. If she “acted thus without being asked, how would it have been if they ‘had’ asked?” (St Alphonsus Liguori, “Abbreviated Sermons”, 48: “On Trust in the Mother of God”)
Saint John calls Our Lady ‘Mother of God’ twice: at Cana and on Calvary -- the start and end of Jesus’ public life. She was present in all of Our Lord’s work; and highlights her concern for all men. At Cana she intercedes when the time seemed inopportune. “On Calvary she offers the redeeming death of her Son, and accepts the mission that Jesus confers on her of being the Mother of all believers.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 58)
Our lives, like the water, were flat without the ferment of purpose until Jesus entered our lives. He transforms our work, sorrows and joys. All he asks is to do our duties ‘to the brim’ -- finishing them off well so that he can work a miracle. If all of us were to do our work with human perfection and a Christian spirit, our world would drastically be much better.
“At Cana is shown only one concrete aspect of human need, apparently trivial ... but has symbolic value: this coming to the aid of human needs, means bringing those needs within the radius of Christ’s Messianic mission and salvific power. Thus there is a mediation.
“Mary places herself between her Son and mankind in their wants, needs and sufferings. ... as mother, she puts herself ‘in the middle’, acts as a mediatrix not as an outsider. She knows in this way she can point to her Son the needs of mankind, and in fact, she ‘has the right’ to do so.” (cf John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 Mar 1987, 20)
At the foot of the Cross very close to Jesus are his Mother and John, the youngest of the Apostles. Jesus, after giving himself in the Last Supper, now gives us what he loves most on earth, the most precious thing that still remains to him -- Mary -- to be our Mother.
“Thus, the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered unto the cross, enduring with her only-begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, associating herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim born of her. Finally, she was given, by the same Christ Jesus, dying on the Cross, as a mother to his disciple.” (cf Second Vatican Council, loc cit)
“Do whatever he tells you” are Our Lady’s last words in the Gospel. Could there be a more valuable advice?
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:53-7; 2:285-6
Personality
“A great sign appeared in Heaven: a woman adorned with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars about her head.” From this, you and I and everyone may be sure that nothing perfects our personality so much as correspondence with grace.
Try to imitate the Virgin Mary and you will be a complete man or woman.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 443
Interior Life -- Without Our Mother’s aid, how can we manage to keep up our daily struggle? Do you seek it constantly? (Ibid, op cit, 692)
Mrmorial: Our Lady of Gimont, near Toulouse. This church of Citeaux is much celebrated in the country for its miracles. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
First, to fulfil a duty of friendship and regard towards his Mother’s family. The bridegroom was Simon the Canaanite, son of Cleopas, St Joseph’s brother, who became one of the twelve Apostles.
Second, to show his esteem for virtue in a modest life. Third, to promote honor and respect for the marriage contract, ordained by God since Creation, and soon to be raised to the dignity of a Sacrament.
“And the wine running out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine’.” (Jn 2:3) Two points emerge -- Our Lady’s hospitality and confidence in addressing her Divine Son. Sensing that the usual beverage for guests was exhausted, and would be embarassing, she made the casual remark.
It was not a request, but a mere statement of need. Although he sounded indifferent by his reply, “Woman, what is it to me and to you? My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4), still she told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5).
Our Lady shows compassion in even the most trifling matters and also her influence with God, who wills to grant all things through her intercession. Our great confidence in her is because she can avail of her Divine Son’s infinite power.
Mary’s expectation was rewarded. Jesus, for her sake, worked his first miracle in public, changing into wine the water with which he had caused six stone jars (each 20-30 gallons capacity), to be “filled up to the brim” (Jn 2:7). “Thus did he manifest his glory” [or divinity], “and his disciples believed in him.” (Jn 2:11)
The miracle at Cana, Jesus repeats daily in a more wonderful manner. By the ministry of his priests, he changes wine into his Blood, and gives it for us to drink, with the promise that whoever drinks it shall never die.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp356-8
Love triangle
The bride, the groom, and Jesus -- the perfect love triangle. The presence of Jesus in both husband and wife is crucial. Jesus is compassion incarnate and this leads him to compassionate ‘action’, to compassionate ‘justice’. A married couple who learn to live by mutual compassion will be just and fair to each other -- ‘their way of life’.
Trouble in marriage can be prevented if the couple invite Jesus. But they must first fill ‘to the brim their empty jars’. Jesus will perform a miracle only if they cooperate.
Ref: Fr Ruben M Tanseco, SJ, “God’s Word Today”, “The Philippine Star”, 14 Jan 2001
Our Lady at Cana and at Calvary
Mary is a mother who is more attentive to all our needs than any mother on earth ever has been or ever will. The miracle at Cana takes place because Our Lady interceded by her plea. If she “acted thus without being asked, how would it have been if they ‘had’ asked?” (St Alphonsus Liguori, “Abbreviated Sermons”, 48: “On Trust in the Mother of God”)
Saint John calls Our Lady ‘Mother of God’ twice: at Cana and on Calvary -- the start and end of Jesus’ public life. She was present in all of Our Lord’s work; and highlights her concern for all men. At Cana she intercedes when the time seemed inopportune. “On Calvary she offers the redeeming death of her Son, and accepts the mission that Jesus confers on her of being the Mother of all believers.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 58)
Our lives, like the water, were flat without the ferment of purpose until Jesus entered our lives. He transforms our work, sorrows and joys. All he asks is to do our duties ‘to the brim’ -- finishing them off well so that he can work a miracle. If all of us were to do our work with human perfection and a Christian spirit, our world would drastically be much better.
“At Cana is shown only one concrete aspect of human need, apparently trivial ... but has symbolic value: this coming to the aid of human needs, means bringing those needs within the radius of Christ’s Messianic mission and salvific power. Thus there is a mediation.
“Mary places herself between her Son and mankind in their wants, needs and sufferings. ... as mother, she puts herself ‘in the middle’, acts as a mediatrix not as an outsider. She knows in this way she can point to her Son the needs of mankind, and in fact, she ‘has the right’ to do so.” (cf John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 Mar 1987, 20)
At the foot of the Cross very close to Jesus are his Mother and John, the youngest of the Apostles. Jesus, after giving himself in the Last Supper, now gives us what he loves most on earth, the most precious thing that still remains to him -- Mary -- to be our Mother.
