15 February 2010: The Virginal Conception

St Thomas argued the propriety of the virginal conception: 1) It is appropriate that He Who is the natural Son of God should have no father on earth, but only in heaven; 2) The Word, conceived eternally in the most complete purity, should be conceived virginally when being made flesh; 3) That the human nature of the Saviour be exempt from original sin, it was appropriate that it should not be formed by the ordinary process of human generation, but virginally; 4) By being born of a virgin, Christ showed that His members should be born by the Spirit of His virginal and spiritual spouse, the Church.

Ref: In R Garrigou LaGrange, “The Mother of the Saviour and of our Interior Life”, 1948, p108

Love for one’s children

The first duty of parents: a real love which comes from within-- generous, ordered, and independent of the physical, intellectual or moral qualities of children. Such a love will enable parents to love their children despite all their defects; and because they are also children of God.

Here arises the primary duty of parents to love and respect God’s Will specially when their children receive a vocation to give themselves completely to him. Good parents should often pray for such a vocation for their children, because “giving up one’s children to the service of God is not a sacrifice: it is an honour and a joy”. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 22)

Parents must form a family where Christ is present. This living reality will encourage parents to give good example always, in family life, professional duties, sobriety, order. In doing so, their children will find in them the way that leads to God.

“In every mother’s face we can glimpse a reflection of Mary’s sweetness, intuition and generosity. If you honour your mother, you will also honour her, who as Christ’s mother, is likewise the Mother of each one of us.” (cf John Paul II, “Address”, 10 Jan 1979)

Let us place our family under the protection of the Most Blessed Virgin and of the Guardian Angels.

Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:252-3

Bringing up children

The task of education has its roots in the parents’ primary vocation to share in God’s creative work. By begetting in love and for love, a new person with a vocation to growth and development in him, the parents take on the task of effectively helping that new person to live a fully human life:

“Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and man, that personal and social development will be fostered among the children. Hence, the family is the first of those social virtues which every society needs.” (Second Vatican Council)

The parents’ right and duty is described as ‘essential’, connected as it is with transmission of human life; as ‘original and primary’, as regards other educational functions, because of the uniqueness of the love relationship which exists between parents and children; as ‘irreplaceable and unalienable’, therefore as not being able to be totally delegated to others, not usurped by others.

Away and beyond these characteristics, the most radical element -- that which characterizes the parents’ educational duty -- is paternal and maternal love. This finds the accomplishment of the task of education making its service to life full and perfect.

The parents’ love turns from being ‘source’ into ‘soul', thence into ‘norm’, inspiring and guiding the whole of the concrete work of education, and enriching it with those values of gentleness, constance, goodness, service, disinterestedness, spirit of sacrifice, which are the most precious fruit of love.

Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, pp368-9

The weariness of Jesus

Being persecuted in Judaea, Jesus returned to Galilee, a long and tiresome journey by way of Samaria. At Sichar, a city of Samaria, “Jesus, wearied with his journey, sat at the well. It was about the sixth hour.” (cf Jn 4:6-7)

Like us in all things except for sin, Jesus was really fatigued when he desired to rest at Jacob’s well. But he made good use of this rest. Engaging into conversation a poor sinful Samaritan woman of Sichar, he caused her conversion and that of many of her fellow citizens.

Jesus patiently and discreetly leads the woman to realize and repent for her sin. First, from the water which she draws, to suggest a desire for the living waters of grace. Then he asks her to call her husband, to make her realize her licentious life. By reminding her of all she had done, he makes her exclaim: “Sir, I perceive you are a prophet.” (Jn 4:19)

In answer to her questions, he reveals himself as the promised Messiah. She recognizes her Saviour. A sinner, she becomes an apostle who hastens to town, and brings the crowds to the feet of Jesus. Even more significant is that Jews do not interact with Samaritans.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp378-80

Prayers during the day

‘Before Work’ -- “Look upon Thy servants, O Lord, and upon Thy works, and direct their children. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us, and direct Thou the works of our hands over us; yes, the work of our hands do Thou direct.”

‘Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and forever. Amen.’

‘Before Study or Reading’ -- “Grant me grace, O merciful God, to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee, to examine it prudently, to acknowledge it truthfully, and to accomplish it perfectly, for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.”

‘Aspiration’ -- ‘Our Lady of good studies, pray for us.’

Ref: Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p9

Our Lady of Paris church, first built by King Childebert, in the year 522; about the year 1257, King St. Louis erected a larger one in the same place, on the foundation which king Philip Augustus had laid in the year 1191. — Du Preil, Theatre des; antiquites de Paris, lib. i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (http://www.divine will.org/feastofourlady.htm)