To have been miraculously called from the Gentile darkness to the divine light of the Incarnate Word. To have been taught sublime lessons of the Gospel even before they were preached! Why this wonderful preference over many millions? The mercy and predilection only of the Saviour God.
We, too received this same preference by being born of Catholic parents who taught us from our infancy the knowledge and love of Jesus. If we were born of pagan or non-Christian parents, what would be our eternal destiny? To what do we owe this legacy of means for sanctification? The mercy of God alone!
Perhaps the three Kings stayed more than one day at this happy place after a difficult pilgrimage. They had the wonderful joy of having Jesus, who till then had been given only to Mary, Joseph, and a few shepherds. What graces they received! And how they rejoiced for having obeyed the invitation of the star!
We share this happiness. We, whom the star of vocation has led into our state in life. What happy days rich in merit, do we live until grace and perseverance shall lead us into the glorious presence of God in heaven!
We may also believe that the Magi leisurely contemplated the beautiful countenance of the Divine Child. To crown their happiness, they received him into their arms from the loving hands of Mary; that they were permitted to cover him with kisses, to press him to their hearts.
We envy their happiness, but we share it with them when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Not only to press him in our arms and to our breast; but receive him into our heart, to be incorporated and identified with him.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp26-8
The Cross in the little things of each day
“The ‘daily’ cross. ... No day without a cross; not a single day in which we are not to carry the Cross of the Lord, in which we are not to accept his yoke ...
“The way to our personal sanctification should daily lead us to the Cross. This way is not a sorrowful one, because Christ himself comes to our aid, and in his company there is no room for sadness. I like to repeat, with my soul filled with joy, there is not a single day without a cross -- ‘the’ Cross.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 176)
Our Lord’s Cross, which we must carry daily, is not the cross of our selfishness, envy, laziness, etc. Nor is it found in the conflicts caused by our ‘old man’ and our pride. These don’t come from God; they do not sanctify.
Occasionally, the Cross comes in some great difficulty: a serious and painful illness, an economic disaster, death of a loved one. Our Lord will give us the strength to carry that Cross with elegance and He will fill us with unimaginable graces and fruits. God frequently blesses his friends by sharing in his Cross and making them co-redeemers with him.
However, usually the daily Cross may be petty annoyances at work through our colleagues. Or something unexpected, the difficult character of a person at home, plans that must be changed at the last minute, materials or instruments of work that fail at a crucial time. Discomfort, maybe caused by cold or heat, or noise ... misunderstandings.
We must accept these daily pinpricks courageously, offering them to God in a spirit of reparation without complaint. Those mortifications that come by surprise can help us, if we receive them well, to grow in the spirit of penance which we need so much; and to improve in the virtues of patience, of charity, of understanding: in short, in ‘holiness’.
Many Christians ‘lose their cool’ at the end of the day, not due to big reverses; but because they do not know how to sanctify the tiredness caused by work, or the minor frustrations which arose during the day. When we accept the Cross -- little or great -- it brings peace and joy despite the pain and is full of merits for eternal life.
The Christian who goes through life systematically avoiding sacrifice will not find God, will not find happiness. What he will have been taking care to avoid is his own sanctity.
Let us tell Jesus, as we finish our dialogue with him, that we are prepared to follow him, carrying our cross today and everyday.
Mary, who is Queen of peace, will help us ‘keep our cool’, to recover our peace if we rashly lose it; and pass it on to others. We will strive to turn to her all day long, keeping her closer to us in our work; and offering her some special token of our affection. (cf F Fernandez, op cit, 1:23)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:9-11
· “No true devotee of Mary will be damned, because she is the terrible conqueror of the devil.” -- St Alphonsus Liguori (In Rev J A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p18)
"Suffering is bearable ...
"... if there is someone we love. No human being is free to decide whether he will go through life without suffering and trial. These constitute as much the essence of life as shadows resulting from sunlight. Our choice is only to decide how we will react to them. Some trials in marriage [for example], are of such a magnitude that no human remedy can help; it is then that one must turn to God and the fullness of His love."
Ref: “The Wit & Wisdom of Bishop Fulton J Sheen”, Edited by Bill Adler, 1969, p25
Struggle
Do not be ashamed to discover in your heart the ‘fomes pecati’ -- the inclination to evil, which will be with you as long as you live, for nobody is free from this burden.
Do not be ashamed, for the all-powerful and merciful Lord has given us all the means we need for overcoming this inclination: the Sacraments, a life of piety and sanctified work.
Persevere in using these means, ever ready to begin again and again without getting discouraged.
Ref: St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 119
Our Lady's presence on this day, at the marriage feast of Cana, induced her Son, then thirty years old, to change water into wine: this was his first public miracle.(Bethlehem 'Observer' Historical Calendar)
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