“Thus, the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered unto the cross, enduring with her only-begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, associating herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim born of her. Finally, she was given, by the same Christ Jesus, dying on the Cross, as a mother to his disciple.” (cf Second Vatican Council, loc cit)
“Do whatever he tells you” are Our Lady’s last words in the Gospel. Could there be a more valuable advice?
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:53-7; 2:285-6
Personality
“A great sign appeared in Heaven: a woman adorned with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars about her head.” From this, you and I and everyone may be sure that nothing perfects our personality so much as correspondence with grace.
Try to imitate the Virgin Mary and you will be a complete man or woman.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 443
Interior Life -- Without Our Mother’s aid, how can we manage to keep up our daily struggle? Do you seek it constantly? (Ibid, op cit, 692)
Mrmorial: Our Lady of Gimont, near Toulouse. This church of Citeaux is much celebrated in the country for its miracles. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
18 January 2010: 'Christ Becomes Light and Salvation ...
‘... of the people to whom He was sent at the beginning of His public life’.
The glory of the Lord had already enveloped the shepherds in light during the night (cf Lk 2:9) of the birth of Jesus Christ; but this is the first time that the Gospel speaks of a light shown to all. When Jesus quit Nazareth, was baptized in the Jordan, and then went to Capernaum to begin his public ministry, it was as like a second birth. It consisted in abandonment of private and hidden life in order to give himself to the total and irrevocable commitment of a life spent for all, even unto the supreme sacrifice of Himself.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p85
Jesus calls His first disciples
Jesus, like the early prophets, preached alone. After some months he began to call disciples. The first two came on hearing John the Baptist say, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:36) They said to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He replied, “Come and see”. They went and saw, and remained with him that day. (Jn 1:38-9)
They are Andrew and John. Andrew tells his brother, “We have found the Messiah”, and brought him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said, “You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (cf Jn 1:41-2) which means Peter or rock. The next day, in Galilee, He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me” (Jn 1:43).
And going on, he saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, in a ship with their father mending the nets. He called them. They immediately left their nets and father, and followed him. (Mk 1:19-20)
Andrew, John, Simon, James and Philip were the privileged first disciples to be called by the 'Saviour of the World'. Their vocation, seemingly accidental, was decreed by God from all eternity. Our state in life may seem to be due only to favorable circumstances; but with the eye of faith we will perceive the hand of God.
These first disciples also manifested admirable generosity and correspondence with grace; and the father of James and John, too! There is neither hesitation on one side, nor complaint or opposition on the other.
They were honest, hardworking, and pious men; but of low birth. They were Galilean fishermen whom Jews despised. Ignorant and obscure, the world held them in contempt.
Why did Jesus choose them? First, to teach the world which values only riches and honors; second, to exalt poverty and simplicity when lived with the virtue of honesty. Third, to preserve the disciples from all danger of pride in the high office to which they were destined; and fourth, chiefly, to convince the world that establishment and triumph of the Church were not the work of man.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp352-3
Our Lord calls them in the midst of their work.
Even nowadays, Jesus invites his followers wherever he finds them, so that their love for God will be known through family ties, at work and among friends. But he wants their work to be different henceforth.
“You are writing to me in the kitchen, by the stove. It is early afternoon. It is cold. By your side, your younger sister, the last one to discover the divine folly of living her Christian vocation to the full, is peeling potatoes. To all appearances -- you think -- her work is the same as before. And yet, what a difference there is! It is true: before she only peeled potatoes -- now she is sanctifying herself peeling potatoes.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 498)
For a Christian who lives thinking of God, work must be prayer, a way of union with Our Lord throughout the day. A great opportunity for practising virtues to reach the sanctity to which the Christian has been called. Prayer is therefore, also “any work that is well-finished and carried out with supernatural outlook”. (cf R Gomez Perez, “Faith and Life”)
Thus, work and interior life will not conflict, “just as the beating of the heart does not interrupt our attention to whatever our activities may be” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Letter”, 15 September 1948). “May the whole of our day, our prayer and our work take their strength from you and always begin with you, O Lord, and may all that we have began through you reach a happy end.” (cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as Friend”)
As love is very resourceful, we will find reminders which help us never to forget that we go to God through what is human. “Place on your desk, in your room, in your wallet, a picture of Our Lady, and glance at it when you begin your work, while you are doing it, and when you finish it. She will obtain, I can assure you, the strength for you to turn your task into a loving dialogue with God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 531)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:1-4, 6
The role of an apostle
An apostle is to preach the Gospel with whatever means and talents he or she possesses. A casual observance of our faith is passé. These days we must know our faith or we will be buffeted like a small boat on a stormy sea.
The lives of the people who have found God and proclaimed his messages have been similar throughout the ages. Each of them had the courage to speak the truth, the virtue Heaven is asking of its apostles, without a blush and fear of man. This is, and always will be, the apostle’s role.
Ref: cf Ted and Maureen Flynn, op cit, pp371, 374
Naturalness -- “Blessed are you for believing”, said Elizabeth to our Mother. Union with God, supernatural virtue, always brings with it the attractive practice of human virtues: Mary brought joy to her cousin’s home, because she brought Christ. (St Josemaria Escrivá, op cit, 566)
Our Lady of Dijon, in Burgundy. This image, formerly named of 'Good Hope', delivered the city from the fury of the Swiss, in the year 1513. In thanksgiving for this favor, a general procession is held there every year. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
'Virgin of the Poor'
The eight apparitions* in Banneux, Belgium from 15 January to 2 March 1933, continued to develop the meaning of Mary’s presence among us. Our Lady appeared to only one visionary, twelve-year old Mariette Bero, in a poor section of the country; calling herself the ‘Virgin of the Poor’; and said she had come to console the sick and the suffering. ‘I am the Mother of the Redeemer, the Mother of God’, she stated. (*Approved)
A small but very important detail relative to later apparitions at Amsterdam (1945-1984; under investigation) is, on this day, Our Lady told Mariette, ‘Put your hands into the water. This spring is reserved for me.’ (They were standing near a spring.) The next day, Our Lady said, ‘This source is reserved for All the Nations’.
Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, p25
The glory of the Lord had already enveloped the shepherds in light during the night (cf Lk 2:9) of the birth of Jesus Christ; but this is the first time that the Gospel speaks of a light shown to all. When Jesus quit Nazareth, was baptized in the Jordan, and then went to Capernaum to begin his public ministry, it was as like a second birth. It consisted in abandonment of private and hidden life in order to give himself to the total and irrevocable commitment of a life spent for all, even unto the supreme sacrifice of Himself.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p85
Jesus calls His first disciples
Jesus, like the early prophets, preached alone. After some months he began to call disciples. The first two came on hearing John the Baptist say, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:36) They said to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He replied, “Come and see”. They went and saw, and remained with him that day. (Jn 1:38-9)
They are Andrew and John. Andrew tells his brother, “We have found the Messiah”, and brought him to Jesus. Looking at him, Jesus said, “You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (cf Jn 1:41-2) which means Peter or rock. The next day, in Galilee, He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me” (Jn 1:43).
And going on, he saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, in a ship with their father mending the nets. He called them. They immediately left their nets and father, and followed him. (Mk 1:19-20)
Andrew, John, Simon, James and Philip were the privileged first disciples to be called by the 'Saviour of the World'. Their vocation, seemingly accidental, was decreed by God from all eternity. Our state in life may seem to be due only to favorable circumstances; but with the eye of faith we will perceive the hand of God.
These first disciples also manifested admirable generosity and correspondence with grace; and the father of James and John, too! There is neither hesitation on one side, nor complaint or opposition on the other.
They were honest, hardworking, and pious men; but of low birth. They were Galilean fishermen whom Jews despised. Ignorant and obscure, the world held them in contempt.
Why did Jesus choose them? First, to teach the world which values only riches and honors; second, to exalt poverty and simplicity when lived with the virtue of honesty. Third, to preserve the disciples from all danger of pride in the high office to which they were destined; and fourth, chiefly, to convince the world that establishment and triumph of the Church were not the work of man.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp352-3
Our Lord calls them in the midst of their work.
Even nowadays, Jesus invites his followers wherever he finds them, so that their love for God will be known through family ties, at work and among friends. But he wants their work to be different henceforth.
“You are writing to me in the kitchen, by the stove. It is early afternoon. It is cold. By your side, your younger sister, the last one to discover the divine folly of living her Christian vocation to the full, is peeling potatoes. To all appearances -- you think -- her work is the same as before. And yet, what a difference there is! It is true: before she only peeled potatoes -- now she is sanctifying herself peeling potatoes.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 498)
For a Christian who lives thinking of God, work must be prayer, a way of union with Our Lord throughout the day. A great opportunity for practising virtues to reach the sanctity to which the Christian has been called. Prayer is therefore, also “any work that is well-finished and carried out with supernatural outlook”. (cf R Gomez Perez, “Faith and Life”)
Thus, work and interior life will not conflict, “just as the beating of the heart does not interrupt our attention to whatever our activities may be” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Letter”, 15 September 1948). “May the whole of our day, our prayer and our work take their strength from you and always begin with you, O Lord, and may all that we have began through you reach a happy end.” (cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as Friend”)
As love is very resourceful, we will find reminders which help us never to forget that we go to God through what is human. “Place on your desk, in your room, in your wallet, a picture of Our Lady, and glance at it when you begin your work, while you are doing it, and when you finish it. She will obtain, I can assure you, the strength for you to turn your task into a loving dialogue with God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 531)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:1-4, 6
The role of an apostle
An apostle is to preach the Gospel with whatever means and talents he or she possesses. A casual observance of our faith is passé. These days we must know our faith or we will be buffeted like a small boat on a stormy sea.
The lives of the people who have found God and proclaimed his messages have been similar throughout the ages. Each of them had the courage to speak the truth, the virtue Heaven is asking of its apostles, without a blush and fear of man. This is, and always will be, the apostle’s role.
Ref: cf Ted and Maureen Flynn, op cit, pp371, 374
Naturalness -- “Blessed are you for believing”, said Elizabeth to our Mother. Union with God, supernatural virtue, always brings with it the attractive practice of human virtues: Mary brought joy to her cousin’s home, because she brought Christ. (St Josemaria Escrivá, op cit, 566)
Our Lady of Dijon, in Burgundy. This image, formerly named of 'Good Hope', delivered the city from the fury of the Swiss, in the year 1513. In thanksgiving for this favor, a general procession is held there every year. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
'Virgin of the Poor'
The eight apparitions* in Banneux, Belgium from 15 January to 2 March 1933, continued to develop the meaning of Mary’s presence among us. Our Lady appeared to only one visionary, twelve-year old Mariette Bero, in a poor section of the country; calling herself the ‘Virgin of the Poor’; and said she had come to console the sick and the suffering. ‘I am the Mother of the Redeemer, the Mother of God’, she stated. (*Approved)
A small but very important detail relative to later apparitions at Amsterdam (1945-1984; under investigation) is, on this day, Our Lady told Mariette, ‘Put your hands into the water. This spring is reserved for me.’ (They were standing near a spring.) The next day, Our Lady said, ‘This source is reserved for All the Nations’.
Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, p25
17 January 2010: Feast of the “Santo Niño”
Second Sunday after Epiphany or third Sunday of January (Fr James Socias, et al [eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, 1887)
Opening Prayer
“Father in heaven, may we recognize your only Son as God even in the lowliness of his nature; and adore him as our mighty Lord even in his frailty as a child. Help us to welcome his kingdom among us with sincere hearts and the eagerness of a child, and to receive the reward promised to the humble.”
Ref: Ibid
Philippine Devotion to the ‘Santo Niño’
January is the month of the ‘Santo Niño’ in the Filipino Catholic calendar. Devotion to the Holy Infant is the oldest and probably the most popular in the Philippines.
Pigafetta, Ferdinand Magellan’s chronicler, reported that a ‘Santo Niño’ statue was given to Queen Juana, wife of King Humabon of Cebu in 1521 after her baptism. In 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and his men settled in Cebu, a child’s statue, probably the same one given to Queen Juana, was found in a box among some ruins.
On 13 December 1903, the Benedictine Community in Manila organized the Confraternity of the Infant Jesus for students of the ‘Colegio de San Beda’. On 17 January 1904, the feast of the ‘Santo Niño’ at ‘San Beda’ was celebrated for the first time. Since no statue was available, a framed picture of the Holy Child was used.
A wooden image of the ‘Santo Niño de Praga’ (Holy Child of Prague) was installed in the Our Lady of Montserrat chapel in Tanduay, San Miguel district, Manila on 4 November 1904. It is said to be a copy of the image in the church of the Salesian Sisters in Barcelona, Spain.
The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Jeremias Harty, gave permission for establishment of the ‘Santo Niño de Praga’ Confraternity on 28 December 1904. The first procession of this Santo Niño image was held on 20 January 1905.
In 1926 the Benedictine Priory and the ‘Colegio de San Beda’ moved to Mendiola Street. Since 1975, the Feast of the ‘Santo Niño de Praga’ has been celebrated by the Benedictine Abbey every third Sunday of January.
The districts of Tondo and Pandacan in Manila celebrate this fiesta. But the center of the ‘Santo Niño’ devotion is in Cebu City where the original image has been enshrined in the San Agustin Church now the ‘Basilica de Santo Niño’.
This image got to the Augustinian Fathers presumably because Legazpi’s fleet chaplain, Fray Andres de Urdaneta, was of the Order of St Augustine.
Ref: cf “Panorama”, 14 Jan 2001, “Editorial”, p3; F S Talio, “Devotion to the Santo Niño”, p10
The Holy Infant is our God and Saviour
Many of the people who lived in Bethlehem saw Jesus like any other child. The Kings knew how to see Him as the Child who would be adored forever henceforth. Their faith gave them the unique privilege: to be the first among the gentiles to adore whom the world didn’t know yet. Their joy must have been truly great.
We must be attentive because Our Lord also shows himself in the usual events of every day. May we know how to recover this interior light which shines through the monotony of our ordinary life and find Jesus.
“And going into the dwelling, they found the Child there with his Mother, Mary, and fell down to worship him. (Mt 2:11) We also kneel down before Jesus, God hidden in humanity. We tell him once more that we do not want to turn our backs on his divine call, that we shall never separate ourselves from him, that we shall remove from our path all that may be an obstacle to our fidelity and that we sincerely wish to be docile to his inspirations.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 35)
They adored him and knew he was the Messiah, God made Man. The Council of Trent quotes this passage of the adoration of the Kings to teach us the cult which is due to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Present in the tabernacle is the same Jesus the wise men found in Mary’s arms.
How do we adore him when he is exposed in the monstrance or hidden in the tabernacle? Do we devoutly kneel in the moments indicated in the Holy Mass?
We might fail to realize how close Our Lord is to us “because God presents himself ... under the insignificant appearance of a piece of bread; because he does not reveal himself in his glory, ... does not impose himself irresistibly; ... he slips into our life like a shadow, instead of making his power resound at the summit of all things ... How many souls are troubled by doubt because God does not show himself in the way they expected!” (cf J Leclerq, “A Year with the Liturgy”)
We must be attentive, because Our Lord also shows himself in the normal events of every day. May we know how to recover this interior light, which for us breaks through the monotony of days which are all the same; and find Jesus in our ordinary life!
“Those who have already reached the faith and those who are on the path of finding it ... participate, give thanks for the gift of faith, as did the Kings who, filled with gratitude, knelt before the Child. ... How many people there are still who have to be brought to the faith!
“How many have to be brought back to the faith they have lost! This at times is more difficult than the first conversion to the faith. The Church, however, aware of the great gift of the Incarnation of God, cannot pause, can never stop. She has to seek continually the way to Bethlehem for all men and for all times. ...” (John Paul II, “Homily”, 6 Jan 1979)
Let us ask “the Mother of God, who is our Mother, to prepare for us the way that leads to the fullness of love: ‘Cor Mariae dulcissimum, iter para tutum!’ Most sweet heart of Mary, prepare a safe way! Her sweet heart knows the surest path on which to find Christ.
“The three Kings had the star. We have Mary, ‘Stella Maris’, ‘Stella Orientis’, Star of the Sea, Star of the East.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, op cit, 38)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:328-9, 332-3
Memorial: Our Lady’s Apparition in Pontmain, France*
On the evening of this day in 1871, during the Franco-Prussian War, Mary appeared in Heaven wearing a dark blue dress with a crucifix in her hands. Below the apparition appeared the words, ‘Pray please. God will hear you soon. My Son lets Himself be touched’. That same night an order from the German headquarters called the army back, and on January 28 the French-German armistice was signed. (*Approved)
Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, p23
Memorial: Our Lady of Peace, at Rome. In the year 1483 the Duke of Calabria, having besieged Borne to punish Sixtus IV for having prevented his aiding the Duke of Ferrara against the Venetians. This sovereign pontiff had recourse to the Queen of heaven, bound himself by vow to build a church, under the title of Our Lady of Peace, if it should please her to deliver the city from the siege, and to restore peace to Italy. His prayer having been heard, he fulfilled his vow, by commencing a church, which was finished by Innocent VIII, his successor. (cf “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Opening Prayer
“Father in heaven, may we recognize your only Son as God even in the lowliness of his nature; and adore him as our mighty Lord even in his frailty as a child. Help us to welcome his kingdom among us with sincere hearts and the eagerness of a child, and to receive the reward promised to the humble.”
Ref: Ibid
Philippine Devotion to the ‘Santo Niño’
January is the month of the ‘Santo Niño’ in the Filipino Catholic calendar. Devotion to the Holy Infant is the oldest and probably the most popular in the Philippines.
Pigafetta, Ferdinand Magellan’s chronicler, reported that a ‘Santo Niño’ statue was given to Queen Juana, wife of King Humabon of Cebu in 1521 after her baptism. In 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and his men settled in Cebu, a child’s statue, probably the same one given to Queen Juana, was found in a box among some ruins.
On 13 December 1903, the Benedictine Community in Manila organized the Confraternity of the Infant Jesus for students of the ‘Colegio de San Beda’. On 17 January 1904, the feast of the ‘Santo Niño’ at ‘San Beda’ was celebrated for the first time. Since no statue was available, a framed picture of the Holy Child was used.
A wooden image of the ‘Santo Niño de Praga’ (Holy Child of Prague) was installed in the Our Lady of Montserrat chapel in Tanduay, San Miguel district, Manila on 4 November 1904. It is said to be a copy of the image in the church of the Salesian Sisters in Barcelona, Spain.
The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Jeremias Harty, gave permission for establishment of the ‘Santo Niño de Praga’ Confraternity on 28 December 1904. The first procession of this Santo Niño image was held on 20 January 1905.
In 1926 the Benedictine Priory and the ‘Colegio de San Beda’ moved to Mendiola Street. Since 1975, the Feast of the ‘Santo Niño de Praga’ has been celebrated by the Benedictine Abbey every third Sunday of January.
The districts of Tondo and Pandacan in Manila celebrate this fiesta. But the center of the ‘Santo Niño’ devotion is in Cebu City where the original image has been enshrined in the San Agustin Church now the ‘Basilica de Santo Niño’.
This image got to the Augustinian Fathers presumably because Legazpi’s fleet chaplain, Fray Andres de Urdaneta, was of the Order of St Augustine.
Ref: cf “Panorama”, 14 Jan 2001, “Editorial”, p3; F S Talio, “Devotion to the Santo Niño”, p10
The Holy Infant is our God and Saviour
Many of the people who lived in Bethlehem saw Jesus like any other child. The Kings knew how to see Him as the Child who would be adored forever henceforth. Their faith gave them the unique privilege: to be the first among the gentiles to adore whom the world didn’t know yet. Their joy must have been truly great.
We must be attentive because Our Lord also shows himself in the usual events of every day. May we know how to recover this interior light which shines through the monotony of our ordinary life and find Jesus.
“And going into the dwelling, they found the Child there with his Mother, Mary, and fell down to worship him. (Mt 2:11) We also kneel down before Jesus, God hidden in humanity. We tell him once more that we do not want to turn our backs on his divine call, that we shall never separate ourselves from him, that we shall remove from our path all that may be an obstacle to our fidelity and that we sincerely wish to be docile to his inspirations.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 35)
They adored him and knew he was the Messiah, God made Man. The Council of Trent quotes this passage of the adoration of the Kings to teach us the cult which is due to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Present in the tabernacle is the same Jesus the wise men found in Mary’s arms.
How do we adore him when he is exposed in the monstrance or hidden in the tabernacle? Do we devoutly kneel in the moments indicated in the Holy Mass?
We might fail to realize how close Our Lord is to us “because God presents himself ... under the insignificant appearance of a piece of bread; because he does not reveal himself in his glory, ... does not impose himself irresistibly; ... he slips into our life like a shadow, instead of making his power resound at the summit of all things ... How many souls are troubled by doubt because God does not show himself in the way they expected!” (cf J Leclerq, “A Year with the Liturgy”)
We must be attentive, because Our Lord also shows himself in the normal events of every day. May we know how to recover this interior light, which for us breaks through the monotony of days which are all the same; and find Jesus in our ordinary life!
“Those who have already reached the faith and those who are on the path of finding it ... participate, give thanks for the gift of faith, as did the Kings who, filled with gratitude, knelt before the Child. ... How many people there are still who have to be brought to the faith!
“How many have to be brought back to the faith they have lost! This at times is more difficult than the first conversion to the faith. The Church, however, aware of the great gift of the Incarnation of God, cannot pause, can never stop. She has to seek continually the way to Bethlehem for all men and for all times. ...” (John Paul II, “Homily”, 6 Jan 1979)
Let us ask “the Mother of God, who is our Mother, to prepare for us the way that leads to the fullness of love: ‘Cor Mariae dulcissimum, iter para tutum!’ Most sweet heart of Mary, prepare a safe way! Her sweet heart knows the surest path on which to find Christ.
“The three Kings had the star. We have Mary, ‘Stella Maris’, ‘Stella Orientis’, Star of the Sea, Star of the East.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, op cit, 38)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:328-9, 332-3
Memorial: Our Lady’s Apparition in Pontmain, France*
On the evening of this day in 1871, during the Franco-Prussian War, Mary appeared in Heaven wearing a dark blue dress with a crucifix in her hands. Below the apparition appeared the words, ‘Pray please. God will hear you soon. My Son lets Himself be touched’. That same night an order from the German headquarters called the army back, and on January 28 the French-German armistice was signed. (*Approved)
Ref: Ted and Maureen Flynn, “The Thunder of Justice”, 1993, p23
Memorial: Our Lady of Peace, at Rome. In the year 1483 the Duke of Calabria, having besieged Borne to punish Sixtus IV for having prevented his aiding the Duke of Ferrara against the Venetians. This sovereign pontiff had recourse to the Queen of heaven, bound himself by vow to build a church, under the title of Our Lady of Peace, if it should please her to deliver the city from the siege, and to restore peace to Italy. His prayer having been heard, he fulfilled his vow, by commencing a church, which was finished by Innocent VIII, his successor. (cf “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Monday, January 11, 2010
12 January 2010: On the grace of vocation given to the Magi
God was not obliged to deviate from the ways of Providence in calling and guiding them by a miraculous star. Among the millions of Gentiles many were more deserving to know the Messiah. Why this great favor?
To what do I owe my state in life? The innocence and holiness of my youth? No, says my conscience. My moral and physical qualities? Many excel me in these respects. Only to the free choice of the Lord: “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.” (cf Jn 15:16)
Born and living amidst heathen darkness and vice, the Magi were walking with the majority in the broad path towards destruction. The grace of conversion drew them forever from it, set them in the narrow path of justice, and made them new men in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Where was I before the star of my vocation rose to enlighten me? How far did I float, carried by the seducing torrent of vice? This life would have ended only in eternal ruin. The grace of vocation drew me away, and brought me into the narrow path of virtue and salvation. It was also a ‘grace of conversion’.
The vocation of the Magi was a grace of sanctification. It made them clearly see the nothingness of what is not God; and filled their hearts with the ardor of charity. They rapidly progressed in a life of virtue.
The light and grace of our vocation have shown us the vanity of the world. It has broken our bonds to it; made us resolve on a state of life that obliges conquering our human frailty. We resort to norms of piety which help us to efficaciously attain sanctity.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp28-30
Our daily work -- source of little mortifications
The mortifications God asks of us are often associated with our work. From the very start of the day -- getting up promptly, overcoming initial laziness; punctuality despite the traffic; finishing our work to the last detail; smiling even if we don’t want to; tempering our taste for food or drink.
If you really want your soul to be both penitent and cheerful, “you must stick to your daily periods of prayer ... fervent, generous; not cut short. ... make sure these minutes of prayer are not engaged in only when you feel the need, but at fixed times, whenever possible. ... I can assure you that you will be always happy.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 994)
‘Passive’ mortifications occur without our looking for them. What we initiate (and seek) are called ‘active’ mortifications which include control of our internal senses -- the imagination, memory and intelligence. These are especially important for our interior progress and for enabling us to achieve purity of heart.
‘Mortification of the imagination’ provides opportunity to turn fantasy into a dialogue with God who is present in our soul. We try to restrain a tendency to go over and over some trivial matter where we feel injury to our self-esteem. Otherwise, our conceit and pride will subdue our peace and presence of God.
‘Mortification of the memory’ avoids useless recollections which make us waste time (cf ibid, “The Way”, 13) and which could lead us into more serious temptations.
‘Mortification of the intelligence’ leads us to immediately concentrate on the duty or business of the moment. (cf ibid, op cit, 815) Also on many occasions surrendering our own judgment so as to live humility and charity better.
In short, we rid ourselves of internal habits we know should not be found in a man or woman of God. (cf ibid, op cit, 938) Let us resolve to keep close to Our Lord by contemplating his most Sacred Humanity steeped in humility.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:17-8
Praying for humility
“... a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Ps 52:17) In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, Our Lord teaches that humility must be the basis for relating with God and others.
When we feel ignored in some insignificant, trivial matter we must realize it as an opportunity to accept our littleness and to become less proud. “You are humble not when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 594)
Our Lady’s help ensures progress in humility. “Mary is both Mother of mercy and of affection, to whom no one turns in vain; entrust yourself confidently to her, asking her to bring this virtue within your reach, a virtue which She highly appreciated.
Don’t be afraid of not having your request heard by her. Mary will ask this of God, who exalts the humble and brings down the proud. And as Mary is all-powerful beside her Son, your prayer will certainly be answered.” (J Pecci [Pope Leo XIII], “The Practice of Humility”, 56)
We can close with this petition: “Lord, take away my pride; crush my self-love, my desire to affirm myself and impose myself on others. Make the foundation of my personality be my identification with you.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 31)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 155-6
God’s Epiphany in Modern Man
On the night of our Lord’s Nativity, shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem saw the light... came to adore Him.
The Magi from the East are led by a star. ‘They come and adore.’ Whom do they adore? The Child. The Newborn man who is a particular epiphany of God.
They made a long journey to reach that place the star had guided them. In the Child born at Bethlehem they recognized the latest Gift which the Eternal Father had made to man. In this Gift, ‘man’ appears in the world as ‘a particular epiphany of God’.
He was so from the beginning, created in the image and likeness of God. He knew that none of the creatures around Him in the world were of his stature. None is really like him. He alone, man, had that particular resemblance to God from the beginning. He was His image.
He darkened this likeness in himself with sin. He disfigured the image. But he did not destroy it. Man walked toward the Messiah in the tracks of that likeness. He followed the star of his divine destinies ... And so history developed further. Christ came so that man might recognize a particular epiphany of God in himself.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p52
Our Lady of the Broad Street, at Rome, situated on the very spot where St. Paul remained for two years, wearing an iron chain, where he preached the Gospel and wrote several of his epistles. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
To what do I owe my state in life? The innocence and holiness of my youth? No, says my conscience. My moral and physical qualities? Many excel me in these respects. Only to the free choice of the Lord: “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.” (cf Jn 15:16)
Born and living amidst heathen darkness and vice, the Magi were walking with the majority in the broad path towards destruction. The grace of conversion drew them forever from it, set them in the narrow path of justice, and made them new men in Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Where was I before the star of my vocation rose to enlighten me? How far did I float, carried by the seducing torrent of vice? This life would have ended only in eternal ruin. The grace of vocation drew me away, and brought me into the narrow path of virtue and salvation. It was also a ‘grace of conversion’.
The vocation of the Magi was a grace of sanctification. It made them clearly see the nothingness of what is not God; and filled their hearts with the ardor of charity. They rapidly progressed in a life of virtue.
The light and grace of our vocation have shown us the vanity of the world. It has broken our bonds to it; made us resolve on a state of life that obliges conquering our human frailty. We resort to norms of piety which help us to efficaciously attain sanctity.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp28-30
Our daily work -- source of little mortifications
The mortifications God asks of us are often associated with our work. From the very start of the day -- getting up promptly, overcoming initial laziness; punctuality despite the traffic; finishing our work to the last detail; smiling even if we don’t want to; tempering our taste for food or drink.
If you really want your soul to be both penitent and cheerful, “you must stick to your daily periods of prayer ... fervent, generous; not cut short. ... make sure these minutes of prayer are not engaged in only when you feel the need, but at fixed times, whenever possible. ... I can assure you that you will be always happy.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 994)
‘Passive’ mortifications occur without our looking for them. What we initiate (and seek) are called ‘active’ mortifications which include control of our internal senses -- the imagination, memory and intelligence. These are especially important for our interior progress and for enabling us to achieve purity of heart.
‘Mortification of the imagination’ provides opportunity to turn fantasy into a dialogue with God who is present in our soul. We try to restrain a tendency to go over and over some trivial matter where we feel injury to our self-esteem. Otherwise, our conceit and pride will subdue our peace and presence of God.
‘Mortification of the memory’ avoids useless recollections which make us waste time (cf ibid, “The Way”, 13) and which could lead us into more serious temptations.
‘Mortification of the intelligence’ leads us to immediately concentrate on the duty or business of the moment. (cf ibid, op cit, 815) Also on many occasions surrendering our own judgment so as to live humility and charity better.
In short, we rid ourselves of internal habits we know should not be found in a man or woman of God. (cf ibid, op cit, 938) Let us resolve to keep close to Our Lord by contemplating his most Sacred Humanity steeped in humility.
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:17-8
Praying for humility
“... a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Ps 52:17) In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, Our Lord teaches that humility must be the basis for relating with God and others.
When we feel ignored in some insignificant, trivial matter we must realize it as an opportunity to accept our littleness and to become less proud. “You are humble not when you humble yourself, but when you are humbled by others and you bear it for Christ.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 594)
Our Lady’s help ensures progress in humility. “Mary is both Mother of mercy and of affection, to whom no one turns in vain; entrust yourself confidently to her, asking her to bring this virtue within your reach, a virtue which She highly appreciated.
Don’t be afraid of not having your request heard by her. Mary will ask this of God, who exalts the humble and brings down the proud. And as Mary is all-powerful beside her Son, your prayer will certainly be answered.” (J Pecci [Pope Leo XIII], “The Practice of Humility”, 56)
We can close with this petition: “Lord, take away my pride; crush my self-love, my desire to affirm myself and impose myself on others. Make the foundation of my personality be my identification with you.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 31)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 155-6
God’s Epiphany in Modern Man
On the night of our Lord’s Nativity, shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem saw the light... came to adore Him.
The Magi from the East are led by a star. ‘They come and adore.’ Whom do they adore? The Child. The Newborn man who is a particular epiphany of God.
They made a long journey to reach that place the star had guided them. In the Child born at Bethlehem they recognized the latest Gift which the Eternal Father had made to man. In this Gift, ‘man’ appears in the world as ‘a particular epiphany of God’.
He was so from the beginning, created in the image and likeness of God. He knew that none of the creatures around Him in the world were of his stature. None is really like him. He alone, man, had that particular resemblance to God from the beginning. He was His image.
He darkened this likeness in himself with sin. He disfigured the image. But he did not destroy it. Man walked toward the Messiah in the tracks of that likeness. He followed the star of his divine destinies ... And so history developed further. Christ came so that man might recognize a particular epiphany of God in himself.
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p52
Our Lady of the Broad Street, at Rome, situated on the very spot where St. Paul remained for two years, wearing an iron chain, where he preached the Gospel and wrote several of his epistles. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
15 January 2010: Children of God -- Divine filiation
Awareness of our divine filiation gives meaning to our life. “I have been set by him as a king on Sion, his holy mountain, to tell of his decrees. The Lord said to me: ‘You are my son, today I have begotten you.’” (Ps 2:6-7)
“The kindness of God our Father has given us his Son to be our king ... ‘You are my son’: the words are addressed to Christ, and to you and me if we decide to become other Christs, Christ himself.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 185)
Divine filiation has a central position in the preaching of the Gospel. It is presented as a reality of God’s love for men. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (Jn 3:1)
Jesus Christ constantly revealed this truth to his disciples. He taught them to talk to God as their Father (cf Mt 6:9); and explained sanctity in terms of a son imitating his father (cf Mt 5:48). In many parables he depicted God as the father. Particularly moving is the parable of the prodigal son.
We enter into the intimacy of the Blessed Trinity through sanctifying grace without changing our nature as creatures through the gift of divine filiation. (cf F Ocariz, “Awareness of our Divine Filiation”, Pamplona, 1985) God makes us his children.
Divine filiation effectively transforms our inmost being. That is why “God sent his Son, born of woman so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave but a Son, and if a son then an heir.” (cf Gal 4:4-7)
“Our Lord gained for us the most precious Gift, the Holy Spirit, who makes us cry out ‘Abba Father!’, who identifies us with Christ and makes us children of God. ‘You are my Son.’ Not a stranger, not a well-treated servant, not a friend -- that would be a lot already. A son! He gives us free access to treat him with a son’s piety -- I would even say with the boldness and daring of a son whose Father cannot deny him anything.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 185)
“The Christian is a sower of joy, a communicator of gladness; thus he achieves great things. Joy is one of the most irresistible powers in the world; brings about calm; soothes away anger, wins people over. He who is cheerful is a natural apostle. A cheerful countenance attracts men to God, showing them what the presence of God produces within the soul. [Thus] ... the Holy Spirit gives us the advice, ‘Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Neh 8:10)." (M V Bernadot, “The Eucharist and the Trinity”, Madrid)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:7-9; 12
Some consequences of our spiritual childhood
Living as good children of God makes us see everything in the light of faith. Even minor incidents of any day accustom us to behaving constantly according to Christ’s will. (cf M Eguibar, “Why do the Gentiles rage?”, Madrid, 1986) We try to see everyone as brothers because we are all children of the same Father; and generates within us an urge to desire their sanctification.
Fraternal love will make us wish that people should come ever closer to Christ and should be more fully children of our Father God. We identify with Christ’s concern for the apostolate, his zeal for his Father’s glory and the salvation of all mankind. (B Perquin, “Abba, Father”, London 1965)
Spiritual childhood determines our whole supernatural being, shows us how to deal with every situation. A permanent character of our being, it suffuses and permeates all the virtues. (cf F Ocariz, op cit) “We are children of God all day long, even though we do set aside special moments for considering the fact of our divine filiation, the essence of true piety.” (cf “Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá”, 102)
I am a child of God. If we frequently consider this truth, going deeper into its meaning, our day will be filled with peace, serenity and joy. We resolve to rely on God our Father, on whom everything depends, when difficulties and disappointments arise, and when sometimes the battle seems to be uphill. (cf J Lucas, “We are Children of God”, Madrid, 1973)
We will not lose sight of the truth that our Father is waiting to embrace us, to give us back our dignity as his children, if ever we lose it; and to fill us with good things at a splendid banquet, although our behavior may have been bad countless times. Our prayer will really be a conversation of a son with his father who listens and understands him.
“Everything that is on our mind and in our heart; our joys, sorrows, hopes, disappointments, successes, failures; even the most trivial happenings of our day. We will discover that our heavenly Father is interested in everything about us.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 245)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 9-11
Knowing How to Accept Christ
‘He came among His own people.’ Think of those who shut their interior doors to Him, and let us ask why. There are so many, many, many answers, objections, causes. Our human power is not qualified to judge them. The Almighty alone searches the hearts and consciences of every person to the depths. Only the eternally Born; only the Son. In fact, the Father has made all judgment over to the Son, “the true light who enlightens everyone” (Jn 1:9).
How much man loses when he meets Him and will not see the Father in Him. God actually revealed Himself to man, in Christ, as the Father. And how much man loses when he does not see his own humanity in Him. Christ actually came into the world so as to reveal man fully to man and make his most lofty vocation known to him. “Any who did accept Him, he empowered to become children of God.” (Jn 1:12)
Hence rises a humble prayer: that the people of our century may accept Christ. ... that there may be given to them the Power -- coming only from Him, because it is in Him alone.
[Our Holy Mother Mary will always show us the safe path to her Son. (F Fernandez, op cit, 1:55)]
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p84
Spreading the Faith -- “Seek refuge with the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Good Counsel, so that your lips may never utter any offence against God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 944)
To Lady of the Portico, at Rome, where an image is seen which is said to have been brought from heaven by an angel to Blessed Galla, widow of the consul Symmaclius.(“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
“The kindness of God our Father has given us his Son to be our king ... ‘You are my son’: the words are addressed to Christ, and to you and me if we decide to become other Christs, Christ himself.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 185)
Divine filiation has a central position in the preaching of the Gospel. It is presented as a reality of God’s love for men. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (Jn 3:1)
Jesus Christ constantly revealed this truth to his disciples. He taught them to talk to God as their Father (cf Mt 6:9); and explained sanctity in terms of a son imitating his father (cf Mt 5:48). In many parables he depicted God as the father. Particularly moving is the parable of the prodigal son.
We enter into the intimacy of the Blessed Trinity through sanctifying grace without changing our nature as creatures through the gift of divine filiation. (cf F Ocariz, “Awareness of our Divine Filiation”, Pamplona, 1985) God makes us his children.
Divine filiation effectively transforms our inmost being. That is why “God sent his Son, born of woman so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave but a Son, and if a son then an heir.” (cf Gal 4:4-7)
“Our Lord gained for us the most precious Gift, the Holy Spirit, who makes us cry out ‘Abba Father!’, who identifies us with Christ and makes us children of God. ‘You are my Son.’ Not a stranger, not a well-treated servant, not a friend -- that would be a lot already. A son! He gives us free access to treat him with a son’s piety -- I would even say with the boldness and daring of a son whose Father cannot deny him anything.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 185)
“The Christian is a sower of joy, a communicator of gladness; thus he achieves great things. Joy is one of the most irresistible powers in the world; brings about calm; soothes away anger, wins people over. He who is cheerful is a natural apostle. A cheerful countenance attracts men to God, showing them what the presence of God produces within the soul. [Thus] ... the Holy Spirit gives us the advice, ‘Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Neh 8:10)." (M V Bernadot, “The Eucharist and the Trinity”, Madrid)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:7-9; 12
Some consequences of our spiritual childhood
Living as good children of God makes us see everything in the light of faith. Even minor incidents of any day accustom us to behaving constantly according to Christ’s will. (cf M Eguibar, “Why do the Gentiles rage?”, Madrid, 1986) We try to see everyone as brothers because we are all children of the same Father; and generates within us an urge to desire their sanctification.
Fraternal love will make us wish that people should come ever closer to Christ and should be more fully children of our Father God. We identify with Christ’s concern for the apostolate, his zeal for his Father’s glory and the salvation of all mankind. (B Perquin, “Abba, Father”, London 1965)
Spiritual childhood determines our whole supernatural being, shows us how to deal with every situation. A permanent character of our being, it suffuses and permeates all the virtues. (cf F Ocariz, op cit) “We are children of God all day long, even though we do set aside special moments for considering the fact of our divine filiation, the essence of true piety.” (cf “Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá”, 102)
I am a child of God. If we frequently consider this truth, going deeper into its meaning, our day will be filled with peace, serenity and joy. We resolve to rely on God our Father, on whom everything depends, when difficulties and disappointments arise, and when sometimes the battle seems to be uphill. (cf J Lucas, “We are Children of God”, Madrid, 1973)
We will not lose sight of the truth that our Father is waiting to embrace us, to give us back our dignity as his children, if ever we lose it; and to fill us with good things at a splendid banquet, although our behavior may have been bad countless times. Our prayer will really be a conversation of a son with his father who listens and understands him.
“Everything that is on our mind and in our heart; our joys, sorrows, hopes, disappointments, successes, failures; even the most trivial happenings of our day. We will discover that our heavenly Father is interested in everything about us.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 245)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, op cit, 9-11
Knowing How to Accept Christ
‘He came among His own people.’ Think of those who shut their interior doors to Him, and let us ask why. There are so many, many, many answers, objections, causes. Our human power is not qualified to judge them. The Almighty alone searches the hearts and consciences of every person to the depths. Only the eternally Born; only the Son. In fact, the Father has made all judgment over to the Son, “the true light who enlightens everyone” (Jn 1:9).
How much man loses when he meets Him and will not see the Father in Him. God actually revealed Himself to man, in Christ, as the Father. And how much man loses when he does not see his own humanity in Him. Christ actually came into the world so as to reveal man fully to man and make his most lofty vocation known to him. “Any who did accept Him, he empowered to become children of God.” (Jn 1:12)
Hence rises a humble prayer: that the people of our century may accept Christ. ... that there may be given to them the Power -- coming only from Him, because it is in Him alone.
[Our Holy Mother Mary will always show us the safe path to her Son. (F Fernandez, op cit, 1:55)]
Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p84
Spreading the Faith -- “Seek refuge with the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Good Counsel, so that your lips may never utter any offence against God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 944)
To Lady of the Portico, at Rome, where an image is seen which is said to have been brought from heaven by an angel to Blessed Galla, widow of the consul Symmaclius.(“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
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